Local

Del Porter (center) is all smiles as The Heron on Lake City residents wish him a happy 100th birthday on Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Del Porter (center) is all smiles as The Heron on Lake City residents wish him a happy 100th birthday on Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 5, 2026
Celebrations with friends and family are always  precious occasions. For World War II veteran Del Porter, the occasion was more special with friends and acquaintances.
Columbia County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Lance Hill (right) and County Manager David Kraus discussed the importance of EMS services in the county during the County Commission’s meeting on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Lance Hill (right) and County Manager David Kraus discussed the importance of EMS services in the county during the County Commission’s meeting on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

EMS issues remain a concern for commissioners

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 5, 2026
County officials are looking to iron out any additional details regarding implementing a potential EMS Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) with the City of Lake City that’s designed to fund more Emergency Medical Services personnel.
Fireworks tents, such as the one on the corner of SW Main Boulevard and SW Baya Drive, are open for business after Columbia County recently lifted its burn ban. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fireworks tents, such as the one on the corner of SW Main Boulevard and SW Baya Drive, are open for business after Columbia County recently lifted its burn ban. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Burn ban off, fireworks on for now

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 5, 2026
Columbia County’s burn ban was lifted roughly two weeks ago, when season rains and humidity levels hit the area, significantly lowering the amount service calls for county firefighting units. Now, the county says it’s rolling with that decision for the time being.
Bralen Peavy (foreground), 2, flashes a smile with chocolate on her face as she and Nevaeh Peavy (far right), 3, enjoy a cone of ice cream during the Cops-N-Cones event on Tuesday afternoon at Dairy Queen. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bralen Peavy (foreground), 2, flashes a smile with chocolate on her face as she and Nevaeh Peavy (far right), 3, enjoy a cone of ice cream during the Cops-N-Cones event on Tuesday afternoon at Dairy Queen. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD treats kids to ice cream social, giveaway

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
There are fewer treats that delight children during the summertime than ice cream.
Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy (left) leads a discussion on Tuesday regarding a potential new community center in Columbia City. The meeting lasted roughly an hour and set up the next steps in the process. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy (left) leads a discussion on Tuesday regarding a potential new community center in Columbia City. The meeting lasted roughly an hour and set up the next steps in the process. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Community center eyed for Columbia City area

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
COLUMBIA CITY — The county could be adding a 10th community center in the near future. Roughly two dozen local officials and residents attended an informal meeting Tuesday at the Columbia City voting precinct to discuss the potential for a community center on the site.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county is already planning on changes to its budget following the approval of a referendum that could eliminate nearly $9 million in ad valorem tax revenue. (FILE)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county is already planning on changes to its budget following the approval of a referendum that could eliminate nearly $9 million in ad valorem tax revenue. (FILE)

Tax cuts could cost county $9M

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Columbia County could lose nearly $9 million in ad valorem tax revenue if the homestead property tax is approved by voters this fall.The Florida Legislature approved placing a referendum on the November ballot that would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 beginning Jan.

Tillman named interim director of NFREC

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has named longtime faculty member and peanut breeder Barry Tillman as interim director of the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC), effective July 31.
Larry Elshoff is set to bring photographs, paintings and other works of art to the Gateway Art Gallery beginning Friday for his art installation. (COURTESY)

Larry Elshoff is set to bring photographs, paintings and other works of art to the Gateway Art Gallery beginning Friday for his art installation. (COURTESY)

Retrospective art installation coming to Lake City

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
For more than five decades, artist and educator Larry Elshoff has quietly shaped the artistic landscape of North Florida — not only through his own creative works, but through the thousands of students whose lives he influenced in the classroom.