Local

Roundtree found guilty in pursuit case

TONY BRITT
Thursday, August 25, 2022
A Columbia County jury returned a guilty verdict against Tyrece Lamar Roundtree Thursday afternoon in a felony trial stemming from a June 2021 police pursuit that culminated in a car crash in downtown Lake City.
James Kite and Robin Kite

James Kite and Robin Kite

Couple charged in missing teen case

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 25, 2022
A teen who had gone missing for four days was found after an investigation brought authorities to one of her friend’s homes. Dalia Martinez-Lopez was reported missing back on Aug.
Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Tomi Brown (right) addresses the gathered watch party at the elections office in Lake City. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Tomi Brown (right) addresses the gathered watch party at the elections office in Lake City. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Brown: Faulty AC among only hiccups in ‘no problem’ primary

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
As the excitement over Election Day quickly wound down at the Columbia County elections office in Lake City, candidates left one-by-one from the front steps and giant projection of ballot counts.

Picture leads to firearm charge

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
The attempted crackdown on gun violence has led to the arrest of a juvenile. The Lake City Police Department arrested 17-year-old Jaedyn Washington on Monday on a warrant for possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent.

Dollar General robber caught

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
A pair of five-finger discounts at area Dollar Generals has landed a Lake City man in jail. Emmanuel Ratliff, 32, was arrested Tuesday for a pair of robberies at Dollar Generals along State Road 247 in the past week.

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.