Local

Lauren Rushing, a transportation planner with the NUE Urban Concepts firm, talked the benefits of a mobility plan and mobility fee with the Lake City Council on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lauren Rushing, a transportation planner with the NUE Urban Concepts firm, talked the benefits of a mobility plan and mobility fee with the Lake City Council on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council considers fee to fund street upgrades

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Lake City Councilors are considering an alternative to traffic impact fees to fund transportation and infrastructure needs.
Aspen Pest Control was named one of the best pest control companies in Florida with a Guide to Florida Best of Florida award. (COURTESY)

Aspen Pest Control was named one of the best pest control companies in Florida with a Guide to Florida Best of Florida award. (COURTESY)

Aspen recognized as state’s best

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Shannon Gregory had worked in the pest control business for six years. Originally starting at Sears Termite and Pest Control, a national company with an office in Lake City, Gregory said he grew up with a passion for science, particularly entomology.
Halpatter Brewing Company’s Chris Candler said the Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival was a great event, which also draws visitors to the brewery itself. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Halpatter Brewing Company’s Chris Candler said the Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival was a great event, which also draws visitors to the brewery itself. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Beer and Wine Festival a hit for vendors, attendees

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Wine flowed, beer was tapped, and the Lake City community got back to a bit of normalcy with a weekend festival.
A Lake City Public Works employee helps clear debris from the roadside left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Lake City Executive Director of Utilities Steve Brown, who also oversees public works, said additional crews have been brought in to help with the effort. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A Lake City Public Works employee helps clear debris from the roadside left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Lake City Executive Director of Utilities Steve Brown, who also oversees public works, said additional crews have been brought in to help with the effort. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Additional teams added to Helene cleanup effort

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, October 18, 2024
The City of Lake City is using an all hands on deck approach to cleaning up from last month’s Hurricane Helene.
A Lake City Public Works truck gets set to dump debris onto an existing pile at the Public Works lot on NE Gum Swamp Road Friday afternoon. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City reporter)

A Lake City Public Works truck gets set to dump debris onto an existing pile at the Public Works lot on NE Gum Swamp Road Friday afternoon. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City reporter)

Helene’s cleanup cost $4.8M so far

TODD WILSON
Friday, October 18, 2024
Hurricane Helene’s debris cleanup cost in Columbia County topped $4.8 million this week and continues to climb, according to county officials.
Former CareerSource Florida Crown volunteer Larry Thompson speaks at Thursday’s County Commission meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Former CareerSource Florida Crown volunteer Larry Thompson speaks at Thursday’s County Commission meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Guidance comes to county on workforce programs

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 18, 2024
Columbia County officials could be changing their tune about joining Alachua County in a new CareerSource workforce development region.
Debris is unloaded at the Columbia County Public Works yard last September following Hurricane Idalia. (FILE)

Debris is unloaded at the Columbia County Public Works yard last September following Hurricane Idalia. (FILE)

FEMA pays most of Idalia’s $1M cleanup bill

TODD WILSON
Friday, October 18, 2024
The hurricane cleanup reimbursement process is a treacherous and lengthy path with the nickels and dimes in the details.

Rosenthal eyes direction on new city hall plans

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, October 18, 2024
What is Lake City’s plan for city hall? That is what Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal plans to iron out during a discussion with the Lake City Council on Monday night. During the Council’s 6 p.m. meeting at the current City Hall, 205 N.
The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is expecting more than 2,500 guests to attend the ninth annual Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival this Saturday at Wilson Park. (COURTESY LAKE CITY-COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE)

The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is expecting more than 2,500 guests to attend the ninth annual Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival this Saturday at Wilson Park. (COURTESY LAKE CITY-COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE)

Brewing up a good time

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
There’s going to be a buzz around downtown Lake DeSoto this weekend. The Gateway City Craft Beer and Wine Festival is returning for its ninth go-around on Saturday, Oct. 19, at nearby Wilson Park. The festivities, which were delayed several weeks thanks to Hurricane Helene, kick off at 11 a.m.
Voters will now have until 7 p.m. to cast early votes between Oct. 21-Nov. 2. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Voters will now have until 7 p.m. to cast early votes between Oct. 21-Nov. 2. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia extends hours for early voting

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Early voting hours will be extended up to 2.5 hours longer for Columbia County voters as voting for the 2024 general election begins. “I don’t know that we’ve ever done early voting to 7 p.m. This will be new for Columbia County,” said Tomi Brown, Columbia County Supervisor of Elections.