Local

Lake City Councilman Jake Hill Jr. speaks at a previous City Council meeting. (FILE)

Lake City Councilman Jake Hill Jr. speaks at a previous City Council meeting. (FILE)

Hill: LCPD ‘failing citizens’

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, November 7, 2022
Councilman Jake Hill Jr. wants an end to the gun violence in the City of Lake City, even if it means a change in policing. At Monday’s brief Lake City Council meeting, Hill aired frustrations with the Lake City Police Department’s ability to protect city residents.

Three charged with smuggling drugs to prison

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 7, 2022
Bringing drugs into state prisons last month led to time behind bars for three different visitors from Gainesville. According to reports from the Florida Department of Corrections – Office of Inspector General, over the course of two days, Oct.
Helena Powers (left), a 106-year-old voter, makes time to cast her ballot alongside her son, Frank Powers (82). (COURTESY)

Helena Powers (left), a 106-year-old voter, makes time to cast her ballot alongside her son, Frank Powers (82). (COURTESY)

Early voting ends Saturday night

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 4, 2022
Early voting for the November elections draws to a close tonight. Voters can still cast their ballots early by visiting their county’s early voting centers. Columbia County voters have two options for voting today. Residents can visit either the main office in Lake City at 971 W. Duval St.
The family of two runaway Oklahoma teens thanked officers at the Lake City Police Department for their role in locating the teens in Gainesville. (COURTESY)

The family of two runaway Oklahoma teens thanked officers at the Lake City Police Department for their role in locating the teens in Gainesville. (COURTESY)

‘Road trip’ runaway ends in reunion

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 4, 2022
A pair of Oklahoma City teens were reunited with their families after a “road trip” getaway that involved stealing an older relative’s car. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers received a call around 1:30 p.m.

Unwanted advance ends with lockup

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 4, 2022
Looking to get lucky, a Waldo man was anything but early Thursday morning. Lake City police officers responded to the Bright and White Laundromat at the intersection of SW Baya Ave. and Marion Blvd. just after midnight Thursday as Michael Hensley Davis, 36, had been pepper sprayed.

Third try for I-10, I-75 safety project

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 4, 2022
Perhaps the third time is the charm for safety improvements at the Interstate 75 and Interstate 10 interchange. The Florida Department of Transportation project, which was originally scheduled and delayed to occur the past two weeks, is now set to begin this week, starting on Tuesday.

Roundabout detours back this week

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 4, 2022
Detours will ramp back up surrounding the Bascom Norris roundabout this week. According to a Florida Department of Transportation release, detours around the U.S. Highway 41 and Bascom Norris Drive intersection will continue starting Sunday and run through Friday, Nov. 11, from 7 p.m.-7 a.m.
Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures as he addresses 1,200 supporters during a ‘Keep Florida Free Pit Stop’ at Florida Gateway College’s Howard Center on Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures as he addresses 1,200 supporters during a ‘Keep Florida Free Pit Stop’ at Florida Gateway College’s Howard Center on Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

1,200 flock to FGC for DeSantis campaign ‘pit stop’

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Gov. Ron DeSantis cut right to the chase Thursday night. Speaking to a raucous crowd of 1,200 supporters at Florida Gateway College’s Howard Center, DeSantis made no bones about the purpose of his “Keep Florida Free Pit Stop” in Lake City and Columbia County.