Local

The new Columbia County Fire Station 51 is expected to open in August. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The new Columbia County Fire Station 51 is expected to open in August. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Breaking ground on new station

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 28, 2025
Columbia County Fire Rescue’s busiest station is getting a new home, likely within the next six months. Columbia County Fire Station 51, on NW Lake Jeffery Road, is getting a new hardened station. The new station is expected to open by Aug. 15, according to sign on the premises.
Students at the Columbia High School Welding Academy modified a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to allow it to serve for training on Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuvers. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

Students at the Columbia High School Welding Academy modified a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office vehicle to allow it to serve for training on Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuvers. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

Training vehicle ‘welds’ students, CCSO together

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 28, 2025
When the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office talked about utilizing one of its older Ford Explorers for PIT training, Sgt. Tim Ball thought it was a perfect opportunity to partner with the Columbia County School District.

Teenage girl’s body found along roadway

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 28, 2025
A dead teenage girl’s body was found in western Columbia County on Thursday morning. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is still awaiting results of an autopsy at the Medical Examiner’s Office in Jacksonville to determine cause of death.

Lake City woman killed in SR47 crash

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 28, 2025
FORT WHITE — A Lake City woman was killed Thursday morning when she pulled out in front of a semi truck on State Road 47. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 63-year-old Lake City woman was headed east on County Road 238 (Elim Church Road) at 6:05 a.m.

Father Kelly recalled as ‘true shepherd’

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 28, 2025
While it’s been nearly 50 years since he served Lake city and the Epiphany Catholic Parish, Father William “Bill” Kelly is still remembered as being a “true shepherd.” Kelly, who served as the pastor of St.
Rep. Jason Shoaf, listening during the Suwannee County legislative delegation hearing in February, has sponsored 12 projects worth $15.882 million for appropriations in Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette counties. (FILE)

Rep. Jason Shoaf, listening during the Suwannee County legislative delegation hearing in February, has sponsored 12 projects worth $15.882 million for appropriations in Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette counties. (FILE)

$31M for area projects requested in House

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 28, 2025
A year after nearly $7 million was allocated to Columbia County projects in the state budget, Rep. Chuck Brannan is seeking almost twice that much in appropriations for the county this session. The 60-day legislative session opens Tuesday in Tallahassee.
Members of the Lake City Fire Department push the department’s new tower truck into the Lake City Public Safety Building on Tuesday. The push-in ceremony is a traditional way to put new vehicles into service. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Members of the Lake City Fire Department push the department’s new tower truck into the Lake City Public Safety Building on Tuesday. The push-in ceremony is a traditional way to put new vehicles into service. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pushed into service: LCFD traditionally welcomes tower truck

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
A few firefighters from the Lake City Fire Department had sweat dripping from their brow on Tuesday afternoon. The cause of the sweat wasn’t the result of fighting hot flames, but rather a little physical exertion.
Golden Voice contestants Jaleiah Burch (front row, from left), Hailey Cross and Aleah Rogers; Asher Watson (back row, from left), Catherine Ward, Nolan Peloni, Micah Williams, Laila Striebel, Michael Goodbread, Damieon Jernigan stand with competition founder Ronnie Collins. Not pictured are contestants Caroline Sawyer and Elora Rodgers. (COURTESY)

Golden Voice contestants Jaleiah Burch (front row, from left), Hailey Cross and Aleah Rogers; Asher Watson (back row, from left), Catherine Ward, Nolan Peloni, Micah Williams, Laila Striebel, Michael Goodbread, Damieon Jernigan stand with competition founder Ronnie Collins. Not pictured are contestants Caroline Sawyer and Elora Rodgers. (COURTESY)

12 CHS students vying for ‘Golden Voice’ title

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The founder of one of Columbia High School’s most popular singing competitions is introducing a new vocal contest that will take place in a few days. Ronnie Collins, who was the founder of Columbia’s Top Talent, which ran for two decades, has now launched The Golden Voice competition.
Benjamin Ragland will be doing an encore presentation of Van Gogh, ‘Vincent: The World was Never Meant for a Soul as Beautiful as You,’ on Saturday at the Gateway Art Gallery. (COURTESY)

Benjamin Ragland will be doing an encore presentation of Van Gogh, ‘Vincent: The World was Never Meant for a Soul as Beautiful as You,’ on Saturday at the Gateway Art Gallery. (COURTESY)

Gallery hosting encore Van Gogh show

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The Gateway Art Gallery’s Van Gogh production earlier this year was so popular, it is returning this weekend. An encore presentation from Benjamin Ragland will take place Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at the Gallery, 168 N. Marion Avenue in downtown Lake City.