Paulette Tomlinson (from left), a Columbia County Extension Service employee, takes the hook out of a catfish for Madelyn Bullock, 13, with help from Paola Ortiz, a 4-H summer camp volunteer. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Paulette Tomlinson (from left), a Columbia County Extension Service employee, takes the hook out of a catfish for Madelyn Bullock, 13, with help from Paola Ortiz, a 4-H summer camp volunteer. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fishing for knowledge: 4-H campers get lessons in fish, other wildlife

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

More than a dozen local youngsters took to the great outdoors this week, while attending the Columbia County 4-H Outdoor Adventure Camp.

Local

NFWUA Director Shannon Roberts gave a brief overview of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. (FILE)

NFWUA Director Shannon Roberts gave a brief overview of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. (FILE)

Bigger budget potentially on deck for NFWUA

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority met for more than an hour discussing and...
Henry Thomas and Matthew Ori of Faftelis Financial Consultants walk North Florida Water Utilities Authority board members through a series of rate increases during Monday’s meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Henry Thomas and Matthew Ori of Faftelis Financial Consultants walk North Florida Water Utilities Authority board members through a series of rate increases during Monday’s meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Consultants pitch increased water rates

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority is looking at changing its rates as it heads...
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Around Columbia County

Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison said any ban or moratorium on data centers would be void because of a state law passed in 2025 that restricts changes to Land Development Regulations. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Attorney Adam Morrison said any ban or moratorium on data centers would be void because of a state law passed in 2025 that restricts changes to Land Development Regulations. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee data center ban would be void

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
There won’t a ban or moratorium on data centers in Suwannee County because any move would be null...
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Sports

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Paulette Tomlinson (from left), a Columbia County Extension Service employee, takes the hook out of a catfish for Madelyn Bullock, 13, with help from Paola Ortiz, a 4-H summer camp volunteer. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Paulette Tomlinson (from left), a Columbia County Extension Service employee, takes the hook out of a catfish for Madelyn Bullock, 13, with help from Paola Ortiz, a 4-H summer camp volunteer. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fishing for knowledge: 4-H campers get lessons in fish, other wildlife

TONY BRITT
More than a dozen local youngsters took to the great outdoors this week, while attending the Columbia County 4-H Outdoor Adventure Camp.From learning about bugs at the Columbia County Extension Service office on Monday to catching fish at Ponderosa Pond on Tuesday,  the children were able to…
NFWUA Director Shannon Roberts gave a brief overview of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. (FILE)

NFWUA Director Shannon Roberts gave a brief overview of the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. (FILE)

Bigger budget potentially on deck for NFWUA

TONY BRITT
LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority met for more than an hour discussing and reviewing its proposed 2026-27 fiscal year budget, during a public budget workshop on Monday morning, which included a special called meeting to discuss and review proposed rate increases.The $4.499…

Two more arrested for 2025 robbery spree

NEWS STAFF
Police have arrested a pair of men connected to a string of home invasion robberies committed last year, bringing the arrest total in those cases to five. According to a Lake City Police Department release, a joint investigation alongside the Columbia County Sheriff’s resulted in the arrests…
Henry Thomas and Matthew Ori of Faftelis Financial Consultants walk North Florida Water Utilities Authority board members through a series of rate increases during Monday’s meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Henry Thomas and Matthew Ori of Faftelis Financial Consultants walk North Florida Water Utilities Authority board members through a series of rate increases during Monday’s meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Consultants pitch increased water rates

TONY BRITT
LIVE OAK — The North Florida Water Utilities Authority is looking at changing its rates as it heads to a new fiscal year.During a Monday morning workshop, which lasted more than an hour, NFWUA board members listened to a presentation from Raftelis Financial Consultants representatives which…
Ingrida Passett won first place in painting with the large canvas of bromeliad plants. (COURTESY)

Ingrida Passett won first place in painting with the large canvas of bromeliad plants. (COURTESY)

19th annual Wally Reichert Memorial Art Show announces winners

NEWS STAFF
The Columbia County Public Library and the Gateway Art Gallery have been sitting on gold for the last month. The 19th annual Wally Reichert Memorial Art Show, recently held by the Friends of the Library and the GAG, recently announced its winners across five different categories:- Paintings —…

Council seeks help in finding qualified town clerk

JAMIE WACHTER
FORT WHITE — The Fort White Town Council set both short-term and long-term plans for replacing its departing town clerk.During a special meeting Tuesday that lasted more than two hours, the Council unanimously approved seeking proposals from head-hunting firms to help recruit an experienced,…
Lake City Florist family and owner/operators pose for a picture during the store’s grand re-opening on Thursday afternoon. Amanda Ivey (from left), Amelia Scott, Heather LeAnne McGuire, Ellsworth James McGuire Sr. and Briya McGuire. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Florist family and owner/operators pose for a picture during the store’s grand re-opening on Thursday afternoon. Amanda Ivey (from left), Amelia Scott, Heather LeAnne McGuire, Ellsworth James McGuire Sr. and Briya McGuire. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Florist re-opens with new owners

TONY BRITT
The Lake City Florist shop is spreading new roots and plans to bloom after recently re-opening under new ownership and management.Lake City Florist, 216 SW Main Blvd, has re-opened with the Rev. Ellsworth James McGuire Sr. and his wife, Heather LeAnne McGuire, as owners and operators of the shop…

Pair arrested after child walked down road alone

NEWS STAFF
A Lake City pair were arrested Wednesday morning after a child was found walking alone down a road in northwestern Columbia County.According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, deputies responded to NW Yates Loop at 9:27 a.m. Wednesday when the child was walking down the road alone and…

LCPD teaming up to ‘Slow Down’ drivers

NEWS STAFF
The Lake City Police Department is partnering with other agencies across the southeast in an effort to pump the brakes on speeding motorists.The LCPD is joining other law enforcement across Florida and the southeastern United States in a regional traffic safety campaign next week, Operation…

Daycare worker nabbed trying to meet child for sex

NEWS STAFF
A St. Johns County daycare worker was arrested last week after traveling to Columbia County to meet with a child for sex.According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, 20-year-old Connor Gooding has spent months communicating through social media with an undercover detective assigned to…
Columbia defensive back Monterrence Williamson breaks up a pass intended for receiver Shaheed White in 7-on-7 drills during Tuesday’s summer workout. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive back Monterrence Williamson breaks up a pass intended for receiver Shaheed White in 7-on-7 drills during Tuesday’s summer workout. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia adjusting defense this summer after Allen transfer, Callum injury

JORDAN KROEGER
A departure and an injury have left Columbia shuffling around its defense this summer.Rising senior cornerback Tacori Allen recently transferred to Raines while rising sophomore linebacker Quinton Callum III ruptured his patella tendon during basketball practice at the beginning of June. It leaves…
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