Local

School board OKs tax increase; reduced millage

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
The Columbia County School Board technically tentatively approved a tax increase Tuesday night. During a special meeting Tuesday night, the board unanimously adopted its tentative millage rate of 5.349 mills, which is a reduction from the current 5.391 mills.
Tyrone Mullins, giving a haircut at a previous Community Barbers Back to School Bash, said this is a special year for the event as it marks its 10th anniversary. (FILE)

Tyrone Mullins, giving a haircut at a previous Community Barbers Back to School Bash, said this is a special year for the event as it marks its 10th anniversary. (FILE)

Barbers hosting 10th Back to School Bash

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Backpacks, paper, pencils and other utensils youngsters need for school, along with free haircuts, will be given out this weekend during a community event. The 10th annual Community Barbers Back to School Bash will take place 3-6 p.m.
The new Niblack Elementary School will be open for tours Thursday when it also holds a ribbon cutting ceremony. (COURTESY)

The new Niblack Elementary School will be open for tours Thursday when it also holds a ribbon cutting ceremony. (COURTESY)

New Niblack Elementary hosting tours Thursday

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Local residents and students will have an opportunity to first view the new Niblack Elementary School and the relocated Eastside Elementary School when both schools hold events Thursday morning. Niblack Elementary School will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony 9-10 a.m. on Thursday.
Florida Gateway College is hosting a One-Stop Enrollment Day event Thursday at the Wilson S. Rivers Library & Media Center, an event designed to simplify the enrollment process. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Florida Gateway College is hosting a One-Stop Enrollment Day event Thursday at the Wilson S. Rivers Library & Media Center, an event designed to simplify the enrollment process. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC hosting One-Stop Enrollment Day

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Florida Gateway College is looking to speed up the enrollment process Thursday for new and returning students. On Thursday, the college will hold its One-Stop Enrollment Day for Fall 2025. The event is open to new, readmit, and prospective students and will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Man hit, killed walking on CR 240

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
A Lake City man was hit and killed while walking on County Road 240 on Monday evening. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Mayo woman was headed west on CR 240 at 6:20 p.m. Monday when she encountered a Lake City man walking on the roadway just west of U.S. Highway 441.
Sgt. Mike Lee with the Lake City Police Department shows members of a previous Citizen’s Police Academy the techniques used in investigating a traffic accident. (COURTESY)

Sgt. Mike Lee with the Lake City Police Department shows members of a previous Citizen’s Police Academy the techniques used in investigating a traffic accident. (COURTESY)

LCPD offering glimpse with Citizen’s Police Academy

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Local police are on the lookout for residents interested in learning more about the inner workings of law enforcement. The Lake City Police Department is set to host its Citizens Police Academy beginning Thursday, Aug. 7. The class will meet over the following 10 weeks each Thursday from 6-9 p.m.
Sharon Bardons (left) and her daughter, Brittany Leet, owner and operator of Brittany’s Cupcake Shoppe, pack a box of cupcakes. Brittany’s Cupcake Shoppe recently moved to the Lake City Plaza after being housed in a downtown location for more than two years. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sharon Bardons (left) and her daughter, Brittany Leet, owner and operator of Brittany’s Cupcake Shoppe, pack a box of cupcakes. Brittany’s Cupcake Shoppe recently moved to the Lake City Plaza after being housed in a downtown location for more than two years. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Brittany’s Cupcake Shoppe moves to new location on Main Blvd.

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 25, 2025
New menu items with a new paint job, new in-store additions and a new location, are currently the hallmarks of Brittany’s Cupcake Shoppe as the local eatery starts business in a new venue.

Four in Fort White family arrested on child abuse charges

NEWS STAFF
Friday, July 25, 2025
FORT WHITE — Four members of a family weren’t all that familial with several foster and adopted children, according to local law enforcement. Brian and Jill Griffeth, 47 and 41 respectively, were arrested Tuesday by Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies.
Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said a company interested in coming to the NFMIP would bring roughly 200 jobs to the area. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels said a company interested in coming to the NFMIP would bring roughly 200 jobs to the area. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

BOCC holds emergency econ meeting

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 25, 2025
Harboring hopes of attracting a multi-national steel corporation as a new tenant in the North Florida Mega-Industrial Park, Columbia County officials on Thursday authorized county staff to apply for a rail funding grant at the site.