Local

Columbia County resident Matthew Hare said the county’s blended rate approach to the solid waste contract ‘makes zero sense.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County resident Matthew Hare said the county’s blended rate approach to the solid waste contract ‘makes zero sense.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Despite garbage concerns, assessment increase approved

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Despite some objections from residents during the final hearing Thursday night, the cost of garbage pickup in Columbia County is going up.The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved the solid waste assessment during a public hearing Thursday as part of a three-hour meeting.
Orange construction fencing sits outside the Columbia County Courthouse, which is undergoing an exterior revitalization project. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Orange construction fencing sits outside the Columbia County Courthouse, which is undergoing an exterior revitalization project. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Courthouse exterior, grounds undergoing revitalization project

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 5, 2026
During last year’s budget cycle, the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners funded an exterior revitalization of the historic Columbia County Courthouse as a capital project.
Brian Tucker, who lives on Mayo Road, told the Columbia County Commission on Thursday that the dirt road is a ‘hazard.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Brian Tucker, who lives on Mayo Road, told the Columbia County Commission on Thursday that the dirt road is a ‘hazard.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commission moves forward with Mayo Road project

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Columbia County staff will make one last effort to try to obtain right-of-way from Mayo Road property owners to pave the dirt road before the county moves forward with eminent domain.
Lake City Fire Department Engineer Trenton Kreienheder raises his arm in triumph after completing his leg of the rib-eating contest Tuesday night at Texas Roadhouse. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Fire Department Engineer Trenton Kreienheder raises his arm in triumph after completing his leg of the rib-eating contest Tuesday night at Texas Roadhouse. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Fire chows down on crown

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Firefighters from the cities of Live Oak and Lake City met Tuesday night to settle which department had the literal intestinal fortitude to best the other. The two units met at Texas Roadhouse at the U.S.
Lake City’s Adam Sanders, a Nashville country music star, will be coming home to perform at the Florida Gateway Fair on Nov. 7. (COURTESY)

Lake City’s Adam Sanders, a Nashville country music star, will be coming home to perform at the Florida Gateway Fair on Nov. 7. (COURTESY)

Sanders coming home for Fair performance

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Lake City’s native son is coming home for a one-night performance later this fall. Country music star Adam Sanders will take the 1st Street Entertainment Stage on Saturday, Nov. 7, beginning at 9 p.m. at the Florida Gateway Fair to perform a plethora of his hits from across the years.
Natalie Moore, Living Hope executive director, speaks at the Hope in Every Tep Walk event Tuesday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Natalie Moore, Living Hope executive director, speaks at the Hope in Every Tep Walk event Tuesday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hundreds attend Living Hope suicide awareness event

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Close to 200 people gathered at Darby Pavilion on Tuesday night to eat a community meal and learn of new ways to provide hope and help during a suicide prevention and awareness event.
Lake City firefighters Chris Bethea (from left), Jayden Britton-Drew, Hunter Anderson, Mae Williams and Earl Lupardus, show the new gas monitors that were recently purchased by the fire department with grant funds. (COURTESY)

Lake City firefighters Chris Bethea (from left), Jayden Britton-Drew, Hunter Anderson, Mae Williams and Earl Lupardus, show the new gas monitors that were recently purchased by the fire department with grant funds. (COURTESY)

LCFD uses grant funds for monitors

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
The Lake City Fire Department recently received grant funds to benefit firefighter safety.The LCFD, which received the $7,500 Safe Community Grant from Enbridge, an energy transportation company, announced it received the grant funds over the weekend via social media.
7 Brew opened a Live Oak location late last year. Construction is currently underway for a Lake City site in the Gleason Place shopping center along U.S. Highway 90. (COURTESY)

7 Brew opened a Live Oak location late last year. Construction is currently underway for a Lake City site in the Gleason Place shopping center along U.S. Highway 90. (COURTESY)

7 Brew coffee brewing up Lake City location

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Lake City is getting a new coffee shop that also sells a variety of home spun drinks.7 Brew Coffee, recognized as one of the country’s fastest growing chains, has a store that’s being constructed in the Gleason Place shopping center, near its southeastern entrance at the intersection of U.S.