Local

Suwannee has 7th case of Covid-19

Suwannee County is now up to seven confirmed cases of Covid-19, according to health officials. Two of the cases there led to hospitalization, health officials reported.  Five of the cases involve women, with only two men. Their ages range from 40 to 80.

Coronavirus: Sheriff issues statement on governor's order

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office issued a statement Thursday on Executive Order 20-91, issued Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Judge faces heat in Jasper, panel says he should receive public reprimand

A Hamilton County judge should receive a public reprimand for having repeated contact with family members of people who were arrested and for holding bond hearings by telephone, a panel that oversees judicial conduct has recommended.  Judge Kenneth “Sonny” Scaff Jr.

110 mph chase ends in jail cell

During a high-speed car chase Tuesday night, a runaway Saturn car reached a speed of 110 miles per hour while traveling the roads of Columbia County in the dark — at one point with the headlights turned off, deputies say.

Funerals in the age of Covid-19: Harder to say goodbye now

The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting all walks of life — and beyond. Funerals are smaller, traditional church services are being forgone in favor of graveside proceedings and simple acts of human kindness, like hugging a grieving widow, are off limits.

SCSO: Man exposed self to intimidate witness

A domestic violence dispute between two men Tuesday afternoon ended with an arrest after one of the participants displayed his genitals in an attempt to stop the other from speaking to law enforcement, according to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office report.  Around 2:39 p.m.

County to meet in virtual session

Members of the public can participate in Thursday’s Columbia County Commission meeting without having to leave the comfort of their couch, for the time being.

Paramedic admits theft of drugs

A paramedic with Suwannee County Fire Rescue secretly extracted liquid pain medication from more than 50 vials of narcotics over the past year, attempting to cover his tracks by refilling the containers with an unknown substance, likely saline, officials say.

2 face charges in brutal beating, kidnap scheme

A Columbia County man was held captive at a Wellborn home for three days by a pair of men who beat him and stolen his truck, deputies say.

Property tax deadline has passed, but you’ve still got some time

The taxman still cometh, but he’ll cut you a little bit of slack if you’re late with a payment. Property taxes were still due Tuesday, as the March 31 deadline is set in statute. However, anyone who pays by April 15 can avoid the 3 percent penalty applied to delinquent accounts.