Local

CARES funding payout increases

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
More help is available to those impacted by the covid-19 pandemic. Columbia County officials have increased the maximum amount of CARES funding available to both individuals and local small businesses financially impacted by covid-19.

City will Zoom once more, may move meetings

TODD WILSON
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
After a hybrid meeting Monday night held in person and on the virtual meeting computer software Zoom, the Lake City Council set a course for future meetings that could see a venue change for upcoming meetings.

Publix evacuated for ‘suspicious’ bag

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
A “suspicious” bag of hygiene products and food caused the Lake City Publix to be evacuated Monday night. The Lake City Police Department received a report of a suspicious bag left on a shelf in the entrance to the Publix at 255 NW Commons Loop around 9:05 p.m. Monday.

Church, pastor sued for $5M

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, October 5, 2020
The First Apostolic Church of Lake City and its pastor, Luther Leguire, are being sued for $5 million in damages for not preventing the sexual battery of a minor.
The development of Wilson Park in downtown Lake City, including completion of the ampitheater and the addition of a fountain on Lake DeSoto, was prioritized for grant funding by the city council Monday night over housing needs. (FILE)

The development of Wilson Park in downtown Lake City, including completion of the ampitheater and the addition of a fountain on Lake DeSoto, was prioritized for grant funding by the city council Monday night over housing needs. (FILE)

City: Wilson Park takes priority over housing needs

TODD WILSON
Monday, October 5, 2020
The Lake City Council took another step toward capturing up to $750,000 in grant funds to finish the Wilson Park project downtown.

OUR OPINION: County should exhaust options in manager search

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, October 3, 2020
Columbia County officials teeter on the great precipice of decision, as the group now begins the search for a new county manager. It will be a challenging decision, one that will affect the future of our county for many years into the future. Will the board step up or flounder?
Bill Fish (from left), Tyler Todd and Cody Pridgeon stand atop a monitoring area for the aeration basin tanks at the St. Margarets Wastewater Treatment Facility on Friday morning. The aeration basin tanks will be upgraded as part of a $6.1 million project at the facility. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bill Fish (from left), Tyler Todd and Cody Pridgeon stand atop a monitoring area for the aeration basin tanks at the St. Margarets Wastewater Treatment Facility on Friday morning. The aeration basin tanks will be upgraded as part of a $6.1 million project at the facility. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Saving St. Margarets: City sewage plant set for $6.1M upgrade to avoid ‘disaster’

TONY BRITT
Saturday, October 3, 2020
With no replacement parts and no backup plan, Lake City officials had no choice. With the St. Margarets wastewater treatment facility aging and in need of repairs, the city has earmarked roughly $6.1 million for a rehabilitation project at the facility that will help avoid “disaster.
Thomas Henry (clockwise from left), Lake City Public Works Department Director; Leroy Marshall, Suwannee River Water Management District Chief Professional Engineer; Tim Beach, Suwannee River Water Management District Environmental Scientist II; and Joe Helfenberger, city manager, talk to Adee Farmer about drainage issues near a canal near Richardson Community Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Thomas Henry (clockwise from left), Lake City Public Works Department Director; Leroy Marshall, Suwannee River Water Management District Chief Professional Engineer; Tim Beach, Suwannee River Water Management District Environmental Scientist II; and Joe Helfenberger, city manager, talk to Adee Farmer about drainage issues near a canal near Richardson Community Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

City looks to address flooding issues

TONY BRITT
Saturday, October 3, 2020
The city plans to address the flooding and drainage issues that plague certain areas of town.
Dr. Travis Lanaux, DVM, emergency director of the University of Florida’s small animal hospital, talks about the treatment of snake bites in dogs during a presentation to the Rotary Club of Lake City Thursday. Lanaux talked about coral snake bites and strikes from pit vipers, including rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and copperheads. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Dr. Travis Lanaux, DVM, emergency director of the University of Florida’s small animal hospital, talks about the treatment of snake bites in dogs during a presentation to the Rotary Club of Lake City Thursday. Lanaux talked about coral snake bites and strikes from pit vipers, including rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and copperheads. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Snake-bite vet talks of dogs in the ER

TODD WILSON
Saturday, October 3, 2020
The adverse effect of a snake bite in some dogs may not show itself for up to 36 hours after the strike, according to a University of Florida veterinary expert who told Rotarians Thursday a variety of stories about treatments and the difference in coral snake bites compared to pit vipers. Dr.