Local

Lauren Rushing, a project manager with NUE Urban Concepts, gives a presentation to the Lake City Council at Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lauren Rushing, a project manager with NUE Urban Concepts, gives a presentation to the Lake City Council at Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City seeks street upgrades

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
A long-term vision for the future of public infrastructure in Lake City will get more consideration moving forward.

Doty sentenced 40 years for driveway murder

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
The Lake City man who testified earlier this month against his co-conspirator was sentenced Monday for his role in a February 2024 shooting. Kendall Doty, 27, was sentenced to 40 years in state prison Monday by Judge Leandra Johnson with a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years.
Lake City planning and zoning technician Robert Angelo touted mixed-use zoning practices during a presentation to the Lake City Council on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City planning and zoning technician Robert Angelo touted mixed-use zoning practices during a presentation to the Lake City Council on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Mixed-use zoning could be coming to Lake City

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Following up on an earlier presentation, the Lake City Council received information regarding future growth and zoning during its Monday meeting.
Participants in the first ‘Messy Masterpieces’ class at the West Branch Library show off their artwork Saturday. (COURTESY)

Participants in the first ‘Messy Masterpieces’ class at the West Branch Library show off their artwork Saturday. (COURTESY)

West Library unveils ‘Messy Masterpieces’

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
The West Branch Library has launched a new monthly art class called “Messy Masterpieces.” The first “Messy Masterpieces” class was hosted Saturday by Branch Manager Marcella Marsh with children learning about silhouettes. There were 24 participants for the new program.
TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter Patricia Proctor with the American Legion Post 57 (left) and Katelyn Holley with South East Elite Working Dogs talk Wednesday about the Legionnaire Dogs program that is being launched by the Legion with help from Holley and the Lake City Humane Society. The program will help get local veterans with companion or service dogs at no cost. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter Patricia Proctor with the American Legion Post 57 (left) and Katelyn Holley with South East Elite Working Dogs talk Wednesday about the Legionnaire Dogs program that is being launched by the Legion with help from Holley and the Lake City Humane Society. The program will help get local veterans with companion or service dogs at no cost. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Legionnaire Dogs program launched

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 17, 2025
The American Legion Post 57 is hoping to help local veterans find a new man’s best friend. Post 57 is launching the Legionnaire Dogs program where veterans can potentially get service dogs for their physical, social and mental needs.
Columbia EMS co-owner Toby Witt updates the County Commission on Thursday with how the company’s operations went in its first year. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia EMS co-owner Toby Witt updates the County Commission on Thursday with how the company’s operations went in its first year. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County satisfied with Columbia EMS

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, October 17, 2025
A local EMS startup is reporting a successful first year of operations in the county.  So good, in fact, that the Columbia County Commission is getting rid of its backup provider.
Heather Encinosa of the firm Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson explained the ins and outs of MSTUs to the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners Thursday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Heather Encinosa of the firm Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson explained the ins and outs of MSTUs to the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners Thursday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County discusses MSTUs to help fund sheriff

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, October 17, 2025
Columbia County is already exploring alternatives to funding law enforcement ahead of a possible reduction or elimination in property tax ordered by the state.
WastePro Florida Government Affairs Director Dana WIlliams (left) and WastePro Lake City Manager Frank Kramer discussed WastePro’s contract proposal with the county at its Thursday meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

WastePro Florida Government Affairs Director Dana WIlliams (left) and WastePro Lake City Manager Frank Kramer discussed WastePro’s contract proposal with the county at its Thursday meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County calls for new look at waste contract

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, October 17, 2025
A county contractor felt the need to defend itself and its record after county officials called for a new round of proposals for its waste management.
Rachel Dougherty and Alura Castillo show Neveau Davis, newcomer to poultry and LCMS FFA Member, how to hold and hand off a chicken. (COURTESY UF/IFAS COLUMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION)

Rachel Dougherty and Alura Castillo show Neveau Davis, newcomer to poultry and LCMS FFA Member, how to hold and hand off a chicken. (COURTESY UF/IFAS COLUMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION)

Columbia county youth prepare for upcoming fair

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 17, 2025
Youth across Columbia County have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming Florida Gateway Fair, taking place Oct. 24 through Nov. 2 at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds.
Columbia High School theater department students Krystin Sutton (from left), Klowe Redding, Alex Vazquez and Kaeli Tice haunt the entry into the school’s performing arts center on Friday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High School theater department students Krystin Sutton (from left), Klowe Redding, Alex Vazquez and Kaeli Tice haunt the entry into the school’s performing arts center on Friday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Urban legends come to life at CHS Haunted House

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 17, 2025
Urban legends of terrifying scenes will come to life this weekend as the Columbia High School Drama program holds its annual haunted house fundraiser. The CHS Haunted House will take place from 7-10 p.m. Saturday at the Norman R.