Local

LCPD detectives huddle up in a parking lot near Lake DeSoto Monday morning following a report of two dead bodies in a vehicle. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD detectives huddle up in a parking lot near Lake DeSoto Monday morning following a report of two dead bodies in a vehicle. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD, SCSO investigating three bodies, two counties

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, March 21, 2022
Two dead bodies found late Monday morning near the banks of Lake DeSoto and another located in Suwannee County appear to be related. Authorities also believe there is no danger posed to anyone else.
Eugene Hassett (left) of W.B. Howland and Adam Bricker of Farm Credit jockey for position during Saturday’s 24th annual Arc North Florida Lawn Mower Race. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Eugene Hassett (left) of W.B. Howland and Adam Bricker of Farm Credit jockey for position during Saturday’s 24th annual Arc North Florida Lawn Mower Race. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

24th annual lawn mower race brings fun, funds to charity

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, March 21, 2022
LIVE OAK — Even though Jake McDonald from the W.B. Howland Building Supply team backed across the finish line first, TJ Vickers refused to admit he lost.

Council eyes three finalists for interviews

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, March 21, 2022
Lake City’s managerial search is gaining momentum once again. The Lake City Council agreed at Monday’s meeting to conduct video interviews with three finalists next week. The council is hopeful for a March 30 interview date with Troy Perry, Don Rosenthal and Fred Ventresco, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Local songwriters, musicians and music enthusiasts gather during a previous Santa Fe River Song Contest. (COURTESY)

Local songwriters, musicians and music enthusiasts gather during a previous Santa Fe River Song Contest. (COURTESY)

Santa Fe River Contest more than just songs

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 21, 2022
FORT WHITE — The 10th annual Santa Fe River Song Contest will offer a lot more Sunday than new songs about the Santa Fe River. The event, which begins at 1 p.m.

LC man arrested in connection with cattle theft scheme

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 21, 2022
The case against a Lake City man is moo-ving right along. Steven Joe Andrews, 32, was arrested Friday after a victim alleged that Andrews had stolen and sold 13 cattle and one bull from their family’s property, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release.
A bundle of bicycles sits in storage after being seized by the LCPD. The department recently donated the bikes to the United Way of Suwannee Valley. (COURTESY)

A bundle of bicycles sits in storage after being seized by the LCPD. The department recently donated the bikes to the United Way of Suwannee Valley. (COURTESY)

LCPD donates bikes to United Way

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 21, 2022
The United Way of Suwannee Valley has a few more toys to play with. Or, more accurately, a few more toys to give away. The Lake City Police Department recently donated 21 bicycles to the United Way after collecting them as seized property during arrests, according to an LCPD release.
Richard P. Franklin (left) is escorted out of the Columbia County Courthouse Friday afternoon after a jury decided he wouldn’t face a death sentence for the 2012 murder of Columbia Correctional Institution officer Ruben Thomas. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Richard P. Franklin (left) is escorted out of the Columbia County Courthouse Friday afternoon after a jury decided he wouldn’t face a death sentence for the 2012 murder of Columbia Correctional Institution officer Ruben Thomas. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

FRANKLIN SPARED: Convicted murderer gets third life sentence instead of death penalty

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, March 18, 2022
A jury has spared the life of a convicted murderer. Instead, he’ll continue to spend the rest of his life in a maximum-security prison. The sentencing phase for Richard P.
Columbia County has seen an influx in tourism over the past year with visitors drawn to natural resources like the Ichetucknee River. (FILE)

Columbia County has seen an influx in tourism over the past year with visitors drawn to natural resources like the Ichetucknee River. (FILE)

Tourism brings in record revenue

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 18, 2022
Columbia County has become a popular destination. From February 2021 through January 2022, more than $1.9 million has been collected in bed taxes according to information released this week by the Columbia County Tourist Development Council. That’s a 23.