Local

Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan said he believed any inclusion of the Kiwanis Club of Lake City in a public bench maintenance contract was some ‘scheme’ of Councilor James Carter, the civic group’s president. The contract has been in place since before Carter was on the council or the club’s president. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan said he believed any inclusion of the Kiwanis Club of Lake City in a public bench maintenance contract was some ‘scheme’ of Councilor James Carter, the civic group’s president. The contract has been in place since before Carter was on the council or the club’s president. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City approves final resolution on Dyal issue

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
A longstanding beef between the City of Lake City and its former city manager came to a quiet end Tuesday night.
Rep. Chuck Brannan is pictured next to a rendering of the new Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park museum during the groundbreaking ceremony Friday at the park. (COURTESY)

Rep. Chuck Brannan is pictured next to a rendering of the new Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park museum during the groundbreaking ceremony Friday at the park. (COURTESY)

Breaking ground at Olustee: New museum coming for state park

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
OLUSTEE — The history of the Battle of Olustee will soon be showcased in new ways. As part of the festivities surrounding last weekend’s battle reenactment at the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, park and state officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the park’s new museum.
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Lake City doanted $12,500 to the Foundation of Florida Gateway College on Tuesday to endow a career and technical education scholarship. The scholarship will be named in honor of Sandy Swilley, a longtime Kiwanis Club officer. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Lake City doanted $12,500 to the Foundation of Florida Gateway College on Tuesday to endow a career and technical education scholarship. The scholarship will be named in honor of Sandy Swilley, a longtime Kiwanis Club officer. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Kiwanis Club endows FGC trades scholarship

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
The Kiwanis Club of Lake City’s support of youth has now been extended, hopefully, in perpetuity. At its weekly meeting Tuesday, the Kiwanis Club donated $12,500 to the Foundation of Florida Gateway College to endow a scholarship for career and technical education.

Trampoline park seeking tax rebate incentive

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
A proposed entertainment facility is bouncing back into the county’s sights. The Columbia County Economic Development Advisory Board could decide on a new incentive package to lure in a sizable new business. The EDAB is set to hear the request at its Thursday meeting, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The Columbia County COmmission will decide Thursday whether to complete the purchase of the old TD Bank building in downtown Lake City to house the Tax Collector's Office. (FILE)

The Columbia County COmmission will decide Thursday whether to complete the purchase of the old TD Bank building in downtown Lake City to house the Tax Collector's Office. (FILE)

County to decide on TD Bank purchase

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Columbia County could wrap up a significant land deal this week to accommodate a growing Tax Collector’s Office.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker and Blue-Grey Army Commanding General Tony Buzzella (center) share a laugh during the opening ceremony of the 47th annual Olustee Festival on the banks of Lake DeSoto at Wilson Park. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker and Blue-Grey Army Commanding General Tony Buzzella (center) share a laugh during the opening ceremony of the 47th annual Olustee Festival on the banks of Lake DeSoto at Wilson Park. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

47th annual Olustee Festival starts off strong

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 13, 2026
The 47th annual Olustee Festival hit Columbia County on Friday morning bringing an onslaught of entertainers, activities, good weather and food, as well as large steady crowds. The festival gathered momentum quick on Friday morning after opening at 9 a.m.
James Carter and Eddie Kurtz are presented their prizes after winning the Lake City Garden Club's annual Scrabble Tournament. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

James Carter and Eddie Kurtz are presented their prizes after winning the Lake City Garden Club's annual Scrabble Tournament. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Scrabble tourney a ‘blooming’ success

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, February 13, 2026
For James Carter, an early exit from last year’s Lake City Garden Club’s annual Scrabble Tournament left him wanting more.
Bellamy Beaver gets his teeth brushed by Brandy Hunt, dental hygienist with the Columbia County Health Department, as the mascot visited vendor stands during Bellamy’s Big 4th Grade Field Day. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bellamy Beaver gets his teeth brushed by Brandy Hunt, dental hygienist with the Columbia County Health Department, as the mascot visited vendor stands during Bellamy’s Big 4th Grade Field Day. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bellamy Beaver makes water conservation fun for kids

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 13, 2026
The Southside Sports Complex was busy on Thursday morning with competitive activities taking place on several fields. Youngsters were competing in races, hula-hoop and cone flipping contests, as well as a variety of other activities.
Lake City Garden Club members Pam Kalich (left) and Sandra Foreman replant flowers in a downtown planter on Wednesday afternoon. The recent cold snap killed plants that were planted earlier in the year, forcing the club to install new plants before the Olustee Festival. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Garden Club members Pam Kalich (left) and Sandra Foreman replant flowers in a downtown planter on Wednesday afternoon. The recent cold snap killed plants that were planted earlier in the year, forcing the club to install new plants before the Olustee Festival. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Garden Club brightens up downtown

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 13, 2026
Several members of the Lake City Garden Club recently took on a project to eliminate the signs of a cold winter on downtown plants.
The net that has been wrapped around Lake City Hall since 2018 as a safety precaution to prevent bricks from falling on pedestrians has reached the ‘end of its life.’ The Lake City Council is considering awarding a bid to have the mortar of the bricks and window lintels repaired. (FILE)

The net that has been wrapped around Lake City Hall since 2018 as a safety precaution to prevent bricks from falling on pedestrians has reached the ‘end of its life.’ The Lake City Council is considering awarding a bid to have the mortar of the bricks and window lintels repaired. (FILE)

City Hall may lose its safety net

NEWS STAFF
Friday, February 13, 2026
Lake City Hall may lose its temporary safety netting.