Local

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Lake City Councilman Jake Hill’s lack of a vote Monday meant the council’s raise process would go to a referendum vote in November. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Steven Flores takes part in the hot dog eating contest during the Rotary Club of Lake City’s Independence Day celebration last year at Wilson Park. The hot dog eating contest will be back as part of this year’s event. (FILE)