Local

HAECO Americas, including its operation at Lake City Gateway Airport, was purchased Monday by AAR Corporation, an Illinois-based company. (FILE)

HAECO Americas, including its operation at Lake City Gateway Airport, was purchased Monday by AAR Corporation, an Illinois-based company. (FILE)

HAECO Americas purchased for $78M

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
One of Columbia County’s largest employers now has a new owner. HAECO Americas, which operates a heavy aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul and modification facility at the Lake City Gateway Airport, was bought Monday by AAR Corporation, an Illinois-based company, for $78 million.
Columbia High School JROTC cadets, volunteers and chaperones pose for a picture on Saturday after helping Columbia County Republican Executive Committee members erects flags and crosses for their America’s Heroes program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High School JROTC cadets, volunteers and chaperones pose for a picture on Saturday after helping Columbia County Republican Executive Committee members erects flags and crosses for their America’s Heroes program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Veterans, first responders honored with flags, crosses

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
A huge contingent of the area’s veterans and first responders are being honored along a Columbia County roadway.

Pair of jail deaths deemed ‘unfortunate situation’

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
A second inmate death at the Columbia County Detention Facility in three days is an “unfortunate incident,” according to Sheriff Wallace Kitchings. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, a female inmate died Sunday evening in the jail.
Leslie Buckholtz with Precept Acquisitions talked to the Lake City Council on Monday about a five-stage process to develop workforce housing in the city through a partnership with her company and the city. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Leslie Buckholtz with Precept Acquisitions talked to the Lake City Council on Monday about a five-stage process to develop workforce housing in the city through a partnership with her company and the city. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City wants closer look at housing partnership

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
While the presentation didn’t convince everyone on the council, Lake City officials will at least take a closer look later this month at a workforce housing development partnership.
Meally Jenkins, Christmas Dream Machine founder and director, stands in front of a table filled with toys. The Christmas Dream Machine begins its 2025 operations today at 157 SE Duval Street in its 37th year of service to the community. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Meally Jenkins, Christmas Dream Machine founder and director, stands in front of a table filled with toys. The Christmas Dream Machine begins its 2025 operations today at 157 SE Duval Street in its 37th year of service to the community. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Cranking up the Dream Machine

TONY BRITT
Saturday, November 1, 2025
While several youngsters in Lake City spent most of Friday dressed in Halloween costumes to celebrate the season, there were two local women wearing some Christmas attire that wasn’t associated with Halloween costumes.

FDLE investigating inmate death at jail

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 31, 2025
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the death of an inmate at the Columbia County Detention Facility. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, 64-year-old James Michael Millard was found unresponsive in his cell by guards at 6 a.m. Friday during the morning count.
Gateway Art Gallery artist Jeanne Van Arsdall discusses design with CARC painter Tony Lovett. (COURTESY)

Gateway Art Gallery artist Jeanne Van Arsdall discusses design with CARC painter Tony Lovett. (COURTESY)

Gallery ‘hangs out’ with CARC clients

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 31, 2025
Ten artists from the Gateway Art Gallery partnered up with a dozen clients of CARC, a local non-profit organization for developmentally disabled adults. During the event, clients painted Christmas ornaments which will be featured on a special Christmas tree at the Gallery in downtown Lake City.
Bonnie Smith (from left) and Doreen Waters, the late Terry Hancock’s sisters, hold flags and a sign for motorists in honor of their brother on Wednesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bonnie Smith (from left) and Doreen Waters, the late Terry Hancock’s sisters, hold flags and a sign for motorists in honor of their brother on Wednesday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Crowd gathers to honor Hancock, ‘Lake City Flag Waver’

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Sometimes in life it’s the simplest gestures that leave the longest lasting impressions. Terry Hancock was a local resident who mastered the trait.
Judy MacGrath (from left) and Sonya Rossin, members of the Lake City Garden Club, take flowers out of their planters to add them to the city’s planter. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Judy MacGrath (from left) and Sonya Rossin, members of the Lake City Garden Club, take flowers out of their planters to add them to the city’s planter. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Garden Club spruces up downtown

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Despite gray skies, misty rain and cooler temperatures, a group of Lake City residents hit the downtown area Tuesday morning hoping to add a splash of color to the local streets. Members of the Lake City Garden Club were out planting fall flowers in planters along North Marion Avenue.