Local

Deputy punched cuffed suspect

A “quite disturbing” video shows a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputy punching a traffic stop suspect who had already been handcuffed and subdued, the Public Defender’s Office wrote in a recently surfaced memo.

Local voters mailing it in

Election officials can’t predict how the coronavirus pandemic will affect overall turnout for the August primary, but they say one thing is certain — a lot of people are voting by mail.

Columbia, Fort White ready for graduation ceremonies

It’s almost time to give the county’s high school seniors a proper sendoff. Graduation ceremonies are upon us at Columbia and Fort White high schools.  The CHS graduation ceremony is scheduled to take place at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. FWHS will hold its ceremony at 9 p.m. Friday.

Shands Lake Shore birth center to close early

Born-and-raised Lake Citians are in danger of extinction. Shands Lake Shore Hospital, the only place to give birth in Lake City, will cease all childbirth services after Friday.

Lake City firefighters union seeking pay increase

Stagnant wages are the driving force in contract negotiations between the Lake City firefighters union and City Hall, the labor group says.

Local, state candidates answer questions at GOP rally

Republican candidates for local and regional office talked about God, guns and liberty at a GOP political rally Saturday night.

CCS start delayed to August 24

The start date for the school year has been pushed back again, Columbia County school officials announced this week.  Students are now set to begin classes Aug. 24. The school district initially planned for an Aug. 10 start date, which was then pushed to Aug.

Akhimie resigns from assistant city manager position

The No. 2 appointed official at Lake City Hall has stepped down from his position. Assistant City Manager Vince Akhimie tendered his resignation on July 6. “It was mutual,” said City Manager Joe Helfenberger. “He wanted to do other things, and I wished him well.

City changes funding process for Olustee, community events

Community events, including the Olustee Battle Festival in downtown Lake City, will no longer automatically get funding from the city. Event organizers will now have to request money from the City Council, which will allocate money from a single $16,000 pot, said City Manager Joe Helfenberger.

Home invasion attack leads to hospitalization

A Lake City man was hospitalized this weekend after he was attacked in his home Saturday night by five unidentified men in a home invasion incident. According to information from the Lake City Police Department, around 8:40 p.m.