Local

Jamie Bell, public engineer with Jones Edmunds and Associates, presents the preliminary engineering report and the first phase of the wastewater treatment facility to the County Commission on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jamie Bell, public engineer with Jones Edmunds and Associates, presents the preliminary engineering report and the first phase of the wastewater treatment facility to the County Commission on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sewer surprise: Facility’s first phase will cost $13M

TONY BRITT
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Columbia County officials are moving forward with a wastewater treatment facility on the east side of Lake City at the North Florida Mega Industrial Park, although the project will cost more than initial projections suggested. The county was the recipient of a $10.
Annette Martin, Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society intake coordinator, stands next to a 2008 GMC box truck that was donated to the agency earlier this week. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Annette Martin, Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society intake coordinator, stands next to a 2008 GMC box truck that was donated to the agency earlier this week. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Humane Society receives donated box truck

TONY BRITT
Thursday, September 17, 2020
An unexpected gift will help the Lake City-Columbia County Humane Society continue to give back. The Humane Society’s quest to provide animal rescue services received a boost earlier this week when Print City Graphics donated a box truck to the agency.
Sonja Mattingley (clockwise from left), Karen Raulerson, and Kathy Kaz, patrons at Prohibition, share a toast with Brooke Stalnaker, the establishment’s bar manager, Tuesday night. The bar opened Monday in the Blanche Hotel building downtown. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sonja Mattingley (clockwise from left), Karen Raulerson, and Kathy Kaz, patrons at Prohibition, share a toast with Brooke Stalnaker, the establishment’s bar manager, Tuesday night. The bar opened Monday in the Blanche Hotel building downtown. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Opening in style: Prohibition brings speakeasy look, feel to downtown

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
The days of the classic ‘Speakeasy’ may have returned to Lake City. Prohibition, a bar — or a fine drinking establishment — designed to resemble the classic bars and nightclubs of the 1920s-30s officially opened Monday afternoon in the Blanche Hotel building at 120 Northwest Veterans Street.

FGC’s accreditation reaffirmed

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Florida Gateway College remains accredited. At its Sept. 3 meeting, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Board of Trustees reaffirmed FGC’s accreditation for another 10 years.
Lake City Medical Center will soon begin a construction project to add 12 in-patient private rooms on the third floor of the hospital, bringing the total number of licensed beds to 99. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Medical Center will soon begin a construction project to add 12 in-patient private rooms on the third floor of the hospital, bringing the total number of licensed beds to 99. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hospital makeover: LCMC adding 12 beds, private rooms

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Lake City Medical Center will soon be headed into surgery itself. The hospital is set to begin a 12-bed expansion project. The project has already been funded and LCMC is in the bidding process for general contractors now. Once those bids are received and awarded, construction can begin.
Longbranch Saloon Managing Partner Anita Irwin pulls a Yuengling draught for a customer soon after opening Monday afternoon. Florida bars were allowed to open at 50 percent capacity Monday after covid-19 shutdown restrictions were lifted by the governor. The Longbranch, one of Lake City’s oldest bars, re-opened as a non-smoking venue. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Longbranch Saloon Managing Partner Anita Irwin pulls a Yuengling draught for a customer soon after opening Monday afternoon. Florida bars were allowed to open at 50 percent capacity Monday after covid-19 shutdown restrictions were lifted by the governor. The Longbranch, one of Lake City’s oldest bars, re-opened as a non-smoking venue. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Open bar: Longbranch reopens solid saloon tradition

TODD WILSON
Monday, September 14, 2020
Customers sat in the parking lot and waited for the turn of the lock at 4 p.m. Monday, as Lake City’s iconic Longbranch Saloon opened a new era to its longstanding base of loyal patrons.
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.