Local

Lake City Executive Director of Utilities Steve Brown said the city will be conducting safety checks on the city’s natural gas pipelines as well as the lateral gas line coming in. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Executive Director of Utilities Steve Brown said the city will be conducting safety checks on the city’s natural gas pipelines as well as the lateral gas line coming in. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City officials testing natural gas lines

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The City of Lake City Natural Gas Department is having its lines tested and currently the natural gas supply for the city is coming from semi trailers carrying cylinders filled with natural gas.

Cops say mom locked child in car while at movies

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
A Lake Butler woman was charged Saturday evening after her toddler was locked in a car outside the Lake City movie theater. Lake City police officers responded to the Regal Cinema 90 around 5:49 p.m. Saturday and found a 2-year-old locked inside a vehicle and visibly distressed.

Man shot, refuses to talk to officers

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
A man suffering from a gunshot wound refused to cooperate with officers at the hospital early Sunday morning. A Lake City Police Department release said officers responded to HCA Lake City Hospital around 1:37 a.m. Sunday because of a person being shot.
Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal addresses the city council at Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal addresses the city council at Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

RCC, other city projects discussed

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal read down a list of projects the city has been pursuing over, in some instances, the last several years.

County eyes flat tax rate

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The Columbia County administration is proposing no tax increase for the next fiscal year. Staff isn’t pitching a tax cut, either. During a special 9:30 a.m. meeting Thursday at the Keith Hudson School Board Auditorium, the County Commission will consider setting its maximum millage rate at 7.
New state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia was sworn in Monday by Florida Supreme Court Justice John Couriel. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

New state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia was sworn in Monday by Florida Supreme Court Justice John Couriel. (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA)

Ingoglia eyes local spending, insurance as state CFO

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — A staunch political ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Blaise Ingoglia was sworn in Monday as Florida’s chief financial officer, vowing to focus on local-government spending and insurance companies.
Raymond Brady (from left), Patricia Brady and Terry Harrell look on as Chuck Denmark, a trustee of Bethel Community Cemetery, uses a map to show property lines and easement for the Brady-Jones Bethel Community Cemetery. Bethel Community Cemetery trustees recently gave Brady-Jones Bethel Community Cemetery trustees a deed to the cemetery which is adjacent to Bethel Community Cemetery. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Raymond Brady (from left), Patricia Brady and Terry Harrell look on as Chuck Denmark, a trustee of Bethel Community Cemetery, uses a map to show property lines and easement for the Brady-Jones Bethel Community Cemetery. Bethel Community Cemetery trustees recently gave Brady-Jones Bethel Community Cemetery trustees a deed to the cemetery which is adjacent to Bethel Community Cemetery. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Historic Bethel cemeteries officially separated

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 18, 2025
Two historic cemeteries are officially now two separate entities after 160 years. A recent review of the deed regarding the Bethel Community Cemetery’s ownership noted that it was all considered to be one site, even though for years it served the interests separately for decades.
Nick Patel, a member of Columbia County’s Economic Development Advisory Board, said Thursday the land incentive would set a ‘bad precedent.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Nick Patel, a member of Columbia County’s Economic Development Advisory Board, said Thursday the land incentive would set a ‘bad precedent.’ (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Land incentive nixed by advisory board

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 18, 2025
If an entertainment venue bounces into Columbia County, it won’t be on gifted county property.
Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said he opposes a tax increase, although the city is considering a 12% hike. (FILE)

Lake City Mayor Noah Walker said he opposes a tax increase, although the city is considering a 12% hike. (FILE)

City considering 12% tax hike

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 18, 2025
A 12% tax hike could be coming to Lake City residents. At its meeting Monday, the Lake City Council will set the maximum millage rate used to determine ad valorem tax revenue for the upcoming fiscal year. City staff is proposing three millage rate options for consideration, including a rate of 5.
Columbia County Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth said the law requiring septic changes, which has been put on hold by a court ruling, would be ‘unmanageable’ for most people. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth said the law requiring septic changes, which has been put on hold by a court ruling, would be ‘unmanageable’ for most people. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Septic changes put on hold by courts

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 18, 2025
A pending change to the future of septic tanks in Columbia County and beyond has been, at least temporarily, avoided.