Local

City hosting community yard sale event Saturday

TONY BRITT
Thursday, April 22, 2021
The downtown area adjacent to Lake DeSoto will be teeming with activity Saturday, as local residents looking for inexpensive wares can purchase items at the inaugural City of Lake City  Community Yard Sale Event. The Community Yard Sale, hosted by the City of Lake City, will take place from 8 a.m.
Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt greets the crowd at the 2020 Olustee Battle Festival. The festival is returning in 2022, although no parade is currently scheduled. (FILE)

Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt greets the crowd at the 2020 Olustee Battle Festival. The festival is returning in 2022, although no parade is currently scheduled. (FILE)

Return of Olustee: Organizers bringing festival back in 2022

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
It’s back. After covid forced the cancellation of the 2021 Olustee Battle Festival, Columbia County’s biggest and oldest festival is set to return in February. The Olustee Festival is scheduled to take place Feb.

Another shooting at apartment complex

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Another week, another shooting at a northern Lake City apartment complex. The Lake City Police Department received reports around 7:18 p.m. Tuesday of gunshots heard at the Cedar Park Apartment Complex. It was the fourth shooting at the apartment complex on NW Bascom Norris Drive in two weeks.
Nickolas Steward, foreground, portrays a skateboarder during a theatrical presentation Wednesday at the National Guard Armory during local National Youth Leadership Week festivities. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Nickolas Steward, foreground, portrays a skateboarder during a theatrical presentation Wednesday at the National Guard Armory during local National Youth Leadership Week festivities. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS, Belmont students get a taste of bureaucracy, government

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Several middle and high school students from Columbia High School and Belmont Academy met and heard from local business owners and other community partners during an afternoon program Wednesday where the students later had an opportunity to showcase their skills in hosting a meeting using...

Summer camps returning to FGC

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
After a covid-induced cancellation a year ago, youth summer camps are back at Florida Gateway College. School officials plan to host eight camps — sponsored by Nutrien — which are open to area youth ages 8-14. According to FGC, more camps could potentially be added.
Shanekia Bing holds up one of her products along with a page from her U.S. trademark for her hair product line. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Shanekia Bing holds up one of her products along with a page from her U.S. trademark for her hair product line. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Patented success: Bing trademarks her Alirra hair product line

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Shanekia Bing wasn’t doing hair.  In fact, the Lake City resident had no interest in doing people’s hair. She was so steadfast against it, she ended up launching a business and just recently receiving a patent and trademark for her hair product line, Alirra.

Chamber looking for new director

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new executive director. Chamber President Brandon Beil announced Tuesday that the board had accepted Theresa Pinto’s resignation, effective May 31.
Hunter Peeler (from left) stands with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Taylor Sikes at a Mar-a-Lago event. (COURTESY)

Hunter Peeler (from left) stands with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Taylor Sikes at a Mar-a-Lago event. (COURTESY)

Peeler ‘honored’ to attend Mar-a-Lago event

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
PALM BEACH — Just getting to visit the Mar-a-Lago Club on Saturday night was an “honor” for Hunter Peeler.

Council eyes additional police workshops

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, April 19, 2021
One Police Advisory Committee workshop down, two more to go. At Monday’s Lake City Council meeting, Councilman Todd Sampson requested the council schedule two more workshops addressing the proposed Police Advisory Committee following last week’s meeting.
Columbia County officials voted 4-1 to give Olustee Park, along with its monument, to the City of Lake City. (FILE)

Columbia County officials voted 4-1 to give Olustee Park, along with its monument, to the City of Lake City. (FILE)

Olustee battle ends: County commission approves deeding park back to city

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 16, 2021
The battle for Olustee Park is over. On Thursday evening, Columbia County officials voted in favor of conveying park ownership to the City of Lake City through a statutory county deed, with the stipulation that the Battle of Olustee Confederate monument not be destroyed.