Local

Trees were knocked down in the Lake City Hall parking lot by Hurricane Helene, which had winds up to 112 miles per hour in Columbia County, last September. (FILE)

Trees were knocked down in the Lake City Hall parking lot by Hurricane Helene, which had winds up to 112 miles per hour in Columbia County, last September. (FILE)

A year after Helene

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, September 27, 2025
During his 20-plus years of working in emergency management, Shayne Morgan has seen a lot of storms come and go. However, a year ago, Morgan saw something he had never witnessed before.
Congressman Cory Mills testifies during a hearing over a requested restraining order against him for stalking by Miss United States Lindsey Langston at the Columbia County Courthouse on Friday. (JOE BURBANK/Orlando Sentinel)

Congressman Cory Mills testifies during a hearing over a requested restraining order against him for stalking by Miss United States Lindsey Langston at the Columbia County Courthouse on Friday. (JOE BURBANK/Orlando Sentinel)

No ruling issued in U.S. Rep. revenge porn case

TONY BRITT
Saturday, September 27, 2025
A decision on a requested restraining order against a sitting Congressman will have to wait. While the remaining testimony in a hearing for an injunction of protection against U.S. Rep.
Halpatter Brewing Company recently sold its building to Lake City-based Hernando Property Developers LLC in a bid to lower monthly rent costs. The company also plans to rebrand to simply ‘Halpatter’s’ in the near future. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Halpatter Brewing Company recently sold its building to Lake City-based Hernando Property Developers LLC in a bid to lower monthly rent costs. The company also plans to rebrand to simply ‘Halpatter’s’ in the near future. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Halpatter’s shifting identity, ownership

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, September 27, 2025
The Halpatter Brewing Company isn’t going away any time soon, despite the recent sale of its building in downtown Lake City. Instead, the brewery is shifting gears in trying to meet local market demands by offering more of what residents have been asking for.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman talks during the Planning and Zoning Board meeting Thursday night after items were pulled from discussion Thursday to be brought back before the board next month. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman talks during the Planning and Zoning Board meeting Thursday night after items were pulled from discussion Thursday to be brought back before the board next month. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Busy Bee, solar farm site plans to come back before P&Z

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, September 27, 2025
A pair of big projects around the county are being put on hold for the moment, but only so each side has more time to gather necessary information.
Participants sprint off the starting line at a previous year’s Pregnancy Care Center 5K Walk/Run 4 Life event in Lake City. (FILE)

Participants sprint off the starting line at a previous year’s Pregnancy Care Center 5K Walk/Run 4 Life event in Lake City. (FILE)

Walk/Run 4 Life returns

TONY BRITT
Saturday, September 27, 2025
For the past two decades, the Pregnancy Care Centers in Columbia and Suwannee counties have made it their mission to fight for the unborn. Whether the situation called for classes, clothing, or outreach ministry services, the organization has gone the extra mile in its pro-life battle.
Lake City native Karley Scott Collins will release her first full album, ‘Flight Risk,’ on Friday. The record will be 16 tracks long and will be available for digital download or through Collins’ website. (COURTESY)

Lake City native Karley Scott Collins will release her first full album, ‘Flight Risk,’ on Friday. The record will be 16 tracks long and will be available for digital download or through Collins’ website. (COURTESY)

Karley Scott Collins' first full album, ‘Flight Risk,’ available Friday

TODD WILSON
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Life takes a spectacular turn this week for Lake City’s rising country music superstar Karley Scott Collins. Her first full album, “Flight Risk,” releases on Friday. The 16-track album features songs written or co-written by Collins herself.
Catholic Charities Regional DIrector for Lake City Shannon Moser said tickets have been sold out for the organization’s Laced Up for Love Sneaker Ball. (FILE)

Catholic Charities Regional DIrector for Lake City Shannon Moser said tickets have been sold out for the organization’s Laced Up for Love Sneaker Ball. (FILE)

Catholic Charities having a ball with first fundraiser

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Organizers are anticipating a successful inaugural formal event for Catholic Charities this weekend after the agency sold out its tickets for the weekend fundraiser.
Florida Gateway College nursing students and AirLife crews pose in front of an AirLife emergency medical helicopter during last week’s demonstration. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Florida Gateway College nursing students and AirLife crews pose in front of an AirLife emergency medical helicopter during last week’s demonstration. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC nursing students on air after helicopter demonstration

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Nursing students at Florida Gateway College got a lift to their education last week.

Giebeig set to take on new healthcare role

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
A local doctor is joining up with a regional healthcare provider. Dr. Peter Giebeig Jr., a Lake City-based physician and the founder of Giebeig Family Medicine, P.A. in Lake City, is teaming up with SIMEDHealth, according to a release from the company.
Madisen Bishop (from left) and Elizabeth Villatoro rehearse a scene from Sweeney Todd on Tuesday afternoon at the Fort White Performing Arts Center. The Fort White High School Drama Club is presenting two productions this week. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Madisen Bishop (from left) and Elizabeth Villatoro rehearse a scene from Sweeney Todd on Tuesday afternoon at the Fort White Performing Arts Center. The Fort White High School Drama Club is presenting two productions this week. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White’s ‘Fright Night’

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
FORT WHITE — Young thespians from the Fort White High School drama club will take the stage later this week when the school’s drama department presents a pair of productions.