Local

Spoofing costs victim $8K

NEWS STAFF
Monday, July 19, 2021
Returning a phone call recently, the person thought they were talking with a Lake City police officer. However, the Lake City Police Department announced in a release Monday, the victim instead was tricked by a “spoofed” phone number and was swindled out of $8,000.
Burnham

Burnham

Fire chief claims clerk retaliated in complaint

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 16, 2021
Lake City’s fire chief has filed a complaint against the city clerk, accusing her of retaliation. In a complaint sent to Mayor Stephen Witt on July 2, Fire Chief Randy Burnham said City Clerk Audrey Sikes retaliated against him for questioning the city’s public records request platform.

Fire station construction contract before council

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 16, 2021
The Lake City Council may light a fire under a second fire station project Monday. At its regular meeting, the council will consider approving contracts with the architect and contractor on a new fire station on the west side of Lake City, which would then be expected to be completed within a year.
Easton Helsel (left), 5, makes a face with Jacob English (far right) during the Christ Central Vacation Bible School session Wednesday night as Emery Helsel, 4, looks on while English gives them drawstring book bags. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Easton Helsel (left), 5, makes a face with Jacob English (far right) during the Christ Central Vacation Bible School session Wednesday night as Emery Helsel, 4, looks on while English gives them drawstring book bags. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Family affair: Roughly 550 attend ‘VBX 2021: Expedition’ Bible retreat

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Vacation Bible School took on a new meaning for Christ Central Ministries parishioners Wednesday evening. Several hundred children and adults gathered at the church campus for “VBX 2021: The Expedition.

Shots fired after food refused

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Upset over refusing to eat his late-night meal, authorities say a Lake City man threw a bag a food at a woman’s face before punching her and later firing multiple shots at individuals early Wednesday morning. A Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report states that around 12:20 a.m.
An unidentified child is passed a hula hoop from Columbia County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy Nicole Martell during an activity during camp Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

An unidentified child is passed a hula hoop from Columbia County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy Nicole Martell during an activity during camp Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Working in ‘Harmony’: Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch camp promoting teamwork, leadership skills

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
The Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch mobile summer camp rolled into town earlier this week providing a variety of activities for local youngsters promoting team building, leadership and other self-esteem building skills.