Local

The new covered rodeo arena at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds collapsed Wednesday afternoon. The A frame structure of the new facility was being constructed when it collapsed. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

The new covered rodeo arena at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds collapsed Wednesday afternoon. The A frame structure of the new facility was being constructed when it collapsed. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

New rodeo arena collapses

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
More than eight months of construction on a new rodeo arena is now likely a pile of scrap metal after the new Florida Gateway Rodeo Arena collapsed Wednesday afternoon.
Gerald Dopson, the former city manager of Macclenny, was honored Wednesday by the Foundation for Florida Gateway College as the Friend of the Foundation. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gerald Dopson, the former city manager of Macclenny, was honored Wednesday by the Foundation for Florida Gateway College as the Friend of the Foundation. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dopson honored at FGC as Friend of Foundation

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
The gift of helping someone else secure an educational future, with all its challenges and achievements, was celebrated Wednesday when the Foundation for Florida Gateway College held its 20th annual donor celebration luncheon.

Man indicted for selling firearms to Mexico

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Staff reportA Fort White man has been indicted for conspiring to sell firearms to Mexico.Jose Manuel Barron, a 31-year-old from Fort White, was indicted on the federal charge and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Midori Lowry in Gainesville for his arraignment in June.
Jordynn Cray (left) prepares to get settled into the kindergarten classroom of Brittany Townsend (right) during the first day of classes at the new Eastside Elementary School. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jordynn Cray (left) prepares to get settled into the kindergarten classroom of Brittany Townsend (right) during the first day of classes at the new Eastside Elementary School. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Class is in session

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
New school clothing, new school supplies and opening a new elementary school are the hallmarks for the Columbia County School District’s 2026-27 school year which took place Monday morning.
Befaithful Coker (top left, clockwise), Ricky Jernigan and Norbie Ronsonet, all candidates for District 14, speak during Monday's candidate forum at Richardson Community Center. Chevella Young and Jessica Jones also spoke in contention for the District 10 seat. (Photos by MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Befaithful Coker (top left, clockwise), Ricky Jernigan and Norbie Ronsonet, all candidates for District 14, speak during Monday's candidate forum at Richardson Community Center. Chevella Young and Jessica Jones also spoke in contention for the District 10 seat. (Photos by MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City Council candidates vie for votes at forum

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Local residents heard from a number of candidates looking to either remain on or be elected to the next Lake City Council at a public forum this week.Richardson Community Center hosted candidates running for five different local races on Monday to an audience of several dozen residents.
The Legal Eagles team of attorneys and judges from the Columbia County Courthouse won the Boots and Badges tournament Saturday, their fourth straight title in the event. (COURTESY)

The Legal Eagles team of attorneys and judges from the Columbia County Courthouse won the Boots and Badges tournament Saturday, their fourth straight title in the event. (COURTESY)

Legal Eagles continue Boots and Badges dynasty

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
The dynasty continues for the Legal Eagles.The basketball team of local attorneys and judges continued their dominant run in the annual Boots and Badges tournament Saturday, winning their fourth straight title.
Columbia County Commission candidates Robert Lane (from left), Chris Dicks and Jody Dupree participate in Monday’s candidate forum at Richardson Community Center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commission candidates Robert Lane (from left), Chris Dicks and Jody Dupree participate in Monday’s candidate forum at Richardson Community Center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOCC candidates make their pitch

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
A trio of candidates running for Columbia County Commissioner also got the chance to lay out their agendas during Monday’s cadidate forum at Richardson Community Center. Jody Dupree, one of three people running for the county’s District 2 seat, was the only one from that race to show up Monday.
Halpatter’s is closing after nine years of operating in downtown Lake City. The brewery transitioned with new owners a year ago, focuing more on brewing in-house rather than distributing its craft beers. (FILE)

Halpatter’s is closing after nine years of operating in downtown Lake City. The brewery transitioned with new owners a year ago, focuing more on brewing in-house rather than distributing its craft beers. (FILE)

Last call for Halpatter’s

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
It’s closing time for Halpatter’s, Lake City’s downtown craft brew pub.A year after an ownership change and sale of its building in the heart of downtown, the brew pub is closing. Its final day is Saturday.

Lake City man arrested for battery, kidnapping

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
A Lake City man was apprehended Monday evening after a domestic situation escalated into child abduction.According to a Lake City Police Department release, a woman entered the city’s Public Safety Building in downtown Lake City that includes the police department around 6:17 p.
Ellie Davis makes her way through a tunnel on a piece of equipment at Sallie Mae Jerry Park on Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ellie Davis makes her way through a tunnel on a piece of equipment at Sallie Mae Jerry Park on Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

City reopens refreshed Sallie Mae Jerry park

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 7, 2026
City officials and public works employees crowded the playground equipment at Sallie Mae Jerry Park on Friday morning, but they weren’t there to take a spin on the playground equipment.