Local

A smoking air fryer caused a brief fire in the back of a FedEx truck Friday morning. The fire was quickly doused after the driver removed the package from the truck. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

A smoking air fryer caused a brief fire in the back of a FedEx truck Friday morning. The fire was quickly doused after the driver removed the package from the truck. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Air fryer causes delivery truck fire

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 6, 2026
A mysterious smoking box in the back of a delivery truck resulted in first responders taking extreme and cautious measures to safely douse an air fryer, which was smoking in its box as it was set to be delivered. At approximately 11:18 a.m.
Fourth grade winners of the Columbia County 4-H Public Speaking County Contest pose with their awards. Winners were Charley Neeley of Westside Elementary, first place (from left); Teagyn Garcia of Fort White Elementary, second place; Ariella Mason of Columbia City Elementary, third place; and Eli McCray of Epiphany Catholic School, honorable mention. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Fourth grade winners of the Columbia County 4-H Public Speaking County Contest pose with their awards. Winners were Charley Neeley of Westside Elementary, first place (from left); Teagyn Garcia of Fort White Elementary, second place; Ariella Mason of Columbia City Elementary, third place; and Eli McCray of Epiphany Catholic School, honorable mention. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Young voices shine at 4-H public speaking contest

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 6, 2026
By Heather Futch UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County Young speakers from across Columbia County took the stage Tuesday at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium for the annual Florida 4-H Public Speaking County Contest, showcasing their confidence, creativity and communication skills.
TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter Anderson Columbia, which already was ahead of schedule on road improvements in Ellisville, is being offered a $900,000 bonus to speed up the work even more. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter Anderson Columbia, which already was ahead of schedule on road improvements in Ellisville, is being offered a $900,000 bonus to speed up the work even more. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

$900K bonus offered to speed up Ellisville

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 6, 2026
Already ahead of schedule, the Florida Department of Transportation is wanting road improvements in Ellisville to speed up even more.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said having multiple firms under contract is a good thing for the county. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said having multiple firms under contract is a good thing for the county. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County adds to roster of continuing services contracts

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 6, 2026
Columbia County is adding some engineering firms to its lineup of contractors ready to help on small or time-sensitive projects.
The RC racing track at Southside Sports Complex, shown here, will be replaced by a new course being built along NW Bascom Norris Drive. (COURTESY)

The RC racing track at Southside Sports Complex, shown here, will be replaced by a new course being built along NW Bascom Norris Drive. (COURTESY)

Racing to a new track: New building complete for RC track move

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Competitive RC racing could make its return to  Columbia County within a few months, now that Columbia County has constructed a building to house future races. The building is 150 feet wide by 250 feet long and will house the track and pit area for competitors.
Lake City Fire Chief Josh Wehinger (second from left) welcomed LCFD and Columbia County EMS vets for a reunion. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Lake City Fire Chief Josh Wehinger (second from left) welcomed LCFD and Columbia County EMS vets for a reunion. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

LCFD, EMS vets reunite for a night

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
For years and sometimes decades they worked together, running into burning buildings, pulling people are mangled vehicles and risking their lives and limbs for the betterment of the community.
Master gardeners Terri Andrews (left) and Mayra Ramirez Rodriguez and plant seeds in January as they prepare for this month’s plant sale. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Master gardeners Terri Andrews (left) and Mayra Ramirez Rodriguez and plant seeds in January as they prepare for this month’s plant sale. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Time to wake up your spring garden

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The warmer weather is a signal to many North Florida gardeners to get outside and start getting your spring garden prepped. If you are new to the area, you may be wondering what and when to plant this time of year in your garden.
Columbia County Fire Rescue crews, along with the Lake City Fire Department and the Florida Forest Service, battled a brush fire in beween Sisters Welcome Road and Interstate 75 on Monday afternoon. The interstate was shut down temporarily due to poor visibility from the smoke. (ISAIAH CULLY/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Rescue crews, along with the Lake City Fire Department and the Florida Forest Service, battled a brush fire in beween Sisters Welcome Road and Interstate 75 on Monday afternoon. The interstate was shut down temporarily due to poor visibility from the smoke. (ISAIAH CULLY/Special to the Reporter)

Brush fire closes I-75

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
A brush fire that shut down Intestate 75 for awhile Monday afternoon was likely caused by a burn pile.
Fort White’s Tucker Ayers won the First Coast Spelling Bee on Friday to qualify for the National Spelling Bee in May. (COURTESY)

Fort White’s Tucker Ayers won the First Coast Spelling Bee on Friday to qualify for the National Spelling Bee in May. (COURTESY)

Ayers qualifies for national spelling bee

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
FORT WHITE — After winning the Columbia County Spelling Bee two times, Tucker Ayers was just beginning to hit his stride. Ayers’ stride has earned him a national berth.