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Children on the New Dayspring Missionary Baptist Church float hold flags representing various nations during a previous MLK Day Parade in Lake City. (FILE)

Children on the New Dayspring Missionary Baptist Church float hold flags representing various nations during a previous MLK Day Parade in Lake City. (FILE)

MLK Day Parade scheduled for Jan. 19

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The 60th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech, as well as his legacy, will be celebrated in a few weeks when a local organization holds its annual MLK Parade in honor of the slain Civil Rights leader.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd (left) presents a Sheriff’s Commendation award to Lake City Police Department Detective Richard Poteat for his efforts in Operation Child Protector VII, which resulted in the arrest of a Montana man. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd (left) presents a Sheriff’s Commendation award to Lake City Police Department Detective Richard Poteat for his efforts in Operation Child Protector VII, which resulted in the arrest of a Montana man. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

LCPD detective earns Polk County award

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
A Lake City Police Department detective is receiving statewide credit for his efforts in stopping child predators.

Singing for a shot at greatness

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The vocal talents of youngsters throughout the region singing everything from gospel, rock and roll, country western, rhythm and blues, alternative and other types of music will be featured this weekend during the annual Southside Idol singing competition.
A SWAT team armored vehicle pulls onto SW Michigan Street on Monday afternoon during the search for an armed burglary suspect. The suspect, described as a tall male in dark clothing, was not captured. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

A SWAT team armored vehicle pulls onto SW Michigan Street on Monday afternoon during the search for an armed burglary suspect. The suspect, described as a tall male in dark clothing, was not captured. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Armed burglary suspect still on the loose

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
An armed burglar eluded capture following a shooting Monday morning.
Gov. Ron DeSantis talks about Operation Tidal Wave and the state’s success in supporting federal immigration enforcement, including the use of Baker Correctional Institution, ‘Deportation Depot,’ and the Lake City Gateway Airport. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Gov. Ron DeSantis talks about Operation Tidal Wave and the state’s success in supporting federal immigration enforcement, including the use of Baker Correctional Institution, ‘Deportation Depot,’ and the Lake City Gateway Airport. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

‘Depot’ deporting thousands

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
SANDERSON — Nearly 3,000 undocumented immigrants have been deported through the “Deportation Depot” and the Lake City Gateway Airport.
Leo Bell, a Galen College of Nursing-Gainesville graduate, was honored with a Flower Bud Award while working at HCA Lake City Hospital. (COURTESY GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING)

Leo Bell, a Galen College of Nursing-Gainesville graduate, was honored with a Flower Bud Award while working at HCA Lake City Hospital. (COURTESY GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING)

Nursing student honored with Flower Bud Award

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Nursing is about more than what happens at the bedside. It can be about the, simple, unexpected moments that happen in between caring for patients.
The 26.62-acre Cornerstone Crossing at 47 parcel is located at the Interstate 75 and State Road 47 interchange. (COURTESY CITY OF LAKE CITY)

The 26.62-acre Cornerstone Crossing at 47 parcel is located at the Interstate 75 and State Road 47 interchange. (COURTESY CITY OF LAKE CITY)

Cornerstone annexation backed

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
The development site aiming to land a Publix is one step closer to being part of Lake City. During its brief meeting Monday night, the Lake City Council unanimously approved the first of two readings on an ordinance that would annex in 26.

Lake City man killed Saturday at block party

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
WHITE SPRINGS — A Lake City man was shot and killed Friday night at a block party in southern Hamilton County. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a Town of White Springs-authorized block party around 12:53 a.m.