Local

Performing Friday in the finals of Columbia’s Top Talent are Jaleiah Burch (sitting from left), Ashlyn Esposito and AJ Busscher; back row, Caroline Sawyer, Nathaniel Johnson, Shamaria Bowles and event sponsor and founder Ronnie Collins. Not pictured are Kenzoria Pryor and Van Morrison. (COURTESY)

Performing Friday in the finals of Columbia’s Top Talent are Jaleiah Burch (sitting from left), Ashlyn Esposito and AJ Busscher; back row, Caroline Sawyer, Nathaniel Johnson, Shamaria Bowles and event sponsor and founder Ronnie Collins. Not pictured are Kenzoria Pryor and Van Morrison. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s Top Talent set to shine

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
A group of eight local students hope their vocal talents will shine above the rest as they compete for the 2023 Columbia’s Top Talent title.
The demolition of the Bedoya building on the Lake Shore Hospital campus is now pending an inspection of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (FILE)

The demolition of the Bedoya building on the Lake Shore Hospital campus is now pending an inspection of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (FILE)

LSHA, EM PALS close to deal

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is still looking to stitch up a few loose ends in contract talks to finally bring healthcare back to its campus.

Detour planned for I-10 east ramp

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Interstate traffic will be detoured overnight the next two Thursday nights. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the exit ramp from Interstate 75 south onto Interstate 10 east will be closed from 8 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m.

Armed former employee refuses to leave, arrested

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
A terminated Lake City hotel employee got to spend a night in jail when he refused to leave the Holiday Inn on Monday. According to a Lake City Police Department release, 26-year-old Zachary Gibson, of White Springs, refused to leave the hotel after he was fired Monday.
Gardine Raymond (from left) inspects the ‘money lei’ worn by her best friend Erika Maceira following Florida Gateway College’s 2023 Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gardine Raymond (from left) inspects the ‘money lei’ worn by her best friend Erika Maceira following Florida Gateway College’s 2023 Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lance, Barrett urge FGC grads to shoot for the stars

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 5, 2023
“Good. Golly. Gosh,” were the first words to fall from the lips of Cameo Lance, the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, as she took the microphone Friday morning during Florida Gateway College’s spring commencement ceremony.
County Attorney Joel Foreman discusses Columbia County’s potential response to Florida PACE Funding Authority’s actions to provide residential PACE loans in the county without approval. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County Attorney Joel Foreman discusses Columbia County’s potential response to Florida PACE Funding Authority’s actions to provide residential PACE loans in the county without approval. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County fighting against ‘crooked’ PACE loans

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 5, 2023
Columbia County is doubling down against residential PACE programs. The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners voted a year ago to not allow the residential component of PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) to be utilized in the county.

CCS honoring top educators again

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 5, 2023
The Columbia County School District’s “Teacher of a Lifetime” wall of honor will double next week. Five of the district’s top educators from the previous 50 years will be honored during a brief presentation at the 6 p.m.