Local

LSHA approves downtown mental hospital

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Meridian at Lakeshore may soon be coming to downtown Lake City. The Lake Shore Hospital Authority board unanimously approved Authority staff sit down with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare staff and negotiate turning the four-story Lake Shore hospital into a mental health facility.
Resident Liz Freyre had a list of seven concerns with a planned 325-home development along Bascom Norris Drive. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Resident Liz Freyre had a list of seven concerns with a planned 325-home development along Bascom Norris Drive. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Housing development gets green light

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
A major housing development in the City of Lake City got initial clearance for takeoff Tuesday night.
Leroy Marshall, chief professional engineer for the Suwannee River Water Management District, urged people to attend a flood risk map meeting later this month. Westside Community Center is hosting one on Feb. 23. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Leroy Marshall, chief professional engineer for the Suwannee River Water Management District, urged people to attend a flood risk map meeting later this month. Westside Community Center is hosting one on Feb. 23. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Flood risk map meetings flowing out

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
The Suwannee River Water Management District is scheduled to host three separate meetings to review flood risk maps that could impact property owners’ insurance rates. Leroy Marshall, the chief professional engineer for the SRWMD, said the district revises these maps about once every eight years.
Florida Gateway College student Cade Mesnard (right) and FGC instructor Michael Baker discuss the college’s Study Abroad Program, which will take place in the United Kingdom. (COURTESY)

Florida Gateway College student Cade Mesnard (right) and FGC instructor Michael Baker discuss the college’s Study Abroad Program, which will take place in the United Kingdom. (COURTESY)

FGC’s Mesnard gets study abroad scholarship

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
The U.S. State Department is helping a Florida Gateway College study abroad. Cade Mesnard, who is participating in the college’s Summer 2023 Study Abroad Program in the United Kingdom, has recently been awarded a $4,000 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from the state department.
Ron Williams II offered support to the city organizing meetings about gun violence during Monday’s City Council meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Ron Williams II offered support to the city organizing meetings about gun violence during Monday’s City Council meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Council promises action on gun violence

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, February 6, 2023
The Lake City Council may lend a hand to facilitate discussion about recent gun violence in the city.
Gerry Dedenbach (standing, far right), CHW executive vice president, details plans for Hunter’s Creek, a planned residential development, that could be built across from the southern entrance of the Southside Sports Complex. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gerry Dedenbach (standing, far right), CHW executive vice president, details plans for Hunter’s Creek, a planned residential development, that could be built across from the southern entrance of the Southside Sports Complex. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Project of 300+ homes planned

TONY BRITT
Monday, February 6, 2023
For the second straight month, Lake City’s planning and zoning board will consider a zoning change for a housing development on Bascom Norris Drive. After tabling the request on 80-unit apartment complex in January, the advisory board will hear plans on a much larger project at its 5:30 p.m.
The Lake Shore Hospital may have a new occupant in Meridian Behavioral Healthcare. (FILE)

The Lake Shore Hospital may have a new occupant in Meridian Behavioral Healthcare. (FILE)

LHSA may have hospital solution

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, February 6, 2023
There could be a new tenant in the Lake Shore Hospital by tonight. The Lake Shore Hospital Authority will host a special meeting at 6 p.m. today to discuss — and possibly approve — Meridian Behavioral Healthcare taking over the hospital building.

LCPD reports missing teen

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 6, 2023
A Fort White High School student is missing, according to the Lake City Police Department. The LCPD reported early Monday morning that Janessa Wilson, 16, was last seen near Walmart in Lake City around 6 p.m. Sunday.

Two shot in separate incidents

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 6, 2023
Two people were shot in separate incidents Friday night in Lake City. According to information released by the Lake City Police Department on Monday morning, one person was shot in their vehicle at 9 p.m. while driving on U.S. Highway 90.
Boy Scouts Troop 85 memorabilia is on display at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake City for National Boy Scout Sunday, which is this weekend. Lake City’s historic troop is celebrating its centennial as part of the national celebration of scouting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Boy Scouts Troop 85 memorabilia is on display at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake City for National Boy Scout Sunday, which is this weekend. Lake City’s historic troop is celebrating its centennial as part of the national celebration of scouting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Eagle Scouts credit BSA for imparting life lessons

TONY BRITT
Friday, February 3, 2023
Once a Boy Scout, always a Boy Scout. Carl Allison, the owner of Baya Pharmacist, was an Eagle Scout from Lake City’s historic Troop 85 in 1967. Troop 85 is celebrating 100 years with a celebration Sunday. However, while attending Florida’s upset of No.