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Bobby Brewin (center) with the Lake City Target Distribution Center presents an $8,000 check to Adee Farmer for the Pathways Academy garden. Also present were Dianna Swisher (from left), Brandon Ray, Pathways Principal Makeba Murphy, Nicole Robertson and Joseph Lee Pendleton. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bobby Brewin (center) with the Lake City Target Distribution Center presents an $8,000 check to Adee Farmer for the Pathways Academy garden. Also present were Dianna Swisher (from left), Brandon Ray, Pathways Principal Makeba Murphy, Nicole Robertson and Joseph Lee Pendleton. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Target helps grow Pathways’ garden

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 1, 2022
The Pathways Academy garden produced more than fruits and vegetables on Thursday. Among the rows of watermelon, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, sweet corn, red potatoes and okra sprouted up a sizable investment toward growing the garden program.
Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies block traffic in one lane heading westbound on U.S. Highway 90 near NW Main Blvd. in front of a wrecked Chevy Malibu on Wednesday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies block traffic in one lane heading westbound on U.S. Highway 90 near NW Main Blvd. in front of a wrecked Chevy Malibu on Wednesday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Murder suspect still on loose

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
A Tampa murder suspect is still at large after fleeing from cops Wednesday night. Wanted for a July 2021 shooting death in Hillsborough County, 25-year-old Katrell Hubbard was located in Lake City around 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Mayor Stephen Witt (left) and Lake City Councilman Jake Hill listen during Wednesday’s interviews. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Mayor Stephen Witt (left) and Lake City Councilman Jake Hill listen during Wednesday’s interviews. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

‘Tom Brady’ not an option for city

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Tom Brady is not walking through the door of Lake City Hall. But the search for a full-time Lake City Manager rolls on. After Zoom interviews with three finalists on Wednesday morning, the Lake City Council declined to bring any to town for an in-person interview.

Williams back as interim manager

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Lake City’s next interim city manager will be a familiar face. At Wednesday morning’s special Lake City Council meeting, the council approved by a 3-1 vote to bring Mike Williams back as interim manager, starting April 7.
Jay Smith, Ajax Building Company vice president (from left), accepts a ceremonial key from Robby Hollingsworth, Columbia County Commission chairman, as Sheriff Mark Hunter holds a plaque noting the completion of the Columbia County Detention Facility addition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jay Smith, Ajax Building Company vice president (from left), accepts a ceremonial key from Robby Hollingsworth, Columbia County Commission chairman, as Sheriff Mark Hunter holds a plaque noting the completion of the Columbia County Detention Facility addition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Freeing up jail’s pod addition

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
The first phase of Columbia County Detention Facility renovations is all locked up.

United Way aims to reel in proceeds

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
By TONY BRITT tbritt@lakecityreporter.com Local anglers who want to make a difference in their community while also catching some fish can take part in the PHINS Fishing Classic.
An artist’s rendering of the Courtyard by Marriott that is under construction along U.S. Highway 90 West in Lake City. Construction is expected to be complete by June 2023. (COURTESY)

An artist’s rendering of the Courtyard by Marriott that is under construction along U.S. Highway 90 West in Lake City. Construction is expected to be complete by June 2023. (COURTESY)

Construction underway on hotel after covid delay

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
It took longer than expected, but Lake City’s newest full-service hotel is on its way. Groundbreaking took place a few weeks ago. Now construction crews are working on the Courtyard by Marriott.
Branford High senior Nathalia Veal has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy from U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn (left). Pictured with Veal and Dunn are Veal’s parents, Karen and William Veal. (COURTESY)

Branford High senior Nathalia Veal has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy from U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn (left). Pictured with Veal and Dunn are Veal’s parents, Karen and William Veal. (COURTESY)

Veal shooting for stars with appointment

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
BRANFORD — Nathalia Veal had just descended from the heights of the pole vault when a missed call sent her airborne once more. And she doesn’t plan on coming back down any time soon. During a track meet at Santa Fe High school on March 16, Veal received a message from U.S. Rep.
The state is acquiring 160 acres within the River Rise Preserve State Park in Columbia County to shield it from potential development. (COURTESY)

The state is acquiring 160 acres within the River Rise Preserve State Park in Columbia County to shield it from potential development. (COURTESY)

Cabinet approves land acquisitions

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
In projects ranging from the Florida Keys to the Panhandle, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of land deals to help shield more than 17,000 acres from potential development. The deals include spending $1.