Local

Tourist Development Council Chair Tim Murphy said it was clear when the board approved providing funding for the Wilson Park amphitheater it was contingent on the City of Lake City obtaining CDBG grant funds. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tourist Development Council Chair Tim Murphy said it was clear when the board approved providing funding for the Wilson Park amphitheater it was contingent on the City of Lake City obtaining CDBG grant funds. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

TDC not releasing $150K to city yet

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Tourism dollars to help complete the Wilson Park amphitheater project are on hold until city officials secure grant funding.
Jeff Wegner (from left), a Special Olympic Athletes Coach at Lake City Christian Academy, stands with athletes Jersey, Donna and Wyatt, after a fundraising session in the Lake City Publix super market. (COURTESY)

Jeff Wegner (from left), a Special Olympic Athletes Coach at Lake City Christian Academy, stands with athletes Jersey, Donna and Wyatt, after a fundraising session in the Lake City Publix super market. (COURTESY)

Special Olympics raising funds at Publix

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
A gold medal Special Olympics athlete, who has participated in several Special Olympic games, is leading the local charge in fundraising for the organization as well.
A crowd of area business owners, residents and local supporters attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Courtyard by Marriott on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A crowd of area business owners, residents and local supporters attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Courtyard by Marriott on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Courtyard by Mariott welcomes visitors to ribbon cutting

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Roughly a month after a soft opening, the local Courtyard by Marriott held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, attracting close to 200 visitors to check-out the latest in modern hotels.
Five Points Elementary School is scheduled to close this summer after construction is finished on the new Niblack Elementary School. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Five Points Elementary School is scheduled to close this summer after construction is finished on the new Niblack Elementary School. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Five Points closing this summer

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Town hall meetings next week will provide parents an opportunity to be educated on the latest in construction of new elementary schools in Lake City and the closure of one existing school.
William ‘Bill’ Huggins, American Legion Post 57 Commander, receives mementos from James A. LaCoursiere, the national commander of the American Legion, during his visit to Post 57 on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

William ‘Bill’ Huggins, American Legion Post 57 Commander, receives mementos from James A. LaCoursiere, the national commander of the American Legion, during his visit to Post 57 on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Post 57 welcomes national visitor

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
American Legion Post 57 played host to a very distinguished guest on Monday evening, welcoming the organization’s national commander as a dinner and tour guest. James A. LaCoursiere Jr.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Attorney Todd Kennon told the LSHA board that while the city rescinded its letter regaring the zoning issue around the hospital property, it hasn’t clarified whether it rescinded its opinion that the property is non-conforming. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Attorney Todd Kennon told the LSHA board that while the city rescinded its letter regaring the zoning issue around the hospital property, it hasn’t clarified whether it rescinded its opinion that the property is non-conforming. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore confused over latest city letter

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority won’t be taking legal action against the City of Lake City, though it will begin to take legal steps to resolve zoning issues.

Three Rivers’ Galione honored for pro bono work

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
A Gainesville attorney’s work with Three Rivers Legal Services is garnering him statewide recognition. William Galione will be among the 21 lawyers honored Thursday for their work on behalf of low-income and disadvantaged clients in a ceremony at the Supreme Court of Florida.
Columbia County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy assists Rose Pavey in casting her line off the new Harter Pier at Lake Montgomery on Friday afternoon. The pier officially opened Friday during a ribbon cutting ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy assists Rose Pavey in casting her line off the new Harter Pier at Lake Montgomery on Friday afternoon. The pier officially opened Friday during a ribbon cutting ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Montgomery fishing pier reeled in

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 10, 2025
The wooden pier at Lake Montgomery was torn down in 2017, creating what appeared to be a hole in the community.
Ron and Gwendolyn Williams laugh during Thursday’s retirement celebration in honor of Ron Williams’ 43 years as a county commissioner. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ron and Gwendolyn Williams laugh during Thursday’s retirement celebration in honor of Ron Williams’ 43 years as a county commissioner. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Williams’ historic service honored

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 10, 2025
In 1976, Ronald Williams ran for office as the county commissioner for District 1 and lost the election. But he wasn’t done by a long shot. Williams hadn’t yet called “an ace an ace and a spade a spade,” but five years later was appointed to the post and didn’t leave for more than four decades.
Mike Tatem, Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, grabs a handful of supplies that will be used in the church’s cold weather shelter on Wednesday before opening the shelter for the evening. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Mike Tatem, Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, grabs a handful of supplies that will be used in the church’s cold weather shelter on Wednesday before opening the shelter for the evening. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cold shelter open at Parkview

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 10, 2025
The recent sub-freezing temperatures that have settled across the North Central Florida area spurred Parkview Baptist Church to open its winter shelter.