Local

Workers with a local construction company enjoy their first dine-in meal in weeks late Monday morning at the Landing, a family buffet off U.S. 90. Pictured on the front left is Greg Walker, who is joined by Nicholas Flick at right, Aureliano San Juan in the back left and Danny Boone in the back right. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Workers with a local construction company enjoy their first dine-in meal in weeks late Monday morning at the Landing, a family buffet off U.S. 90. Pictured on the front left is Greg Walker, who is joined by Nicholas Flick at right, Aureliano San Juan in the back left and Danny Boone in the back right. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

A hesitant reopening: Some aren’t rushing back into the mix

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, May 4, 2020
Greg Walker looked at the fried chicken with the same expression a soldier might have upon seeing his wife after a long tour overseas.  Savoring the food in his mouth, Walker leaned back in his chair late Monday morning at the Landing, a buffet off U.S. Highway 90.

At-large voting back in play

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, May 4, 2020
A controversial plan to change the way Columbia County officials are elected is on track to move forward for discussion, despite critics warning that the move would reignite issues with racial discrimination and nearly guarantee a costly lawsuit for taxpayers.
More than 160 DOC employees have covid-19.

More than 160 DOC employees have covid-19.

Covid-19: Prison workers worry as cases mount

NEWS STAFF
Monday, May 4, 2020
As coronavirus outbreaks continue to flare up at Florida prisons, people who work inside are terrified and worried that their jobs are starting to take a psychological toll, union officials say.
Workers construct an outdoor eating pavilion at Moe’s Southwest Grill, though the franchise’s marketing chief, Ferne Mann, balked a little when she heard a reporter describe the structure that way. “Boy, that’s a fancy name for a shed,” she said. The outdoor eating area will allow the restaurant to serve more dine-in patrons, offsetting restrictions on capacity that will be in place when Florida starts reopening on Monday. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Workers construct an outdoor eating pavilion at Moe’s Southwest Grill, though the franchise’s marketing chief, Ferne Mann, balked a little when she heard a reporter describe the structure that way. “Boy, that’s a fancy name for a shed,” she said. The outdoor eating area will allow the restaurant to serve more dine-in patrons, offsetting restrictions on capacity that will be in place when Florida starts reopening on Monday. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Eateries prep for a partial return

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, May 1, 2020
Free soda refills may end up being another casualty of the pandemic, as businesses try to figure out what the new normal looks like ahead of the first phase to reopen the state’s economy.  At Moe’s Southwest Grill on U.S.
Lisa Waltrip, owner of Haircuts Unlimited in Village Plaza, is seen in her shop Thursday. Despite a state order, she remains open for business, accepting daily appointments for haircuts. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Lisa Waltrip, owner of Haircuts Unlimited in Village Plaza, is seen in her shop Thursday. Despite a state order, she remains open for business, accepting daily appointments for haircuts. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

She's open for business and won't back down

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, April 30, 2020
The door was locked and no light radiated from the “open” sign. A notice taped to the glass told customers the hair salon would remain shut down until further notice. But on the inside, the sound of snipping and buzzing revealed signs of life at Haircuts Unlimited on Thursday afternoon.