Local

The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows all of the Suwannee River Valley to be experiencing exceptional drought, the most intense level of drought. (U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR)

The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows all of the Suwannee River Valley to be experiencing exceptional drought, the most intense level of drought. (U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR)

County holds off on burn ban

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 3, 2026
Burning is still allowed in Columbia County as long as people continue to use caution. Columbia County Assistant Fire Chief Lance Hill told the County Commission on Thursday morning that the department didn’t want to re-impose a burn ban just yet.
Wally the Goose presents representatives from the Lake City Police Department with a trophy after they defeated the Lake City Fire Department team in a hoagie-making challenge. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Wally the Goose presents representatives from the Lake City Police Department with a trophy after they defeated the Lake City Fire Department team in a hoagie-making challenge. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Wawa opens in Lake City

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 3, 2026
A line of people led from the Wawa’s front door, heading east and nearly wrapped around the building.
Michael McInally, a Lake City man who has an outdoors YouTube channel, is spending 24 hours floating on Lake DeSoto in downtown Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Michael McInally, a Lake City man who has an outdoors YouTube channel, is spending 24 hours floating on Lake DeSoto in downtown Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

McInally spending 24 hours floating on lake as part of YouTube challenge

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
A local YouTuber is getting more familiar with Lake DeSoto after he decided to meet a challenge for his viewers. Micheal McInally, a Lake City resident, has an outdoor adventure channel on YouTube called “I Suck At Hiking.
Maylianne Vazquez (left) works on connecting pieces of flooring with Eric Adams of Eric’s Flooring during Wednesday’s Build My Future event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Maylianne Vazquez (left) works on connecting pieces of flooring with Eric Adams of Eric’s Flooring during Wednesday’s Build My Future event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Trades careers the focus of expo

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Learning how to lay flooring panels, using a nail gun to install shingles or a drill press to make holes for a bed were highlighted for local students who may have an interest in a career in the trades.
Riley Poirier (left), 8, and Kingsley Burnham, 4, look through Easter eggs at the Movement Mortgage Tent on Tuesday evening at the Texas Roadhouse Second Annual Easter Egg Hop event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Riley Poirier (left), 8, and Kingsley Burnham, 4, look through Easter eggs at the Movement Mortgage Tent on Tuesday evening at the Texas Roadhouse Second Annual Easter Egg Hop event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hundreds attend Easter event at Texas Roadhouse

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
More than 200 children jumped at the opportunity to get an early start on their Easter activities by visiting the local Texas Roadhouse on Tuesday evening for the second Texas Roadhouse Easter Egg Hop.
Seventeen sexual offenders and sexual predators were recently arrested in Columbia County for violating registration laws. The suspects were arrested during a joint operation — Operation Running Wild —conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Police Department, Florida Department of Correctsions and State Attorney’s Office for the Third Judicial Circuit. (COURTESY)

Seventeen sexual offenders and sexual predators were recently arrested in Columbia County for violating registration laws. The suspects were arrested during a joint operation — Operation Running Wild —conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Police Department, Florida Department of Correctsions and State Attorney’s Office for the Third Judicial Circuit. (COURTESY)

FDLE: 17 arrested in Operation Running Wild

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
A joint operation in Columbia County led to 17 arrests of sexual offenders and sexual predators for violating Florida registration laws.
Stephanie Spradley with Spradley Springers passes a puppy to Donald Altman to love on during activities at the Easter Extravaganza at the Canopy at Harper Lake on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Stephanie Spradley with Spradley Springers passes a puppy to Donald Altman to love on during activities at the Easter Extravaganza at the Canopy at Harper Lake on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cuddles, eggs found at Canopy

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
More than 50 youngsters from around the area put their Easter egg-hunting skills to the test during the annual Easter Extravaganza, which took place Saturday as part of an Easter celebration at the Canopy at Harper Lake.
Judy Tatem has served as Columbia County Schools’ Safe Schools director for the past eight years. Her final day with the district was Tuesday. (FILE)

Judy Tatem has served as Columbia County Schools’ Safe Schools director for the past eight years. Her final day with the district was Tuesday. (FILE)

Tatem leaving Safe Schools position

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Judy Tatem has seen it all in her role. She’s overseen efforts to vaccinate local school teachers and staff in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, upgraded security at school entrances and implemented mental health programs for students.
Mark Mansbach (left and below) was a board member of the Lake City Columbia County Tennis Association for five years and served as its tennis pro and a dedicated coach. (COURTESY)

Mark Mansbach (left and below) was a board member of the Lake City Columbia County Tennis Association for five years and served as its tennis pro and a dedicated coach. (COURTESY)

Tennis community remembers Mansbach

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
The Lake City Columbia County Tennis Association remembered a beloved tennis coach and dedicated volunteer last week. The LCCCTA held a remembrance gathering Thursday at Young’s Park to remember Mark Mansbach, a board member and tennis professional for the group.