Local

Fort White Mayor George Thomas voted against hosting a meeting intended to gather opinions on the dissolution of the Town of Fort White. (FILE)

Fort White Mayor George Thomas voted against hosting a meeting intended to gather opinions on the dissolution of the Town of Fort White. (FILE)

Fort White Council considers dissolution

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, January 23, 2026
FORT WHITE — Fort White’s town charter could be dissolved by voters this fall.

Another suspect arrested from bad drug deal

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 23, 2026
A fourth arrest has been made after a driveway drug deal went awry earlier this month. According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, 16-year-old Zion Na’Zai Smith was identified as the second masked man present during a robbery at a residence along SW Elizabeth Court on Jan. 8.

Olustee 5K turning into color run

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 23, 2026
The 2026 edition of the Olustee Festival will feature an abundance of colors thanks to the addition of a color run during the annual festival 5K. The 47th annual Olustee Festival will take place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13-14, at Wilson Park in downtown Lake City.
Florida Gateway College is receiving $2.5 million in grant funding to help boost its nursing program. The award comes as part of $20 million in LINE and PIEPLINE funding announced Tuesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Florida Gateway College is receiving $2.5 million in grant funding to help boost its nursing program. The award comes as part of $20 million in LINE and PIEPLINE funding announced Tuesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

$5M a ‘game changer’ at FGC

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
A “game changer” of a partnership and state funding to match will provide a lasting impact on healthcare in Columbia County. Florida Gateway College received $2.5 million from the Florida LINE (Linking Industry to Nursing Education) grant program Tuesday.
Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young voted with fellow councilor James Carter and Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford in voting against a feasibility study on merging fire departments. (FILE)

Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young voted with fellow councilor James Carter and Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford in voting against a feasibility study on merging fire departments. (FILE)

City, county getting $200K fire merger study

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Columbia County and Lake City officials hope to “put to rest” whether or not to consolidate fire services for good.
Dwayne Law, a Central Florida Electric Cooperative lineman, is left raising his daughter, Lolliegh, and newborn son, Landry, after his wife, Kaitlynn, passed away during childbirth in December. A benefit luncheon is set for Feb. 19 to help the family. (COURTESY)

Dwayne Law, a Central Florida Electric Cooperative lineman, is left raising his daughter, Lolliegh, and newborn son, Landry, after his wife, Kaitlynn, passed away during childbirth in December. A benefit luncheon is set for Feb. 19 to help the family. (COURTESY)

Benefit luncheon to support lineman, family

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Kaitlynn Law, a lifelong resident of Lake City, loving mother to Lolliegh and Landry, and devoted wife of Central Florida Electric Cooperative lineworker Dwayne Law, unexpectedly passed away recently during childbirth.
Assistant City Manager Dee Johnson said Tuesday’s Gwen Lake update was ‘positive.’ (FILE)

Assistant City Manager Dee Johnson said Tuesday’s Gwen Lake update was ‘positive.’ (FILE)

Gwen Lake project delayed

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Planned restoration work at Gwen Lake is trudging along slower than expected. But that didn’t stop the Lake City Council from receiving a “positive update” on the project.
The First Federal Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to Altrusa International of Lake City to support the organization’s community service, literacy and humanitarian programs. (COURTESY)

The First Federal Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to Altrusa International of Lake City to support the organization’s community service, literacy and humanitarian programs. (COURTESY)

Altrusa receives $5K First Federal grant

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Altrusa International of Lake City recently received a $5,000 grant from the First Federal Foundation, supporting the organization’s ongoing mission to improve lives through community service, literacy and humanitarian programs.
LaJoyce Ingraham (left) leads a song during the MLK Church service on Monday afternoon at New Mt. Pisgah AME Church. The service took place immediately following the MLK parade. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LaJoyce Ingraham (left) leads a song during the MLK Church service on Monday afternoon at New Mt. Pisgah AME Church. The service took place immediately following the MLK parade. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Residents celebrate MLK Jr.’s message

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963, at the March on Washington in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Hundreds of local residents honored the legacy of the speech by participating in the annual MLK Jr.