Local

Fair Talent Contest deadline today

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and the Florida Gateway Fair are looking for talented performers. The fair’s annual talent contest is Thursday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds, but the registration deadline is 5 p.m. today.
Dwight Boozer, Assistant Fire Chief of the Lake City Fire Department, looks over this shoulder while coupling hoses as a firefighter heads toward the blaze in the background. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dwight Boozer, Assistant Fire Chief of the Lake City Fire Department, looks over this shoulder while coupling hoses as a firefighter heads toward the blaze in the background. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fire blazes at storage lot

TONY BRITT
Monday, October 31, 2022
A plume of black smoke bellowed over the eastern tree line in Lake City Monday afternoon. Firefighters from both the Lake City Fire Department and Columbia County Fire Rescue responded to battle the shed fire on U.S. Highway 90 East across from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Operation Center.
Bob Dekle with a copy of his newest book, “The East River Ripper: The Mysterious 1891 Murder of Old Shakespeare.” (COURTESY)

Bob Dekle with a copy of his newest book, “The East River Ripper: The Mysterious 1891 Murder of Old Shakespeare.” (COURTESY)

Dekle’s work honored with latest award

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, October 31, 2022
Bob Dekle continues to impress with his books. Now, the former assistant state attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit has a couple more accolades to add to his resume.
Shannon Hardin (right) sorts through clothing items at the Christian Service Center. Hardin has helped provide clothing for the underprivileged through her Clothes 4 Kids Closet project. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Shannon Hardin (right) sorts through clothing items at the Christian Service Center. Hardin has helped provide clothing for the underprivileged through her Clothes 4 Kids Closet project. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Hardin, CSC team up for charity

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, October 31, 2022
Shannon Hardin’s Clothes 4 Kids Closet is growing. After running her closet out of a storage unit, Hardin has combined forces with the Christian Service Center to expand her reach.
Omar Orta (from left), 4, and Adeline Garcia, 4, get candy from DOT employee Karen Williams on Monday evening at the inaugural FDOT Trunk or Treat event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Omar Orta (from left), 4, and Adeline Garcia, 4, get candy from DOT employee Karen Williams on Monday evening at the inaugural FDOT Trunk or Treat event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kids get safety, treats at DOT ‘Trunk or Treat’ event

TONY BRITT
Monday, October 31, 2022
The usual subjects were on the scene at the Florida Department of Transportation District 2 office on Monday evening.

Lake City woman killed in Sunday wreck

NEWS STAFF
Monday, October 31, 2022
A Lake City woman was killed when her SUV crashed early Sunday morning along SE Country Club Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 45-year-old woman was driving north on SE Country Club Road (County Road 133) at 12:01 a.m.
LCPD

LCPD

Vehicles hit by gunfire over weekend

NEWS STAFF
Monday, October 31, 2022
Weekend gunfire in three locations resulted in two vehicles and one transformer being hit, according to authorities. A Lake City Police Department release states officers responded to reports of gunfire Friday night, early Sunday morning and again Sunday night, all on the north side of the city.
Different law enforcement agencies gather during Friday’s pursuit. (COURTESY)

Different law enforcement agencies gather during Friday’s pursuit. (COURTESY)

Three arrested after multi-state chase

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 28, 2022
Three suspects from Michigan are in custody after leading law enforcement on a multi-state chase. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, it all started about 6:23 a.m.
Melrose Park Elementary School would be one of four schools to be replaced should the district manage to pass the half-cent sales tax referendum. (FILE)

Melrose Park Elementary School would be one of four schools to be replaced should the district manage to pass the half-cent sales tax referendum. (FILE)

Is future worth a half-cent?

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, October 28, 2022
What is the future of Columbia County worth? To Dennille Decker, co-chair of the Funding Our Future political action committee, that is the real question over the half-cent sales tax referendum that Columbia County School District has placed on the ballot for voters to decide on Nov. 8.
Van Morrison (from left), Rebecca Beer and Khalil Cleckley rehearse during a scene where they portray witches conjuring a spell in, ‘Vampire Diaries — The Original.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Van Morrison (from left), Rebecca Beer and Khalil Cleckley rehearse during a scene where they portray witches conjuring a spell in, ‘Vampire Diaries — The Original.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Toil and trouble: CHS students hosting annual haunted house

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Television comes to life to haunt area residents this weekend. Columbia High School theatre and HOSA students are presenting the school’s annual haunted house from 7-10 p.m. Saturday in the Norman L. Choice Performing Arts Center at Columbia High School.