Local

Stephanie Spradley with Spradley Springers passes a puppy to Donald Altman to love on during activities at the Easter Extravaganza at the Canopy at Harper Lake on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Stephanie Spradley with Spradley Springers passes a puppy to Donald Altman to love on during activities at the Easter Extravaganza at the Canopy at Harper Lake on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cuddles, eggs found at Canopy

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
More than 50 youngsters from around the area put their Easter egg-hunting skills to the test during the annual Easter Extravaganza, which took place Saturday as part of an Easter celebration at the Canopy at Harper Lake.
Judy Tatem has served as Columbia County Schools’ Safe Schools director for the past eight years. Her final day with the district was Tuesday. (FILE)

Judy Tatem has served as Columbia County Schools’ Safe Schools director for the past eight years. Her final day with the district was Tuesday. (FILE)

Tatem leaving Safe Schools position

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Judy Tatem has seen it all in her role. She’s overseen efforts to vaccinate local school teachers and staff in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, upgraded security at school entrances and implemented mental health programs for students.
Mark Mansbach (left and below) was a board member of the Lake City Columbia County Tennis Association for five years and served as its tennis pro and a dedicated coach. (COURTESY)

Mark Mansbach (left and below) was a board member of the Lake City Columbia County Tennis Association for five years and served as its tennis pro and a dedicated coach. (COURTESY)

Tennis community remembers Mansbach

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
The Lake City Columbia County Tennis Association remembered a beloved tennis coach and dedicated volunteer last week. The LCCCTA held a remembrance gathering Thursday at Young’s Park to remember Mark Mansbach, a board member and tennis professional for the group.
The Lake City Police Department is closing some streets around Annie Mattox Park for its Easter celebration Sunday as well as having one-way traffic on Center Avenue and Patterson Avenue to help alleviate congestion. An LCPD officer was shot at last year’s event. (COURTESY)

The Lake City Police Department is closing some streets around Annie Mattox Park for its Easter celebration Sunday as well as having one-way traffic on Center Avenue and Patterson Avenue to help alleviate congestion. An LCPD officer was shot at last year’s event. (COURTESY)

Safety changes implemented for Easter event

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
New safety protocols are being implemented for the Easter event at Annie Mattox Park after a Lake City police officer was shot during last year’s celebration.
April Powell (left) and Todd Denmark, Circle of Life Assisted Living Facilities employees, unload bags of food stable items that were donated to Catholic Charities during the March Against Hunger event on Thursday afternoon. Circle of Life Assisted Living facilities contributed 1,126 canned goods to the food collection drive. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

April Powell (left) and Todd Denmark, Circle of Life Assisted Living Facilities employees, unload bags of food stable items that were donated to Catholic Charities during the March Against Hunger event on Thursday afternoon. Circle of Life Assisted Living facilities contributed 1,126 canned goods to the food collection drive. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Marching against hunger

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 27, 2026
Students on spring break. People just getting off work. Local business owners giving back to the community. Representing different parts of the community, all brought food contributions to Catholic Charities on Thursday afternoon as the local agency held its annual March Against Hunger event.

Murder charged in 2024 missing woman case

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 27, 2026
A Columbia County man was arrested Wednesday for the murder of his girlfriend two years ago. Aaron Hokanson, 60, was arrested on a sealed warrant Wednesday, according to Columbia County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Craig Strickland.
Columbia County Commissioner Kevin Parnell, who also serves on the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council speaks out against the Water First North Florida recharge project during the council’s meeting Thursday night at Holiday Inn. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Kevin Parnell, who also serves on the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council speaks out against the Water First North Florida recharge project during the council’s meeting Thursday night at Holiday Inn. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Regional planning group opposes recharge project

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, March 27, 2026
Yet another regional organization is formally speaking out against a proposed water recharge project.
The Wawa convenience store on U.S. Highway 90 will celebrate its grand opening Thursday morning, including T-shirt giveaway and free coffee. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

The Wawa convenience store on U.S. Highway 90 will celebrate its grand opening Thursday morning, including T-shirt giveaway and free coffee. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Wawa set for grand opening celebration

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 27, 2026
Bird is going to be the word next week in Lake City. The state’s newest Wawa is set to host its grand opening party on Thursday, April 2, beginning at 7:55 a.m. The grand opening will take place at the new gas station and convenience store’s location at 1518 U.S. Highway 90.

Parker, Raulerson appointed to FGC board; four reappointed

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 27, 2026
Florida Gateway College’s governing board now has two new members. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Chip Parker and Sherrie Raulerson to the FGC Board of Trustees on Friday while also reappointing Renae Allen, Lindsey Lander, Suzanne Norris and James Surrency for another term on the board.