Local

Bert Brooks’ latest book, ‘Over My Shoulder A Backward Glance,’ will be his final work. The 251-page book is Brooks’ observations over the years mixed with Biblical references tied to each story. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Bert Brooks’ latest book, ‘Over My Shoulder A Backward Glance,’ will be his final work. The 251-page book is Brooks’ observations over the years mixed with Biblical references tied to each story. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Brooks takes look back in latest book

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Bert Brooks thought he was done writing. After authoring an autobiography three years ago, the longtime preacher who grew up near Providence was finished with that phase. Or so he thought.

Storms cancel library pumpkin decorating event

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
The Columbia County Public Library canceled this year’s pumpkin decoration contest after Hurricane Helene struck the area a few weeks ago. “We had to cancel that this year because of the hurricane,” said Kate Duong, Columbia County Public Library Youth Services and Outreach librarian.
Christian Service Center Executive Director Chris Walters said donations have been collected for Saturday’s fall yard sale for the past six months. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Christian Service Center Executive Director Chris Walters said donations have been collected for Saturday’s fall yard sale for the past six months. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Christian Service Center hosting annual yard sale

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
An abundance of clothing, toys, housewares and other items will be available for sale when the Christian Service Center holds its annual yard sale this weekend. “Pretty much you name it and it will be in the yard sale,” said Chris Walters, Christian Service Center executive director.
Columbia County is seeking out certified contractors to help out with debris cleanup after Hurricane Helene. (FILE)

Columbia County is seeking out certified contractors to help out with debris cleanup after Hurricane Helene. (FILE)

Contractors need work? County has a cleanup need

TODD WILSON
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
If a contractor with heavy equipment and laborers is looking for steady work for a few weeks, the county has plenty of it, right now.
Construction workers help lower a section of one of the walls of the new Niblack Elementary School into position Monday. The walls are being put into place over the next two weeks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Construction workers help lower a section of one of the walls of the new Niblack Elementary School into position Monday. The walls are being put into place over the next two weeks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Niblack’s building blocks: New school takes shape as walls lifted into place

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
The new Niblack Elementary School is starting to take shape. Literally. This week, Gilbane Building Company, the construction manager at risk on the project, has begun putting the walls of the two-story school building up on the site off of NE Bascom Norris Drive.
Shawn Holmgren notified the Lake Shore Hospital Authority Monday of his intent to sue if its main hospital building was given to Meridian Behavioral Healthcare. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Shawn Holmgren notified the Lake Shore Hospital Authority Monday of his intent to sue if its main hospital building was given to Meridian Behavioral Healthcare. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

LSHA-Meridian deal brings lawsuit threat

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority’s ongoing negotiations with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare could result in a lawsuit.
Columbia County crews and contractors are continuing to pick up debris from Hurricane Helene, already gathering as much as from Idalia a year ago. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County crews and contractors are continuing to pick up debris from Hurricane Helene, already gathering as much as from Idalia a year ago. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County facilities repaired, all efforts now on debris cleanup

TODD WILSON
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
The Hurricane Helene cleanup along roadsides in Columbia County continued this week as county crews and contractors attacked brush piles tirelessly two weeks after the region’s worst hurricane on record.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Don Kennedy made a motion during Monday’s meeting to do away with public comments made through Zoom in the board’s online meetings. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Trustee Don Kennedy made a motion during Monday’s meeting to do away with public comments made through Zoom in the board’s online meetings. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

LSHA meetings will continue to be broadcast

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Lake Shore Hospital Authority meetings will still be broadcast live on Zoom. More than four years after beginning the practice during the covid-19 pandemic, the LSHA board discussed whether to continue doing so during its Monday meeting.
Emarie Park (from left), 10, Maggie Breeden, 13, Walker Park, 10 and Chloey Bryant measure pumpkins at the Columbia FFA pumpkin patch. Around 1,600 pumpkins were brought to the patch on Saturday where FFA students are selling them as a fundraiser. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Emarie Park (from left), 10, Maggie Breeden, 13, Walker Park, 10 and Chloey Bryant measure pumpkins at the Columbia FFA pumpkin patch. Around 1,600 pumpkins were brought to the patch on Saturday where FFA students are selling them as a fundraiser. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FFA students organize pumpkin patch fundraiser

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
When the fall of the year arrives, Columbia County often gets hit with a wave of visitors. These visitors wind up in local schools, houses, churches, stores, parks and other venues. Most of the time they are just big heads and no bodies — only a stem.