Local

Lake City Fire Chief Josh Wehinger (second from left) welcomed LCFD and Columbia County EMS vets for a reunion. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Lake City Fire Chief Josh Wehinger (second from left) welcomed LCFD and Columbia County EMS vets for a reunion. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

LCFD, EMS vets reunite for a night

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
For years and sometimes decades they worked together, running into burning buildings, pulling people are mangled vehicles and risking their lives and limbs for the betterment of the community.
Master gardeners Terri Andrews (left) and Mayra Ramirez Rodriguez and plant seeds in January as they prepare for this month’s plant sale. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Master gardeners Terri Andrews (left) and Mayra Ramirez Rodriguez and plant seeds in January as they prepare for this month’s plant sale. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Time to wake up your spring garden

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The warmer weather is a signal to many North Florida gardeners to get outside and start getting your spring garden prepped. If you are new to the area, you may be wondering what and when to plant this time of year in your garden.
Columbia County Fire Rescue crews, along with the Lake City Fire Department and the Florida Forest Service, battled a brush fire in beween Sisters Welcome Road and Interstate 75 on Monday afternoon. The interstate was shut down temporarily due to poor visibility from the smoke. (ISAIAH CULLY/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Rescue crews, along with the Lake City Fire Department and the Florida Forest Service, battled a brush fire in beween Sisters Welcome Road and Interstate 75 on Monday afternoon. The interstate was shut down temporarily due to poor visibility from the smoke. (ISAIAH CULLY/Special to the Reporter)

Brush fire closes I-75

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
A brush fire that shut down Intestate 75 for awhile Monday afternoon was likely caused by a burn pile.
Fort White’s Tucker Ayers won the First Coast Spelling Bee on Friday to qualify for the National Spelling Bee in May. (COURTESY)

Fort White’s Tucker Ayers won the First Coast Spelling Bee on Friday to qualify for the National Spelling Bee in May. (COURTESY)

Ayers qualifies for national spelling bee

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
FORT WHITE — After winning the Columbia County Spelling Bee two times, Tucker Ayers was just beginning to hit his stride. Ayers’ stride has earned him a national berth.
The Lee Family Atrium was dedicated in the Wilson S. Rivers Library at Florida Gateway College on Tuesday in honor of Mike and Missy Lee. The Lees are pictured with their daughters Jessica (left) and Meghan (right) and granddaughter Lettie. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The Lee Family Atrium was dedicated in the Wilson S. Rivers Library at Florida Gateway College on Tuesday in honor of Mike and Missy Lee. The Lees are pictured with their daughters Jessica (left) and Meghan (right) and granddaughter Lettie. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Library atrium named for Lee family

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
The Lee family’s impact on Florida Gateway College may not be measured by pure numbers. But during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon to honor Mike and Missy Lee and their family, Lee Pinchouck, the executive director of the Foundation for Florida Gateway College, said they still speak loudly.
Lake City Public Works Director Steve Brown updates the city council on repair work at different parks during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Public Works Director Steve Brown updates the city council on repair work at different parks during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City parks getting closer look for repairs

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Lake City Public Works has been putting in the work at local parks. Public Works Director Steve Brown gave an update on the city’s work on local parks during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting. Brown said his department has been looking at ways to upgrade city parks over the last year.

Biker critically injured on I-75

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
A Tennessee man was critically injured Monday when his motorcycle crashed into a parked semi truck along Interstate 75. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 34-year-old was headed north on I-75 just after noon Monday when his motorcycle ran into the back of the semi.
Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris said she was “embarrassed” after not receiving support for a proposed Unity Festival. Harris dropped her request for city funding for the event Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris said she was “embarrassed” after not receiving support for a proposed Unity Festival. Harris dropped her request for city funding for the event Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Unity Fest funding request rescinded

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
There was no love lost in the debate — and ultimately, the withdrawal — of a proposed Unity Festival. Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris withdrew her ask of $10,000 for a citywide celebration of “love” and “unity” during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting.
The current Lake City Hall, pictured here, could soon move a short distance away to the former Vann Carpet building, pending council approval. (FILE)

The current Lake City Hall, pictured here, could soon move a short distance away to the former Vann Carpet building, pending council approval. (FILE)

Lake City has new candidate for proposed city hall

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
The quest for a new Lake City Hall has a new target close by. Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal proposed a new location for the city’s administration at Monday’s city council meeting.