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World War II veteran Edward McCarthy (back row, center) celebrated his 100th birthday with his family as well as other American Legion Post 57 vets and members of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. McCarthy is a retired corporal who served with the United States Marine Corps, earning both a Bronze Star and Purple Heart during his service. (COURTESY)

World War II veteran Edward McCarthy (back row, center) celebrated his 100th birthday with his family as well as other American Legion Post 57 vets and members of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. McCarthy is a retired corporal who served with the United States Marine Corps, earning both a Bronze Star and Purple Heart during his service. (COURTESY)

Marine veteran celebrates 100th birthday

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Edward McCarthy, a World War II veteran, recently celebrated his 100th birthday with his family as well as veterans from American Legion Post 57 and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies. McCarthy was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps who earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

Meridian, LSHA meeting canceled

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority did not meet last night to discuss further asks from Meridian Healthcare. The LSHA canceled its special-called Wednesday meeting, according LSHA Executive Director Dale Williams.
Ginny McCall (left) and Lindsey Covington (right) present a $10,000 check from HCA Florida Lake City Hospital to Sandy Thompson (center) for Altrusa International of Lake City in support of its backpack program, which provides food to local students in need. (COURTESY)

Ginny McCall (left) and Lindsey Covington (right) present a $10,000 check from HCA Florida Lake City Hospital to Sandy Thompson (center) for Altrusa International of Lake City in support of its backpack program, which provides food to local students in need. (COURTESY)

HCA Florida gives $10K for food program

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Less fortunate families will have a little more help for both summer and the holiday season this year thanks to a generous donation. HCA Florida Lake City Hospital announced a $10,000 donation to Altrusa International of Lake City on Tuesday.

LSHA cancels Meridian meeting set for tonight

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority will not meet tonight to discuss further asks from Meridian Healthcare after all. The LSHA canceled its special-called meeting due to a lack of a quorum, according to LSHA Executive Director Dale Williams.
Lake City Fire Department firefighters use their Tower 1 truck to hang the American Flag on the Columbia County Commission Annex Building on Saturday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Fire Department firefighters use their Tower 1 truck to hang the American Flag on the Columbia County Commission Annex Building on Saturday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Flags adorn county, city buildings for patriotic celebration

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Several buildings in the downtown area have taken on a new look as Lake City and Columbia County celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Richardson Sixth Grade Academy students from the school’s chorus and theatre program sing a song during a skit at the local 250th Birthday Party for America kickoff celebration on Tuesday morning. The event was attended by more than 200 people. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Richardson Sixth Grade Academy students from the school’s chorus and theatre program sing a song during a skit at the local 250th Birthday Party for America kickoff celebration on Tuesday morning. The event was attended by more than 200 people. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Locals prep for country’s 250th birthday

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The pre-party for America’s 250th birthday celebration in Columbia County took place Tuesday morning with more than 200 people attending the event in Olustee Park as a bald eagle flew overheard.
Meridian Healthcare CEO and President Lauren Cohn said in a Feb. 20 letter that new estimates put Meridian’s investment around $20 million for the main hospital building on the LSHA campus. (FILE)

Meridian Healthcare CEO and President Lauren Cohn said in a Feb. 20 letter that new estimates put Meridian’s investment around $20 million for the main hospital building on the LSHA campus. (FILE)

Meridian seeking updates to Lake Shore incentive agreement

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
A regional mental health company is doubling its incentives ask to renovate the main hospital building on the Lake Shore campus. Meridian Healthcare President and CEO Lauren Cohn detailed her company’s request in a Feb. 20 letter to the Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board of Trustees.
Fort White Councilwoman Monica Merricks requested the town dissolution be removed from Monday’s agenda because ‘we got enough town input’ following a Feb. 17 special meeting. (FILE)

Fort White Councilwoman Monica Merricks requested the town dissolution be removed from Monday’s agenda because ‘we got enough town input’ following a Feb. 17 special meeting. (FILE)

Dissolution talk dead in Fort White

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
FORT WHITE — Dissolution is officially over in Fort White. At the outset of the Fort White Town Council’s regular meeting Monday at the Fort White Community Center, Councilwoman Monica Merricks requested deleting the agenda item to vote on dissolving the town’s charter.
Pat Mundorff (from left) helped out Alice Martin alongside Candi Kish and Todd Martin during the Law family fundraiser. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Pat Mundorff (from left) helped out Alice Martin alongside Candi Kish and Todd Martin during the Law family fundraiser. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Community rallies around Law family

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
FORT WHITE — The community continued its support of the Law family following the untimely death of Kaitlynn Law on Thursday by purchasing fundraising dinners during a joint benefit luncheon hosted by Central Florida Electric Cooperative, Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative and Clay Electric...