Local

The Lake Shore Rehabilitation center is among the buildings up for grabs to a handful of medical and other organizations looking to utilize space on the Lake Shore campus. (FILE)

The Lake Shore Rehabilitation center is among the buildings up for grabs to a handful of medical and other organizations looking to utilize space on the Lake Shore campus. (FILE)

Seeking second opinions: LSHA to consider options for other facilities on campus

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Though the main hospital building on the Lake Shore Hospital Authority campus may be the crown jewel, a handful of other organizations believe the campus’s auxiliary buildings are at least worthy of  their time.
Members of the Elks Lodge pose with CCSO Deputy Shane Hartopp (black shirt) during the Lodge’s barbecue dinner fundraiser. Local residents also donated cakes to be auctioned off, with the proceeds benefiting Hartopp’s recovery from a flash bang grenade injury. (COURTESY)

Members of the Elks Lodge pose with CCSO Deputy Shane Hartopp (black shirt) during the Lodge’s barbecue dinner fundraiser. Local residents also donated cakes to be auctioned off, with the proceeds benefiting Hartopp’s recovery from a flash bang grenade injury. (COURTESY)

Elks Lodge raises $6,500 for deputy injured in drug bust

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
A Saturday afternoon barbecue is a common occurrence for families. However, last Saturday the local Elks Lodge held a barbecue dinner fundraiser where community members became family raising more than $6,000 for Deputy Shane Hartopp, who was injured in the line of duty.
Lake City Police Department Chief Gerald Butler (right) speaks with a pair of diners at Kountry Korner on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Police Department Chief Gerald Butler (right) speaks with a pair of diners at Kountry Korner on Saturday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Chief concerns: Butler addresses violence, agency changes at event

TONY BRITT
Monday, July 18, 2022
Kountry Korner’s menu Saturday morning included coffee, grits, eggs and the plans the Live City Police Department has to stem rising violence to keep the community safe.

County GOP rallies begin in Mason City

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, July 18, 2022
Political talking season is here. The Columbia County Republican Party will hold the first of its two campaign rallies this evening in Mason City. The second event is set for July 28 at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds. The Mason City rally will start at 6 p.m.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office posted this photo of a pair of airsoft guns used in separate incidents to its Facebook page while asking for parents to supervise playtime with the toys. (COURTESY CCSO)

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office posted this photo of a pair of airsoft guns used in separate incidents to its Facebook page while asking for parents to supervise playtime with the toys. (COURTESY CCSO)

Authorities: Don’t play with realistic toy firearms

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, July 18, 2022
For the second time in nine months, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is taking aim at juveniles armed with toy guns.

Saint Leo celebrating 25 years

NEWS STAFF
Monday, July 18, 2022
Saint Leo University’s Lake City Education Center is throwing itself a silver anniversary celebration. In honor of 25 years of serving Lake City and Columbia County, Saint Leo is inviting the public to an open house celebration Aug. 4 from 5-6:30 p.m.
Keith Spence, 10, plays Connect Four with a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office school resource officer Friday during Summer Nights. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Keith Spence, 10, plays Connect Four with a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office school resource officer Friday during Summer Nights. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Kids get a day of fun, playtime

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 15, 2022
Even during summer vacation, area schoolchildren still got the opportunity to have fun and exercise on school grounds.