Local

Council campaign running in the red

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 12, 2024
A candidate for the Lake City Council is spending more money on her campaign than she has collected, according to financial reports. In the campaign finance report due last week, Tammy Harris, a candidate for the District 12 seat on the Lake City Council, indicates she has spent $3,767.
An egret enjoys a fish as a snake at Lake DeSoto earlier this week. Hundreds of fish were reported dead in the lake last weekend, which is being blamed on weather conditions. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

An egret enjoys a fish as a snake at Lake DeSoto earlier this week. Hundreds of fish were reported dead in the lake last weekend, which is being blamed on weather conditions. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Weather conditions blamed for DeSoto fish kill

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 12, 2024
More than 100 fish have been found floating in Lake DeSoto in what officials say was a fish kill caused by oxygen problems stemming from local weather conditions. Steve Brown, the City of Lake City’s public works director, confirmed the incident after the department received a call last weekend.

Group admin charged with sharing child porn

NEWS STAFF
Friday, July 12, 2024
A Lake City man has been charged with distributing child pornography through a social media group. U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg announced 45-year-old William Ervin Daniels’ arrest Friday. Daniels has been charged with distributing child sex abuse material.
Crews began knocking down the office area at Niblack Elementary School on Wednesday as demolition is underway to create room for a new school on the site. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Crews began knocking down the office area at Niblack Elementary School on Wednesday as demolition is underway to create room for a new school on the site. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Demolition work underway on Niblack Elementary School

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Demolition of Niblack Elementary School began earlier this week. The work, though, escalated Wednesday when the bucket on an excavator obliterated the principal’s office area of the historic school, which is being razed to make way for a new school on the site.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Executive Director Dale Williams said the joint meeting wasn’t necessary since the authority could take the issue to the legislature itself. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/ Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Executive Director Dale Williams said the joint meeting wasn’t necessary since the authority could take the issue to the legislature itself. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/ Lake City Reporter)

LSHA cancels on county

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
A week after Columbia County Commissioners approved having a joint meeting with the Lake Shore Hospital Authority, that meeting has now been called off. The LSHA put out a public notice that the joint meeting, originally scheduled for July 15 at 5:30 p.m.
LeeAnn Purvis will perform Friday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. The park’s Super Star challenge opens with 12 competitors Saturday. (COURTESY)

LeeAnn Purvis will perform Friday night at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. The park’s Super Star challenge opens with 12 competitors Saturday. (COURTESY)

Super Star challenge, Purvis set for SOSMP

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
LIVE OAK — The path to being a Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park Super Star begins this weekend. After teen LeeAnn Purvis opens the weekend by performing Friday night, the park’s Super Star challenge begins Saturday night with at least 12 contestants.
Yasmin Artica (from left), holds her pet bearded dragon ‘Draco’ as Bailee-Jo Ambrose, 10, prepares to pet the reptile during a summer camp at the extension service officer. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporting)

Yasmin Artica (from left), holds her pet bearded dragon ‘Draco’ as Bailee-Jo Ambrose, 10, prepares to pet the reptile during a summer camp at the extension service officer. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporting)

A magical 4-H camp

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
With houses for head, health, hand and heart, nearly two dozen local youngsters, 4-H instructors and volunteers are bringing their love of the Harry Potter books and characters to life.
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare CEO Don Savoie said his company’s proposal for the main Lake Shore Hospital building hasn’t changed the past two years. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare CEO Don Savoie said his company’s proposal for the main Lake Shore Hospital building hasn’t changed the past two years. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Meridian responds to concerns about Lake Shore mental hospital

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Both the public and officials at Meridian Behavioral Healthcare agree on one thing: mental health solutions are badly needed in Columbia County. On Monday, the two sides showed just how much they disagreed on the location and scope of those services.