Local

Minnie J. Niblack Elementary students A’mari and Rylee try edamame for the first time during a taste test at the end of the Serving Up MyPlate lesson. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Minnie J. Niblack Elementary students A’mari and Rylee try edamame for the first time during a taste test at the end of the Serving Up MyPlate lesson. (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

From ‘Green Eggs’ to strong muscles

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Students at Niblack Elementary School kicked off the new year by learning about healthy eating during the January Serving Up MyPlate lesson, “Powerful Proteins! Building Strong Muscles for a Strong New Year.
Assistant City Manager Dee Johnson (left) accepts a plaque from Councilwoman Chevella Young during the inaugural MLK Celebration Brunch on Sunday at the Richardson Community Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Assistant City Manager Dee Johnson (left) accepts a plaque from Councilwoman Chevella Young during the inaugural MLK Celebration Brunch on Sunday at the Richardson Community Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

City officials honor MLK Jr.’s legacy at brunch event

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
More than 100 people gathered for a community brunch Sunday where they celebrated their diversity, ideologies and different thoughts while celebrating the works and achievements of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The City of Lake City hosted the “Honoring the Dream and the Legacy: MLK Jr.

First Federal grant extends United Way’s free tax help

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
A generous grant from the First Federal foundation will help the United Way serve citizens in the Suwannee Valley area with free tax assistance. Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a program offered by a partnership between UF/IFAS and United Way of Suwannee Valley.
Niblack Elementary School Principal Makeba Murphy adds dirt to the hole where a Shumard Oak tree was planted at the school on Friday for Florida Arbor Day. The tree was donated by the Lake City Garden Club. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Niblack Elementary School Principal Makeba Murphy adds dirt to the hole where a Shumard Oak tree was planted at the school on Friday for Florida Arbor Day. The tree was donated by the Lake City Garden Club. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tree, ‘hope’ planted at Niblack

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 16, 2026
Whether it was learning about the history of Arbor Day or learning about the environmental benefits that trees provide humans, Niblack Elementary School students received a hands-on lesson Friday.
Columbia County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy wanted clarification on how a grant extension was needed due to a set of late drawings on improvements at Richardson Community Center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy wanted clarification on how a grant extension was needed due to a set of late drawings on improvements at Richardson Community Center. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County losing $400K on RCC grant

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, January 16, 2026
Columbia County commissioners gave their manager an earful after delays to a grant regarding improvements at Richardson Community Center have led to a decrease in the scope of work on the project.
Anne Tatem covers desserts that were provided with dinner during food preparation for the cold weather shelter at Parkview Baptist Church. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Anne Tatem covers desserts that were provided with dinner during food preparation for the cold weather shelter at Parkview Baptist Church. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Parkview opening cold shelter for ‘long stretch’

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 16, 2026
Forecasted frigid temperatures set to hit the area over the next few days have resulted in Parkview Baptist Church opening its cold weather shelter.
Master gardeners with the UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension Office were on hand Friday to held give out trees for Florida Arbor Day. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION)

Master gardeners with the UF/IFAS Columbia County Extension Office were on hand Friday to held give out trees for Florida Arbor Day. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION)

Hundreds capitalize on tree giveaway

TONY BRITT
Friday, January 16, 2026
Local residents, as well as some from surrounding counties, were able to celebrate Florida Arbor Day with local extension service agents during a tree giveaway Friday at the Columbia County extension service office.
The dried lake bed of Alligator Lake sits after below-average rainfall fell across North Florida over the last few months. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

The dried lake bed of Alligator Lake sits after below-average rainfall fell across North Florida over the last few months. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

SRWMD issues water shortage advisory

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Following a year of below-average rainfall across North Florida that has affected rivers, springs and groundwater levels, the Suwannee River Water Management District is calling on users to be mindful of their water use.
A new Shumard Oak tree will be planted at Niblack Elementary School on Friday in observance of Arbor Day. The state of Florida celebrates Arbor Day early due to the more favorable conditions to plant trees in January. (COURTESY)

A new Shumard Oak tree will be planted at Niblack Elementary School on Friday in observance of Arbor Day. The state of Florida celebrates Arbor Day early due to the more favorable conditions to plant trees in January. (COURTESY)

Niblack receiving new oak tree for Arbor Day

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The Lake City Garden Club is hoping Friday’s festivities can get local students feeling green. The Garden Club is set to honor Arbor Day with a special Tree Planting Ceremony at Niblack Elementary School beginning at 1 p.m. Friday.