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Pedestrian hit, killed on I-75

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
An Orlando man walking along Interstate 75 was hit and killed Monday evening in Columbia County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 33-year-old man was walking on the inside shoulder of I-75 south when he entered into the inside lane near mile marker 432 north of the U.S.
Eugene Jefferson was honored Monday for his 24 years on the Lake City Council. Jefferson received a plaque and a framed proclamation from Mayor Stephen Witt for his service at the start of the council’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Eugene Jefferson was honored Monday for his 24 years on the Lake City Council. Jefferson received a plaque and a framed proclamation from Mayor Stephen Witt for his service at the start of the council’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jefferson recognized for service; Young, Jernigan sworn in

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, November 21, 2022
The Lake City Council is fully staffed once again. When former District 14 councilor Chris Greene resigned in September 2021, the Lake City charter specified a new council member had to be appointed within two months.

Life without parole for Lewis

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, November 21, 2022
Convicted of murder in a 2019 shooting death a month ago, Dashan Lewis now knows his sentence: life in prison. At a sentencing hearing Monday afternoon, Lewis received the mandatory sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole.
Volunteers helped prepare and pass out 600 Thanksgiving baskets as part of Catholic Charities’ distribution effort last week. (COURTESY)

Volunteers helped prepare and pass out 600 Thanksgiving baskets as part of Catholic Charities’ distribution effort last week. (COURTESY)

Groups provide hundreds with meals

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, November 21, 2022
Hundreds of families in and around Columbia County can thank some community organizations for their holiday meals this Thanksgiving. Catholic Charities and Kids Feeding Kids prepared and handed out Thanksgiving baskets in the past week with more than 700 meals provided for this in need.

Brannan sets Columbia hearing for Dec. 5

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 21, 2022
Columbia County’s legislative delegation will meet early next month. Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny), the delegation chairman, announced Monday that the delegation hearing for the county would be held Dec. 5 at Florida Gateway College. The hearing, which is set for 9-11 a.m.
The Rotary Club of Lake City’s annual Christmas parade will ride through downtown Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 6 p.m. (FILE)

The Rotary Club of Lake City’s annual Christmas parade will ride through downtown Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 6 p.m. (FILE)

Rotary looks for ‘really strong’ parade

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, November 19, 2022
In its second year coming back from cancelation due to covid, the Rotary Club of Lake City’s Christmas Parade is set to be as big as ever. The parade is slated to feature loads of floats, with 42 already signed up to participate. Those wishing to enter a float into the parade have until Dec.
Two floating, lighted Christmas trees have been added to Lake DeSoto for this year’s holiday season. The trees will be lit on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. (COURTESY)

Two floating, lighted Christmas trees have been added to Lake DeSoto for this year’s holiday season. The trees will be lit on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. (COURTESY)

Christmas trees back on Lake DeSoto

TONY BRITT
Saturday, November 19, 2022
An old Christmas tradition is returning to Lake City. Decades ago it was a common sight to see Christmas trees floating on Lake DeSoto, which added to the holiday’s visual and sensory appeal.

FGC hosting spring enrollment event

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, November 19, 2022
The easiest way to enroll at Florida Gateway College for the spring semester will soon be here. The college’s One-Stop Enrollment Day for the spring is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the Wilson S. Rivers Library and Media Center.
Long Vu, from Tampa, unpacks his vehicle at the Tru by Hilton hotel in Lake City in September. Columbia County’s Tourism Development Council said the county had collected over $2 million in bed taxes for the first time ever. (FILE)

Long Vu, from Tampa, unpacks his vehicle at the Tru by Hilton hotel in Lake City in September. Columbia County’s Tourism Development Council said the county had collected over $2 million in bed taxes for the first time ever. (FILE)

Bed tax tops $2M

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Tourism business is booming in Columbia County. The county collected more than $2 million in bed tax revenue in fiscal year 2021-22, according to figures from the Columbia County Tourism Development Council. It’s the first time, the county has brought in more than $2 million.
James Hodges (second from right) listens as his attorney John M. Phillips speaks at Thursday’s press conference. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

James Hodges (second from right) listens as his attorney John M. Phillips speaks at Thursday’s press conference. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Blind man intends to sue CCSO

TONY BRITT
Thursday, November 17, 2022
The recent arrest of James Hodges, a legally blind Lake City man, has evolved into a pending federal lawsuit. A notice of intent to sue the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office was filed Wednesday by John M. Phillips, a Jacksonville attorney.