Local

Columbia County Economic Development Advisory Board member Jeff Simmons said that he wants to negotiate the contract with Retail Strategies to iron out some details. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Economic Development Advisory Board member Jeff Simmons said that he wants to negotiate the contract with Retail Strategies to iron out some details. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County may partner with city, chamber on Retail Strategies deal

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 17, 2026
A consultant may soon help bring in commercial and retail developments to the City of Lake City and Columbia County.
Lake City police officer Greg Burnsed salutes pictures of fallen first responders after placing a flower in honor of them at last year’s Public Safety Memorial. (FILE)

Lake City police officer Greg Burnsed salutes pictures of fallen first responders after placing a flower in honor of them at last year’s Public Safety Memorial. (FILE)

Fallen first responders will be remembered Tuesday by community

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 17, 2026
First responders from a variety of different organizations often put their lives on the line for the good and betterment of their community.
Columbia County Planner Seth Lane said he’d prefer people call to get advice on what they can do on property before they buy it than tell them it can’t be built on after the fact. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Planner Seth Lane said he’d prefer people call to get advice on what they can do on property before they buy it than tell them it can’t be built on after the fact. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

P&Z office pledges help before land purchases

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 17, 2026
Columbia County’s planning and zoning department wants to be called on more as a resource before land is purchased.
Third grade students at Niblack Elementary practice measuring by making their own trail mix through the nutrition lessons taught by UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County during PE classes at the school. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Third grade students at Niblack Elementary practice measuring by making their own trail mix through the nutrition lessons taught by UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County during PE classes at the school. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Healthy choices take center stage at Niblack

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Students in grades kindergarten through fifth at Minnie J. Niblack Elementary School continued building healthy habits through nutrition lessons taught by UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County during PE.

Gallery hosting coloring contests

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
As Columbia County residents continue to prepare for festivities for the country’s 250th Anniversary celebration later this summer, another competition has been announced to commemorate the local celebration.
Susan Bell, secretary of the Live Oak Artists Guild (from left), Marilyn Jones, president, and Chris Flanagan, vice president, gather with attendees during the opening reception for the Guild’s exhibition at the Gateway Art Gallery in Lake City. (COURTESY)

Susan Bell, secretary of the Live Oak Artists Guild (from left), Marilyn Jones, president, and Chris Flanagan, vice president, gather with attendees during the opening reception for the Guild’s exhibition at the Gateway Art Gallery in Lake City. (COURTESY)

Live Oak artists featured at Gateway Art Gallery

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
More than 30 works by members of the Live Oak Artists Guild are now on display at the Gateway Art Gallery in historic downtown Lake City, marking the first collaboration between the two organizations.
A map of the proposed improvements for the Branford Highway (State Road 247) and Bascom Norris Drive intersection improvements, as well as paving on those two roads away from the intersection. (COURTESY FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION)

A map of the proposed improvements for the Branford Highway (State Road 247) and Bascom Norris Drive intersection improvements, as well as paving on those two roads away from the intersection. (COURTESY FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION)

Branford Highway, Bascom Norris getting $18 million upgrade

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation is looking at making $18 million worth of improvements to the Branford Highway and Bascom Norris Drive intersection.

Fort White recall stopped; Harrell granted injunction

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
The recall election in Fort White is off. Third Circuit Judge Fred Koberlein granted an injunction to Councilman Lonnie Harrell following an emergency hearing Monday regarding the recall election for his District 2 seat on the Fort White Town Council. The recall election had been set for Tuesday.