Local

The Lake City Humane Society currently is at capacity and not accepting new animals. But the agency is also working on solutions to alleviate that problem, including opening a new meet and greet area for adopted dogs. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

The Lake City Humane Society currently is at capacity and not accepting new animals. But the agency is also working on solutions to alleviate that problem, including opening a new meet and greet area for adopted dogs. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

No room at Humane Society

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
The Lake City Humane Society is trying to make headway in adopting out sheltered animals through different initiatives and organizational moves. But Director Elizabeth Halloran says the LCHS still remains at capacity. “We almost really sit at capacity all the time,” Halloran said.
A pair of alligator trappers wrangle a gator on the banks of Lake DeSoto on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

A pair of alligator trappers wrangle a gator on the banks of Lake DeSoto on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

Gators pulled out of Lake DeSoto

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Less than five hours after the City of Lake City issued a public warning on Wednesday morning regarding a nuisance alligator spotted at Lake DeSoto, an alligator trapper was able to capture two of the reptiles from the downtown lake.
Columbia High Principal Trey Hosford (second from left), the school’s mascot and Student Government Director Tia Gainey accept the Florida Department of Transportation District 2 Battle of the Belts championship belt. (COURTESY)

Columbia High Principal Trey Hosford (second from left), the school’s mascot and Student Government Director Tia Gainey accept the Florida Department of Transportation District 2 Battle of the Belts championship belt. (COURTESY)

CHS wins its first Battle of the Belts title

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Columbia High are the Battle of the Belts winner for the first time and have the championship hardware to prove it.
The Columbia County School District received national recognition for its ‘customization bars,’ which allow students to build their own lunches. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHOOLS)

The Columbia County School District received national recognition for its ‘customization bars,’ which allow students to build their own lunches. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHOOLS)

District honored for school lunch makeover

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
The Columbia County School District is being honored at a national level. The school district is now just the third in the state of Florida to receive recognition from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative for innovative school lunch makeovers.

County, city teaming on water at Mega Site

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Columbia County is looking to the City of Lake City opening up the spigot to water at the North Florida Mega Industrial park. The Columbia County Commission will consider approving an interlocal agreement with the city at its 9:30 a.m.

Guardrail work closing I-75 ramp Thursday night

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
The ramp leading from Interstate 75 north to Interstate 10 west will be closed Thursday night. According to the Florida Department of Transporation, the ramp will close at 9 p.m. Thursday night and will reopen at 3 p.m.

Day of Prayer event set for Thursday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Local pastors and officials will gather Thursday for the Columbia County observance of the National Day of Prayer. The local gathering will be held at downtown Olustee Park at noon Thursday, which marks the 74th annual National Day of Prayer.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus received lower scores from the county commissioners on his evaluation this year than in previous years. (FILE)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus received lower scores from the county commissioners on his evaluation this year than in previous years. (FILE)

Kraus receives lower marks

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
David Kraus is doing a “satisfactory” to “superior” job as Columbia County Manager according to the County Commission.

Cops: Rehab center employee stole from resident

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
A former receptionist at a Lake City skilled nursing facility was arrested Sunday for stealing from a resident. Chelsea Hester, 29, was arrested Sunday in Suwannee County on a warrant following a Lake City Police Department investigation.