Local

The Donald and Janie Graham family sold a conservation easement to Alachua Conservation Trust on the 416-acre farm in Columbia and Union counties along the Olustee Creek. (COURTESY)

The Donald and Janie Graham family sold a conservation easement to Alachua Conservation Trust on the 416-acre farm in Columbia and Union counties along the Olustee Creek. (COURTESY)

Conservation easement protects Olustee Creek

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Donald Graham’s family has been farming the same stretch of land along the Olustee Creek just above the confluence with the Santa Fe River since the 1860s. Graham and his wife, Janie, wanted to make sure that it continues to be the case for generations to come.

Naked man arrested after harrassing Walmart workers

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
An overnight visit to Walmart landed a naked Lake City man in jail. Lake City police officers responded to the Lake City Walmart around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday to the report of a suspicious person acting erratically in the store parking lot, according to a Lake City Police Department release.

Robbery attempts at Days Inn lead to arrest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
A Lake City man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after repeated attempts to steal vehicles at an area hotel. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers were called to the Days Inn on W. U.S. Highway 90 at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday as an attempted robbery was in progress.
Michael Klink with Four Waters Engineering updates the Lake City Council on the Gwen Lake restoration project efforts. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Michael Klink with Four Waters Engineering updates the Lake City Council on the Gwen Lake restoration project efforts. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Gwen Lake on track for spring restoration work

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
The planned restoration of Gwen Lake remains on target. Michael Klink, the principal engineer with Four Waters Engineering, gave an update to the Lake City Council during its Monday meeting regarding the project.

Second teen’s murder trial begins Thursday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
The second teen charged in the 2023 shooting of 12-year-old Mariah Smith will go on trial this week. The second degree murder trial of Matthew Rice, 18, is scheduled to begin Thursday at 9 a.m. and is expected to conclude Friday in front of Judge Leandra Johnson.

Driveway ambush murder trial underway

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
The murder trial of a Wellborn man charged in a driveway ambush shooting last year is underway. His partner in the crime testified Tuesday at the Columbia County Courthouse that 28-year-old Justin Torres directed him to pull the trigger.
The Columbia County Courthouse is lit up in purple this month for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in an effort to the services provided to victims of domestic violence. (COURTESY JAY SWISHER)

The Columbia County Courthouse is lit up in purple this month for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in an effort to the services provided to victims of domestic violence. (COURTESY JAY SWISHER)

Columbia Courthouse shines light on Domestic Violence Awareness Month

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Each year, Clerks of Court statewide help tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals suffering from harmful or threatening interactions apply for injunctions for protection.
The Columbia County Commission approved a proclamation Thursday declaring Oct. 5-11 as National 4-H Week in Columbia County. Accepting the proclamation were UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension agents and 4-H youth. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

The Columbia County Commission approved a proclamation Thursday declaring Oct. 5-11 as National 4-H Week in Columbia County. Accepting the proclamation were UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension agents and 4-H youth. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

4-H youth in Columbia County are ‘Beyond Ready’

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
By Heather Futch County Extension Director/4-H Agent From classrooms to public speaking contests to visits to local springs, Columbia County 4-H youth are proving they’re more than prepared for the challenges ahead — they’re “Beyond Ready.” During National 4-H Week, Oct.

Bradley, Brannan holding hearing Oct. 28

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Columbia County’s legislative delegation will be coming to town later this month. Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island), the delegation chair, announced Monday that the annual public hearing will be held Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 9:30 a.m. The hearing will be hosted in Room 102 of the Wilson S.
Kevin Parnell (left), Columbia County District 1 Commissioner, stands with Lester McKellum, director of the Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation, in the midst of contributions that were donated to Cedar Park Apartment complex fire victims. (COURTESY)

Kevin Parnell (left), Columbia County District 1 Commissioner, stands with Lester McKellum, director of the Greater Lake City Community Development Corporation, in the midst of contributions that were donated to Cedar Park Apartment complex fire victims. (COURTESY)

Groups helping Cedar Park fire victims recover

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
A structure fire in late August at a Lake City apartment complex building displaced more than 50 local residents from their homes. The community effort to help those residents recover from the Aug.27 fire at the Cedar Park apartments continues.