Local

CCSO deputy arrested following theft investigation

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, July 31, 2021
A deputy with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested and placed on administrative leave following an investigation into theft. Early Friday morning, the CCSO received complaint from a resident alleging a deputy had stolen money from a vehicle during a call for service.
An independent investigation at Branford High School revealed grade changing and misuse of independent study courses centered around a former assistant principal with the school. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

An independent investigation at Branford High School revealed grade changing and misuse of independent study courses centered around a former assistant principal with the school. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Inquiry uncovers cheating scandal at Branford High School

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 30, 2021
BRANFORD — A former Branford High School assistant principal is accused of “serious misconduct,” including grade manipulations and violations of test security protocols, by an independent investigator retained by the Suwannee County School District this spring. Scott Seagle with Coppins Monroe, P.
The Millennium Bank Building at 173 Hillsboro Street, along with a smaller bank building at 338 N. Marion Ave., were bought for $1.1 million in February. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Millennium Bank Building at 173 Hillsboro Street, along with a smaller bank building at 338 N. Marion Ave., were bought for $1.1 million in February. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New City Hall construction plans underway

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 30, 2021
The planned construction of a new city hall building has been altered.
Lake City Medical Center is nearing capacity, with 88 out of 93 inpatient beds at the facility being utilized while all 17 ICU beds were taken by patients. (FILE)

Lake City Medical Center is nearing capacity, with 88 out of 93 inpatient beds at the facility being utilized while all 17 ICU beds were taken by patients. (FILE)

Nearing capacity: All ICU beds at LCMC in use after surge in local covid cases

TONY BRITT
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Hospital admissions are rising right along side the number of covid-19 cases. With the recent resurgence in covid cases, Lake City Medical Center has neared capacity. According to numbers reported Monday to the U.S.
Lake Shore Hospital hasn’t been in use since August last year. (FILE)

Lake Shore Hospital hasn’t been in use since August last year. (FILE)

Hospital closure hits pocketbooks

TONY BRITT
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Health care options didn’t just take a hit when Shands Lake Shore Hospital closed last fall. Local taxing authorities also suffered a blow.

One killed in late-night chase

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 29, 2021
A chase late Wednesday night that criss-crossed the heart of Lake City ended with a fatal wreck on U.S. Highway 90 just west of downtown. When a Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle for a traffic infraction around 11:30 p.m.
Jakwon Rhodes, a Lake City Humane Society employee, walks “Gunner” on the humane society campus Wednesday afternoon in front of the James Montgomery Animal Wellness Center Building, which has been under construction for weeks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jakwon Rhodes, a Lake City Humane Society employee, walks “Gunner” on the humane society campus Wednesday afternoon in front of the James Montgomery Animal Wellness Center Building, which has been under construction for weeks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCHS looking for donations during collection event

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
The Lake City Humane Society provides services for thousands of strays, pets and rescued animals annually.
Interim city manager Ami Mitchell Fields. (FILE)

Interim city manager Ami Mitchell Fields. (FILE)

Fields uncertain on future with city

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
For nearly a month, the City of Lake City daily operations have been overseen by Ami Mitchell Fields, interim city manager, who has been tasked with overseeing the budget, lifting employee morale and hiring people to fill key leadership positions in the city.