Local

Linda Jansson (left) looks on as her Scrabble partner, Theresa DePasquaoe, places letter tiles on the Scrabble board during the championship round of the Lake City Garden Club’s Scrabble Tournament fundraiser. The pair won the tournament. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Linda Jansson (left) looks on as her Scrabble partner, Theresa DePasquaoe, places letter tiles on the Scrabble board during the championship round of the Lake City Garden Club’s Scrabble Tournament fundraiser. The pair won the tournament. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Roof Masters team wins Scrabble tournament

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
A room filled with 20 teams sitting at 10 tables was the competitive setting for the Lake City Garden Club’s ninth annual Scrabble Tournament fundraiser Tuesday evening.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said the city’s concerns with the Lake Shore hospital were about public safety and compatibility concerns, not mentioning zoning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said the city’s concerns with the Lake Shore hospital were about public safety and compatibility concerns, not mentioning zoning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Zoning conflict absent from meeting

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
The zoning dispute that led to the conflict resolution meeting Wednesday was absent from the talks of resolution.
Pinemount Elementary School Principal April Bolkosky told the Columbia County School Board on Tuesday night that the school looks to bring new students in from Five Points as part of the rezoning and become one family. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Pinemount Elementary School Principal April Bolkosky told the Columbia County School Board on Tuesday night that the school looks to bring new students in from Five Points as part of the rezoning and become one family. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

School board approves new elementary zones

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
The Columbia County School District officially has new elementary school zones. Now the district will advertise those new zones – made necessary by the construction (current and planned) of two new schools and the closure of two others — ahead of school choice enrollment.

4 pounds of meth found in search

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
A Drug Task Force investigation turned up more than four pounds of methamphetamine as well as a stolen car.. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, 22-year-old Michael Perry, of Lake City, was arrested Tuesday following a search at a residence off SE Track Drive in Lake City.
Altrusa International of Lake City recently hosted its 2025 Girls Summit, which was attended by 24 young girls, who learned about the theme ‘Life is a gift.’ (COURTESY)

Altrusa International of Lake City recently hosted its 2025 Girls Summit, which was attended by 24 young girls, who learned about the theme ‘Life is a gift.’ (COURTESY)

Lake City Altrusa hosts empowering Girls Summit

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
The Altrusa International of Lake City recently hosted its 2025 Girls Summit, embracing the theme “Life is a Gift” to inspire and empower young girls.
Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal said the city would like to get vacant lands back from the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal said the city would like to get vacant lands back from the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City seeks property in zoning dispute

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Going into their conflict assessment hearing today, the Lake Shore Hospital Authority and the City of Lake City already agree on one thing: they are looking at trying to find a solution. Representatives from both the LSHA and city will meet at 1 p.m. today at City Hall, 205 N.
Charles Trowbridge, a U.S. Navy veteran and Fort White resident, holds up signs outside the Lake City VA Medical Center on Monday protesting the Department of Government Efficiency’s planned cutting of 80,000 Veterans Affairs employees. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Charles Trowbridge, a U.S. Navy veteran and Fort White resident, holds up signs outside the Lake City VA Medical Center on Monday protesting the Department of Government Efficiency’s planned cutting of 80,000 Veterans Affairs employees. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White veteran Trowbridge protesting DOGE's cuts at VA

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
A Fort White man is voicing his displeasure with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by protesting against Elon Musk and the firing of governmental employees. Charles Trowbridge, U.S.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker was among the council members who said Monday that public safety is a challenge the city has to overcome in moving forward. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker was among the council members who said Monday that public safety is a challenge the city has to overcome in moving forward. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council identifies housing, safety as challenges

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Housing and public safety are the top challenges facing Lake City as it tries to grow and develop according to the Lake City Council.
Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan said Monday that there is a lost connection with Florida Gateway College in getting local students to school there. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan said Monday that there is a lost connection with Florida Gateway College in getting local students to school there. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

FGC seeks retraction after Jernigan ‘misinformation’

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
A member of the Lake City Council presented a new challenge during a strategic planning meeting Monday night, one that has Florida Gateway College seeking a retraction.