Local

Selena Crews, a local teacher, said if the teachers are given the proper training, they could train the children on the proper ways to wear the masks when social distancing wasn’t possible. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Selena Crews, a local teacher, said if the teachers are given the proper training, they could train the children on the proper ways to wear the masks when social distancing wasn’t possible. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

School Board: No mask mandate

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
The Columbia School District is highly recommending, but not mandating, that students wear masks or facial coverings.
Part of a tree fell on the law office of Lloyd and Sandra Peterson on Baya Avenue after being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm Monday evening. (Courtesy LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Part of a tree fell on the law office of Lloyd and Sandra Peterson on Baya Avenue after being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm Monday evening. (Courtesy LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Tree strikes law office during storm

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
A local law office got a jolt of excitement Monday when lightning from an evening thunderstorm struck a tree and shattered it into pieces with debris falling onto the front portion of the building, a nearby roadway and a vehicle.

Using vehicle for batting practice leads to arrest

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
After hanging out Sunday night, an accusation of theft led to a pair of suspects taking batting practice on a vehicle Monday morning. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, 23-year-old Kade Haug and Kolby Haug woke up the victims in their vehicle around 8:25 a.m.
The Confederate monument at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City is pictured. (FILE)

The Confederate monument at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City is pictured. (FILE)

Monument may be on the way out

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
After 92 years, the Confederate monument is one step closer to being moved from downtown Olustee Park. At the end of a special called City Council meeting Monday night, the council voted unanimously on a series of motions by Councilman Chris Greene that could lead to the monument being relocated.
Only a few campaign workers braved 95-degree heat outside the Supervisor of Elections office Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Only a few campaign workers braved 95-degree heat outside the Supervisor of Elections office Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Early votes, mail-ins starting to add up

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Columbia County’s early voting began Saturday and more than 1,600 county residents have already cast their ballots. Early voting is taking place daily from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

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.