Local

The mural on the outside of the Columbia County Public Library’s West Branch that commemorates 250 years of American history. The mural, which still needs to be colorized, was funded by a state grant. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The mural on the outside of the Columbia County Public Library’s West Branch that commemorates 250 years of American history. The mural, which still needs to be colorized, was funded by a state grant. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

American history mural added to West Branch Library

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
American history isn’t just contained inside the Columbia County Public Library’s West Branch.Now, thanks to a state grant and the artistic ability of Cosby Hayes, history also adorns the wall outside the library on NW Hall of Fame Drive on the west side of Lake City.

Helfenberger resigns as Fort White town clerk

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
FORT WHITE — The Town of Fort White is looking for a new town clerk once again.Joe Helfenberger, who was hired as the town’s clerk in March, resigned Friday. According to his resignation letter, Helfenberger will continue to serve until July 11. His contract called for a 15-day notice.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, shown releasing his proposed budget, signed the budget Monday, vetoing more than $800 million from the $117.6 billion plan. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

Gov. Ron DeSantis, shown releasing his proposed budget, signed the budget Monday, vetoing more than $800 million from the $117.6 billion plan. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA FILE)

Funding vetoed for city’s firetruck, sewer lift station

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Gov. Ron DeSantis doused the City of Lake City’s plans to replace its frontline fire engine.The city also lost out on funding for a wastewater lift station as part of DeSantis’ line-item vetoes before approving the state budget Monday. The two Lake City projects totaled $1.5 million.
Steven Dicks serves on the North Florida Water Utilities Authority as an at-large member with the other board seats filled by commissioners from Columbia and Suwannee counties. The Columbia County Commission could make selections Thursday of two new board members to replace Commissioners Rocky Ford and Tim Murphy in the future. (FILE)

Steven Dicks serves on the North Florida Water Utilities Authority as an at-large member with the other board seats filled by commissioners from Columbia and Suwannee counties. The Columbia County Commission could make selections Thursday of two new board members to replace Commissioners Rocky Ford and Tim Murphy in the future. (FILE)

Commission considers utility board appointments

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority could be getting some new board members.

LCPD says man tried to burglarize car with woman in it

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
A Lake City man was arrested Monday afternoon after trying to break into a woman’s car around Lake DeSoto.A Lake City Police Department release said the woman was sitting inside her car at Lake DeSoto around 4:45 p.m. Monday when 29-year-old Naye Cooper Jr.
Lisa Amparo (from left), Mikael Byrd, Kathy Olson, Shelia Carr and Cooper take pose for a photo with the 250th anniversary celebration T-shirts while at the Gateway Art Gallery on Tuesday afternoon. The T-shirts are for sale at $10 each. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lisa Amparo (from left), Mikael Byrd, Kathy Olson, Shelia Carr and Cooper take pose for a photo with the 250th anniversary celebration T-shirts while at the Gateway Art Gallery on Tuesday afternoon. The T-shirts are for sale at $10 each. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Semiquincentennial shirts arrive at Gateway Art Gallery

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
The Lake City-Columbia County celebration honoring America’s 250th anniversary now has a commemorative T-shirt that will be sold.The T-shirts arrived Tuesday morning and are on sale at the Gateway Art Gallery, 168 N. Marion Avenue, for $10 each. The shirts are available in small through 2XL.

Knife-wielding woman charged for threats

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
“Bad blood” between multiple people led to a woman threatening others with a knife early Sunday morning.According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers responded to NE Center Avenue around 12:38 a.m.
Lake City’s Adam Sanders performed Wednesday night at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. It was Sanders’ first time performing at the Opry. (COURTESY)

Lake City’s Adam Sanders performed Wednesday night at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. It was Sanders’ first time performing at the Opry. (COURTESY)

From Lake City to the Grand Ole Opry

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, June 26, 2026
Adam Sanders continues checking off lifelong dreams from his to-do list. The country music star and Lake City native performed for the entire country music world to see Wednesday night when he took the fabled stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Jay Swisher, Columbia County’s Clerk of Court who lives off of NW Hackney Terrace, said any plans to put traffic onto the small two-lane road should be revisited. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jay Swisher, Columbia County’s Clerk of Court who lives off of NW Hackney Terrace, said any plans to put traffic onto the small two-lane road should be revisited. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BJ’s land use change approved despite neighbors’ concerns

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, June 26, 2026
Development for a proposed BJ’s Wholesale Club has passed its first hurdle despite heavy public opposition. Five local residents — including Columbia County Clerk of Court Jay Swisher — weren’t enough to sway a majority of the county’s Planning & Zoning Board during its Thursday meeting.