Local

BOCC waives garbage fees for the coming fiscal year

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, June 19, 2020
A temporary tax cut for Columbia County households will put millions back into the pockets of local residents in economic pain from the covid-19 crisis, officials say.  The county is waiving its residential garbage assessment for the coming fiscal year, amounting to a tax cut in the ballpark of $3.
The 30-year-old woman died some time ago, but the death was miscategorized under another county,

The 30-year-old woman died some time ago, but the death was miscategorized under another county,

3rd covid-19 death recorded in Columbia County

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, June 19, 2020
The death of a 30-year-old woman in Columbia County has been linked to covid-19, marking three confirmed fatalities here related to the virus.  The woman died some time ago, but the death was miscategorized under another county, a health official told the Reporter.

Man wanted for fleeing cops flees, is caught, say cops

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, June 19, 2020
Weeks after giving authorities the slip in a car chase that spanned from Columbia to Alachua counties, a local man wanted for evading and eluding law enforcement pushed his luck by challenging deputies to a second pursuit, according to reports.  He lost the rematch.
The Florida Department of Health in Columbia County was scheduled to do covid-19 testing on Saturday (6/20/20) at the Columbia County Tax Collector drive-thru collection site.  Due to community events scheduled in the vicinity and to avoid traffic congestion between the two events, we are cancelling covid-19 testing Saturday.

The Florida Department of Health in Columbia County was scheduled to do covid-19 testing on Saturday (6/20/20) at the Columbia County Tax Collector drive-thru collection site.  Due to community events scheduled in the vicinity and to avoid traffic congestion between the two events, we are cancelling covid-19 testing Saturday.

Covid-19 Saturday testing canceled

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 19, 2020
The Florida Department of Health in Columbia County was scheduled to do covid-19 testing on Saturday (6/20/20) at the Columbia County Tax Collector drive-thru collection site.
Residents and local officials attend Thursday’s County Commission meeting. The big item of the night was a proposed noise ordinance, which was tabled so the board could iron out more details. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Residents and local officials attend Thursday’s County Commission meeting. The big item of the night was a proposed noise ordinance, which was tabled so the board could iron out more details. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Proposed ordinance: Noise regs need more work

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, June 18, 2020
A deal may be carved out to exclude a local race track from a county noise ordinance in the works.
Lake Shore Hospital. (FILE)

Lake Shore Hospital. (FILE)

Buyout offer for Lake Shore hospital lease is $7.5M

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, June 18, 2020
The healthcare company that operates Lake Shore Hospital has proposed the terms under which it wants to divorce itself from the facility.  The brick-and-mortar hospital building is owned by taxpayers and overseen by the Lake Shore Hospital Authority.
Helfenberger

Helfenberger

City refi deal will save a bundle

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
After securing a more favorable interest rate on some existing debt, the city is poised to save millions.  The debt, which was taken out at least 10 years ago for utility revenue bonds, has been refinanced through JPMorgan Chase at an interest rate of 1.
County charter board members hold the first of three hearings Wednesday. A proposal dealing with a controversial spending practice moved forward to another hearing, as did three other proposals. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

County charter board members hold the first of three hearings Wednesday. A proposal dealing with a controversial spending practice moved forward to another hearing, as did three other proposals. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

CRC backs down on 1 of its proposals

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
A measure that would limit county commissioners’ power to wield the public purse strings moved forward on Wednesday,  along with several other proposed charter amendments.