Local

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said the strategic plan from Serafin would be great for the city. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said the strategic plan from Serafin would be great for the city. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City moves ahead with strategic planning consultant

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
The City of Lake City will have outside help in its continuing growth moving forward. During Tuesday’s Lake City Council meeting, councilors had the opportunity to hear from Colleen Dudgeon, a media specialist with Serafin and Associates, Inc.

County expects ‘exciting’ year for development

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
If the beginning of January is any indication, 2025 should be a busy year for Columbia County’s economic development department. Jennifer Daniels, the county’s economic development director, said she was busier the first two weeks of the year than she has been in awhile.
Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young, in response to Councilman James Carter, said the city’s investment into the Emergency Home Repair Program is a way of putting taxpayer funds back into the community. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young, in response to Councilman James Carter, said the city’s investment into the Emergency Home Repair Program is a way of putting taxpayer funds back into the community. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council bickers over housing assistance

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
A past Lake City Council decision to help repair homes turned into new disagreements Tuesday.

Simon, Shoaf holding local hearings

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
State legislators are set to hear from local officials and residents in Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette counties next week. Sen. Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) and Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St.
Advanced Project Solutions is clearing 22 acres at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park for AgroLiquid, the first tenant at the park east of Lake City. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Advanced Project Solutions is clearing 22 acres at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park for AgroLiquid, the first tenant at the park east of Lake City. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Making room at the Megasite

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
The North Florida Mega Industrial Park is being prepped for its first tenant. Crews from Advanced Project Solutions, a High Springs company, began doing land clearing work at the site east of Lake City two weeks ago.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on Monday. One of the executive orders Trump signed either commuted the sentences or pardoned those involved with the Jan. 6, 2021, events at the Capitol. (JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House on Monday. One of the executive orders Trump signed either commuted the sentences or pardoned those involved with the Jan. 6, 2021, events at the Capitol. (JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Meggs freed by Trump order

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
The former general manager of a Lake City car dealership was freed from federal prison Monday following an executive order from President Donald Trump.
Rev. Jon A. Ingraham, pastor of New Mt. Pisgah AME Church, leads a prayer during the MLK service on Monday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rev. Jon A. Ingraham, pastor of New Mt. Pisgah AME Church, leads a prayer during the MLK service on Monday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Annual MLK Day church service warms hearts

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Erring on the side of caution, the Northeast Florida Leadership Council canceled its annual MLK Day Parade as a precautionary measure from forecasted frigid conditions.
A group of local residents, pictured, braved freezing temperatures on Monday morning and held their own 1.5 mile from the Richardson Community Center to Annie Mattox Park after organizers canceled the MLK Day Parade. Many of the walkers said they felt the parade and King’s legacy was too important to forgo the event due to weather conditions. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A group of local residents, pictured, braved freezing temperatures on Monday morning and held their own 1.5 mile from the Richardson Community Center to Annie Mattox Park after organizers canceled the MLK Day Parade. Many of the walkers said they felt the parade and King’s legacy was too important to forgo the event due to weather conditions. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Marching to honor MLK

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Dressed in overcoats, scarves, gloves and other winter attire, a group of area residents decided to have their own march in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. after Monday’s parade was canceled due to forecasted icy conditions. A group of about 10 people began their trek around 10:30 a.m.
Members of the Annie Mattox Park board cut the ribbon during a grand opening for the Annie Mattox Park pavilion on Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Members of the Annie Mattox Park board cut the ribbon during a grand opening for the Annie Mattox Park pavilion on Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Annie Mattox Park celebrates new addition

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
From detailing the history of Annie Mattox Park to honoring current and past board members, Monday proved to be a historic day in the park’s history, with a ribbon cutting and grand opening for the park’s new pavilion.
The Columbia County Schools, as well as the other districts in North Florida, have canceled schools for Wednesday due to the expected winter weather. (FILE)

The Columbia County Schools, as well as the other districts in North Florida, have canceled schools for Wednesday due to the expected winter weather. (FILE)

Schools closed Wednesday due to expected winter weather

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Schools around North Florida have canceled classes for Wednesday due to the forecast of winter weather. Both Columbia County Schools and the Suwannee County School District announced Tuesday morning that it would be closing schools and offices on Wednesday.