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Benjamin Ragland won the drawing portion of the Gateway Art Gallery and Art League of North Florida’s member art show with his pen and ink work, ‘Leonardo’s Horse.’ (COURTESY GATEWAY ART GALLERY)

Benjamin Ragland won the drawing portion of the Gateway Art Gallery and Art League of North Florida’s member art show with his pen and ink work, ‘Leonardo’s Horse.’ (COURTESY GATEWAY ART GALLERY)

Winners named in Gallery’s annual art show

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
The Gateway Art Gallery and the Art League of North Florida’s annual member art show highlights the creativity and talent of their members across a wide range of media., This year, the 59 entries were no exception with the winners recently announced.

Four nabbed after failed robbery attempt

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
While three were involved in a Sunday morning robbery attempt, four were ultimately arrested from the resulting investigation. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, a homeowner on NE Moody Court heard a knock at their front door around 9:15 a.m.

Cops say landlord swiped items off tenant’s porch

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
A Lake City woman’s attempt to “save” one of her tenants’ property eventually led to her arrest. According to a Lake City Police Department arrest report, an officer responded to a call to an apartment complex along SW Hilton Avenue on Thursday afternoon around 2 p.m.
Lake City’s Karley Scott Collins, who released her first album this past fall, will be touring this year with country superstar Luke Bryan on his ‘Word on the Street Tour.’ (COURTESY)

Lake City’s Karley Scott Collins, who released her first album this past fall, will be touring this year with country superstar Luke Bryan on his ‘Word on the Street Tour.’ (COURTESY)

Collins touring with Luke Bryan

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 23, 2026
The “Word on the Street” is Lake City’s Karley Scott Collins will be touring this year with a country music superstar. Luke Bryan’s “Word on the Street Tour” was announced Friday and Collins is among the special guests that will accompany the star at various stops on the five-month, 28-show tour.
Fort White Mayor George Thomas voted against hosting a meeting intended to gather opinions on the dissolution of the Town of Fort White. (FILE)

Fort White Mayor George Thomas voted against hosting a meeting intended to gather opinions on the dissolution of the Town of Fort White. (FILE)

Fort White Council considers dissolution

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 23, 2026
FORT WHITE — Fort White’s town charter could be dissolved by voters this fall.

Another suspect arrested from bad drug deal

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 23, 2026
A fourth arrest has been made after a driveway drug deal went awry earlier this month. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, 16-year-old Zion Na’Zai Smith was identified as the second masked man present during a robbery at a residence along SW Elizabeth Court on Jan. 8.

Olustee 5K turning into color run

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 23, 2026
The 2026 edition of the Olustee Festival will feature an abundance of colors thanks to the addition of a color run during the annual festival 5K. The 47th annual Olustee Festival will take place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13-14, at Wilson Park in downtown Lake City.
Florida Gateway College is receiving $2.5 million in grant funding to help boost its nursing program. The award comes as part of $20 million in LINE and PIEPLINE funding announced Tuesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Florida Gateway College is receiving $2.5 million in grant funding to help boost its nursing program. The award comes as part of $20 million in LINE and PIEPLINE funding announced Tuesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

$5M a ‘game changer’ at FGC

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
A “game changer” of a partnership and state funding to match will provide a lasting impact on healthcare in Columbia County. Florida Gateway College received $2.5 million from the Florida LINE (Linking Industry to Nursing Education) grant program Tuesday.
Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young voted with fellow councilor James Carter and Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford in voting against a feasibility study on merging fire departments. (FILE)

Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young voted with fellow councilor James Carter and Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford in voting against a feasibility study on merging fire departments. (FILE)

City, county getting $200K fire merger study

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Columbia County and Lake City officials hope to “put to rest” whether or not to consolidate fire services for good.
Dwayne Law, a Central Florida Electric Cooperative lineman, is left raising his daughter, Lolliegh, and newborn son, Landry, after his wife, Kaitlynn, passed away during childbirth in December. A benefit luncheon is set for Feb. 19 to help the family. (COURTESY)

Dwayne Law, a Central Florida Electric Cooperative lineman, is left raising his daughter, Lolliegh, and newborn son, Landry, after his wife, Kaitlynn, passed away during childbirth in December. A benefit luncheon is set for Feb. 19 to help the family. (COURTESY)

Benefit luncheon to support lineman, family

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Kaitlynn Law, a lifelong resident of Lake City, loving mother to Lolliegh and Landry, and devoted wife of Central Florida Electric Cooperative lineworker Dwayne Law, unexpectedly passed away recently during childbirth.