Local

First responders operate on the scene of a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon. (COURTESY)

First responders operate on the scene of a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon. (COURTESY)

Fiery crash results in pair of hospitalizations

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
LIVE OAK — A fiery crash Tuesday afternoon on U.S. Highway 90 sent both drivers to area hospitals. A Ford F150 and a semi trailer collided head-on around 3 p.m. Tuesday on U.S. 90 in eastern Suwannee County near 89th Road.
Lake City native Zachary Rudman, a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy, serves aboard the USS Essex. (COURTESY)

Lake City native Zachary Rudman, a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy, serves aboard the USS Essex. (COURTESY)

Lake City native serves aboard USS Essex

NEWS STAFF
Monday, October 25, 2021
MILLINGTON, Tenn. — A Lake City native is serving aboard USS Essex, a U.S. Navy Wasp class amphibious assault ship. Petty Officer 2nd Class Zachary Rudman is a 2016 Serra High School in California graduate.
Derek Nelson (from left), of Woodchuck Hard Cider, pours a sample for Stacey Hentzelman, Britney Thrasher and Ava White. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Derek Nelson (from left), of Woodchuck Hard Cider, pours a sample for Stacey Hentzelman, Britney Thrasher and Ava White. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Craft Beer and Wine Festival makes long-awaited return

TONY BRITT
Monday, October 25, 2021
A bright, warm, sunny day served as the backdrop where hundreds of people, many with cups in their  hands, filled Wilson Park for the return of the chamber of commerce’s annual beer and wine festival.
Kimberly Claridy Walker. (FILE)

Kimberly Claridy Walker. (FILE)

Jax drug boss to remain in custody

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, October 23, 2021
JACKSONVILLE — A Lake City native accused of leading an armed drug trafficking organization will remain in custody until her trial in federal court. Patricia Barksdale, a United States Magistrate Judge, did not grant Jacksonville businesswoman Kimberly Claridy Walker’s request in U.S.

Unemployment rates continue falling across area

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Unemployment rates fell locally for the third straight month in September. According to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked down slightly in September to 4.9%, a drop of 0.1%.

Protocol saves county from scam

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Columbia County taxpayers have recently been the target of a pair of scam attempts. Clerk of Courts Jay Swisher informed the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners of the attempts, one stopped and the other in which the county is looking to recoup some funds, at its meeting Thursday morning.
Holly Frazier discusses the options available at Halpatter Brewing Co.’s tent at the 2019 Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival. (FILE)

Holly Frazier discusses the options available at Halpatter Brewing Co.’s tent at the 2019 Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival. (FILE)

Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival back on tap

TONY BRITT
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Local residents can cap off a lazy fall afternoon by listening to music, visiting food trucks and sampling beer and wine on the shore of Lake DeSoto this weekend. The 2021 Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Lake City at Wilson Park.