Local

Columbia County School District Career and Technical Education Director Angela Coppock said the district is excited about the partnership with the county’s Economic Development office that is launching Career Café. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County School District Career and Technical Education Director Angela Coppock said the district is excited about the partnership with the county’s Economic Development office that is launching Career Café. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County, schools launching Career Café

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Columbia County’s economic development office has worked with the Columbia County School District to unveil a new program aimed at helping open up employment possibilities for students. The inaugural Career Café will be held Nov. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
County Commissioner Kevin Parnell wants to see the county’s Land Development Regulations changed to include language about the appeals process after a borrow pit was approved in District 1 without his, or the area residents’, knowledge. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County Commissioner Kevin Parnell wants to see the county’s Land Development Regulations changed to include language about the appeals process after a borrow pit was approved in District 1 without his, or the area residents’, knowledge. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County looks into updating LDRs

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, September 20, 2025
County zoning applications are getting a makeover. Melissa Garber, Columbia County’s assistant building and zoning director, told the Board of County Commissioners at its Thursday meeting that due to an issue that had come across her desk, zoning applications will be submitted to P&Z staffers.
Columbia County Unified 911 Center dispatchers who recently attended a training session in Lake County were: Jimmy Redmond (from left), Travis Czaban, Victoria Chatigny, Crystal Craig and Beth Roberts. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Unified 911 Center dispatchers who recently attended a training session in Lake County were: Jimmy Redmond (from left), Travis Czaban, Victoria Chatigny, Crystal Craig and Beth Roberts. (COURTESY)

Dispatchers receive state incident response training

TONY BRITT
Saturday, September 20, 2025
A group of local dispatchers recently completed a training session where they obtained the training and credentials enabling them to serve others during emergencies.
State Sen. Jennifer Bradley said any property tax reform the state implements will have to have no negative impacts on rural, fiscally constrained counties like Columbia County. Bradley spoke at a Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Coffee and Commerce event Wednesday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

State Sen. Jennifer Bradley said any property tax reform the state implements will have to have no negative impacts on rural, fiscally constrained counties like Columbia County. Bradley spoke at a Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Coffee and Commerce event Wednesday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Coffee, commerce and Senator Bradley

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
After a contentious legislative session this spring, Sen. Jennifer Bradley expects more of the same next year.
A semi’s trailer caught fire early Sunday morning on Interstate 75. Columbia County Fire Rescue crews extinguished the fire quickly while the southbond lanes were closed for 30-45 minutes. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

A semi’s trailer caught fire early Sunday morning on Interstate 75. Columbia County Fire Rescue crews extinguished the fire quickly while the southbond lanes were closed for 30-45 minutes. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

CCFR extinguishes semi blaze on I-75

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Columbia County Fire Rescue crews were summoned to a tractor trailer fire on Interstate 75 early Sunday morning. According to reports, around 2:13 a.m. Sunday, CCFR crews from stations 51 and 42 were dispatched to the southbound lanes of I-75 near the 433 mile marker for the tractor trailer fire.

Post 57 hosting MIA/POW ceremony

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
American Legion Post 57 members will pay homage to Prisoners of War and the Missing In Action during a new ceremony at the Post later this week. Post 57 will hold a ceremony for National POW/MIA Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday at Post 57, 2602 SW Main Blvd. in Lake City.
Niblack Elementary students participated in a Food Group Relay in which students such as Julianna Thomas, practiced sorting foods into the correct groups. (COURTESY)

Niblack Elementary students participated in a Food Group Relay in which students such as Julianna Thomas, practiced sorting foods into the correct groups. (COURTESY)

Niblack Elementary students learn healthy habits

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
By HEATHER FUTCH County Extension Director/4-H Agent III Students in grades kindergarten through fifth at Minnie J.

Lake City hosting free shred event

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Identity theft has become one of the more popular crimes where criminals are able to take personal information from victims and use it to their advantage for criminal enterprises.
Columbia County Fire Rescue trucks battle a brush fire near NW Suwannee Valley Road and NW Cambridge Hill Way over the weekend. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

Columbia County Fire Rescue trucks battle a brush fire near NW Suwannee Valley Road and NW Cambridge Hill Way over the weekend. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

Brush fire destroys 35 acres

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Columbia County Fire Rescue firefighters battled a brush fire this weekend which claimed nearly 35 acres of property Saturday afternoon. According to the CCFR, around 2:25 p.m.