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Columbia County Public Library Assistant Director Kate Duong (left) and Andrea Sirard, Columbia County Youth Services librarian, work on creating an edible spinal column made of cereal and candy during a Spring Break program last year. (FILE)

Columbia County Public Library Assistant Director Kate Duong (left) and Andrea Sirard, Columbia County Youth Services librarian, work on creating an edible spinal column made of cereal and candy during a Spring Break program last year. (FILE)

County libraries offering Spring Break programming

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 20, 2026
The Columbia County Public Library system has decided no local youngsters should have to battle boredom next week during their spring break and has scheduled a week of activities at local libraries.
A prop of Olaf, the magical, talking snowman in ‘Frozen Jr.,’ was donated to Practically Perfect Performing Arts by Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville for the Lake City production. (COURTESY)

A prop of Olaf, the magical, talking snowman in ‘Frozen Jr.,’ was donated to Practically Perfect Performing Arts by Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville for the Lake City production. (COURTESY)

‘Frozen Jr.’ coming to Lake City

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 20, 2026
Lake City’s littlest performers will have a chance to star as their favorite characters from Disney’s “Frozen.” Practically Perfect Performing Arts will be hosting auditions for roles in its production of “Frozen Jr.” on Monday-Tuesday, May 4-5, from 5-8 p.m.

Judkins chosen as principal at LCMS

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 20, 2026
A local principal is on the move as the Columbia School District carries out reorganization efforts. The district announced Friday afternoon that it’s appointing Sonya Judkins as the next principal of Lake City Middle School for the 2026-27 school year.
The mixed-use overlay district areas being considered for Columbia County are along interstate interchanges on State Road 47 and U.S. Highways 41 and 441 as well as near Columbia High School. (COURTESY)

The mixed-use overlay district areas being considered for Columbia County are along interstate interchanges on State Road 47 and U.S. Highways 41 and 441 as well as near Columbia High School. (COURTESY)

Mixed-use eyed for interchanges, main corridors

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 20, 2026
Columbia County’s planning for future growth will include overlay districts with mixed-use developments at interchanges and other strategic locations.
Angel Gomez, a Columbia High School student, gets tips on sanding wood from Monty Ashby, as Gomez and Kiley Morrison sand wood to make beds for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program during last year’s Build My Future event. (FILE)

Angel Gomez, a Columbia High School student, gets tips on sanding wood from Monty Ashby, as Gomez and Kiley Morrison sand wood to make beds for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program during last year’s Build My Future event. (FILE)

High school trades expo set for April 1

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
High school students considering career opportunities in the building and trades industries will have an opportunity to get an inside look into the tools and machinery used in several professions in a few weeks.
A pair of Waste Pro employees oversee the dumping of a truckload of garbage at the Columbia County Landfill. (FILE)

A pair of Waste Pro employees oversee the dumping of a truckload of garbage at the Columbia County Landfill. (FILE)

Waste Pro sues county over lost bid

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Columbia County’s current solid waste provider is looking to carry the county to court over its new contract award. Waste Pro filed a lawsuit Friday in Third Judicial Circuit Court against Columbia County, claiming the county used “faulty pricing calculations” in its procurement process.
Merrick Mitchell, a nutrition educator, prepares turnips during a food demonstration at Catholic Charities on Wednesday, kicking off its annual March against Hunger campaign. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Merrick Mitchell, a nutrition educator, prepares turnips during a food demonstration at Catholic Charities on Wednesday, kicking off its annual March against Hunger campaign. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Catholic Charities ready to ‘March against Hunger’

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Learning different cooking methods to prepare different foods is one way to fight food insecurity and rising food costs have become a strain on local budgets.
Tourist Development Council board member Janak Patel said February’s numbers will look much better than January’s on the bed tax and room rates. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tourist Development Council board member Janak Patel said February’s numbers will look much better than January’s on the bed tax and room rates. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Bed tax, room rates expected to rebound

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
A drop in hotel stays in January will bounce back, according to a Columbia County hotelier.
Participants in a previous Columbia County 4-H School of Life Skills for Magical Beings Day camp take part in an outdoor team challenge. Columbia County 4-H is set to host a wide variety of summer programs and camps, both practical and whimsical. (COURTESY)

Participants in a previous Columbia County 4-H School of Life Skills for Magical Beings Day camp take part in an outdoor team challenge. Columbia County 4-H is set to host a wide variety of summer programs and camps, both practical and whimsical. (COURTESY)

Summer camps coming from 4-H

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Columbia County 4-H is preparing for another exciting summer of hands-on learning as it announces a series of engaging summer day camps designed to help local youth explore new interests, build confidence, and develop important life skills.