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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2018 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | $1.00 Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM Child, 3, bitten, burned; Finding Rover, a smart- phone app, is pictured. 2 jailed Boy also suffers broken High-tech leg, bruises to genitals.
By CARL MCKINNEY to the rescue [email protected] Burned, bitten and bruised — a 3-year-old showed up at a Lake City hos- when Rover pital with a broken leg in late October, but that was just the start. When doc- tors looked closer, they found much more, (or kitty) prompting an investiga- tion that led to the arrest of a Fort White pair on child abuse charges runs away Monday, according Photos by CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter Lester to a Columbia County Facial recognition software Humane Society chief Tom Barritt snaps a pic that can be uploaded to Sheriff’s Office report. can help identify your pet. the app so this cat — should she go missing once adopted — can be Around 10 p.m. Oct. more easily reunited with her owner. 23, a deputy responded By CARL MCKINNEY to Lake City Medical [email protected] Center to look into a See Spot. See Spot run. Run Spot’s face child abuse complaint. through a facial recognition database and A hospital staff mem- reuniting will be easier next time he goes Smith ber recounted horrible missing. The Lake City Humane Society, which CHILD continued on 2A administers animal control services in Columbia County, is partnering with mobile app Finding Rover to match lost pets with their owners using facial recogni- tion technology. Don’t worry, Pet owners register their cat or dog with the app, then the humane society can use the technology to figure out if new shelter it’s just duck arrivals are true strays or just lost pets. The humane society can also register ani- hunters mals coming into the shelter for owners who haven’t signed up to search for their pets, according to a media statement from Morning booms are from Finding Rover. sportsmen, not bad guys. “I can’t tell you the number of stray ani- By COREY ARWOOD ROVER continued on 3A Barritt uses his phone to show how a dog can be registered on the app. [email protected]
When the early morning booms began late last month, so did the social Burglars pilfer wallets in seasonal theft spree media inquiries into their origin and calls to local law enforcement from By COREY ARWOOD distance of each other, giving night thefts Monday, according residence of another on SE concerned residents. [email protected] thieves a quick and easy score, to information from Columbia Country Club Avenue, while a Lake City police said around that sheriff’s officials said. County Sheriff’s Office. stop along the way at a vehi- time reports rolled into their dispatch Three wallets were stolen Neighborhoods off SE Baya It’s only a 10 minute walk cle parked at a home off SE about the unidentifiable early morn- from three vehicles parked at Drive and SE Country Club from the location of one theft three homes, all within walking Road were targeted in over- off SE Oak Hill Street to the WALLETS continued on 3A HUNTERS continued on 2A
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$ 99 Most cars & $ Purchase & 24 OFF light trucks 10 OFF installation Valid with coupon only. Expires 11/30/18. Valid with coupon only. Expires 11/30/18. 2A WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2018 LOCAL LAKE CITY REPORTER QUICK HITS Boy, 3, bitten, burned, broken Scripture of the Day forehead. City Medical Center, the the Sheriff’s Office that the “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; CHILD Different injuries were in 3-year-old was already being MRI results showed the Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and Continued From 1A different stages of the heal- taken to UF Health Shands 3-year-old victim did not shall call his name Immanuel.” ing process, Wynn told the in Gainesville. suffer brain damage. — Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) details from the case of Sheriff’s Office. Lester rode in the ambu- In an interview with DCF, a 3-year-old boy who was Smith reportedly lance with the boy, while Lester explained the bro- Thought for Today admitted into the emergen- explained the injuries by Smith followed behind in ken leg as an accident. cy room with a broken leg saying the 3-year-old was her car, according to the Lester claimed that he I looked up my family tree and found out I was earlier that night, according an active child and said report. was walking back into a the sap. — Rodney Dangerfield, 1921-2004, to the report. she’d always worried that Deputies contacted the room after doing laundry American comedian Accompanying the child the Florida Department of University of Florida Police when the child fell off the was his mother, Krisstina Children Department arm of the couch, causing Louise Smith, 24, and and Families When asked about the a table to topple onto the Winning Lottery Numbers Robert Odell Lester, 28, would even- about the bite case. 3-year-old, CCSO learned Pick 3: (Monday p.m.) 6-9-5 who live together in Fort tually be Later in from UFPD records of the Pick 4: (Monday p.m.) 0-2-0-7 White. called on marks, the moth- the night, a interview. Fantasy 5: (Monday) 1-3-6-15-18 Lester identified him- her. er said the child CCSO detec- When asked about the self to staff as “Kyle The tive relayed bite marks, Smith said the Henderson,” according to mother also bites her and the details child bites her and others, See an error? the report. claimed the others, so she to DCF and so she bit him to teach him The Lake City Reporter corrects errors of fact in news Records from the Florida forehead bit him to teach asked a what he was doing was items. If you have a concern, question, or suggestion, Department of Corrections abrasion UFPD offi- wrong, the CCSO report please call the editor. Corrections and clari cations will show Lester had been out came from him what he was cer to sit in states. run in this space. Thanks for reading. of prison for about five the boy get- doing was wrong, while case Explaining the geni- weeks when the child ting into a workers tal bruising, Smith said arrived at the hospital. wrestling the CCSO report interviewed the 3-year-old was being Lester was sentenced in match with the child. potty trained and was Submissions states. The Lake City Reporter accepts photographs and caption November 2016 on weap- his cous- The next constantly pulling back information to run at the discretion of the editor. If you ons and drug charges in St. in, and the morning, a his foreskin. would like to see your organization in the newspaper, send Johns County. bruises on his genitals child protection team did a Also on Oct. 24, the detec- the picture and information to Robert Bridges at rbridges@ After arriving at the hos- was a condition related to more in-depth examination tive learned that the child lakecityreporter.com. pital, Lester claimed a table him being uncircumcised, of the 3-year-old, finding had undergone surgery to fell onto the 3-year-old and Wynn told the Sheriff’s bruises all over, two ciga- correct his dislocated hip broke the boy’s leg, a phy- Office. rette burns near his belly and broken femur. Lake City Reporter sicians’ assistant, Jaclyn After Smith mentioned button and bite marks from Based on the circum- HOW TO REACH US BUSINESS...... 754-0419 Wynn, reportedly told the taking the 3-year-old to the an adult human. A doc- stances of the case, a child Main number ...... (386) 752-1293 Fax number ...... 752-9400 CIRCULATION Sheriff’s Office. Children’s Medical Center tor worried that the boy protection team doctor Circulation ...... 755-5445 Home delivery of the Lake City Reporter While treating the child’s in Alachua, Wynn contact- suffered from “shearing determined Lester’s story Online ... www.lakecityreporter.com should be completed by 6:30 a.m. leg, Wynn noticed the boy ed a doctor there, Megan of the brain” — an inju- wasn’t feasible, according The Lake City Reporter, an affiliate Tuesday through Friday, and by 7:30 of Community Newspapers Inc., is a.m. on Sunday. became upset whenev- McNeil. ry indicating Shaken Baby to the report. published Tuesday through Friday and Please call 386-755-5445 to report any er Lester was around, but McNeil reportedly told Syndrome, according to the On Nov. 2, Lester submit- Sunday at 180 E. Duval St., Lake City, problems with your delivery service. FL 32055. Periodical postage paid at calmed down around his Wynn she had concerns report. ted to an interview at CCSO Lake City, FL, Member Audit Bureau of In Columbia County, customers should mother, according to the about the story for how the The child was scheduled headquarters, the details of Circulation and The Associated Press. call before 10:30 a.m. to report a service error for same day re-delivery. report. boy broke his leg and got for surgery, but a child which are not considered All material herein is property of the Lake City Reporter. Reproduction in After 10:30 a.m., next day re-delivery Wynn also reported see- the bruises. protection team doctor public record. whole or in part is forbidden without the or service related credits will be issued. ing several spots on the Both medical profession- determined an MRI was Lester faces a charge of permission of the publisher. U.S. Postal In all other counties where home delivery Service No. 310-880. 3-year-old’s body that were als agreed the story didn’t necessary first to make aggravated child abuse, is available, next day re-delivery or POSTMASTER: Send address changes service related credits will be issued. consistent with bite marks line up with the facts, so sure he wasn’t at further while Smith faces a charge to Lake City Reporter, P.O. Box 1709, Lake City, FL 32056. Circulation ...... 755-5445 — in addition to bruises DCF was contacted. risk. of child abuse without great ([email protected]) and abrasions on his jaw, By the time the Sheriff’s On Oct. 24, a child pro- bodily harm, according to Publisher Todd Wilson .....754-0418 ([email protected]) Home delivery rates collar bone, genitals and Office responded to Lake tection team member told the report. (Tuesday–Friday and Sunday) NEWS 12 Weeks...... $26.32 Editor Robert Bridges .....754-0428 24 Weeks...... $48.79 ([email protected]) 52 Weeks...... $83.46 statewide, and Alligator Lake opened to the public in April or less, with a three-shell Rates include 7% sales tax. ADVERTISING is a state regulated public 2001, said Clint Pittman, capacity limit are permitted...... 752-1293 HUNTERS ([email protected]) Mail rates small-game hunting area. landscape and parks direc- According to FWC, shoot- 12 Weeks...... $41.40 Continued From 1A CLASSIFIED 24 Weeks...... $82.80 According to the Florida tor. ing hours begin 30 minutes To place a classified ad...... 755-5440 52 Weeks...... $179.40 ing sounds. Wildlife Commission’s “It’s part of the small before sunrise until noon. “There was an uptick of 2018-2019 Waterfowl game hunting area,” said calls that we received,” said Season Dates, the regular Pittman. “It’s been going on Public Information Officer season for ducks, coots and every year.” Mike Lee. “And the ones light geese began mid-No- The FWC has tight con- THE WEATHER that we ended up receiving vember and ends January trol over hunting activity at WED THU FRI SAT SUN we identified that as duck 27. the park. 12 13 14 15 16 hunters.” Pittman said waterfowl Mostly Mostly Slight Slight Mostly He said they were get- Police were getting so season was the only time sunny cloudy chance chance sunny ting so many calls about the many calls about the hunting was allowed at the Light of of rain wind storms showers loud noises they considered loud noises they con- park. issuing a press release, but sidered issuing a press During those times signs HI 61HI LO LO 38 HI 65 HI LO LO 54 HI 70HI LO LO 49 HI HI63 LO LO 41 HI 63HI LO LO 43 decided against it out of release, but decided located throughout the park concern it would discour- against it out of con- indicate the areas closed to age reports of gunfire, hunt- the public, and are placed REGIONAL FORECAST MAP for Wednesday, Dec. 12 cern it would discour- ing or otherwise. along the trails that lead to Wednesday's highs/Wednesday night's low “We don’t want to risk age reports of gunfire, locations where hunting is Valdosta 59/36 City Thursday Friday anyone ever not calling us,” hunting or otherwise. permitted. Jacksonville 61/40 Cape Canaveral 72/67/sh 77/61/ts Lee said. “We stress, we All hunters who use the Tallahassee Lake City 59/38 61/38 Daytona Beach 73/65/sh 74/59/ts don’t want anyone to ever The park is located at park must be state regis- Gainesville Daytona Beach Fort Myers 78/65/pc 77/63/ts Pensacola 61/41 65/47 Ft. Lauderdale 78/70/sh 80/68/ts not call.” 420 SE Alligator Glen off tered and follow FWC guide- 61/54 Panama City Across social media sever- SE Country Club Road, just lines for waterfowl season 59/50 Ocala Gainesville 67/57/sh 71/52/ts 63/43 Jacksonville 66/58/sh 70/52/ts al alarmed residents took to outside city limits. on public lands, which can Orlando Cape Canaveral Key West 79/73/pc 81/73/ts local groups with questions Its vast 1,000 acres of wet- be found at myfwc.com and 68/50 70/52 Lake City 67/57/sh 71/52/ts about the noises they said lands and 12 miles of trails by searching FWC Alligator Tampa Miami 78/69/pc 80/67/ts Naples 77/65/pc 78/63/sh sounded like fireworks or are situated outside down- Lake PSGHA. 67/47 West Palm Beach 72/63 Ocala 68/58/sh 73/54/ts gunfire, usually beginning town and bordered by rural Among the restrictions Orlando 72/62/sh 74/58/ts just before sunrise starting neighborhoods. are guidelines on accept- Ft. Lauderdale Panama City 67/59/sh 67/51/sh Ft. Myers 74/65 Pensacola mid-to-late November. It was acquired by able firearms, which state 72/56 66/57/sh 63/46/sh Naples Tallahassee 65/57/cd 68/48/ts Waterfowl season is open Columbia County and only shotguns of 10 gauge 72/59 Miami Tampa 70°/63/pc 74°/60/ts 74/65 Key West Valdosta 63/54/cd 66/47/ts 72/67 W. Palm Beach 77/68/sh 80/65/sh ReadingPal volunteers sought LAKE CITY ALMANAC UV INDEX FYI " Test An exclusive TEMPERATURES SUN service Do you want to help kindergarten children For additional informa- High Tuesday 57 Sunrise today 7:17 a.m. inspire the love of read- in beginning their school tion on participating as a Low Tuesday 44 Sunset today 5:32 p.m. 5 brought to Normal high 69 Sunrise tom. 7:18 a.m. ModerateEXTREME: our readers ing in young students? careers with the necessary ReadingPals tutor and 10 minutes to burn Normal low 45 Sunset tom. 5:32 p.m. 30 mins to burn by Volunteers are sought for skills to become proficient fostering the love of read- Record high 84 in 1931 Today’s United Way of Suwannee readers. The ReadingPals ing in children, contact Record low 23 in 1937 MOON ultra-violet The Weather radiation risk Moonrise today11:19 a.m. Valley’s ReadingPals initia- program matches vol- Schara Wilson, United for the area on Channel. PRECIPITATION Moonset today 10:20 p.m. tive. unteers to individual Way of Suwannee Valley a scale from 0 Tuesday 0.00" Moonrise tom. 11:55 a.m. to 10+. ReadingPals is an early kindergarten children. ReadingPals coordinator, at Month total 2.62" Moonset tom. 11:14 p.m. literacy initiative focused ReadingPals volunteers 386-752-5604 x 105 or scha- Year total 71.28" on screening, training and meet one hour a week for [email protected]. Normal month-to-date 0.82" Normal year-to-date 45.75" engaging volunteer “read- 25 weeks in a local school Dec 15 Dec 22 Dec 29 Jan 5 Forecasts, data and graphics ©IBM Corporation 1994, 2018 ing coaches,” who support setting. — From staff reports First Full Last New Quarter Quarter
WEATHER BY-THE-DAY WEATHER HISTORY SPONSORED BY 9 7a 1p 7p 1a 6a A fierce storm hit the San Francisco Bay Area 8 on this date in 1995. 75 At a PG&E sensor in 7 69 Alameda County, winds 63 were measured to 135 6 59 58 57 57 mph until the sensor was blown away. The 5 47 44 44 44 storm knocked out power to 1.5 million 4 37 37 people and caused 32 3 169 schools to close in the region. 2