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Leo Bell, a Galen College of Nursing-Gainesville graduate, was honored with a Flower Bud Award while working at HCA Lake City Hospital. (COURTESY GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING)

Leo Bell, a Galen College of Nursing-Gainesville graduate, was honored with a Flower Bud Award while working at HCA Lake City Hospital. (COURTESY GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING)

Nursing student honored with Flower Bud Award

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Nursing is about more than what happens at the bedside. It can be about the, simple, unexpected moments that happen in between caring for patients.
The 26.62-acre Cornerstone Crossing at 47 parcel is located at the Interstate 75 and State Road 47 interchange. (COURTESY CITY OF LAKE CITY)

The 26.62-acre Cornerstone Crossing at 47 parcel is located at the Interstate 75 and State Road 47 interchange. (COURTESY CITY OF LAKE CITY)

Cornerstone annexation backed

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
The development site aiming to land a Publix is one step closer to being part of Lake City. During its brief meeting Monday night, the Lake City Council unanimously approved the first of two readings on an ordinance that would annex in 26.

Lake City man killed Saturday at block party

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
WHITE SPRINGS — A Lake City man was shot and killed Friday night at a block party in southern Hamilton County. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a Town of White Springs-authorized block party around 12:53 a.m.
Pastor John Inraham is the keynote speaker for Sunday’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday observation program. (FILE)

Pastor John Inraham is the keynote speaker for Sunday’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday observation program. (FILE)

Presleys hosting MLK program ‘blast-off’

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 2, 2026
A local educational and mentorship program will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the fallen civil rights leader, with a series of programs that are scheduled to begin this weekend. The Presley Excel and Scholars Program Inc.
The Lake City Police Department has commissioned special badges in recognition of the United States of America’s semiquincentennial celebration. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

The Lake City Police Department has commissioned special badges in recognition of the United States of America’s semiquincentennial celebration. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

LCPD celebrates America’s 250th

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 2, 2026
Lake City police officers will be celebrating the United States of America’s 250th birthday all year long. In honor of the country’s semiquincentennial, the LCPD announced this week that it has commissioned special police badges that can be worn by officers until the end of the year.
A Lake City firefighter helps extinguish a fire Tuesday night in a house off Siesta Place. The fire, which was found around the chimney for the house’s fireplace, was quickly extinguished and the home was still habitable. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

A Lake City firefighter helps extinguish a fire Tuesday night in a house off Siesta Place. The fire, which was found around the chimney for the house’s fireplace, was quickly extinguished and the home was still habitable. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Quick response saves burning home

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 2, 2026
A Tuesday evening structure fire in a downtown Lake City subdivision was quickly doused after the Lake City Fire Department responded with several units. According to LCFD reports, units were dispatched around 7 p.m. Tuesday to a residence off Siesta Place for a structure fire.