Local

Firefighters from the Lake City Fire Department and Columbia County Fire Rescue responded to a house fire on NE Richardson Terrace Tuesday afternoon. (COURTESY)

Firefighters from the Lake City Fire Department and Columbia County Fire Rescue responded to a house fire on NE Richardson Terrace Tuesday afternoon. (COURTESY)

House fire sparks rapid response

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
A local home sustained severe damage after a fire broke out in its kitchen area on Tuesday afternoon, forcing a response from several first responder units. The fire occurred at a home on NE Richardson Terrace and local firefighters spent more than two hours on he scene.

One killed in Wednesday crash

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
HIGH SPRINGS — A High Springs man was killed early Wednesday morning after a crash near Adams Street. According to a Florida Highway Patrol release, a 73-year-old man from High Springs was walking in the northbound land of U.S. Highway 41 around 5:14 a.m. just north of Adams Street.
Kevin Paulk stands in front of his winning photograph, ‘With an Edge & Charm,’ during Saturday’s photo contest reception hosted at the Gateway Art Gallery. Paulk won a $125 cash prize in the second contest put on by the Branford Camera Club. (COURTESY)

Kevin Paulk stands in front of his winning photograph, ‘With an Edge & Charm,’ during Saturday’s photo contest reception hosted at the Gateway Art Gallery. Paulk won a $125 cash prize in the second contest put on by the Branford Camera Club. (COURTESY)

Photographers honored at Gallery reception

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Local photographers got their chance to flex their skills during a recent photo contest. The Gateway Art Gallery, along with the Branford Camera Club, held a reception Saturday to honor 27 different photographers, who submitted 75 photos for this year’s show, the second of its kind.
Logan Rivera (left), 5, poses in front of a back to school sign for Isabel Garcia, as he prepares to head to his first day of school. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Logan Rivera (left), 5, poses in front of a back to school sign for Isabel Garcia, as he prepares to head to his first day of school. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Schools kick off ‘smooth’ return to class

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
New clothing, new haircuts, and new teachers combined with the opening of a new school were the key ingredients of the Columbia County School District beginning a new school year.
Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan echoed City Manager Don Rosenthal’s sentiments when it came time to deciding whether or not to support a raise. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilman Ricky Jernigan echoed City Manager Don Rosenthal’s sentiments when it came time to deciding whether or not to support a raise. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City staff getting 3% raises

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
City of Lake City employees are in line to receive a 3% pay bump in the next fiscal year. Late in the Lake City Council’s two-and-half-hour budget workshop Monday evening, the council provided consensus by a 3-2 vote to include the across-the-board raises for city staff.
Halpatter Brewing Company’s Chris Candler prepares a beverage during the 2024 Gateway City Craft Beer & Wine Festival. (FILE)

Halpatter Brewing Company’s Chris Candler prepares a beverage during the 2024 Gateway City Craft Beer & Wine Festival. (FILE)

Chamber killing beer fest

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Pour one out for the Gateway City Craft Beer & Wine Festival. The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is pulling the plug on its festival after nine years.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Attorney Todd Kennon said Lake City Attorney Clay Martin was satisfied with the latest language in an agreement to have Meridian Healthcare occupy the main hospital building on the Lake Shore campus. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Attorney Todd Kennon said Lake City Attorney Clay Martin was satisfied with the latest language in an agreement to have Meridian Healthcare occupy the main hospital building on the Lake Shore campus. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Meridian deal gets back on track

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Solving a few misunderstandings could save a deal to occupy the main hospital building on the Lake Shore campus. The Lake Shore Hospital Authority heard updates at its Monday meeting regarding ongoing efforts to deed the building to Meridian Healthcare.
The Legal Eagles won their third straight Boots and Badges championship on Saturday at Columbia High School. The courthouse-centric team topped the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in the title game. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

The Legal Eagles won their third straight Boots and Badges championship on Saturday at Columbia High School. The courthouse-centric team topped the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in the title game. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

Legal Eagles dynasty wins third straight Boots and Badges title

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Another year, another Boots and Badges title for the Legal Eagles.

Man wanted for threatening to kill his wife

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Authorities are still searching for a man who allegedly pointed a shotgun at his wife and threatened to kill her Monday morning. According to the Lake City Police Department, a domestic disturbance around 9:25 a.m. Monday led to a woman calling for assistance to retrieve belongings.