Local

GOP rally slated for Thursday evening

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 24, 2026
As the 2026 primary election approaches, area voters will have another opportunity to meet the candidates in the political races when the Columbia County Republican Party holds a candidate rally next week.The GOP rally will take place 6 p.m.
Tyrone Mullins (left), an event organizer for the Community Barbers Back-to-School Bash, gives a youngster a free haircut during last year’s event at the Richardson Community Center. (FILE)

Tyrone Mullins (left), an event organizer for the Community Barbers Back-to-School Bash, gives a youngster a free haircut during last year’s event at the Richardson Community Center. (FILE)

Bash is back in style

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
One of the area’s largest back-to-school events is gearing up with free haircuts, school supplies and school materials ready for local youngsters in a safe setting.The Community Barbers Back-to-School Bash will take place 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug.
Artist Susan Guerry, of Bell, details her inspiration of her watercolor, to Gateway Art Gallery Curator Sheila Carr at the recent opening reception. She was using the terms  ‘structural chaos’ and ‘harmony’ — two seemingly opposite choices. (COURTESY)

Artist Susan Guerry, of Bell, details her inspiration of her watercolor, to Gateway Art Gallery Curator Sheila Carr at the recent opening reception. She was using the terms  ‘structural chaos’ and ‘harmony’ — two seemingly opposite choices. (COURTESY)

Gateway Art Gallery hosting ‘Choose your Adventure’ art contest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
The Gateway Art Gallery is hosting a member show this month that came together in a pretty unusual way. Every artist in the show pulled two prompts out of a bucket and whatever they drew, that was their assignment.The catch is that a lot of the prompts didn’t exactly play nice together.

Man attempts suicide in front of officers at restaurant

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate an attempted suicide outside a restaurant Tuesday night.According to a CCSO release Wednesday, deputies and Lake City police officers responded to the El Potro Mexican Restaurant on U.S. Highway 90 around 9 p.m.

LCPD nabs two more for seducing minors online

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Two more Lake City men have been arrested in the Lake City Police Department’s operation against child sexual abuse crimes.According to an LCPD release, the two recent arrests bring the total to 16 for the year by LCPD Internet Crimes Against Children detectives.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker voiced his support for the rollback rate for the city’s millage in 2027. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker voiced his support for the rollback rate for the city’s millage in 2027. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City rolls back tax rate

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
The City of Lake City won’t be increasing taxes on its residents in the upcoming fiscal year. The Lake City Council voted unanimously, and without much discussion, to advertise a rollback rate of 4.7756 mills for 2027.
Lake City firefighter Earl Lupardus hands out popsicles to children at the Lake City Fire Department’s ‘Pop-Up Community Sparh Party’ at Annie Mattox Park on Friday. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Lake City firefighter Earl Lupardus hands out popsicles to children at the Lake City Fire Department’s ‘Pop-Up Community Sparh Party’ at Annie Mattox Park on Friday. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

LCFD provided fun, community at splash party

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
The Lake City Fire Department recently hosted a “Pop-Up Community Splash Party,” bringing firefighters and families together for an afternoon of fun, laughter and relief from the summer heat.