Columbia County Observer

Suwannee Valley Transit Authority Board Tables Millions in Budget Adjustments Amid Accounting Confusion, Statutory Questions

With most of the Authority's instutional knowledge departed, there is trouble at the SVTA

November 13, 2026  3:00 pm | 6 min read

Fort White: Town Council Censures Mayor – Petitions Governor DeSantis to Investigate & Consider Suspension

Council votes 3-1 on both measures, citing missed meetings, unsigned checks and blocked access to town financial systems

November 6, 2026  4:41 pm

Out of view (left) Presiding Officer Kathryn Terry, Councilman Lonnie Harren, Mayor's empty seat, Councilwoman Monica Merricks, out of view Councilman Bill Koon.

FL Gateway College: Kat Cammack scores $3 Million for new FGC Construction Trades Program, first in the state – Gift from the American People

October 8, 2026  9:15 am

Suwannee Valley Transit Authority Approves 2% Salary Increase

Finance Director Lights Up Against Suw Cnty Commissioner & Administrator, Finance Director, Attorney Ignore the Law

September 27, 2026  08:30 am

Fort White: Council Approves $10.4 Mil FY27 Budget – Missing Financial Data, Procedural Irregularities Set Up Town For a Do-Over

September 23, 2026  4:40 pm

Presiding Officer Kathryn Terry (left), Councilman Lonnie Harrell (right)

Fort White: On Tap Tonight: public comment back, budget approval, NFPS, and more

September 21, 2026  9:45 am | 2 min read

Columbia County EMS: Before Columbia County Takes EMS Back, It Owes Its Citizens a Plan

September 12, 2026  8:48 am  | 5 min read

Photo: Camilo Jimenez via Unsplash | Columbia County Observer graphic

NFWUA: The Columbia County 5 – Trapped by Florida's Only Elected County Attorney

Sept. 3, 2026  11:50 am | 4 min read

North FL Water Utility Authority: New Board Member Jock Phelps Puts Teetering Authority on the Firing Line

Sept. 1, 2026  6:30 am | 5 min read

Robert Lane: County Commission Candidate District 4, What You Should Know

August 9, 2026  4:45:pm | 5 min read

Fort White: An Out-of-Control Special Meeting to Approve Town Clerk Contract Marked by Civil Disobedience – Attorney’s Advice Taken on Split Vote

August 3, 2026  6:15 pm | 8 min read

Fort White: Clint Pittman, Candidate for County Com. Dist. 2, Appeared at the Community Center. While the Crowd was sparce, his remarks were enlightening.

July 30, 2026  7:30 am | 3 min read

Columbia County Observer photo

Fort White – Surprise Move Fast-Tracks Glenn Hunter Into Interim Town Clerk to Stabilize Shaky Town Operations

July 21, 2026  9:25 pm | 5 min read

Columbia County Observer photo (file)

NFWUA: Col Cnty 5 Bypasses Two Ex-Utility Directors as Auth Directors. Cnty 5 Clashes – Accuse Each Other of “Politics”

July 10, 2026  3:45 pm

Ft White, FL: Joe Helfenberger, A Qualified City Clerk Resigns, a Little Town With Big Problems

July 2, 2026  7:55 am | 4 min read

Mayor George Thomas has refused to attend the last two Town Counicil meetings. Elected without any experience in local government, he has lead the Town into chaos.

Columbia Cnty EMS – Part V: Years To Come Up With a Plan – Now It's an Emergency

June 24, 2026 1:03 pm

Photo: Jon LCE (ambulance) via Unsplash | Columbia County Observer graphic

Columbia Cnty EMS – Part III: County Heads to LSHA With Hand Out

June 10, 2026 8:36 am

Photo: Jon LCE via Unsplash, hand vis Unsplash | Columbia County Observer graphic

Columbia Cnty EMS - Part II: Need an Ambulance, drive across the border – call 911

June 8, 2026 12:20 pm

Photo: Jon LCE via Unsplash | Columbia County Observer graphic

Putting the Public at Risk - Part I:  MSTUs
Lake City & Columbia County Don’t Disappoint. Foot Dragging, No Information, Danger

June 7, 2026 10:05 am | 5 min read

Photo: Jon LCE via Unsplash