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FILE A Flock Safety license plate reader camera sits along Baya Avenue by the entrance to the Lake Montgomery boat ramp. The state is shutting down the use of the cameras on state roads due to privacy concerns. (FILE)

FILE A Flock Safety license plate reader camera sits along Baya Avenue by the entrance to the Lake Montgomery boat ramp. The state is shutting down the use of the cameras on state roads due to privacy concerns. (FILE)

LCPD, CCSO still using plate readers after state's response

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
License plate reader cameras are no longer allowed on state roads, but they will still be used around Lake City and Columbia County.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman is recommending the County Commission attempt to negotiate with its Suwannee County counterparts about the North Florida Water Utilities Authority instead of moving to withdraw from the partnership entirely. (FILE)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman is recommending the County Commission attempt to negotiate with its Suwannee County counterparts about the North Florida Water Utilities Authority instead of moving to withdraw from the partnership entirely. (FILE)

Columbia County Attorney: Don’t just withdraw from utility

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Columbia County shouldn’t proceed with previous stated plans to withdraw from the North Florida Water Utilities Authority according to its attorney.
Volunteers help set up for a previous Farm Share food distribution hosted by the Lake City Police Department. A food giveaway is scheduled for Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. in downtown Lake City. (FILE)

Volunteers help set up for a previous Farm Share food distribution hosted by the Lake City Police Department. A food giveaway is scheduled for Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. in downtown Lake City. (FILE)

LCPD, Farm Share teaming up for food distribution

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
The Lake City Police Department has scheduled an event with Farm Share where food will be given to local families Saturday morning.The Farm Share event will take place Saturday, Sept. 5, at the gravel parking lot across the street from the Lake City Public Safety Building in downtown.

Four arrested in DUI operation

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
The Lake City Police Department’s participation in the “Drive Sober of Get Pulled Over” campaign netted four arrests last weekend.The multi-agency DUI operation in the city included a DUI checkpoint on U.S. Highway 90 in between NW Gwen Lake Ave. and NW Ridgewood Ave.

Tax rate, fire, garbage fees set for vote Thursday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
The Columbia County Commission will finalize some fees Thursday night while tentatively setting the tax rate for the upcoming year.During the board’s 5:30 p.m. meeting Thursday at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium, 372 W.
Haven Hospice was honored at the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association Awards of Excellence with the Excellence in Program Innovation Award for Clincial Practice for its Dementia Care Program. Haven Patient Care Representative Christina Alltop (left) also won the Rising Leader Award. (COURTESY HAVEN HOSPICE)

Haven Hospice was honored at the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association Awards of Excellence with the Excellence in Program Innovation Award for Clincial Practice for its Dementia Care Program. Haven Patient Care Representative Christina Alltop (left) also won the Rising Leader Award. (COURTESY HAVEN HOSPICE)

Haven wins pair of state hospice awards

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
GAINESVILLE — Haven Hospice was awarded two Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association (FHPCA) Awards of Excellence at the FHPCA 41st annual forum in Orlando. Haven’s Dementia Care Program won the Excellence in Program Innovation Award for Clinical Practice.
Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a statue of Lady Columbia at Darby Pavilion in downtown Lake City on Thursday. DeSantis called Columbia the ‘first national mascot.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a statue of Lady Columbia at Darby Pavilion in downtown Lake City on Thursday. DeSantis called Columbia the ‘first national mascot.’ (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lady Columbia unveiled at Lake DeSoto

TONY BRITT
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Columbia County received an unexpected gift to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary Thursday morning.The gift, a statue of Lady Columbia, the county’s namesake, was hand-delivered by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Columbia County Fire Chief Jeff Crawford said it takes time to build an EMS service right but said he just needs the ‘100% commitment’ from the County Commission to do so. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Chief Jeff Crawford said it takes time to build an EMS service right but said he just needs the ‘100% commitment’ from the County Commission to do so. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

BOCC still eyes EMS boost

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 29, 2026
The commitment to add ambulances to Columbia County Fire Service could be made as soon as next week.
Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said if the county wasn’t going to finish acquiring property to pave Mayo Road then it should give the property already acquired back to the residents. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said if the county wasn’t going to finish acquiring property to pave Mayo Road then it should give the property already acquired back to the residents. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commission divided on eminent domain on road paving project

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 29, 2026
The viability of a road paving project in western Columbia County will be determined next week at the County Commission’s tentative budget hearing.