Local

Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth said he wanted additional documentation to show the Columbia County Health Department needs additional funding. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth said he wanted additional documentation to show the Columbia County Health Department needs additional funding. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County questions DOH increase

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 19, 2023
The Columbia County Commission wants additional information before it signs off on additional funds for the Columbia County Health Department.

City raising fire assessment rate

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Lake City property owners will be paying more for fire protection next year. In budget workshops this week, the Lake City Council recommended moving forward with a $60 increase to residential properties’ fire assessment. Currently, the residential rate is $252.02 annually.
Commissioner Ron Williams said the county needs to act on property for sale next to the landfill before it gets locked in. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commissioner Ron Williams said the county needs to act on property for sale next to the landfill before it gets locked in. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County eyes land near landfill

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Columbia County officials are looking to trash any future solid waste concerns for years to come. During Thursday’s County Commission meeting, Commissioner Ron Williams asked staff to look into property for sale just east of the county’s current landfill in Winfield.

Forest murder suspect back in Columbia County

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
A suspect in the Osceola National Forest murder is back in Columbia County. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Robert Lee Jackson, 26, in April for the death of Shawn Waldron, whose severely burned body was found alongside a trail road in the forest on April 11.
The first phase of Columbia County’s flat field facility includes eight of the 12 flat fields. (COURTESY)

The first phase of Columbia County’s flat field facility includes eight of the 12 flat fields. (COURTESY)

Flat field launch has $10M pricetag

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Getting Columbia County’s flat field facility up and running comes with a $10 million cost, currently. At Wednesday’s Tourist Development Council meeting, interim TDC Director Clint Pittman told the board that the first phase of the 500-acre project is estimated to cost roughly $10 million.
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.