Local

Man arrested for made-up kidnapping

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
A homeless Lake City man was arrested Sunday morning after reporting a made-up kidnapping. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers responded to the Gateway Laundromat on U.S. Highway 90 West around 9:30 a.m. Sunday as a robbery and abduction was reported to be in progress.

Two shot at Lake City block party

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Two people were shot early Saturday morning during a block party on the northwest side of Lake City. Lake City police officers were dispatched around 1:24 a.m. Saturday to 698 NW Mississippi Way in reference to a report of a person shot, according to a Lake City Police Department release.
The Lake City Council is set to host a workshop next week on the future of the Club House on Lake Isabella. City Manager Don Rosenthal recommended demolishing the unstable building. (FILE)

The Lake City Council is set to host a workshop next week on the future of the Club House on Lake Isabella. City Manager Don Rosenthal recommended demolishing the unstable building. (FILE)

Club House in the balance

TONY BRITT
Thursday, July 3, 2025
The fate of a building that has served the community in a variety of capacities for decades could be determined during a Lake City Council workshop next week.
Volunteers raise the American flag outside of Haven Hospice. (COURTESY)

Volunteers raise the American flag outside of Haven Hospice. (COURTESY)

Volunteers bring honor, comfort to veterans at Haven Hospice

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 3, 2025
A special group of volunteers meets just about every Thursday at the Haven Hospice Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City. Over donuts and coffee, they catch up and discuss plans for the upcoming day.
Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said the county has ‘kind of outgrown’ the Southside Sports Complex as the county pursues developing a new 500-acre facility. (FILE)

Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said the county has ‘kind of outgrown’ the Southside Sports Complex as the county pursues developing a new 500-acre facility. (FILE)

County aiming to build new sports complex

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Columbia County is looking to a local firm to help engineer and design the first phase of the 500-acre flat field facility.

First Federal Foundation grant offers free tax help

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 3, 2025
A grant from the First Federal Bank Foundation will allow Suwannee Valley area residents to continue receiving free tax assistance. Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a program offered by a partnership between UF/IFAS and the United Way of Suwannee Valley.
Haiden Marton (left) and Bailee-Jo Ambrose examine flowers they’ll be using to do flower pressing. (COURTESY)

Haiden Marton (left) and Bailee-Jo Ambrose examine flowers they’ll be using to do flower pressing. (COURTESY)

Columbia County 4-H engages youth with magical camp

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 3, 2025
By Heather Futch UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension Columbia County 4-H once again transported local youth into a magical realm of learning during its second “Year 2: Try Training Tournament – Connect, Communicate, Compete” summer camp.
Earnest Burch waved down festival-goers with his Old Glory cape at the 2019 Independence Day event at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. (FILE)

Earnest Burch waved down festival-goers with his Old Glory cape at the 2019 Independence Day event at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. (FILE)

Local groups unveiling larger July 4th celebration

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
An antique car show, watermelon and hot dog eating contests, live entertainment and of course, fireworks, are all elements of a huge birthday party later this week. The birthday celebration is for America as the nation celebrates its 249th birthday on July 4.