Local

Kim Goldsmith (holding award) and Michelle Moore (to her left) show off the Columbia County Tourist Development Council’s Adrian Award received last year. The TDC received another award this year in the international sales and marketing contest with more than 800 entries alongside other officials. (FILE)

Kim Goldsmith (holding award) and Michelle Moore (to her left) show off the Columbia County Tourist Development Council’s Adrian Award received last year. The TDC received another award this year in the international sales and marketing contest with more than 800 entries alongside other officials. (FILE)

Columbia TDC receives second straight Adrian

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 7, 2025
Columbia County’s new tourism brand continues to garner attention and awards.

City hosting planning session

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 7, 2025
The Lake City Council will look to the future Monday in a special meeting. The meeting, which will begin at 6 p.m. at Lake City Hall, 205 N.
The 31st annual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo will take place Friday through Sunday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The 31st annual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo will take place Friday through Sunday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

31st annual Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo starts Friday

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
From menial tasks to using heavy equipment, preparation work is taking place at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena as the rodeo comes to town this weekend.

Home invader shot, killed

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
A home invasion suspect was shot and killed Tuesday night by an occupant in the dwelling he broke into, according to the Lake City Police Department. Authorities are withholding the identity of the 31-year-old man who was killed in the attempted home invasion.
Bobby Payne, a consultant for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, urged the board to set goals and timelines as a ‘road map’ for its development. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Bobby Payne, a consultant for the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, urged the board to set goals and timelines as a ‘road map’ for its development. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Utility authority sets ‘aggressive’ goals for hiring, full operations

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
LIVE OAK — Urged by its consultant to set goals and milestones, the North Florida Water Utilities Authority wasted no time to do that Wednesday.
Land in northern Columbia County was purchased through the Florida Forever program to help with wildlife conservation. The 1,620-acre property will be managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (COURTESY)

Land in northern Columbia County was purchased through the Florida Forever program to help with wildlife conservation. The 1,620-acre property will be managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (COURTESY)

1,620 acres purchased for conservation

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
More than 1,600 acres in northern Columbia County has been bought for wildlife conservation.
Fourth-grade winners in the Florida 4-H Public Speaking County Contest were Leo Lisius (from left), Violet Beamsley, Lexi Huffman, Charlie Stermer and Evalinah Miller. (COURTESY)

Fourth-grade winners in the Florida 4-H Public Speaking County Contest were Leo Lisius (from left), Violet Beamsley, Lexi Huffman, Charlie Stermer and Evalinah Miller. (COURTESY)

Youth orators shine in county 4-H public speaking contest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
By HEATHER FUTCH Columbia County Extension The stage was set, the speeches prepared and young voices filled the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium as students from across Columbia County competed in the Florida 4-H Public Speaking County Contest.
The Lake City Police Department is hosting its first Farm Share food distribution of the year Saturday. (COURTESY)

The Lake City Police Department is hosting its first Farm Share food distribution of the year Saturday. (COURTESY)

LCPD hosting food distribution

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Local residents will have the opportunity to get some free food this weekend when the Lake City Police Department hosts its first Farm Share event of the year. The commodity distribution will take place 8 a.m. Saturday at the gravel parking lot across from the Lake City Public Safety Building.