Local

Cold case murder suspect arrested

TONY BRITT
Thursday, July 8, 2021
A long-time “person of interest” in a 2015 murder case was arrested last week after serving time in a Georgia prison for an unrelated crime. Printiss Cortez Donaldson, 32, was arrested on a murder warrant Friday in connection with the 2015 murder of Kharah Asia Norman. Sgt.

Reporter’s parent company announces new leadership

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 8, 2021
After 32 years of guiding Community Newspapers Inc. (CNI), co-owners Tom Wood and Dink NeSmith are turning over the corporate leadership to new co-chief executive officers. Effective Thursday, longtime chief financial officer (CFO) and vice president Mark Major replaced NeSmith as president.
Lake City Reporter Publisher Todd Wilson (left) meets with GulfCoast Financial Services Founder and CEO John Kuykendall and President Brent Kuykendall to discuss a First Responders Appreciation Lunch set for Friday. (COURTESY)

Lake City Reporter Publisher Todd Wilson (left) meets with GulfCoast Financial Services Founder and CEO John Kuykendall and President Brent Kuykendall to discuss a First Responders Appreciation Lunch set for Friday. (COURTESY)

First Responders appreciation luncheon planned

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
GulfCoast Financial and the Lake City Reporter will partner to provide a free lunch to First Responders in the Lake City and Columbia County community on Friday as a show of appreciation. The event is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A water oak tree that was uprooted when Tropical Storm Elsa passed through Columbia County rests on Ray Shealy’s craft shed. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A water oak tree that was uprooted when Tropical Storm Elsa passed through Columbia County rests on Ray Shealy’s craft shed. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tropical Storm Elsa brings tornadoes, steady rain to local area

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
COLUMBIA CITY — While she didn’t pack the overall wallop projected, Tropical Storm Elsa still provided more of a punch than John Murray Jr. was expecting. Murray, who lives in the Oakfield Acres subdivision on SW Dunlop Glen, said a tornado touched down on his property around 6:30 a.m.
Neville Taylor (from left), a Columbia County Public Works employee, helps Micah Taber and Lisa Taber as they fill sandbags at the Columbia County Public Works Construction Yard Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Neville Taylor (from left), a Columbia County Public Works employee, helps Micah Taber and Lisa Taber as they fill sandbags at the Columbia County Public Works Construction Yard Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Residents finalize preparations ahead of Elsa

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
As Tropical Storm Elsa neared Florida on Tuesday, local residents were making preparations for the potential local impact.
Artist Lisa Pifer, born legally blind, is set to be the featured artist for July at the Gateway Art Gallery. (COURTESY)

Artist Lisa Pifer, born legally blind, is set to be the featured artist for July at the Gateway Art Gallery. (COURTESY)

Legally blind artist to be honored

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Born legally blind, Lisa Pifer can’t accurately describe what she can and can’t see. “To me, everything looks clear,” she said. “But I’m not sure what clear is.” But when it comes to her art, Pifer knows how her eyesight has affected her craft.

I-75 wreck leaves Orlando teen in critical condition

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
An Orlando teenager is in critical condition after rear-ending another car on Interstate 75 Monday night. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, northbound traffic had stopped near the U.S. Highway 90 exit at mile marker 427 around 7:44 p.m.

LC man charged with aggravated assault

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Supposedly at his former residence to pick up some clothes, a homeless man instead picked up a pair of charges after authorities claim he shot at someone with a flare gun. Shortly after 8 p.m.
John Cole III (right) poses with his father after John Cole Jr. won the 2021 CCS Teacher of the Year award. (COURTESY)

John Cole III (right) poses with his father after John Cole Jr. won the 2021 CCS Teacher of the Year award. (COURTESY)

Growing a dream: Cole pushing to complete father’s vision for Ag center

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 2, 2021
There are many interests vying for John Cole III’s attention these days. There’s the Fort White-based Saving Our Children nonprofit — which he took over in May — that works to help teens with addiction and mental health issues.