Local

JU soccer player killed when SUV flips

NEWS STAFF
Monday, April 11, 2022
SANDERSON — Jacksonville University is “devastated” after a freshman soccer player was killed Sunday afternoon in a single-vehicle accident near the Interstate 10 interchange in western Baker County.
Stephen Witt (far left) looks on as Josh Wehinger, Lake City Fire Department Chief, addresses the audience during a groundbreaking ceremony for Lake City Fire Station 2 with a group of firefighters in the background.

Stephen Witt (far left) looks on as Josh Wehinger, Lake City Fire Department Chief, addresses the audience during a groundbreaking ceremony for Lake City Fire Station 2 with a group of firefighters in the background.

LCFD breaks ground on new west side station

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 8, 2022
Blustery winds whipped up sand and dirt, but couldn’t blow away a sense of community, family and brotherhood shared by local firefighters Friday morning.
Dr. Scott Angle (right) gets a high-five from county extension director Heather Janney in front of Bellamy Beaver Friday afternoon. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Dr. Scott Angle (right) gets a high-five from county extension director Heather Janney in front of Bellamy Beaver Friday afternoon. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Angle’s journey for knowledge ends in Columbia

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, April 8, 2022
Dr. Scott Angle didn’t know exactly what to expect when he visited Columbia County.
A map shows the boundaries of the road work on happening on U.S. Highway 90. The 3.3 mile long stretch of road is expected to be complete by early 2023. (COURTESY)

A map shows the boundaries of the road work on happening on U.S. Highway 90. The 3.3 mile long stretch of road is expected to be complete by early 2023. (COURTESY)

FDOT begins road improvements

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 8, 2022
Motorists traveling on local roads can expect some travel delays across Columbia County. The Florida Department of Transportation has begun road improvement projects on U.S. Highway 90, State Road 47 and U.S. 41. The three projects come with an estimated total of $16.8 million.

Panhandling, or helping, will cost more

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 8, 2022
Looking for a helping hand — or offering one — just got more expensive. The Lake City Council unanimously approved an ordinance at its meeting Monday that will increase fines for panhandling or other activities that interfere with public safety in the main roadways of the city.
Suzanne Edwards with Catholic Charities asked the commissioners to consider changes to help senior citizens with individual assistance. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suzanne Edwards with Catholic Charities asked the commissioners to consider changes to help senior citizens with individual assistance. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County eyes fix up of home repair program

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 8, 2022
Columbia County’s business assistance program is, well, out of business.

LC council open to additional help

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 8, 2022
Lake City officials, looking to explore new and additional options in their search for a permanent and interim city manager, will get their first peek at what the assistance may look like during a presentation at a special meeting next week. The special meeting will take place 6 p.m.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Martin Lee graduated from the Florida Sheriffs Institute Commanders Academy on Friday. Pictured with Lee (center) are Florida Sheriffs Association Director Steve Casey (from left), FSA President Sheriff Bobby McCallum of Levy County, Sheriff Mark Hunter and Sheriff Morris Young of Gadsden County. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Martin Lee graduated from the Florida Sheriffs Institute Commanders Academy on Friday. Pictured with Lee (center) are Florida Sheriffs Association Director Steve Casey (from left), FSA President Sheriff Bobby McCallum of Levy County, Sheriff Mark Hunter and Sheriff Morris Young of Gadsden County. (COURTESY)

CCSO’s Lee graduates from Commanders Academy

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 8, 2022
A member of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is further prepared for future leadership opportunities. Lt. Martin Lee of the CCSO was part of Class 10 of the Florida Sheriffs Institute Commanders Academy that graduated Friday in Tallahassee.
Commissioner Ron Williams said the county needs to pull back from the Lake City utility advisory committee until the city fills its leadership positions. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commissioner Ron Williams said the county needs to pull back from the Lake City utility advisory committee until the city fills its leadership positions. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County to city: let’s take break on utility meetings

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, April 7, 2022
The Lake City Utility Advisory Committee won’t include Columbia County representation after all. At least for now.