Local

Cops: Man apologizes for break-in

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Apologizing after he was caught, a Lake City man was arrested and charged with burglary and theft after breaking into a familiar house, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
The ownership of the Confederate monument and Olustee Park is still in question and could delay a decision on the future of the monument. (FILE)

The ownership of the Confederate monument and Olustee Park is still in question and could delay a decision on the future of the monument. (FILE)

Monumental mess: Ownership question could delay decision on future of monument

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, August 7, 2020
The Lake City Council will consider a request to move a controversial Confederate monument off public land during a special meeting on Monday, but it’s not clear how much they’ll actually be able to get done.

Changes coming to Humane Society

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 7, 2020
The Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society has hired three new administrators as it works toward restructuring the agency and preparing for future growth. Robin Tobak Ward will serve as the executive director for the agency.

Woman charged after victim’s face smashed through window

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 7, 2020
A dispute that began at a local night club ended at a restaurant Friday morning when a victim’s face was pushed through a window at the eatery. Sonya Lisa Moore, 45, of a Southwest Windsong Circle address, was charged with aggravated battery and criminal mischief in connection with the case.
Noah Walker, left, and Jake Hill, candidates for the Lake City Council District 12 seat, discussed expanding the city’s utilities during the candidate forum Thursday night. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Noah Walker, left, and Jake Hill, candidates for the Lake City Council District 12 seat, discussed expanding the city’s utilities during the candidate forum Thursday night. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Utilities, economic growth stressed by council candidates

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, August 6, 2020
The final night of the Lake City Reporter’s three-installment political forum for the August primary ended with City Council and School Board candidates fielding questions that ran the gamut from utilities and economic development to mandatory masks and a controversial Confederate monument.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two suspects that stole a surveillance camera from a Northwest Battle Hill Lane residence in early July. (Courtesy COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two suspects that stole a surveillance camera from a Northwest Battle Hill Lane residence in early July. (Courtesy COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

Suspects caught on the camera they stole

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Smile for the camera.  Sheriff’s detectives are searching for two male suspects who stole a security camera. It was a wifi-enabled model, allowing authorities to access the footage.
Lake City’s Scotty Lee Williams’ biggest hit ‘Small Town Country’ led to a recording contract with Nashville Entertainment Weekly Records. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City’s Scotty Lee Williams’ biggest hit ‘Small Town Country’ led to a recording contract with Nashville Entertainment Weekly Records. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

'Small Town Country': Lake City’s Williams signs recording contract

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
The name of the song says it all. At its core, “Small Town Country” is a tune about growing up in Lake City and riding around the woods with friends. Hometown country singer-songwriter Scotty Lee Williams has a Columbia County heart and newly signed Nashville record deal.

Fight with juvenile leads to abuse charges

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
A juvenile abuse victim got tired of taking hits and decided to fight back during an altercation outside a local restaurant Monday, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The suspected abuser, Andrew Matthew Walter, 30, homeless, was later arrested on a child abuse charge.