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A rendering of the proposed new Columbia High, which would be a three-story facility, built on the back of the current school campus. The project is estimated to cost nearly $190 million. (COURTESY)

A rendering of the proposed new Columbia High, which would be a three-story facility, built on the back of the current school campus. The project is estimated to cost nearly $190 million. (COURTESY)

Eyeing a new $190M CHS

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Columbia School District officials are optimistic that a new Columbia High School will be constructed in the near future with state funds, potentially bringing the county’s first three-story school building.

Belmont graduating its largest class

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
More than 50 students from Belmont Academy look to cap their high school careers this weekend when the charter school holds its 11th commencement exercise.The Belmont Academy graduation ceremony is scheduled to take place Saturday at 7 p.m.  at Christian Fellowship Church, 5037 SW County Road 240.
The Fort White theater program won Best Set Design and Construction for ‘Mystic Pizza’ in the 12th annual Applause Awards. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Fort White theater program won Best Set Design and Construction for ‘Mystic Pizza’ in the 12th annual Applause Awards. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White theater earns Applause Awards

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
FORT WHITE — Roughly three years after holding the school’s first musical production, a Fort White High School theater performance has earned two regional theater awards.Earlier this month the school was informed that it received two awards for its recent production of “Mystic Pizza.
Fort White High won the Florida Department of Transportation’s Battle of the Belts competition between Columbia High and FWHS to encourage students to wear their seatbelts. (COURTESY)

Fort White High won the Florida Department of Transportation’s Battle of the Belts competition between Columbia High and FWHS to encourage students to wear their seatbelts. (COURTESY)

Fort White regains Battle of the Belts title

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Battle of the Belts hardware is headed back to Fort White.

Man in wheelchair hit, killed near Lake City airport

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
A wheelchair-bound Lake City man was killed in a Wednesday morning crash near the Lake City Gateway Airport. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, the 60-year-old man was driving an electric wheelchair east in the right-hand lane of U.S.
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 in March. (FILE)

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 in March. (FILE)

Reclaimed water project ‘canceled’

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
The project to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville to the Suwannee River Valley has been “canceled,” according to a state Senator.Sen.
Columbia High School JROTC cadets carry flags and crosses that will be placed alongside State Road 47 in honor of veterans and first responders. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High School JROTC cadets carry flags and crosses that will be placed alongside State Road 47 in honor of veterans and first responders. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

186 flags, crosses erected for Memorial Day

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Enthusiasm and a sense of purpose fueled a weekend effort to honor local veterans and first responders with flags and crosses erected along State Road 47 for Memorial Day.
Linda Cray (left), a master gardener volunteer, helps a pair of customers during the UF/IFAS native plant sale on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Linda Cray (left), a master gardener volunteer, helps a pair of customers during the UF/IFAS native plant sale on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

UF/IFAS enjoys ‘fantastic’ native plant sale

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
The UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension’s inaugural native plant sale was a hit.“We’ve sold over half the inventory and it is amazing attendance for a first time event,” Extension Director Heather Futch said as the event ended. “For us doing it for the first time, it is fantastic.
James Delaney (from left), Julia Jones, Jenee Delaney, president of the Columbia Teachers Association, and Kristen Smith, Columbia Teachers Association Executive Board member, pose for a picture while welcoming local educators to the 2026 Teacher Fête on Saturday at The Woods. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

James Delaney (from left), Julia Jones, Jenee Delaney, president of the Columbia Teachers Association, and Kristen Smith, Columbia Teachers Association Executive Board member, pose for a picture while welcoming local educators to the 2026 Teacher Fête on Saturday at The Woods. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Teachers fêted to fun time

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Columbia County public school teachers were treated to a day of fun, fellowship and friendly appreciation on Saturday by the local teachers’ union.