Local

A SE Murray Street house was severely damaged by a fire Saturday night. A dog was killed in the blaze. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

A SE Murray Street house was severely damaged by a fire Saturday night. A dog was killed in the blaze. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Family loses dog in house fire

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
A Saturday night structure fire severely damaged a local residence, displaced a local family and claimed the life of one of the family’s pets. According to the Lake City Fire Department, units were dispatched at 11:38 p.m.
The Lake City Fire Department responded Monday morning to a fire in the ceiling above the kitchen at the Wendy’s on U.S. Highway 90. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

The Lake City Fire Department responded Monday morning to a fire in the ceiling above the kitchen at the Wendy’s on U.S. Highway 90. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Fire temporarily closes Wendy’s

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
A heavy presence of firefighters and emergency personnel responded to reports of a fire at a local fast-food restaurant Monday morning, which resulted in the restaurant’s closure. According to the Lake City Fire Department, there was an extensive fire truck presence at the Wendy’s on U.S.
A home off SE Buck Glen sustained significant damage from a fire Monday night that appeared to start from chimney issues. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

A home off SE Buck Glen sustained significant damage from a fire Monday night that appeared to start from chimney issues. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

Chimney sparks house fire

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Issues with a chimney caused a structure fire Monday night. Crews from Columbia County Fire Rescue and the Lake City Fire Department responded around 9:59 p.m. to a structure fire on SE Buck Glen.
Hailey Hall, a geologist from Suwannee County, said the problem with the Water First North Florida project is it would turn the Suwannee Valley into a ‘dumping ground’ for waste from Jacksonville. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Hailey Hall, a geologist from Suwannee County, said the problem with the Water First North Florida project is it would turn the Suwannee Valley into a ‘dumping ground’ for waste from Jacksonville. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County, residents: Flush Water First

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 20, 2026
Columbia County Commissioner Kevin Parnell summed up the the thoughts of many on Water First North Florida quite succinctly Thursday night.
Helena Powers smiles as she sees her 110th birthday cake earlier this month. (JOHN CLARE STOKES/Special to the Reporter)

Helena Powers smiles as she sees her 110th birthday cake earlier this month. (JOHN CLARE STOKES/Special to the Reporter)

Celebrating a century-plus: Powers honored for 110th birthday

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, February 20, 2026
Helena Powers has been around the block a few times. So much, in fact, that the block has conformed around her. So naturally, for Powers’ 110th birthday bash this month, roughly 100 Lake City residents and family members alike converged in her back yard along W.

Recoil bouncing into Lake City

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 20, 2026
A family entertainment location is looking to bounce into Lake City. The Columbia County Economic Development Advisory Board unanimously approved a tax rebate for Project Jumping Jelly Beans — Recoil Trampoline Park — at its meeting Thursday morning.
Columbia County is purchasing the former TD Bank building in downtown Lake City to be the new home of the Tax Collector’s Office. (FILE)

Columbia County is purchasing the former TD Bank building in downtown Lake City to be the new home of the Tax Collector’s Office. (FILE)

County purchases bank building

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 20, 2026
The Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office will have a new home in downtown Lake City.

250th celebration kicks off Tuesday

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 20, 2026
Olustee Park will be filled with excitement next week as residents gather to learn about Columbia County’s planned celebration for America’s 250th birthday which will take place through July 4.
Fort White resident Carl King angrily responds to the Fort White Town Council during its special meeting Tuesday night about town dissolution. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White resident Carl King angrily responds to the Fort White Town Council during its special meeting Tuesday night about town dissolution. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White residents: don’t dissolve town

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
FORT WHITE — When given an opportunity to determine the town’s future, a huge portion of the local electorate of this southern Columbia County town have indicated they want their town to remain a municipality.