Local

Hailey Hall, a geologist from Suwannee County, said the problem with the Water First North Florida project is it would turn the Suwannee Valley into a ‘dumping ground’ for waste from Jacksonville. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Hailey Hall, a geologist from Suwannee County, said the problem with the Water First North Florida project is it would turn the Suwannee Valley into a ‘dumping ground’ for waste from Jacksonville. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County, residents: Flush Water First

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 20, 2026
Columbia County Commissioner Kevin Parnell summed up the the thoughts of many on Water First North Florida quite succinctly Thursday night.
Helena Powers smiles as she sees her 110th birthday cake earlier this month. (JOHN CLARE STOKES/Special to the Reporter)

Helena Powers smiles as she sees her 110th birthday cake earlier this month. (JOHN CLARE STOKES/Special to the Reporter)

Celebrating a century-plus: Powers honored for 110th birthday

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, February 20, 2026
Helena Powers has been around the block a few times. So much, in fact, that the block has conformed around her. So naturally, for Powers’ 110th birthday bash this month, roughly 100 Lake City residents and family members alike converged in her back yard along W.

Recoil bouncing into Lake City

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 20, 2026
A family entertainment location is looking to bounce into Lake City. The Columbia County Economic Development Advisory Board unanimously approved a tax rebate for Project Jumping Jelly Beans — Recoil Trampoline Park — at its meeting Thursday morning.
Columbia County is purchasing the former TD Bank building in downtown Lake City to be the new home of the Tax Collector’s Office. (FILE)

Columbia County is purchasing the former TD Bank building in downtown Lake City to be the new home of the Tax Collector’s Office. (FILE)

County purchases bank building

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 20, 2026
The Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office will have a new home in downtown Lake City.

250th celebration kicks off Tuesday

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 20, 2026
Olustee Park will be filled with excitement next week as residents gather to learn about Columbia County’s planned celebration for America’s 250th birthday which will take place through July 4.
Fort White resident Carl King angrily responds to the Fort White Town Council during its special meeting Tuesday night about town dissolution. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White resident Carl King angrily responds to the Fort White Town Council during its special meeting Tuesday night about town dissolution. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White residents: don’t dissolve town

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
FORT WHITE — When given an opportunity to determine the town’s future, a huge portion of the local electorate of this southern Columbia County town have indicated they want their town to remain a municipality.
Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris wants to host ‘Love Fest’ to better enhance the community’s image to outsiders. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris wants to host ‘Love Fest’ to better enhance the community’s image to outsiders. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

‘Love Fest’ not met with unity

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
A proposed festival promoting “love” and “unity” received some harsh criticism from the Lake City Council. The board met Tuesday to discuss, among other items, Councilwoman Tammy Harris’ proposal to host a “Love Fest” on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 12-6 p.m.
Lake City Middle School officials Dennis Dotson, Brianna Collier and basketball coach Shaniqua Henry, stand with Carl Allison and Wayne Jernigan showing off a new scorer’s table for the school which arrived Tuesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Middle School officials Dennis Dotson, Brianna Collier and basketball coach Shaniqua Henry, stand with Carl Allison and Wayne Jernigan showing off a new scorer’s table for the school which arrived Tuesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Baya Pharmacy helps LCMS purchase new scorer’s table

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
A community-based organization and a local business owner partnered together to help purchase a new electronic scorer’s table for Lake City Middle School. The new scorer’s table will be put into use right away to help volleyball, basketball, wrestling and other sports in the gym.
Niblack Elementary physical education coach James Williamson coaxes students Augest and Kingston to try the results of their efforts in making butter. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Niblack Elementary physical education coach James Williamson coaxes students Augest and Kingston to try the results of their efforts in making butter. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Niblack students shake up science

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
By Heather Futch UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County Students at Minnie J. Niblack Elementary School enjoyed a hands-on, high-energy lesson this month as they explored the Dairy Food Group through UF/IFAS Extension’s Serving Up MyPlate – A Yummy Curriculum.