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Supporters cheer during a previous year’s Walk a Mile in My Shoes fundraiser for Columbia County Senior Services at the Lifestyle Enrichment Center. (FILE)

Supporters cheer during a previous year’s Walk a Mile in My Shoes fundraiser for Columbia County Senior Services at the Lifestyle Enrichment Center. (FILE)

Senior Services hosting Walk a Mile in My Shoes fundraiser

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Local residents will have an opportunity to raise funds for Alzheimers and dementia services this weekend during an annual Columbia County Senior Services fundraising event at the Lake City Lifestyle Enrichment Center.The Walk a Mile in My Shoes fundraiser will take place 10 a.m.

Lake City man arrested on CSAM charges

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
A Lake City man is in custody as law enforcement continues its operations against Child Sexual Abuse Material. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, CCSO detectives began an investigation on Feb.
Family and friends surround the graduates on the field at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday night as Fort White High held its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026. The ceremony was interrupted for about 45 minutes due to lightning in the area. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

Family and friends surround the graduates on the field at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday night as Fort White High held its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026. The ceremony was interrupted for about 45 minutes due to lightning in the area. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

Weather delay doesn’t dampen FWHS graduation

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
FORT WHITE — For all the changes the Class of 2026 has had to endure, a rainstorm in the middle of commencement could feel like another drop in the bucket.
Jatarious Fluellen II said during his closing statement of a sentencing hearing Tuesday that he gave false testimony after arrests following the August 2023 murder of Mariah Smith. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jatarious Fluellen II said during his closing statement of a sentencing hearing Tuesday that he gave false testimony after arrests following the August 2023 murder of Mariah Smith. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Plea deal pulled after Fluellen claims false testimony

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
The third teen charged in the 2023 shooting death of a child likely saw his chance at a plea deal vanish at his sentencing hearing.
The Caribbean Chillers (pictured), Atlantic City Boys and Divas Through the Decades will perform during Columbia County’s Independence Day celebration, which is celebrating America’s semiquincentennial. (COURTESY)

The Caribbean Chillers (pictured), Atlantic City Boys and Divas Through the Decades will perform during Columbia County’s Independence Day celebration, which is celebrating America’s semiquincentennial. (COURTESY)

Hot air balloons, laser show planned for 250th celebration

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
From hot air balloons, a laser show, old fashioned field games and lots of music, the local America’s 250th anniversary celebration promises to be an elaborate event focused on a family-friendly atmosphere.The local 250th anniversary celebration will take place 5-10 p.m.

Columbia County jail inmate dies

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
An inmate at the Columbia County Jail passed away Tuesday morning.According to a release from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, an inmate in the jail’s medical ward went into medical distress around 9 a.m. and life-saving measures were immediately started.
Rhonda Anderson (from left) stands with Kent Banner, Columbia County Assistant Supervisor of Elections, and Darryl Thomas, Columbia High School welding instructor, as the school’s welding piece, ‘Globe of Freedom,’ is on display at the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office. (COURTESY)

Rhonda Anderson (from left) stands with Kent Banner, Columbia County Assistant Supervisor of Elections, and Darryl Thomas, Columbia High School welding instructor, as the school’s welding piece, ‘Globe of Freedom,’ is on display at the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office. (COURTESY)

CHS welding students create Globe of Freedom

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 22, 2026
Columbia High’s welding program turned their talent and patriotic spirit into a unique piece of art.The CHS students created the Globe of Freedom as an entry into a Florida Department f Education competition to celebrate the United States of America’s 250th anniversary.
Former commissioner Ron Williams said he thought the MSTU to cover EMS services was the right thing for the county to do. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Former commissioner Ron Williams said he thought the MSTU to cover EMS services was the right thing for the county to do. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County weighs tax to fund EMS service

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 22, 2026
A new tax may help fund expanded emergency medical services in Columbia County moving forward.
Columbia County Fire Chief Jeff Crawford asked the County Commission to lift the burn ban for at least the next two weeks due to recent rains and forecasts of more coming. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Chief Jeff Crawford asked the County Commission to lift the burn ban for at least the next two weeks due to recent rains and forecasts of more coming. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County lifts ban on outdoor burning

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 22, 2026
Outdoor burning is allowed again in Columbia County.At least for a few weeks.The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved lifting the county’s burn ban during its meeting Thursday night.