Local

Century Ambulance recognized Gary Howard (left) and Thomas Stinson for their work the past year. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Century Ambulance recognized Gary Howard (left) and Thomas Stinson for their work the past year. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Century thanks first responders

TONY BRITT
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Area first responders were treated to one giant ‘thank you’ Wednesday afternoon. Century Ambulance hosted a luncheon for first responders, attracting paramedics, law enforcement officers, and firefighters to a celebration of Emergency Medical Services Week.
Shots were fired at the Fast Track gas station at the intersection of State Road 100 and County Road 245 early Wednesday afternoon, leading to a pair of arrests. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Shots were fired at the Fast Track gas station at the intersection of State Road 100 and County Road 245 early Wednesday afternoon, leading to a pair of arrests. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

CCSO: Still working on why pair fired shots at gas station

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Authorities are still trying to figure out what led to a Lake City gas station filling up with gunfire Wednesday afternoon.
Bell (clockwise from top left), Byrd, Curry, Ridgeway, Shade, Stephens, and Thompkins

Bell (clockwise from top left), Byrd, Curry, Ridgeway, Shade, Stephens, and Thompkins

Ongoing feud results in melee

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
The third time was the charm for the Lake City Police Department. Eight people, including one juvenile, were arrested after the LCPD received a call around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday about a disturbance at Cedar Park Apartments, according to an LCPD release.

Fort White graduating ‘close-knit’ seniors

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
FORT WHITE — The final chapter of high school is coming Friday for a group of Fort White High School students. More than 100 Indians will graduate Friday night when the school holds its annual commencement exercises. Fort White will hold its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2022 at 8 p.m.
Lake City Fire Chief Josh Wehinger receives his badge from wife, Lari, as son, Ty, looks on during a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday night at the Columbia County School District Administrative Complex Auditorium. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Fire Chief Josh Wehinger receives his badge from wife, Lari, as son, Ty, looks on during a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday night at the Columbia County School District Administrative Complex Auditorium. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New chiefs sworn in

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
It’s now official. The Lake City Police Department and Lake City Fire Department have new chiefs. And new assistant chiefs for good measure following a joint pinning/promotional ceremony Tuesday night.
Mayor Stephen Witt asked Renee Narloch to send the Lake City Council all the resumes she’s received since refreshing the search. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Mayor Stephen Witt asked Renee Narloch to send the Lake City Council all the resumes she’s received since refreshing the search. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Refreshed search yields results

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
The search for a permanent city manager continues. Nearly 11 months to the day former city manager Joe Helfenberger was fired, Monday’s Lake City Council meeting featured a teleconference update from headhunter Renee Narloch on the latest news surrounding the vacant manager position.

High-speed chase ends with wreck

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
A high-speed chase Saturday morning came to a sudden stop when the suspect crashed into a fence and a tree. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, 31-year-old Tyrone Vaughn, of Lake City, led deputies on a pursuit through northeast Lake City for about an hour, starting around 9:45 a.m.
Lennardo Miller (clockwise from left), Pam Miller, Jaxon Miller, Narrie Smith and Brayden Miller, inspect and test kitchen appliances during a Parade of Homes visit on Sunday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lennardo Miller (clockwise from left), Pam Miller, Jaxon Miller, Narrie Smith and Brayden Miller, inspect and test kitchen appliances during a Parade of Homes visit on Sunday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hundreds flock to Parade of Homes

TONY BRITT
Monday, May 16, 2022
Hundreds of people looking for a new home and checking out the newest construction ideas flocked to the annual Parade of Homes event during the weekend. Trends and amenities were on display in seven homes of varying sizes all built by local builders from Columbia County.
Faith Ingram (left), of the Columbia High School drama club, adds the finishing touches to Xavier Boutwell’s face paint at the Kiwanis Kids Day. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Faith Ingram (left), of the Columbia High School drama club, adds the finishing touches to Xavier Boutwell’s face paint at the Kiwanis Kids Day. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kids Day draws crowd, funds

TONY BRITT
Monday, May 16, 2022
Youngsters played in a pile of sand, sat in fire trucks, bulldozers and other heavy machinery, and had their faces painted or touched animals in a small petting zoo.