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Columbia County added 1,067 cases in the past week, a 30% increase over the previous week’s total of 819 and, once again, a new record number of cases in a seven-day span for the county.

Columbia County added 1,067 cases in the past week, a 30% increase over the previous week’s total of 819 and, once again, a new record number of cases in a seven-day span for the county.

Covid capitol of Florida: Columbia County has state’s highest case rate per capita over past week

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 13, 2021
Columbia County is No. 1 — and it’s not good. The state’s covid-19 rate per capita over the past week is the highest in Florida, according to data released Friday afternoon by the Florida Department of Health, and it’s not close. Per 100,000 population, Columbia’s added 1,496.7 cases from Aug.
Dr. Mandy Trotter, the veterinarian at the Lake City Humane Society, looks over one of the rescued dogs Thursday. (COURTESY)

Dr. Mandy Trotter, the veterinarian at the Lake City Humane Society, looks over one of the rescued dogs Thursday. (COURTESY)

DOGS RESCUED: Woman faces animal cruelty, neglect after 11 dogs saved

TONY BRITT
Thursday, August 12, 2021
A Lake City woman is facing a litany of animal cruelty and neglect charges after Lake City Humane Society officials confiscated and rescued 11 dogs from her home Thursday morning.

Free covid testing offered at Southside

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 12, 2021
A drive-through covid-19 testing event will be held at the Southside Sports Complex today. The Columbia County Health Department will conduct free drive-through testing at the sports complex, 1963 SW Bascom Norris Dr. In Lake City, from 4-7 p.m. today.
Current forecast cone for Tropical Depression Fred. (NOAA)

Current forecast cone for Tropical Depression Fred. (NOAA)

Officials keep tabs on Fred’s progress

TONY BRITT
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Tropical Depression Fred continues to track toward Florida, bringing renewed threats of rainfall to the North Central Florida area during the later portion of the weekend.

CCSO: Night out leads to chase, arrests

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 12, 2021
A night out dancing among friends instead turned into a high-speed chase and a trip to the Columbia County Detention Facility early Tuesday morning. A Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a disturbance around 2:10 a.m.

Woman arrested after stabbing

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Despite claims that the victim hurt himself, a Lake City woman was arrested Monday night following a stabbing. According to the Lake City Police Department, Cristy Moore, 38, told responding officers around 7 p.m. Monday that the victim stabbed himself while forcing her to hold a knife.
Jeanette Young (far right), an Eastside Elementary School employee, welcomes kindergartners and their parents to campus for the first day of school. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jeanette Young (far right), an Eastside Elementary School employee, welcomes kindergartners and their parents to campus for the first day of school. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

School year begins with new precautions

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Walking up to Eastside Elementary School’s gates Wednesday morning, some students reluctantly gave their parents or guardians a hug, kiss or smile as they waited to get on campus.

LCHS to quarantine until Aug. 23

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
The Lake City Humane Society will be running “limited operations” for the next two weeks thanks to covid-19 protocols. The protocols, which include no adoptions and limited public access, will be in place until Aug. 23.

State Road 47/I-75 sewer project set to start by mid-September

TONY BRITT
Monday, August 9, 2021
The State Road 47/I-75 Wastewater Improvement Project, which will benefit central Columbia County residents and businesses is only weeks away from starting construction The project can start early because some of the equipment is scheduled to begin arriving ahead of schedule.