Local

A map shows the boundaries of the road work on happening on U.S. Highway 90. The 3.3 mile long stretch of road is expected to be complete by early 2023. (COURTESY)

A map shows the boundaries of the road work on happening on U.S. Highway 90. The 3.3 mile long stretch of road is expected to be complete by early 2023. (COURTESY)

FDOT begins road improvements

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 8, 2022
Motorists traveling on local roads can expect some travel delays across Columbia County. The Florida Department of Transportation has begun road improvement projects on U.S. Highway 90, State Road 47 and U.S. 41. The three projects come with an estimated total of $16.8 million.

Panhandling, or helping, will cost more

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 8, 2022
Looking for a helping hand — or offering one — just got more expensive. The Lake City Council unanimously approved an ordinance at its meeting Monday that will increase fines for panhandling or other activities that interfere with public safety in the main roadways of the city.
Suzanne Edwards with Catholic Charities asked the commissioners to consider changes to help senior citizens with individual assistance. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suzanne Edwards with Catholic Charities asked the commissioners to consider changes to help senior citizens with individual assistance. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County eyes fix up of home repair program

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 8, 2022
Columbia County’s business assistance program is, well, out of business.

LC council open to additional help

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 8, 2022
Lake City officials, looking to explore new and additional options in their search for a permanent and interim city manager, will get their first peek at what the assistance may look like during a presentation at a special meeting next week. The special meeting will take place 6 p.m.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Martin Lee graduated from the Florida Sheriffs Institute Commanders Academy on Friday. Pictured with Lee (center) are Florida Sheriffs Association Director Steve Casey (from left), FSA President Sheriff Bobby McCallum of Levy County, Sheriff Mark Hunter and Sheriff Morris Young of Gadsden County. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Martin Lee graduated from the Florida Sheriffs Institute Commanders Academy on Friday. Pictured with Lee (center) are Florida Sheriffs Association Director Steve Casey (from left), FSA President Sheriff Bobby McCallum of Levy County, Sheriff Mark Hunter and Sheriff Morris Young of Gadsden County. (COURTESY)

CCSO’s Lee graduates from Commanders Academy

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 8, 2022
A member of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is further prepared for future leadership opportunities. Lt. Martin Lee of the CCSO was part of Class 10 of the Florida Sheriffs Institute Commanders Academy that graduated Friday in Tallahassee.
Commissioner Ron Williams said the county needs to pull back from the Lake City utility advisory committee until the city fills its leadership positions. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commissioner Ron Williams said the county needs to pull back from the Lake City utility advisory committee until the city fills its leadership positions. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County to city: let’s take break on utility meetings

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, April 7, 2022
The Lake City Utility Advisory Committee won’t include Columbia County representation after all. At least for now.
The Columbia High Academic Team placed second in the state last weekend at the competition at Walt Disney World. Team members are captain Jonathan Hunter (from left), Bianka Lorenzo, Ethan Cruz, Logan Mears, Allison Matsubara, Mickey Mouse, Xander Flegert, coach J.L. Kirby, assistant coach Scott Stefansen and Payton Young. Flegert was named to Team Florida as one of the top six players in the state. (COURTESY)

The Columbia High Academic Team placed second in the state last weekend at the competition at Walt Disney World. Team members are captain Jonathan Hunter (from left), Bianka Lorenzo, Ethan Cruz, Logan Mears, Allison Matsubara, Mickey Mouse, Xander Flegert, coach J.L. Kirby, assistant coach Scott Stefansen and Payton Young. Flegert was named to Team Florida as one of the top six players in the state. (COURTESY)

CHS Academic Team passes state test

TONY BRITT
Thursday, April 7, 2022
It didn’t matter the subject. The group of students sitting in JL Kirby’s classroom Thursday afternoon answered questions on a variety of topics. Humanities, foreign language, art, mythology, music theory. It was all fair game.
Law enforcement officers surround a residence on the north side of Lake City on Wednesday afternoon. Katrell Hubbard had eluded custody since March 30 after he fled on foot following a traffic stop. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Law enforcement officers surround a residence on the north side of Lake City on Wednesday afternoon. Katrell Hubbard had eluded custody since March 30 after he fled on foot following a traffic stop. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Murder suspect captured

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
One week after getting away, a South Florida murder suspect didn’t have the same luck Wednesday. Katrell Montan Hubbard, a 25-year-old from New Port Richey, was arrested by the Lake City Police Department with assistance from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday afternoon.

Three vie for county econ chief

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Columbia County has a shallow pool of candidates in its search for a new economic development director. Only three people applied by Tuesday’s application deadline, one of which just submitted a resume and not an application for the position.