Local

Vehicles travel east on US Highway 90 near the intersection of Northwest McFarlane Avenue Monday afternoon. The DOT started a $6.4 million resurfacing project on the roadway Sunday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Vehicles travel east on US Highway 90 near the intersection of Northwest McFarlane Avenue Monday afternoon. The DOT started a $6.4 million resurfacing project on the roadway Sunday night. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FDOT providing facelift for U.S. 90

TONY BRITT
Monday, September 14, 2020
One of Lake City’s busiest thoroughfares is getting an upgrade. The Florida Department of Transportation started a resurfacing project along U.S. Highway 90 (Duval St.) Sunday night where roughly 2.7 miles of the roadway will be resurfaced. Troy Roberts, FDOT spokesman, said the project is a $6.
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority board approved a millage rate of 0.0001 during its first budget hearing Monday. The rate should generate around $300 for the hospital, which is currently closed. (FILE)

The Lake Shore Hospital Authority board approved a millage rate of 0.0001 during its first budget hearing Monday. The rate should generate around $300 for the hospital, which is currently closed. (FILE)

Hospital closed, but still taxing

TONY BRITT
Monday, September 14, 2020
Lake Shore Hospital may be closed, but Columbia County property owners will still be funding the facility through its dependent taxing authority status. Barely. During its first budget hearing Monday afternoon, the Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board approved a tentative millage rate of 0.0001.

FGC eyes diversity boost

NEWS STAFF
Monday, September 14, 2020
Florida Gateway College is looking for Nutrien to help grow its diversity. FGC announced a partnership with the White Springs agricultural products manufacturer to recruit and retain minority students as well as increasing graduation rates for those students.
Robin Tobak Ward, the executive director of the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society, holds a kitten in front of the material for the future James Montgomery Animal Wellness Center. Construction on the new building is expected to begin before the end of the month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Robin Tobak Ward, the executive director of the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society, holds a kitten in front of the material for the future James Montgomery Animal Wellness Center. Construction on the new building is expected to begin before the end of the month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New animal accommodations: Clinic hopefully can be occupied by Thanksgiving

TONY BRITT
Friday, September 11, 2020
The future is in sight for the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society, even if right now, it appears in pieces. Currently, a scattered bunch of random building parts mark the path to excitement.
Daniel Dorn, a Lake City Fire Department driver/engineer, stands near a bell that was rung in honor of 9/11 terrorist attack victims Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Daniel Dorn, a Lake City Fire Department driver/engineer, stands near a bell that was rung in honor of 9/11 terrorist attack victims Friday morning. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

First responders honor 9/11 victims in ceremony amid covid-19 pandemic

TONY BRITT
Friday, September 11, 2020
The overcast skies matched the solemn looks on the faces of local police officers and firefighters Friday morning. The city’s first responders honored the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that occurred 19 years ago in New York and Washington.
A sign outside Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center shows that the hospital is closed after services were stopped Aug. 28. The Hospital Authority is now vetting proposals from companies interested in providing health care at the facility. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

A sign outside Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center shows that the hospital is closed after services were stopped Aug. 28. The Hospital Authority is now vetting proposals from companies interested in providing health care at the facility. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Intensive care: LSHA takes detailed look at four proposals

TONY BRITT
Thursday, September 10, 2020
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board split request-for-proposal responses into two pools Thursday night and will first vet corporations which expressed an interest in running Shands at Lake Shore Regional Medical Center to provide hospital services in the community.
Possible routes for the Suncoast Parkway, a proposed toll road within the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance program, is shown during a joint meeting of the County Commission and Tourist Development Council on Thursday as Ryan Asmus with the Florida Department of Transportation presents about the project’s impact on Columbia County. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Possible routes for the Suncoast Parkway, a proposed toll road within the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance program, is shown during a joint meeting of the County Commission and Tourist Development Council on Thursday as Ryan Asmus with the Florida Department of Transportation presents about the project’s impact on Columbia County. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Proposed toll road carries high cost

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, September 10, 2020
A proposed toll road that would create a new transportation corridor between the Georgia line and the Tampa Bay area not only threatens local tourism revenue, officials say — it could also affect Columbia County’s prospects for economic development.

Columbia adds 4 covid-19 deaths

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Four more Columbia County residents have passed away with the covid-19 coronavirus, the Columbia County Health Department announced Thursday. There have now been 43 deaths in the county linked to covid-19.

Local activists say: BLM rally fake news

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
A weekend rally allegedly organized by Black Lives Matter and antifa groups, appear to be a hoax intended to stir chaos, local and regional activists say. A digital flyer that churned on social media claims BLM and antifa are holding a march in downtown Lake City on Saturday afternoon.