Local

Kent Banner (left), Columbia County Assistant Supervisor of Elections, helps fifth-grade Eastside Elementary School students place their ballots into the tabulator on Tuesday morning during a school election at the county election’s office. (TONY BRITT)

Kent Banner (left), Columbia County Assistant Supervisor of Elections, helps fifth-grade Eastside Elementary School students place their ballots into the tabulator on Tuesday morning during a school election at the county election’s office. (TONY BRITT)

Over 100 students cast ballots for Eastside election

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Two buses filled with Eastside Elementary School fifth-graders visited the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office on Tuesday, but it wasn’t for a normal field trip.
Florida Voices for Health Executive Director Scott Darius asked for resident feedback during Monday’s forum on rural healthcare. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Voices for Health Executive Director Scott Darius asked for resident feedback during Monday’s forum on rural healthcare. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Voices for Health hosts open forum

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Local residents and leaders mixed and mingled while discussing the potential future of healthcare in the region.
Members of the Lake City Fire Department, including Chief Josh Wehinger and Assistant Chief Rhet Tompkins, receive a proclamation from Mayor Noah Walker at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting for Firefighter Appreciation Month. (COURTESY CITY OF LAKE CITY)

Members of the Lake City Fire Department, including Chief Josh Wehinger and Assistant Chief Rhet Tompkins, receive a proclamation from Mayor Noah Walker at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting for Firefighter Appreciation Month. (COURTESY CITY OF LAKE CITY)

LCFD lowers ISO rating to a 2

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
The Lake City Fire Department didn’t achieve its goal in its recent ISO study. It surpassed it.
Benjamin ‘Benny’ Ragland will lead the Gateway Art Gallery’s ‘Art and Soul’ presentation Saturday on Leonard da Vinci. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Benjamin ‘Benny’ Ragland will lead the Gateway Art Gallery’s ‘Art and Soul’ presentation Saturday on Leonard da Vinci. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gallery hosting da Vinci program

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Local art lovers will have the opportunity to learn about one of the world’s most celebrated artists this week when Gateway Art Gallery continues with its lecture series.
The City of Lake City is seeking a waiver for additional Community Development Block Grant funding to complete the Wilson Park amphitheater project on Lake DeSoto. The amphitheater seating is pictured facing the lake. (FILE)

The City of Lake City is seeking a waiver for additional Community Development Block Grant funding to complete the Wilson Park amphitheater project on Lake DeSoto. The amphitheater seating is pictured facing the lake. (FILE)

Additional funds sought for amphitheater

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
The City of Lake City is seeking additional funding to construct an amphitheater over downtown Lake DeSoto.

Lake City Council approves millage rate 4.63% above rollback

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
With no discussion at all from the Lake City Council, the City of Lake City’s tax rate and budget were approved Monday night for the final time for the upcoming fiscal year. The council unanimously approved to keep the city’s millage rate remain at 4.9 mills for 2025-26. That rate is a 4.

County lands $40K for America 250 events

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 13, 2025
The planning for the United States of America’s 250th birthday can accelerate now in Columbia County. On Friday, the Joint Legislative Budget Commission approved budget amendments for the Department of State, which included $1 million toward America 250 projects across the state.