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North Florida Water Utilities Authority board member Steven Dicks said the group needs to start reaching out to small governments about how it can help with utilities since the proposed property tax cut could limit budgets for those entities. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

North Florida Water Utilities Authority board member Steven Dicks said the group needs to start reaching out to small governments about how it can help with utilities since the proposed property tax cut could limit budgets for those entities. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Property tax cut a ‘golden opportunity’ for utility group

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
The property tax referendum in front of Florida voters this fall may turn out to be a boost to the North Florida Water Utilities Authority.At least one NFWUA board member thinks so.
Mayla Beaty (left), the incoming president of Filipino-American Cultural Society of Lake City, stands with the Peter Howell as he prepares to cut the roasted pig during the Philippine Independence Day celebration at Quail Heights Country Club on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mayla Beaty (left), the incoming president of Filipino-American Cultural Society of Lake City, stands with the Peter Howell as he prepares to cut the roasted pig during the Philippine Independence Day celebration at Quail Heights Country Club on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City cultural society celebrates with dance, feast

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
More than 100 people, associated with the Filipino-American Cultural Society of Lake City, celebrated Philippine Independence Day this weekend with food, fellowship, traditional dance, cultural presentations, friendship and camaraderie.
The Goodyear blimp made a stop at the Lake City Gateway Airpor on Thursday. The blimp is a frequent visitor to the airport, which serves as a permanent fuel stop for the blimp as it makes its way in and out of Florida. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Goodyear blimp made a stop at the Lake City Gateway Airpor on Thursday. The blimp is a frequent visitor to the airport, which serves as a permanent fuel stop for the blimp as it makes its way in and out of Florida. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Big visitor returns to airport

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 12, 2026
The Lake City Gateway Airport recently had one of its largest visitors make a return trip to the airfield this week when it served as a mooring site for the Goodyear blimp.“We have the Goodyear blimp that comes in frequently,” said Ed Bunnell, Lake City Gateway Airport director.
A veteran visits the Pinnacle Home Care table at last week’s Freedom 250 Veterans Fest at the Lake City VA Medical Center. (COURTESY)

A veteran visits the Pinnacle Home Care table at last week’s Freedom 250 Veterans Fest at the Lake City VA Medical Center. (COURTESY)

Veterans Fest helps hundreds with VA resources

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 12, 2026
Roughly 700 veterans, their family members and caregivers attended the Freedom 250 Veterans Fest last week at the Lake City VA Medical Center.“The event was a tremendous success,” said Katie Butler, public affairs specialist for the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS).
Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett, speaking at the grand opening of the college’s renovated welding facility earlier this month, received a nearly perfect evaluation from the school’s Board of Trustees. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett, speaking at the grand opening of the college’s renovated welding facility earlier this month, received a nearly perfect evaluation from the school’s Board of Trustees. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Trustees grade Barrett’s work as excellent

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 12, 2026
Florida Gateway College’s president excels at his job, according to the FGC Board of Trustees.
Jan Wheeler adds flowers to a planter along Marion Avenue for the Lake City Garden Club. Club members planted the new flowers, which will be red, white and blue, ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary celebration. (COURTESY)

Jan Wheeler adds flowers to a planter along Marion Avenue for the Lake City Garden Club. Club members planted the new flowers, which will be red, white and blue, ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary celebration. (COURTESY)

Garden Club readies downtown for America’s 250th anniversary

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 12, 2026
Downtown Lake City is going get a splash of patriotic colors for the nation’s 250th anniversary next month.Last Saturday, several members of the Lake City Garden Club spent a few hours planting new flowers in the planters that line Marion Avenue.
Karla Hatcher (left) gets a hug from Martha Ann Ronsonet at Tuesday’s Columbia County School Board meeting as one of five former educators honored at the district’s Teacher of a Lifetime ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Karla Hatcher (left) gets a hug from Martha Ann Ronsonet at Tuesday’s Columbia County School Board meeting as one of five former educators honored at the district’s Teacher of a Lifetime ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Five Hall of Fame educators honored for Teacher of a Lifetime

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
The impact a teacher can have on a community, its children, family members and friends was visibly evident Tuesday night when five local educators were recognized for their contributions to Columbia County schools.