Local

County savors $4 million slice of federal aid

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, June 11, 2020
A $1.3 billion pot of federal money that’s been sitting in the state’s coffers for more than two months is finally set to be disbursed to cash-strapped rural counties to aid in the recovery from covid-19, and Columbia County could stand to receive millions.
A wreath adorns the signpost for Carl Wilson Road on Wednesday. (WAYNE WHITTEN/Special to Reporter))

A wreath adorns the signpost for Carl Wilson Road on Wednesday. (WAYNE WHITTEN/Special to Reporter))

Limb kills local man on tractor

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Just last week, the two long-time friends were catching up with one another. Chatting beside a mailbox, they cracked jokes about old age and the health problems that come with it. Five days later, a freak accident took one of their lives.

Charter Review: ‘Slush fund’ antics CRC target

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
A controversial county government spending practice is now under a magnifying glass.  Year-end money is surplus cash left over from the budgeting process, but the way Columbia County uses those funds has been criticized by current and former officials.
Lake Shore Hospital’s tenant, Community Health Systems, wants out of its contract operating the facility. The company said the hospital is not profitable enough, according to the Lake Shore Hospital Authority, a government body with custodianship over the facility. (FILE)

Lake Shore Hospital’s tenant, Community Health Systems, wants out of its contract operating the facility. The company said the hospital is not profitable enough, according to the Lake Shore Hospital Authority, a government body with custodianship over the facility. (FILE)

Terms of divorce coming soon regarding Lake Shore Hospital

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, June 8, 2020
The healthcare corporation that seeks to untether itself from Lake Shore Hospital is expected to soon propose some divorce terms. Meanwhile, the government body that leases out the hospital is shopping around for new partners.

City Hall, parks are now open

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, June 8, 2020
Have a city utility bill payment to make? Need to ask a question about a permit application related to your business? It’s now possible again to do those errands face-to-face, after Lake City Hall began reopening more of its facilities on Monday.

Tropical Storm Cristobal a sign of what’s to come

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, June 8, 2020
Brace for a lively hurricane season. Storm activity is expected to be above average in the coming months, and North Florida is already feeling the presence of Tropical Storm Cristobal, which made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday but continues to bring rainfall throughout the Gulf Coast region.
Demonstrators wave signs at traffic on U.S. 90 during a Black Lives Matter rally Friday afternoon. More than 150 people participated in a march along major roads in Lake City. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Demonstrators wave signs at traffic on U.S. 90 during a Black Lives Matter rally Friday afternoon. More than 150 people participated in a march along major roads in Lake City. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

More than 150 march in Lake City in protest for racial equality

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, June 5, 2020
Joined together by a desire to bring awareness and change to the problem of excessive police violence and the killing of black Americans, a sizable crowd gathered in downtown Lake City Friday afternoon for a peaceful demonstration.