Local

The agreement between Columbia County and the City of Lake City calls for the county funding $3.5 million toward the construction of a water line to the park, shown as the solid yellow line on a 2021 study performed by Jones Edmunds for the city. (COURTESY)

The agreement between Columbia County and the City of Lake City calls for the county funding $3.5 million toward the construction of a water line to the park, shown as the solid yellow line on a 2021 study performed by Jones Edmunds for the city. (COURTESY)

County OKs city running water at mega site

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 2, 2025
Water flowing to the North Florida Mega Industrial Park from the City of Lake City cleared its first step Thursday.
Sonya Rossin, of the Lake City Garden Club, works on replanting and watering Bubble Gum Petunias in the planter near the intersection of Marion Avenue and Duval Street on Tuesday afternoon. Several members of the Lake City Garden worked on the plants as part of the group’s beautification project. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sonya Rossin, of the Lake City Garden Club, works on replanting and watering Bubble Gum Petunias in the planter near the intersection of Marion Avenue and Duval Street on Tuesday afternoon. Several members of the Lake City Garden worked on the plants as part of the group’s beautification project. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Garden Club adding color to downtown

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 2, 2025
A portion of Marion Avenue will get a new splash of color after members of a local organization volunteered their time and efforts to add new flowers to the downtown planters.
Lake City Columbia Community Tennis Association members and guests who have a tremendously positive influence on the program and its development, pose for a picture on Thursday afternoon in Teen Town during the organization’s 10th Anniversary celebration event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Columbia Community Tennis Association members and guests who have a tremendously positive influence on the program and its development, pose for a picture on Thursday afternoon in Teen Town during the organization’s 10th Anniversary celebration event. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCCCTA celebrates 10 years

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 2, 2025
In recent years there has been a groundswell of activity, excitement and passion for the game of tennis. The emotions behind the sport were brought to the forefront by the Lake City Columbia Community Tennis Association through its programs, classes and clinics.
The Lake City Humane Society currently is at capacity and not accepting new animals. But the agency is also working on solutions to alleviate that problem, including opening a new meet and greet area for adopted dogs. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

The Lake City Humane Society currently is at capacity and not accepting new animals. But the agency is also working on solutions to alleviate that problem, including opening a new meet and greet area for adopted dogs. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

No room at Humane Society

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
The Lake City Humane Society is trying to make headway in adopting out sheltered animals through different initiatives and organizational moves. But Director Elizabeth Halloran says the LCHS still remains at capacity. “We almost really sit at capacity all the time,” Halloran said.
A pair of alligator trappers wrangle a gator on the banks of Lake DeSoto on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

A pair of alligator trappers wrangle a gator on the banks of Lake DeSoto on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

Gators pulled out of Lake DeSoto

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Less than five hours after the City of Lake City issued a public warning on Wednesday morning regarding a nuisance alligator spotted at Lake DeSoto, an alligator trapper was able to capture two of the reptiles from the downtown lake.
Columbia High Principal Trey Hosford (second from left), the school’s mascot and Student Government Director Tia Gainey accept the Florida Department of Transportation District 2 Battle of the Belts championship belt. (COURTESY)

Columbia High Principal Trey Hosford (second from left), the school’s mascot and Student Government Director Tia Gainey accept the Florida Department of Transportation District 2 Battle of the Belts championship belt. (COURTESY)

CHS wins its first Battle of the Belts title

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Columbia High are the Battle of the Belts winner for the first time and have the championship hardware to prove it.
The Columbia County School District received national recognition for its ‘customization bars,’ which allow students to build their own lunches. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHOOLS)

The Columbia County School District received national recognition for its ‘customization bars,’ which allow students to build their own lunches. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SCHOOLS)

District honored for school lunch makeover

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
The Columbia County School District is being honored at a national level. The school district is now just the third in the state of Florida to receive recognition from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative for innovative school lunch makeovers.

County, city teaming on water at Mega Site

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Columbia County is looking to the City of Lake City opening up the spigot to water at the North Florida Mega Industrial park. The Columbia County Commission will consider approving an interlocal agreement with the city at its 9:30 a.m.