Local

Visitors at last Friday’s Fort White-Newberry football game are searched for weapons and any other hazardous materials on their way into Arrowhead Stadium at Fort White High School. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Visitors at last Friday’s Fort White-Newberry football game are searched for weapons and any other hazardous materials on their way into Arrowhead Stadium at Fort White High School. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Securing entrances: Fans, students can expect wanding at sporting events

Columbia High’s home opener Friday night at Tiger Stadium will have a few new spectators. Greeting fans and students at the gate will be metal detection wands, an extra security measure implemented by the Columbia County School District.
A trailer lies overturned on Branford Highway (State Road 247) on Tuesday evening after a crash following an improper U-Turn. (COURTESY GLENN ALLEN)

A trailer lies overturned on Branford Highway (State Road 247) on Tuesday evening after a crash following an improper U-Turn. (COURTESY GLENN ALLEN)

Trailer flips after improper U-Turn, crash

A U-Turn on Branford Highway on Tuesday night led to an overturn. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2013 Chevrolet SUV and a 2007 GMC pickup were headed north on Branford Highway (State Road 247) at 7 p.m. Tuesday when the SUV attempted a U-Turn.
Woodworking is one of the 70 categories that Veterans could enter during the national competition. (COURTESY)

Woodworking is one of the 70 categories that Veterans could enter during the national competition. (COURTESY)

Looking for a few good pieces of art

Talented Veterans across the nation will competes as writers, dancers, musicians, vocalists, crafts makers, artists and photographers.
County Manager David Kraus speaks at a prior meeting. (FILE)

County Manager David Kraus speaks at a prior meeting. (FILE)

County to assess fees, budget at hearing

Columbia County officials look to take the first step toward final approval of the county’s $55 million general fund budget in addition to the other funds that comprise the fiscal budget for 2022-23 today.
Councilman Todd Sampson leaves the dais as City Manager Paul Dyal speaks near the end of the Lake City Council meeting Tuesday. Sampson would return to his seat to respond to Dyal. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Councilman Todd Sampson leaves the dais as City Manager Paul Dyal speaks near the end of the Lake City Council meeting Tuesday. Sampson would return to his seat to respond to Dyal. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Profanity, threats, chaos at city meeting

What started as a fairly innocuous Lake City Council meeting quickly turned to name-calling, expletive-laced legal threats and, eventually, near-violence. Tuesday’s council meeting saw a handful of ordinances and resolutions passed, including awarding a $2.
A Lake City firefighter rings a bell commemorating the times that planes struck the Twin Towers and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, during last year’s Patriot Day ceremony. (FILE)

A Lake City firefighter rings a bell commemorating the times that planes struck the Twin Towers and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, during last year’s Patriot Day ceremony. (FILE)

Patriot Day memorial ceremony planned

More than two decades ago terrorist-hijacked jets were strategically crashed into the World Trade Center Twin Towers and the Pentagon while another airliner crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Hundreds of first responders and victims of the terrorist attacks were killed on Sept.
Columbia County firefighters Jessica Islam (center) and Bryan King (right) work with the Hurst Jaws of Life as Tyler Dorris (left) looks on Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County firefighters Jessica Islam (center) and Bryan King (right) work with the Hurst Jaws of Life as Tyler Dorris (left) looks on Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CCFR gets hands-on experience with new rescue tools

Opening a car door took on new meaning for a group of Columbia County firefighters Tuesday. The group was getting versed in using more than $30,000 worth of new rescue tools used for extrication.
Seraph Brass opens the Community Concerts of Lake City season Friday night. (COURTESY)

Seraph Brass opens the Community Concerts of Lake City season Friday night. (COURTESY)

New shows, new venue for Community Concerts

Now entering its 54th season of “Providing the Magic of Live Entertainment at an Affordable Price,” Community Concerts of Lake City announces a venue change and also the lineup of this season’s upcoming concerts.

Detours returning to U.S. 41 roundabout site

Traffic will detour away from the roundabout on U.S. Highway 41 North again this week. The Florida Department of Transportation will detour traffic from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily through Friday. Over the weekend, detours will be in place from 7 p.m. Friday though Monday at 6 a.m.