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Former Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson (left) addresses the council regarding its housing plan during Monday’s workshop. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Former Lake City Councilman Todd Sampson (left) addresses the council regarding its housing plan during Monday’s workshop. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City backs Precept housing plan over open RFP process

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
A heated housing decision is leaving some local developers frustrated with the Lake City Council’s decision to begin a partnership with a fledgling out-of-town land acquisition firm without following the normal procurement process.

Homeowner stabbed, killed by renter

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
ELLISVILLE — A dispute at a boarding house Friday night led to the homeowner being stabbed to death. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s office, 43-year-old Ernest Pearce killed the woman he rented a room from around 9:10 p.m. Friday.
Paulette Tomlinson (right) and Heather Futch with the Columbia County UF/IFAS Extension Office sort through jars of unopened peanut butter that were donated for the 2025 Peanut Butter Challenge at the Farm to Table event earlier this month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Paulette Tomlinson (right) and Heather Futch with the Columbia County UF/IFAS Extension Office sort through jars of unopened peanut butter that were donated for the 2025 Peanut Butter Challenge at the Farm to Table event earlier this month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Spread hope between holidays

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
By Heather Futch UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County As the holidays approach, UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County is calling on the community to spread more than just cheer this season—spread peanut butter!
The oldest veterans to attend the annual veterans barbecue luncheon posed for a picture with State Rep. Danny Alvarez during the event. Pictured from left are: Leonard Kenneth Keen, 94, Army veteran; Donald Christensen, 95, Air Force veteran; Ray DeCant, 100, World War II veteran, State Rep. Danny Alvarez and Walt Lhamon, 93, Air Force veteran. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The oldest veterans to attend the annual veterans barbecue luncheon posed for a picture with State Rep. Danny Alvarez during the event. Pictured from left are: Leonard Kenneth Keen, 94, Army veteran; Donald Christensen, 95, Air Force veteran; Ray DeCant, 100, World War II veteran, State Rep. Danny Alvarez and Walt Lhamon, 93, Air Force veteran. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Veterans honored at annual luncheon

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Veterans from around the region gathered at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds on Saturday to share in fellowship, camaraderie and to meet fellow veterans while enjoying a free lunch.
Price Creek LLC attorney Patrick Krechowski (right) addresses the Lake City Council in front of protesting Price Creek residents during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Price Creek LLC attorney Patrick Krechowski (right) addresses the Lake City Council in front of protesting Price Creek residents during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Price Creek zoning heading to state after city approval

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
County residents are upset over a potential change in zoning around their farmlands. Residents packed the Lake City Council meeting room Monday night in anticipation of speaking against a proposed land zoning change in Price Creek.
Briana Collier, a Lake City Middle School math teacher, was named the Columbia County School District’s Teacher of the Year on Thursday. She received her award from Superintendent Keith Couey and School Board Chair Narrie Smith. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Briana Collier, a Lake City Middle School math teacher, was named the Columbia County School District’s Teacher of the Year on Thursday. She received her award from Superintendent Keith Couey and School Board Chair Narrie Smith. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCMS’ Collier wins county’s 2027 Teacher of the Year

TONY BRITT
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Briana Collier is accustomed to working with a full slate duties each day as an educator. Collier’s duties at Lake City Middle School, which has seventh and eighth grade students, includes teaching only eighth grade students.

Second teen gets life sentence for Smith shooting

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, November 15, 2025
A second teen will spend his life in prison for the 2023 murder of a young girl. During a sentencing hearing Thursday at the Columbia County Courthouse, Third Judicial Circuit Judge Leandra Johnson sentenced Matthew Rice, 18, to life in prison for the murder of 12-year-old Mariah Smith.
The firm behind a feasibility study for a new Lake City Hall is set to present its findings at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting. (FILE)

The firm behind a feasibility study for a new Lake City Hall is set to present its findings at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting. (FILE)

Council to hear proposal on new $11M city hall

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, November 15, 2025
The City of Lake City could be getting serious about a new city hall building. The Lake City Council is set to take up the issue at its Monday meeting, beginning at 6 p.m. at 205 N. Marion Ave.
Westside Elementary School’s Shelly Teel speaks to the crowd after winning the Columbia County Teacher of the Year award last year. (FILE)

Westside Elementary School’s Shelly Teel speaks to the crowd after winning the Columbia County Teacher of the Year award last year. (FILE)

Teacher of the Year awards set to seek best in the county

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Columbia County teachers, administrators and staff are set to have a night meant to honor educators and all connected to public schools. The Columbia County Public Schools Foundation is set to host its annual Night of Excellenece in Education on Thursday, Nov.