Bralen Peavy (foreground), 2, flashes a smile with chocolate on her face as she and Nevaeh Peavy (far right), 3, enjoy a cone of ice cream during the Cops-N-Cones event on Tuesday afternoon at Dairy Queen. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bralen Peavy (foreground), 2, flashes a smile with chocolate on her face as she and Nevaeh Peavy (far right), 3, enjoy a cone of ice cream during the Cops-N-Cones event on Tuesday afternoon at Dairy Queen. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD treats kids to ice cream social, giveaway

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

There are fewer treats that delight children during the summertime than ice cream.

Local

Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy (left) leads a discussion on Tuesday regarding a potential new community center in Columbia City. The meeting lasted roughly an hour and set up the next steps in the process. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy (left) leads a discussion on Tuesday regarding a potential new community center in Columbia City. The meeting lasted roughly an hour and set up the next steps in the process. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Community center eyed for Columbia City area

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
COLUMBIA CITY — The county could be adding a 10th community center in the near future. 
Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county is already planning on changes to its budget following the approval of a referendum that could eliminate nearly $9 million in ad valorem tax revenue. (FILE)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county is already planning on changes to its budget following the approval of a referendum that could eliminate nearly $9 million in ad valorem tax revenue. (FILE)

Tax cuts could cost county $9M

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Columbia County could lose nearly $9 million in ad valorem tax revenue if the homestead property...
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Around Columbia County

Joy Geiger sings the national anthem during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony at the American Legion Harry C. Gray II Memorial Post 107 in McAlpin as the American flag waves in front of her. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Joy Geiger sings the national anthem during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony at the American Legion Harry C. Gray II Memorial Post 107 in McAlpin as the American flag waves in front of her. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee remembers the fallen on Memorial Day

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
McALPIN — It is a day for remembrance.
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Sports

Columbia’s softball team celebrates with their cheering fans after defeating Lake Wales to win the Class 4A state title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s softball team celebrates with their cheering fans after defeating Lake Wales to win the Class 4A state title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Columbia’s state title run united Lake City

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 29, 2026
The support for Columbia’s softball team was immense at last Saturday’s Class 4A state championship.
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Bralen Peavy (foreground), 2, flashes a smile with chocolate on her face as she and Nevaeh Peavy (far right), 3, enjoy a cone of ice cream during the Cops-N-Cones event on Tuesday afternoon at Dairy Queen. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Bralen Peavy (foreground), 2, flashes a smile with chocolate on her face as she and Nevaeh Peavy (far right), 3, enjoy a cone of ice cream during the Cops-N-Cones event on Tuesday afternoon at Dairy Queen. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

LCPD treats kids to ice cream social, giveaway

TONY BRITT
There are fewer treats that delight children during the summertime than ice cream.On Tuesday afternoon local youngsters were able to add an additional treat — police cruisers with flashing lights and sirens, bracelets, coloring books and other literature, with tasty their ice cream treat by…
Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy (left) leads a discussion on Tuesday regarding a potential new community center in Columbia City. The meeting lasted roughly an hour and set up the next steps in the process. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioner Tim Murphy (left) leads a discussion on Tuesday regarding a potential new community center in Columbia City. The meeting lasted roughly an hour and set up the next steps in the process. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Community center eyed for Columbia City area

MORGAN MCMULLEN
COLUMBIA CITY — The county could be adding a 10th community center in the near future. Roughly two dozen local officials and residents attended an informal meeting Tuesday at the Columbia City voting precinct to discuss the potential for a community center on the site. Residents were invited…
Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county is already planning on changes to its budget following the approval of a referendum that could eliminate nearly $9 million in ad valorem tax revenue. (FILE)

Columbia County Manager David Kraus said the county is already planning on changes to its budget following the approval of a referendum that could eliminate nearly $9 million in ad valorem tax revenue. (FILE)

Tax cuts could cost county $9M

JAMIE WACHTER
Columbia County could lose nearly $9 million in ad valorem tax revenue if the homestead property tax is approved by voters this fall.The Florida Legislature approved placing a referendum on the November ballot that would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 beginning Jan. 1,…

Tillman named interim director of NFREC

NEWS STAFF
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has named longtime faculty member and peanut breeder Barry Tillman as interim director of the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC), effective July 31.Tillman will lead research, Extension and teaching…
Larry Elshoff is set to bring photographs, paintings and other works of art to the Gateway Art Gallery beginning Friday for his art installation. (COURTESY)

Larry Elshoff is set to bring photographs, paintings and other works of art to the Gateway Art Gallery beginning Friday for his art installation. (COURTESY)

Retrospective art installation coming to Lake City

NEWS STAFF
For more than five decades, artist and educator Larry Elshoff has quietly shaped the artistic landscape of North Florida — not only through his own creative works, but through the thousands of students whose lives he influenced in the classroom.Now, a new retrospective exhibition celebrates the…
Zacariah Williams (left) was able to surprise her sister Rajaeh at Columbia High’s graduation on Friday, making a special moment for both. (COURTESY)

Zacariah Williams (left) was able to surprise her sister Rajaeh at Columbia High’s graduation on Friday, making a special moment for both. (COURTESY)

Sister’s surprise turned CHS graduation into ‘pure happiness’

JAMIE WACHTER
Graduation day was extra special for one Columbia High senior.As much as Rajaeh Williams was looking forward to Friday night’s commencement, it was going to be a bittersweet moment with her sister, Zacariah, unable to attend as she is based at Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton in Washington state as a…
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman told the Lake City Council on Monday that the ultimate goal with an MSTU for EMS services would be to station ambulances on both the north and south sides of the county. (FILE)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman told the Lake City Council on Monday that the ultimate goal with an MSTU for EMS services would be to station ambulances on both the north and south sides of the county. (FILE)

Council wants more info on new EMS tax

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Lake City and Columbia County could be teaming up to fund more Emergency Medical Services personnel after a proposed Municipal Service Taxing Unit passed its first reading by the Lake City Council. County Manager David Kraus presented the idea during Monday’s Council meeting, setting up the…

Ward remembered for steady demeanor, business sense

TONY BRITT
Mild mannered, smart and soft spoken, but steady and contemplating, the gray-haired businessman and longtime Lake City councilor George Raeburn Ward died last week.Ward, 75, died May 27, in Jacksonville. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday at Deermeadows Baptist Church in…

Property tax cut headed to ballot

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
TALLAHASSEE — Lawmakers on Tuesday approved a sweeping tax cut for homestead property owners pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, sending it to the November ballot.The measure increases the existing $50,000 exemption for homestead properties to $150,000 starting in 2027, and it increases to $250,000 in…

Dixie tax collector appointed to FGC board

NEWS STAFF
Dixie County’s tax collector will also now serve as a trustee at Florida Gateway College.Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Michelle Cannon a vacant seat on the FGC Board of Trustees on Friday.Cannon has been Dixie County’s tax collector since 2009. She is designated as a Certified Florida Collector…
Brody Hoffman (left), a Florida Gateway College student, helps Mitchell Maione, a coordinator for the FGC physical therapy program, as Maione uses a VR welding simulator during the college’s grand opening for its newly renovated welding technology program on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Brody Hoffman (left), a Florida Gateway College student, helps Mitchell Maione, a coordinator for the FGC physical therapy program, as Maione uses a VR welding simulator during the college’s grand opening for its newly renovated welding technology program on Tuesday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FGC welding program gets boost with renovated facility

TONY BRITT
More than 100 people showed their support for the Florida Gateway College welding program on Tuesday afternoon when they attended a grand opening for the college’s newly renovated welding technology facility.The brief ceremony lasted around 30 minutes and allowed program supporters to see a welding…
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