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Fort White’s Tucker Ayers won the First Coast Spelling Bee on Friday to qualify for the National Spelling Bee in May. (COURTESY)

Fort White’s Tucker Ayers won the First Coast Spelling Bee on Friday to qualify for the National Spelling Bee in May. (COURTESY)

Ayers qualifies for national spelling bee

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
FORT WHITE — After winning the Columbia County Spelling Bee two times, Tucker Ayers was just beginning to hit his stride. Ayers’ stride has earned him a national berth.
The Lee Family Atrium was dedicated in the Wilson S. Rivers Library at Florida Gateway College on Tuesday in honor of Mike and Missy Lee. The Lees are pictured with their daughters Jessica (left) and Meghan (right) and granddaughter Lettie. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The Lee Family Atrium was dedicated in the Wilson S. Rivers Library at Florida Gateway College on Tuesday in honor of Mike and Missy Lee. The Lees are pictured with their daughters Jessica (left) and Meghan (right) and granddaughter Lettie. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Library atrium named for Lee family

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
The Lee family’s impact on Florida Gateway College may not be measured by pure numbers. But during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon to honor Mike and Missy Lee and their family, Lee Pinchouck, the executive director of the Foundation for Florida Gateway College, said they still speak loudly.
Lake City Public Works Director Steve Brown updates the city council on repair work at different parks during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Public Works Director Steve Brown updates the city council on repair work at different parks during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City parks getting closer look for repairs

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Lake City Public Works has been putting in the work at local parks. Public Works Director Steve Brown gave an update on the city’s work on local parks during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting. Brown said his department has been looking at ways to upgrade city parks over the last year.

Biker critically injured on I-75

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
A Tennessee man was critically injured Monday when his motorcycle crashed into a parked semi truck along Interstate 75. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 34-year-old was headed north on I-75 just after noon Monday when his motorcycle ran into the back of the semi.
Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris said she was “embarrassed” after not receiving support for a proposed Unity Festival. Harris dropped her request for city funding for the event Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris said she was “embarrassed” after not receiving support for a proposed Unity Festival. Harris dropped her request for city funding for the event Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Unity Fest funding request rescinded

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
There was no love lost in the debate — and ultimately, the withdrawal — of a proposed Unity Festival. Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris withdrew her ask of $10,000 for a citywide celebration of “love” and “unity” during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting.
The current Lake City Hall, pictured here, could soon move a short distance away to the former Vann Carpet building, pending council approval. (FILE)

The current Lake City Hall, pictured here, could soon move a short distance away to the former Vann Carpet building, pending council approval. (FILE)

Lake City has new candidate for proposed city hall

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
The quest for a new Lake City Hall has a new target close by. Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal proposed a new location for the city’s administration at Monday’s city council meeting.
Fort White High School National Honor Society officers Juan Bustamante (from left), Jada Knight, Leah Gianos, Sarah Heeke, Jack Schroader and Cody Maggard shoot off containers of color as they prepare for the school’s annual color fun run which will take place next Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White High School National Honor Society officers Juan Bustamante (from left), Jada Knight, Leah Gianos, Sarah Heeke, Jack Schroader and Cody Maggard shoot off containers of color as they prepare for the school’s annual color fun run which will take place next Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White National Honor Society run raising funds for Haven Hospice

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 27, 2026
FORT WHITE — Whether you’re in a stroller or use a walker, the Fort White High School National Honor Society is looking to get participants for is third annual color fun run. The Fort White National Honor Society 2026 Color Fun will take place at 9 a.m.

Rejecting protest, county points to illegal meeting, dumping

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 27, 2026
Columbia County has denied a request from its current solid waste provider to trash its conditional award of a new contract after illegal dumping occurred at the county’s landfill and prohibited contact between the company and a commissioner. Waste Pro filed a formal bid protest Feb.
Anderson Columbia is progressing ‘ahead of schedule’ on constructing a new quadrant road for the new Busy Bee in Ellisville. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Anderson Columbia is progressing ‘ahead of schedule’ on constructing a new quadrant road for the new Busy Bee in Ellisville. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ellisville road work ‘ahead of schedule’

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 27, 2026
ELLISVILLE — The $20 million-plus road project to make way for a new Busy Bee is progressing ahead of schedule. Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said Friday the three-phase project to make improvements at the Interstate 75 and U.S.