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Lake Shore Hospital Authority Chair Stephen Douglas passes the gavel to Lori Chancy before a vote on the parking lot deal with the Lake City Masonic Lodge No. 27 during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Chair Stephen Douglas passes the gavel to Lori Chancy before a vote on the parking lot deal with the Lake City Masonic Lodge No. 27 during Monday’s meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

LSHA agrees on $125K lot price

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
While the Lake Shore Hospital Authority heard arguments both for and against implementing a mental health facility run by Meridian Behavioral Healthcare on the Lake Shore campus at its Monday meeting, the LSHA did clear what seems to be the biggest hurdle remaining in a deal for the main hospital...
Laura Hicks (from left) and her daughter, Ava Wilson, enjoy testing out their hovercraft experiment at the Columbia County Public Library’s STEAM lab Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Laura Hicks (from left) and her daughter, Ava Wilson, enjoy testing out their hovercraft experiment at the Columbia County Public Library’s STEAM lab Friday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Library learning takes flight

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 5, 2024
The Columbia County Public Library touched the future Friday afternoon when area youngsters created and built their own hovercrafts using common household tools.
A gate into Rum Island Park from a neighboring property that stands in place of a county fence, which Columbia County officials say was cut to provide free access into the park. (FILE)

A gate into Rum Island Park from a neighboring property that stands in place of a county fence, which Columbia County officials say was cut to provide free access into the park. (FILE)

County has options at Rum Island

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 5, 2024
Legally, Columbia County has a handful of options moving forward with a problematic park in the southern end of the county.
The future of the main Lake Shore Hospital building could be settled at the Lake Shore Hospital Authority’s meeting Monday. The Authority and Meridian Behavioral Healthcare have been in talks about the property for two years, now awaiting negotiations between the LSHA and the Lake City Masonic Lodge No. 27 over an adjacent parking lot. (FILE)

The future of the main Lake Shore Hospital building could be settled at the Lake Shore Hospital Authority’s meeting Monday. The Authority and Meridian Behavioral Healthcare have been in talks about the property for two years, now awaiting negotiations between the LSHA and the Lake City Masonic Lodge No. 27 over an adjacent parking lot. (FILE)

$5K could decide Lake Shore hospital future

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 5, 2024
The future of the Lake Shore Hospital campus could hinge on a $5,000 difference between an appraisal and an asking price. The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is set to meet Monday at 259 NE Franklin St., #102, at 5:15 p.m.
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said the commissioners would need to use a joint meeting with the Lake Shore Hospital Authority to get a better understanding of what taking over its assets would mean if the authority was dissolved. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman said the commissioners would need to use a joint meeting with the Lake Shore Hospital Authority to get a better understanding of what taking over its assets would mean if the authority was dissolved. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Ellisville improvements move forward

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 4, 2024
The first steps of addressing the traffic congestion at the Ellisville interchange are underway.
The City of Lake City is applying for a grant to get upgrades at the Lake City Gateway Airport despite objections from Florida Gateway College. (FILE)

The City of Lake City is applying for a grant to get upgrades at the Lake City Gateway Airport despite objections from Florida Gateway College. (FILE)

Airport disputes college's grant concerns

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, July 4, 2024
A dispute between Florida Gateway College and the City of Lake City over a grant has led to a misunderstanding of the grant’s deadline, according to a Lake City Gateway Airport official.
Janet Hans, an artist and a volunteer jewelry-making instructor at the Gateway Art Gallery, hangs artwork for the Gallery’s Christmas in July reception today. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Janet Hans, an artist and a volunteer jewelry-making instructor at the Gateway Art Gallery, hangs artwork for the Gallery’s Christmas in July reception today. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gateway Art Gallery hosting Christmas in July reception

TONY BRITT
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Local art aficionados will have the opportunity to view, browse and purchase pieces from local artists today at the Gateway Art Gallery. The Gateway Art Gallery Christmas in July reception will take place 5:30 p.m. today at the Gateway Art Gallery, 168 N. Marion St.
Shayne Morgan, Columbia County’s emergency management director, said he’d like to work with the commissioners on identifying potentialsupply distribution sites within each district for future storm events. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Shayne Morgan, Columbia County’s emergency management director, said he’d like to work with the commissioners on identifying potentialsupply distribution sites within each district for future storm events. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commission eyes proactive approach to storms

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, July 4, 2024
With hurricane season underway, the Columbia County Commissioners are wanting a more proactive approach should inclement weather blow into North Florida.