Local

State Sen. Corey Simon (left) speaks with Water First North Florida meeting attendees outside the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center Suwannee Valley’s educational pavilion Thursday. Close to 400 people attended the meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

State Sen. Corey Simon (left) speaks with Water First North Florida meeting attendees outside the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center Suwannee Valley’s educational pavilion Thursday. Close to 400 people attended the meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Residents voice their opposition to Water First North Florida project

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 20, 2026
LIVE OAK — The proposed plan to use reclaimed water to recharge a portion of the Floridan Aquifer continues to meet staunch opposition in the area.
JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter Columbia County Manager David Kraus said AgroLiquid was moving forward with a septic tank at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park after its permit for a temporary holding tank was denied by the state. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter Columbia County Manager David Kraus said AgroLiquid was moving forward with a septic tank at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park after its permit for a temporary holding tank was denied by the state. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Septic tank planned after permit denial

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 20, 2026
The first tenant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park may not become a full utility customer.
Columbia County is in extreme drought according to the latest conditions released Thursday. Portions of Suwannee, Hamilton, Lafayette and Madison counties are in exceptional drought. (U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR)

Columbia County is in extreme drought according to the latest conditions released Thursday. Portions of Suwannee, Hamilton, Lafayette and Madison counties are in exceptional drought. (U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR)

Columbia County burn ban lifted

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 20, 2026
Columbia County residents can resume burning trash and yard debris but should do so with caution. The Columbia County Commission, following Fire Chief Jeff Crawford’s recommendation, unanimously voted to lift the county’s burn ban. The ban was implemented on Feb.
Columbia County Public Library Assistant Director Kate Duong (left) and Andrea Sirard, Columbia County Youth Services librarian, work on creating an edible spinal column made of cereal and candy during a Spring Break program last year. (FILE)

Columbia County Public Library Assistant Director Kate Duong (left) and Andrea Sirard, Columbia County Youth Services librarian, work on creating an edible spinal column made of cereal and candy during a Spring Break program last year. (FILE)

County libraries offering Spring Break programming

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 20, 2026
The Columbia County Public Library system has decided no local youngsters should have to battle boredom next week during their spring break and has scheduled a week of activities at local libraries.
A prop of Olaf, the magical, talking snowman in ‘Frozen Jr.,’ was donated to Practically Perfect Performing Arts by Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville for the Lake City production. (COURTESY)

A prop of Olaf, the magical, talking snowman in ‘Frozen Jr.,’ was donated to Practically Perfect Performing Arts by Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville for the Lake City production. (COURTESY)

‘Frozen Jr.’ coming to Lake City

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 20, 2026
Lake City’s littlest performers will have a chance to star as their favorite characters from Disney’s “Frozen.” Practically Perfect Performing Arts will be hosting auditions for roles in its production of “Frozen Jr.” on Monday-Tuesday, May 4-5, from 5-8 p.m.

Judkins chosen as principal at LCMS

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 20, 2026
A local principal is on the move as the Columbia School District carries out reorganization efforts. The district announced Friday afternoon that it’s appointing Sonya Judkins as the next principal of Lake City Middle School for the 2026-27 school year.
The mixed-use overlay district areas being considered for Columbia County are along interstate interchanges on State Road 47 and U.S. Highways 41 and 441 as well as near Columbia High School. (COURTESY)

The mixed-use overlay district areas being considered for Columbia County are along interstate interchanges on State Road 47 and U.S. Highways 41 and 441 as well as near Columbia High School. (COURTESY)

Mixed-use eyed for interchanges, main corridors

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 20, 2026
Columbia County’s planning for future growth will include overlay districts with mixed-use developments at interchanges and other strategic locations.
Angel Gomez, a Columbia High School student, gets tips on sanding wood from Monty Ashby, as Gomez and Kiley Morrison sand wood to make beds for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program during last year’s Build My Future event. (FILE)

Angel Gomez, a Columbia High School student, gets tips on sanding wood from Monty Ashby, as Gomez and Kiley Morrison sand wood to make beds for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program during last year’s Build My Future event. (FILE)

High school trades expo set for April 1

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
High school students considering career opportunities in the building and trades industries will have an opportunity to get an inside look into the tools and machinery used in several professions in a few weeks.
A pair of Waste Pro employees oversee the dumping of a truckload of garbage at the Columbia County Landfill. (FILE)

A pair of Waste Pro employees oversee the dumping of a truckload of garbage at the Columbia County Landfill. (FILE)

Waste Pro sues county over lost bid

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Columbia County’s current solid waste provider is looking to carry the county to court over its new contract award. Waste Pro filed a lawsuit Friday in Third Judicial Circuit Court against Columbia County, claiming the county used “faulty pricing calculations” in its procurement process.