Local

Pionessa seeks county judge seat

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Mark Pionessa didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a judge. He didn’t even envision working as a lawyer until after college when he accepted a job as a court recorder opened his eyes and mind to the daily workings in a courtroom.

Two injured in I-10 RV wreck

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Two Palm Coast residents were injured when their RV wrecked on Interstate 10 east in Columbia County on Sunday. A Florida Highway Patrol report said the RV, which was towing a pickup, was headed east on I-10 around 12:30 p.m. Sunday when a tire blew out near mile marker 309, east of the U.S.
Attendees at a previous year’s Family History Fair at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Lake City Stake. The church is hosting the event again Saturday to help people learn about their genealogy. (COURTESY)

Attendees at a previous year’s Family History Fair at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Lake City Stake. The church is hosting the event again Saturday to help people learn about their genealogy. (COURTESY)

Discover your roots at Family History Fair

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Have you ever wondered about your family’s past? Where do your ancestors hail from? What lies hidden in the branches of YOUR tree?

Woman charged with shooting at relative

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
A Lake City woman was arrested Friday morning after allegedly firing shots at a family member outside his residence. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, 69-year-old Sandra Phifer had gotten into an argument with a family member around 8:15 a.m.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Executive Director Dale Williams asked for the Board’s opinion on the City of Lake City expressing interest in 11.2 acres of land near NE Lake Drive. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Executive Director Dale Williams asked for the Board’s opinion on the City of Lake City expressing interest in 11.2 acres of land near NE Lake Drive. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City renews interest in LSHA property

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The City of Lake City would like some Lake Shore Hospital Authority property. Again. According to a brief letter delivered to LSHA Executive Director Dale Williams from City Manager Don Rosenthal on June 12, the city proposed purchasing 11.2 acres of land near NE Lake Drive.
Elizabeth Halloran, Lake City Humane Society executive director, holds Cubby, a six-month-old hound. The LCHS secured a no kill shelter status earlier this month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elizabeth Halloran, Lake City Humane Society executive director, holds Cubby, a six-month-old hound. The LCHS secured a no kill shelter status earlier this month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Shelter earns ‘no kill’ status

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 11, 2025
The Lake City Humane Society has gained a ’no kill shelter’ designation from a national organization in what board members believe is a first for the organization.
Meridian Healthcare has requested a comprehensive inspection on the Lake Shore hospital building over concerns of ‘potential deterioration’ that has occurred over the past three years. Lake Shore Hospital Authority Executive Director Dale Williams said he is unaware of any major issues in the building. (FILE)

Meridian Healthcare has requested a comprehensive inspection on the Lake Shore hospital building over concerns of ‘potential deterioration’ that has occurred over the past three years. Lake Shore Hospital Authority Executive Director Dale Williams said he is unaware of any major issues in the building. (FILE)

Meridian seeks comprehensive hospital inspection

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 11, 2025
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is awaiting clarification as to Meridian Healthcare’s request for an inspection of the main Lake Shore hospital building.
Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said the county needs to finalize its disaster response plan during ‘calm waters’ to prevent chaos from occurring when an emergency occurs. (FILE)

Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby said the county needs to finalize its disaster response plan during ‘calm waters’ to prevent chaos from occurring when an emergency occurs. (FILE)

County looks to finalize disaster response plan

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 11, 2025
Columbia County officials are hoping to have a disaster response plan in place before any impacts from hurricane season are felt here this year.
Elizabeth Carroll, FGC associate dean of liberal arts and sciences, teaches a class of Florida Gateway College Elementary Education students. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Elizabeth Carroll, FGC associate dean of liberal arts and sciences, teaches a class of Florida Gateway College Elementary Education students. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC graduates honored as first-year teachers

NEWS STAFF
Friday, July 11, 2025
Three recent graduates of Florida Gateway College’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program and first-year teachers are being recognized as outstanding educators serving their local school districts and communities.