Retired Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge Leandra Johnson was recognized Monday night by the Columbia County Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau named Johnson its 2026 Public Service Award winner at its annual public officials dinner. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Retired Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge Leandra Johnson was recognized Monday night by the Columbia County Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau named Johnson its 2026 Public Service Award winner at its annual public officials dinner. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Farm Bureau honors Judge Johnson’s service

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Columbia County’s roots have always been tied to agriculture and farming.The Columbia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors recognizes and respects the relationship between farming and public officials, honoring those people Monday during an annual dinner.

Local

Lake City Reporter freelance photographer Brent Kuykendall’s photo of Suwannee receiver Koy Frier’s attempted grab against Bradford last spring won first place. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Reporter freelance photographer Brent Kuykendall’s photo of Suwannee receiver Koy Frier’s attempted grab against Bradford last spring won first place. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Reporter captures 12 awards in state contest

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
LAKE BUENA VISTA — The Lake City Reporter won 12 awards for its journalistic work in 2025 from the...
Columbia County Fire Chief Jeff Crawford addresses the Lake Shore Hospital Authority at its Monday meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Chief Jeff Crawford addresses the Lake Shore Hospital Authority at its Monday meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County asks Lake Shore for $1.6M for ambulances

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Columbia County isn’t counting on any one source to help improve emergency medical services...
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Around Columbia County

Joy Geiger sings the national anthem during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony at the American Legion Harry C. Gray II Memorial Post 107 in McAlpin as the American flag waves in front of her. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Joy Geiger sings the national anthem during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony at the American Legion Harry C. Gray II Memorial Post 107 in McAlpin as the American flag waves in front of her. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee remembers the fallen on Memorial Day

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
McALPIN — It is a day for remembrance.
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Sports

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Retired Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge Leandra Johnson was recognized Monday night by the Columbia County Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau named Johnson its 2026 Public Service Award winner at its annual public officials dinner. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Retired Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge Leandra Johnson was recognized Monday night by the Columbia County Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau named Johnson its 2026 Public Service Award winner at its annual public officials dinner. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Farm Bureau honors Judge Johnson’s service

TONY BRITT
Columbia County’s roots have always been tied to agriculture and farming.The Columbia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors recognizes and respects the relationship between farming and public officials, honoring those people Monday during an annual dinner.Public officials attending the dinner…
Lake City Reporter freelance photographer Brent Kuykendall’s photo of Suwannee receiver Koy Frier’s attempted grab against Bradford last spring won first place. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Reporter freelance photographer Brent Kuykendall’s photo of Suwannee receiver Koy Frier’s attempted grab against Bradford last spring won first place. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Reporter captures 12 awards in state contest

NEWS STAFF
LAKE BUENA VISTA — The Lake City Reporter won 12 awards for its journalistic work in 2025 from the Florida Press Association.The Reporter topped the state’s medium-sized weekly newspapers in sports photography and local government reporting at the FPA’s Better Newspaper Contest on Friday at the…
Columbia County Fire Chief Jeff Crawford addresses the Lake Shore Hospital Authority at its Monday meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Chief Jeff Crawford addresses the Lake Shore Hospital Authority at its Monday meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County asks Lake Shore for $1.6M for ambulances

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Columbia County isn’t counting on any one source to help improve emergency medical services provided to the community. A week after floating the idea of a joint Municipal Service Taxing Unit with the City of Lake City to fund EMS services, county officials asked the Lake Shore Hospital…

Five city candidates have qualified

NEWS STAFF
Five Lake City Council candidates are qualified for the August primary, three others still have to finish up their paperwork.District 10 incumbent Chevella Young has qualified as of Tuesday afternoon, according to City Clerk Audrey Sikes.Also qualifying by Tuesday afternoon were District 14…

County incumbents qualified for election

NEWS STAFF
Both sitting Columbia County commissioners up for re-election have qualified for the August primary.But both also have qualified opponents as of Tuesday afternoon. Qualifying, which began Monday, runs through noon Friday.Everett Phillips, who is seeking re-election in District 4, qualified Monday…

Trooper, 2 others injured in wreck

NEWS STAFF
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was injured when his SUV was rear-ended at a stop light in Lake City.According to an FHP release, the unmarked SUV was stopped at the red light at U.S. Highway 90 and SE Baya Drive at 11:23 a.m. on Friday when an eastbound Nissan sedan didn’t stop in time and ran…

Hardee eager to be ‘serving folks’ as new judge

TONY BRITT
The first day of work for the Third Judicial Circuit’s newest circuit judge came to an end by meeting people connected to Columbia County’s agricultural roots and traditions.Cary “Bo” Hardee III was appointed last month to replace Leandra Johnson’s seat on the bench after Johnson retired following…
Fort White coach Bregay Harris questions a call to a referee while guard Javiona Roberson (right) smiles during the Region 3-R semifinals against Madison County on Feb. 13. (FILE)

Fort White coach Bregay Harris questions a call to a referee while guard Javiona Roberson (right) smiles during the Region 3-R semifinals against Madison County on Feb. 13. (FILE)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Harris steps down as Fort White coach, hands reins to Roberson

MORGAN MCMULLEN
FORT WHITE — While a new face will be roaming the sidelines for the Indians, it won’t be an unfamiliar one.Former assistant coach Derrick Roberson is moving up in the ranks to become the team’s next head coach entering the 2026 season. He replaces Bregay Harris, who’d been Fort White’s coach since…
Columbia pitcher Ryleigh Stone advances Columbia on the Class 4A playoff bracket after the Tigers defeated Lake Wales for the state title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Ryleigh Stone advances Columbia on the Class 4A playoff bracket after the Tigers defeated Lake Wales for the state title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SPORTS: FHSAA approves Open Division bracket, new limits for transfers

JORDAN KROEGER
The Open Division is officially here.The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted 10-0 on Tuesday to approve an eight-team Open Division playoff format for the 2026-27 season in 11 sports. Those sports include football, girls volleyball, boys basketball, girls basketball,…
Columbia County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Lance Hill (right) and County Manager David Kraus discussed the importance of EMS services in the county during the County Commission’s meeting on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Lance Hill (right) and County Manager David Kraus discussed the importance of EMS services in the county during the County Commission’s meeting on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

EMS issues remain a concern for commissioners

TONY BRITT
County officials are looking to iron out any additional details regarding implementing a potential EMS Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) with the City of Lake City that’s designed to fund more Emergency Medical Services personnel.During Thursday’s county commission meeting, county officials…
Fireworks tents, such as the one on the corner of SW Main Boulevard and SW Baya Drive, are open for business after Columbia County recently lifted its burn ban. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fireworks tents, such as the one on the corner of SW Main Boulevard and SW Baya Drive, are open for business after Columbia County recently lifted its burn ban. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Burn ban off, fireworks on for now

TONY BRITT
Columbia County’s burn ban was lifted roughly two weeks ago, when season rains and humidity levels hit the area, significantly lowering the amount service calls for county firefighting units. Now, the county says it’s rolling with that decision for the time being.Columbia County Fire Rescue…
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