A3 + PLUS >> Lawnmower dispute just won’t die, Story below TIGERS CHS GOLF Wake-up call Boys claim for Columbia district title See Page 5A See Page 5A TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | $1.00 Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM LIVE OAK City, Mother county blames getting teacher CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter for son’s County Commissioner Tim Murphy, left, shares a laugh with City cozier Councilman Chris Greene, center, and Commissioner Rocky Ford before a joint city/county meeting Monday night at City Hall. Story, 3A. suicide Lawsuit says science teacher bullied child, who took his own life. By CARL MCKINNEY HANGIN’ OUT [email protected] The mother of a Suwannee High School student who killed himself IN LAKE CITY with a hunting rifle nearly two years ago is suing the Suwannee County School District, alleging the ninth grader’s suicide was the result of repeat bullying and harassment from his teacher. Gloria Simmons, the parent of SHS student Kaleb Simmons, 14 when he died, filed a lawsuit in the Third Judicial Circuit on Oct. 5 accusing teacher Jerry Jolicoeur of exhibiting an “open, notorious, and protracted pattern of bullying by systematically and chronically inflicting hurt or psychological dis- tress” on the student. Jolicoeur was Kaleb’s fifth period science teacher. BLAME continued on 2A TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter Jacob Morrison, 10, a fifth-grader at Suwannee Intermediate School, hangs from a piece of playground equipment Monday afternoon at Youngs Park. Several children from Suwannee and Columbia counties were at the park Monday as the Columbia Cruiser hit School district didn’t have classes because of a teachers’ work day and Suwannee County was observing Columbus Day. from behind; trooper, other Lawnmower dispute just won’t die driver hurt tempt of court and aggra- incident in April. From staff reports He says John Deere Gator is vated stalking charges. Hughes made two calls to someone in also his, goes back to get it. Around 9:15 p.m. the home, which scared that person to the A Mulberry woman was serious- Thursday, the Columbia point they were visibly shaking, a deputy ly hurt when she slammed into By CARL MCKINNEY County Sheriff’s Office wrote in the report. a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser [email protected] responded to the home Deputies responded to Hughes’ home, at a stop light Sunday afternoon, of Hughes’ former or finding the Gator there, according to A lawnmower dispute that landed a local reports said. estranged spouse, who CCSO. man in jail six months ago didn’t deter him Christy Renee Moore, 27, was Hughes had a restraining order Hughes’ roommate said he didn’t know from going back a second time last week, headed west on U.S. 90 at about 3:06 against him, according to a CCSO report. where Hughes was, deputies say. this time to retrieve a John Deere Gator p.m. in a 2009 Nissan Versa when she One of the residents said he had woken A CCSO sergeant contacted Hughes by utility vehicle he also claims is his, depu- struck the rear of the cruiser stopped up to the sound of the John Deere Gator phone, but he refused to speak with law ties say. cranking up behind the home. The resi- enforcement in person. at a red light at the Baya Avenue Ronnie Jerry Hughes, 68, of the 200 dent claimed he watched the Gator travel intersection, an FHP report stated. block of Northwest Spradley Road, was across the street onto Hughes’ property arrested early Friday morning on con- to the west of theirs — similar to another DISPUTE continued on 2A CRUISER continued on 2A Vol. 145, No. 153 Obituaries . 3A CALL US: TODAY’S WEATHER (386) 752-1293 Opinion . 4A Sports . 5A MARLENE KENNEY SUBSCRIBE TO THE REPORTER: 86 72 Advice & Comics . 7A Halloween is coming, 4A Voice: 755-5445 Classified . 8A Fax: 752-9400 Scattered storms, 2A Experience the Mention this ad and recieve Alternative & 10% off Holistic Remedy! Products sold contain no THC No medical card needed FREE Samples Oil Tinctures • Water solubles • Gummies Stop in & try a sample for yourself Soft Gel Capsules • E-Liquids for Vaping 2929 W US Hwy 90 #104, Lake City, FL 32055 Topical Creams • Pet Products & more 386.243.8698 • www.CBDrx4u.com 2A TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019 LOCAL LAKE CITY REPORTER SUWANNEE HIGH QUICK HITS Mom blames teacher Scripture of the Day “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my foot- steps slip not. — Psalm 17:5 (KJV) for suicide of son, 14 Thought for Today Jolicoeur singled Kaleb out the lawsuit. Several hours no merit to the allegations Change before you have to. — Jack Welch, born BLAME in front of the entire class later, the ninth grader killed contained in the complaint 1935, U.S. businessman (CEO, General Electric, Continued From 1A and forced him to apolo- himself in his bedroom with that has been filed. We look 1981-2001) gize for behavior he had a hunting rifle. forward to a complete exon- Kaleb is described in not committed, at one point The school district failed eration through the legal Winning Lottery Numbers the lawsuit as a “shy, quiet taunting the child by saying to take notice of and stop process. I have no further boy” who endured abuse, he had an attitude and want- Jolicoeur’s behavior, in vio- information at this time that Pick 3: (Sunday p.m.) 6-4-1 intimidation and public ed “all the attention.” lation of its own anti-bul- I can provide given the sta- Pick 4: (Sunday p.m.) 0-4-1-0 humiliation from Jolicoeur The day of lying policy, tus of the pending litiga- Fantasy 5: (Sunday) 9-11-23-26-27 in the weeks leading up Kaleb’s sui- The lawsuit alleges the lawsuit tion.” to his suicide on Oct. 25, cide, Jolicoeur Jolicoeur singled alleges. Roush confirmed See an error? 2017. Jolicoeur is accused of wrongfully Kaleb out in front of Suwannee Jolicoeur still works at the The Lake City Reporter corrects errors of fact in news berating and embarrassing accused the the entire class and County school. items. If you have a concern, question, or suggestion, Kaleb during class in front student of forced him to apolo- Supt. Ted “The individual is still please call the editor. Corrections and clarifications will of his peers and wrongfully cheating or gize for behavior he Roush issued employed as a highly run in this space. Thanks for reading. accusing the student of dis- other misbe- had not committed, an email respected and requested honesty and misbehavior. havior, accord- at one point taunting response to high school science teach- The family is seek- ing to the law- the child by saying he the claims in er,” Roush wrote. “The indi- Submissions ing damages in excess of suit. Jolicoeur had an attitude and the lawsuit. vidual has not been placed The Lake City Reporter accepts photographs and caption $15,000, the threshold for then called the wanted ‘all the “The on administrative leave and information to run at the discretion of the editor. If you would like to see your organization in the newspaper, send the picture a case to be heard at the ninth grader’s attention.’ Suwannee there are no plans to place and information to the editor: [email protected]. circuit level. The litigation mother and County School the teacher on administra- cites the Florida Wrongful put her on speaker phone District takes the health, tive leave.” Death Act to support a — without telling her the safety, and welfare of all Jolicoeur could not be demand for damages to pay entire class was listening, of our students seriously,” reached for comment. Lake City Reporter burial and funeral expens- the parents claim. Roush wrote. “The school Nor could the attorney HOW TO REACH US BUSINESS ........... 754-0419 es and to compensate the In response, Kaleb sank district, and our employees, representing Kaleb’s fam- Main number ....... (386) 752-1293 CIRCULATION parents for their pain and down to his desk, pulled deny that we had any role in ily, James G. Biggart of Fax number ............ 752-9400 Circulation............. 755-5445 Home delivery of the Lake City Reporter suffering. his jacket over his head and the very tragic death of the the Morgan & Morgan law Online .... www.lakecityreporter.com should be completed by 6:30 a.m. The lawsuit alleges began crying, according to former student. There is firm’s Tallahassee office. The Lake City Reporter, an affiliate Tuesday through Friday, and by 7:30 of Community Newspapers Inc., is a.m. on Sunday. published Tuesday through Friday and Please call 386-755-5445 to report any Sunday at 180 E. Duval St., Lake City, problems with your delivery service. 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