Local

FGC SGA earns national recognition

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Florida Gateway College’s Student Government Association has been recognized on the national stage.FGC’s student government group was named the Student Government of the Month for July 2026 by the American Student Government Association.
Lake City Attorney Clay Martin said any legal measure taken against panhandling would have to be finely tuned as to not infringe on First Amendment rights. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Attorney Clay Martin said any legal measure taken against panhandling would have to be finely tuned as to not infringe on First Amendment rights. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

No decision made in panhandling workshop

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
The City of Lake City will further discuss how it intends to handle its homeless population after it couldn’t reach a consensus.
Lake City Councilman James Carter speaks during Monday’s council meeting. Carter recused himself from a vote on public benches due to his presidency with the Kiwanis Club of Lake City, which benefits through a grant program for the upkeep and maintenance of the benches. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman James Carter speaks during Monday’s council meeting. Carter recused himself from a vote on public benches due to his presidency with the Kiwanis Club of Lake City, which benefits through a grant program for the upkeep and maintenance of the benches. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council nixes public benches for near future

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Lake City Councilors believe the city could use fewer benches in the future. A study is now underway to determine exactly how many it should have.
Former Florida Speaker of the House and gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner (left) and Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia listen during Thusday’s Lincoln/Reagan Dinner fundraiser. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Former Florida Speaker of the House and gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner (left) and Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia listen during Thusday’s Lincoln/Reagan Dinner fundraiser. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Dining with state leaders

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 17, 2026
The Columbia County Republican Executive Committee held its annual Lincoln/Reagan Dinner on Thursday evening attracting more than 100 people to the annual fundraiser.
Columbia County Planner Seth Lane said while most data centers have become more environmentally friendly recently, the initial pull from the aquifer is still a ‘pitfall’ to consider future data center sites. (FILE)

Columbia County Planner Seth Lane said while most data centers have become more environmentally friendly recently, the initial pull from the aquifer is still a ‘pitfall’ to consider future data center sites. (FILE)

County: ‘We need a plan’ on data centers

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 17, 2026
Columbia County is looking to get in front of any data centers coming here.The county has a special meeting called for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium, 372 W. Duval Street, to discuss data centers as well as the millage rate for the upcoming year.
Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford was the lone dissenting vote in approving this year’s solid waste assessment. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford was the lone dissenting vote in approving this year’s solid waste assessment. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Garbage, fire rates set to increase

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 17, 2026
The cost of fire protection and garbage collection is going up in Columbia County.The Columbia County Commission approved setting the preliminary fire and solid waste assessments at its meeting Thursday, both increasing over the current fees. The final rates for both will be set on Sept. 3.
Columbia County Manager David Kraus said he felt ‘comfortable’ budgeting the same $520,648 subsidy to the NFWUA for the upcoming fiscal year. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus said he felt ‘comfortable’ budgeting the same $520,648 subsidy to the NFWUA for the upcoming fiscal year. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

NFWUA seeks same subsidy from counties

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 17, 2026
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority’s second attempt at proposing a budget wasn’t flushed Thursday.
Caleb Perla, a partner with Powell and Jones, said the Columbia County audit showed the county’s finances had a ‘good balance.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Caleb Perla, a partner with Powell and Jones, said the Columbia County audit showed the county’s finances had a ‘good balance.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Audit shows finances in good shape, several findings to clean up

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 17, 2026
Columbia County’s finances are in good shape, although there are a few areas in which the county and a few constitutional offices need to clean up.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said he wanted to review the county’s policy on how it conducts the voting for Municipal Service Benefit Units to make sure disregarding ballots not returned is the correct move. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said he wanted to review the county’s policy on how it conducts the voting for Municipal Service Benefit Units to make sure disregarding ballots not returned is the correct move. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County reviewing MSBU voting policy

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 17, 2026
A few property owners near Columbia City will see an additional charge on their property tax notice this fall.Whether they will have to pay the assessment for improvements and maintenance on their road — SW Powell Glen — remains to be seen.