Local

Ford helps LCPD protect officers

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
The Lake City Police Department — with help from Ford — has found a new way to protect themselves and the community. The LCPD is utilizing a software upgrade in its vehicles to provide another level of protection for officers and the public from covid-19.
Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter thanks K9 officer Rek for his six years of service with the sheriff’s office. Rek was retired Monday and adopted by his handler/partner, Deputy Matthew Waddington. (COURTESY Columbia County Sheriff's Office)

Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter thanks K9 officer Rek for his six years of service with the sheriff’s office. Rek was retired Monday and adopted by his handler/partner, Deputy Matthew Waddington. (COURTESY Columbia County Sheriff's Office)

Good dog: K9 officer Rek retires after six years with CCSO

TONY BRITT
Monday, October 12, 2020
The heat was blistering in June, but there was no slowing down for Rek. A Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K9 officer, Rek and his handler tracked a suspect for more than two miles before the suspect was apprehended that hot summer day.

Shooting outside bar leads to arrest

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, October 12, 2020
Club Rodeo served up more than drinks early Sunday morning as an argument led to shots being fired outside the bar. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was headed home around 12:30 a.m. Sunday when a female waved him down near U.S. Hwy.

LSHA examines options for future meetings

TONY BRITT
Monday, October 12, 2020
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is examining its options as it plans for a return of in-person meetings. At its meeting Monday night, the LSHA board discussed possibly moving future meetings to a larger room to help provide ample space for social distancing as it complies with Gov.
Columbia County is in the market for a new county manager following Ben Scott announcing his resignation, effective Dec. 29. Local business owners and residents have weighed in on how they’d like to see the county move forward with selecting his placement. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County is in the market for a new county manager following Ben Scott announcing his resignation, effective Dec. 29. Local business owners and residents have weighed in on how they’d like to see the county move forward with selecting his placement. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Who’s the boss?: Business owners, residents divided on selection process

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 9, 2020
For just the second time in 35 years, Columbia County is in the market for a new county manager. And unlike five years ago when Ben Scott was tabbed as a county manager in waiting to replace Dale Williams, there is no clear succession plan in place.

Forum canceled as safety precaution

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 9, 2020
Voters won’t be able to hear directly from candidates in the local runoff races in Lake City Reporter Candidate Forum after all. Scheduled for Monday and Tuesday night, the paper had to cancel the forums Friday due to covid-19 concerns.
Richardson High School, shown in an undated photograph, may soon have a historical marker commemorating its long history of providing an education for blacks in Columbia County. (COURTESY)

Richardson High School, shown in an undated photograph, may soon have a historical marker commemorating its long history of providing an education for blacks in Columbia County. (COURTESY)

Richardson alumni seeking historical marker

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 9, 2020
Richardson High School, the former segregation-era school for blacks, has a long and storied history.

Rabies alert issued for Parnell Hills

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 9, 2020
A rabies alert was issued Thursday for the Parnell Hills subdivision following a positive test in a stray cat. The Columbia County Health Department issued the alert, which lasts for 60 days.

FGC offering special holiday session

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 9, 2020
Forget the holiday break. Florida Gateway College announced this week that it will offer a special holiday session of classes during the winter break for the first time. The special session will consist of a compressed six-week online term from Dec. 1 through Jan. 8.