Local

William Richard Grau, 77, the man in civilian garb pictured on the left, and his daughter, Cheryl Grau Articas, 52, pictured to his left, are arrested Tuesday. The investigation began with an anonymous call in December. (Photos courtesy SCSO)

William Richard Grau, 77, the man in civilian garb pictured on the left, and his daughter, Cheryl Grau Articas, 52, pictured to his left, are arrested Tuesday. The investigation began with an anonymous call in December. (Photos courtesy SCSO)

100-plus dogs confiscated from Live Oak home

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
More than a hundred dogs suffered cramped living conditions in a Live Oak home, where they were starved, medically neglected and on occasion shocked with a cattle prod, Suwannee County deputies say.

Another Way ex-chief named in suit

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
The former director of Lake City’s domestic violence shelter, Another Way, helped cover up — and benefited from — a conspiracy to defraud taxpayers of several million dollars meant to help domestic violence survivors statewide, the state alleges in a new lawsuit.
Columbia County deputies and state troopers hold their positions on U.S. Highway 90 on Tuesday. The search for Gooch took roughly two hours. (COURTESY CCSO)

Columbia County deputies and state troopers hold their positions on U.S. Highway 90 on Tuesday. The search for Gooch took roughly two hours. (COURTESY CCSO)

Machete attack leaves victim badly wounded

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
A machete-wielding assailant attacked a man at a home on Southwest Creekside Lane on Tuesday morning, then led law enforcement on a two-hour manhunt before being taken into custody, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

Schools on high alert for coronavirus

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, March 2, 2020
After Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday announced Florida has two “presumptive positive” cases of coronavirus, Columbia County’s superintendent of schools said the School District is keeping careful track of the situation and consulting with local health officials.

Man tries to frame landlord, say cops

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, March 2, 2020
A belligerent tenant tried to fight — then frame — his landlord on Saturday, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report.  The tenant, 61-year-old Donald Kevin Holcombe, resisted arrest and had to be “escorted to the ground,” one deputy wrote.

Man killed when Impala goes airborne, hits pole

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, February 29, 2020
A Lake City man died late Friday when his Impala went airborne then struck a light pole on County Road 25A, according to FHP. Gary Stone, 55, was headed north when he missed a left curve approaching U.S. 41 at 11:26 p.m.

Regional hub could be coming sooner than you think at airport

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, February 28, 2020
As a major trucking company prepares to set up shop on Bell Road and a project is underway to install a rail spur at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park east of town, the city’s top appointed officials plan to transform Lake City Gateway Airport into a cargo shipping hub.

Feeling ill? Don’t come to school

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, February 28, 2020
As world leaders try to contain the outbreak, local school officials are communicating with the county health department to formulate a plan should the coronavirus strike Florida.