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Belmont Academy valedictorian Chelsie Johnson (right) and salutatorian Jenavieve Farer stand with fellow graduates during Saturday’s commencement ceremony. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

Belmont Academy valedictorian Chelsie Johnson (right) and salutatorian Jenavieve Farer stand with fellow graduates during Saturday’s commencement ceremony. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

Belmont graduation highlights personal touch

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Celebrating every student — from each of their academic accomplishments, future aspirations and their individual personalities — would be an ideal commencement exercise for a school’s graduation candidates.
North Florida Water Utilities Authority Chairman Rocky Ford said he felt the sale of the sewer plant to the City of Lake City by Columbia County made the whole county look bad. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

North Florida Water Utilities Authority Chairman Rocky Ford said he felt the sale of the sewer plant to the City of Lake City by Columbia County made the whole county look bad. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sewer sale still questioned

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
LIVE OAK — Columbia County’s sale of a sewer plant could lead to a vote of support and confidence in the fledgling North Florida Water Utilities Authority.

FGC considers arming faculty, staff

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
School guardians are likely coming to Florida Gateway College.After Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday that expanded the armed school guardian program to include the state’s colleges and universities, FGC President Larry Barrett said the school will likely implement the program.
Lake City Humane Society Executive Director Elizabeth Halloran (left) addresses the Lake City Council during Monday’s workshop. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Humane Society Executive Director Elizabeth Halloran (left) addresses the Lake City Council during Monday’s workshop. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Changes sought in next animal control contract

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
A litany of changes could be coming when — and if — the City of Lake City renegotiates its contract for animal control.The Lake City Council hosted a workshop Monday to discuss its concerns and possible solutions relating to services rendered by the Lake City Humane Society.

LCPD conducting checkpoint Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The Lake City Police Department will be conducting checkpoints Saturday to try and reduce impaired drivers and related crashes.From 7 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday, the LCPD will be targeting drivers who chose to drive after consuming drugs or alcohol with checkpoints at six possible locations.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said he was excited to see the future of the Five Points Elementary campus after the city recently purchased it for $200,000. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said he was excited to see the future of the Five Points Elementary campus after the city recently purchased it for $200,000. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City Council wants closer look at future Five Points campus tenets

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The Lake City Council has an empty school full of possibilities on its hands. The question remains how to best utilize it.Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal gave a presentation at the council’s Monday meeting regarding the use of buildings at Five Points Elementary School.

Wellborn woman killed in early Sunday crash

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, May 17, 2026
A Wellborn woman was killed early Sunday morning when a car struck a tree in eastern Columbia County.According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a grey Nissan sedan was traveling northbound on County Road 245 at 4 a.m. Sunday when the driver failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway.
The Columbia County School District’s quilt in honor of the country’s semiquincentennial was a collaborative effort between students and teachers at all 12 schools in the district, the Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild and the Which Old Stitch store. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Columbia County School District’s quilt in honor of the country’s semiquincentennial was a collaborative effort between students and teachers at all 12 schools in the district, the Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild and the Which Old Stitch store. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia School District unveils quilt for 250th celebration

TONY BRITT
Saturday, May 16, 2026
The Columbia School District displayed its latest contribution to the local celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary Tuesday night.

Madison’s Hardee named new judge

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, May 16, 2026
The vacant Third Judicial Circuit judicial position has been filled by a Madison attorney.Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Cary “Bo” Hardee III to the circuit court judicial seat Tuesday.
The Lake City Reporter’s Tony Britt accepts the paper’s license plate during the Kids Tag Art presentation. The plate was drawn by Pinemount Elementary’s Jai Bass. (COURTESY)

The Lake City Reporter’s Tony Britt accepts the paper’s license plate during the Kids Tag Art presentation. The plate was drawn by Pinemount Elementary’s Jai Bass. (COURTESY)

Kids Tag Art raises $34K for art programs

TONY BRITT
Saturday, May 16, 2026
The Columbia County School District’s art programs received more than $30,000 this week from the Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office through the Kids Tag Art program.