Birth Center to Close Early

A3 + PLUS >> Best tips to avoid insect stings, Health/3A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COLLEGE FOOTBALL Coaches want more FSU dismisses Laborn guidance from state for violating policy See Page 12A See Page 12A WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | $1.00 Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM Shands Lake Shore LCPD OFFICER LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION Birth center to close COP SHOT; SUSPECT JAILED early LSHA chief disputes claims of a nursing shortage as cause. By CARL MCKINNEY [email protected] Born-and-raised Lake Citians are in danger of extinc- tion. Shands Lake Shore Hospital, the only place to give birth in Lake City, will cease all childbirth services after Friday. Community TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter Health The house on NE Webster Avenue was cordoned off Tuesday morning as authorities searched for evidence. A Lake City police officer was shot in the overnight hours while doing a well-being check. Williams Systems, the company that runs the hospital, announced the decision Tuesday as it pre- Shooting occurred during well-being check pares to sever ties with the facility entirely over the com- ing weeks. By TONY BRITT The brick-and-mortar hos- [email protected] pital building is owned by the A Lake City police officer Lake Shore Hospital Authority, is recovering in a hospital a government body created by after he was state law. The authority leases shot Tuesday the property to CHS, which morning while gave little advance notice that conducting a it planned to end birthing ser- well-being check vices so soon. after reports of “I consider this to be dev- gunshots were phoned into the astating,” said the authori- Chauncey police depart- ty’s executive director, Dale ment. Williams. “We’ve already had Officer Remington “Cody” issues as a result of this deci- Chauncey, who has been with sion.” the Lake City Police Department As childbirth services wind since April, was shot in the inci- down, one patient had to be dent. taken to a facility beyond the Chauncey, who previously local service area, Williams worked with the Live Oak Police said. Department, is undergoing med- The move will affect a large ical treatment, but was listed in stable condition Tuesday morn- swath of North Florida. ing. “There is no other option for “His surgery went well, he is childbirth between Valdosta in recovery,” said Sgt. Mike Lee, and Gainesville, Jacksonville Lake City Police Department and Tallahassee,” Williams public information officer. TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter said. “It is considered to be a Chauncey’s body camera Bullet holes can be seen in the exterior of the house on NE Webster Avenue where a Lake City critical need.” video shows that Chauncey police officer was shot early Tuesday morning. CHS cited a nurse shortage initially said he was shot in his in a statement announcing the vest, but that turned out to be officer with a deadly weapon and into the house, why weren’t they parked between the two marked decision. false. possession of a firearm by a con- all uniformed officers and driv- units. The company already “He didn’t feel anything, so he victed felon. He was booked into ing marked patrol cars. According to Lake City Police thought he got shot in the vest,” planned to stop offering child- the Columbia County Detention Lee said the officers were Department reports, around Lee said. “He felt it later.” birth services by the end of Facility without bond. clearly marked and wearing their 1:37 a.m., officers arrived in the Authorities arrested Antonio However, Sylvester Warren, uniforms and a detective was neighborhood for the wellbe- August. When CHS made its Travell Jennings, 42, in con- intentions clear to employees, a local community activist and wearing two badges and a Police ing check and discovered that nection with the shooting. He Jennings’ nephew, questioned vest. The officers arrived in the house at 165 NE Webster many hospital staffers began was charged with aggravated the LCPD’s tactics on social two marked police vehicles and looking for other jobs, which battery on a law enforcement media, asking why officers went had an unmarked police vehicle SHOOTING continued on 2A had the effect of accelerating the demise of the childbirth unit. “The number of nurses remaining in the childbirth LC firefighters union seeking pay increase unit will not be enough to con- tinue offering planned, inpa- By CARL MCKINNEY Department who is negotiating ue to make it a struggle for the ence would have earned a base tient childbirth services after [email protected] on behalf of the union, met with department to recruit and retain salary of $35,806 per year. Today, July 31st, 2020,” CHS wrote in city officials Tuesday morning for talent, Thomas said. Thomas makes $35,854. Tuesday’s statement. Stagnant wages are the driv- the latest round of talks, but the “It added insult to injury,” he “In 17 years, there’s been less Williams disputes the claim ing force in contract negotiations two sides appear to be far from said. “We already know we’re than a $50 increase for the same that there weren’t enough between the Lake City firefighters agreeing on a deal. In response underpaid, but we really would position,” Thomas said. “It’s not a nurses to run the unit. union and City Hall, the labor to the union’s initial offer, the like to see the city put something livable wage for a fireman with 10 “I’ve been contacted and group says. city presented a counter-proposal in place, give us a vision.” years of experience.” Austin Thomas, a driver-en- that does nothing to address the In 2003, someone in Thomas’ gineer with the Lake City Fire below-market wages that contin- position with his level of experi- BIRTH continued on 2A FIREFIGHTERS continued on 2A Vol. 146, No. 94 Health. 3A CALL US: TODAY’S WEATHER (386) 752-1293 Opinion . 4A SUBSCRIBE TO Classifieds . 6-7A THE REPORTER: 90 73 Advice & Comics . 8A Voice: 755-5445 Fax: 752-9400 Scattered storms, 2A Obituaries . 9A 2A WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020 LOCAL LAKE CITY REPORTER Rain, winds expected from storm QUICK HITS News Service of Florida life-threatening flooding Antilles later this week,” a ing, is expected to become Scripture of the Day MIAMI — Storm models and mudslides across the Tuesday morning advisory Tropical Storm Isaias by from the National Hurricane northern Leeward Islands, from the hurricane center today. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high Center indicated Tuesday the Virgin Islands and said. “However, this system The 2020 Atlantic hurri- calling of God in Christ Jesus.” that a disturbance east of Puerto Rico. could bring some rainfall cane season, which official- — Philippians 3:14 (KJV) the Windward Islands could “The details of the long- and wind impacts to por- ly began June 1, has since cause rain and winds in range track and intensity tions of Hispaniola, Cuba, May 16 produced seven Florida this weekend. forecasts are more uncer- the Bahamas, and Florida tropical storms and one hur- Thought for Today While the track of the tain than usual since the sys- by the end of the week.” ricane. Hurricane Hanna on With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the storm was uncertain, the tem does not have a well-de- The system, with maxi- Saturday became the first future. I live now. hurricane center anticipates fined center and could move mum sustained winds near hurricane to make landfall — Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882, U.S. poet, heavy rains and possible over portions of the Greater 40 mph Tuesday morn- in Texas in July since 2008. essayist They didn’t put bullets in a prepared statement. thanked Chief Gilmore for Winning Lottery Numbers SHOOTING through the door back in “Thanks to their training releasing the body camera Continued From 1A his direction.” and quick reaction, the video showing officers Pick 3: (Monday p.m.) 1-6-3 According to reports, injured officer was taken properly identifying them- Pick 4: (Monday p.m.) 9-6-7-4 Aveneue had been hit by officers tried to talk to to safety and the scene was selves before entering the Fantasy 5: (Monday) 1-3-21-30-32 gunfire. There were visible Jennings who was inside secured for further investi- dwelling. However, he also gation.” bullet holes on the home’s the home, but he refused asked that the police show Police later secured a him the warrant that gave exterior, which many of the to exit. Residents in the See an error? neighborhood were evacu- search warrant for the them a reason to kick the neighbors said have been The Lake City Reporter corrects errors of fact in news ated by authorities as they home and conducted a door in. there for months following items. If you have a concern, question, or suggestion, secured the area. search, including author- Lee said officers on the a previous shooting inci- please call the editor. Corrections and clarifications will The Columbia County ities from the Bureau of scene initially called the dent. run in this space. Thanks for reading. Sheriff’s Office SWAT team Alcohol, Tobacco and fire department because The Northeast Webster responded to the scene and Firearms and the Third they were afraid that Avenue home has been the brought its hostage negoti- Circuit State Attorney’s someone was severely site of at least two other Submissions ation team and spoke with Office as well as LCPD. injured or dead inside the recent incidents of gun The Lake City Reporter accepts photographs and caption Jennings.

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