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A new Shumard Oak tree will be planted at Niblack Elementary School on Friday in observance of Arbor Day. The state of Florida celebrates Arbor Day early due to the more favorable conditions to plant trees in January. (COURTESY)

A new Shumard Oak tree will be planted at Niblack Elementary School on Friday in observance of Arbor Day. The state of Florida celebrates Arbor Day early due to the more favorable conditions to plant trees in January. (COURTESY)

Niblack receiving new oak tree for Arbor Day

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The Lake City Garden Club is hoping Friday’s festivities can get local students feeling green. The Garden Club is set to honor Arbor Day with a special Tree Planting Ceremony at Niblack Elementary School beginning at 1 p.m. Friday.

Drug deal turned armed robbery leads to three arrests

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
A trio of suspects are in custody after a driveway drug deal gone bad. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, deputies responded to a call regarding an armed robbery around 2:50 a.m. on Thursday along SW Elizabeth Court.
Florida Elks State President Mike Chandler delivers a goodie bag to a veteran at the Robert H. Jenkins VA Domiciliary on Saturday. Chandler was visiting the district Saturday and got to help Lake City Elks Lodge #893 members on the project. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Elks State President Mike Chandler delivers a goodie bag to a veteran at the Robert H. Jenkins VA Domiciliary on Saturday. Chandler was visiting the district Saturday and got to help Lake City Elks Lodge #893 members on the project. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elks, state president drop off goods for veterans

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Several members of Lake City Elks Lodge #893 spent Saturday morning giving back to local veterans at the Robert H. Jenkins VA Domiciliary and they brought the organization’s state president with them.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Don Kennedy thanked Executive Director Dale Williams during Monday’s meeting for signing the agreement in December to give the main Lake Shore hospital building to Meridian Healthcare. (FILE)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Don Kennedy thanked Executive Director Dale Williams during Monday’s meeting for signing the agreement in December to give the main Lake Shore hospital building to Meridian Healthcare. (FILE)

LSHA board ratifies Meridian hospital agreement

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
The downtown main Lake Shore hospital building is set to be taken over by Meridian Healthcare in less than two months.
Amari Henderson, a 17-year-old Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology student, won the Southside Idol competition Saturday. (COURTESY BRITTANIE DEANNA PHOTOGRAPHY)

Amari Henderson, a 17-year-old Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology student, won the Southside Idol competition Saturday. (COURTESY BRITTANIE DEANNA PHOTOGRAPHY)

Gainesville teen wins Southside Idol

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
A 17-year-old student from Gainesville showed her vocal prowess Saturday to defeat 10 other contestants, including her sister, and claim the 2026 Southside Idol title.

City hosting brunch to honor MLK’s legacy

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
A community brunch where attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place this weekend. The inaugural MLK Jr. Celebration Brunch: Honoring the Dream and the Legacy, will take place from 1-3 p.m.
Fort White Middle School student Tucker Ayers (left) holds his certificate and trophy alongside his younger brother, Benjamin Ayers, after winning the 2026 Columbia County Schools First Coast Spelling Bee Friday. (COURTESY)

Fort White Middle School student Tucker Ayers (left) holds his certificate and trophy alongside his younger brother, Benjamin Ayers, after winning the 2026 Columbia County Schools First Coast Spelling Bee Friday. (COURTESY)

Ayers repeats as Columbia Spelling Bee champ

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 9, 2026
The county’s best spelling aces under the age of 15 were assembled at the Columbia County School Board Administrative Complex  Auditorium on Friday morning to determine the county’s best speller of the year.

Fort White water leak repaired

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 9, 2026
A water main leak that closed the Fort White schools Thursday has been repaired. The North Florida Water Utilities Authority shut off the water at midnight on Wednesday night/Thursday morning to repair the leak at the corner of Cullen Avenue and Dortch Street in Fort White.
Rep. Chuck Brannan is in favor of property tax cuts, as long as they are ‘responsible.’ (FILE)

Rep. Chuck Brannan is in favor of property tax cuts, as long as they are ‘responsible.’ (FILE)

Brannan wants ‘responsible’ property tax cuts

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 9, 2026
This will be a different legislative session for Rep. Chuck Brannan. Brannan, the Macclenny Republican who represents Columbia County, is entering his final regular session when the Florida House and Senate meet in Tallahassee on Tuesday.