Local

Sail On, a Beach Boys tribute band, will perform at the July 4 celebration in Lake City. (COURTESY)

Sail On, a Beach Boys tribute band, will perform at the July 4 celebration in Lake City. (COURTESY)

Sail On to perform at July 4 celebration

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 30, 2025
Columbia County will be celebrating the nation’s birthday with a beach lovers dream including a concert provided by a Beach Boys tribute band.
Sara Lou Blanton (center), along with John Brown, Linda Moses and Arthur ‘Art’ Holliday, were honored at Tuesday’s Teacher of a Lifetime ceremony at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sara Lou Blanton (center), along with John Brown, Linda Moses and Arthur ‘Art’ Holliday, were honored at Tuesday’s Teacher of a Lifetime ceremony at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

School Board honors four with Teacher of a Lifetime awards

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
A who’s who of educators from the Columbia County School District over the past 40 years gathered in the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium on Tuesday night as the district added four more educators into its Teacher of a Lifetime program.
Columbia County Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator Staz Guntek speaks during Wednesday’s TDC meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator Staz Guntek speaks during Wednesday’s TDC meeting. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

TDC future remains ‘in flux’

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
The future of Tourist Development Councils remain “in flux” as the Florida legislature waits to resume budget talks.
CLASH Endurance chief operating officer Andre Lapar said the Old Florida Gravel cycling event set for November is a way to establish 'Columbia County as a cycling destination.' (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

CLASH Endurance chief operating officer Andre Lapar said the Old Florida Gravel cycling event set for November is a way to establish 'Columbia County as a cycling destination.' (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

TDC OKs funding gravel cycling event

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
The open dirt roads of southern Columbia County will see additional traffic late this fall. The Columbia County Tourist Development Council approved a $10,000 request to help the marketing efforts for Old Florida Gravel, a gravel bike event being put on by CLASH Endurance.
CLASH Endurance chief operating officer Andre Lapar said the Old Florida Gravel cycling event set for November is a way to establish ‘Columbia County as a cycling destination.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

CLASH Endurance chief operating officer Andre Lapar said the Old Florida Gravel cycling event set for November is a way to establish ‘Columbia County as a cycling destination.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

TDC OKs funding gravel cycling event

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
The open dirt roads of southern Columbia County will see additional traffic late this fall. The Columbia County Tourist Development Council approved a $10,000 request to help the marketing efforts for Old Florida Gravel, a gravel bike event being put on by CLASH Endurance.
The sun sets Friday night over Tiger Stadium during Columbia High’s commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

The sun sets Friday night over Tiger Stadium during Columbia High’s commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025. (RAY CARPENTER/Lake City Reporter)

CHS graduation met with mixed emotions

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
The elation of graduation swept over Columbia High’s Tiger Stadium on Friday night as more than 400 students capped their high school careers with a joyous celebration.
The American Legion Post 57 honor guard presents the colors during the organization’s Memorial Day ceremony on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The American Legion Post 57 honor guard presents the colors during the organization’s Memorial Day ceremony on Monday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Post 57 remembers fallen on Memorial Day

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
More than 100 people, including members, guests, supporters and well wishers, gathered at American Legion Post 57 in Lake City to honor fallen comrades, servicemen and military heroes during a Memorial Day program on Monday. The ceremony, which took place at 11 a.m.