Local

Lake City Reporter Publisher Todd Wilson (from left), Sports Editor Jordan Kroeger, CNI President Mark Major, Reporter Tony Britt, Editor Jamie Wachter and Assistant Editor Morgan McMullen pose with the President’s Award for Outstanding Journalism. (CHRIS RATLIFF/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Reporter Publisher Todd Wilson (from left), Sports Editor Jordan Kroeger, CNI President Mark Major, Reporter Tony Britt, Editor Jamie Wachter and Assistant Editor Morgan McMullen pose with the President’s Award for Outstanding Journalism. (CHRIS RATLIFF/Lake City Reporter)

Reporter earns top editorial honors

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, October 16, 2021
The Lake City Reporter earned the 2020 President’s Award, the top journalism award from Community Newspapers, Inc., company officials announced last week.

O’Hern ‘excited and grateful’ to be Chamber head

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, October 14, 2021
The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce has found its new executive director. He just so happened to already work in the building. Brandon Beil, the Chamber board president, announced Thursday morning that Joey O’Hern is the new leader of the business organization.
Douglas

Douglas

Douglas aims to fill vacant city positions

TONY BRITT
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Although he’s newly appointed as the Lake City Council District 14 representative, Stephen A. Douglas is taking the seat with high expectations and a plan to keep the city moving forward. “It feels good — it’s a relief,” he said of getting the appointment to serve as the new city councilor.
Stephen A. Douglas, left, is congratulaed by Mike McKee, of Florida Gateway College, after Douglas was appointed to the Lake City Council on Wednesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Stephen A. Douglas, left, is congratulaed by Mike McKee, of Florida Gateway College, after Douglas was appointed to the Lake City Council on Wednesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

By appointment: Council chooses Douglas after ranking

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
The Lake City Council finally has its fifth member, though it wasn’t without controversy. A ranked-choice vote from the previously four-member council, followed by a formal vote on the matter, gave the nod to Lake City native and business owner Stephen A.

Smoky haze evacuates Walmart

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Nearly 100 people were evacuated from Walmart Wednesday morning when a smoky haze temporarily enveloped the store’s interior. A call to the Lake City Fire Department sent fire trucks racing to the retail store around 7:35 a.m.
The rest areas along Interstate 10 in Columbia and Suwannee counties, just west of Interstate 75, are being replaced. That work will cause overnight lane closures on I-10, starting today. (COURTESY)

The rest areas along Interstate 10 in Columbia and Suwannee counties, just west of Interstate 75, are being replaced. That work will cause overnight lane closures on I-10, starting today. (COURTESY)

DOT: I-10 lanes closed overnight

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Portions of Interstate 10 will be closed overnight in Columbia and Suwannee counties. The Florida Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that starting at 8 p.m. today, motorists on I-10 can expect to see one lane of traffic closed near the rest areas just west of Interstate 75.
Ward, Regar and Hogue-Pua

Ward, Regar and Hogue-Pua

Humane Society trial set for April

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
The Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society’s civil theft trial involving two former employees is scheduled for circuit court in April. The trial date of April 18-20 was set last week by Judge Bill Blue in Third Judicial Circuit Court for Columbia County.

Lake City man arrested after brewery brouhaha

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Patrons at Halpatter Brewing Company and the Tavern were served up a disturbance by an armed man just after midnight Sunday. According to a release, the Lake City Police Department responded to a disturbance at Halpatter’s at 12:37 a.m. Sunday.
Emma Miles, Columbia County Public Library Youth Services Programs Specialist, aligns decorated pumpkins in the Youth Services Department at the main branch of the Columbia County Public Library on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Emma Miles, Columbia County Public Library Youth Services Programs Specialist, aligns decorated pumpkins in the Youth Services Department at the main branch of the Columbia County Public Library on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pumpkins meet literature: Columbia library hosting pumpkin decoration contest

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Some of the favorite characters from the pages of the books inside the Columbia County Public Library have come to life as pumpkins.