Local

CHS wins seven FBLA district titles

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Columbia High’s future business leaders racked up awards at the recent District 5 competition. At the district contest, Columbia’s FBLA team won five events and placed in 10 other events as well.
Jesenia Minniefield prepares a bouquet of flowers during last year’s Sweets in the Streets event in downtown Lake City. (FILE)

Jesenia Minniefield prepares a bouquet of flowers during last year’s Sweets in the Streets event in downtown Lake City. (FILE)

Sweets in the Streets coming to downtown

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Honeybun time will take on a new definition Friday afternoon in downtown Lake City when the city and a local business hold an event featuring sweets, arts and crafts and other Valentines Day offerings.

Standoff ends with peaceful capture of suspect

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
A standoff ended peacefully last week in southwestern Suwannee County. Suwannee County deputies responded to 221st Road near Luraville on Jan. 28 to a report of a domestic disturbance, according to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office release.
The proposed intersection improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing in southwestern Columbia County. (COURTESY)

The proposed intersection improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing in southwestern Columbia County. (COURTESY)

SR 247/CR 240 intersection revamp eyed

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
An intersection in southwestern Columbia County may be getting an overhaul after all.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said he’d like to see the city take a ‘pound of flesh’ as a deterrent for future mishaps surrounding city contracts. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said he’d like to see the city take a ‘pound of flesh’ as a deterrent for future mishaps surrounding city contracts. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City wants $5K ‘pound of flesh’ from Dyal

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
The years-long saga over a former city manager’s severance pay could be nearing another boiling point.
Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young said she didn’t want to see the city spend money on additional microphones while also considering a new City Hall. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young said she didn’t want to see the city spend money on additional microphones while also considering a new City Hall. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City no longer interested in fire consolidation study, A/V goods

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Among the work done at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting, one agenda item stood out for not moving forward.
Scott Thomason, the City of Lake City’s growth management director, said the new facade grant program would not only include additional city funding but also cover more work to try to improve the Community Redevelopment Agency district. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Scott Thomason, the City of Lake City’s growth management director, said the new facade grant program would not only include additional city funding but also cover more work to try to improve the Community Redevelopment Agency district. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

CRA approves funding facade grants 80%

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Building and property owners in need of help making dire repairs could soon get some from the City of Lake City.
Bob Hubbard checks out the interior of the Hotrod Taxi Monday afternoon as Sick Week participants and observers flocked to Lake City for a pit stop. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Bob Hubbard checks out the interior of the Hotrod Taxi Monday afternoon as Sick Week participants and observers flocked to Lake City for a pit stop. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Sick Week rumbles back to Lake City

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Roaring engines periodically pierced the cool air in downtown Lake City in the afternoon and evening. All to the delight of locals and law enforcement alike.

Former ALF workers charged with elder abuse

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
A pair of former employees have been arrested for abusing an assisted living facility resident. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers responded to The Canopy on NW Gleason Drive on Thursday afternoon to a possible battery on a resident.