Local

Tatem centralizing FGC’s security efforts

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, April 3, 2026
Judy Tatem is continuing her groundbreaking role in school safety and security. Columbia School District’s first Director for Safe Schools — its only one since the position was created in 2018 — is wrapping up her first week in a new-yet-similar role in keeping students safe.
The Lake City Police Department usually provides food to approximately 500 families through its Farm Share events. (FILE)

The Lake City Police Department usually provides food to approximately 500 families through its Farm Share events. (FILE)

LCPD hosting year’s first Farm Share event

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 3, 2026
The Lake City Police Department is hosting an event to combat food insecurity in the area next weekend. The department is hosting a Farm Share event on Saturday, April 11, in the gravel parking lot just south of the city’s Public Safety Building, 225 NW Main Blvd.
Adams Sanitation CEO Tim Bolduc told the Columbia County Commission on Thursday that his company was fine with the contract giving the county permission to audit fees paid by Adams to verify the franchise fees. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Adams Sanitation CEO Tim Bolduc told the Columbia County Commission on Thursday that his company was fine with the contract giving the county permission to audit fees paid by Adams to verify the franchise fees. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County agrees to new solid waste contract

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 3, 2026
Columbia County has agreed to a contract with its new solid waste provider. At its meeting Thursday morning, the Columbia County Commission unanimously approved a contract with Adams Sanitation to provide solid waste collection services beginning Oct.
The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows all of the Suwannee River Valley to be experiencing exceptional drought, the most intense level of drought. (U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR)

The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows all of the Suwannee River Valley to be experiencing exceptional drought, the most intense level of drought. (U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR)

County holds off on burn ban

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 3, 2026
Burning is still allowed in Columbia County as long as people continue to use caution. Columbia County Assistant Fire Chief Lance Hill told the County Commission on Thursday morning that the department didn’t want to re-impose a burn ban just yet.
Wally the Goose presents representatives from the Lake City Police Department with a trophy after they defeated the Lake City Fire Department team in a hoagie-making challenge. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Wally the Goose presents representatives from the Lake City Police Department with a trophy after they defeated the Lake City Fire Department team in a hoagie-making challenge. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Wawa opens in Lake City

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 3, 2026
A line of people led from the Wawa’s front door, heading east and nearly wrapped around the building.
Michael McInally, a Lake City man who has an outdoors YouTube channel, is spending 24 hours floating on Lake DeSoto in downtown Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Michael McInally, a Lake City man who has an outdoors YouTube channel, is spending 24 hours floating on Lake DeSoto in downtown Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

McInally spending 24 hours floating on lake as part of YouTube challenge

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
A local YouTuber is getting more familiar with Lake DeSoto after he decided to meet a challenge for his viewers. Micheal McInally, a Lake City resident, has an outdoor adventure channel on YouTube called “I Suck At Hiking.
Maylianne Vazquez (left) works on connecting pieces of flooring with Eric Adams of Eric’s Flooring during Wednesday’s Build My Future event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Maylianne Vazquez (left) works on connecting pieces of flooring with Eric Adams of Eric’s Flooring during Wednesday’s Build My Future event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Trades careers the focus of expo

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Learning how to lay flooring panels, using a nail gun to install shingles or a drill press to make holes for a bed were highlighted for local students who may have an interest in a career in the trades.
Riley Poirier (left), 8, and Kingsley Burnham, 4, look through Easter eggs at the Movement Mortgage Tent on Tuesday evening at the Texas Roadhouse Second Annual Easter Egg Hop event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Riley Poirier (left), 8, and Kingsley Burnham, 4, look through Easter eggs at the Movement Mortgage Tent on Tuesday evening at the Texas Roadhouse Second Annual Easter Egg Hop event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hundreds attend Easter event at Texas Roadhouse

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
More than 200 children jumped at the opportunity to get an early start on their Easter activities by visiting the local Texas Roadhouse on Tuesday evening for the second Texas Roadhouse Easter Egg Hop.
Seventeen sexual offenders and sexual predators were recently arrested in Columbia County for violating registration laws. The suspects were arrested during a joint operation — Operation Running Wild —conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Police Department, Florida Department of Correctsions and State Attorney’s Office for the Third Judicial Circuit. (COURTESY)

Seventeen sexual offenders and sexual predators were recently arrested in Columbia County for violating registration laws. The suspects were arrested during a joint operation — Operation Running Wild —conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Police Department, Florida Department of Correctsions and State Attorney’s Office for the Third Judicial Circuit. (COURTESY)

FDLE: 17 arrested in Operation Running Wild

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
A joint operation in Columbia County led to 17 arrests of sexual offenders and sexual predators for violating Florida registration laws.