Local

County Manager David Kraus said the county has groups interested in leasing office space in the old Lake City Reporter building. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County Manager David Kraus said the county has groups interested in leasing office space in the old Lake City Reporter building. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County looks to solve office space puzzle

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 18, 2025
The Columbia County Commission will meet next month to discuss plans for where to locate various departments and outside agencies. At the end of the commission’s three-plus-hour meeting Thursday, County Manager David Kraus requested a workshop to discuss office space.
Austen McCook competes on the Lake City Fire Department obstacle course Friday during the inaugural Health Fest at Annie Mattox Park. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Austen McCook competes on the Lake City Fire Department obstacle course Friday during the inaugural Health Fest at Annie Mattox Park. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Children, adults enjoy inaugural Health Fest

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 18, 2025
Hundreds of kids, local business vendors and several health care professionals were able to get an early start on Easter weekend festivities by taking part in the inaugural Health Fest 2025 on Friday morning in Annie Mattox Park.
Stacy McCabe gets instructions on her backhand grip from Coach Mark Mansbach, as he teachers McCabe and other veterans the game of tennis through a local program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Stacy McCabe gets instructions on her backhand grip from Coach Mark Mansbach, as he teachers McCabe and other veterans the game of tennis through a local program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Aces for service members: Veterans receive free tennis lessons

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
A local tennis program for veterans celebrated its two-year anniversary Tuesday afternoon at Youngs Park when a handful of veterans worked on ground strokes they learned since the program’s inception.

Firefighters save injured worker from rooftop

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
The Lake City Fire Department’s newest apparatus — Tower 1, with a 100-foot ladder — pulled off the truck’s first high-rise rescue Wednesday morning, recovering an injured worker from the rooftop of a local plant.
Members of Lana Kalias teach a group of Florida Gateway College students and faculty members how to properly do a Hula dance. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Members of Lana Kalias teach a group of Florida Gateway College students and faculty members how to properly do a Hula dance. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC hosts day of exotic fun for Spring Fling Luau

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Florida Gateway College’s Pine Square closely resembled an island in the Pacific Region, with an influx of college and business representatives on Wednesday morning. There were Hula dancers, tables with local business employers and college representatives from around the area.
Ray Seals lines up for a snap against the Cincinnati Bengals as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (COURTESY)

Ray Seals lines up for a snap against the Cincinnati Bengals as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (COURTESY)

Football legend with Lake City ties passes away

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
An NFL legend with ties to Lake City has passed away unexpectedly. Ray Seals, who played five seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a defensive end before spending two seasons in Pittsburgh and one in Carolina, passed away due to a sudden illness, his family announced on April 4.

Fort White recognized as newest Main Street community

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Fort White is joining a growing list of small communities in line to receive aid from the state level. Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced Tuesday that the Town of Fort White is Florida’s newest Main Street community.
Kids race to gather Easter eggs during the Easter Extravaganza put on by The Canopy at Harper Lake on Saturday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kids race to gather Easter eggs during the Easter Extravaganza put on by The Canopy at Harper Lake on Saturday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The egg-citing hunt: Families take in Easter celebration

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
With events ranging from an Easter egg hunt, blood pressure checks, photos with the Easter Bunny and several vendors selling their wares, The Canopy at Harper Lake brought an Easter celebration to the facility for their residents.
Meridian Healthcare Chief Operating Officer Lauren Cohn addresses the Lake Shore Hospital Authority during its Monday meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Meridian Healthcare Chief Operating Officer Lauren Cohn addresses the Lake Shore Hospital Authority during its Monday meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Meridian issue tabled at Lake Shore

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Neither the Lake Shore Hospital Authority nor Meridian Healthcare took kindly to Lake City’s proposal to resolve a land dispute over the Authority’s main hospital building. It’ll be at least another month before anything gets decided.
Suwannee County Administrative Assistant Shannon Roberts speaks during a prior NFWUA meeting. (FILE)

Suwannee County Administrative Assistant Shannon Roberts speaks during a prior NFWUA meeting. (FILE)

NFWUA set to name first director

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority is poised to name its first utilities director before the end of the week. The NFWUA Board interviewed two candidates, Joe Helfenberger and Shannon Roberts, for the position on April 2 and has nearly two weeks to mull its decision.