Local

The current Lake City Hall, which has around $2.8 million worth of structural deficiencies, leading to the city’s interest in a new headquarters. (FILE)

The current Lake City Hall, which has around $2.8 million worth of structural deficiencies, leading to the city’s interest in a new headquarters. (FILE)

STUDY: New City Hall cost up to $11.755M

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
A potential new Lake City Hall will come with a high price tag. A feasibility study, performed by Brame Heck Architects, shows a cost of a new city hall near the current Customer Service building on NW Hillsboro Street would range from $9.659 million to $11.755 million.
The Club House on Lake Isabella has sat vacant since May 2024 over safety concerns about its roofing support system with several broken trusses found. Local builder Josh Sparks has expressed a willingness to repair the historic building if ownership of the city-owned is given to him. (FILE)

The Club House on Lake Isabella has sat vacant since May 2024 over safety concerns about its roofing support system with several broken trusses found. Local builder Josh Sparks has expressed a willingness to repair the historic building if ownership of the city-owned is given to him. (FILE)

Club, Sparks meeting on historic building

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
While Lake City officials attempt to scramble through the process of giving back a local landmark, planning by the two other parties innvolved has already begun.
The new Columbia County Fire Station 51 on Lake Jeffery Road is anticipated to be ready to open in August. The site-built building replaces a mobile home at the station site and will also provide a new administrative headquarters. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The new Columbia County Fire Station 51 on Lake Jeffery Road is anticipated to be ready to open in August. The site-built building replaces a mobile home at the station site and will also provide a new administrative headquarters. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New CCFR station aims for August opening

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Columbia County Fire Rescue administrative staff and firefighters housed at Station 51 on Lake Jeffery Road are anticipating moving into an upgraded station by the end of August.
Columbia County and the City of Lake City partnered to provide an Independence Day celebration Friday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. The celebration was capped by a fireworks display but also included live music, games and contests. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County and the City of Lake City partnered to provide an Independence Day celebration Friday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. The celebration was capped by a fireworks display but also included live music, games and contests. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

Fourth full of fireworks, fun

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Whether they were just waiting to watch fireworks, listening to live entertainment, or competing in old-fashioned carnival games, thousands of people filed into the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon for the inaugural 4th of July Celebration 2025: More Than Just Fireworks.
Josh Sparks with Sparks Construction told the Lake City Council that he would be willing to fix and save the historic Club House on Lake Isabella if the property would be given to him. The building has been closed for more than a year due to safety concerns stemming from a failing roofing system. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Josh Sparks with Sparks Construction told the Lake City Council that he would be willing to fix and save the historic Club House on Lake Isabella if the property would be given to him. The building has been closed for more than a year due to safety concerns stemming from a failing roofing system. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Sparks seeks to save Club House

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
The Club House on Lake Isabella may have had a new lifeline thrown its way. The Lake City Council hosted a workshop ahead of its regular scheduled Monday meeting regarding the sagging historic building.
H. Shawn Holmgren threatened legal action during his public comments Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

H. Shawn Holmgren threatened legal action during his public comments Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lawsuits threatened in council’s Makerspace discussion

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Confusion, threats of lawsuits and a split vote highlighted discussion over turning part of Lake City Hall into a “makerspace” for local nonprofits. The Lake City Council discussed the matter at its Monday meeting, but only after Councilwoman Chevella Young brought up a call she’d received in June.
Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joey O’Hern (middle) recently completed the Institute for Organization Management. (COURTESY)

Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joey O’Hern (middle) recently completed the Institute for Organization Management. (COURTESY)

Chamber director completes national leadership program

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce executive director has graduated from a national leadership training program. Joey O’Hern, the Chamber director, has completed the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, program.

Two shot at weekend block party

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Two men were shot early Saturday morning during a block party on the northwest side of Lake City. According to one of the victims, he was attending a block party when gunfire erupted, according to a Lake City Police Department release. The release said officers were dispatched around 1:24 a.m.