Columbia County Observer

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/County_News_2026/20260614-cnty-ems-pt-iv-mtng-an-insult-nothing-accomplished.html
June 14, 2026 7:50 pm
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The County EMS ambulance service special meeting a bust. The meeting was scheduled to give the County 5 information on EMS, particularly how to pay for it. It didn't.

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/LSHA/LSHA_Stories/20260610-lsha-ems-county-comes-to-authority-with-hands-out.html
June 10, 2026 8:32 am
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The ongoing EMS crisis brought County officials to the June 8 Lake Shore Hospital Authority board meeting, seeking $1.63 million to purchase three advanced life support ambulances.

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/County_News_2026/20260608-columbia-cnty-ems-need-ambulance-drive-across-cnty-border.html
June 8, 2026 12:20 pm
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – If you need an ambulance in Columbia County, it’s best to drive across the County border – then dial 911

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/Lake_City_2026/20260607-mstus-lake-city-and-columbia-county-don%E2%80%99t-disappoint.html
June 7, 2026
LAKE CITY, FL – The County continuing MSTU (Municipal Services Taxing Unit) mess spilled over into last Monday evening’s (June 1) City Council meeting.

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/County_News_2026/20260521-nfwua-trust-&-transparency-issues.html
May 21, 2026
SUWANNEE COUNTY, FL – The North Florida Water Utility Authority met at 9:30 am Monday in Live Oak. Pre-and post-meeting issues, while out of the public eye, highlight the Authority's core trust and transparency issues.

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/Florida_News_2026/20260515-wfnf-project-that-no-one-likes-is-on-the-ropes.html
May 15, 2026 9:45 am
North Florida – The Water First North Florida Project, a plan to move Jacksonville’s mostly treated wastewater from the Jacksonville area into the Suwannee Valley aquifer, is going back to the drawing board, according to State Senator Corey Simon.

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/County_News_2026/20260509-pittman-resigns-after-months-of-intrigue.html
May 9, 2026
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Clint Pittman’s resignation to run for County Commissioner (Dist. 2) came after months of the usual Columbia County good ole’ boy backroom dealing and intrigue.

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/County_News_2026/20260507-foreman-pittman-candidacy.html
May 7, 2026
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – County Commission Chairman Tim Murphy approved the matter of most public interest to be right at the end of this morning’s agenda: The Clint Pittman request for unpaid leave to run for County Commissioner.

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/Lake_City_2026/20260505-wwtp-purchase-city-no-public-notice.html
May 5, 2026 1:25 pm
LAKE CITY, FL – City Attorney Clay Martin ignored Florida statute and common sense when the Mayor and City Council approved a resolution purchasing the County’s wastewater treatment plant at the privately owned North Florida Mega Industrial Park without noticing or holding a public hearing.

https://www.columbiacountyobserver.com/master_files/Florida_News_2026/20260501-fl-highway-patrol%E2%80%99s-mike-burroughs-on-distracted-driving-and-speed-kills.html
May 1, 2026 11:30 pm
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Captain Mike Burroughs, a 41-year veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol, spoke to the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council on April 23, emphasizing the downside – DEATH – of distracted driving and speeding.