Local

Kaylee Wilcox, a Belmont Academy student, will compete this week at the Eastern National Archery in the Schools Program Tournament in Kentucky. (COURTESY)

Kaylee Wilcox, a Belmont Academy student, will compete this week at the Eastern National Archery in the Schools Program Tournament in Kentucky. (COURTESY)

Three headed to archery nationals

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
A trio of local archers have qualified to compete in a national archery competition this weekend, where they will put their archery skills to the test against other hot shot archers from east of the Mississippi River.
Benton Graham (from left), 2, and Lundee Graham, 4, play in a pile of sand during the 10th Annual Kiwanis Kids Day which took place Saturday attracting hundreds of children. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Benton Graham (from left), 2, and Lundee Graham, 4, play in a pile of sand during the 10th Annual Kiwanis Kids Day which took place Saturday attracting hundreds of children. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

10th annual Kids Day larger than ever

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Hundreds of local children were able to turn the Florida Gateway Pro Rodeo Arena into a playground this weekend with the aid of the Lake City Kiwanis Club.
Clay Martin’s contract to become the City of Lake City’s full-time attorney was approved by the Lake City Council on Monday night. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Clay Martin’s contract to become the City of Lake City’s full-time attorney was approved by the Lake City Council on Monday night. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City makes Martin full-time attorney

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
The City of Lake City’s first dedicated in-house city attorney will be a familiar one.
Chris Coleman (from left) and Erin Harlow lead a group of people on a trail tour at Alligator Lake Public Recreation Area on Tuesday morning as part of Economic Development Week activities. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Chris Coleman (from left) and Erin Harlow lead a group of people on a trail tour at Alligator Lake Public Recreation Area on Tuesday morning as part of Economic Development Week activities. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tourism highlighted as part of Economic Development Week

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
A group of more than 20 people from various state and local agencies were given a brief tour of the many sites at the Alligator Lake Public Recreation Area on Tuesday.
Tom Eagle with Real Terrace LLC said the vision for the 71-acre property looking to annex into the City of Lake City is for a big box commercial development. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tom Eagle with Real Terrace LLC said the vision for the 71-acre property looking to annex into the City of Lake City is for a big box commercial development. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Council waits on annexing commercial land

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
By JAMIE WACHTER jwachter@lakecityreporter.com Property planned for commercial development will have to wait to be annexed into the City of Lake City because of Columbia County concerns.

FGC graduation set for Thursday

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
The local graduation season is set to begin at Florida Gateway College. FGC will host a pair of 2025 Spring commencement ceremonies on Thursday, with graduates being recognized at graduations hosted at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
BillieJo Bible (from left), Donna Reese, Sue Tuell and Janet O’Connell raise their hands as they pray in Olustee Park during the National Day of Prayer event on Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

BillieJo Bible (from left), Donna Reese, Sue Tuell and Janet O’Connell raise their hands as they pray in Olustee Park during the National Day of Prayer event on Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

‘There’s power in prayer’: Pastors, officials pray for community, state, nation

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 2, 2025
Local officials, ministers and other community leaders reinforced their covenant with God by saying a prayer for a specific aspect of the community during the National Day of Prayer in downtown Lake City at Olustee Park on Thursday morning.
Columbia High’s academic team won its third straight state title last weekend in Orlando. Team members include Foster Durrett, Nathan Chiong, Annabelle Towne, Logan Summers, Caleb Rogers and Wyatt Mears. CHS is coached by JL Kirby and Scott Stefansen. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia High’s academic team won its third straight state title last weekend in Orlando. Team members include Foster Durrett, Nathan Chiong, Annabelle Towne, Logan Summers, Caleb Rogers and Wyatt Mears. CHS is coached by JL Kirby and Scott Stefansen. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

CHS wins third straight academic state title

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 2, 2025
Returning three starters, Columbia’s academic team expected to win its third straight state title. But those expectations appeared in jeopardy last weekend in Orlando at the Commissioner’s Academic Challenge.