Local

Sen. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican who represents Columbia County in the Legislature, gives a thumbs up as he leads the Senate committee to the House for the start of a joint session on Tuesday. (STEVE CANNON/Associated Press)

Sen. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican who represents Columbia County in the Legislature, gives a thumbs up as he leads the Senate committee to the House for the start of a joint session on Tuesday. (STEVE CANNON/Associated Press)

60-day legislative session under with teacher pay at the top of the list

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Poised to tackle a variety of issues from teacher pay and healthcare to immigration, lawmakers assembled in Tallahassee at the start of a new legislative session Tuesday.  State Rep.

Grandparents say suspect ‘not right’ since wreck

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
An elderly couple reported their grandson for domestic violence after he shoved both of them during an argument Friday night, saying he has shown concerning behavior ever since a September crash — reportedly alcohol-related — left him hospitalized in critical condition, deputies said.

Nash seeks nod for another term as county commissioner

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
The second-longest serving member on the Columbia County Commission says he’s not ready to leave office yet. Bucky Nash, who has represented District 3 since 2012, is seeking a third term, citing his experience with the budget process as one of his major selling points.

LCPD: Patient steals, wrecks ambulance

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Trading one set of sirens for another, a combative patient at Lake City Medical Center stole an ambulance and crashed the emergency vehicle before officers arrested him Monday night, according to the Lake City Police Department.  Around 11:15 p.m.
Teachers, students and concerned citizens attend the teachers rally in front of the old capitol building in Tallahassee on Monday. (COURTESY)

Teachers, students and concerned citizens attend the teachers rally in front of the old capitol building in Tallahassee on Monday. (COURTESY)

Teachers rally in Tally

TONY BRITT
Monday, January 13, 2020
Tanya Johnson is a local teacher with 18 years’ experience and a master’s degree, but she still can’t qualify for a home loan.

Mom jailed too in $99K fraud

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, January 13, 2020
Following in her son’s footsteps, a Lake City woman was arrested Friday for her role in their $99,000 scheme to raid her estranged husband’s retirement account, deputies say.

Inmate dies at county jail

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, January 13, 2020
Shortly after her arrest by state troopers Friday for a DUI, a Columbia County jail inmate died while in custody, sheriff’s officials say. Lori Sue Privette, 45, was booked into the jail around 8:35 p.m. Friday in connection with a two-vehicle crash on County Road 245.

2 dead, 1 hurt in 3 crashes

TONY BRITT
Monday, January 13, 2020
Two pedestrians were killed, and another was critically wounded in three separate weekend crashes on local roadways. Dead are Alan Odom, 52, of White Springs and Eugene Farmer Jr., 25, Lake City. Douglas Vaughn Williamson, 37, Lake City, was critically hurt.