Local

Training help from Lowndes helps lead to trafficking arrests

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 25, 2025
Columbia County sheriff’s deputies had extra tools this week to help police Interstates 10 and 75. For the second time in the past year, deputies from the Lowndes County (Ga.) Sheriff’s Office spent time in Columbia County to provide interstate interdiction training this past week.

Transportation Summit will provide grant info

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 25, 2025
The Florida Department of Transportation is looking at steering grant information to local government officials. FDOT is hosting the North Florida Transportation Planning Summit on Tuesday at the Suwannee County Coliseum.
Haven Hospice registered nurse Cindy Romero readies to release one of the butterflies in the Butterfly Memorial Program event Thursday. (COURTESY)

Haven Hospice registered nurse Cindy Romero readies to release one of the butterflies in the Butterfly Memorial Program event Thursday. (COURTESY)

Haven honors past patients with butterfly release

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 25, 2025
The memories of loved ones treated in Haven Hospice before they transitioned were celebrated Thursday evening as the local facility held its annual Butterfly Memorial Program.

Warren charged with perjury for false report

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 25, 2025
An inaccurate complaint against a Lake City police officer has landed an outspoken resident in jail. Sylvester Warren, 44, was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for perjury due to making false claims in a citizens complaint to the Lake City Police Department last month.
The Lake City Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying a shooting suspect from the Easter celebration at Annie Mattox Park. (COURTESY)

The Lake City Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying a shooting suspect from the Easter celebration at Annie Mattox Park. (COURTESY)

LCPD seeking assistance in shooting investigation

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, April 24, 2025
The Lake City Police Department is seeking public assistance in trying to identify a shooting suspect from the Easter celebration at Annie Mattox Park. According to the LCPD, shots were fired from several people in the crowd during the event around 8:06 p.m. Sunday.
Allie Brush (from left), Jupiter Skinner, Hailey Hudson, Mya Merriex, Raelee Mengle-Fink, Amy Piercey and Victoria Diaz participate in a dance number while practicing for the upcoming Columbia High School theater department production of Mean Girls. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Allie Brush (from left), Jupiter Skinner, Hailey Hudson, Mya Merriex, Raelee Mengle-Fink, Amy Piercey and Victoria Diaz participate in a dance number while practicing for the upcoming Columbia High School theater department production of Mean Girls. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS staging three performances of ‘Mean Girls’

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The tough times of high school angst ranging from bad relationships, fake friends, being bullied and immaturity will play themselves out on stage this weekend in a comedic musical performance by Columbia High School students.

Post 57 hosting Family Day

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
American Legion Post 57 is hosting a community event this weekend allowing local residents to learn about the inner-workings of the organization and its members. The American Legion Post 57 Family Day will take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday at Post 57, 2602 SW Main Blvd. in Lake City.

United Way throwing Corks & Forks fundraiser

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The United Way of Suwannee Valley will update the community on this year’s fundraising campaign as well as welcome new officials during its annual spring celebration in a few weeks. The Corks & Forks United Way’s annual celebration will take place Tuesday, May 8, at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds.
A conceptual plan for the development on 11th Street SW in Live Oak shows a hotel and gas station along the street with four apartment buildings behind it. (COURTESY)

A conceptual plan for the development on 11th Street SW in Live Oak shows a hotel and gas station along the street with four apartment buildings behind it. (COURTESY)

Four-story hotel, apartments planned across from Coliseum

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
LIVE OAK — The developers of a mixed-use development on the west side of Live Oak are taking their plan directly to city residents. A neighborhood meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at the Suwannee County Coliseum, 1302 11th Street SW, from 5-7 p.m.