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Hello Columbia County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Town dissolution debate, wastewater aquifer plan, and St. Patrick’s Day pageant + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Next steps remain unclear: Fort White council said there was no support to dissolve the town, calling it difficult. The council earlier voted to hold a special meeting and a first ordinance reading — learn where things stand.
Proposal sparks local debate: Suwannee River officials presented Water First North Florida to Union County commissioners, proposing reclaimed Jacksonville wastewater through wetlands to add more than 40 million gallons to the aquifer, despite concerns — learn how it would work.
Project targets cleaner waterways: Lake City is moving forward with a septic to sewer conversion at a local RV park, backed by a $1.7 million DEP grant. Temporary relocations and possible backups are expected — see how residents may be affected.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Downtown beer break: Halpatter Brewing Company keeps it low-key with fresh-brewed pints, friendly faces, and an easy community vibe in a space that feels right. When the week needs a reset, conversation flows, new pours surprise, and shoulders drop… the kind of pause you actually look forward to.
Gear up locally: Whether you’re fishing the Suwannee, prepping for turkey season, or tinkering with the boat, McDuffie Marine & Sporting Goods brings the tackle, hunting essentials, and real-world know-how to keep you dialed. Expect advice from people who use the gear, and shelves stocked with what your weekend actually needs.
Where to catch a flick: When new releases call, Regal UA Cinema 90 keeps it simple, no trek to Gainesville, just cushy seats, hot popcorn, and a screen that carries the load. Bring a friend, sink in, and let two hours of story reset the week.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🧱 Lego Club @ Columbia County Public Library – Main Library | Wednesday (3/4) at 3:30 PM – If your coffee table is a minefield of rogue bricks, redirect the chaos to the Main Library’s LEGO Club, every Wednesday. Build dragons, cities, and questionable engineering, let the kids lead, and enjoy the rare bliss of shared screen-free focus.
📚 Preschool Storytime @ Columbia County Public Library – Main Library | Thursday (3/5) at 11:00 AM – Take a breather and let the Main Library handle preschool storytime each Thursday. Bring your preschoolers, grandkids, or tiny tornadoes for picture books, songs, and that magical shush only librarians can pull off, while you enjoy a sit, deep breaths, and zero glitter cleanup.
🧩 Lego Club @ Columbia County Public Library – West Branch | Thursday (3/5) at 3:30 PM – If your living room is one more loose brick away from mutiny, outsource the chaos to Ms. Alex’s weekly LEGO club at West Branch. The kids build towers, practice patience, and make friends, you sip a quiet coffee, and everyone goes home happy.
📚 Toddler Time @ Columbia County Public Library – Main Library | Friday (3/6) at 11:00 AM – Toddler Time is taking over the Main Library, a weekly whirl where the littles sing, dance, jump, and tackle simple extension activities. It hits Friday mornings, because sanity demands structure. Read, sing, talk, write, and play, then enjoy the rarest luxury, coffee that’s still hot.
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Pageant @ Lake City Middle School | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Nothing says Lake City charm like a St. Patrick’s Day pageant at the middle school, where kids get the mic, the spotlight, and a confidence boost. Beginner friendly, all smiles, and yes, everyone goes home with a tiara and a trophy.
🐶 Weekly Puppy Hour @ Halpatter Brewing Company | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Bring your four-legged roommate every Saturday to Puppy Hour, where the taproom and yard roll out a proper dog menu, unseasoned hamburger patty, chicken breast, pumpkin cookie, and pup cups. Leashed, civilized canines only, treats at the bar, you scoop, everyone wins.
🔨 Quarter Paddle Auction @ American Legion Post 57 | Saturday (3/7) at 5:00 PM – Bring quarters and a $3 paddle to this auction, where you bid, barter, or trade your way to prizes like a pro. Clear that garage guilt-free by donating gently used goods, then feel smug as proceeds help Cats Amore and the Veteran Service Officer fund.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Columbia County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 85°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 2%
Areas of fog before 8am. Mostly sunny. High near 85, with temperatures falling to around 82 in the afternoon. East wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 4am. Mostly clear, with a low around 60. East wind 2 to 6 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 86°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 20%
Patchy fog before 8am, then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly sunny. High near 86, with temperatures falling to around 82 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
This two-home spread spans 10 Florida acres of open pasture and planted pines. 888 SW Dekle Road, a 1998 3-bed, 2-bath with a 2-car garage, sits on .5 acres. Next door, 886 brings 4 beds and 2 baths on 9.5 acres. Two wells, two septics, an RV carport, shed, and detached 2-car garage enhance versatility. Separate parcel numbers boost options.
Take a peek inside →
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