Local

A Confederate monument in downtown Lake City continues to be a source of controversy. Some want it relocated to either the battlefield where the soldiers it honors were killed or the cemetery where they are buried, while others want it to stay where it is. (STAFF)

A Confederate monument in downtown Lake City continues to be a source of controversy. Some want it relocated to either the battlefield where the soldiers it honors were killed or the cemetery where they are buried, while others want it to stay where it is. (STAFF)

Possible removal of Civil War monument taken off agenda, but City Council takes comments regardless

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, June 15, 2020
The debate over Confederate symbols played out during an online Lake City Council meeting Monday, when a proposal to relocate a monument by the downtown county courthouse generated a surge of interest on both sides of the issue.

County noise ordinance gets hearing Thursday

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, June 15, 2020
In response to constant complaints about loud parties, obnoxiously powerful car sound systems and other forms of noise pollution, the county is holding a hearing this week on an ordinance to curb what has been a major source of frustration for local residents in recent years.

Cops say woman, 64, drunk with kids in car

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, June 15, 2020
Multiple cars on Duval Street had to hit the brakes to avoid a dark-colored SUV that was traveling in the wrong lane early Saturday morning, resulting in the arrest of a 64-year-old woman who deputies say was driving while intoxicated with several children in the vehicle.
A monument to Confederate soldiers stands in front of the courthouse in downtown Lake City. A local resident seeks to have it relocated to either the cemetery where the soldiers are buried or the battlefield where they died. (STAFF)

A monument to Confederate soldiers stands in front of the courthouse in downtown Lake City. A local resident seeks to have it relocated to either the cemetery where the soldiers are buried or the battlefield where they died. (STAFF)

Civil War monument meeting postponed

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, June 13, 2020
A Lake City Council meeting scheduled for Monday to hear public input on the possibility of removing a Confederate monument from Olustee Park downtown has been postponed.
Donald Johns, second from right, meets comedian Jerry Clower during a 1977 performance in Lake City. Donald was at the time part of his cousin’s band, Skip Johns and the Travelers. Skip Johns is pictured at center. (COURTESY)

Donald Johns, second from right, meets comedian Jerry Clower during a 1977 performance in Lake City. Donald was at the time part of his cousin’s band, Skip Johns and the Travelers. Skip Johns is pictured at center. (COURTESY)

Music maker Donald Johns dies at 64

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, June 12, 2020
From Seattle to Tokyo, freelance musician Matt Johns has performed at some of the best concert halls in the world, all equipped with high-end sound systems set up by master-class technicians.  None of them sounded as good as what his father could do.

Cut LSHA tax rate to zero, says chairman

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, June 12, 2020
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority, a government body created by state law and tasked with providing medical care to the community’s indigent, would lower its property tax rate to zero for the coming fiscal year under a plan proposed by one official.

Sheriff, others are alone on ballot Fields as qualifying ends

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, June 12, 2020
Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter and several other candidates for local office are running unopposed, providing them a clear path to electoral victories. The deadline for candidates to qualify for the ballot came and went at noon Friday, setting up a number of races with only one contender.
CHS band director Jay Miller is seen with his trumpet on campus. Miller was selected over countless other music educators as a quarterfinalist in the Grammy Music Educator Award for 2021. It’s a major honor that could net up to $10,000 for the school’s music program should he win. Miller credited his students with the fact that he’s made it this far. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

CHS band director Jay Miller is seen with his trumpet on campus. Miller was selected over countless other music educators as a quarterfinalist in the Grammy Music Educator Award for 2021. It’s a major honor that could net up to $10,000 for the school’s music program should he win. Miller credited his students with the fact that he’s made it this far. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

CHS band chief gets Grammy kudos

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, June 11, 2020
The odds are slim and the competition is fierce. Jay Miller doesn’t think he stands much of a chance. Then again, he’s already overcome long odds just to make it this far.  Only 216 teachers in the entire nation have been selected as quarter finalists for the 2021 Grammy Music Educator Award.
81-year-old man is latest fatality.

81-year-old man is latest fatality.

Jasper reports second covid-19 death

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, June 11, 2020
JASPER — An 81-year-old man is the second Hamilton County resident confirmed to have died from covid-19, health officials said.  He was hospitalized at the time of his death, according to the Florida Department of Health in Hamilton County.