Local

County Manager David Kraus said the county needs to work on improving its medical response, including on-scene time. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County Manager David Kraus said the county needs to work on improving its medical response, including on-scene time. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County could use grant to add firefighters/EMTs

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 6, 2025
Columbia County Fire Rescue and the Columbia County Commissioners are hoping to utilize grant funding to expand its fire and emergency response services.
Diana Duque (left), the administrator of health for Columbia County, talks to the Columbia County Commission about proposed fee increases for services at the health department Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Diana Duque (left), the administrator of health for Columbia County, talks to the Columbia County Commission about proposed fee increases for services at the health department Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

‘Minimal’ health department fee increases approved

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 6, 2025
The cost of services at the Columbia County Health Department is going up. The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved fee increases for the health department at its meeting Thursday morning. “These aren’t drastic fees,” Commissioner Kevin Parnell said.
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Director Dale Williams said the LSHA is serving as a go-between between Meridian Healthcare and the City of Lake City. (FILE)

Lake Shore Hospital Authority Director Dale Williams said the LSHA is serving as a go-between between Meridian Healthcare and the City of Lake City. (FILE)

City, Lake Shore still working through zoning dispute

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, June 6, 2025
The City of Lake City and the Lake Shore Hospital Authority are once again trying to negotiate a peaceful resolution to zoning issues on the Lake Shore campus. The two entities recently exchanged emails, with LSHA Attorney Todd Kennon initiating contact on May 15.
More than 45 pounds of marijuana was found in vaccuum-packed containers in a vehicle along U.S. Highway 441 on Friday morning. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

More than 45 pounds of marijuana was found in vaccuum-packed containers in a vehicle along U.S. Highway 441 on Friday morning. (COURTESY COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)

Sleeping driver charged with trafficking

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 6, 2025
A catnap on the side of U.S. Highway 441 on Friday morning led to a California man’s arrest on drug trafficking charges. A concerned southeast Columbia County resident called 911 at 8:14 a.m. Friday to report a driver stopped on the side of the highway near SE Happy Valley Glen.
Staz Guntek, Columbia County’s legislative and intergovernmental affairs coordinator, updates the Columbia County Commission on the state budget talks Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Staz Guntek, Columbia County’s legislative and intergovernmental affairs coordinator, updates the Columbia County Commission on the state budget talks Thursday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Budget talks include funding for area projects

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, June 6, 2025
There is light at the end of the tunnel in Tallahassee on the extended legislative session. That light is not a trainwreck for Columbia County, either, according to a county official.
Keith Couey (from left), Hunter Peeler, Roger Little, Keith Hudson, Fred Gaylard, Scharlotte Stewart and Todd Widergren toss soil to commemorate the official beginning of construction of the new Eastside Elementary School. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Wednesday morning amid construction crews beginning the first stages of demolition work at the school. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Keith Couey (from left), Hunter Peeler, Roger Little, Keith Hudson, Fred Gaylard, Scharlotte Stewart and Todd Widergren toss soil to commemorate the official beginning of construction of the new Eastside Elementary School. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Wednesday morning amid construction crews beginning the first stages of demolition work at the school. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Demolition begins on Eastside Elementary School

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
The Eastside Elementary School campus is in flux and change is coming as the beginning stages of demolition are taking place for the school that has sat on the site for more than 50 years.
Suwannee County Administrator Shannon Roberts became the North Florida Water Utilities Authority's first executive director after the NFWUA approved a contract with him in a 3-1 vote. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee County Administrator Shannon Roberts became the North Florida Water Utilities Authority's first executive director after the NFWUA approved a contract with him in a 3-1 vote. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Roberts hired as utility authority director

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
The North Florida Water Utilities Authority has its director. The NFWUA board approved a contract, with a few revisions, with Shannon Roberts to make the member of the Suwannee County administration its first executive director by a 3-1 vote.
Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels hosted a Q&A session Tuesday regarding the future of economic growth in the county. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels hosted a Q&A session Tuesday regarding the future of economic growth in the county. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

County lays out economic future

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
A few local business and real estate investors heard some updates and got some questions answered during a meetup with the county’s economic development leadership. Columbia County Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels hosted a Q&A session at Halpatter Brewing Co. Tuesday night.
Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal told the Lake City Council on Monday that staff believed the ‘only reasonable option’ for the historic Club House on Lake Isabella was demolition. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal told the Lake City Council on Monday that staff believed the ‘only reasonable option’ for the historic Club House on Lake Isabella was demolition. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Club House demolition is ‘only reasonable option’

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
The City of Lake City is running out of options with the historic Club House on Lake Isabella. During staff comments at the end of Monday’s Lake City Council meeting, Lake City Manager Don Rosenthal gave an update on the Club House, recommending that the historic building be torn down.