Local

Lawrence Barrett, Florida Gateway College president, prepares to cut the ribbon Thursday afternoon at the grand opening of the college’s new multipurpose building in the former Boys Club of Columbia County facility. Joining Barrett were FGC officials, Florida Chancellor of Career Technical Programs Henry Mack and local dignitaries and residents. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

Lawrence Barrett, Florida Gateway College president, prepares to cut the ribbon Thursday afternoon at the grand opening of the college’s new multipurpose building in the former Boys Club of Columbia County facility. Joining Barrett were FGC officials, Florida Chancellor of Career Technical Programs Henry Mack and local dignitaries and residents. (COURTESY FLORIDA GATEWAY COLLEGE)

FGC unveils new multipurpose building

TONY BRITT
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Florida Gateway College began a new chapter for its community services with the grand opening of its new multipurpose building Thursday afternoon.

Council to reconsider lien amnesty

TONY BRITT
Thursday, January 14, 2021
City property — whether it’s blighted properties or a building under consideration for leasing — will be among the city’s principle topics of discussion next week. City officials will discuss the proposals during the city council meeting 6 p.m.
An expansion project at Lake City Medical Center is scheduled to begin next week. The project will add 12 beds to the hospital by filling in a wing on the third floor. (FILE)

An expansion project at Lake City Medical Center is scheduled to begin next week. The project will add 12 beds to the hospital by filling in a wing on the third floor. (FILE)

Out of room: Dealing with high capacity, LCMC set to expand

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Lake City Medical Center is days away from embarking on an expansion project. According to data from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the hospital needs the extra room.

Suwannee dealing with rail spur ‘settling issue’

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
LIVE OAK — Rail service to Suwannee County’s catalyst site has gone off the tracks once again. The industrial park’s rail spur, which was completed early in 2018, was shut down in July 2020 when a sinkhole opened beneath the track.

Columbia County Schools no longer leasing buildings during pandemic

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Long used as a community building, the Columbia County School Board administrative complex auditorium will soon see fewer guests. Tuesday night the Columbia School Board unanimously suspended leasing indoor facilities with the exception of government agencies during the covid-19 pandemic.

Threatening texts lead to arrest

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Ignoring an old boyfriend didn’t work for a Lake City woman. According to the Live Oak Police Department, after more than 300 text messages from 11 different numbers — all without an answer — 39-year-old Daniel Anthony, of Wellborn, changed his tone to threats.

LCPD: Woman clubbed with block, robbed

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
An early morning ATM visit turned a Lake City woman into one herself. According to the Lake City Police Department, a woman reported a robbery at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday on NW Orange Street after walking home from an ATM on NW Main Blvd.
Shands Lake Shore Hospital has been closed since the end of August. The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is looking to schedule meetings soon with companies interested in providing services at the facility. (FILE)

Shands Lake Shore Hospital has been closed since the end of August. The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is looking to schedule meetings soon with companies interested in providing services at the facility. (FILE)

LSHA board eyes dates to meet with interested parties

TONY BRITT
Monday, January 11, 2021
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority is ready to start scheduling appointments: with companies interested in running the facility.

Nude stroll ends in arrest

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, January 11, 2021
It wasn’t the first time a person was stopped for streaking down Interstate 75. However, unlike the many pulled over for speeding, the Clearwater man arrested Saturday morning was on foot. And naked. Just call him the Streak.