Local

Shannon Roberts, a member of Suwannee County’s administration, smiles after being picked as the North Florida Water Utilities Authority’s first executive director. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Shannon Roberts, a member of Suwannee County’s administration, smiles after being picked as the North Florida Water Utilities Authority’s first executive director. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Roberts picked to lead utility authority

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 18, 2025
Involved since the initial step of creating the North Florida Water Utilities Authority, Shannon Roberts has been tapped the group’s first executive director.
County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy said he thought denying the request was the ‘right thing’ for District 5. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy said he thought denying the request was the ‘right thing’ for District 5. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Deplat request off SR 47 denied

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 18, 2025
The Columbia County Commission didn’t have to hear from all of the dozens of residents opposing a potential future commercial development near their neighborhood.
County Manager David Kraus said the county has groups interested in leasing office space in the old Lake City Reporter building. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County Manager David Kraus said the county has groups interested in leasing office space in the old Lake City Reporter building. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County looks to solve office space puzzle

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 18, 2025
The Columbia County Commission will meet next month to discuss plans for where to locate various departments and outside agencies. At the end of the commission’s three-plus-hour meeting Thursday, County Manager David Kraus requested a workshop to discuss office space.
Austen McCook competes on the Lake City Fire Department obstacle course Friday during the inaugural Health Fest at Annie Mattox Park. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Austen McCook competes on the Lake City Fire Department obstacle course Friday during the inaugural Health Fest at Annie Mattox Park. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Children, adults enjoy inaugural Health Fest

TONY BRITT
Friday, April 18, 2025
Hundreds of kids, local business vendors and several health care professionals were able to get an early start on Easter weekend festivities by taking part in the inaugural Health Fest 2025 on Friday morning in Annie Mattox Park.
Stacy McCabe gets instructions on her backhand grip from Coach Mark Mansbach, as he teachers McCabe and other veterans the game of tennis through a local program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Stacy McCabe gets instructions on her backhand grip from Coach Mark Mansbach, as he teachers McCabe and other veterans the game of tennis through a local program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Aces for service members: Veterans receive free tennis lessons

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
A local tennis program for veterans celebrated its two-year anniversary Tuesday afternoon at Youngs Park when a handful of veterans worked on ground strokes they learned since the program’s inception.

Firefighters save injured worker from rooftop

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
The Lake City Fire Department’s newest apparatus — Tower 1, with a 100-foot ladder — pulled off the truck’s first high-rise rescue Wednesday morning, recovering an injured worker from the rooftop of a local plant.
Members of Lana Kalias teach a group of Florida Gateway College students and faculty members how to properly do a Hula dance. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Members of Lana Kalias teach a group of Florida Gateway College students and faculty members how to properly do a Hula dance. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC hosts day of exotic fun for Spring Fling Luau

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Florida Gateway College’s Pine Square closely resembled an island in the Pacific Region, with an influx of college and business representatives on Wednesday morning. There were Hula dancers, tables with local business employers and college representatives from around the area.
Ray Seals lines up for a snap against the Cincinnati Bengals as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (COURTESY)

Ray Seals lines up for a snap against the Cincinnati Bengals as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (COURTESY)

Football legend with Lake City ties passes away

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
An NFL legend with ties to Lake City has passed away unexpectedly. Ray Seals, who played five seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a defensive end before spending two seasons in Pittsburgh and one in Carolina, passed away due to a sudden illness, his family announced on April 4.

Fort White recognized as newest Main Street community

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Fort White is joining a growing list of small communities in line to receive aid from the state level. Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced Tuesday that the Town of Fort White is Florida’s newest Main Street community.