Local

A rendering shows the city’s proposed changes to Youngs Park and Memorial Stadium. The plan calls for nearly $3.5 million in improvements over multiple phases. (COURTESY)

A rendering shows the city’s proposed changes to Youngs Park and Memorial Stadium. The plan calls for nearly $3.5 million in improvements over multiple phases. (COURTESY)

Park, stadium upgrades scrutinized

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 14, 2025
The new vision for Youngs Park and Memorial Stadium came with just a few minor concerns from a Lake City Planning and Zoning Board member.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker (right) gives a speech next to Tony Buzzella to open the 46th annual Olustee Festival. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker (right) gives a speech next to Tony Buzzella to open the 46th annual Olustee Festival. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Olustee Festival kicks off with ‘nice, big crowds’

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 14, 2025
The sounds of an annual festival swept through downtown Lake City Friday in the latest chapter of an old tradition. Entertainment, food, arts and crafts drew thousands of people to Wilson Park as the 46th annual Olustee Festival kicked off.
James Crenshaw, general manager at Phish Tales, said it’s a great honor for the Lake City bar and grill to be selected for an episode of America’s Best Restaurants. Filming for the show occurred Tuesday at the local spot. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

James Crenshaw, general manager at Phish Tales, said it’s a great honor for the Lake City bar and grill to be selected for an episode of America’s Best Restaurants. Filming for the show occurred Tuesday at the local spot. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Phish Tales selected for America’s Best Restaurants

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
There’s nothing ‘phishy’ about one of Lake City’s most iconic restaurants getting another episode on national TV. Phish Tales, located at 1445 SW Main Blvd.
Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said there are currently five development projects underway in the county, totaling more than $120 million in capital investment. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said there are currently five development projects underway in the county, totaling more than $120 million in capital investment. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

$120M in development underway

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
During a recent drive around Columbia County, even Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels was a bit surprised what she saw.
Blue Grey Army Commanding General Tony Buzzella and Executive Director Faye Bowling Warren enjoy a break at the Olustee Festival sponsor reception. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Blue Grey Army Commanding General Tony Buzzella and Executive Director Faye Bowling Warren enjoy a break at the Olustee Festival sponsor reception. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Olustee Festival shoots off Friday, Saturday

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
The 46th annual Olustee Festival is just a day away and local festival organizers are making the final administrative steps toward hosting a successful festival.
Haymar Group’s Dylan Adams said the Ava Crest duplex project would provide ‘affordable places to live, for the workforce’ in Columbia County. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Haymar Group’s Dylan Adams said the Ava Crest duplex project would provide ‘affordable places to live, for the workforce’ in Columbia County. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Duplex proposal receives incentive

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
A tax rebate may be coming for one proposed Columbia County housing development. A second, though, will have to wait.

Emaciated, dead dogs lead to arrest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
ELLISVILLE — A Columbia County man was arrested Tuesday after two dead dogs and a badly malnourished dog were found locked or chained up at his property. Alan Price, 37, was charged with three counts of aggravated animal cruelty and three counts of abandoning an animal to die.
Suwannee County Deputy Justin Dalton, shot and injured in a chase of a murder suspect Friday morning, shakes hands with Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young. Young and Suwannee County legislators, Sen. Corey Simon and Rep. Jason Shoaf, honored Dalton on Monday with a state flag that flew over the Florida Capitol on Friday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Deputy Justin Dalton, shot and injured in a chase of a murder suspect Friday morning, shakes hands with Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young. Young and Suwannee County legislators, Sen. Corey Simon and Rep. Jason Shoaf, honored Dalton on Monday with a state flag that flew over the Florida Capitol on Friday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Honoring Deputy Dalton

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
LIVE OAK — Surrounded by family and fellow law enforcement officers, Suwannee County Deputy Justin Dalton was a guest of honor at Monday’s Suwannee County delegation hearing. Before Sen. Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) and Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman asked the Lake Shore Hospital Authority to also consider providing vacant lots to the county in the future for a ‘great public purpose campus.’ (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman asked the Lake Shore Hospital Authority to also consider providing vacant lots to the county in the future for a ‘great public purpose campus.’ (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Authority backs FGC, county property split

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Columbia County and Florida Gateway College are both in position to get what they want from the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. The biggest hurdle to that path will come next month. The college and the county met with each other back on Jan.