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CHS Class of 2026 valedictorian Nathan Chiong (right) pays off his four-year-long $5 bet with Kadence Bates-Rogers during Friday’s commencement ceremony. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

CHS Class of 2026 valedictorian Nathan Chiong (right) pays off his four-year-long $5 bet with Kadence Bates-Rogers during Friday’s commencement ceremony. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia awards diplomas to 385 grads at delayed ceremony

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
A late start to the night couldn’t put a damper on several hundred Columbia High graduates’ celebrations.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman told the Lake City Council on Monday that the ultimate goal with an MSTU for EMS services would be to station ambulances on both the north and south sides of the county. (FILE)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman told the Lake City Council on Monday that the ultimate goal with an MSTU for EMS services would be to station ambulances on both the north and south sides of the county. (FILE)

Council wants more info on new EMS tax

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Lake City and Columbia County could be teaming up to fund more Emergency Medical Services personnel after a proposed Municipal Service Taxing Unit passed its first reading by the Lake City Council.

Ward remembered for steady demeanor, business sense

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Mild mannered, smart and soft spoken, but steady and contemplating, the gray-haired businessman and longtime Lake City councilor George Raeburn Ward died last week.Ward, 75, died May 27, in Jacksonville. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m.

Dixie tax collector appointed to FGC board

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Dixie County’s tax collector will also now serve as a trustee at Florida Gateway College.Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Michelle Cannon a vacant seat on the FGC Board of Trustees on Friday.Cannon has been Dixie County’s tax collector since 2009.
Brody Hoffman (left), a Florida Gateway College student, helps Mitchell Maione, a coordinator for the FGC physical therapy program, as Maione uses a VR welding simulator during the college’s grand opening for its newly renovated welding technology program on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Brody Hoffman (left), a Florida Gateway College student, helps Mitchell Maione, a coordinator for the FGC physical therapy program, as Maione uses a VR welding simulator during the college’s grand opening for its newly renovated welding technology program on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC welding program gets boost with renovated facility

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
More than 100 people showed their support for the Florida Gateway College welding program on Tuesday afternoon when they attended a grand opening for the college’s newly renovated welding technology facility.
Columbia High School welding students Ruby Chandler (left) and Mason Dusen (right) are competing at the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta next week. They are joined by CHS welding instructor Darryl Thomas. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High School welding students Ruby Chandler (left) and Mason Dusen (right) are competing at the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta next week. They are joined by CHS welding instructor Darryl Thomas. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS welders taking aim at nationals

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 29, 2026
A pair of Columbia High School welding student will put their skills against the best from across the country next week.Mason Dusen and Ruby Chandler will be heading to Atlanta to participate in the national SkillsUSA competition Monday through June 6.
Meridian Healthcare President/CEO Lauren Cohn, speaking at a Lake Shore Hospital Authority meeting last year, said the conveyance of the main Lake Shore hospital building to Meridian, which was completed Tuesday, will allow more access to mental healthcare for the community. (FILE)

Meridian Healthcare President/CEO Lauren Cohn, speaking at a Lake Shore Hospital Authority meeting last year, said the conveyance of the main Lake Shore hospital building to Meridian, which was completed Tuesday, will allow more access to mental healthcare for the community. (FILE)

Meridian takes over main hospital building

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 29, 2026
Meridian Healthcare is ready to accept the keys to its newest acquisition. According to a release from the mental healthcare organization, the main hospital building at the Lake Shore campus was officially conveyed to Meridian on Tuesday.