Local

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.

City Council passes new food truck regulations

The city on Monday gave the final green light to a list of new regulations for food trucks, but the rules come with an opportunity to do business on public property.  An ordinance establishing when, where and how food trucks can operate was approved in a final reading Monday.

Coronavirus has locals on alert

Mary Kay Balzell has been worrying about her missionary friend stuck in the quarantined Chinese city of Wuhan amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Internet casino hit by armed robbers

Three armed men robbed the patrons at a local casino and internet cafe Friday morning, making off with the wallets and cellphones of gamers at the establishment. The robbery occurred at James Treasure House, 13403 US Hwy. 441, just after 5:20 a.m.