Local

Will Jones with TBG Partners talks about the master planning process during a town hall meeting last October on the county’s flat field facility. (FILE)

Will Jones with TBG Partners talks about the master planning process during a town hall meeting last October on the county’s flat field facility. (FILE)

TDC’s master plan comes together

TONY BRITT
Monday, September 12, 2022
Columbia County’s recreation dream is about to become reality. A glimpse of what that dream looks like will be unveiled this week by the Columbia County Tourist Development Council. The master plan for the county’s new 500-acre recreational complex will be presented at a TDC meeting at 1 p.m.

Cold storage project seeks incentive

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, September 12, 2022
An incentive package for a cold storage facility may be heating up this week. At the Columbia County Economic Development Advisory Board’s meeting Wednesday morning — 8:30 a.m. at the economic development office, 971 W. Duval St.

Roundabout detours slated again

NEWS STAFF
Monday, September 12, 2022
The roundabout on U.S. Highway 41 North will have traffic detoured around once again. The Florida Department of Transportation announced Monday that it will detour traffic from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily through Friday. Over the weekend, detours will be in place from 7 p.m. Friday though Monday at 6 a.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Executive Director Dale Williams told the LSHA board Monday that there have been holdups in proposals with both Hope Bridges, LLC and Your ER Solutions LLC. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Executive Director Dale Williams told the LSHA board Monday that there have been holdups in proposals with both Hope Bridges, LLC and Your ER Solutions LLC. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

LSHA proposals on life support

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, September 12, 2022
Patience could be wearing thin for one potential solution to the vacancy at Lake Shore Hospital. The Lake Shore Hospital Authority board convened Monday night to discuss, among other items, a possible proposal from Hope Bridges, LLC. in its bid to use space at the hospital.
Lt. Robert Oliver, a Lake City Fire Department firefighter, rings a bell to commemorate the moments when airliners crashed into the World Trade Center Buildings during a Patriot Day Memorial Ceremony on Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lt. Robert Oliver, a Lake City Fire Department firefighter, rings a bell to commemorate the moments when airliners crashed into the World Trade Center Buildings during a Patriot Day Memorial Ceremony on Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

City holds somber Patriot Day ceremony

TONY BRITT
Saturday, September 10, 2022
A single line of policemen and firefighters from the Lake City Police Department and Lake City Fire Department stood alongside a city fire truck wearing their dress uniforms.

County hunting for fee evaders

TONY BRITT
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Implementing a new first assessment has proven to be problematic for county officials. While the Columbia County Commission adopted the new assessment Thursday night by a 3-2 margin, Commissioner Tim Murphy expressed concerns that not all residents are paying their share.

Former employee defrauded tire store of nearly $5K

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, September 10, 2022
A former employee was arrested this week after taking Murray’s Tire for a ride over the summer. Hunter Aust, a 25-year-old Lake City man, was arrested on a warrant Wednesday on charges of fraud, obtaining property under $20,000.

County barely passes fire fee

TONY BRITT
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Columbia County’s new fire assessment rate was adopted Thursday, but not before a fiery crowd addressed concerns over the increased fees.
Tracy Mitchell (black dress), Alexander Mitchell, 8, (gray shirt), Isaac Gollery, 10, (red/white/blue shirt) and Audrey Mitchell, 10, (blue shirt) look at youth-submitted art pieces in the Columbia County Public Library on Thursday afternoon. The pieces, which will be on display at the library throughout September, are pieces that were submitted for the Third Annual Columbia County Public Library Youth Art Contest. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tracy Mitchell (black dress), Alexander Mitchell, 8, (gray shirt), Isaac Gollery, 10, (red/white/blue shirt) and Audrey Mitchell, 10, (blue shirt) look at youth-submitted art pieces in the Columbia County Public Library on Thursday afternoon. The pieces, which will be on display at the library throughout September, are pieces that were submitted for the Third Annual Columbia County Public Library Youth Art Contest. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Youth artwork causing a stir

TONY BRITT
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Traditionally one of the quieter places in town, the Columbia County Public Library is allowing more noise than normal. There are audible gasps, whistles and other sounds that are accompanied, many times, by phrases like: “Look at this one,” “Did you see the one over there?