Local

Jeffery Bell Jr. was sentenced to life in prison Monday after being convicted last week of first degree murder. (FILE)

Jeffery Bell Jr. was sentenced to life in prison Monday after being convicted last week of first degree murder. (FILE)

Bell sentenced to life for forest murder

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 7, 2026
A Lake City man will spend the rest of his life in prison for a 2023 murder.Less than a week after being convicted of first degree murder in the 2023 killing of Shawn Waldron, whose body was burned and left in the Osceola National Forest, Jeffery Bell Jr.
Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young said the sports and tutoring offered at Annie Mattox Park were important to fund. (FILE)

Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young said the sports and tutoring offered at Annie Mattox Park were important to fund. (FILE)

City compromises on rec program funding

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, August 7, 2026
A pair of budget requests for fiscal year 2027 nearly had the Lake City Council in fits over the course of two workshops.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Regional Director Chris Wynn thanked the Columbia County Commission on Thursday for the county’s help in getting the Osceola Shooting Range ready to reopen. It opened again Friday following a wildfire in the forest in April. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Regional Director Chris Wynn thanked the Columbia County Commission on Thursday for the county’s help in getting the Osceola Shooting Range ready to reopen. It opened again Friday following a wildfire in the forest in April. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Gun range reopens with staff on hand

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 7, 2026
The Osceola Shooting Range is back open.Closed for more than three months after a wildfire in the Osceola National Forest near the gun range on the northeast side of Lake City, the range reopened Friday morning.
Tomi Brown, Columbia County’s Supervisor of Elections, said she doesn’t expect a huge turnout for early voting based on past election cycles. (FILE)

Tomi Brown, Columbia County’s Supervisor of Elections, said she doesn’t expect a huge turnout for early voting based on past election cycles. (FILE)

Turnout expected to be light for early voting

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 7, 2026
Early voting in Columbia County began this morning and will continue throughout the week as local voters take advantage of the opportunity to cast ballots in the primary election.County residents can cast their early voting ballots from Saturday, Aug. 8-Saturday, Aug.

Lake City man arrested after exposing himself twice

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 7, 2026
A Lake City man was arrested Thursday after offering some unwanted views to women at a pair of stores.According to a Lake City Police Department release, 69-year-old Clarence Hall exposed himself to a woman outside Publix around 8:30 a.m. Thursday but officers could not locate him.
A child laughs while dancing at the inaugural Laced Up for Love Sneaker Ball last year. (COURTESY)

A child laughs while dancing at the inaugural Laced Up for Love Sneaker Ball last year. (COURTESY)

Catholic Charities ‘lacing up’ for love again

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 7, 2026
The opportunity to generate funds during an evening of dinner, dancing and, potentially, eating ice cream and cupcakes will take place in the near future when Catholic Charities Lake City and the Florida Gateway Food Bank hosts its second Laced Up for Love Sneaker Ball.
Lawrence Davis is pictured at a previous political forum at Richardson Community Center. Davis helped organize a candidate forum Monday at Richardson that will have at least a dozen local candidates answering questions. (FILE)

Lawrence Davis is pictured at a previous political forum at Richardson Community Center. Davis helped organize a candidate forum Monday at Richardson that will have at least a dozen local candidates answering questions. (FILE)

Dozen candidates expected at Richardson forum

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
At least a dozen local political candidates will speak to local voters next week during a political forum at the Richardson Community Center. The candidate forum will take place Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Richardson Community Center gymnasium, 255 NE Coach Anders Lane, in Lake City.
The Lake City Police Department won first place in Category 4 of the 2025 Florida Law Enforcement Liaison Traffic Safety Challenge. (COURTESY)

The Lake City Police Department won first place in Category 4 of the 2025 Florida Law Enforcement Liaison Traffic Safety Challenge. (COURTESY)

LCPD wins traffic safety challenge

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
The Lake City Police Department is the best in the state at trying to reduce traffic crashes.
Livia Hubler works hard to check the hems on the bottom of her pajama pants. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Livia Hubler works hard to check the hems on the bottom of her pajama pants. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Pajamas camp wraps youth in comfort, creativity

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
By Heather FutchUF/IFAS Extension Columbia County Extension Director/4-H AgentColumbia County 4-H combined cozy fun with practical life skills during its Pajamas & Popcorn Day Camp, held July 23-24.
Lilly Miles, 6, gets a face frame and trim from local barber Tyrone Mullins during the Community Barbers Back-to-School Bash at the Richardson Community Center on Sunday. More than 1,000 people attended the event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lilly Miles, 6, gets a face frame and trim from local barber Tyrone Mullins during the Community Barbers Back-to-School Bash at the Richardson Community Center on Sunday. More than 1,000 people attended the event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Stocking up for school

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
A week before local youngsters return to school, a contingent of vendors led by local barbers sent them off with a positive start.More than 1,000 people attended the Community Barbers Back-to-School Bash at the Richardson Community Center on Sunday.