Local

Lynn Branscome, TownePlace Suites general manager, adjusts icons on the visitors to Lake City map in the hotel’s lobby. The hotel opened just a few weeks ago at the U.S. Highway 90 and Interstate 75 interchange. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lynn Branscome, TownePlace Suites general manager, adjusts icons on the visitors to Lake City map in the hotel’s lobby. The hotel opened just a few weeks ago at the U.S. Highway 90 and Interstate 75 interchange. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

TownePlace making its mark

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 24, 2025
Visitors to Lake City now have a new hotel to accommodate their extended stay needs with the recent opening of the TownPlace Suites by Marriott. TownPlace Suites by Marriott, 178 NW Commerce Drive, opened Jan. 9 and the owner and staff are working toward a March 18 ribbon cutting ceremony.
Superintendent Keith Couey discusses the new zoning proposal at a town hall meeting Tuesday at Five Points Elementary. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Superintendent Keith Couey discusses the new zoning proposal at a town hall meeting Tuesday at Five Points Elementary. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New elementary school zones planned

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 24, 2025
The Columbia County School District has unveiled a plan to rezone its school district, as a result of new schools coming on line and the future closure of two schools.
Sick Week, a week-long drag and drive event sponsored by Sick the Mag, will take part in South Georgia and Florida next week. The 400-plus racers will have a checkpoint in Lake City on Friday. (COURTESY SICK THE MAGAZINE)

Sick Week, a week-long drag and drive event sponsored by Sick the Mag, will take part in South Georgia and Florida next week. The 400-plus racers will have a checkpoint in Lake City on Friday. (COURTESY SICK THE MAGAZINE)

Sick Week making pitstop in Lake City

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 24, 2025
Downtown Lake City will be getting some “sick” visitors next week. More than 400 street-legal drag racers will pull into downtown Lake City on Friday for the final checkpoint as part of Sick Week 2025 presented by Overdrive Gear Vendors, a week-long drag and drive event put on by Sick the Magazine.
Lake Shore Hospital Authorit’s Physical Therapy building, which could be the site of a primary care clinic operated by Palms Medical Group. The LSHA board is hoping to make a decision on the PT building’s fate, and other campus assets, at a special meeting Monday. (FILE)

Lake Shore Hospital Authorit’s Physical Therapy building, which could be the site of a primary care clinic operated by Palms Medical Group. The LSHA board is hoping to make a decision on the PT building’s fate, and other campus assets, at a special meeting Monday. (FILE)

LSHA looks to decide buildings’ fates

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, January 24, 2025
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is preparing for a fire sale of sorts. Whether or not the City of Lake City will help out is still another question. At Monday’s 5:15 p.m.

FGC enrollment rises 16% from last spring semester

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 24, 2025
Florida Gateway College is growing. Enrollment for the college’s spring term is up 16% from last year’s spring semester. Since rebounding from the worldwide enrollment slump caused by the covid-19 pandemic, FGC has continued its upward trend in both credit hours taken and student headcount.
Columbia County Superintendent Keith Couey discusses the closure of Five Points Elementary School and the new proposed zoning for elementary school students with parents and community members Tuesday at a town hall meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Superintendent Keith Couey discusses the closure of Five Points Elementary School and the new proposed zoning for elementary school students with parents and community members Tuesday at a town hall meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CCS lays out closing of Five Points, new zoning at town hall

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
The imminent closing of Five Points Elementary and where those students would head beginning next year were the main topics of conversation at a town hall meeting Tuesday.
Snow fell in Hamilton County, including Jasper, during the winter storm Tuesday night. (JASON WILKINSON/Lake City Reporter)

Snow fell in Hamilton County, including Jasper, during the winter storm Tuesday night. (JASON WILKINSON/Lake City Reporter)

Winter storm brings little to no snow

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
While snow blanketed a large swath of the Southeast, including North Florida, it appears the majority of Columbia County was not a recipient of the recent snow dusting.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said the strategic plan from Serafin would be great for the city. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said the strategic plan from Serafin would be great for the city. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City moves ahead with strategic planning consultant

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
The City of Lake City will have outside help in its continuing growth moving forward. During Tuesday’s Lake City Council meeting, councilors had the opportunity to hear from Colleen Dudgeon, a media specialist with Serafin and Associates, Inc.

County expects ‘exciting’ year for development

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
If the beginning of January is any indication, 2025 should be a busy year for Columbia County’s economic development department. Jennifer Daniels, the county’s economic development director, said she was busier the first two weeks of the year than she has been in awhile.
Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young, in response to Councilman James Carter, said the city’s investment into the Emergency Home Repair Program is a way of putting taxpayer funds back into the community. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young, in response to Councilman James Carter, said the city’s investment into the Emergency Home Repair Program is a way of putting taxpayer funds back into the community. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council bickers over housing assistance

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
A past Lake City Council decision to help repair homes turned into new disagreements Tuesday.