Local

Gateway Artist Carol Ghionzoli was the first annual winner in the Precious Pets Portrait Contest with her drawing of her pet. Deadline for this year’s contest entry is Saturday. (COURTESY)

Gateway Artist Carol Ghionzoli was the first annual winner in the Precious Pets Portrait Contest with her drawing of her pet. Deadline for this year’s contest entry is Saturday. (COURTESY)

Gallery, Humane Society teaming up for third Pet Portrait contest

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Local pet lovers now have a way to physically show their pets just how much they are loved from art-creating pet lovers. The Gateway Art Gallery is holding its third annual Precious Pet Portrait Contest in conjunction with the Lake City Humane Society.
Elaine Lagasse, a member of the American Legion Post 57 Honor guard, helps a pair of Fort White Elementary School students fold a flag during a flag etiquette lesson Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elaine Lagasse, a member of the American Legion Post 57 Honor guard, helps a pair of Fort White Elementary School students fold a flag during a flag etiquette lesson Wednesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White Elementary students learn proper flag etiquette

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
FORT WHITE — More than a dozen Fort White Elementary School students were given a brief history lesson on the American flag on Wednesday afternoon.

Clay sentenced to death for murdering inmate

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
By JOHN KOCH Independent News Services JASPER — A convict who killed a fellow inmate defended himself in court and has received the death penalty. In September 2024, Derrick Clay was indicted for first-degree murder for slaying Joseph Chance in February 2024 while in prison.
Glynnel (left) and Bernice Presley were honored Saturday afternoon at a program titled ‘A Legacy of Excellence’ for their contributions to the Columbia County community. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Glynnel (left) and Bernice Presley were honored Saturday afternoon at a program titled ‘A Legacy of Excellence’ for their contributions to the Columbia County community. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Presleys are ‘someone special’: Couple honored for ‘legacy of excellence’

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
For the past four decades, the husband and wife duo of Glynell and Bernice Presley have been pioneers and pillars of the Columbia County community.
A rendering shows off a proposed Florida Gateway College downtown campus building. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

A rendering shows off a proposed Florida Gateway College downtown campus building. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC pitches vision for downtown campus

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
There are still several interested suitors in a dozen different Lake Shore Hospital Authority properties.
Elias Flores (clockwise from left), 6, Chelsea Flores, Lake City Firefighter Dustin Alford and Ava Flores, 4, play with Patches, a fire department remote controlled vehicle during the Fire Rescue N’ Cones event on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elias Flores (clockwise from left), 6, Chelsea Flores, Lake City Firefighter Dustin Alford and Ava Flores, 4, play with Patches, a fire department remote controlled vehicle during the Fire Rescue N’ Cones event on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

DQ, LCFD serve up ice cream, connections

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
The Dairy Queen and Lake City Fire Department teamed up to provide area youngsters with a way to beat the 90-degree temperatures and learn about the fire department and its firefighters.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Secretary/Treasurer Don Kennedy said he’d like the deal between the Authority and Meridian Healthcare to go through by the end of the year. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Secretary/Treasurer Don Kennedy said he’d like the deal between the Authority and Meridian Healthcare to go through by the end of the year. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

LSHA OKs incentives for Meridian deal

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
There is progression in the saga on the Lake Shore Hospital Authority campus. In fact, all three sides to the issue have new facts to consider. The LSHA approved sending a new condition to Meridian Healthcare to consider in its bid to take over the main hospital building on the LSHA campus.

Locals swept up for ‘Clean Lake City Day’

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
A local resident and some of his friends organized and initiated a local weekend project that gave area residents an opportunity to clean their property and bring the debris to a local site, collecting a container full of trash and debris.