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An artist rendering of the new entrance to the HCA Florida Lake City Hospital’s emergency department once an expansion project is completed. Construction has just begun on the expansion. (COURTESY)

An artist rendering of the new entrance to the HCA Florida Lake City Hospital’s emergency department once an expansion project is completed. Construction has just begun on the expansion. (COURTESY)

HCA Lake City ER goes under knife

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 17, 2022
The HCA Florida Lake City Hospital is going through another operation. Construction has begun on expanding the hospital’s emergency department, part of a $41.4 million phase to expand services at the hospital.

Siegmeister sentencing set for Oct.

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 17, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — The Third Judicial Circuit’s former top prosecutor will find out in four months how much longer his prison stay will be. Jeff Siegmeister, in custody since his February 2021 arrest on federal bribery and extortion charges, will be sentenced Oct. 12 in a hearing set Friday by U.S.

Jefferson not in running for city council

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 17, 2022
The Lake City Council will have two new members after elections this fall. Two candidates qualified for the city’s vacant District 14 seat during the qualifying period that ended at noon Friday, while three candidates are seeking the District 10 seat.
Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen addressed concerns he has with the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program with the county commission on Thursday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keen addressed concerns he has with the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program with the county commission on Thursday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County picks up the PACE

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 17, 2022
Local businesses looking to make improvements may have another tool at their disposal.
The Columbia County Commission committed $75,000 to a new fishing pier at Lake Montgomery. (FILE)

The Columbia County Commission committed $75,000 to a new fishing pier at Lake Montgomery. (FILE)

Lake Montgomery pier reels in $75K from county

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 17, 2022
Columbia County is on the hook for a $75,000 financial commitment toward the installation of a new pier at Lake Montgomery.
The North Florida Mega Industrial Mega Park lost its first tenant when Project Wave backed out of negotiations with Weyerhaeuser, the land owner. (FILE)

The North Florida Mega Industrial Mega Park lost its first tenant when Project Wave backed out of negotiations with Weyerhaeuser, the land owner. (FILE)

Project Wave moves away

TONY BRITT
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Project Wave, the economic development project that was slated to open the North Florida Mega Industrial Park, has waved goodbye to Columbia County.

Nursing home hit for federal violations

TONY BRITT
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Violating federal wage laws cost a Lake City assisted living facility nearly $9,000. Following a U.S. Department of Labor Investigation, $8,931 in back wages were paid to two workers at Willowbrook Assisted Living after the investigation found they were denied overtime wages earned. U.S.
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K9 Deputy Drago, shown here, was rushed to a veterinary clinic Tuesday afternoon after a heat-related injury. He died later that night. (COURTESY)

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K9 Deputy Drago, shown here, was rushed to a veterinary clinic Tuesday afternoon after a heat-related injury. He died later that night. (COURTESY)

Mourning their loss: CCSO K9 Drago dies after brief training exercise

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
A Columbia County Sheriff’s Office K9 officer has died after complications from a heat-related injury. K9 Deputy Drago, a German Shepard mix, was found dead by his handler at home late Tuesday night after being released from veterinary care.
The Mosso-Kan West African Dance and Drum Ensemble will perform as part of the Juneteenth celebration Monday at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

The Mosso-Kan West African Dance and Drum Ensemble will perform as part of the Juneteenth celebration Monday at Florida Gateway College. (COURTESY)

Juneteenth festivities to celebrate freedom

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
A parade, a community celebration with a bevy of activities and a program featuring a traditional West African dance and drum ensemble with choreography is how this area of North Central Florida has decided to celebrate the Juneteenth national holiday.

Griffeth named new Partnership for Strong Families CEO

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
The community-based care agency for North Florida has a new administrative head. Partnership for Strong Families — which serves 13 counties including Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee — announced Wednesday that Stephen Pennypacker was retiring as the agency’s chief executive officer.