Local

Vehicles travel southbound on Southeast Country Club Road on Thursday afternoon, after county crews erected hazardous conditions signs for both lanes of travel for a local bridge. The signs have been erected at 34 locations across the county. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Vehicles travel southbound on Southeast Country Club Road on Thursday afternoon, after county crews erected hazardous conditions signs for both lanes of travel for a local bridge. The signs have been erected at 34 locations across the county. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County braces for cold weather impacts on roads

TONY BRITT
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Likely to the chagrin of local youngsters, it doesn’t appear Lake City will have a “white Christmas” with snow or snow flurries, but weather forecasters are calling for sub-freezing temperatures beginning later this evening. “There’s very minimal chance for precipitation.
Josh Fuller (from left) and James Crenshaw pass turkeys to Dawn Johnson for the Elks Lodge Christmas baskets Thursday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Josh Fuller (from left) and James Crenshaw pass turkeys to Dawn Johnson for the Elks Lodge Christmas baskets Thursday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elks Lodge set to host pair of annual events

TONY BRITT
Thursday, December 22, 2022
What started more than nine decades ago with local clubs and civic organizations polling their resources to provide food and gifts for the community and children will continue when the Lake City Elks Lodge #893 hold its annual Christmas events today and tomorrow.
Shane McPherson, 13, of Gainesville, peers through the Gateway Art Gallery window Wednesday as his aunt, Shelia Carr, Gateway Art Gallery curator, works on a holiday display that features a holiday village with a working electric train. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Shane McPherson, 13, of Gainesville, peers through the Gateway Art Gallery window Wednesday as his aunt, Shelia Carr, Gateway Art Gallery curator, works on a holiday display that features a holiday village with a working electric train. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gallery adds window display with Christmas village, train set

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
All aboard for some festive window dressing at the Gateway Art Gallery.

Arctic blast bringing frigid temps

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
An arctic blast is expected to transforming North Florida into a frigid wonderland. Weather forecasters are predicting low temperatures in the mid to lower 20-degree range with the wind chill factor resulting in conditions akin to temperatures in the high teens.
Eddie Medina, dressed as the Grinch, shows off the donated toys in front of Sheriff Mark Hunter (center) Wednesday morning at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. (COURTESY)

Eddie Medina, dressed as the Grinch, shows off the donated toys in front of Sheriff Mark Hunter (center) Wednesday morning at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. (COURTESY)

Truckloads of toys delivered for ‘Cause’

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Eddie Medina garnered a few confused stares from motorists and pedestrians as he rolled down U.S. Highway 90 early Wednesday morning. Or rather, The Grinch did.
John Larner (from left) stands with members of the Blue-Grey Army Tom Coleman, Tony Buzzella, Sean McMahon, Sheila Carr (representing the Gateway Art Gallery) and Faye Bowling Warren on Tuesday night as the 44th Annual Olustee Battle Festival poster was unveiled. Larner created the painting that will be used of the event poster. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

John Larner (from left) stands with members of the Blue-Grey Army Tom Coleman, Tony Buzzella, Sean McMahon, Sheila Carr (representing the Gateway Art Gallery) and Faye Bowling Warren on Tuesday night as the 44th Annual Olustee Battle Festival poster was unveiled. Larner created the painting that will be used of the event poster. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Painting a clear picture: Annual Olustee Festival poster unveiled

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
One of Columbia County’s most iconic buildings has now become part of the 2023 Olustee Festival.
Kids Feeding Kids officials Emily Cole (from left), John Cole and Sharon Simpkins share a group hug during the organization’s ‘Miracle on KFK Street’ on Saturday night. (COURTESY)

Kids Feeding Kids officials Emily Cole (from left), John Cole and Sharon Simpkins share a group hug during the organization’s ‘Miracle on KFK Street’ on Saturday night. (COURTESY)

Kids Feeding Kids turns to toys for Christmas baskets

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
About 100 local children were reveling in the Christmas spirit Saturday night when they were the recipients of toys from the Kids Feeding Kids program. The program held its third annual Christmas baskets dispersement Saturday.

Legion Post 107 unwraps veteran Christmas event

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
The American Legion Harry C. Gray II Memorial Post 107 looks to unwrap a new Christmas tradition this week. The Legion is opening its doors on Christmas Day from 2-5 p.m. with one goal in mind: No veteran alone on Christmas!

Five teens shot in daytime incident

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Five male teenagers were shot Monday afternoon in northwest Lake City.  According to the Lake City Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of NW Dixie Avenue and NW Wright Lane at 3:45 p.m. Monday where three juvenile males were found with gunshot wounds.