Starke hospital sale creates uncertain future for residents, employees

For the nearly 5,400 people in Starke, medical care is going to be harder to come by, as the area hospital is going to close at the end of April. Shands Starke and Shands Live Oak regional medical centers are being sold, and the new owner, HCA Healthcare, will operate the sites as emergency rooms only. Darlene Aliotta said she relies on Shands Starke for health care.