Local

Columbia County Public Library Director Katrina Evans (left) and other library staff members sit through training in the main branch library as the library prepares to launch a new website and system. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Public Library Director Katrina Evans (left) and other library staff members sit through training in the main branch library as the library prepares to launch a new website and system. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Library launching new website, system

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Columbia County libraries are preparing for an upgrade and library staff has spent several days training to launch a new website and other services.
Todd Denmark has set up the old west town of Denmark Acres, a recent staple among seasonal guests as an expansive fall festival. (COURTESY)

Todd Denmark has set up the old west town of Denmark Acres, a recent staple among seasonal guests as an expansive fall festival. (COURTESY)

Spooky fun at Denmark Acres

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, October 10, 2025
With spooky season in full swing for many, one of Lake City’s premier haunts is ready for its busiest part of fall.

Second teen convicted in 2023 murder

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 10, 2025
A second teen has now been convicted for the murder of a 12-year-old girl two years ago. Matthew Rice, 18, was found guilty Friday of second degree murder as well as two counts of attempted second degree murder for the August 2023 shooting of 12-year-old Mariah Smith.

CCSO: County jailer bringing inmates drugs

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 10, 2025
A Columbia County detention officer was arrested Friday for introducing drugs at the Columbia County Detention Facility. William McGhin, 47, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy to introduce contraband into a detention facility.
The City of Lake City and Richardson Community Center are hosting Family Field Day from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium. (FILE)

The City of Lake City and Richardson Community Center are hosting Family Field Day from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium. (FILE)

Family Field Day set for Memorial Stadium

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 10, 2025
The City of Lake City is partnering with the Richardson Community Center to host the inaugural Family Field Day, which will take place 5-8 p.m. on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, 294 NW Stadium Terrace in Lake City. The theme for the event is “United Under The Lights.
State Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit John Durrett (left) walks Belmont Academy students through the legal process during a field trip on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

State Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit John Durrett (left) walks Belmont Academy students through the legal process during a field trip on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Belmont students hit the town for educational field trip

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 10, 2025
More than 50 Belmont Academy first graders took a short field trip that showcased a new side of Lake City to the students.
The Lake City Police Department celebrated the graduating classes from this year’s Citizen Police Academy as well as the Explorers program Thursday evening at Teen Town. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Lake City Police Department celebrated the graduating classes from this year’s Citizen Police Academy as well as the Explorers program Thursday evening at Teen Town. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

16th Citizen Police Academy class graduates

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 10, 2025
A group of nearly 20 people who has spent more than two months learning about the internal workings of the Lake City Police Department graduated from the agency’s Citizen Police Academy and Explorers programs Thursday evening.
Landry Levai (from left), 2, gets a lift from Blaise Levai after walking on the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Boat during the National Night Out event on Tuesday evening. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Landry Levai (from left), 2, gets a lift from Blaise Levai after walking on the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Boat during the National Night Out event on Tuesday evening. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

National Night on the town

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Hundreds of local youngsters trekked between tents, booths, police vehicles and police equipment on Tuesday afternoon, looking at and touching first responder equipment and meeting first responders from several agencies in the gravel parking lot next to the city’s public safety building.
A proposed Busy Bee, like the one pictured here in Live Oak, recently got go-aheads from two Columbia County offices regarding site plans and a special exception for its Ellisville location. (FILE)

A proposed Busy Bee, like the one pictured here in Live Oak, recently got go-aheads from two Columbia County offices regarding site plans and a special exception for its Ellisville location. (FILE)

Buc-ee’s-sized Bee approved

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Two years after initially announcing plans for the super-sized project, a proposed gas station nearly has the final go-ahead to break ground on the crown jewel of Ellisville.