Local

Lake City Councilor Chevella Young said the committee would support recreation for the community as a whole, not just the youth in Lake City. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilor Chevella Young said the committee would support recreation for the community as a whole, not just the youth in Lake City. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City moving forward with rec committee

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, September 11, 2026
The Lake City Council isn’t playing when it comes to setting up a recreation advisory board. Councilors discussed the matter at Thursday’s meeting after previously allocating money in the upcoming budget for a community recreation committee.

Teen charged in pregnant girlfriend’s death

NEWS STAFF
Friday, September 11, 2026
A 17-year-old “person of interest” is in custody after his girlfriend was found following a shooting Wednesday afternoon.According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, deputies responded to an apartment on U.S. Highway 441 South near Racetrack Lane around 4 p.m.
Members of the Columbia High JROTC march the American flag through the CHS commons area as other uniformed students line the walkway Friday morning for the program’s annual 9/11 Memorial March. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Members of the Columbia High JROTC march the American flag through the CHS commons area as other uniformed students line the walkway Friday morning for the program’s annual 9/11 Memorial March. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS JROTC Memorial March remembers lives lost

TONY BRITT
Friday, September 11, 2026
The crisp tap of a snare drum was the most pronounced sound coming from a group of Columbia High School JROTC students as they marched through the school’s commons Friday morning.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker pointed out during Thursday’s meeting that the millage rate the Lake City Council approved was the rollback rate. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker pointed out during Thursday’s meeting that the millage rate the Lake City Council approved was the rollback rate. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council approves millage, budget

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, September 11, 2026
Lake City’s finances look to have a fast track for approval after the latest, brief round of budget talks. The Lake City Council unanimously approved several aspects of its upcoming Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget during its meeting Thursday night.

Boyfriend faces murder charge after altercation

NEWS STAFF
Friday, September 11, 2026
A Columbia County teen faces murder charges after his girlfriend was killed in a domestic violence incident earlier this week.Isaiah Devon Campbell, 19, has been charged with murder and was ordered during his first appearance Friday to be held at the Columbia County Detention Facility without bond.
Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels, mingling at one of the economic development week events last year, said this year’s week of events is designed to highlight the workforce that can be built here. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels, mingling at one of the economic development week events last year, said this year’s week of events is designed to highlight the workforce that can be built here. (COURTESY)

Economic development week focused on ‘maximizing capacity at home’

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, September 11, 2026
When Columbia County’s Economic Development Office and the Florida Gateway Chamber team up for economic development week this month, it will do so with a focus on growing what already is here.The county’s economic week celebration is set for Sept. 21-25 with events scheduled for four of those days.
The statue of Lady Columbia in downtown Lake City that was unveiled in late August by Gov. Ron DeSantis as part of the state’s celebration of 250 years of American independence. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The statue of Lady Columbia in downtown Lake City that was unveiled in late August by Gov. Ron DeSantis as part of the state’s celebration of 250 years of American independence. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Who was Columbia? Gateway Art Gallery sharing history of county's namesake

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Columbia County residents will have the opportunity to learn about Columbia and how her influence created the backbone of a nation during a program this weekend at the local art gallery.
Wendy Lakso with the Columbia Lighthouse Project through Columbia University, led one of the suicide prevention sessions Wednesday at the American Legion Post 57. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Wendy Lakso with the Columbia Lighthouse Project through Columbia University, led one of the suicide prevention sessions Wednesday at the American Legion Post 57. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Training focuses on suicide prevention

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
More than 70 people, from a variety of community and public organizations, attended a two-pronged suicide awareness and prevention training session at American Legion Post 57 on Wednesday, part of a concerted effort to reduce suicide numbers.

School board approves millage, budget

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Amid still-declining enrollment numbers, the Columbia School District has put together and approved its 2026-27 budget. The Columbia County School Board finalized the district’s proposed 5.363 millage rate, or the tax rate per $1,000 worth of property, at its Tuesday meeting with no objections.
Woodwork from ‘Them Boards’ is viewed by some shoppers at a previous Lake City Growers and Makers Market. (COURTESY)

Woodwork from ‘Them Boards’ is viewed by some shoppers at a previous Lake City Growers and Makers Market. (COURTESY)

Growers and Makers Market returns downtown

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Downtown Olustee Park is anticipating an influx of people as the weather begins to turn toward fall and the Lake City Growers and Makers Market season begins.