Local

Maddie Boone (right) goes in for a pet on Fresca, an accelerant detection K9 that helps investigate cases of arson, during last year’s National Night Out event. (FILE)

Maddie Boone (right) goes in for a pet on Fresca, an accelerant detection K9 that helps investigate cases of arson, during last year’s National Night Out event. (FILE)

Law enforcement preps for National Night Out

The night is finally upon Lake City. Residents and area youngsters will have an opportunity to make and renew relationships with law enforcement officers when the Lake City Police Department hosts the local National Night Out celebration.

Two killed in head-on collision

Both drivers were killed in a head-on collision near the Lake City Gateway Airport overnight. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a pickup truck was headed west on U.S. Highway 90 around 2:45 a.m. Saturday while a sedan was headed east at the same time.
An example of the flood buckets that Rotary Clubs are collecting for Hurricane Ian victims in Southwest Florida. (COURTESY)

An example of the flood buckets that Rotary Clubs are collecting for Hurricane Ian victims in Southwest Florida. (COURTESY)

Groups collecting supplies for Ian victims

Now that Hurricane Ian has passed through Florida, the cleanup begins. Several North Florida organizations are looking to lend a helping hand to the victims of the Category 4 storm in South Florida by collecting supplies.
One person was killed in an overnight house fire Friday morning on NW Madison Street.

One person was killed in an overnight house fire Friday morning on NW Madison Street.

One killed in overnight house fire

One person was killed in an overnight house fire near downtown Lake City. The Lake City Fire Department responded to a fire on NW Madison Street, just across Main Boulevard from the city’s Public Safety Building, around 1:52 a.m. Friday.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus said some residents could be confused over exactly who runs the Richardson Community Center after the county moved the rec department to a different location. (FILE)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus said some residents could be confused over exactly who runs the Richardson Community Center after the county moved the rec department to a different location. (FILE)

What’s the plan for Richardson?

The future of the Richardson Community Center and its ties to Columbia County should become clearer Tuesday night.
Emergency Management Director Shayne Morgan (left) and county spokeswoman Paula Vann converse Wednesday at the county’s Combined Communications Center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Emergency Management Director Shayne Morgan (left) and county spokeswoman Paula Vann converse Wednesday at the county’s Combined Communications Center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County emergency team thankful for slower workload

Some munched on an early dinner of pasta, salad and garlic bread. Others convened in small circles to discuss the latest information coming out south of the county.

Lewis murder trial begins Monday

The murder trial for Dashan R. Lewis is scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection. The court proceedings about Lewis’ role in the 2019 shooting death of Steven McGee were originally scheduled to take place in late August.