Local

Man charged for injuries to pregnant woman

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Less than a month before her due date, a pregnant woman suffered physical abuse from a male member of her household — and then tried to cover for him, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report.
A federal investigation into former State Attorney Jeff Siegmeister has netted a guilty plea from Ernest Page IV, a former defense attorney turned prosecutor. (FILE)

A federal investigation into former State Attorney Jeff Siegmeister has netted a guilty plea from Ernest Page IV, a former defense attorney turned prosecutor. (FILE)

Attorney guilty of bribery

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, September 7, 2020
Ernest Maloney Page IV, the defense attorney-turned-prosecutor central to allegations of bribery implicating former Third Circuit State Attorney Jeff Siegmeister, has pleaded guilty to criminal charges stemming from a federal probe involving a tractor sale.
The Battle of Olustee Confederate monument has caused a dispute into the ownership of Olustee Park. (FILE)

The Battle of Olustee Confederate monument has caused a dispute into the ownership of Olustee Park. (FILE)

Deed denial sparked by concerns of backlash

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, September 4, 2020
Fear of a public backlash is what prompted the Columbia County Commission to vote against settling a land ownership issue related to the Battle of Olustee Confederate monument, multiple officials told the Lake City Reporter on Friday.

County launches relief program for small businesses

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, September 4, 2020
Small businesses in the community may be eligible for up to $20,000 through an economic relief program Columbia County launched on Friday. The county’s Small Business Economic Stabilization program has allocated $7 million to help businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

SOE seeing increase in poll workers

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, September 4, 2020
Poll-worker applications are surging as the November election looms, officials say. The influx of people wanting to become poll workers came as a surprise to the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office, which expected a continuation of the trend it saw in August.
The Columbia County Commission unanimously voted against a quitclaim deed, which would have relinquished any ownership stake, for Olustee Park, which is home to a Confederate monument. (FILE)

The Columbia County Commission unanimously voted against a quitclaim deed, which would have relinquished any ownership stake, for Olustee Park, which is home to a Confederate monument. (FILE)

Commission doesn’t end park dispute

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, September 3, 2020
The Columbia County Commission on Thursday was asked to clear up a land ownership issue stemming from a request for the city to move a controversial Confederate monument.

Standoff ends with arrest

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, September 3, 2020
A Lake City man, who barricaded himself in his home for roughly five hours after a domestic dispute, was arrested Wednesday after the Lake City Police Department and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team were able to take him into custody without the use of force.