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Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris wants to host ‘Love Fest’ to better enhance the community’s image to outsiders. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris wants to host ‘Love Fest’ to better enhance the community’s image to outsiders. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

‘Love Fest’ not met with unity

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
A proposed festival promoting “love” and “unity” received some harsh criticism from the Lake City Council. The board met Tuesday to discuss, among other items, Councilwoman Tammy Harris’ proposal to host a “Love Fest” on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 12-6 p.m.
Lake City Middle School officials Dennis Dotson, Brianna Collier and basketball coach Shaniqua Henry, stand with Carl Allison and Wayne Jernigan showing off a new scorer’s table for the school which arrived Tuesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Middle School officials Dennis Dotson, Brianna Collier and basketball coach Shaniqua Henry, stand with Carl Allison and Wayne Jernigan showing off a new scorer’s table for the school which arrived Tuesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Baya Pharmacy helps LCMS purchase new scorer’s table

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
A community-based organization and a local business owner partnered together to help purchase a new electronic scorer’s table for Lake City Middle School. The new scorer’s table will be put into use right away to help volleyball, basketball, wrestling and other sports in the gym.
Niblack Elementary physical education coach James Williamson coaxes students Augest and Kingston to try the results of their efforts in making butter. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Niblack Elementary physical education coach James Williamson coaxes students Augest and Kingston to try the results of their efforts in making butter. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Niblack students shake up science

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
By Heather Futch UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County Students at Minnie J. Niblack Elementary School enjoyed a hands-on, high-energy lesson this month as they explored the Dairy Food Group through UF/IFAS Extension’s Serving Up MyPlate – A Yummy Curriculum.
Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan said he believed any inclusion of the Kiwanis Club of Lake City in a public bench maintenance contract was some ‘scheme’ of Councilor James Carter, the civic group’s president. The contract has been in place since before Carter was on the council or the club’s president. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan said he believed any inclusion of the Kiwanis Club of Lake City in a public bench maintenance contract was some ‘scheme’ of Councilor James Carter, the civic group’s president. The contract has been in place since before Carter was on the council or the club’s president. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City approves final resolution on Dyal issue

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
A longstanding beef between the City of Lake City and its former city manager came to a quiet end Tuesday night.
Rep. Chuck Brannan is pictured next to a rendering of the new Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park museum during the groundbreaking ceremony Friday at the park. (COURTESY)

Rep. Chuck Brannan is pictured next to a rendering of the new Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park museum during the groundbreaking ceremony Friday at the park. (COURTESY)

Breaking ground at Olustee: New museum coming for state park

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
OLUSTEE — The history of the Battle of Olustee will soon be showcased in new ways. As part of the festivities surrounding last weekend’s battle reenactment at the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, park and state officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the park’s new museum.
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Lake City doanted $12,500 to the Foundation of Florida Gateway College on Tuesday to endow a career and technical education scholarship. The scholarship will be named in honor of Sandy Swilley, a longtime Kiwanis Club officer. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Lake City doanted $12,500 to the Foundation of Florida Gateway College on Tuesday to endow a career and technical education scholarship. The scholarship will be named in honor of Sandy Swilley, a longtime Kiwanis Club officer. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Kiwanis Club endows FGC trades scholarship

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
The Kiwanis Club of Lake City’s support of youth has now been extended, hopefully, in perpetuity. At its weekly meeting Tuesday, the Kiwanis Club donated $12,500 to the Foundation of Florida Gateway College to endow a scholarship for career and technical education.

Trampoline park seeking tax rebate incentive

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
A proposed entertainment facility is bouncing back into the county’s sights. The Columbia County Economic Development Advisory Board could decide on a new incentive package to lure in a sizable new business. The EDAB is set to hear the request at its Thursday meeting, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The Columbia County COmmission will decide Thursday whether to complete the purchase of the old TD Bank building in downtown Lake City to house the Tax Collector's Office. (FILE)

The Columbia County COmmission will decide Thursday whether to complete the purchase of the old TD Bank building in downtown Lake City to house the Tax Collector's Office. (FILE)

County to decide on TD Bank purchase

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Columbia County could wrap up a significant land deal this week to accommodate a growing Tax Collector’s Office.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker and Blue-Grey Army Commanding General Tony Buzzella (center) share a laugh during the opening ceremony of the 47th annual Olustee Festival on the banks of Lake DeSoto at Wilson Park. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker and Blue-Grey Army Commanding General Tony Buzzella (center) share a laugh during the opening ceremony of the 47th annual Olustee Festival on the banks of Lake DeSoto at Wilson Park. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

47th annual Olustee Festival starts off strong

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 13, 2026
The 47th annual Olustee Festival hit Columbia County on Friday morning bringing an onslaught of entertainers, activities, good weather and food, as well as large steady crowds. The festival gathered momentum quick on Friday morning after opening at 9 a.m.
James Carter and Eddie Kurtz are presented their prizes after winning the Lake City Garden Club's annual Scrabble Tournament. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

James Carter and Eddie Kurtz are presented their prizes after winning the Lake City Garden Club's annual Scrabble Tournament. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Scrabble tourney a ‘blooming’ success

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, February 13, 2026
For James Carter, an early exit from last year’s Lake City Garden Club’s annual Scrabble Tournament left him wanting more.