Local

Master gardeners with the UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension Office were on hand Friday to held give out trees for Florida Arbor Day. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION)

Master gardeners with the UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension Office were on hand Friday to held give out trees for Florida Arbor Day. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION)

Hundreds capitalize on tree giveaway

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 16, 2026
Local residents, as well as some from surrounding counties, were able to celebrate Florida Arbor Day with local extension service agents during a tree giveaway Friday at the Columbia County extension service office.
The dried lake bed of Alligator Lake sits after below-average rainfall fell across North Florida over the last few months. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

The dried lake bed of Alligator Lake sits after below-average rainfall fell across North Florida over the last few months. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

SRWMD issues water shortage advisory

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Following a year of below-average rainfall across North Florida that has affected rivers, springs and groundwater levels, the Suwannee River Water Management District is calling on users to be mindful of their water use.
A new Shumard Oak tree will be planted at Niblack Elementary School on Friday in observance of Arbor Day. The state of Florida celebrates Arbor Day early due to the more favorable conditions to plant trees in January. (COURTESY)

A new Shumard Oak tree will be planted at Niblack Elementary School on Friday in observance of Arbor Day. The state of Florida celebrates Arbor Day early due to the more favorable conditions to plant trees in January. (COURTESY)

Niblack receiving new oak tree for Arbor Day

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The Lake City Garden Club is hoping Friday’s festivities can get local students feeling green. The Garden Club is set to honor Arbor Day with a special Tree Planting Ceremony at Niblack Elementary School beginning at 1 p.m. Friday.

Drug deal turned armed robbery leads to three arrests

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
A trio of suspects are in custody after a driveway drug deal gone bad. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, deputies responded to a call regarding an armed robbery around 2:50 a.m. on Thursday along SW Elizabeth Court.
Florida Elks State President Mike Chandler delivers a goodie bag to a veteran at the Robert H. Jenkins VA Domiciliary on Saturday. Chandler was visiting the district Saturday and got to help Lake City Elks Lodge #893 members on the project. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Elks State President Mike Chandler delivers a goodie bag to a veteran at the Robert H. Jenkins VA Domiciliary on Saturday. Chandler was visiting the district Saturday and got to help Lake City Elks Lodge #893 members on the project. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elks, state president drop off goods for veterans

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Several members of Lake City Elks Lodge #893 spent Saturday morning giving back to local veterans at the Robert H. Jenkins VA Domiciliary and they brought the organization’s state president with them.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Don Kennedy thanked Executive Director Dale Williams during Monday’s meeting for signing the agreement in December to give the main Lake Shore hospital building to Meridian Healthcare. (FILE)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Don Kennedy thanked Executive Director Dale Williams during Monday’s meeting for signing the agreement in December to give the main Lake Shore hospital building to Meridian Healthcare. (FILE)

LSHA board ratifies Meridian hospital agreement

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
The downtown main Lake Shore hospital building is set to be taken over by Meridian Healthcare in less than two months.
Amari Henderson, a 17-year-old Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology student, won the Southside Idol competition Saturday. (COURTESY BRITTANIE DEANNA PHOTOGRAPHY)

Amari Henderson, a 17-year-old Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology student, won the Southside Idol competition Saturday. (COURTESY BRITTANIE DEANNA PHOTOGRAPHY)

Gainesville teen wins Southside Idol

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
A 17-year-old student from Gainesville showed her vocal prowess Saturday to defeat 10 other contestants, including her sister, and claim the 2026 Southside Idol title.

City hosting brunch to honor MLK’s legacy

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
A community brunch where attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place this weekend. The inaugural MLK Jr. Celebration Brunch: Honoring the Dream and the Legacy, will take place from 1-3 p.m.