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Meridian Behavioral Healthcare CEO Don Savoie, speaking at a previous Lake Shore Hospital Authority meeting, said the idea that the hospital would have razor wire on it is ‘ludicrous.’ (FILE)

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare CEO Don Savoie, speaking at a previous Lake Shore Hospital Authority meeting, said the idea that the hospital would have razor wire on it is ‘ludicrous.’ (FILE)

Savoie: Razor wire at hospital is ‘ludicrous’

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
There will be no razor wire at the Lake Shore Hospital building, nor will there be prisoners treated there. Meridian Behavioral Healthcare CEO Don Savoie said those claims, which are circulating in Lake City and Columbia County and have been expressed at recent public meetings, are “ludicrous.
Logan Haley hammers on a metal rod during the Forged in 4-H Blacksmith camp while Erin Harlow, a Columbia County extension agent, looks on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Logan Haley hammers on a metal rod during the Forged in 4-H Blacksmith camp while Erin Harlow, a Columbia County extension agent, looks on. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Blacksmith camp takes 4-H youth back in time

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Just watching a group of guys pulling long rods from a fire and pounding the metal with hammers into different kinds of tools and utensils would appear to be a call from yesteryear.
Columbia County School Board member Keith Hudson receives the key to the City of Lake City from Mayor Stephen Witt during Tuesday’s board meeting. The school board renamed the district auditorium in Hudson’s honor. Hudson has served on the board for 48 years and is running unopposed. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County School Board member Keith Hudson receives the key to the City of Lake City from Mayor Stephen Witt during Tuesday’s board meeting. The school board renamed the district auditorium in Hudson’s honor. Hudson has served on the board for 48 years and is running unopposed. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

District honors Hudson

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
The state’s longest-serving school board member now has his name immortalized in Columbia County history.
Columbia County School District officials along with representatives from Gilbane Building Company and Zysovich, the architecture firm in charge of the design of the new Niblack Elementary School, held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning at the school. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County School District officials along with representatives from Gilbane Building Company and Zysovich, the architecture firm in charge of the design of the new Niblack Elementary School, held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning at the school. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

New Niblack groundbreaking a ‘great day’

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
The next step with the construction of a new Minnie J. Niblack Elementary School was taken Tuesday morning.

Lake City Council hopefuls correct finance miscues

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
After two amended campaign finance reports were filed Friday by one Lake City Council candidate, another filed an amended report Tuesday. Tammy Harris, who is running for the District 12 seat, filed an amended report for the most recent filing period — June 1 through June 14 — on Tuesday morning.

Fort White teen’s fatal crash caused by ‘tire failure’

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
FORT WHITE —A Fort White teen was killed Saturday when a tire failure caused his pickup to crash. A Florida Highway Patrol release states an 18-year-old man was traveling north on State Road 47 around 3:38 p.m. Saturday when his 2003 Ford F-150 experienced a tire failure.
Josh Garner (from left), Jenny Martinez, Mychelle Albury and Sierra McClain sing during a musical number while rehearing for the upcoming production of Peter and the Star Catcher at Florida Gateway College. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Josh Garner (from left), Jenny Martinez, Mychelle Albury and Sierra McClain sing during a musical number while rehearing for the upcoming production of Peter and the Star Catcher at Florida Gateway College. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Peter and the Star Catcher coming to FGC

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
The little boy that never grew up will hit the stage at Florida Gateway College this week when the college hosts its annal summer theater production. Peter and the Star Catcher will be performed at FGC in the Levy Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m.

LifeSouth has ‘emergency’ need for all blood types

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
With blood donations declining and blood usage at local hospitals increased, there is a blood shortage across North Central Florida. According to LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, there is currently an emergency need for all blood types to help patients in local hospitals.
Jessica Chewning, a school resource deputy at Westside Elementary School, prepares a snow cone for a kid during Friday’s Summer Nights activities at Five Points Elementary. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Jessica Chewning, a school resource deputy at Westside Elementary School, prepares a snow cone for a kid during Friday’s Summer Nights activities at Five Points Elementary. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Successful Summer Nights launch

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, June 21, 2024
The smells of buttery popcorn and hot dogs on the grill were a perfect backdrop to a summer evening of fun, music and games Friday night. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Division hosted the first of its three Summer Nights events at Five Points Elementary from 5-8 p.m.