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The nativity celebration at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at a prior season’s celebration. (COURTESY)

The nativity celebration at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at a prior season’s celebration. (COURTESY)

Nativity celebration returning for Christmas season

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
There is no better way to help kick start the month-long celebration of the reason for the season. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting a two-night celebration of the birth and life of Jesus Christ this weekend. The nativity celebration will last from 6:30-9 p.m.
The surgical team who performed the first vascular surgery at HCA Florida Lake City Hospital. Left to Right: Cheryl Beckman, Dr. Elmer Croushore, Morgan Lawson, Sonia Sanchez, Jacquelyn Feagin, Taylor Fraley and Kathryn Bower. (COURTESY)

The surgical team who performed the first vascular surgery at HCA Florida Lake City Hospital. Left to Right: Cheryl Beckman, Dr. Elmer Croushore, Morgan Lawson, Sonia Sanchez, Jacquelyn Feagin, Taylor Fraley and Kathryn Bower. (COURTESY)

HCA Florida Lake City Hospital completes first vascular surgery

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
A new procedure could expand local access to lifesaving vascular care. HCA Florida Lake City Hospital has now proven it can accomplish that.
Tossing dirt to celebrate the construction of a new private fiber network for the school district were: Cindy Forsyth (from left), Jay Duval, Denise Weybrew, Hope Jernigan, Todd Widergren, Dana Brady-Giddens, Patrick Mitchell, Keith Couey, Cherry Hill, Jesus Pena, Billy Merchant and Oliver Landow. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tossing dirt to celebrate the construction of a new private fiber network for the school district were: Cindy Forsyth (from left), Jay Duval, Denise Weybrew, Hope Jernigan, Todd Widergren, Dana Brady-Giddens, Patrick Mitchell, Keith Couey, Cherry Hill, Jesus Pena, Billy Merchant and Oliver Landow. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

High-speed connection: CCS breaks ground on private fiber network

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
In the very near future, Columbia County students won’t have to worry about internet speeds and connectivity since the school board is implementing a fiber network capable of delivering the highest internet speeds in the area.
Lake City Attorney Clay Martin speaks during Monday’s City Council meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Attorney Clay Martin speaks during Monday’s City Council meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council approves zoning for LSHA

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
After months of back-and-forth negotiations, the City of Lake City is now prepared to give its blessing for a long-debated move at the Lake Shore Hospital Authority campus.

Four seriously injured in late night wreck

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
A Lake City woman and three children were all seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash on the north side of Lake City late Thursday night. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a 30-year-old woman was traveling southbound on County Road 25A at 11:19 p.m.
Keith Hudson (right), a Columbia County School Board member, offers construction workers a personal ‘Thank You’ for their work on the new Eastside Elementary during a topping-off ceremony and luncheon at the building on Tuesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Keith Hudson (right), a Columbia County School Board member, offers construction workers a personal ‘Thank You’ for their work on the new Eastside Elementary during a topping-off ceremony and luncheon at the building on Tuesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Eastside ‘topping out’ on new building

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
For the past few months, construction crews have been feverishly building the new Eastside Elementary School. For weeks the walls, windows, sidewalks, stairs and other parts of the campus have been added in like giant jig saw pieces as the school barrels toward completion.
Lauren Rushing, a project manager with NUE Urban Concepts, concluded her presentation on mobility fees to the Lake City Council at Monday’s workshop. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lauren Rushing, a project manager with NUE Urban Concepts, concluded her presentation on mobility fees to the Lake City Council at Monday’s workshop. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City to consider mobility fee further

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
While the Lake City Council took no action on the item, it did hear the finishing remarks from a presentation it initially heard in October. The council hosted a workshop ahead of its regular Monday meeting to hear from Lauren Rushing, a project manager with NUE Urban Concepts.
Practically Perfect Performing Arts is hosting ‘The Polar Express’ as a 4-D experience on Dec. 19-21 at the Lake City Church of the Nazarene. (COURTESY)

Practically Perfect Performing Arts is hosting ‘The Polar Express’ as a 4-D experience on Dec. 19-21 at the Lake City Church of the Nazarene. (COURTESY)

All Aboard ‘The Polar Express’

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, November 28, 2025
A classic holiday tale is being brought to life by local youth performers next month. Practically Perfect Performing Arts is getting ready to put on its latest show with a new twist.
Cook Out, a fast-food chain based in North Carolina, is looking at a site in Lake City. (CHRIS TRAINOR/The State/TNS)

Cook Out, a fast-food chain based in North Carolina, is looking at a site in Lake City. (CHRIS TRAINOR/The State/TNS)

Cook Out eyes Lake City site

NEWS STAFF
Friday, November 28, 2025
Lake City may soon be getting ready to Cook Out. TERPS Acquisitions LC, a Boca Raton company, is seeking a site plan approval from the Lake City Planning and Zoning board next month for a drive-through only Cook Out restaurant on U.S. Highway 90 west.