Local

The City of Lake City’s Community Development Agency is considering expanding its borders. The CRA originally was the light blue section in downtown Lake City. It expanded in 2011 to include the area around Lake DeSoto and is now considering expanding into the bright yellow areas. (COURTESY)

The City of Lake City’s Community Development Agency is considering expanding its borders. The CRA originally was the light blue section in downtown Lake City. It expanded in 2011 to include the area around Lake DeSoto and is now considering expanding into the bright yellow areas. (COURTESY)

City moves ahead with expanding CRA

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
The City of Lake City’s Community Redevelopment Agency is hoping to broaden its borders within Lake City. Erik Bredfeldt, the director of Economic Development and project manager at Inspire Placemaking Collective Inc.
George Hudson thanked the Lake City Council for its work on the park hours at Lake Montgomery and Campbell Park. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

George Hudson thanked the Lake City Council for its work on the park hours at Lake Montgomery and Campbell Park. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council approves park hours, extending time for pier

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Lake City could soon have uniform park hours across most city-owned properties. The Lake City Council voted unanimously at its Monday meeting to amend city ordinances pertaining to park hours, including the recently contentious issue of Lake Montgomery and adjacent Campbell Park, on first reading.
Florida Fill Grading workers work on fusing pipes together on the north side of the State Road 47 and Interstate 75 interchange Friday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Fill Grading workers work on fusing pipes together on the north side of the State Road 47 and Interstate 75 interchange Friday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Utilities extending to 47/75

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 30, 2025
Utilities will soon be available at the State Road 47 and Interstate 75 interchange. Florida Fill Grading has begun fusing together pipes on the north side of the interchange to extend wastewater services from Ring Court across SR 47.
Lake City Middle School’s Chase Bryant is pictured at the Eastern National Archers in Schools Program tournament in Kentucky in early May. Bryant qualified for the NASP World Tournament. (COURTESY)

Lake City Middle School’s Chase Bryant is pictured at the Eastern National Archers in Schools Program tournament in Kentucky in early May. Bryant qualified for the NASP World Tournament. (COURTESY)

Bryant takes aim at world tournament

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 30, 2025
Chase Bryant, a Lake City Middle School student, has proven to be a prodigy when it comes to shooting a bow and arrow. The young archer did so well in a recent national competition that he qualified to compete in the NASP World Tournament, which will take place June 5-7 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
City of Lake City employees removed the fountain of Olustee Park this week. The fountain had been leaking. It may be rebuilt at a different location. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

City of Lake City employees removed the fountain of Olustee Park this week. The fountain had been leaking. It may be rebuilt at a different location. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fountain removed from Olustee Park

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 30, 2025
Olustee Park is getting a summer makeover. City of Lake City employees removed the problematic fountain in the downtown park this week.

Hightower charged with shooting up hotel room

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 30, 2025
A Lake City man was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly shot up the inside of his hotel room on the west side of Lake City. Lake City police officers responded to the Baymont Inn and Suites on W. U.S. Highway 90 around 2:23 p.m.
Sail On, a Beach Boys tribute band, will perform at the July 4 celebration in Lake City. (COURTESY)

Sail On, a Beach Boys tribute band, will perform at the July 4 celebration in Lake City. (COURTESY)

Sail On to perform at July 4 celebration

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 30, 2025
Columbia County will be celebrating the nation’s birthday with a beach lovers dream including a concert provided by a Beach Boys tribute band.
Sara Lou Blanton (center), along with John Brown, Linda Moses and Arthur ‘Art’ Holliday, were honored at Tuesday’s Teacher of a Lifetime ceremony at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sara Lou Blanton (center), along with John Brown, Linda Moses and Arthur ‘Art’ Holliday, were honored at Tuesday’s Teacher of a Lifetime ceremony at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

School Board honors four with Teacher of a Lifetime awards

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
A who’s who of educators from the Columbia County School District over the past 40 years gathered in the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium on Tuesday night as the district added four more educators into its Teacher of a Lifetime program.
Columbia County Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator Staz Guntek speaks during Wednesday’s TDC meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator Staz Guntek speaks during Wednesday’s TDC meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

TDC future remains ‘in flux’

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
The future of Tourist Development Councils remain “in flux” as the Florida legislature waits to resume budget talks.