Local

Sheriff seeking ‘reasonable’ budget increase

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
The trickle down effect from state funding could cost Columbia County soon. After offering pay boosts to state agency officers a year ago, the Florida Legislature authorized starting pay raises for sheriff’s deputies in the current budget.
Chevella Young hugs supporter Linda Thomas at Darby Pavillion on Tuesday night after learning she was elected to the Lake City Council. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Chevella Young hugs supporter Linda Thomas at Darby Pavillion on Tuesday night after learning she was elected to the Lake City Council. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Young wins council District 10 seat

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Political upstart Chevella Young bested two other candidates to claim the Lake City Council District 10 post during Tuesday’s election. Young captured 222 votes, roughly 73.51%, of the vote, while H. Shawn Holmgren tallied 49 votes, about 16.
Everett Phillips watches the votes come in on his phone as he was elected to the County Commission. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Everett Phillips watches the votes come in on his phone as he was elected to the County Commission. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Phillips ousts incumbent Witt

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
All that’s old is new again in southern Columbia County. Everett Phillips is headed back to the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners from District 4. Phillips, the former commissioner before losing to current Commissioner Toby Witt, won the seat back Tuesday during the primary election.
Ricky Jernigan (middle) stands with family members Ryleigh Jernigan (from left) as she’s held by Tiara Jernigan-Arline and Elena Jernigan-Highland during an election celebration party at Future Fitness on Tuesday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ricky Jernigan (middle) stands with family members Ryleigh Jernigan (from left) as she’s held by Tiara Jernigan-Arline and Elena Jernigan-Highland during an election celebration party at Future Fitness on Tuesday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jernigan to represent city's District 14

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
The vacant Lake City Council District 14 seat is finally about to be filled. Ricky Jernigan captured the seat Tuesday night by handily defeating Befaithful Coker in the city election for a seat that has been empty for nearly a year.

High speed crash suspect heading to trial

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Court proceedings in the felony trial of man accused of leading a high speed chase before crashing in downtown Lake City is scheduled to begin Thursday morning with jury selection and end later in the day.
Amari Murphy (sitting) waits to take photographs for Florida Gateway College students as Kinsey Akins, Savannah Capps and Madisson Jones wait in line Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Amari Murphy (sitting) waits to take photographs for Florida Gateway College students as Kinsey Akins, Savannah Capps and Madisson Jones wait in line Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC enjoys great start to fall semester

TONY BRITT
Monday, August 22, 2022
From groups of students waiting in line to have their identification cards made, to taking selfies and pictures with the school mascot or watching groups of students fill the walkways heading to and from classes, the Florida Gateway College was busy Monday as the first day of the fall 2023 semester...

State awards $1M to Fort White

TONY BRITT
Monday, August 22, 2022
FORT WHITE — Nearly $1 million in grant funding will provide this southern Columbia County town with sidewalk improvements and increased safety for children accessing the schools.

Local races to be decided Tuesday

NEWS STAFF
Monday, August 22, 2022
The political forecast should become a lot more clear tonight. The primary season officially comes to a close tonight after 12 days of early voting ended Saturday.