Local

Ted McRae received the Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He was also inducted into the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association Hall of Fame last year. (COURTESY)

Ted McRae received the Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He was also inducted into the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association Hall of Fame last year. (COURTESY)

McRae built roads, but also support for others

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 23, 2025
A “builder of roads,” Terrell “Ted” McRae was also known for building relationships and supporting the community. McRae, the long-time president of Anderson Columbia and Columbia Paving before that, passed away Sunday. He was 89.
Columbia County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy said the joint stakeholder meeting was important to get everybody on the same page as far as plans on utility and infrastructure projects. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy said the joint stakeholder meeting was important to get everybody on the same page as far as plans on utility and infrastructure projects. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Infrastructure projects focus of joint meeting

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 23, 2025
Local government entities gathered on the Florida Gateway College campus Thursday afternoon to discuss their various projects already in progress and how they could be affected by the newly formed North Florida Water Utility Authority.

Wright returning for 100 Men of God program

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 23, 2025
A Columbia County native is returning home to serve as the guest speaker of a special service at the New Mt. Pisgah AME Church in a few weeks. Russell Wright Sr. will be the guest speaker for the Laity of New Mount Pisgah AME Church during the church’s 100 Men of God program.
Tractor Supply Company opened a second Lake City location on Duval Street on the eastern side of the city last fall. Another store is now planned for the Interstate 75 and State Road 47 interchange. (FILE)

Tractor Supply Company opened a second Lake City location on Duval Street on the eastern side of the city last fall. Another store is now planned for the Interstate 75 and State Road 47 interchange. (FILE)

Tractor Supply planned for 47/75

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 23, 2025
Another Tractor Supply is planning to move into Columbia County. The county’s Planning and Zoning Board approved a site plan application for HSC Lake City South at its meeting Thursday night for a Tractor Supply Company site just north of the Interstate 75 and State Road 47 interchange.
Eastside Elementary School faculty and staff members stand along SE Beech Street on Friday afternoon with signs, as students head home for summer vacation. Eastside Elementary School completed its last day of classes on Friday in the building that was opened in 1959. The building will will be demolished in a few weeks, making way for a new Eastside Elementary School. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Eastside Elementary School faculty and staff members stand along SE Beech Street on Friday afternoon with signs, as students head home for summer vacation. Eastside Elementary School completed its last day of classes on Friday in the building that was opened in 1959. The building will will be demolished in a few weeks, making way for a new Eastside Elementary School. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Faculty, students say goodbye to Eastside

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 23, 2025
The current Eastside Elementary School building held its final day of classes Friday, closing out the 2024-25 school year. The building, which originally opened in 1959, will be demolished in the coming weeks as the school district will have a new school building constructed on the property.
Bellamy the Beaver hosted a water celebration at Ichetucknee Springs State Park recently where students conservation and hands-on science. (COURTESY)

Bellamy the Beaver hosted a water celebration at Ichetucknee Springs State Park recently where students conservation and hands-on science. (COURTESY)

Bellamy’s water celebration brings science, sunshine to Ichetucknee

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 23, 2025
Staff report Excited students from area schools recently gathered at Ichetucknee Springs State Park for Bellamy’s Water Celebration, a lively outdoor event focused on water education, conservation, and hands-on science.

Calvary Baptist hosting community fun day

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 23, 2025
A local church is set to host a day of merriment for area residents. Calvary Baptist Church, located at 776 NW County Road 25A in Lake City, will put on its Community Fun Day on Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The theme for the event will be “The Joy of The Lord.
Columbia County Sheriff Wallace Kitchings gives remarks during Tuesday’s ceremony honoring local first responders at the county’s annual Public Safety Memorial. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Sheriff Wallace Kitchings gives remarks during Tuesday’s ceremony honoring local first responders at the county’s annual Public Safety Memorial. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

First responders mourn, pray for past service members

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
More than 100 people gathered in the Parkview Baptist Church sanctuary Tuesday evening to celebrate the legacy, mourn the loss and pray for the health of local first responders during the county’s annual Public Safety Memorial.
Cattelane (from left), Chowdhury and O'Brien

Cattelane (from left), Chowdhury and O'Brien

Columbia Class of 2025 noted for its resiliency

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
The final chapter in the high school academic book of more than 400 students will come an end this weekend during the Columbia High School graduation. The CHS commencement will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday at Tiger Stadium, 469 SW Fighting Drive in Lake City.