Local

The Florida Department of Transportation plan to realign the State Road 247 and County Road 240 intersection in southwestern Columbia County is supported by the County Commission. (COURTESY FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION)

The Florida Department of Transportation plan to realign the State Road 247 and County Road 240 intersection in southwestern Columbia County is supported by the County Commission. (COURTESY FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION)

Commission backs FDOT realigning SR 247/ CR 240 crossing

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 6, 2026
Planned safety upgrades for a problematic intersection in southwestern Columbia County has the full support of county officials.
Columbia County Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth said he wanted to do what was best for everybody since the county usually ‘put all the burden on businesses.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth said he wanted to do what was best for everybody since the county usually ‘put all the burden on businesses.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Residential solid waste pickup increasing 32.5%

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 6, 2026
Columbia County solid waste will be picked up by a new provider. That garbage pickup will also come with an increased cost on county residents to help offset charges placed on county businesses.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said he was willing to help with a limited scope in the Town of Fort White as it considers dissolution. However, the County Commission wasn’t willing to let him to get involved. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said he was willing to help with a limited scope in the Town of Fort White as it considers dissolution. However, the County Commission wasn’t willing to let him to get involved. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County attorney won’t be helping with town dissolution

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 6, 2026
The potential dissolution of Fort White’s town government will not have hands-on assistance from Columbia County’s attorney.

FGC now offering massage therapy program

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 6, 2026
A new pathway for local college students promises hands-on experience while preparing them for an in-demand career. Florida Gateway College announced a new massage therapy certificate program Friday.
Richardson Sixth Grade Academy will be closed after the current academic year due to declining enrollment numbers across the school district. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Richardson Sixth Grade Academy will be closed after the current academic year due to declining enrollment numbers across the school district. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

School’s out for RSGA

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Declining student enrollment district-wide will lead to the closing of Richardson Sixth Grade Academy. RSGA will be closed at the end of the current school year with sixth-grade students attending Lake City Middle School along with seventh- and eighth-grade students, beginning in the fall.
Signage was erected Tuesday on the Wawa convenience store at the U.S. Highway 90 and Ridgewood Avenue intersection. The store is expected to open in April. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Signage was erected Tuesday on the Wawa convenience store at the U.S. Highway 90 and Ridgewood Avenue intersection. The store is expected to open in April. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Wawa construction nearing completion

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
After more than six months of construction, the first Wawa station in Columbia County is nearing completion. The final phases of work on the Wawa gas station and convenience store at the intersection of U.S.

Dyal accepts council’s $5K offer

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
A gambit from Lake City has paid off. Members of the Lake City Council hope it serves as a deterrent in the future. Former Lake City Manager Paul Dyal has accepted an ultimatum laid out by the Lake City Council at its Monday meeting: pay $5,000 or prepare for court.

Stalker arrested for violating restraining order

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
A Fort White woman turned herself in Monday on a felony warrant for violating a restraining order. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, Deborah Fellows, 63, was issued an injunction for protection against stalking on Dec.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 57 American Essay Contest winners included, in front, Irma Wehrli (from left), Judy Ripple, Kynlee Bogie, Timothy Steele, Kazzeley Vernon, Darien Cooper, Daelyn Cooper, Witness Hatch, Katheryn Coleman; back row, Olivia Medeiros, William Matheney, Madison Cruess, Kaiden Berg and Mason Garling. (COURTESY)

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 57 American Essay Contest winners included, in front, Irma Wehrli (from left), Judy Ripple, Kynlee Bogie, Timothy Steele, Kazzeley Vernon, Darien Cooper, Daelyn Cooper, Witness Hatch, Katheryn Coleman; back row, Olivia Medeiros, William Matheney, Madison Cruess, Kaiden Berg and Mason Garling. (COURTESY)

Auxiliary honors patriotic essay winners

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Fourteen Columbia County students were honored by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 57 for their patriotic essay writings.