Local

Minutes from the Dec. 21, 1874, Columbia County Commission meeting show the county offered a $5,000 reward for the capture and conviction of whoever burned down the courthouse the previeous day. Nobody was ever charged with the crime. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Minutes from the Dec. 21, 1874, Columbia County Commission meeting show the county offered a $5,000 reward for the capture and conviction of whoever burned down the courthouse the previeous day. Nobody was ever charged with the crime. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Who set fire to the courthouse in 1874?

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
One thing is for certain: the Columbia County Courthouse was burned to the ground 150 years ago in the overnight hours of Dec. 19-20. Why the courthouse was burned and who caused it are not known, with a recently uncovered theory joining the longstanding Columbia County tale involving hog thievery.
Fort White FFA students grind sugar cane Wednesday as they made cane syrup at the school. (COURTESY)

Fort White FFA students grind sugar cane Wednesday as they made cane syrup at the school. (COURTESY)

Fort White FFA continues syrup tradition

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
FORT WHITE — A sweet treat will be in limited supply after a less-than-fruitful harvest. Odds are by the time this story is read, it’ll all be gone already. The Fort White FFA concluded its harvest of a sugar cane crop planted behind Arrowhead Stadium at Fort White High School’s land lab Wednesday.
The Christian Service Center and volunteers from Gallagher Insurance provided food to nearly 200 people as part of the agency’s annual Christmas Basket distribution. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Christian Service Center and volunteers from Gallagher Insurance provided food to nearly 200 people as part of the agency’s annual Christmas Basket distribution. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Christian Service Center provides for nearly 200

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Nearly 200 local residents received their Christmas meals this week — and some even received toys for their children — thanks to a local organization.

Food giveaway set for Saturday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Gleaners Dispatch is hosting a food giveaway from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, in the gravel parking lot adjacent to the Lake City Police Department, 225 NW Main Blvd. The event is a park and walk event. There are no income requirements or restrictions.
Lake City Reporter Publisher Todd Wilson (right) speaks Monday after Community Newspapers, Inc. President Mark Major announced Wilson’s promotion to the company’s Southeast Regional Publisher. In his role, Wilson will also oversee the News-Leader of Fernandina Beach, the Nassau County Record of Callahan and the Tribune & Georgian of St. Marys, Ga., in addition to the Reporter. Wilson will be based in Lake City. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Reporter Publisher Todd Wilson (right) speaks Monday after Community Newspapers, Inc. President Mark Major announced Wilson’s promotion to the company’s Southeast Regional Publisher. In his role, Wilson will also oversee the News-Leader of Fernandina Beach, the Nassau County Record of Callahan and the Tribune & Georgian of St. Marys, Ga., in addition to the Reporter. Wilson will be based in Lake City. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Wilson promoted to Southeast Regional Publisher

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Community Newspapers, Inc., has promoted Todd Wilson to Southeast Regional Publisher, a position that will oversee all of the company’s Florida newspaper holdings plus the newspaper in St. Marys, Ga., CNI President Mark W. Major announced Monday.
Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal received a salary increase to $175,000 during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting following a six-month evaluation from the council. Rosenthal had requested an increase to $185,000. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal received a salary increase to $175,000 during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting following a six-month evaluation from the council. Rosenthal had requested an increase to $185,000. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City manager gets pay increase to $175K

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Lake City’s manager is getting a pay bump after some favorable evaluations from the City Council. Councilors met Monday night to discuss, among other things, how they felt about City Manager Don Rosenthal’s performance through his first six months on the job.
Members of the Blue-Grey Army committee and staff unveiled the 2025 Olusee Festival poster Monday evening at the Columbia County Public Library. Pictured are, in front, Annie Buzzella; second row, from left, Brooke Frye, Faye Warren, Tony Buzzella, Ann Brown; back row, from left, Randy Sweet, Tom Coleman, Patty Melgaard, Matt Johns, Bud Thayer and Ginny Thayer. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Members of the Blue-Grey Army committee and staff unveiled the 2025 Olusee Festival poster Monday evening at the Columbia County Public Library. Pictured are, in front, Annie Buzzella; second row, from left, Brooke Frye, Faye Warren, Tony Buzzella, Ann Brown; back row, from left, Randy Sweet, Tom Coleman, Patty Melgaard, Matt Johns, Bud Thayer and Ginny Thayer. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Olustee continuing festival traditions

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
More than 40 years ago, the Olustee Festival was launched, centering around family fun, live music, arts and craft vendors and food. The 2025 Olustee Festival will continue to honor the traditions created four decades ago by featuring the same principle elements for the upcoming festival.

Semi overturns, driver killed on exit ramp

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
A Georgia man was killed early Monday morning when his semi truck overturned on an Interstate 10 exit ramp. A Florida Highway Patrol release said a tractor trailer overturned as it was getting off eastbound I-10 to head north on Interstate 75 at 4:10 a.m. Monday.
Bryan Thomas, the City of Lake City’s principal planner, said a tweak to the city’s Land Development Regulations to allow tiny homes or accessory dwelling units could help solve a housing shortage. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Bryan Thomas, the City of Lake City’s principal planner, said a tweak to the city’s Land Development Regulations to allow tiny homes or accessory dwelling units could help solve a housing shortage. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Tiny homes explored as housing solution

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Facing a housing shortage, the City of Lake City is looking for some creative solutions to solve the problem. While big problems sometimes require big solutions, one staffer is offering a tiny answer.
Christopher Gmuer of Gmuer Engineering answers questions about the proposed I-75 Toyota of Lake City dealership north of HCA Lake City Hospital. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Christopher Gmuer of Gmuer Engineering answers questions about the proposed I-75 Toyota of Lake City dealership north of HCA Lake City Hospital. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Toyota cleared for new dealership

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, December 13, 2024
A group of Lake City residents raised their concerns about a proposed car dealership near a local neighborhood. While their concerns were noted, the project will continue as planned, getting the green light from a county board.