Local

H. Shawn Holmgren threatened legal action during his public comments Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

H. Shawn Holmgren threatened legal action during his public comments Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lawsuits threatened in council’s Makerspace discussion

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Confusion, threats of lawsuits and a split vote highlighted discussion over turning part of Lake City Hall into a “makerspace” for local nonprofits. The Lake City Council discussed the matter at its Monday meeting, but only after Councilwoman Chevella Young brought up a call she’d received in June.
Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joey O’Hern (middle) recently completed the Institute for Organization Management. (COURTESY)

Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joey O’Hern (middle) recently completed the Institute for Organization Management. (COURTESY)

Chamber director completes national leadership program

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
The Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce executive director has graduated from a national leadership training program. Joey O’Hern, the Chamber director, has completed the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, program.

Two shot at weekend block party

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Two men were shot early Saturday morning during a block party on the northwest side of Lake City. According to one of the victims, he was attending a block party when gunfire erupted, according to a Lake City Police Department release. The release said officers were dispatched around 1:24 a.m.

Man arrested for made-up kidnapping

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
A homeless Lake City man was arrested Sunday morning after reporting a made-up kidnapping. According to a Lake City Police Department release, officers responded to the Gateway Laundromat on U.S. Highway 90 West around 9:30 a.m. Sunday as a robbery and abduction was reported to be in progress.

Two shot at Lake City block party

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Two people were shot early Saturday morning during a block party on the northwest side of Lake City. Lake City police officers were dispatched around 1:24 a.m. Saturday to 698 NW Mississippi Way in reference to a report of a person shot, according to a Lake City Police Department release.
The Lake City Council is set to host a workshop next week on the future of the Club House on Lake Isabella. City Manager Don Rosenthal recommended demolishing the unstable building. (FILE)

The Lake City Council is set to host a workshop next week on the future of the Club House on Lake Isabella. City Manager Don Rosenthal recommended demolishing the unstable building. (FILE)

Club House in the balance

TONY BRITT
Thursday, July 3, 2025
The fate of a building that has served the community in a variety of capacities for decades could be determined during a Lake City Council workshop next week.
Volunteers raise the American flag outside of Haven Hospice. (COURTESY)

Volunteers raise the American flag outside of Haven Hospice. (COURTESY)

Volunteers bring honor, comfort to veterans at Haven Hospice

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 3, 2025
A special group of volunteers meets just about every Thursday at the Haven Hospice Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City. Over donuts and coffee, they catch up and discuss plans for the upcoming day.
Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said the county has ‘kind of outgrown’ the Southside Sports Complex as the county pursues developing a new 500-acre facility. (FILE)

Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said the county has ‘kind of outgrown’ the Southside Sports Complex as the county pursues developing a new 500-acre facility. (FILE)

County aiming to build new sports complex

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Columbia County is looking to a local firm to help engineer and design the first phase of the 500-acre flat field facility.

First Federal Foundation grant offers free tax help

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 3, 2025
A grant from the First Federal Bank Foundation will allow Suwannee Valley area residents to continue receiving free tax assistance. Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a program offered by a partnership between UF/IFAS and the United Way of Suwannee Valley.