Local

Gateway Art Gallery hosting ‘Hats Off To Mom’

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 24, 2026
A local organization will be celebrating mothers and what their contributions mean to their families and community next week during an annual celebration.The Gateway Art Gallery is hosting its sixth annual “Hats Off To Mom” Mothers Day Event on Saturday, May 2, at the gallery, 168 N.
Roses, which were laid in honor of Columbia County first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty, rest on tables featuring the fallen first responder’s photo and patch representing the agency he worked for. The memorial service took place at Parkview Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Roses, which were laid in honor of Columbia County first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty, rest on tables featuring the fallen first responder’s photo and patch representing the agency he worked for. The memorial service took place at Parkview Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

First responders remember the fallen at memorial

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The lives of Columbia County first responders who died in the line of duty were honored Tuesday afternoon by community members and current first responders.
Damage left in the wake of the Gun Range Fire sits in the Osceola National Forest on Tuesday. The fire is now 50% contained after starting Sunday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Damage left in the wake of the Gun Range Fire sits in the Osceola National Forest on Tuesday. The fire is now 50% contained after starting Sunday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gun Range Fire now halfway contained

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Firefighting and containment efforts continue east of Lake City as U.S. Forest Service crews continue to work on the Gun Range Fire.Catherine Hibbard, public information officer for the U.S.
A law enforcement presence gathers near the front entrance to Fort White High School on Wednesday afternoon. The move followed an anonymous phone call to the school district that threatened student safety. (COURTESY)

A law enforcement presence gathers near the front entrance to Fort White High School on Wednesday afternoon. The move followed an anonymous phone call to the school district that threatened student safety. (COURTESY)

Fort White schools hit with phone threat

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
An unidentified threat caused school campuses in Fort White to go on a limited lockdown Wednesday. Fort White Elementary, Middle and High schools were all placed on “limited movement” Wednesday afternoon.
Columbia High School students performing in the school’s production of ‘Hairspray the Musical’ pause after completing a song. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High School students performing in the school’s production of ‘Hairspray the Musical’ pause after completing a song. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS theatre performing ‘Hairspray’

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Songs and dancing styles from the 1960s, as well as character-building lessons, will be featured at the at the Columbia High School auditorium for the next few days.The Columbia High School Theatre program will be performing ‘Hairspray The Musical’ at 7 p.m. today through Saturday.
Firefighting crews have been battling the Gun Range Fire in the Osceola National Forest since Sunday. That includes aerial support from planes and helicopters. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Firefighting crews have been battling the Gun Range Fire in the Osceola National Forest since Sunday. That includes aerial support from planes and helicopters. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Choppers deployed as Gun Range Fire kicks up smoke in Lake City

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Dusty, soot-covered, and tired US Forest Service crews are continuing their efforts to contain and douse the Gun Range Fire in eastern Lake City near Watertown Lake.
Lake City Attorney Clay Martin said county officials approached the city about a potential purchase of the wastewater treatment plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Attorney Clay Martin said county officials approached the city about a potential purchase of the wastewater treatment plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City approves purchase of sewer plant

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
After Columbia County officials agreed to its sale, the Lake City Council followed up with its own approval to take on the wastewater plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park.The board unanimously approved the $1.591 million purchase of the sewer plant at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting.