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Brandon Biel, the Lake Shore Hospital Authority chairman, said he doesn’t want to spend nearly $300,000 to insure the main hospital building, which he has a ‘desire to tear to the ground.' (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Brandon Biel, the Lake Shore Hospital Authority chairman, said he doesn’t want to spend nearly $300,000 to insure the main hospital building, which he has a ‘desire to tear to the ground.' (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore hospital’s fate on life support

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Plans to keep the main hospital building around on Lake Shore’s campus may be on life support. The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is still holding out hope for Meridian Behavioral Healthcare to move into the building after the two sides sort out a contract.
The Legal Eagles team consisting of those working at the Columbia County Courthouse won the Boots and Badges charity basketball tournament Saturday. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

The Legal Eagles team consisting of those working at the Columbia County Courthouse won the Boots and Badges charity basketball tournament Saturday. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

Boots and Badges champs: Legal Eagles from courthouse take title in debut appearance

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Asked to take part in the annual Boots and Badges game for the first time, Clerk of Court Jay Swisher said it a “win-win.” Swisher and the Legal Eagles even have the trophy proudly displayed at the Columbia County Courthouse to prove it.

Utility authority plans taking root

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
A joint meeting at the end of the month will decide the fate of the Ichetucknee Water Utility Authority. At today’s Town of Fort White/Columbia County Utilities Committee meeting, the committee will discuss the proposed regional authority.

Rapper sentenced to life for 2021 murder

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
A Tampa area rap artist was sentenced to life in prison Monday for a 2021 murder. Javonte Wilkins, a rapper from Riverview who is also known as 561 Monsta, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Monday by Judge Leandra Johnson for shooting Kristian Lujan on Nov. 14, 2021.

Teen turns himself in for shooting incident

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
A teen wanted for a shooting at a Lake City apartment complex is in custody after turning himself in. The Lake City Police Department announced Tuesday that 18-year-old Jaedyn Washington turned himself in without incident. He was wanted in connection with a July 7 shooting at Cedar Park Apartments.

County budget talks get heated

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 11, 2023
A contentious budget workshop Thursday featured the Columbia County Commission attempting to lock up what it deemed a “ballooning” Columbia County Sheriff’s Office budget. Sheriff Mark Hunter requested a $21 million budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, a 5.5% increase over the current year budget.
Shamarria Bowles, who graduated from Columbia High in May, will sing the national anthem for the Jacksonville Jaguars game Aug. 26 against the Miami Dolphins. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Shamarria Bowles, who graduated from Columbia High in May, will sing the national anthem for the Jacksonville Jaguars game Aug. 26 against the Miami Dolphins. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

CHS grad tapped for Jags national anthem

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 11, 2023
Singing is a second language for Columbia High graduate Shamarria Bowles. Or maybe a first language. “Singing is a way of me showing my feelings,” Bowles said. “I do it every day, no matter where I’m at, I’m going to be singing. And if I’m not fully out singing, I’m humming. That’s just me.
An Eastside Elementary School student is offered a cup of ‘jitter juice’ on Thursday, the first day of school. ‘Jitter juice’ makes the butterflies leave. (COURTESY)

An Eastside Elementary School student is offered a cup of ‘jitter juice’ on Thursday, the first day of school. ‘Jitter juice’ makes the butterflies leave. (COURTESY)

Columbia, Suwannee have ‘good’ first days

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 11, 2023
Not even an afternoon rain shower could damper the start of the new school year. While a storm brewed up just in time for the Columbia County elementary schools to let out Thursday, Superintendent Lex Carswell said it was a good first day.
Florida Gateway College is offering students and staff free child care services at the FGC Multi-Purpose Center. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Florida Gateway College is offering students and staff free child care services at the FGC Multi-Purpose Center. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC offering free child care services

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 11, 2023
Florida Gateway College is taking one concern away for students, faculty and staff. The college is offering free child care through Little Wolves Child Care at the FGC’s Multi-Purpose Center, formerly the Lake City Boys Club, 279 NE Jones Way.