Local

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman requested a hearing set up to discuss efforts to organize post-storm cleanups. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman requested a hearing set up to discuss efforts to organize post-storm cleanups. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County sets hearing on storm cleanup ordinance

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 18, 2025
Columbia County commissioners will soon seriously consider new efforts to organize post-storm cleanups. In a July 11 memo, County Attorney Joel Foreman requested an adoption hearing to be set for the board’s Aug. 21 meeting, asking the commission to set that during its regular meeting Thursday.
A construction worker looks at some concrete slabs that have been poured on the Eastside Elementary School campus Wednesday as a mountain of debris from the previous school is piled up behind him. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A construction worker looks at some concrete slabs that have been poured on the Eastside Elementary School campus Wednesday as a mountain of debris from the previous school is piled up behind him. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Building back Eastside: Demolition, construction going on at same time

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
The Eastside Elementary School campus on Baya Drive is busy with both construction as well as demolition work.

BOCC could raise preliminary rates

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Fire protection and solid waste pickup may cost Columbia County residents more next year. During its 5:30 p.m. meeting Thursday at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium, 372 W.

Lake City man nabbed on gun charge

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
A Lake City man is in trouble after authorities said he was responsible for unrest at a restaurant. According to a Lake City Police Department release, Trevis Javon Johnson, 39, was arrested Tuesday around 5 p.m.
UF/IFAS 4-H Fashion Design campers show off their creations following a pair of days learning different sewing techniques. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION)

UF/IFAS 4-H Fashion Design campers show off their creations following a pair of days learning different sewing techniques. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION)

Columbia County youth build creativity at 4-H design camp

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Over two packed days, young minds and nimble fingers came together at the 2025 4-H Fashion Design Camp, hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County. Held July 15–16, the camp welcomed youth ages 11–18 to explore sewing, fashion, and design in a supportive, hands-on learning environment.

Trampoline park bouncing into town

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Columbia County’s newest economic development project is something to jump around about — literally. The county is considering providing eight acres of land as well as a tax rebate to a company to construct an indoor trampoline park in Lake City.
Officials from the City of Lake City, Woman’s Club, Garden Club and Sparks Construction met Monday to discuss the Club House on Lake Isabella’s future. (FILE)

Officials from the City of Lake City, Woman’s Club, Garden Club and Sparks Construction met Monday to discuss the Club House on Lake Isabella’s future. (FILE)

Meeting on Club House hopes to clear up future

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Club House on Lake Isabella could have a fast track toward much-needed repairs.
Cooper’s Hideout, an entertainment venue that also will feature food trucks and a bar, is set to open Saturday at 2102 SE Baya Drive. (COURTESY)

Cooper’s Hideout, an entertainment venue that also will feature food trucks and a bar, is set to open Saturday at 2102 SE Baya Drive. (COURTESY)

Cooper’s Hideout ready to be unveiled

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
After several months of preparation and a recent soft opening, Lake City’s newest family-friendly entertainment venue, which is officially known as a hideout, is making its official debut. Cooper’s Hideout, 2102 SE Baya Dr.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Secretary/Treasurer Lory Chancy expressed concern over Meridian Healthcare requesting an additional evaluation of the Lake Shore campus’ main hospital building. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Secretary/Treasurer Lory Chancy expressed concern over Meridian Healthcare requesting an additional evaluation of the Lake Shore campus’ main hospital building. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Authority not providing hospital inspection

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority has a new wrinkle to consider in the continuing saga of its main hospital building. The LSHA Board of Trustees met Monday to, among other things, discuss a June 12 letter from Meridian Healthcare President and Chief Executive Officer Lauren Cohn.