Local

Wreaths were laid Saturday for those who served in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and Space Force. (COURTESY)

Wreaths were laid Saturday for those who served in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and Space Force. (COURTESY)

Legion honors fallen comrades with Wreaths Across America

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
American Legion Post 57 participated in a Wreaths Across America ceremony Saturday morning in Olustee Park where they honored fallen veterans from different military branches. The event featured an Honor Guard as well as several veterans paying homage to their fallen comrades.
Matthew Isaacs (left), a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, gets a bowl of nachos and cheese from Karen Kraszewski, a recreational aide on Saturday at the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Domiciliary where veterans watched the Army-Navy football game. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Matthew Isaacs (left), a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, gets a bowl of nachos and cheese from Karen Kraszewski, a recreational aide on Saturday at the Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Domiciliary where veterans watched the Army-Navy football game. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Domiciliary seeking canteen donations

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Volunteers at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Domiciliary are seeking donations for  several items for the facility’s canteen.
Deborah Water of Fort White, a vendor in the local holiday market, organizes Christmas wreaths in her booth. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Deborah Water of Fort White, a vendor in the local holiday market, organizes Christmas wreaths in her booth. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Holiday market draws thousands downtown

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
With entertainment, food, unique gifts and Santa Claus as some of its main attractions, the annual Christmas in Columbia Holiday Market drew thousands of visitors and shoppers to the downtown Lake City area Saturday. The holiday market, which began at 9 a.m.
Fort White Mayor George Thomas listens as Town Attorney Rhett Bullard speaks during Monday night’s meeting. Thomas later abruptly stormed out of the meeting during a heated debate about meeting decorum. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White Mayor George Thomas listens as Town Attorney Rhett Bullard speaks during Monday night’s meeting. Thomas later abruptly stormed out of the meeting during a heated debate about meeting decorum. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White mayor storms out of meeting; attorney threatens to quit

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
FORT WHITE — A heated discussion about meeting decorum ended when Fort White’s mayor stormed out of the town’s meeting Monday night.
North Florida Water Utilities Authority Executive Director Shannon Roberts talks about the issues utility plants in both Columbia and Suwannee counties have had with complying with Department of Environmental Protection regulations. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

North Florida Water Utilities Authority Executive Director Shannon Roberts talks about the issues utility plants in both Columbia and Suwannee counties have had with complying with Department of Environmental Protection regulations. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Membrane could fix DEP issues with local utilities

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority aims to flush state fines on wastewater plant issues as quickly as possible.
Shea Harrell, Christian Service Center’s operations manager, and Chris Walter, its executive director, put Christmas basket items into the truck of a client’s car during the annual Christmas Basket Distribution. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Shea Harrell, Christian Service Center’s operations manager, and Chris Walter, its executive director, put Christmas basket items into the truck of a client’s car during the annual Christmas Basket Distribution. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CSC gives back during Christmas Basket event

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Colder temperatures were right at home Monday and ushered in the spirit of Christmas gift giving as the Christian Service Center distributed Christmas baskets to several of its clients.
A Lake City firefighter holds Chase after the dog was rescued from a house fire Monday. (COURTESY)

A Lake City firefighter holds Chase after the dog was rescued from a house fire Monday. (COURTESY)

Dog saved from house fire Monday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Units from the Lake City Fire Department were dispatched to a structure fire Monday evening where they were able to save canine. According to LCFD reports, at 7:10 p.m. on Monday, units were dispatched to a fire in a two-story residence off of Southwest Gator Ct.
NFWUA Executive Director Shannon Roberts takes notes during a prior board meeting. (FILE)

NFWUA Executive Director Shannon Roberts takes notes during a prior board meeting. (FILE)

Utility group sets $8 bulk water rate

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
The Town of Fort White now knows what water would cost should it decide to handle its water system itself moving forward. During Monday’s North Florida Water Utilities Authority meeting, the NFWUA board unanimously agreed to set a bulk water rate for the town at $8 per 1,000 gallons.

Child killed falling off pickup

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
A 5-year-old girl was killed Saturday night when she fell off a pickup, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. An FHP release said a pickup was being driven around 6:27 p.m. Saturday on private property off of NW Brook Loop when the child — Avery Michelle Lunde — fell from the truck.