Local

Inga Dwyer, Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia and Suwannee counties, stands behind a row of toys in her office on Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Inga Dwyer, Toys for Tots coordinator for Columbia and Suwannee counties, stands behind a row of toys in her office on Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

‘Very, very tough year’: Covid delayed Toys for Tots fundraising

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Toys for Tots hasn’t escaped covid-19’s wrath. For eight months, the coronavirus pandemic has adversely impacted the economy, jobs and housing. Now it looks like it may have the same impact on the local Toys for Tots program.
Trulieve Medical Marijuana Treatment Center customers and employees congregate around the center Wednesday morning during the facility’s grand opening. Trulieve is the first medical marijuana dispensary to open in Columbia County. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Trulieve Medical Marijuana Treatment Center customers and employees congregate around the center Wednesday morning during the facility’s grand opening. Trulieve is the first medical marijuana dispensary to open in Columbia County. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County’s first medical marijuana joint opens

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
A Columbia County store is now in the legal medical marijuana dispensary business. The county’s first medical marijuana dispensary opened Wednesday morning when the Trulieve Medical Marijuana Treatment Center, 2670 West U.S. Highway 90, opened at 9 a.m.

Cops: Man shot after stealing broken gun

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Trying to break into a house after stealing a non-working firearm didn’t turn out well for a Panama City Beach man, Columbia County authorities said. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report, Brandon Slywkanycz, 34, attempted to break into a house on Indian Ridge Lane just before 8 a.
Liz P. Horne, the Columbia County supervisor of elections, stands at the elections office desk. Horne, who has worked at the office for more than 20 years, will retire on Dec. 31. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Liz P. Horne, the Columbia County supervisor of elections, stands at the elections office desk. Horne, who has worked at the office for more than 20 years, will retire on Dec. 31. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Horne retiring after 16 years as supervisor of elections

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
For more than 20 years Liz P. Horne has had a front row seat to most of the changes that have occurred in Columbia County government. Horne, Columbia County’s supervisor of elections, has worked at the elections office for more than 20 years — 16 years alone as the supervisor of elections.

Live Oak council chooses Curtis as manager

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
LIVE OAK — In the end, the Live Oak City Council didn’t have to go far to find its next city manager. After second interviews with its three finalists Tuesday, the council chose by a 4-1 vote for George Curtis to be the new administrative head of the city.

FDOT adding sidewalk to U.S. 27

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
FORT WHITE — Pedestrians will soon have additional sidewalk to use in Fort White. The Florida Department of Transportation is expected to begin a sidewalk project next month on U.S. 27 in Fort White, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.
Lineah Sampson and Matilda Sampson (from row from left) stand with Lola Sampson (back row from left) Hannah Sampson, Aubree Sampson and Laura Sampson as Todd Sampson recites his oath of office Monday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lineah Sampson and Matilda Sampson (from row from left) stand with Lola Sampson (back row from left) Hannah Sampson, Aubree Sampson and Laura Sampson as Todd Sampson recites his oath of office Monday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

City aiming to annex megasite

TONY BRITT
Monday, November 16, 2020
City officials want a commitment from Weyerhauser. At Monday night’s Lake City Council meeting, City Manager Joe Helfenberger said the city plans to seek a commitment from the company — one that is legally binding — to annex the North Florida Mega Industrial Park into city limits.

Stolen guns, drugs found after traffic stop

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 16, 2020
Stopped for an inoperable headlight Saturday night, a Lake City man was found with stolen firearms and marijuana. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Stanley Maxwell Jr., 20, of a SE Charmont Lane address, was pulled over around 7:10 p.m.