Local

Columbia County Fire Rescue driver/engineer Lucas Harrell (from left) adds firefighting equipment to a new department truck as Columbia County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Arness Thomas overlooks the operation. Columbia County Fire Rescue could have three new trucks on the department’s front lines by the end of April. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Rescue driver/engineer Lucas Harrell (from left) adds firefighting equipment to a new department truck as Columbia County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Arness Thomas overlooks the operation. Columbia County Fire Rescue could have three new trucks on the department’s front lines by the end of April. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County fire adds two new trucks, purchases a third

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 17, 2025
Columbia County Fire Rescue is updating its fleet of fire trucks and could potentially have three new trucks running service calls by the end of April.
Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby talks to the County Commission on Thursday about the need for a $1.6 million budget amendment for the wastewater project in Ellisville involving the Florida Department of Transportation sewer plant. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby talks to the County Commission on Thursday about the need for a $1.6 million budget amendment for the wastewater project in Ellisville involving the Florida Department of Transportation sewer plant. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County, DOT reach deal on Ellisville sewer

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 17, 2025
Columbia County is forging ahead with an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation that will address wastewater capacity concerns in the Ellisville area, by utilizing an Interstate 75 rest area sewer plant.
Selena Nejal, a Jacksonville teen, won the Southside Idol competition last weekend at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

Selena Nejal, a Jacksonville teen, won the Southside Idol competition last weekend at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

Nejal wins Southside Idol

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 17, 2025
An aspiring musical artist, who loves to sing for the pleasure of singing, captured the 2025 Southside Idol title in her first competitive singing contest.
Sally Sluder, an ESE teacher at Columbia City Elementary, said the school district should listen when the teachers talk about their ‘skin in the game.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Sally Sluder, an ESE teacher at Columbia City Elementary, said the school district should listen when the teachers talk about their ‘skin in the game.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Teachers: We have ‘skin in the game;’ need more money

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Columbia County teachers spent approximately 90 minutes Tuesday night telling the Columbia County School Board about their “skin in the game.” In return, those teachers are hoping the district provides some extra money for their pocket.
Tourist Development Council Chair Tim Murphy said it was clear when the board approved providing funding for the Wilson Park amphitheater it was contingent on the City of Lake City obtaining CDBG grant funds. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tourist Development Council Chair Tim Murphy said it was clear when the board approved providing funding for the Wilson Park amphitheater it was contingent on the City of Lake City obtaining CDBG grant funds. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

TDC not releasing $150K to city yet

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Tourism dollars to help complete the Wilson Park amphitheater project are on hold until city officials secure grant funding.
Jeff Wegner (from left), a Special Olympic Athletes Coach at Lake City Christian Academy, stands with athletes Jersey, Donna and Wyatt, after a fundraising session in the Lake City Publix super market. (COURTESY)

Jeff Wegner (from left), a Special Olympic Athletes Coach at Lake City Christian Academy, stands with athletes Jersey, Donna and Wyatt, after a fundraising session in the Lake City Publix super market. (COURTESY)

Special Olympics raising funds at Publix

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
A gold medal Special Olympics athlete, who has participated in several Special Olympic games, is leading the local charge in fundraising for the organization as well.
A crowd of area business owners, residents and local supporters attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Courtyard by Marriott on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A crowd of area business owners, residents and local supporters attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Courtyard by Marriott on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Courtyard by Mariott welcomes visitors to ribbon cutting

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Roughly a month after a soft opening, the local Courtyard by Marriott held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, attracting close to 200 visitors to check-out the latest in modern hotels.
Five Points Elementary School is scheduled to close this summer after construction is finished on the new Niblack Elementary School. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Five Points Elementary School is scheduled to close this summer after construction is finished on the new Niblack Elementary School. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Five Points closing this summer

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Town hall meetings next week will provide parents an opportunity to be educated on the latest in construction of new elementary schools in Lake City and the closure of one existing school.
William ‘Bill’ Huggins, American Legion Post 57 Commander, receives mementos from James A. LaCoursiere, the national commander of the American Legion, during his visit to Post 57 on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

William ‘Bill’ Huggins, American Legion Post 57 Commander, receives mementos from James A. LaCoursiere, the national commander of the American Legion, during his visit to Post 57 on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Post 57 welcomes national visitor

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
American Legion Post 57 played host to a very distinguished guest on Monday evening, welcoming the organization’s national commander as a dinner and tour guest. James A. LaCoursiere Jr.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Attorney Todd Kennon told the LSHA board that while the city rescinded its letter regaring the zoning issue around the hospital property, it hasn’t clarified whether it rescinded its opinion that the property is non-conforming. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Attorney Todd Kennon told the LSHA board that while the city rescinded its letter regaring the zoning issue around the hospital property, it hasn’t clarified whether it rescinded its opinion that the property is non-conforming. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore confused over latest city letter

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority won’t be taking legal action against the City of Lake City, though it will begin to take legal steps to resolve zoning issues.