Local

Land in northern Columbia County was purchased through the Florida Forever program to help with wildlife conservation. The 1,620-acre property will be managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (COURTESY)

Land in northern Columbia County was purchased through the Florida Forever program to help with wildlife conservation. The 1,620-acre property will be managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (COURTESY)

1,620 acres purchased for conservation

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
More than 1,600 acres in northern Columbia County has been bought for wildlife conservation.
Fourth-grade winners in the Florida 4-H Public Speaking County Contest were Leo Lisius (from left), Violet Beamsley, Lexi Huffman, Charlie Stermer and Evalinah Miller. (COURTESY)

Fourth-grade winners in the Florida 4-H Public Speaking County Contest were Leo Lisius (from left), Violet Beamsley, Lexi Huffman, Charlie Stermer and Evalinah Miller. (COURTESY)

Youth orators shine in county 4-H public speaking contest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
By HEATHER FUTCH Columbia County Extension The stage was set, the speeches prepared and young voices filled the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium as students from across Columbia County competed in the Florida 4-H Public Speaking County Contest.
The Lake City Police Department is hosting its first Farm Share food distribution of the year Saturday. (COURTESY)

The Lake City Police Department is hosting its first Farm Share food distribution of the year Saturday. (COURTESY)

LCPD hosting food distribution

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Local residents will have the opportunity to get some free food this weekend when the Lake City Police Department hosts its first Farm Share event of the year. The commodity distribution will take place 8 a.m. Saturday at the gravel parking lot across from the Lake City Public Safety Building.
Bolts, the Florida Gateway College mascot, and Shawana Wilson dance to Zydeco music in the college’s student center on Tuesday during a Mardi Gras celebration. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bolts, the Florida Gateway College mascot, and Shawana Wilson dance to Zydeco music in the college’s student center on Tuesday during a Mardi Gras celebration. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mardi Gras hits FGC

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Florida Gateway College added a pinch of cajun seasoning to campus Tuesday morning when the college held a Mardi Gras event to celebrate Fat Tuesday.
Dennis Rivera resigned his seat on the Fort White Town Council amid concerns about the town’s appointment process. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dennis Rivera resigned his seat on the Fort White Town Council amid concerns about the town’s appointment process. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White’s new councilor resigns

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
FORT WHITE — Fort White’s newest councilor is no longer part of the town council. At a special town council meeting Monday night in front of a standing-room only crowd at town hall, Dennis Rivera resigned as the District 2 councilor. Rivera was just appointed at the town’s February meeting.
Andrew Kalel, a government affairs consultant at Sunrise Consulting Group, speaks to the Lake City Council about becoming the city’s state lobbyist. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Andrew Kalel, a government affairs consultant at Sunrise Consulting Group, speaks to the Lake City Council about becoming the city’s state lobbyist. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City taps Sunrise as state lobbyist

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
The City of Lake City aims to have a helping hand in Tallahassee this year. During its meeting Monday, the Lake City Council unanimously authorized staff to negotiate with the Sunrise Consulting Group for state lobbyist services. The city’s budget doesn’t include any pay for lobbying services.

County holding RV park workshop

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
The Columbia County Commission wants additional discussion this week before proposing “significant” changes to its regulations on RV parks and campgrounds. The commission is holding a workshop at 10 a.m.

Man hit, killed after car broke down

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
A Lake City man was killed Sunday morning after his car broke down on State Road 100. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 31-year-old exited his GMC Jimmy after it broke down near the intersection with County Road 245A at at 5:20 a.m. Sunday.
Lake City police officers talk after a black Nissan Frontier pickup was pulled over Monday afternoon on County Road 252. The driver of the pickup, Joe Markham, was arrested for pulling a firearm during a road rage incident moments before on S. Main Boulevard. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City police officers talk after a black Nissan Frontier pickup was pulled over Monday afternoon on County Road 252. The driver of the pickup, Joe Markham, was arrested for pulling a firearm during a road rage incident moments before on S. Main Boulevard. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD: Fiream pulled during road rage

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Some lunchtime road rage landed a Lake City man in the Columbia County Detention Facility on Monday. Joe Markham, 65, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and improper exhibition of a firearm after reportedly pointing a firearm at another person late Monday morning.
Dakota Beichner, a senior patrol leader with Scouts Troop 85, speaks to the Lake City Council on Monday night. The troop attended the meeting as it works on its citizenship in the community merit badge. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Dakota Beichner, a senior patrol leader with Scouts Troop 85, speaks to the Lake City Council on Monday night. The troop attended the meeting as it works on its citizenship in the community merit badge. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Troop 85 observes city meeting

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Despite a small agenda, the Lake City Council still drew a packed house Monday night. The largest contingent, though, was there to learn about how government works. The Scouts Troop 85 attended the meeting as a way to work toward its citizenship in the community merit badge.