Local

Yvonne Barteau performs as the snow queen in a previous ‘Spirit of the Horse’ show. (COURTESY)

Yvonne Barteau performs as the snow queen in a previous ‘Spirit of the Horse’ show. (COURTESY)

Catching the ‘Spirit’

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 3, 2021
A magical, heartwarming theater story on horseback is coming to town. The third annual “Spirit of the House” event will be held Dec. 10-12 at the Oaks Equestrian Center, 211 SW Theodore O’Connor Circle south of Lake City.

FGC hosting four ceremonies for fall commencement

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 3, 2021
Fall commencement at Florida Gateway College will be spread out over four ceremonies. The college announced Friday that it is hosting a pair of ceremonies on both Dec. 10 and Dec. 13 in the Levy Performing Arts Center to honor its fall 2021 graduates. The ceremonies will begin at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.

United Way seeking new board members

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 3, 2021
The United Way of Suwannee Valley is seeking nominations for its Board of Directors. Board members serve for a three-year term. Those nominated are expected to have a commitment to the Suwannee Valley area and a desire to build community partnerships and mobilize resources to address root problems.
Commissioner Tim Murphy said he’d be willing to purchase the property from the current owner but not at a commercial price. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Commissioner Tim Murphy said he’d be willing to purchase the property from the current owner but not at a commercial price. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County braced for court over half-acre parcel

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Columbia County could potentially have a lawsuit on its hands over a half-acre parcel of land. During a Board of County Commissioners meeting Thursday evening, board members discussed land located at 2779 State Road 247 and a deal that had been made to sell it by a private individual.
Alachua County SWAT vehicles pull onto County Road 236 in northern Alachua County following the capture of Marandoe Acell Lamar Young on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Alachua County SWAT vehicles pull onto County Road 236 in northern Alachua County following the capture of Marandoe Acell Lamar Young on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Manhunt off I-75: Suspect fled on foot after chase; caught by K-9

TONY BRITT
Thursday, December 2, 2021
HIGH SPRINGS — What began as a traffic stop for speeding on Interstate 75 Thursday quickly escalated into a four-hour manhunt after the driver fired a shot at Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Jy’lar Fudge smiled Saturday night after receiving a new bicycle and a unicorn helmet from deputies with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. (COURTESY)

Jy’lar Fudge smiled Saturday night after receiving a new bicycle and a unicorn helmet from deputies with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. (COURTESY)

Deputies provide a new ride

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, December 2, 2021
It could have been worse. But to Jy’lar Fudge, it was still plenty bad. Riding her bike in the yard at a weekly family get together, 6-year-old Jy’lar jumped off as a high-speed chase approached their house on Long Street. Nobody was injured, including Jy’lar.
Traffic is diverted off Interstate 75 south at Ellisville on Thursday afternoon as a manhunt was underway for a suspect that shot at a Columbia County deputy. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Traffic is diverted off Interstate 75 south at Ellisville on Thursday afternoon as a manhunt was underway for a suspect that shot at a Columbia County deputy. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

UPDATE: Suspect captured after manhunt in Alachua County

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, December 2, 2021
ALACHUA — The man that ran from Columbia County deputies and fired a shot at them has been apprehended after a manhunt that lasted nearly four hours. According to Sheriff Mark Hunter, a deputy attempted to perform a traffic stop Thursday afternoon on Interstate 75.
A parade float featuring Santa’s sleigh and a North Pole marker makes its way down Marion Avenue during the 2019 Christmas parade in Lake City. (FILE)

A parade float featuring Santa’s sleigh and a North Pole marker makes its way down Marion Avenue during the 2019 Christmas parade in Lake City. (FILE)

Christmas cheer: Lake City’s Christmas parade returns after a year off

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
An extra present is being delivered for Christmas this year: the opportunity to watch colorful, lighted Christmas floats make their way through downtown is returning. The 2021 Christmas parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 11.
Olustee Festival photo contest winner John Clare Stokes (center) with Shannon Barker (left) and Sherri Carder during the unveiling the 2022 Olustee Festival poster. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Olustee Festival photo contest winner John Clare Stokes (center) with Shannon Barker (left) and Sherri Carder during the unveiling the 2022 Olustee Festival poster. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Marching on to Olustee: Festival poster featuring Stokes photo unveiled

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Another sign that the Olustee Festival won’t surrender came Wednesday night. During a brief ceremony at the Lake City-Columbia County History Museum, the 2022 Olustee Festival poster was unveiled by Blue-Grey Army officials.