Columbia County Observer

LCPD Click It or Ticket: Reminds citizens to buckle up

Posted June 5, 2013  04:55 am

LAKE CITY, FL –  For the past two weeks, police officers across the United States and Florida have been increasing their efforts to promote safety through seat belt use as part of the Click It or Ticket campaign. The Lake City Police Department participated in this “wave” to help remind citizens to buckle up while

Beautifying Downtown Lake City? Council chooses chain link fence to beautify downtown entrance

Posted June 4, 2013  09:35 am |  Part II  Part I

LAKE CITY, FL –  Last night the City Council, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA), formally approved its first Commercial Improvement Grant and added $4,000 to include two new gates that City Manager Johnson had removed. Jackie Kite, the City's CRA Director, presented the proposal to the Council. There was no site plan; no photos; no color choices; no artists renderings; and only one bid, that of a fence contractor that Ms. Kite and the whole council went out of their way not to mention, County Commissioner Rusty

City Council on tap to approve Columbia County Commissioner DePratter $28,000 sole source bid

Posted June 3, 2013  12:01 am | Part I  Part II

LAKE CITY, FL –  Nineteen months after spending $100,000 plus for a new downtown Lake City Redevelopment Master Plan, Lake City's downtown continues to languish. Barely any businesses were willing to put up the 50% match for façade improvements, so the city came up with a plan to pay 75%, which is also not a stunning success. On the City's Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting agenda for Monday evening is a request for a Commercial Improvement Grant for a $28,000 chain link fence with 2 gates. The only bid was that of

Lake City Redistricting: “If you don’t affect folks in their pocket book, they don’t show up,” City Manager Wendell Johnson

Posted May 7, 2013  09:15 am

LAKE CITY, FL –  Last night, the City Council reviewed the four election districts within its boundaries, an act required once every five years by the City Charter. City Clerk Audrey Sikes presented the current and proposed boundaries, the changes of which were to insure that each district had approximately the same number of registered voters. Hundreds of hours were spent redrawing the districts and the maps. Three people showed up for the special

Lake City:  Redistricting On Tap Monday Night

Posted May 5, 2013  02:40 pm | Updated May 5, 2013  07:54 pm

LAKE CITY, FL –  This Monday night at 5:30 pm, May 6, 2013, Lake City is presenting its new proposed redistricting maps to the public for the first time. The meeting, originally scheduled for May 2, was rescheduled by Lake City Mayor Steve Witt, after it was discovered that the special meeting was in conflict with the County Commission meeting, which was scheduled for the same time. Mayor Witt told the Observer, "As Mayor of all the people of Lake City, who are also residents of Columbia County, I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to attend the redistricting special meeting so that they could participate and be heard."

City Council Goes Green With Laptops: Mayor Steven Witt, "We're in the 21st century now."

Posted February 5, 2013  07:05 am

LAKE CITY, FL –  Last night in City Hall the City Council had a new perspective. Instead of shuffling through reams of paper the Council members were following the meeting agenda on sleek new laptops. In a memo from City Clerk Audrey Sikes, she advised the council that February would be the last month for paper agenda materials and beginning in March all agenda material and supporting information would be sent via email.

LCPD Arrest Suspect In Home Invasion Robbery: Suspect flees after hearing the name of Jesus

Posted January 27, 2013  09:45 am

LAKE CITY, FL –  On January 25, 2013, at approximately 7:45 p.m., an unknown white male committed a home invasion robbery of a residence during a jewelry party. The male suspect threatened all the ladies inside with a handgun. He fled the scene minutes later empty handed... Upon entering the residence, the suspect later identified as Mr. Derick J. Lee, 24, pointed the handgun at the ladies and began yelling, "Give me your money

Lake City's City Manager Wendell Johnson Backs Art Gallery For Downtown Lake City

Posted January 23, 2013  04:55 am

LAKE CITY, FL –  Last night in City Hall for almost an hour the topic of an art gallery coming to downtown Lake City was explored. Lake City's run down and dilapidated downtown corridor was not an impediment to the Art League's Jeanne Van Arsdall and her fellow Art League members, all residents of Lake City/Columbia County. The Art League members were committed to finding a building and a landlord with a commitment to the downtown. Dr.

Lake City FL Man Shot In Face With Flare Gun

Posted January 17, 2013  07:30 am

LAKE CITY, FL –  On January 16, 2013 at approximately 5:27 a.m., Mr. Enrique R. Cutts, 27, was sitting in a vehicle and was approached by Mr. Cory M. Douglas, 28, and shot in the face with a flare gun. Mr. Douglas fled the scene but was later located and arrested. Mr. Douglas was transported to Gainesville for medical treatment.