Local

Suwannee school reopening greeted with positive cases

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, August 13, 2020
LIVE OAK — Joining students and teachers in returning to Suwannee County schools this week was an unwelcomed visitor: covid-19. Ted Roush, the superintendent of Suwannee County Schools, confirmed Thursday that there had been a few positive tests in students and staff members within the district.

Scott: You can’t believe everything you read on social media

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Don’t believe everything you read online. County Manager Ben Scott said information circulating on social media this week about how Columbia County selected the firm handling CARES Act funding for local businesses is not accurate. “There’s some misinformation out there,” he said.
Elesia Ford, right, pulls out a cotton swab as she prepares to collect a sample from a person getting tested for covid-19 Wednesday morning at the Southside Sports Complex. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Elesia Ford, right, pulls out a cotton swab as she prepares to collect a sample from a person getting tested for covid-19 Wednesday morning at the Southside Sports Complex. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Testing runs smoothly at Southside Sports Complex

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
The county’s newest covid-19 testing site hit a home run Wednesday. A steady stream of vehicles poured into the Southside Sports Complex on Wednesday morning as the new testing site opened. Tom Moffses, the administrator of the Columbia County Health Department, was appreciative of the new venue.
Selena Crews, a local teacher, said if the teachers are given the proper training, they could train the children on the proper ways to wear the masks when social distancing wasn’t possible. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Selena Crews, a local teacher, said if the teachers are given the proper training, they could train the children on the proper ways to wear the masks when social distancing wasn’t possible. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

School Board: No mask mandate

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
The Columbia School District is highly recommending, but not mandating, that students wear masks or facial coverings.
Part of a tree fell on the law office of Lloyd and Sandra Peterson on Baya Avenue after being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm Monday evening. (Courtesy LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Part of a tree fell on the law office of Lloyd and Sandra Peterson on Baya Avenue after being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm Monday evening. (Courtesy LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Tree strikes law office during storm

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
A local law office got a jolt of excitement Monday when lightning from an evening thunderstorm struck a tree and shattered it into pieces with debris falling onto the front portion of the building, a nearby roadway and a vehicle.

Using vehicle for batting practice leads to arrest

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
After hanging out Sunday night, an accusation of theft led to a pair of suspects taking batting practice on a vehicle Monday morning. According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, 23-year-old Kade Haug and Kolby Haug woke up the victims in their vehicle around 8:25 a.m.
The Confederate monument at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City is pictured. (FILE)

The Confederate monument at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City is pictured. (FILE)

Monument may be on the way out

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
After 92 years, the Confederate monument is one step closer to being moved from downtown Olustee Park. At the end of a special called City Council meeting Monday night, the council voted unanimously on a series of motions by Councilman Chris Greene that could lead to the monument being relocated.
Only a few campaign workers braved 95-degree heat outside the Supervisor of Elections office Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Only a few campaign workers braved 95-degree heat outside the Supervisor of Elections office Monday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Early votes, mail-ins starting to add up

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Columbia County’s early voting began Saturday and more than 1,600 county residents have already cast their ballots. Early voting is taking place daily from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.