Local

Richardson Sixth Grade Academy will be closed after the current academic year due to declining enrollment numbers across the school district. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Richardson Sixth Grade Academy will be closed after the current academic year due to declining enrollment numbers across the school district. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

School’s out for RSGA

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Declining student enrollment district-wide will lead to the closing of Richardson Sixth Grade Academy. RSGA will be closed at the end of the current school year with sixth-grade students attending Lake City Middle School along with seventh- and eighth-grade students, beginning in the fall.
Signage was erected Tuesday on the Wawa convenience store at the U.S. Highway 90 and Ridgewood Avenue intersection. The store is expected to open in April. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Signage was erected Tuesday on the Wawa convenience store at the U.S. Highway 90 and Ridgewood Avenue intersection. The store is expected to open in April. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Wawa construction nearing completion

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
After more than six months of construction, the first Wawa station in Columbia County is nearing completion. The final phases of work on the Wawa gas station and convenience store at the intersection of U.S.

Dyal accepts council’s $5K offer

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
A gambit from Lake City has paid off. Members of the Lake City Council hope it serves as a deterrent in the future. Former Lake City Manager Paul Dyal has accepted an ultimatum laid out by the Lake City Council at its Monday meeting: pay $5,000 or prepare for court.

Stalker arrested for violating restraining order

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
A Fort White woman turned herself in Monday on a felony warrant for violating a restraining order. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, Deborah Fellows, 63, was issued an injunction for protection against stalking on Dec.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 57 American Essay Contest winners included, in front, Irma Wehrli (from left), Judy Ripple, Kynlee Bogie, Timothy Steele, Kazzeley Vernon, Darien Cooper, Daelyn Cooper, Witness Hatch, Katheryn Coleman; back row, Olivia Medeiros, William Matheney, Madison Cruess, Kaiden Berg and Mason Garling. (COURTESY)

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 57 American Essay Contest winners included, in front, Irma Wehrli (from left), Judy Ripple, Kynlee Bogie, Timothy Steele, Kazzeley Vernon, Darien Cooper, Daelyn Cooper, Witness Hatch, Katheryn Coleman; back row, Olivia Medeiros, William Matheney, Madison Cruess, Kaiden Berg and Mason Garling. (COURTESY)

Auxiliary honors patriotic essay winners

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Fourteen Columbia County students were honored by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 57 for their patriotic essay writings.

CHS wins seven FBLA district titles

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Columbia High’s future business leaders racked up awards at the recent District 5 competition. At the district contest, Columbia’s FBLA team won five events and placed in 10 other events as well.
Jesenia Minniefield prepares a bouquet of flowers during last year’s Sweets in the Streets event in downtown Lake City. (FILE)

Jesenia Minniefield prepares a bouquet of flowers during last year’s Sweets in the Streets event in downtown Lake City. (FILE)

Sweets in the Streets coming to downtown

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Honeybun time will take on a new definition Friday afternoon in downtown Lake City when the city and a local business hold an event featuring sweets, arts and crafts and other Valentines Day offerings.

Standoff ends with peaceful capture of suspect

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
A standoff ended peacefully last week in southwestern Suwannee County. Suwannee County deputies responded to 221st Road near Luraville on Jan. 28 to a report of a domestic disturbance, according to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office release.
The proposed intersection improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing in southwestern Columbia County. (COURTESY)

The proposed intersection improvements for the State Road 247 and County Road 240 crossing in southwestern Columbia County. (COURTESY)

SR 247/CR 240 intersection revamp eyed

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
An intersection in southwestern Columbia County may be getting an overhaul after all.