Local

Bicentennial Founders Day set for Nov. 20

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 1, 2021
Lake City and Columbia County is turning 200 and the community is invited to the party. In the fall of 1821, Noel Raulerson built a cabin on Lake DeSoto becoming the first American to move into the area. Raulerson would be followed soon afterwards by Mr. Henry Edwards (1823), John D.
Befaithful Coker, addressing the Lake City Council in a previous meeting, is scheduled to be sworn in as the council’s newest member Monday. (FILE)

Befaithful Coker, addressing the Lake City Council in a previous meeting, is scheduled to be sworn in as the council’s newest member Monday. (FILE)

Coker wants to ‘stabilize’ city’s base

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 29, 2021
The Lake City Council’s vacant seat will be filled Monday. Probably. For the second time in two weeks, the council has appointed a candidate to serve out the District 14 seat term until the 2022 election. A lawsuit filed before Stephen A. Douglas could be sworn in on Oct.

Accreditation team seeks public input on LCPD

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 29, 2021
The Lake City Police Department’s policies and procedures will be examined next month. As part of the accreditation process that a team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation will perform, public comment is welcomed.
There were just 29 new covid-19 cases in Columbia County this week and just 24 in Suwannee County.

There were just 29 new covid-19 cases in Columbia County this week and just 24 in Suwannee County.

Covid-19 cases continue to fall in Columbia & Suwannee counties

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 29, 2021
After raging a couple months ago, the spread of covid-19 has slowed considerably in Columbia County. In the latest data released Friday by the Florida Department of Health, there were just 29 new covid cases in the county over the past week, a rate of 40.7 per 100,000 population.
Suwannee County Fire Chief Eddie Hand (center) and Division Chief Matt Garbett present the Lake City Fire Department with a fire hose flag in memory of Chief Randy Burnham. (COURTESY)

Suwannee County Fire Chief Eddie Hand (center) and Division Chief Matt Garbett present the Lake City Fire Department with a fire hose flag in memory of Chief Randy Burnham. (COURTESY)

Burnham’s legacy honored

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, October 28, 2021
As Suwannee County Fire Rescue mourned the loss of its leader two years ago, a memorial token arrived from next door. Josh Wehinger, the assistant fire chief at the Lake City Fire Department, had a fire hose flag on his office wall.
A pair of riders take off with American flags waving during the American Legion Riders’ 2019 Toys for Tots run. (FILE)

A pair of riders take off with American flags waving during the American Legion Riders’ 2019 Toys for Tots run. (FILE)

Legion Riders hosting Toys for Tots run

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, October 28, 2021
The American Legion Riders’ third annual Toys for Tots run will be bigger than ever. In addition to the ride Nov.
Hannah (left) and Faith Turner share a laugh as they set up a food trailer Thursday afternoon in preparation for opening night of the 67th annual Florida Gateway Fair. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Hannah (left) and Faith Turner share a laugh as they set up a food trailer Thursday afternoon in preparation for opening night of the 67th annual Florida Gateway Fair. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fair affair: Food trucks, attractions set up for Gateway Fair

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, October 28, 2021
It’s time to crank up the tilt-o-whirl and breathe in the fried corndog batter. The 67th annual Florida Gateway Fair is scheduled to open today at 5 p.m. and will remain open to the public through Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds at 164 SW Mary Ethel Lane.
Stephen A. Douglas (left) reacts to being chosen for the District 14 seat at an Oct. 13 meeting. (FILE)

Stephen A. Douglas (left) reacts to being chosen for the District 14 seat at an Oct. 13 meeting. (FILE)

Douglas wants to see council changes after appointment yanked

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, October 28, 2021
How does it feel to gain an appointment to the Lake City Council and have it taken away less than two weeks later? It’s frustrating admits Stephen A. Douglas. “Very, very frustrated at the actions of our city leaders,” Douglas said Thursday afternoon.