Local

Bell Road rings up $65K in grant funds

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
The development of the Bell Road corridor received a helping hand Tuesday. Columbia County was awarded a $65,000 grant from the state’s Community Planning Technical Assistance program for a pre-master plan for the Bell Road corridor.
Councilman Jake Hill Jr. was in favor of the City of Lake City trying to hire a grant writer for a commission-based role. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Councilman Jake Hill Jr. was in favor of the City of Lake City trying to hire a grant writer for a commission-based role. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

City eyes grant funding assistance

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
The City of Lake City is hoping it can be granted some additional funding opportunities. To do that and with the hope that the position will more than pay for itself, the city is looking to hire a grant writer.
The Lake City Council authorized Interim City Manager Paul Dyal at a workshop Monday to begin planning on vacating the current City Hall. (FILE)

The Lake City Council authorized Interim City Manager Paul Dyal at a workshop Monday to begin planning on vacating the current City Hall. (FILE)

Council ready to move on from city hall

TONY BRITT
Monday, June 13, 2022
One thing is for certain, the Lake City Council is ready to be finished with the current Lake City Hall.
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare Inc. CEO Don Savoie expands on an idea during the Lake Shore Hospital Authority’s Monday meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare Inc. CEO Don Savoie expands on an idea during the Lake Shore Hospital Authority’s Monday meeting. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Meridian shares vision for hospital

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, June 13, 2022
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority now has three complete proposals to pore through after its Monday evening meeting. All that’s left is to decide which organization, if any, is to receive what it asked for or something similar.
Essie Akins, a Straight From the Heart of North Florida committee member, arranges fruit during the organization’s inaugural community event on Saturday at the Fort White Community Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Essie Akins, a Straight From the Heart of North Florida committee member, arranges fruit during the organization’s inaugural community event on Saturday at the Fort White Community Center. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Healthcare focus of Fort White information fair

TONY BRITT
Monday, June 13, 2022
FORT WHITE — The Fort White Community Center was buzzing Saturday morning with people focusing on their healthcare needs.
Lake Montgomery is slated to host a cleanup event on Saturday, June 18, starting at 9 p.m. Local residents around the lake have sometimes complained about the trash in the area at Lake City council meetings. (FILE)

Lake Montgomery is slated to host a cleanup event on Saturday, June 18, starting at 9 p.m. Local residents around the lake have sometimes complained about the trash in the area at Lake City council meetings. (FILE)

Boy Scouts, FWC, TDC partner on Lake Montgomery cleanup

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 10, 2022
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s plan to install a new fishing pier at Lake Montgomery is taking shape in multiple forms — including a cleanup day at the lake, as well as a potential deal with the city in the coming weeks.
An artist’s rendering of the new Lake City Hall. Interim City Manager Paul Dyal said he plans to pitch a new city headquarters during the city council’s budget workshop on Monday. (COURTESY)

An artist’s rendering of the new Lake City Hall. Interim City Manager Paul Dyal said he plans to pitch a new city headquarters during the city council’s budget workshop on Monday. (COURTESY)

New city hall back in play

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 10, 2022
Is the construction of a new city hall building a realistic and viable option for the City of Lake City? Paul Dyal, interim city manager, not only thinks the idea is viable, but plans to introduce the concept to the Lake City Council during the city’s first budget workshop Monday evening.
Citrus County Clerk Angela Vick presents Clerk Jay Swisher with his certification as a Florida Clerk and Comptroller. (COURTESY)

Citrus County Clerk Angela Vick presents Clerk Jay Swisher with his certification as a Florida Clerk and Comptroller. (COURTESY)

Swisher gains certified clerk designation

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 10, 2022
Jay Swisher is now a certified Florida Clerk and Comptroller. During the Florida Court Clerks & Comptroller’s summer conference, the organization recognized Swisher for completing the New Clerk Academy as a member of the Class of 2020 to earn the designation of a certified clerk.

LSHA to get one more offer for campus

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 10, 2022
Already considering a pair of proposals for its property, the Lake Shore Hospital Authority will have one more to listen to. The LSHA is scheduled to hold a special meeting on Monday, June 13, immediately following its regular meeting. That meeting begins at 5:15 p.m.
Legislative aide Staz Guntek will take on a new role as Columbia County’s project development manager. (COURTESY)

Legislative aide Staz Guntek will take on a new role as Columbia County’s project development manager. (COURTESY)

Guntek joins county’s economic development team

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 10, 2022
The newest member to the Columbia County economic development team is no stranger to Columbia County. Staz Guntek, formerly the legislative aide for State Rep. Chuck Brannan, joined the county on June 1 as its project development manager in the economic development office.