A3 + PLUS >> 10 big issues to watch this legislative session, See 2A UF HOOPS CHS HOOPS Gators visit Tigers host S. Carolina Gainesville See Page 1B See Page 1B WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | $1.00 Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM O’BRIEN REPUBLICAN STAR AT FGC More charges for man in Huckabee extortion is music to scheme Trafficking in stolen property, trespassing. GOP’s ears By CARL MCKINNEY [email protected] Wows crowd with humor, humility Less than a month after getting arrested over a — and hot licks on his bass guitar. failed blackmail scheme that invoked the Ku Klux Klan and By MICHAEL PHILIPS up the Republican Party or a political a Mexican [email protected] candidate; I wanted it to be about lifting up our country,” she said. “I cartel, an In early fall of last year, when wanted it to be about lifting up God O’Brien Kimi Roberts, the event chairperson Almighty.” man land- for Columbia County’s Republican It wouldn’t be long before the per- ed behind Executive Committee, starting planning fect person become obvious: Former bars again, for the organization’s first event of 2020, Arkansas Governor and two-time presi- this time for she made a list of people who might dential candidate Mike Huckabee. And Madrid trespassing come speak in North Florida. When the the theme soon became obvious as well: onto an ex’s vetting of the list became difficult, she “God and Country.” Photos by CAMERON VINING/Special to LCR property and stealing an ATV, took to prayer. Former Arkansas Governor Mick Huckabee plays She wanted this event to be different. which he claimed to have pur- bass with local rockers Tuesday night at FGC. “I didn’t want it to be about lifting HUCKABEE continued on 3A chased as a Christmas gift for his son, Suwannee County deputies say. Timothy D. Madrid, 35, was arrested Monday night after a woman called the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office to report him for showing up uninvited and unwelcome. The woman said that Madrid, the father of her chil- dren, had been sending her electronic messages saying he would come to her home, according to an SCSO report. He followed through, despite a previously issued trespass warning to stay off the property, the report says. When a deputy arrived at the scene, Madrid was already driving away in an off- ABOVE: Columbia County GOP chairman Hunter road vehicle, which traveled Peeler fires up the crowd before Huckabee takes the through a fence opening and stage. RIGHT: Retired Circuit Judge Vernon Douglas, onto a public road, according left, who served as master of ceremonies, also joined to the report. the band for a few numbers. The deputy gave chase and stopped Madrid, who admit- ted that he’d been on the woman’s property, the report CCSO: Man fired gun at woman in drunken rage says. the face and discharged a handgun as influence of alcohol in connection Madrid claimed the ATV By TONY BRITT he threatened to kill her when she was with the case. He was booked into the belonged to him, insisting it [email protected] driving away from the house. Columbia County Detention Facility on was going to be a Christmas An argument between a Fort White Rodney Dean Pritchard, 54, no $14,000 bond. present for his son, according man and his domestic partner about address provided, was charged with According to Columbia County to the report. finances ended with his arrest Monday aggravated assault with a deadly weap- Sheriff’s Office reports, around 7:18 evening when the reportedly intoxicat- on, simple battery (domestic violence) RAGE continued on 3A PROPERTY continued on 2A ed man allegedly struck the woman in and use of a firearm while under the Pritchard Vol. 145, No. 214 Obituaries . 3A CALL US: TODAY’S WEATHER (386) 752-1293 Opinion . 4A Sports . 1B SUBSCRIBE TO THE REPORTER: 64 40 Advice & Comics . 3B Voice: 755-5445 Classifieds . 4B-6B Fax: 752-9400 Sunny, 2A 2A WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 LOCAL/STATE LAKE CITY REPORTER Legislature convenes Tuesday QUICK HITS 10 big issues to watch this session Scripture of the Day The 2020 legislative care costs and crumbling Florida Forever conserva- that would block insurance “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear chil- session will start Jan. 14 as facilities. DeSantis, in part, tion program. companies from using House and Senate mem- wants to give pay bumps to genetic information in dren;” — Ephesians 5:1 (KJV) bers gather to hear Gov. many correctional officers HEALTH CARE: So long making decisions on life-in- Ron DeSantis’ State of the to try to help retain them. as Speaker Jose Oliva, surance and long-term care State address. Lawmakers also are expect- R-Miami Lakes, leads the policies. Supporters of the Thought for Today Lawmakers will take up a ed during the session to House, revamping the proposal point to privacy wide range of issues during consider a series of pro- health-care industry will concerns, but insurers Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail. the 60-day session, along posals that would revamp remain a priority. The fought the issue during the — Charles Kettering, 1876-1958, inventor, with negotiating a budget sentencing laws. House this year will con- 2019 session. The insur- businessman (founded Delco; invented electric for the fiscal year that tinue pushing to ance industry, meanwhile, starter) starts July 1. EDUCATION: allow advanced is lobbying for a proposal Here are 10 big issues to DeSantis has Corrections practice regis- that would prevent auto- watch during the session: dubbed 2020 Secretary tered nurses glass shops from offering Winning Lottery Numbers the “year of the Mark Inch has to provide care incentives for motorists Pick 3: (Monday p.m.) 5-8-7 ABORTION: The teacher,” as he warned that independently to make windshield-repair Pick 4: (Monday p.m.) 0-2-7-7 Republican-dominated pushes a $602 of physicians, claims. Fantasy 5: (Monday) 5-6-19-31-33 Legislature is considering a million plan to the “status though the controversial proposal that set minimum quo is unsus- Senate has PEOPLE WITH would require parental con- teacher salaries opposed such DISABILITIES: The See an error? sent before minors could at $47,500 and tainable” in proposals in the Legislature will closely The Lake City Reporter corrects errors of fact in news get abortions. Florida law seeks to put in the state pris- past. The cham- examine how the state items. If you have a concern, question, or suggestion, already requires parents to a place a new on system, bers are look- provides Medicaid services please call the editor. Corrections and clarifications will be notified if their daugh- $300 million ing at making to people with develop- run in this space. Thanks for reading. ters plan to have abortions, bonus program which faces changes related mental and intellectual but a consent requirement for teachers problems to pharmacy disabilities and whether an would be more far-reach- and principals. with staffing, benefit manag- existing program, dubbed Submissions ing. The full House could But legislative ers, which serve the “iBudget,” should be The Lake City Reporter accepts photographs and caption vote early in the session leaders have health-care as a sort of mid- scrapped. The iBudget information to run at the discretion of the editor. If you would to approve the proposal, expressed con- costs and dlemen between program is designed, in like to see your organization in the newspaper, send the picture which also is moving for- cerns about the drug manu- part, to help people live as and information to the editor: [email protected]. ward in Senate committees. costs of propos- crumbling facturers and independently as possible als and what facilities. pharmacies. The in their homes or in their BUDGET: DeSantis has Senate President pharmacy-bene- communities. But the costs proposed a $91.4 billion Bill Galvano, fit manager pro- of care annually exceed the Lake City Reporter budget for the 2020-2021 R-Bradenton, has described posals come as lawmakers amounts of money lawmak- HOW TO REACH US BUSINESS fiscal year, touting plans as “practical” issues. seek to curb prescription ers set aside. Also, 21,800 ........... 754-0419 Main number ....... 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