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Florida Gateway College students raise the flag at the FGC Public Safety Training Center in Olustee. The college has been designated a Purple Star Campus by the Florida Department of Education for service and commitment to supporting military students and families. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Florida Gateway College students raise the flag at the FGC Public Safety Training Center in Olustee. The college has been designated a Purple Star Campus by the Florida Department of Education for service and commitment to supporting military students and families. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC earns Purple Star Campus status

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Staff reportFlorida Gateway College’s treatment of military students has garnered a statewide achievement. FGC was designated a Purple Star Campus by the Florida Department of Education last week for its service toward military students and families.

Lake City man arrested after months-long child porn investigation

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
A Lake City man was arrested last week following a months-long child pornography investigation.According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, detectives with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began the investigation in May following cyber tip.
North Florida Utilities Authority board member Jock Phelps (left) is sworn in ahead of Monday’s meeting by NFWUA Attorney Grady Williams. Monday was Phelps’ first meeting as a member of the utility board. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

North Florida Utilities Authority board member Jock Phelps (left) is sworn in ahead of Monday’s meeting by NFWUA Attorney Grady Williams. Monday was Phelps’ first meeting as a member of the utility board. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Utility board moves budget meeting

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority is moving its meeting next month a week in order to better finalize its budget.During its meeting Monday morning, the NFWUA board agreed to delay its September meeting to Sept.

LCPD DUI checkpoint coming

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Motorists are being reminded to drive sober ahead of the Labor Day holiday. According to a Lake City Police Department release, it will be conducting a multi-agency DUI checkpoint on Friday.
A rendering from a conceptual video shows one of the potential plaques to be installed at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City through a government grant. (COURTESY)

A rendering from a conceptual video shows one of the potential plaques to be installed at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City through a government grant. (COURTESY)

Historic texts coming to Olustee Park

TONY BRITT
Saturday, August 22, 2026
The landscape of downtown Olustee Park is expected to change in a few months when monuments are added to the park through a collaboration with Columbia County and City of Lake City officials.
A construction crew works on rebuilding the frame to a new Zaxby’s restaurant Friday morning at Cornerstone Crossing. It’s set to open Nov. 16. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

A construction crew works on rebuilding the frame to a new Zaxby’s restaurant Friday morning at Cornerstone Crossing. It’s set to open Nov. 16. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Zaxby’s construction not delayed after collapse

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, August 22, 2026
A building project currently in development at the Cornerstone Crossing site won’t be delayed after poor weather Thursday night led to a “freak accident,” damaging the structure.
Dennis Roberts, who lives on Hackney Terrace behind a proposed commercial development, said maps about the property didn’t point to the people who live there. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Dennis Roberts, who lives on Hackney Terrace behind a proposed commercial development, said maps about the property didn’t point to the people who live there. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Land use granted for U.S. Highway 90 site as part of deal

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 22, 2026
A vacant parcel on U.S. Highway 90 received a land use change to allow for a future commercial development.
Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said the county needs to fix the problem with delayed response times in rual areas during Thursday’s workshop. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said the county needs to fix the problem with delayed response times in rual areas during Thursday’s workshop. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County commits to staffing ambulances

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Columbia County is moving forward with plans to start beefing up emergency medical services, particularly in the far-flung areas of the county.
Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said with big-dollar items as part of the planned capital projects for next fiscal year, there aren’t as many projects that can be finished. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said with big-dollar items as part of the planned capital projects for next fiscal year, there aren’t as many projects that can be finished. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Jail, old Reporter building among planned projects

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Major building renovations and a roadway safety project top the list of capital projects planned for Columbia County’s budget next year.
Commission Chairman Tim Murphy said a committee could help create a plan for how to handle any proposed data centers here in the future. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commission Chairman Tim Murphy said a committee could help create a plan for how to handle any proposed data centers here in the future. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County creating board to devise data center plan

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Columbia County intends to assemble a committee to help get it in front of any data centers coming to the community.