Local

The Florida Gateway Chamber of Commerce’s new name adorns its sign alongside State Road 47 in Lake City. The Chamber announced the name change Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The Florida Gateway Chamber of Commerce’s new name adorns its sign alongside State Road 47 in Lake City. The Chamber announced the name change Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Chamber trades city, county in name for Florida Gateway

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 31, 2026
The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is hoping a new name and identity is the “gateway” to future growth and success.
Lake City Firefighter Jerney Morgan (foreground) gets encouragement from Leon Jones as Morgan stuffs a handful ribs into his mouth during Tuesday’s rib-eating contest at Texas Roadhouse. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Firefighter Jerney Morgan (foreground) gets encouragement from Leon Jones as Morgan stuffs a handful ribs into his mouth during Tuesday’s rib-eating contest at Texas Roadhouse. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Good-natured ribbing: Firefighters edge police in friendly fundraising event

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
On most days, Lake City police officers and Lake City firefighters are on the same page, handling the same emergency and serving the same people.

School board approves tax rate; to generate $29.5M

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
The Columbia County School District will get a little extra help in revenue, but its future is still in question with declining enrollment. The Columbia County School Board met Tuesday to approve the district’s proposed 5.363 millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year.
Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Tomi Brown, speaking at a forum last week, said Tuesday that her staff is prepared for the upcoming elections. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Tomi Brown, speaking at a forum last week, said Tuesday that her staff is prepared for the upcoming elections. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elections office ready to serve voters and candidates

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
The 2026 primary election is just weeks away for local voters and the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office and its staff are prepared for the task at hand.
Florida Gateway College was approved to begin offering a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Florida Gateway College was approved to begin offering a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC approved for public safety admin BS degree

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Florida Gateway College can now offer a new four-year degree.On July 22, the Florida Board of Education granted approval to FGC’s new Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration. It becomes the sixth bachelor’s degree program the college offers.
Little Poultry Pals campers enjoyed an up-close encounter with one of Junior 4-H member Josie Harlow’s chickens during a hands-on lesson about poultry and agriculture. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Little Poultry Pals campers enjoyed an up-close encounter with one of Junior 4-H member Josie Harlow’s chickens during a hands-on lesson about poultry and agriculture. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Little Poultry Pals discover big adventures at 4-H Day Camp

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
By Heather FutchUF/IFAS Extension Columbia County Director/4-H AgentFeathers, fun, and plenty of smiles filled the day as Columbia County 4-H welcomed its youngest participants to the Little Poultry Pals Day Camp, a one-day experience designed especially for youth ages 5-7.
Columbia County School Board member Keith Hudson holds up the scissors after cutting the ribbon to open up the new Eastside Elementary School on Tuesday morning. Hudson is joined by students, faculty and staff at Eastside as well as school district officials and members of the Gilbane Construction company that built the new school. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County School Board member Keith Hudson holds up the scissors after cutting the ribbon to open up the new Eastside Elementary School on Tuesday morning. Hudson is joined by students, faculty and staff at Eastside as well as school district officials and members of the Gilbane Construction company that built the new school. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Opening up Eastside

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
School won’t begin for another week and a half, but the Eastside Elementary School campus was bustling Tuesday morning.Students, faculty and staff, district officials and contractors from Gilbane Construction gathered at “Eastside 2.
Jeffery Bell Jr., sitting in the Columbia County Courthouse on Tuesday during closing arguments, was convicted of first-degree murder. The jury will determine next week whether he should face the death penalty. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jeffery Bell Jr., sitting in the Columbia County Courthouse on Tuesday during closing arguments, was convicted of first-degree murder. The jury will determine next week whether he should face the death penalty. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bell convicted of murder

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
The first trial for the 2023 murder of a Lake City man has quickly wrapped up. A jury of six men and six women deliberated for three hours Tuesday before returning a trio of guilty verdicts against Jeffery Bell Jr. for his role in the April 2023 murder of Shawn Waldron.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Brandon Beil was not supported in his push to have the taxing district stop levying taxes. (FILE)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Brandon Beil was not supported in his push to have the taxing district stop levying taxes. (FILE)

Removing hospital board tax levy stopped

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority will again tax the smallest amount possible.That still is more than one trustee desired.During its meeting Monday, the LSHA board unanimously approved setting its maximum millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year at 0.