Local

Fort White Town Councilor Monica Merricks requests help from the Columbia County Commission in administering grant funds for a wastewater project. Merricks called the strained relationship between the town and the county as ‘shameful, disgraceful and distasteful,’ hoping the two could move forward. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White Town Councilor Monica Merricks requests help from the Columbia County Commission in administering grant funds for a wastewater project. Merricks called the strained relationship between the town and the county as ‘shameful, disgraceful and distasteful,’ hoping the two could move forward. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County, Fort White teaming on grant

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 4, 2025
Columbia County and the Town of Fort White are teaming up on administering wastewater grant funds and possibly mending their sometimes contentious relationship in the process.
Angel Gomez, a Columbia High School student, gets tips on sanding wood from Monty Ashby, as Gomez and Kiley Morrison sand wood to make beds for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program. The students manufactured the beds during the Build My Future event on Wednesday morning at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Angel Gomez, a Columbia High School student, gets tips on sanding wood from Monty Ashby, as Gomez and Kiley Morrison sand wood to make beds for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program. The students manufactured the beds during the Build My Future event on Wednesday morning at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Building a better tomorrow

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Inspiration can come in a variety of forms ranging from touch, smell and sight as well as several other origins.
Former Lake City Manager Joe Helfenberger answers a question during Tuesday’s North Florida Water Utilities Authority meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Former Lake City Manager Joe Helfenberger answers a question during Tuesday’s North Florida Water Utilities Authority meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Utility board debating Helfenberger, Roberts

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority’s decision on its first director is down to a former Lake City manager and a current member of Suwannee County’s administration.
Columbia County Senior Services supports cheer during the 2022 ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ fundraiser. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Senior Services supports cheer during the 2022 ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ fundraiser. (COURTESY)

Senior Services seeking support for Alzheimer’s Day Club with Walk

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Columbia County Senior Services offers a wide variety of services at it’s Lifestyle Enrichment Center for area seniors and one of the most important services is its Alzheimer’s Day Club program.
Fort White resident Marvin Brown (from left) details the history of the land on which the new Bethlehem Community Center sits during Tuesday’s ribbon cutting next to Columbia County Commissioners Rocky Ford and Everett Phillips as well as Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Member Services Director Missy Hartley. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White resident Marvin Brown (from left) details the history of the land on which the new Bethlehem Community Center sits during Tuesday’s ribbon cutting next to Columbia County Commissioners Rocky Ford and Everett Phillips as well as Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Member Services Director Missy Hartley. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Residents celebrate new community center

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
FORT WHITE — One of the last addresses in the southern end of Columbia County just happens to be the address of the county’s newest community center.
Columbia County Fire Rescue firefighters Joshua Chase, Ryan Jenkins, Cameron McCauley and Blake Heckman inspect a variety hoses as they prepare for a potential busy fire season. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Rescue firefighters Joshua Chase, Ryan Jenkins, Cameron McCauley and Blake Heckman inspect a variety hoses as they prepare for a potential busy fire season. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CCFR inspecting fire hoses ahead of busier fire season

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
During the past few weeks, Columbia County Fire Rescue personnel have been inspecting the hoses on department trucks to make sure the hoses are up to standard for future firefighting emergencies.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Clint Dicks (left) looks on as Wyatt Kelly, of Lake City Christian Academy, proudly displays the torch moments before the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Tuesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Clint Dicks (left) looks on as Wyatt Kelly, of Lake City Christian Academy, proudly displays the torch moments before the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on Tuesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Igniting interest in the Special Olympics

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
More than 250 local children, and seemingly as many if not more law enforcement and corrections officers, trekked through the streets of Lake City on Tuesday morning raising awareness about Florida Special Olympics.

Helfenberger, Hartley vie for utility job

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
A former Lake City manager and a U.S. Congresswoman’s field rep are two of the three individuals vying to be the first director of the North Florida Water Utilities Authority. Shannon Roberts, Suwannee County’s administrative associate, will also interview with the NFWUA board at its 9:30 a.m.

Five Points pedestrian hit, killed by SUV

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
A Lake City man was killed early Saturday morning when he was hit while walking in Five Points. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 50-year-old man was in the north travel lane of U.S. Highway 441 around 12:15 a.m. Saturday when a northbound Subaru Forester struck him near NW Meeks Street.