Local

Storms, cold snap expected to blow through this weekend

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Columbia County appears to be in the path of a wave of heavy rain, followed by freezing temperatures. According to information from the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, a wet, stormy weather pattern is forecast for the area through midday Saturday as a cold front passes through.
Jim Riley, past president of the Art League of North Florida/Gateway Art Gallery, receives one of the donations of the Harter Trust from Rose Pavey, Administrator. This piece is a Navajo sand painting and will be in the exhibit. (COURTESY)

Jim Riley, past president of the Art League of North Florida/Gateway Art Gallery, receives one of the donations of the Harter Trust from Rose Pavey, Administrator. This piece is a Navajo sand painting and will be in the exhibit. (COURTESY)

Gallery exhibit honors benefactors Harter Trust, Reichert, Porter and Anderson

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, March 10, 2022
The honoring of four benefactors for their contributions to the Gateway Art Gallery begins today. The downtown Gallery is opening a special exhibit featuring the donations of the Lt. Col. Aloysius (Al) Harter Trust, Wally Reichert, Del Porter and Jenny Rasmussen Anderson.
A limb crashed through a home at 471 Defender Street Wednesday afternoon when a rainstorm that was bearing high winds blew through the area. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A limb crashed through a home at 471 Defender Street Wednesday afternoon when a rainstorm that was bearing high winds blew through the area. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Afternoon rain storm prompts dozens of calls to first responders

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
A rain storm bearing high winds battered Lake City and northern Columbia County on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in car crashes, downed power lines and at least one damaged home.

Our opinion: ‘Solar eclipse’ of your freedom

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Florida is the Sunshine State. But as Senator Jeff Brandes accurately pointed out Tuesday, the actions of local governments may soon find shade from the state’s Sunshine Law. Read that again - shade from the Florida Sunshine Law.
Kimberly Rice pumps $30 worth of gas into her vehicle Tuesday afternoon where she paid $4.25 per gallon of unleaded at the Stop N Go on Main Boulevard. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kimberly Rice pumps $30 worth of gas into her vehicle Tuesday afternoon where she paid $4.25 per gallon of unleaded at the Stop N Go on Main Boulevard. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gas prices reach record-high levels in Florida

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Surpassing a new state record high, there’s no end in sight on the rising gas prices. Most local gas stations were charging around $4.07 per gallon Monday for unleaded, but by mid-afternoon on Tuesday, fuel prices at area gas stations were in the $4.19-$4.39 per gallon range.
Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) speaks during Tuesday’s Rules Committee hearing. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) speaks during Tuesday’s Rules Committee hearing. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Senate considers ‘eclipse’ on your right to know

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — The sun may be setting on Floridians’ right to know. The Florida Senate’s Rules Committee advanced HB 7049, a bill that would reduce transparency with public notice, on Tuesday afternoon by a 9-6 vote, sending it to the full Senate floor, where it is set to be heard today.

Council targets safety following armed incident

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Lake City Councilors and residents aired safety concerns Monday following an incident with an armed man at City Hall last month. During Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Stephen Witt and the other three council members all addressed the incident.
An FDOT map highlights the stretch of U.S. Highway 90 that will be under construction starting next week. (COURTESY)

An FDOT map highlights the stretch of U.S. Highway 90 that will be under construction starting next week. (COURTESY)

U.S. 90, Bascom Norris set to see new construction efforts

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Construction will begin next week on 3.3 miles of U.S. Highway 90. That will come after installation for drainage infrastructure and repaving began Tuesday and wraps up on Friday on Bascom Norris Drive, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The resurfacing project on U.S.

Man leads LCPD on high-speed chase

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
A routine traffic stop Sunday morning led to a chase for a Lake City police officer. While checking a driver’s records after a stop a little after 6 a.m. Sunday, the officer was passed by 30-year-old Bryan Oliver heading south on SW Main Blvd. Just one problem.

LC woman arrested over gas station theft scheme

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
LIVE OAK — Filling up on fraudulent refunds has landed a former convenience store manager in jail. Taylena Ammons, a 39-year-old Lake City woman, was arrested Monday on a warrant following a fraud scheme operated at the Sunstop Convenience Store at the intersection of U.S.