Local

Fort White mayor says clerk quit, took town password with her

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 20, 2020
FORT WHITE — The unexpected resignation of Fort White Town Clerk Katye Hughes has caused the town to change the way it does business — especially after Hughes refused to tell the mayor the password for the town’s computers. Ronnie Frazier, Fort White mayor, said Hughes’ departure came as a shock.
Special hours are being set for seniors at some stores.

Special hours are being set for seniors at some stores.

Coronavirus: Special hours for seniors at some stores

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 20, 2020
As Columbia County residents continue to grapple with disruptions due to COVID-19, some local grocers have adjusted their shopping hours, in part to accommodate the most vulnerable among us.
This curry beef combo had to be ordered to-go late Friday afternoon. In addition to the ban on on-site dining, the governor shut down all gyms and banned non-essential medical procedures. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

This curry beef combo had to be ordered to-go late Friday afternoon. In addition to the ban on on-site dining, the governor shut down all gyms and banned non-essential medical procedures. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Coronavirus: Restaurant dining rooms ordered closed in Florida

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, March 20, 2020
Restaurant dining rooms are empty all over Florida, including Lake City, after the state drastically escalated its response to the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday.  DeSantis on Friday afternoon issued an executive order banning all onsite dining at restaurants statewide effective immediately.
City Hall, parks countywide closed due to coronavirus.

City Hall, parks countywide closed due to coronavirus.

Coronavirus: City Hall, parks countywide now closed

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Lake City Hall and a swath of recreational spaces are closed to the public, as local shutdowns ramp up in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.  City Hall announced Thursday that, starting today, the building would be cordoned off to the general population.
Nine test negative in county for coronavirus, says DOH.

Nine test negative in county for coronavirus, says DOH.

Coronavirus: Nine test negative in county, says DOH

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Nine people in Columbia County have tested negative for COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health,  A story in yesterday’s edition of the Lake City Reporter said that at least 10 COVID-19 test results were pending for Columbia County.

Five Below clerk faces theft charges

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 19, 2020
A local store clerk who said she’s been having a rough go and was living in a shed was jailed Saturday for allegedly pocketing $459 from the store. Candace Lynn Berry, 34, of North West Ella Allen Court, faces larceny charges in connection with the case.
Chick-fil-A employees take orders and payment from customers Wednesday afternoon as patrons form a line in their vehicles. The eatery is not allowing customers in its dining room and only providing drive through services because of the COVID-19 global pandemic. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Chick-fil-A employees take orders and payment from customers Wednesday afternoon as patrons form a line in their vehicles. The eatery is not allowing customers in its dining room and only providing drive through services because of the COVID-19 global pandemic. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Coronavirus: State of emergency declared in county

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
A state of emergency has been declared by both Columbia County and Lake City officials, a move that will allow the two local governments to bypass some of the red tape that would have otherwise slowed their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus: At least 10 tests pending in county

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Health officials won’t disclose how many pending COVID-19 tests there are for Columbia County, but lab results had yet to come back for at least 10 samples as of Wednesday afternoon, according to a high-ranking first responder.