Local

CCSO receives reaccreditation designation

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is officially reaccredited. The reaccreditation designation was awarded to the CCSO on June 16 by the Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation at a conference held in Orlando. Sheriff Mark Hunter and Sgt.
Despite structural deficiencies, which require netting around the building, the Lake City Council is interested in possibly renovating City Hall. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Despite structural deficiencies, which require netting around the building, the Lake City Council is interested in possibly renovating City Hall. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City considers fixer upper

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
What’s old may be new again. The Lake City Council agreed at its meeting Tuesday night to have an engineering firm examine the current City Hall to see if it’s a viable option to remain the home to the city’s operations.
Richardson Community Center will be the beneficiary of $2 million in CDBG grant money issued Tuesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Richardson Community Center will be the beneficiary of $2 million in CDBG grant money issued Tuesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

$2M grant coming to city

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Access to the Richardson Community Center is about to get easier. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that the City of Lake City received a $2 million Community Development Block Grant-Covid to be utilized in upgrading the community center. The Lake City award was part of $28.
Maj. Katina Dicks (center) accepts her award at Tuesday’s Columbia County Farm Bureau dinner. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Maj. Katina Dicks (center) accepts her award at Tuesday’s Columbia County Farm Bureau dinner. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

CCSO’s Dicks honored at Farm Bureau dinner

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
For some local public officials, jubilant evenings are about as rare as the steak they enjoyed Tuesday night. That’s when the Columbia County Farm Bureau held its annual Public Official Appreciation Dinner at the Westside Community Center.
A trio of percussionists perform during Florida Gateway College’s Juneteenth Celebration program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A trio of percussionists perform during Florida Gateway College’s Juneteenth Celebration program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Freedom honored at Juneteenth celebration

TONY BRITT
Monday, June 20, 2022
Florida Gateway College held its inaugural Juneteenth Celebration program Monday morning with a event that honored African heritage with drums and choreography and recognized and acknowledged   the future aspirations of success of the people who were once held back by the bonds of slavery.
An artist rendering of the new entrance to the HCA Florida Lake City Hospital’s emergency department once an expansion project is completed. Construction has just begun on the expansion. (COURTESY)

An artist rendering of the new entrance to the HCA Florida Lake City Hospital’s emergency department once an expansion project is completed. Construction has just begun on the expansion. (COURTESY)

HCA Lake City ER goes under knife

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 17, 2022
The HCA Florida Lake City Hospital is going through another operation. Construction has begun on expanding the hospital’s emergency department, part of a $41.4 million phase to expand services at the hospital.

Siegmeister sentencing set for Oct.

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 17, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — The Third Judicial Circuit’s former top prosecutor will find out in four months how much longer his prison stay will be. Jeff Siegmeister, in custody since his February 2021 arrest on federal bribery and extortion charges, will be sentenced Oct. 12 in a hearing set Friday by U.S.

Jefferson not in running for city council

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 17, 2022
The Lake City Council will have two new members after elections this fall. Two candidates qualified for the city’s vacant District 14 seat during the qualifying period that ended at noon Friday, while three candidates are seeking the District 10 seat.
Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen addressed concerns he has with the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program with the county commission on Thursday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen addressed concerns he has with the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program with the county commission on Thursday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County picks up the PACE

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 17, 2022
Local businesses looking to make improvements may have another tool at their disposal.