Local

Pittman seeking unpaid leave for commission run

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Columbia County’s parks and landscape director is looking to take up to five months off as an unpaid leave of absence.The Columbia County Commission will consider at its 9:30 a.m. meeting Thursday at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium, 372 W.
Karen Thurston (from left), Laney Grinstead and Laura Hunter Null, prepare snacks for women attending the ‘Hats Off To Mom’ fundraiser on Saturday at the Gateway Art Gallery. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Karen Thurston (from left), Laney Grinstead and Laura Hunter Null, prepare snacks for women attending the ‘Hats Off To Mom’ fundraiser on Saturday at the Gateway Art Gallery. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Friendships bolstered at ‘Hats Off to Mom’

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
From playing artsy bingo, having a hat contest, eating baked pastries or enjoying a cup of tea in a social atmosphere, local mothers were celebrated for what they bring to their families and the community Saturday.
Members of the Columbia High School JROTC program pose with members of the Lake City Council during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Members of the Columbia High School JROTC program pose with members of the Lake City Council during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

CHS JROTC asking city for help

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
The Columbia High School Army JROTC program is seeking the city’s support over the next few months. Cadet Lt. Col. Romeo Carter and Cadet Command Sgt. Maj.

Day of Prayer set for Thursday in Lake City

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Local pastors and officials will gather Thursday for the Columbia County observance of the National Day of Prayer.The local gathering will be held at downtown Olustee Park at noon Thursday, which marks the 75th annual National Day of Prayer.
Members of the Filipino-American Cultural Society pose in their booth at last year’s Multi-Culutural Spring Market Festival near Darby Pavilion at Wilson Park. (FILE)

Members of the Filipino-American Cultural Society pose in their booth at last year’s Multi-Culutural Spring Market Festival near Darby Pavilion at Wilson Park. (FILE)

Global tastes gathering for 3rd annual Multi-Cultural Festival

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 1, 2026
A local celebration of the different cultures around Columbia County will take place in downtown Lake City next weekend.The City of Lake City Multi-Cultural Spring Market Festival will take place on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Olustee Park and Darby Pavilion in Wilson Park.

Third teen murder suspect pleads guilty

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 1, 2026
The third teen charged in the 2023 killing of a child is now pleading guilty.Jatarious Fluellen II, 17, changed his plea to guilty on Thursday to the charge of being an accessory after the fact to second degree murder while armed. Fluellen will be sentenced May 26 at 1:30 p.m.
The Gun Range Fire is now 65% contained heading into the weekend. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Gun Range Fire is now 65% contained heading into the weekend. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rain, clouds expected to help fight Gun Range Fire

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 1, 2026
Firefighters are inching closer to fully dousing a wildfire that’s been burning for nearly two weeks. The Gun Range Fire, which began due to unknown causes on April 19 about a mile northeast of Watertown, is now 65% contained, according to a U.S. Forest Service release Friday.
Erin Harlow, the horticultural extension agent with the UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension Office, looks at a Coral Honeysuckle plant in preparation for the office’s plant sale next weekend. (COURTESY)

Erin Harlow, the horticultural extension agent with the UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension Office, looks at a Coral Honeysuckle plant in preparation for the office’s plant sale next weekend. (COURTESY)

UF/IFAS Extension selling native, pollinator plants

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 1, 2026
Local gardeners, tree lovers and anyone with a green thumb will have an opportunity to collect a variety of plants for their homes, gardens and property.
Eight Columbia High seniors — Calvin Sullivan, Casen Maddox, Ava Christie, Kali Kennington, Adyson Vercher, Griffin Roberts, Shelby Minton and Allie Brush — are joined by family as they are honored for planning to continue their education at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

Eight Columbia High seniors — Calvin Sullivan, Casen Maddox, Ava Christie, Kali Kennington, Adyson Vercher, Griffin Roberts, Shelby Minton and Allie Brush — are joined by family as they are honored for planning to continue their education at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

CHS celebrates academic, military signings

NEWS STAFF
Friday, May 1, 2026
Staff reportColumbia High celebrated seniors who are heading off to college or to join the military this week.