Local

County to spend $640K on building it leases

With little resistance, the county on Thursday approved a proposal to spend $641,000 remodeling offices it uses but does not own. Duval Place, an office complex off U.S. Highway 90, houses the county Supervisor of Elections, Tourist Development Council and Economic Development Department.

Spying on son’s class could land mom in jail

The woman who listened in on her son’s class at Fort White High through his Apple smartwatch could face criminal charges.

LCPD: Trio jailed in theft of chainsaws

A Kentucky couple and a homeless Lake City man were all arrested Wednesday for stealing items from the back of a pickup truck parked at Walmart, police say. Charles William Knight, 29, of 1073 NW Moore Road; Jessie R. Gibson, 23 of McKee, Kentucky, and Brittany S.

County looks to drop $640K on a building it doesn’t own

The county may spend $641,000 remodeling offices it rents for tourism, economic development and election officials.

Suspicious fire leads to arrest for drugs

A Lake City woman was arrested Tuesday afternoon after a suspected meth lab caused a fire at a Saturn Lane home, authorities said. Stephany Lynn Baisden, 34, faces charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with the incident.

Fairgrounds take a beating from teens

Judging by the mess they left behind, a group of high schoolers had a grand time at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds over the weekend. The groundskeepers? Not so much.  Signs were knocked over.

Inmate stabbed at SCI; recovers

A Suwannee Correctional Institution inmate was stabbed by another inmate Friday, prompting a investigation by the Florida Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General. According to the FDOC public affairs office, the stabbing was an isolated incident involving two inmates.

Seat-belt violation leads to drug bust

A Live Oak woman didn’t buckle up when she went for a drive in Columbia County on Monday afternoon, but a traffic ticket was the least of her problems.

Nurse ran scam on patient, say cops

A nurse tried to steal from her patient, who happened to have a background in both finance and criminal justice, according to the Lake City Police Department. Lorene Jane Owens, 50, of Southeast Waldron Terrace, was arrested on multiple charges Friday afternoon.

Hollingsworth announces bid for county commission

He went from being a U.S. Marshall to a bail bondsman. Now he wants to represent residents of the Columbia County Commission’s third district.