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Fort White Middle School student Tucker Ayers (left) holds his certificate and trophy alongside his younger brother, Benjamin Ayers, after winning the 2026 Columbia County Schools First Coast Spelling Bee Friday. (COURTESY)

Fort White Middle School student Tucker Ayers (left) holds his certificate and trophy alongside his younger brother, Benjamin Ayers, after winning the 2026 Columbia County Schools First Coast Spelling Bee Friday. (COURTESY)

Ayers repeats as Columbia Spelling Bee champ

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 9, 2026
The county’s best spelling aces under the age of 15 were assembled at the Columbia County School Board Administrative Complex  Auditorium on Friday morning to determine the county’s best speller of the year.

Fort White water leak repaired

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 9, 2026
A water main leak that closed the Fort White schools Thursday has been repaired. The North Florida Water Utilities Authority shut off the water at midnight on Wednesday night/Thursday morning to repair the leak at the corner of Cullen Avenue and Dortch Street in Fort White.
Rep. Chuck Brannan is in favor of property tax cuts, as long as they are ‘responsible.’ (FILE)

Rep. Chuck Brannan is in favor of property tax cuts, as long as they are ‘responsible.’ (FILE)

Brannan wants ‘responsible’ property tax cuts

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 9, 2026
This will be a different legislative session for Rep. Chuck Brannan. Brannan, the Macclenny Republican who represents Columbia County, is entering his final regular session when the Florida House and Senate meet in Tallahassee on Tuesday.
Children on the New Dayspring Missionary Baptist Church float hold flags representing various nations during a previous MLK Day Parade in Lake City. (FILE)

Children on the New Dayspring Missionary Baptist Church float hold flags representing various nations during a previous MLK Day Parade in Lake City. (FILE)

MLK Day Parade scheduled for Jan. 19

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The 60th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech, as well as his legacy, will be celebrated in a few weeks when a local organization holds its annual MLK Parade in honor of the slain Civil Rights leader.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd (left) presents a Sheriff’s Commendation award to Lake City Police Department Detective Richard Poteat for his efforts in Operation Child Protector VII, which resulted in the arrest of a Montana man. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd (left) presents a Sheriff’s Commendation award to Lake City Police Department Detective Richard Poteat for his efforts in Operation Child Protector VII, which resulted in the arrest of a Montana man. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

LCPD detective earns Polk County award

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
A Lake City Police Department detective is receiving statewide credit for his efforts in stopping child predators.

Singing for a shot at greatness

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The vocal talents of youngsters throughout the region singing everything from gospel, rock and roll, country western, rhythm and blues, alternative and other types of music will be featured this weekend during the annual Southside Idol singing competition.
A SWAT team armored vehicle pulls onto SW Michigan Street on Monday afternoon during the search for an armed burglary suspect. The suspect, described as a tall male in dark clothing, was not captured. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

A SWAT team armored vehicle pulls onto SW Michigan Street on Monday afternoon during the search for an armed burglary suspect. The suspect, described as a tall male in dark clothing, was not captured. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Armed burglary suspect still on the loose

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
An armed burglar eluded capture following a shooting Monday morning.
Gov. Ron DeSantis talks about Operation Tidal Wave and the state’s success in supporting federal immigration enforcement, including the use of Baker Correctional Institution, ‘Deportation Depot,’ and the Lake City Gateway Airport. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Gov. Ron DeSantis talks about Operation Tidal Wave and the state’s success in supporting federal immigration enforcement, including the use of Baker Correctional Institution, ‘Deportation Depot,’ and the Lake City Gateway Airport. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

‘Depot’ deporting thousands

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
SANDERSON — Nearly 3,000 undocumented immigrants have been deported through the “Deportation Depot” and the Lake City Gateway Airport.