Local

Firefighting crews have been battling the Gun Range Fire in the Osceola National Forest since Sunday. That includes aerial support from planes and helicopters. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Firefighting crews have been battling the Gun Range Fire in the Osceola National Forest since Sunday. That includes aerial support from planes and helicopters. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Choppers deployed as Gun Range Fire kicks up smoke in Lake City

Dusty, soot-covered, and tired US Forest Service crews are continuing their efforts to contain and douse the Gun Range Fire in eastern Lake City near Watertown Lake.
Lake City Attorney Clay Martin said county officials approached the city about a potential purchase of the wastewater treatment plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Attorney Clay Martin said county officials approached the city about a potential purchase of the wastewater treatment plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City approves purchase of sewer plant

After Columbia County officials agreed to its sale, the Lake City Council followed up with its own approval to take on the wastewater plant at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park.The board unanimously approved the $1.591 million purchase of the sewer plant at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting.
A rendering shows the potential design and layout of future playground equipment at Youngs Park. The Lake City Council discussed the possibility of new equipment at Monday’s city council meeting. (COURTESY)

A rendering shows the potential design and layout of future playground equipment at Youngs Park. The Lake City Council discussed the possibility of new equipment at Monday’s city council meeting. (COURTESY)

Major upgrades teased for Youngs Park

One of Lake City’s oldest parks is now looking to make wholesale changes with its playground equipment. Steve Brown, the city’s director of public works, gave a presentation to the Lake City Council at its Monday meeting regarding the decaying conditions at Youngs Park.
Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett approves of the college’s new sign for its Lake Shore campus next to the former two-story women’s center building on the banks of Lake DeSoto in downtown Lake City. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett approves of the college’s new sign for its Lake Shore campus next to the former two-story women’s center building on the banks of Lake DeSoto in downtown Lake City. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC progressing with Lake Shore campus

Florida Gateway College is still on track to open its downtown Lake Shore campus this fall.The college erected a sign outside its building, the two-story women’s center building, on the former Lake Shore Hospital campus this week.
Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young is hoping City Attorney Clay Martin and City Manager Don Rosenthal can come back at a future meeting with a more robust ordinance to deal with street closures during public events. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Councilwoman Chevella Young is hoping City Attorney Clay Martin and City Manager Don Rosenthal can come back at a future meeting with a more robust ordinance to deal with street closures during public events. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City street closure ordinance in works

Noting concern from the community, a Lake City Councilor is hoping city staffers can produce clearer protocols to keep order during public events.

Massachusetts man arrested on child sex charges

A Massachusetts man was arrested in Osceola County last week after traveling to have sex with who he thought was a child.According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office release, CCSO detectives coordinated with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office on the arrest of 28-year-old Canaan Boddie on Friday.
A tanker drops fire retardant on the ongoing brushfire in the Osceola National Forest near the gun range on the northeast side of Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A tanker drops fire retardant on the ongoing brushfire in the Osceola National Forest near the gun range on the northeast side of Lake City. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Road to gun range closed as crews continue to battle blaze

Firefighting crews continue to fight a wildfire that has burned approximately 125 acres the past two days.The fire, reportedly ignited Sunday afternoon and was still consuming acreage into Monday afternoon, burning through dry, arid areas of the Osceola National Forest.
Helicopters will be making water drops on hot spots in the Osceola National Forest brush fire that started Sunday near the rifle range on the northeast side of Lake City. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Helicopters will be making water drops on hot spots in the Osceola National Forest brush fire that started Sunday near the rifle range on the northeast side of Lake City. (COURTESY LAKE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT)

Containment lines holding on gun range fire

Crews are continuing to battle the brush fire near the rifle range in the Osceola National Forest.According to the Lake City Fire Department, drones flown by the U.S. Forest Service estimate the fire Monday morning to be around 130-150 acres with containment lines holding.
A rendering of the massive Busy Bee store planned for Ellisville, which is expected to open in 2027. The store will be 75,000 square feet and the site will include approximately 700 parking spaces. (COURTESY)

A rendering of the massive Busy Bee store planned for Ellisville, which is expected to open in 2027. The store will be 75,000 square feet and the site will include approximately 700 parking spaces. (COURTESY)

Massive Busy Bee’s tax rebate approved

A super-sized convenience store — the largest in Florida — is in line to get a break off its similarly outsized tax contributions to Columbia County.