Local

Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett said the college hopes to have X-ray technician programs at the two-story Women’s Center up and running by 2026. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett said the college hopes to have X-ray technician programs at the two-story Women’s Center up and running by 2026. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Hospital Authority moving ahead with deed to FGC

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Education and career opportunities are coming to downtown Lake City. The Lake Shore Hospital Authority unanimously approved a survey and deed of conveyance to Florida Gateway College for the two-story Women’s Center on the Lake Shore campus.
The Stuff the Buss campaign seeks to help local educators in securing classroom supplies through community and business donations. (COURTESY)

The Stuff the Buss campaign seeks to help local educators in securing classroom supplies through community and business donations. (COURTESY)

Stuff the Bus event seeks donations for teachers

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Columbia County students and teachers have started their 2025-26 school year, and as the adults and students prepare to complete the new school year, there is a growing emphasis regarding materials, supplies and equipment.
Law enforcement officials converged at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car facility on U.S. Highway 90 after an employee noticed a strange device in a car during vehicle inspections. The device was deemed not dangerous by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Law enforcement officials converged at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car facility on U.S. Highway 90 after an employee noticed a strange device in a car during vehicle inspections. The device was deemed not dangerous by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Rental car device deemed no threat

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
An extra device left in a returned rental car Monday morning was deemed no threat by law enforcement.
A First Coast Highlanders bagpipe player leads the procession of Florida Gateway College professors and graduation candidates into the gymnasium on Thursday evening for the school’s summer graduation ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A First Coast Highlanders bagpipe player leads the procession of Florida Gateway College professors and graduation candidates into the gymnasium on Thursday evening for the school’s summer graduation ceremony. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Marching into the future: FGC grads encouraged to think critically

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 8, 2025
An afternoon rain storm and high humidity levels did little to dampen the spirits of close to 100 Florida Gateway College students who were bright and sunny with attitudes to match during the school’s summer commencement Thursday.
Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal said Thursday the city was looking to buy the North Florida Mega Industrial Park sewer plant from Columbia County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal said Thursday the city was looking to buy the North Florida Mega Industrial Park sewer plant from Columbia County. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City seeks $7.5M mega site sewer plant

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, August 8, 2025
The City of Lake City is interested in more than just a partnership at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. It’s looking at a permanent stake in the utility services provided at the park and, potentially, eastern Columbia County.
Taylor Tillotson requested the County Commission look into a low-cost spay and neuter program to help stop the overpopulation problem. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Taylor Tillotson requested the County Commission look into a low-cost spay and neuter program to help stop the overpopulation problem. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County building 40-unit animal kennel

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 8, 2025
Columbia County’s animal enforcement effort is going to increase, starting immediately. What that means for the Lake City Humane Society remains to be seen.
Staz Guntek, Columbia County’s legislative and intergovernmental affairs coordinator, said the top item on his list of policy items to push in next year’s legislative session revolves around a replacement for property tax revenue if the state pushes forward with plans to reduce or eliminate it. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Staz Guntek, Columbia County’s legislative and intergovernmental affairs coordinator, said the top item on his list of policy items to push in next year’s legislative session revolves around a replacement for property tax revenue if the state pushes forward with plans to reduce or eliminate it. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County concerned over potential $15.5M property tax revenue loss

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 8, 2025
How to potentially offset $15.5 million in loss ad valorem tax revenue tops Columbia County’s concerns heading into next year’s legislative session.
Lake City Attorney Clay Martin gave a brief summary of the city’s involvement with the history of the Club House on Lake Isabella on Thursday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Attorney Clay Martin gave a brief summary of the city’s involvement with the history of the Club House on Lake Isabella on Thursday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council votes to give historic Club House back to Woman’s Club

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, August 8, 2025
The City of Lake City took its first — and perhaps only necessary — step in helping The Club House on Lake Isabella get some much-needed repairs. The Lake City Council voted unanimously to deed the property back to the Woman’s Club at a special called meeting Thursday.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said the next year will give everybody a better idea if the North Florida Water Utilities Authority ‘experiment’ is going to work. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said the next year will give everybody a better idea if the North Florida Water Utilities Authority ‘experiment’ is going to work. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Utility group given greenlight to begin operations, maintenance

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 8, 2025
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority is all set to take the wheel on operating the utilities in both Columbia and Suwannee counties.