Local

Linda Cray (left), a master gardener volunteer, helps a pair of customers during the UF/IFAS native plant sale on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Linda Cray (left), a master gardener volunteer, helps a pair of customers during the UF/IFAS native plant sale on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

UF/IFAS enjoys ‘fantastic’ native plant sale

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
The UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension’s inaugural native plant sale was a hit.“We’ve sold over half the inventory and it is amazing attendance for a first time event,” Extension Director Heather Futch said as the event ended. “For us doing it for the first time, it is fantastic.
James Delaney (from left), Julia Jones, Jenee Delaney, president of the Columbia Teachers Association, and Kristen Smith, Columbia Teachers Association Executive Board member, pose for a picture while welcoming local educators to the 2026 Teacher Fête on Saturday at The Woods. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

James Delaney (from left), Julia Jones, Jenee Delaney, president of the Columbia Teachers Association, and Kristen Smith, Columbia Teachers Association Executive Board member, pose for a picture while welcoming local educators to the 2026 Teacher Fête on Saturday at The Woods. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Teachers fêted to fun time

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Columbia County public school teachers were treated to a day of fun, fellowship and friendly appreciation on Saturday by the local teachers’ union.
Kaiden Flint (from left) helps Jaime Greenwood as she makes a purchase from the Early Bird Flower Truck during the Spring Market and Multi-Cultural Day event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Kaiden Flint (from left) helps Jaime Greenwood as she makes a purchase from the Early Bird Flower Truck during the Spring Market and Multi-Cultural Day event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rain doesn’t damper Multi-Cultural market

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
While dark clouds slowly accumulated in the area on Saturday, the threat of rain they could potentially bring initially did little to scare visitors from the downtown area who were looking to purchase items, eat cuisine from various cultures, listen to music or just meander downtown.

Man charged for threatening hospital staff

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
An upset patient at HCA Lake City Hospital was arrested Monday after threatening to shoot staff and their family.According to the Lake City Police Department, Ryan Delance, a 45-year-old Lake City man, was upset around 2:24 p.m.
Nursing students at Florida Gateway College check on a doll who is on a radiant warmer donated to the school by the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Nursing students at Florida Gateway College check on a doll who is on a radiant warmer donated to the school by the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

LSHA donates to FGC nursing

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Florida Gateway College’s nursing program has received a donation of clinical training equipment from the Lake Shore Hospital Authority.
Clint Pittman resigned as Columbia County’s landscape and parks director Thursday after concerns over his running for county commissioner. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Clint Pittman resigned as Columbia County’s landscape and parks director Thursday after concerns over his running for county commissioner. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Pittman quits county job

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 8, 2026
A Columbia County department head quit abruptly Thursday to continue his campaign for county commission.
Florida Gateway College students turn their tassels after graduating on Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway College students turn their tassels after graduating on Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC graduates 358

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 8, 2026
The most recent crowning academic achievement in the lives of more than 300 Florida Gateway College students took place Friday when they became graduates.