Local

Interlocal keeps building projects progressing

TONY BRITT
Monday, January 3, 2022
Lake City’s growth development department, which is utilizing aid from Columbia County building inspection officials, saw an uptick in business as 2021 came to an end. “Basically, this past month, month and a half, a lot of people have been applying for permits because they know come Jan.

Jones named Lake City’s Arbor Day honoree

NEWS STAFF
Monday, January 3, 2022
The president of the Florida Forestry Association is set to be Lake City’s Florida Arbor Day honoree. The city has announced Carlton Jones as its 2022 Arbor Day honoree with a reception set in his honor for Friday, Jan. 13, from 11 a.m. to noon.

FHP seeks witness of cyclist fatality

NEWS STAFF
Monday, January 3, 2022
Investigators with the Florida Highway Patrol are seeking help in a fatality late last year. The FHP is seeking witnesses to the collision between a black 2021 Kia Forte and a black man riding a black Schwinn bicycle on Dec. 27 around 6:49 p.m. The collision occurred on U.S.
Telford Spring, shown here, will be sold to the Suwannee River Water Management District. (COURTESY)

Telford Spring, shown here, will be sold to the Suwannee River Water Management District. (COURTESY)

Local springs acquired for conservation

NEWS STAFF
Monday, January 3, 2022
A pair of local springs — one in Columbia County and one in Suwannee County — were purchased by the Alachua Conservation Trust late last year for conservation purposes.
Former State Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit Jeff Siegmeister addresses a Board of County Commissioners meeting in August 2017. Siegmeister was arrested on Feb. 26 in Arizona on a range of charges. (FILE)

Former State Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit Jeff Siegmeister addresses a Board of County Commissioners meeting in August 2017. Siegmeister was arrested on Feb. 26 in Arizona on a range of charges. (FILE)

YEAR IN REVIEW: Siegmeister’s indictment headlines top stories of 2021

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Following the pandemic-riddled 2020, 2021 began with optimism that the worst was behind. However, 2021 was a year of continued loss for Columbia County and Lake City. As well as a year of major arrests, gunfire, departures and destruction. Here are the top stories of the past year.
County Manager David Kraus said addressing infrastructure needs at the North Florida Mega industrial Park would likely draw more interest from projects looking to relocate to Columbia County. (FILE)

County Manager David Kraus said addressing infrastructure needs at the North Florida Mega industrial Park would likely draw more interest from projects looking to relocate to Columbia County. (FILE)

Calling their shot: County expects banner year for economic development in 2022

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
The new year is bringing new optimism for increased economic development in along the Bell Road corridor and the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. “I think you’ll see a lot interest and activity going on,” County Manager David Kraus said Wednesday afternoon.

CHS art teacher charged with assault

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
A Columbia High School art teacher was arrested Tuesday on domestic violence charges. The charges against Chester Norcross, 44, stem from an argument in which he threatened to harm someone in the dwelling. Norcross was charged with simple assault (domestic violence).
A security footage still from Baya Pharmacy shows the masked suspect. (COURTESY)

A security footage still from Baya Pharmacy shows the masked suspect. (COURTESY)

Armed robber swipes drugs from Baya

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
When a masked man entered Baya Pharmacy West on Wednesday afternoon, staff didn’t think much of it. But the white male had an unusual prescription request: a handgun pointed at the pharmacy tech.