Local

Ready for dog-friendly dining?

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, February 28, 2020
Dog owners and foodies rejoice. The Lake City Council on Monday will hold the final reading of an ordinance that will allow dogs in outdoor dining areas of local restaurants.  State law allows the city to adopt a local exemption from certain FDA regulations.
City officials and representatives of IDP Properties cut the ribbon during a ceremony Thursday afternoon at the Blanche’s main staircase. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

City officials and representatives of IDP Properties cut the ribbon during a ceremony Thursday afternoon at the Blanche’s main staircase. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Grand opening for Blanche Hotel

TONY BRITT
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Champagne and the happy chatter of 350 invited guests filled the newly-renovated Blanche Hotel Thursday. The hotel, which originally opened in the early 1900s, was the recipient of a two-year facelift by Valdosta-based developer IDP Properties.

Shands Live Oak sold, will become ER only

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, February 27, 2020
The parent company of Lake City Medical Center has bought out Shands Live Oak and Shands Starke and will sell off most of the hospitals’ assets. Both facilities will provide emergency care only once the transaction is complete, Shands officials said.

Counties would be graded by new bill

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Tallahassee is considering a plan to issue letter grades to Florida’s counties and cities on a variety of economic and non-economic criteria, but the vagueness of the proposal has a top local official concerned about how the initiative would affect the community’s efforts to attract new businesses...
Facebook post from Glenel Bowden

Facebook post from Glenel Bowden

Racially-charged post roils CRC

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
A Facebook post by a former Democratic congressional aide serving on the county’s charter review board accused the Columbia County Republican Party chairman of racism for wearing a Trump baseball cap to the group’s meeting Tuesday night and placing the hat in view while business was being discussed.
Artist’s rendition of the completed Blanche Hotel. (COURTESY INTEGRITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS)

Artist’s rendition of the completed Blanche Hotel. (COURTESY INTEGRITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS)

Blanche up and running: Apartments full with no commercial tenants yet

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
The Blanche Hotel project is complete and ready to celebrate its grand opening in a private ceremony on Thursday. Its residences are fully leased, but the renovated landmark is struggling to secure commercial tenants, which leaves city taxpayers on the hook for up to $4.
Sheriff Mark Hunter addresses the Charter Review Commission on Tuesday. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Sheriff Mark Hunter addresses the Charter Review Commission on Tuesday. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Sheriff makes his case on jail

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Sheriff Mark Hunter on Tuesday pushed back against a proposal to take control of the county jail away from his agency and place it into the hands of a new department that would answer to the county manager.