Local

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said there are currently five development projects underway in the county, totaling more than $120 million in capital investment. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said there are currently five development projects underway in the county, totaling more than $120 million in capital investment. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

$120M in development underway

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
During a recent drive around Columbia County, even Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels was a bit surprised what she saw.
Blue Grey Army Commanding General Tony Buzzella and Executive Director Faye Bowling Warren enjoy a break at the Olustee Festival sponsor reception. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Blue Grey Army Commanding General Tony Buzzella and Executive Director Faye Bowling Warren enjoy a break at the Olustee Festival sponsor reception. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Olustee Festival shoots off Friday, Saturday

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
The 46th annual Olustee Festival is just a day away and local festival organizers are making the final administrative steps toward hosting a successful festival.
Haymar Group’s Dylan Adams said the Ava Crest duplex project would provide ‘affordable places to live, for the workforce’ in Columbia County. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Haymar Group’s Dylan Adams said the Ava Crest duplex project would provide ‘affordable places to live, for the workforce’ in Columbia County. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Duplex proposal receives incentive

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
A tax rebate may be coming for one proposed Columbia County housing development. A second, though, will have to wait.

Emaciated, dead dogs lead to arrest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
ELLISVILLE — A Columbia County man was arrested Tuesday after two dead dogs and a badly malnourished dog were found locked or chained up at his property. Alan Price, 37, was charged with three counts of aggravated animal cruelty and three counts of abandoning an animal to die.
Suwannee County Deputy Justin Dalton, shot and injured in a chase of a murder suspect Friday morning, shakes hands with Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young. Young and Suwannee County legislators, Sen. Corey Simon and Rep. Jason Shoaf, honored Dalton on Monday with a state flag that flew over the Florida Capitol on Friday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Deputy Justin Dalton, shot and injured in a chase of a murder suspect Friday morning, shakes hands with Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young. Young and Suwannee County legislators, Sen. Corey Simon and Rep. Jason Shoaf, honored Dalton on Monday with a state flag that flew over the Florida Capitol on Friday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Honoring Deputy Dalton

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
LIVE OAK — Surrounded by family and fellow law enforcement officers, Suwannee County Deputy Justin Dalton was a guest of honor at Monday’s Suwannee County delegation hearing. Before Sen. Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) and Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman asked the Lake Shore Hospital Authority to also consider providing vacant lots to the county in the future for a ‘great public purpose campus.’ (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman asked the Lake Shore Hospital Authority to also consider providing vacant lots to the county in the future for a ‘great public purpose campus.’ (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Authority backs FGC, county property split

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Columbia County and Florida Gateway College are both in position to get what they want from the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. The biggest hurdle to that path will come next month. The college and the county met with each other back on Jan.
Columbia County Health Department Administrator Diana Duque talks to the Lake Shore Hospital Authority about the health department operating a primary care clinic in Lake City and Fort White. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Health Department Administrator Diana Duque talks to the Lake Shore Hospital Authority about the health department operating a primary care clinic in Lake City and Fort White. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Health department makes pitch to LSHA

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority heard Monday about the opportunity to bring in some local and state help to potentially occupy a different space on the downtown hospital campus.
Helena Powers celebrated her 109th birthday this weekend with a party with friends and family. Pictured with Powers during the celebration are Madeleine Johnson (bottom row, from left) and Claire Walsh; Everett Johnson (middle row, from left), Powers, Carson Powers and Allison Powers; and Jessica Johnson (back row, from  left), Frank Powers, Aspen Powers and John Walsh. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Helena Powers celebrated her 109th birthday this weekend with a party with friends and family. Pictured with Powers during the celebration are Madeleine Johnson (bottom row, from left) and Claire Walsh; Everett Johnson (middle row, from left), Powers, Carson Powers and Allison Powers; and Jessica Johnson (back row, from  left), Frank Powers, Aspen Powers and John Walsh. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Celebrating a century...and more

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Courtesy Sunday marked a monumental celebration for Helena Powers. The remarkable Lake City woman celebrated her 109th birthday. Born on Feb. 9, 1916, Powers has witnessed more than a century of change, progress, and history.
Lake City firefighter Christina Munro (left) flashes a big grin as she and Dustin Alford look over the fire department’s newest engine on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City firefighter Christina Munro (left) flashes a big grin as she and Dustin Alford look over the fire department’s newest engine on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCFD’s new truck

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 7, 2025
The Lake City Fire Department took ownership of its newest firefighting equipment on Thursday afternoon in a move that generated giddiness, wonder, astonishment and pride among local firefighters. The department’s newest fire engine arrived at the station around 3:30 p.m.