Local

Richard Powell said state revenues aren’t keeping up with growth rates in Columbia County’s operations. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Richard Powell said state revenues aren’t keeping up with growth rates in Columbia County’s operations. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County sets maximum millage rate

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 25, 2025
Columbia County officials are anticipating a future filled with lots of “belt-tightening” when it comes to the county’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget.
Land planners Kristin Reed (left) and Blair Knighting get feedback and information from local business and development representatives during a meeting on Friday as the county looks to upgrade its land development regulations. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Land planners Kristin Reed (left) and Blair Knighting get feedback and information from local business and development representatives during a meeting on Friday as the county looks to upgrade its land development regulations. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Business, development leaders give input on LDRs

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 25, 2025
Close to 20 local business and development stakeholders met with planners Friday afternoon to provide feedback for upgrading local comprehensive land use plans and land development regulations.
Cheryl Libbert, former Lake City Garden Club president, formally donates a sculpture created by Ann Opgenorth, to Florida Gateway College during a ceremony on Wednesday at the Wilson S. Rivers Library and Media Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cheryl Libbert, former Lake City Garden Club president, formally donates a sculpture created by Ann Opgenorth, to Florida Gateway College during a ceremony on Wednesday at the Wilson S. Rivers Library and Media Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sculpture lands at FGC

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
A local artist, who has created iconic sculptures for Florida Gateway College, had another piece donated to the college in her honor Wednesday morning. More than 50 people attended the brief ceremony at the Wilson S.
Tara Markham shows hands full of dough after mixing her first sourdough loaf. (COURTESY)

Tara Markham shows hands full of dough after mixing her first sourdough loaf. (COURTESY)

Young chefs rise at 4-H sourdough, jam camp

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The aroma of freshly baked bread and sweet jam filled the air at the UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County Office this week as youth ages 8 to 18 participated in the first-ever Columbia County 4-H Sourdough and Jam Summer Camp.
The Lake City Gateway Airport recently received grant funds from both the FAA and FDOT for taxiway and hangar projects. (FILE)

The Lake City Gateway Airport recently received grant funds from both the FAA and FDOT for taxiway and hangar projects. (FILE)

Airport bringing in funds, new projects

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Lake City Gateway Airport is landing a pair of grants and several new jobs. Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal announced the developments during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting in a review of projects the city has been undertaking.

Utility expansion ongoing at I-75/SR 47 interchange

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Crews are working on an expansion project that will increase utilities at the Interstate 75/State Road 47 interchange. The construction work to extend pipes initially began a few weeks ago and has continued on days when the weather allowed work.
The Lake City Council has called a special meeting on July 31 to deed the Club House on Lake Isabella back to the Lake City Woman’s Club. The historic building has been closed for more than a year due to structural concerns. (FILE)

The Lake City Council has called a special meeting on July 31 to deed the Club House on Lake Isabella back to the Lake City Woman’s Club. The historic building has been closed for more than a year due to structural concerns. (FILE)

Special meeting called on Club House deed

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The historic Club House on Lake Isabella should soon be back in the hands of the Woman’s Club. It’ll likely be right back out of its hands soon after. Mayor Noah Walker gave a brief update on the Club House saga during Monday’s Lake City Council meeting.

Schools eye required small tax increase

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Columbia County School District is proposing a reduced millage rate, but one that should still generate additional tax revenue. The Columbia County School Board will meet Tuesday to adopt both its tentative millage rate and tentative budget at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium, 372 W.
Lake City Finance Director Angie Taylor Moore said city staff recommended going with the highest millage rate at 5.5002. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Finance Director Angie Taylor Moore said city staff recommended going with the highest millage rate at 5.5002. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City taxes, fire rates could rise soon

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Lake City residents could see their tax bills increase in the near future. The Lake City Council voted unanimously at its Monday meeting to set both its maximum millage rate and fire assessment rate.