Local

CRC OKs measures for ballot

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, February 13, 2020
The county manager has no reliable way to get rid of problematic department heads who happen to be politically connected, according to the county’s charter review board, which has approved a measure that would make it easier to terminate certain employees.

Suspect in beating of pastor is Starke sex offender

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
The Lake City Reporter has confirmed the identity of the man accused of attacking his significant other’s pastor at Old Times Country Buffet in the Lake City Mall on Sunday afternoon.  The suspect is Justin Michael Hill, 42, of Starke.

Pastor brutally beaten in local eatery

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, February 10, 2020
Police are looking for the man accused of attacking his significant other’s pastor at the Old Times Country Buffet in the Lake City Mall on Sunday afternoon.  A crowd of about 20 people witnessed the attack, according to a Lake City Police Department report.

Meth found in search, report says

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, February 10, 2020
A local man was carrying drugs in his pocket when he agreed to let a deputy pat him down, according to reports.  The deputy found drugs, Columbia County sheriff’s officials say.

Two dead after car overturns on SR 47

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, February 8, 2020
A Lake City woman and her passenger died after she drove off the road early Saturday. The Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash. According to the FHP statement, Amanda Petty Brown, 45, of Lake City, was traveling south on State Road 47 in a 2019 Chevy Camaro at 3:35 a.m.

Rape charge leveled at local pastor

MICHAEL PHILIPS
Friday, February 7, 2020
A Florida Department of Corrections education supervisor, who is also the senior pastor at a Lake City Church, was arrested Thursday for allegedly raping an inmate under his supervision at the Florida State Prison in Bradford County, the FDOC said Friday. Antonio L.
LCPD Sgt. Mike Lee speaks with Sylvester Warren and his brother, Michael Warren, after a tense exchange at a local park. Sylvester Warren gathered a group to block a public works employee from pressure washing benches, saying it would be a meaningless gesture that fails to improve the park in a meaningful way. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD Sgt. Mike Lee speaks with Sylvester Warren and his brother, Michael Warren, after a tense exchange at a local park. Sylvester Warren gathered a group to block a public works employee from pressure washing benches, saying it would be a meaningless gesture that fails to improve the park in a meaningful way. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

City park dispute escalates; ‘Band-Aid fix’ rejected

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, February 7, 2020
Tensions between members of the black community and city officials spiked this week over a dispute centered on a park.

Housing: A record year

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 7, 2020
Local real-estate agents bested their 2018 efforts while setting another sales record. In 2018, local agents sold 598 single-family, site-built homes in Columbia County, which was a record. In 2019, they outdid themselves, selling 619 single-family, site-built homes, a a 3.5% increase.
County Commissioners are seen just before the start of Thursday’s meeting. From right are Ron Williams, Rocky Ford, Bucky Nash, Chairman Toby Witt and Tim Murphy. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

County Commissioners are seen just before the start of Thursday’s meeting. From right are Ron Williams, Rocky Ford, Bucky Nash, Chairman Toby Witt and Tim Murphy. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

We’ll fight the feds over guns, says BOCC

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Supporters of gun rights lavished praise on county commissioners Thursday night for a resolution declaring Columbia County a Second Amendment Sanctuary. The resolution, which passed unanimously, is a symbolic stand acknowledging that the county as a whole will stand up for the Second Amendment.