Local

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.
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...