Children take part in a sack race at Memorial Stadium as part of Columbia County and Lake City’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976. (FILE)

Children take part in a sack race at Memorial Stadium as part of Columbia County and Lake City’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976. (FILE)

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Looking back on the Bicentennial

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

This weekend, Columbia County and the City of Lake City will throw a massive bash to celebrate the United States of America’s semiquincentennial, an event that will have live music from a trio of tribute bands, vendors, old-fashioned field games, a watermelon eating contest, a hot dog eating...

Local

Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said the county needs to make sure it commits to whatever funding is necessary to improve emergency medical services in the county. (FILE)

Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said the county needs to make sure it commits to whatever funding is necessary to improve emergency medical services in the county. (FILE)

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County still seeking ambulances from LSHA

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Columbia County plans to repeat its request for ambulances from the Lake Shore Hospital Authority...
Theophilus Weeks’ headstone at Price Creek Cemetery. Weeks served in the Revolutionary War before settling in Columbia County near Ellisville. (COURTESY)

Theophilus Weeks’ headstone at Price Creek Cemetery. Weeks served in the Revolutionary War before settling in Columbia County near Ellisville. (COURTESY)

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Honoring Revolutionary War vets who settled in Columbia County

esingc
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The final part in a series of articles looking at the road that led to the American Revolution,...
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Around Columbia County

Artist Maggie Wilburn finishes up her America 250 art work on the Suwannee River Regional Library’s Live Oak branch ahead of the July 4 holiday. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Artist Maggie Wilburn finishes up her America 250 art work on the Suwannee River Regional Library’s Live Oak branch ahead of the July 4 holiday. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

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July 4 celebrations planned for Live Oak, Branford, Mayo and Jasper

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Some of the United States of America’s historic heroes will descend on downtown Live Oak to...
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Sports

Fort White guard Tylan James drives to the basket against Williston during Tuesday’s summer league contest. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Tylan James drives to the basket against Williston during Tuesday’s summer league contest. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

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BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White a work in progress this summer

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
FORT WHITE — Though there’s still roughly six months before the first tip-off that matters, Fort...
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Children take part in a sack race at Memorial Stadium as part of Columbia County and Lake City’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976. (FILE)

Children take part in a sack race at Memorial Stadium as part of Columbia County and Lake City’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976. (FILE)

Looking back on the Bicentennial

NEWS STAFF
This weekend, Columbia County and the City of Lake City will throw a massive bash to celebrate the United States of America’s semiquincentennial, an event that will have live music from a trio of tribute bands, vendors, old-fashioned field games, a watermelon eating contest, a hot dog eating…
Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said the county needs to make sure it commits to whatever funding is necessary to improve emergency medical services in the county. (FILE)

Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford said the county needs to make sure it commits to whatever funding is necessary to improve emergency medical services in the county. (FILE)

County still seeking ambulances from LSHA

JAMIE WACHTER
Columbia County plans to repeat its request for ambulances from the Lake Shore Hospital Authority in an effort to boost emergency medical service in rural areas of the county.In a nearly three-hour long meeting Thursday, the Columbia County Commission unanimously approved requesting the LSHA…
Theophilus Weeks’ headstone at Price Creek Cemetery. Weeks served in the Revolutionary War before settling in Columbia County near Ellisville. (COURTESY)

Theophilus Weeks’ headstone at Price Creek Cemetery. Weeks served in the Revolutionary War before settling in Columbia County near Ellisville. (COURTESY)

Honoring Revolutionary War vets who settled in Columbia County

esingc
The final part in a series of articles looking at the road that led to the American Revolution, resulting in America’s independence 250 years ago, will be coming soon. Meanwhile, here is a look at three men who settled in Columbia County after fighting in the Revolutionary War. Three…
Artist Maggie Wilburn finishes up her America 250 art work on the Suwannee River Regional Library’s Live Oak branch ahead of the July 4 holiday. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

Artist Maggie Wilburn finishes up her America 250 art work on the Suwannee River Regional Library’s Live Oak branch ahead of the July 4 holiday. (ROB WOLFE/Lake City Reporter)

July 4 celebrations planned for Live Oak, Branford, Mayo and Jasper

NEWS STAFF
Some of the United States of America’s historic heroes will descend on downtown Live Oak to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.Sort of.As part of Live Oak’s annual Freedom Festival on Saturday, July 4, will be a unique addition in a living historical timeline parade that will take those…

Suwannee has $7M approved in signed budget

JAMIE WACHTER
One small project in Suwannee County got cut when Gov. Ron DeSantis approved the state budget Monday.As part of the more than $800 million in line item vetoes that DeSantis cut from the state’s $117.6 billion spending plan, which went into effect Wednesday, was $350,000 toward a water line…

Lafayette' schools among state’s best again

NEWS STAFF
The Lafayette County School District remains one of the state’s best.The Florida Department of Education released its School Grades on Wednesday with the Lafayette County School District earning an ‘A’ score for the eighth straight year, totaling the third most points of any district in the state.…

Lafayette’s state-funded projects survive vetoes

JAMIE WACHTER
Lafayette County’s state appropriations survived Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto pen Monday.In approving the budget ahead of the July 1 start to the state’s fiscal year, DeSantis vetoed more than $800 million from the state’s $117.6 billion spending plan. However, the more than $2.5 million earmarked for…

Hamilton’s three projects remain in budget

JAMIE WACHTER
Hamilton County’s three state appropriation projects all received the blessing of Gov. Ron DeSantis.While DeSantis cut more than $800 million from the state’s $114.5 billion budget through line item vetoes Monday, DeSantis didn’t touch the $874,500 that was earmarked for Hamilton County.The county…

Columbia County Schools retain ‘B’ grade

JAMIE WACHTER
The Columbia County School District is still ahead of the curve.The Florida Department of Education released its School Grades on Tuesday and Columbia County Schools maintained a ‘B’ grade as a district for the eighth straight year. The district totaled 738 points or 62% of the total possible. That…

July 4 holiday shifting Reporter print schedule

NEWS STAFF
The July 4 holiday and the celebration of the United States of America’s independence 250 years ago is shifting the production schedule for the Lake City Reporter.Readers will receive an edition today that includes some of the elements of the weekend edition — Faith & Values pages as well as…

Drought conditions reveal new springs along Suwannee

NEWS STAFF
LIVE OAK — While ongoing drought conditions have reduced river flows across the region, unusually low water levels have also provided a unique opportunity for Suwannee River Water Management District staff to locate and document several previously unknown springs. The district is home to…
Lake City Reporter e-Edition