Local

Columbia High’s Rylan Moses (left) and Kevin Windham won the SkillsUSA state competition gold medal for drones last week in Jacksonville. (COURTESY)

Columbia High’s Rylan Moses (left) and Kevin Windham won the SkillsUSA state competition gold medal for drones last week in Jacksonville. (COURTESY)

CHS drone team wins state gold

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Columbia High’s drone program’s first trip to a state competition wasn’t without its turbulence. However, one team’s misfortune turned into another duo’s title.

Hearing set ahead of Harrell recall election

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
A hearing has been set to decide if the Fort White recall election should go on. Third Circuit Judge Fred Koberlein ordered Monday that a Zoom hearing be held on Monday, April 13, at 4 p.m. to determine whether or not to grant Councilman Lonnie Harrell a temporary injunction.
Area students are able to apply to the Summer Youth Employment Program, a six-week employment opportunity, through April 24. (COURTESY)

Area students are able to apply to the Summer Youth Employment Program, a six-week employment opportunity, through April 24. (COURTESY)

Youth Employment Program accepting applications

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Local youths who want to earn some money during their school summer vacation are encouraged to participate in the local Summer Youth Employment Program, which could pay more than $2,000.
Cody Pridgeon, City of Lake City wastewater director, looks in on a tank of untreated wastewater at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park wastewater treatment plant last March shortly after it began operating. (FILE)

Cody Pridgeon, City of Lake City wastewater director, looks in on a tank of untreated wastewater at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park wastewater treatment plant last March shortly after it began operating. (FILE)

Hearing set on possible treatment plant sale

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 3, 2026
Columbia County is still moving forward with possibly selling its wastewater treatment plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. The county is also still seeking funding for an expanded sewer plant in Ellisville.
Fort White Councilman Lonnie Harrell speaks during a February council meeting. Harrell is seeking a court order to block a recall election against him. The election is currently set for April 14. (FILE)

Fort White Councilman Lonnie Harrell speaks during a February council meeting. Harrell is seeking a court order to block a recall election against him. The election is currently set for April 14. (FILE)

Harrell fighting recall election

NEWS STAFF
Friday, April 3, 2026
FORT WHITE — A Fort White town councilman is fighting efforts to have him recalled. Councilman Lonnie Harrell has filed a motion for an emergency injunction against a recall election set for April 14.
Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said the City of Lake City’s solution to the sewer vs. septic tank issue with AgroLiquid came under pressure after the Lake City Reporter reported on the problem. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said the City of Lake City’s solution to the sewer vs. septic tank issue with AgroLiquid came under pressure after the Lake City Reporter reported on the problem. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City devises NFMIP sewer solution

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 3, 2026
A septic tank won’t be installed in the North Florida Mega Industrial park after all.

Tatem centralizing FGC’s security efforts

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, April 3, 2026
Judy Tatem is continuing her groundbreaking role in school safety and security. Columbia School District’s first Director for Safe Schools — its only one since the position was created in 2018 — is wrapping up her first week in a new-yet-similar role in keeping students safe.
The Lake City Police Department usually provides food to approximately 500 families through its Farm Share events. (FILE)

The Lake City Police Department usually provides food to approximately 500 families through its Farm Share events. (FILE)

LCPD hosting year’s first Farm Share event

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 3, 2026
The Lake City Police Department is hosting an event to combat food insecurity in the area next weekend. The department is hosting a Farm Share event on Saturday, April 11, in the gravel parking lot just south of the city’s Public Safety Building, 225 NW Main Blvd.
Adams Sanitation CEO Tim Bolduc told the Columbia County Commission on Thursday that his company was fine with the contract giving the county permission to audit fees paid by Adams to verify the franchise fees. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Adams Sanitation CEO Tim Bolduc told the Columbia County Commission on Thursday that his company was fine with the contract giving the county permission to audit fees paid by Adams to verify the franchise fees. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County agrees to new solid waste contract

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 3, 2026
Columbia County has agreed to a contract with its new solid waste provider. At its meeting Thursday morning, the Columbia County Commission unanimously approved a contract with Adams Sanitation to provide solid waste collection services beginning Oct.
The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows all of the Suwannee River Valley to be experiencing exceptional drought, the most intense level of drought. (U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR)

The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows all of the Suwannee River Valley to be experiencing exceptional drought, the most intense level of drought. (U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR)

County holds off on burn ban

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 3, 2026
Burning is still allowed in Columbia County as long as people continue to use caution. Columbia County Assistant Fire Chief Lance Hill told the County Commission on Thursday morning that the department didn’t want to re-impose a burn ban just yet.