Local

Louise Huelskamp, better known as “Miss Wezzie,” puts the finishing touches on 8-year-old Hagan Stalvey, who also asked for a touch of pink coloring in his hair. As the state continues relaxing quarantine restrictions, hair salons and barber shops were allowed to reopen on Monday. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Louise Huelskamp, better known as “Miss Wezzie,” puts the finishing touches on 8-year-old Hagan Stalvey, who also asked for a touch of pink coloring in his hair. As the state continues relaxing quarantine restrictions, hair salons and barber shops were allowed to reopen on Monday. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Barbers, stylists back in business statewide

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, May 11, 2020
Relishing the moment, Louise Huelskamp slid her broom across the floor and collected the trimmings into a neat pile Monday afternoon. She smiled. “I’m just glad to be back sweeping hair,” Huelskamp said.  Huelskamp bought a $300 set of new blades in anticipation of reopening.

Charter Review: At-large voting clears panel

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, May 11, 2020
A system of choosing Columbia County commissioners that was tossed out in the 1980s by order of a federal court is now back on the table, after charter review officials on Monday dismissed legal advice about the potential for a costly, drawn-out lawsuit.

Man jailed for stealing Kyle Green's campaign sign

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, May 8, 2020
An episode involving politics, theft and mischief brought deputies out to a pawn shop parking lot off North U.S. Highway 441 late Thursday night, leading to an arrest over a stolen campaign sign, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report.

Woman jailed for beating three-year-old girl, say deputies

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, May 8, 2020
Criminal charges are being sought against a Lake City woman accused of chronically abusing her boyfriend’s 3-year-old daughter.  Janice Michelle Charles, 46, faces felony child abuse charges following an investigation launched in October, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report.

Golf carts OK’d by county

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, May 8, 2020
Residents in some local neighborhoods have a need for speed -- low-speed travel, that is.  Golf carts are generally prohibited on public roads, but there is a list of exceptions.

Hard times ahead for county commission, revenues down

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Austerity measures are likely in store for the county government as the covid-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on the economy. The economic downturn is projected to take up to a $3.7 million bite out of the county’s budget, County Manager Ben Scott told the County Commission on Thursday.