Local

Rail switch swap stalls spur

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
The gateway for goods into the North Florida Mega Industrial Park is finished and ready to go. Well, except for installing the rail switches to shift the track from the main line in the Osceola National Forest on to the rail for the park. And that is proving to be easier said than done.

Hunters, bank reach deal

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
A settlement agreement has been reached between a mortgage lender and a county official on a former printing company building in Lake City.

Science projects to be displayed at fair

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Approximately 30 students from surrounding counties have won their respective local school competition and advanced to higher level competition at the 2022 Suwannee Valley Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The projects will be on display to the public from 4-6 p.m.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county is interested in using the rehabilitation facility at the Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center campus as a “one stop” permitting shop. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county is interested in using the rehabilitation facility at the Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center campus as a “one stop” permitting shop. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County eyeing Lake Shore rehab facility for permitting shop

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Part of the Lake Shore hospital campus has piqued Columbia County’s interest.

Gun violence crackdown nets seven arrests

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
A months-long investigation triggered by rising gun violence in Lake City and Columbia County netted results Tuesday. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S.
Walker

Walker

Drug boss looks to change plea

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 14, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — The Lake City native accused of leading an armed drug trafficking organization is looking to change her plea. A plea change hearing for Kimberly Claridy Walker is scheduled for Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Jacksonville.

Siegmeister plea hearing canceled

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 14, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — The change of plea hearing for the Third Judicial Circuit’s former state attorney was canceled instead of continued. Ordered to be continued to Monday by U.S.

Escaped inmate captured after 5-hour search

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 14, 2022
A five-hour manhunt Saturday morning ended with the capture of an escaped inmate. Stadius Brown, a 34-year-old, escaped from the Lake City Work Release Center around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, but was apprehended little more than five hours later.
Columbia City Elementary students hold up donations they collected as a gift to veterans at the Lake City VA Medical Center. (COURTESY)

Columbia City Elementary students hold up donations they collected as a gift to veterans at the Lake City VA Medical Center. (COURTESY)

CCFR, CCE collect donations for vets

TONY BRITT
Monday, February 14, 2022
Cupid is known for Valentines Day but not with making deliveries in a fire truck. This Valentines Day, Cupid got a helping hand as Columbia County Fire Rescue partnered with Columbia City Elementary School students in a collection drive to provide items to the Lake City VA Medical Center.