Local

County considering Olustee quitclaim

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Who controls Olustee Park — and the Battle of Olustee Confederate monument that resides in it — could finally be decided. The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners are expected to consider a quitclaim deed on the downtown Lake City park at its 5:30 p.m.

Advisory committee OKs city utility master plan

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

A city-wide utilities master plan may finally be on the horizon for the City of Lake City. At Wednesday afternoon’s city utility advisory committee meeting, the group unanimously approved Jones Edmunds performing a master plan of the city’s utilities.

(Clockwise from top left) Sydni Jones, Jaxon Evans, Lucy Evans, David Evans

Couple wanted in early night parental abduction case

NEWS STAFF

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Detectives are actively investigating a parental abduction which occurred on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at approximately 5:15 p.m. The suspects are Sydni Jones, 23, and David Evans, 24. The children have been identified as Jaxon Evans, 4, and Lucy Evans, 2.

Regar and Hogue-Pua

Humane society: Pair stole $15K

TONY BRITT

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Two former Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society employees are facing a lawsuit alleging they stole $15,800 from the animal shelter. The suit, which was filed March 17 in Columbia County Court by the humane society, accuses the pair of conversion, civil theft and unjust enrichment.

Emergency avoided: city nixes meeting

JAMIE WACHTER

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

There wasn’t an emergency at City Hall after all. Little more than 12 hours after city officials called for an emergency meeting to be held Tuesday evening, it was canceled. City Manager Joe Helfenberger said the cancellation, which was announced around 10 a.m.

Suwannee close to pre-covid jobless rate

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Things are almost back to normal in Suwannee County. According to data released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity late last week, Suwannee County’s February unemployment rate neared its pre-pandemic levels.

Catherine Feyerabend of Clearwater stands underneath the ‘Aluminum Overcast’ on Sunday. She said flying in a B-17 like her father had been on her bucket list. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Feyerabend follows in father's footsteps with her trip aboard the ‘Aluminum Overcast’ B-17 bomber

JAMIE WACHTER

Monday, March 29, 2021

It was the flight of a lifetime, an opportunity Catherine Feyerabend wasn’t about to miss. The Clearwater resident had wanted a chance to follow in her father’s footsteps and fly on a Boeing B-17 bomber for about 50 years.

City declines Ft. White water bid

TONY BRITT

Monday, March 29, 2021

The City of Lake City will not be Fort White’s water provider. During a special called Lake City Council meeting Monday, city officials discussed the funding and materials associated with the possibility of providing portable water from lines in the Columbia City area to Fort White.

Daniel Sweat (left) speaks to the Lake City Council in a December meeting as Paul Dyal looks on. (FILE)

Sweat blisters ‘Utility Mafia,’ mayor

JAMIE WACHTER

Friday, March 26, 2021

Resigning after less than five months on the job, Lake City’s assistant city manager didn’t leave quietly.

Firefighters adjust their gear as they listen to a Third Alarm Public Safety Training instructor present tips on firefighter survival. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Local firefighters receive advanced training

TONY BRITT

Friday, March 26, 2021

Groups of firefighters in sweat-drenched clothing sat in shaded areas underneath trees, behind semi trailers or under tents Friday afternoon as they looked to catch their breath and prepare for the next training session.