Local

Befaithful Coker addresses the city council during Monday’s meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Befaithful Coker addresses the city council during Monday’s meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

City Council vacancy delayed by latest Coker court filing

TONY BRITT
Monday, November 8, 2021
The third time wasn’t a charm. For the third time in less than a month, the Lake City Council met to appoint – and finally swear-in – a new council member. They struck out once again on that endeavor Monday night in a special called meeting.
A military veteran receives gifts during a drive-through event at the Lake City VA Medical Center on Monday morning. (COURTESY)

A military veteran receives gifts during a drive-through event at the Lake City VA Medical Center on Monday morning. (COURTESY)

Drive-through appreciation

TONY BRITT
Monday, November 8, 2021
The Lake City VA Medical Center had an unusual drive-through operation taking place Monday morning. It didn’t involve food orders or picking up prescriptions. Rather, visitors were thanked and given keepsake items for their military service to the country.

Starke murder suspect captured

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 8, 2021
A Starke man wanted for murder was arrested in Columbia County late Saturday morning. According to the Starke Police Department, a man was shot around 9:30 p.m. Friday on E. Brownlee Street. Officers responding found a black male, in his 30s, suffering from fatal gunshot wounds.
Council Members Eugene Jefferson (from left) and Todd Sampson, City Clerk Audrey Sikes, Mayor Stephen Witt and Council Member Jake Hill Jr. listen to a speaker at Monday’s city council meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Council Members Eugene Jefferson (from left) and Todd Sampson, City Clerk Audrey Sikes, Mayor Stephen Witt and Council Member Jake Hill Jr. listen to a speaker at Monday’s city council meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Council will attempt to fill District 14 seat in another special meeting

TONY BRITT
Friday, November 5, 2021
Hopefully, the third time is the charm. For the third time in recent weeks, city officials will hold a special meeting to appoint, and this time swear-in, a District 14 city council representative.

Ellisville sewer plant expansion OK’d

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, November 5, 2021
The expansion of the Ellisville sewage plant just got bigger. At Thursday morning’s Columbia County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board unanimously approved constructing an additional module to expand the plant’s capacity to 75,000 gallons per day, costing an additional $1.75 million.

Weiser named LCMC’s chief nursing officer

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 5, 2021
Lake City Medical Center has a new nursing head. HCA Healthcare North Florida Division announced this week Angie Weiser was appointed the chief nursing officer for the hospital, effective Monday.

FGC has second-best associate program in state

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Florida Gateway College offers one of the best associate degree programs in the state. According to University HQ, an independent educational group that ranks college programs on a number of criteria, the FGC program is second best in Florida, trailing only Santa Fe College.
Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Member Services Director Missy Hartley (left) congratulates Brooklynn Lacey on her win for Best New Business at the 2021 chamber’s Business Excellence Awards ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Member Services Director Missy Hartley (left) congratulates Brooklynn Lacey on her win for Best New Business at the 2021 chamber’s Business Excellence Awards ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Wheeler named Citizen of the Year; Brooklyns Coffee top new business

TONY BRITT
Thursday, November 4, 2021
For two decades, Sarah Wheeler has unassumingly helped different groups in the community through selfless efforts at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.