Local

A crowd of well wishers, community supporters and local officials celebrate the ribbon cutting for the HCA Lake City Hospital’s expansion opening with board, administration and staff members on Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A crowd of well wishers, community supporters and local officials celebrate the ribbon cutting for the HCA Lake City Hospital’s expansion opening with board, administration and staff members on Tuesday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

HCA Lake City adds new operating tower

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A hospital expansion announced more than two years ago received its first visitors Tuesday afternoon when the HCA Lake City Hospital held a ribbon cutting for the project.
Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) pointed toward White Springs’ operation of ‘a criminal gambling enterprise’ in his closing remarks on a bill aimed at dissolving the town’s charter. (COURTESY)

Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) pointed toward White Springs’ operation of ‘a criminal gambling enterprise’ in his closing remarks on a bill aimed at dissolving the town’s charter. (COURTESY)

House panel backs dissolving White Springs

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House Ways and Means Committee backed a local representative’s push to hold the White Springs Town Council responsible for the town’s deteriorating financial condition and for bringing in illegal gambling operations.
Summers Elementary VPK paraprofessional Kelsie Rodriguez (center) was honored by Columbia School Board member Narrie Smith (left) and Superintendent Keith Couey during Tuesday’s school board meeting. (COURTESY)

Summers Elementary VPK paraprofessional Kelsie Rodriguez (center) was honored by Columbia School Board member Narrie Smith (left) and Superintendent Keith Couey during Tuesday’s school board meeting. (COURTESY)

Summers VPK recognized by CSD

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
The Summers Elementary School Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program could be the best VPK classroom in the state. Tuesday night school board members acknowledged the program for receiving a perfect score for two consecutive years — the only program in the state to receive such as honor.
First responders and guests line up for grub at the American Legion Post 57’s First Responders Appreciation Luncheon. (COURTESY)

First responders and guests line up for grub at the American Legion Post 57’s First Responders Appreciation Luncheon. (COURTESY)

First responders treated to luncheon at Legion

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
An assortment of local first responders were about to grab a well prepared meal for lunch, courtesy of American Legion Post 57, its members and several volunteers.
Cars pass a sign on Bascom Norris Drive on Monday warning them of road construction starting on the road, the busiest road maintained by Columbia County. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cars pass a sign on Bascom Norris Drive on Monday warning them of road construction starting on the road, the busiest road maintained by Columbia County. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rebuilding Bascom Norris

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
A portion of Columbia County’s busiest roadway, Bascom Norris Drive, will be closing for an extended period as construction crews make improvements on the thoroughfare for the next few months.
Mayor Noah Walker said the deal with Meridian Healthcare should give the city clearance if it has to go to court in the future over the operations at the hospital. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Mayor Noah Walker said the deal with Meridian Healthcare should give the city clearance if it has to go to court in the future over the operations at the hospital. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council approves pact with Meridian

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
A long and oftentimes contentious back-and-forth between the City of Lake City and the Lake Shore Hospital Authority could be coming to an end.
Angela Moore, the City of Lake City finance director, said the city has ‘NOT’ had any instances of financial emergency or distress. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Angela Moore, the City of Lake City finance director, said the city has ‘NOT’ had any instances of financial emergency or distress. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

City, county report no findings to DOGE

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
The Florida Department of Government Efficiency has no reason to worry about the City of Lake City or Columbia County, according to local officials.

Taylor, missing clerk, found safely

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
A missing Columbia County deputy clerk was found safely Tuesday afternoon in Volusia County. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office released a Purple Alert around 10 a.m. Tuesday in regards to 46-year-old Amber Taylor, who was reported missing Monday around 8:16 p.m.

Five busted in check fraud scheme

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
After a pair posed as “housekeeping” at a Lake City motel, authorities say a group of five individuals worked to clean out a senior citizen recovering from a medical emergency.

Appeals court overturns O’Steen’s convictions

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
A Dixie County attorney’s conviction in the bribery scheme involving the Third Judicial Circuit’s former state attorney was overturned by a federal appeals court last week. In 2022, Marion Michael O’Steen was convicted of extorting a Columbia County client and failing to timely file a tax form.