Del Porter (center) is all smiles as The Heron on Lake City residents wish him a happy 100th birthday on Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Del Porter (center) is all smiles as The Heron on Lake City residents wish him a happy 100th birthday on Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday

Friday, June 5, 2026

Celebrations with friends and family are always  precious occasions. For World War II veteran Del Porter, the occasion was more special with friends and acquaintances.

Local

Columbia County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Lance Hill (right) and County Manager David Kraus discussed the importance of EMS services in the county during the County Commission’s meeting on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Lance Hill (right) and County Manager David Kraus discussed the importance of EMS services in the county during the County Commission’s meeting on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

EMS issues remain a concern for commissioners

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 5, 2026
County officials are looking to iron out any additional details regarding implementing a potential...
Fireworks tents, such as the one on the corner of SW Main Boulevard and SW Baya Drive, are open for business after Columbia County recently lifted its burn ban. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fireworks tents, such as the one on the corner of SW Main Boulevard and SW Baya Drive, are open for business after Columbia County recently lifted its burn ban. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Burn ban off, fireworks on for now

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 5, 2026
Columbia County’s burn ban was lifted roughly two weeks ago, when season rains and humidity levels...
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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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Del Porter (center) is all smiles as The Heron on Lake City residents wish him a happy 100th birthday on Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Del Porter (center) is all smiles as The Heron on Lake City residents wish him a happy 100th birthday on Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday

TONY BRITT
Celebrations with friends and family are always  precious occasions. For World War II veteran Del Porter, the occasion was more special with friends and acquaintances.Porter celebrated his 100th birthday on Thursday afternoon with the other residents and some family members and friends at The…
Columbia County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Lance Hill (right) and County Manager David Kraus discussed the importance of EMS services in the county during the County Commission’s meeting on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Lance Hill (right) and County Manager David Kraus discussed the importance of EMS services in the county during the County Commission’s meeting on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

EMS issues remain a concern for commissioners

TONY BRITT
County officials are looking to iron out any additional details regarding implementing a potential EMS Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) with the City of Lake City that’s designed to fund more Emergency Medical Services personnel.During Thursday’s county commission meeting, county officials…
Fireworks tents, such as the one on the corner of SW Main Boulevard and SW Baya Drive, are open for business after Columbia County recently lifted its burn ban. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fireworks tents, such as the one on the corner of SW Main Boulevard and SW Baya Drive, are open for business after Columbia County recently lifted its burn ban. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Burn ban off, fireworks on for now

TONY BRITT
Columbia County’s burn ban was lifted roughly two weeks ago, when season rains and humidity levels hit the area, significantly lowering the amount service calls for county firefighting units. Now, the county says it’s rolling with that decision for the time being.Columbia County Fire Rescue…

Bike ride raising education awareness for Early Learning Coalition

NEWS STAFF
A local leader in youth development is hoping it can raise funds for educational nonprofits. Its Chief Financial Officer will be putting in the work to make it happen. Zack Hackley, the CFO for the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Gateway, will join 11 others on Sunday on a 335-mile bike…

Five educators to be honored for Teacher of a Lifetime

TONY BRITT
Some teachers believe that a good education serves as a personal building block, is an essential element to creating a strong community and provides a student with the self confidence to become a successful, contributing member to society.Fortunately for Columbia County School District students,…
Columbia’s softball team celebrates as head coach Joe Saucier raises the Class 4A state championship trophy after the Tigers defeated Lake Wales on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s softball team celebrates as head coach Joe Saucier raises the Class 4A state championship trophy after the Tigers defeated Lake Wales on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SPORTS: FHSAA to consider Open Division format next week

JORDAN KROEGER
A big change could be coming to the high school postseason for several team sports next year.The Florida High School Athletic Association has released its format for an Open Division playoff bracket in advance of its Board of Directors meeting on June 8-9, which Executive Director Craig Damon has…
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…
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