Local

City to discuss utilities, ARPA funds in meeting

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
City officials plan to hold or participate in two meetings within the next three weeks that will address utility plans for the area as well discuss how the city’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds will be used in the city.
An estimated 40-60 people participated in the inaugural MLK Day 3K Walk/Run event in Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

An estimated 40-60 people participated in the inaugural MLK Day 3K Walk/Run event in Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.

TONY BRITT
Monday, January 17, 2022
While there was no parade streaming through the downtown, Columbia County residents still gathered for a community celebration in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Medical issue suspected in inmate death

NEWS STAFF
Monday, January 17, 2022
The weekend death of an inmate at the Columbia County Detention Facility remains under investigation. Joshua Bell-Farmer, 28, died Saturday morning at the jail from what is believed to be a medical issue, according to a release from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. Foul play is not suspected.
Alexa Meriweather (center) is presented her tiara, sash and bouquet after winning the 2022 Southside Idol competition. (COURTESY)

Alexa Meriweather (center) is presented her tiara, sash and bouquet after winning the 2022 Southside Idol competition. (COURTESY)

Southside Idol 2022 brings out best in winner

TONY BRITT
Monday, January 17, 2022
As a young girl, Alexa Meriweather said that she could sing before she could talk and entered her first singing competition when she was in elementary school.
An armed man, wearing a mask, robbed the North Florida Pharmacy’s Fort White location Thursday. (COURTESY)

An armed man, wearing a mask, robbed the North Florida Pharmacy’s Fort White location Thursday. (COURTESY)

Armed robber hits Fort White pharmacy

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 14, 2022
FORT WHITE — It was a scene, unfortunately, that is becoming somewhat familiar in North Florida. An armed man, wearing a mask, entered the North Florida Pharmacy in Fort White on Thursday afternoon — shortly before 4 — and stole painkillers before exiting. Nobody was injured.
Sheriff Mark Hunter (right) and Lake City Interim Police Chief Gerald Butler have reached a deal to have the agencies work together more closely. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sheriff Mark Hunter (right) and Lake City Interim Police Chief Gerald Butler have reached a deal to have the agencies work together more closely. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD, CCSO lock up deal on teamwork

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 14, 2022
The Lake City Police Department and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office have a new crime-fighting tool in their arsenal. It may look as harmless as a piece of paper, but the new tool carries the weight of a joint law enforcement agency.

Combined dispatch center likely

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 14, 2022
The desire to work together may soon lead to a combined communications center for the Lake City Police Department and Columbia County Sherif’s Office.

Thomas to meet public Tuesday

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 14, 2022
Lake City officials will take their next step to getting a new city manager next week when the city hosts a meet and greet reception for Thomas Thomas, a city manager finalist. The meet and greet reception will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Meggs

Meggs

Lake City car GM charged with sedition

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, January 13, 2022
WASHINGTON — The former general manager of a Lake City car dealership was among 11 members of the Oath Keepers charged with seditious conspiracy in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol last January.