Local

Joint meetings make headway for Fort White water

TONY BRITT
Monday, February 14, 2022
Steps to address the water and wastewater needs in southern Columbia County continue to be taken. The Town of Fort White and Columbia County Utility Committee held its first meeting last week as it tries to lay the groundwork for infrastructure improvements in the area.

Escaped inmate captured after 5-hour search

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, February 12, 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.
Hunter

Hunter

Hunter retires as econ chief

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 11, 2022
Columbia County is in the market for a new economic development director. Glenn Hunter let county officials know Friday he intends to retire before the end of the year, according to a prepared statement from County Manager David Kraus.
City services moving into the new City Hall have been put on hold while the council searches for a permanent manager. (FILE)

City services moving into the new City Hall have been put on hold while the council searches for a permanent manager. (FILE)

City hall move put on hold

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 11, 2022
The relocation of Lake City Hall remains on hold. Lake City officials were hoping to install a new city manager before deciding the fate of city departments housed in the old city hall building on North Marion Avenue.
Late astrophotographer Steve Speck sets up his camera and telescope in the night hours. (COURTESY)

Late astrophotographer Steve Speck sets up his camera and telescope in the night hours. (COURTESY)

Astrophotography exhibits open at Gateway Art Gallery

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 11, 2022
Photographs by the late Steve Speck, formerly of Florida’s Space Coast, are on exhibit at the Gateway Art Gallery in historic downtown Lake City. Speck was a nature photographer most of his life. When struck with cancer, his chemotherapy mandated that he stay out of the sun.
Lake City Humane Society’s adoption counselor Roy Armstrong speaks during Thursday morning’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Humane Society’s adoption counselor Roy Armstrong speaks during Thursday morning’s meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County funds animal care, control

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Despite concerns about the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society, Columbia County will continue to utilize the agency for animal control. At least for the next seven-plus months.
Wayne Levy, a keyboardist and singer, will play a set with the Wayne Levy Jazz Soul Trio on Saturday in Lake City. (COURTESY)

Wayne Levy, a keyboardist and singer, will play a set with the Wayne Levy Jazz Soul Trio on Saturday in Lake City. (COURTESY)

Musician with LC ties makes return

TONY BRITT
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Wayne Levy grew up as the son of a locally renowned  musician and spent the formative years of his life playing music and developing a stage presence under his father.

$9,500 reward offered in fatal 2019 shooting

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Information in a 2019 shooting death could be worth up to $9,500. The Crime Stopper of Columbia County is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the shooter in the Aug. 17, 2019, death of 18-year-old Jordan Dartice Freeman, of Lake City.

Bascom Norris closing overnight for road work

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Drainage work for the U.S. Highway 41 roundabout will lead to Bascom Norris Drive closing overnight next week. The Florida Department of Transportation announced Thursday that Bascom Norris Drive between Lake Jeffery Road and U.S. 41 will be closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.