Local

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker (right) and Dakota Braun, the city’s grant writer, hold the city’s ceremonial check for $211,000 that it received Thursday for a street paving project. (COURTESY CITY OF LAKE CITY)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker (right) and Dakota Braun, the city’s grant writer, hold the city’s ceremonial check for $211,000 that it received Thursday for a street paving project. (COURTESY CITY OF LAKE CITY)

County, city receive state infrastructure funds

TONY BRITT
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Gov. Ron DeSantis was extremely busy during his visit to Lake City on Thursday morning.Not only did he unveil a new statue for Columbia County, but he also distributed funds to a number of rural communities to address infrastructure needs.
Columbia County Public library employees Heather Blair and Katrina Evans show off one of the Dolly Parton displays that were recently added to the main branch library on Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Public library employees Heather Blair and Katrina Evans show off one of the Dolly Parton displays that were recently added to the main branch library on Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Main Library pays respects to Parton

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
The late ‘Iron Butterfly’ is being celebrated locally in accordance with the legend’s own fondness for literacy.
Living Hope Executive Director Natalie Moore (right) is pictured with Keri Spradley during a Wellness Workshop earlier this month. (COURTESY)

Living Hope Executive Director Natalie Moore (right) is pictured with Keri Spradley during a Wellness Workshop earlier this month. (COURTESY)

Living Hope hosting pair of free suicide awareness events

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
September is suicide awareness month and Living Hope, a local Christian non-profit organization and its community partners are hosting two suicide awareness events. Both events are free to the public.
Niblack students high five Bellamy as he reminds them to ‘Turn off the Tap!’ (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

Niblack students high five Bellamy as he reminds them to ‘Turn off the Tap!’ (COURTESY UF/IFAS EXTENSION COLUMBIA COUNTY)

New 4-H year brings growing opportunities

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
By Heather FutchUF/IFAS Extension Columbia CountyA new 4-H year is getting underway in Columbia County, bringing another year of opportunities for young people to learn something new, develop their interests, build confidence, and find their spark.
Steven Knotts, who was wounded in Baghdad while serving in the U.S. Army, will play Friday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

Steven Knotts, who was wounded in Baghdad while serving in the U.S. Army, will play Friday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. (COURTESY)

Army veteran Knotts, Faster Than Flash to perform at Music Park

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
A combat-wounded Army veteran will kick off the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park’s weekend Friday night.Steven Knotts, who was injured in Baghdad while serving in the U.S. Army, is set to play the SOSMP’s Music Hall on Friday before Faster Than Flash will perform Saturday night.
The Gateway Art Gallery’s third annual Precious Pets Portrait Contest returns with submissions due Saturday. The contest can include humans alongside pets, whether it’s the owner, their children or grandchildren. (COURTESY)

The Gateway Art Gallery’s third annual Precious Pets Portrait Contest returns with submissions due Saturday. The contest can include humans alongside pets, whether it’s the owner, their children or grandchildren. (COURTESY)

Gallery’s pet portrait contest returns

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Think your dog is a work of art? Your gecko has star quality? Your grandchild and their four-legged sidekick are portrait-worthy? If your pet already runs the household, you might as well make it official and give them their own portrait.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker (far left) stands with council member Tammy Harris and members of the Lane and Foreman families after renamed streets dedicated to the families were unveiled Monday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker (far left) stands with council member Tammy Harris and members of the Lane and Foreman families after renamed streets dedicated to the families were unveiled Monday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lane, Foremans honored

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
The legacies of three educators were honored Monday morning when city crews unveiled streets dedicated in honor of the former teachers.
Jatarious Fluellen II was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison for his role in the August 2023 shooting death of 12-year-old Mariah Smith. Fluellen agreed to a plea deal that reduced his charge from second-degree murder to manslaughter. (FILE)

Jatarious Fluellen II was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison for his role in the August 2023 shooting death of 12-year-old Mariah Smith. Fluellen agreed to a plea deal that reduced his charge from second-degree murder to manslaughter. (FILE)

Third teen sentenced for 2023 murder

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
A third teen charged in a 2023 shooting death of a child has now been sentenced.
North Florida Water Utilities Authority Attorney Grady Williams holds up a copy of the 2025 interlocal agreement between the authority and both Columbia and Suwannee counties about operation and transfer of the utility assets in both counties. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

North Florida Water Utilities Authority Attorney Grady Williams holds up a copy of the 2025 interlocal agreement between the authority and both Columbia and Suwannee counties about operation and transfer of the utility assets in both counties. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

NFWUA meeting doesn’t address counties’ feud

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
After asking a multitude of questions to “trying to get my ahead around” the business of the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, Jock Phelps asked one more as the meeting wound down Monday morning.