Local

City seeking help in soup kitchen repair

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
A local soup kitchen is reaching out to the community for help with some much needed repairs.  The Lad Soup Kitchen, run through a partnership between Suwannee Valley Rescue Mission and Cleopatra J. Steele Ministries, is hoping to get homegrown help with a roof repair.

Lake City man nabbed after flag theft

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
An early morning flag caper was quickly snuffed out. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, the owner of Baker’s Communications in Lake City arrived to work around 8 a.m. last Wednesday after he reported the U.S. flag outside his business was missing.
HCA Florida Lake City Surgical Specialists, alongside HCA Florida Lake City Hospital leaders and community members, gather in celebration before the ceremonial ribbon cutting marking the grand opening of the practice’s new location. (COURTESY HCA LAKE CITY HOSPITAL)

HCA Florida Lake City Surgical Specialists, alongside HCA Florida Lake City Hospital leaders and community members, gather in celebration before the ceremonial ribbon cutting marking the grand opening of the practice’s new location. (COURTESY HCA LAKE CITY HOSPITAL)

HCA Lake City opens new surgical office

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
HCA Florida Lake City Surgical Specialists officially unveiled their newly renovated, on-campus surgical office on Thursday with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony — marking a significant milestone in the continued expansion of surgical services at HCA Florida Lake City Hospital.

Lake City woman killed in I-10 crash

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
BALDWIN — A Lake City woman was killed Sunday night after being rear-ended on Interstate 10 while stuck in traffic. A Florida Highway Patrol release said the woman’s car was stopped in traffic on eastbound I-10 near the U.S. Highway 301 exit when a pickup slammed into the back of it around 6:45 p.
Members of the Lake City VA Medical Center, veterans and law enforcement honored a pair of veterans — Robert Zerby and Peter Daniels — during a Final Mile ceremony Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Members of the Lake City VA Medical Center, veterans and law enforcement honored a pair of veterans — Robert Zerby and Peter Daniels — during a Final Mile ceremony Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

VA Medical Center honors Zerby, Daniels for service

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 6, 2026
Close to 100 people gathered at the Lake City VA Medical Center on Thursday morning to pay their respects and honor a pair of veterans for their service.
Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said he has asked how the water reclamation project would impact the ability to draw more water from the aquifer and hasn't gotten an answer. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said he has asked how the water reclamation project would impact the ability to draw more water from the aquifer and hasn't gotten an answer. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County opposes reclaimed water project

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 6, 2026
Columbia County is officially against the plan to recharge the Floridan Aquifer with reclaimed wastewater from Jacksonville.
Blackhawk helicopters refueled at Lake City Gateway Airport on Friday morning as part of a new defense contract between the airport and U.S. military. (COURTESY)

Blackhawk helicopters refueled at Lake City Gateway Airport on Friday morning as part of a new defense contract between the airport and U.S. military. (COURTESY)

Gateway Airport lands defense deal

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 6, 2026
When Ed Bunnell arrived at work on Friday morning, there were three U.S. Blackhawks helicopters on the Lake City Gateway Airport runway, waiting to be refueled, a rare occurrence.
County Manager David Kraus said the County Commission needed to give direction on seeking funds to further promote growth in Ellisville or be content with the current development. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County Manager David Kraus said the County Commission needed to give direction on seeking funds to further promote growth in Ellisville or be content with the current development. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

USDA funds sought for sewer plant

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 6, 2026
Columbia County is moving forward with trying to spur additional growth in the southern portion of the county. The Columbia County Commission unanimously directed County Manager David Kraus and staff to submit an application for funding from the U.S.

Ocala man arrested after traveling to meet minor

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 6, 2026
An Ocala man was arrested Wednesday night after traveling to meet a 14-year-old for sex. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, 25-year-old Horatio Carrie had been communicating through social media for a week with an undercover detective who was portraying the child.