Columbia County Observer

New Report: Chain 'Dollar' Stores Harmful To Communities

March 22, 2023  06:20 am

LSHA: Gov's Board Working On How To Give Free Rent & a Ton of Medical Equipment To a For-Profit Corporation

March 16, 2023  3:30 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The Lake Shore Hospital Authority’s hospital, Shands at Lake Shore, has been vacated, closed, and out of business since October 2020. The Authority is run by an illegally constituted Board appointed by Florida Governor DeSantis. It has spent an average of $81,495 monthly, keeping the vacated hospital from falling in on itself. The Authority client base is up two from its all-time low last month.

Lake City Mayor Loses Control – Allows Vile & Uncontrolled Meeting Behavior Once Again

March 8, 2023  10:20 pm

LAKE CITY, FL – Mayor Stephen Witt once was a model for presiding over open and respectful meetings. Those are now bygone days. Mayor Witt has allowed the City’s once-model meetings to deteriorate into free-for-alls and vile exchanges between the City Council and community activist Sylvester Warren.

 

City Manager Paul Dyal Cancels City/County Interlocal – Does Damage Control. Did Anyone Believe Him?

March 6, 2023  12:30 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Controversial Lake City City Manager Paul Dyal appeared before the County 5 (Commission) last Thursday morning to do damage control after unilaterally canceling an interlocal agreement between the City and County without legal authority.

 

Lake City's Religious Leaders, After Years of Shootings, Crime, and Drugs, Are Waking Up & Organizing

March 5, 2023  02:00 pm

LAKE CITY, FL – Lake City’s religious leaders have finally awoken from the dead. Shootings – Crime – Drugs, an inept City Council, and a Mayor who has turned his back on Lake City dysfunction have made Lake City one of the most dangerous cities in America, with a reputation that has spread from Florida to Alaska.

Columbia County Is Searching For an Economic Development Director

Dumbing It Down – Post Secondary Education – What’s That?

February 13, 2023  08:59 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The infamous Columbia County 5 (County Commission or "The 5") demonstrated its lack of regard for higher education during its last meeting when it unanimously removed the requirement of a bachelor’s degree of any kind for the position of County Economic Development Director.

LSHA: After Two-and-a-Half Years, Board May Stop Bleeding the Public's Money – Agrees To Hammer Out Agreement With Meridian

Manager Williams to interview (poll?) the Board for members opinions.

February 8, 2023  7:15 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – After over two-and-a-half years of foot-dragging, excuses, dead-ends, propaganda, special meetings, and fear-mongering, the vacated Lake Shore Hospital Authority hospital, Shands at Lake Shore may finally have an occupier.

 

Meridian & the LSHA: Meridian – Will It Answer Questions & Listen to the Public About Its Planned Renovation of the Vacated Auth Hosp?

January 31, 2023  12:45 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – This evening, after over two years of foot-dragging by the Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board and its Part Time Manager Dale Williams, a concrete plan for the vacated Shands at Lake Shore Hospital will again be presented by Meridian Behavioral Services. The Authority workshop begins at 6 pm and is being held at the School Board Administrative complex on US 90.

HAECO Outmaneuvers Lake City: 20 Year Sweetheart Lease To Save HAECO Millions; Economic Development At Airport Threatened

January 24, 2023  03:39 am

LAKE CITY, FL – Last Tuesday evening, January 17, one of the biggest sweetheart deals in the history of Florida went down in Lake City City Hall. Negotiations between Lake City and HAECO (Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company), which began approximately 18 months ago, ended with all but one of the City Council clueless about the fair market value of its airport.