Local

State Sen. Jennifer Bradley said any property tax reform the state implements will have to have no negative impacts on rural, fiscally constrained counties like Columbia County. Bradley spoke at a Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Coffee and Commerce event Wednesday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

State Sen. Jennifer Bradley said any property tax reform the state implements will have to have no negative impacts on rural, fiscally constrained counties like Columbia County. Bradley spoke at a Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Coffee and Commerce event Wednesday morning. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Coffee, commerce and Senator Bradley

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
After a contentious legislative session this spring, Sen. Jennifer Bradley expects more of the same next year.
A semi’s trailer caught fire early Sunday morning on Interstate 75. Columbia County Fire Rescue crews extinguished the fire quickly while the southbond lanes were closed for 30-45 minutes. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

A semi’s trailer caught fire early Sunday morning on Interstate 75. Columbia County Fire Rescue crews extinguished the fire quickly while the southbond lanes were closed for 30-45 minutes. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

CCFR extinguishes semi blaze on I-75

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Columbia County Fire Rescue crews were summoned to a tractor trailer fire on Interstate 75 early Sunday morning. According to reports, around 2:13 a.m. Sunday, CCFR crews from stations 51 and 42 were dispatched to the southbound lanes of I-75 near the 433 mile marker for the tractor trailer fire.

Post 57 hosting MIA/POW ceremony

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
American Legion Post 57 members will pay homage to Prisoners of War and the Missing In Action during a new ceremony at the Post later this week. Post 57 will hold a ceremony for National POW/MIA Day beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday at Post 57, 2602 SW Main Blvd. in Lake City.
Niblack Elementary students participated in a Food Group Relay in which students such as Julianna Thomas, practiced sorting foods into the correct groups. (COURTESY)

Niblack Elementary students participated in a Food Group Relay in which students such as Julianna Thomas, practiced sorting foods into the correct groups. (COURTESY)

Niblack Elementary students learn healthy habits

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
By HEATHER FUTCH County Extension Director/4-H Agent III Students in grades kindergarten through fifth at Minnie J.

Lake City hosting free shred event

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Identity theft has become one of the more popular crimes where criminals are able to take personal information from victims and use it to their advantage for criminal enterprises.
Columbia County Fire Rescue trucks battle a brush fire near NW Suwannee Valley Road and NW Cambridge Hill Way over the weekend. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

Columbia County Fire Rescue trucks battle a brush fire near NW Suwannee Valley Road and NW Cambridge Hill Way over the weekend. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE)

Brush fire destroys 35 acres

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Columbia County Fire Rescue firefighters battled a brush fire this weekend which claimed nearly 35 acres of property Saturday afternoon. According to the CCFR, around 2:25 p.m.
Kent Banner (left), Columbia County Assistant Supervisor of Elections, helps fifth-grade Eastside Elementary School students place their ballots into the tabulator on Tuesday morning during a school election at the county election’s office. (TONY BRITT)

Kent Banner (left), Columbia County Assistant Supervisor of Elections, helps fifth-grade Eastside Elementary School students place their ballots into the tabulator on Tuesday morning during a school election at the county election’s office. (TONY BRITT)

Over 100 students cast ballots for Eastside election

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Two buses filled with Eastside Elementary School fifth-graders visited the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections Office on Tuesday, but it wasn’t for a normal field trip.
Florida Voices for Health Executive Director Scott Darius asked for resident feedback during Monday’s forum on rural healthcare. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Voices for Health Executive Director Scott Darius asked for resident feedback during Monday’s forum on rural healthcare. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Voices for Health hosts open forum

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Local residents and leaders mixed and mingled while discussing the potential future of healthcare in the region.
Members of the Lake City Fire Department, including Chief Josh Wehinger and Assistant Chief Rhet Tompkins, receive a proclamation from Mayor Noah Walker at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting for Firefighter Appreciation Month. (COURTESY CITY OF LAKE CITY)

Members of the Lake City Fire Department, including Chief Josh Wehinger and Assistant Chief Rhet Tompkins, receive a proclamation from Mayor Noah Walker at Monday’s Lake City Council meeting for Firefighter Appreciation Month. (COURTESY CITY OF LAKE CITY)

LCFD lowers ISO rating to a 2

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
The Lake City Fire Department didn’t achieve its goal in its recent ISO study. It surpassed it.
Benjamin ‘Benny’ Ragland will lead the Gateway Art Gallery’s ‘Art and Soul’ presentation Saturday on Leonard da Vinci. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Benjamin ‘Benny’ Ragland will lead the Gateway Art Gallery’s ‘Art and Soul’ presentation Saturday on Leonard da Vinci. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gallery hosting da Vinci program

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Local art lovers will have the opportunity to learn about one of the world’s most celebrated artists this week when Gateway Art Gallery continues with its lecture series.