Local

Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris said the improved working relationship between the city and Columbia County is going to make things better for the community moving forward. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Tammy Harris said the improved working relationship between the city and Columbia County is going to make things better for the community moving forward. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Partnerships touted for moving community forward

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The rocky relationship between the City of Lake City and Columbia County is a thing of the past.
The Gondolier Italian Restaurant and Pizza building was demolished Tuesday afternoon, nearly five years after the restaurant closed in September 2020. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Gondolier Italian Restaurant and Pizza building was demolished Tuesday afternoon, nearly five years after the restaurant closed in September 2020. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Old Gondolier restaurant building demolished Tuesday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The old Gondolier Italian Restaurant and Pizza location near the Lake City Mall has been demolished. Crews from Haskins Demolition & Disposal were working on the demolition project Tuesday, nearly five years after the restaurant closed in September 2020. The building was purchased for $1.
Adam Sanders, a Nashville country music artist and Lake City native, will compete on ‘The Road’ this fall on CBS. (COURTESY)

Adam Sanders, a Nashville country music artist and Lake City native, will compete on ‘The Road’ this fall on CBS. (COURTESY)

Lake City’s Sanders picked for ‘The Road’

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, June 27, 2025
Adam Sanders is no stranger to performing in front of large audiences. But beginning this fall, the Lake City native may be playing to his biggest crowds yet. Sanders will travel, perform and compete against 11 other up-and-coming country music artists as part of CBS’s new series ‘The Road.

Columbia ham operators participating in Field Day

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 27, 2025
Ham radio operators from Columbia County’s two amateur radio clubs — Columbia Amateur Radio Society (NF4CQ) and Columbia Amateur Radio Emergency Services (NF4CA) — will be participating in the ARRL Field Day, a national amateur radio communications exercise, this weekend.
Columbia County Sheriff's Office and Columbia County Fire Rescue vehicles line the taped-off parking lot at Arby's on Thursday following a shooting at the restaurant. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Sheriff's Office and Columbia County Fire Rescue vehicles line the taped-off parking lot at Arby's on Thursday following a shooting at the restaurant. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

UPDATED (11:45 A.M. FRIDAY) Ongoing feud led to Arby's shooting

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, June 26, 2025
An ongoing feud from Jacksonville led to two Lake City Arby’s employees being shot Thursday morning. The two employees were shot inside the restaurant at the U.S. Highway 90 and Interstate 75 interchange around 11:30 a.m.
A painting is displayed at the West Branch Library during the 18th annual Wally Reichert Memorial Art Show. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

A painting is displayed at the West Branch Library during the 18th annual Wally Reichert Memorial Art Show. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Reichert Art Show returns

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Local artists are putting themselves out there, albeit anonymously for the time being. The 18th annual Wally Reichert Memorial Art Show officially kicked off Tuesday with more than 100 art pieces going on display at the West Branch Library in Lake City, located at 435 NW Hall of Fame Dr.

CCS cutting 50 positions to cover $3M shortfall

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Facing a projected $3 million budget shortfall, the Columbia County School District has cut nearly 50 positions. Superintendent Keith Couey said Wednesday that nobody has lost a job among the 47 positions eliminated. Instead the district has not replaced departing or retiring employees.
Lake City Assistant Fire Chief Ret Tompkins stops at a residence Tuesday to help install smoke detectors and provide disaster preparedness information. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Lake City Assistant Fire Chief Ret Tompkins stops at a residence Tuesday to help install smoke detectors and provide disaster preparedness information. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Detectors installed Tuesday alert of fire Wednesday

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
The value of a smoke detector was proven again Wednesday morning.