Local

Adam Sandlin poses with baskets of chips, popcorn, sweets and whatever else he could get his hands on. The 18-year-old student at Covenant Community School had a little help raising money from his mother, who has a large presence on social media. (COURTESY)

Adam Sandlin poses with baskets of chips, popcorn, sweets and whatever else he could get his hands on. The 18-year-old student at Covenant Community School had a little help raising money from his mother, who has a large presence on social media. (COURTESY)

Local teen brings gifts for nurses on the frontlines of fight against covid-19

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
For the healthcare workers on the frontlines in the fight against covid-19, a gift of doughnuts, pizza and various snacks may not sound like much to someone standing outside the trenches.
Death count remains at 2; Suwannee deaths total 18.

Death count remains at 2; Suwannee deaths total 18.

Covid-19 cases hit 105 here

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The covid-19 death toll in Columbia County has seen no change in change since late April, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. Columbia County had 105 confirmed covid-19 cases and two deaths.
For about an hour Tuesday afternoon, a plane flew over the school, downtown and the U.S. Highway 90 corridor to display the message, “Congratulations CHS Class of 2020.” The plane flies over CHS before continuing its circuit. The pandemic threw a wrench into seniors’ prom and graduation plans, so the school says it wanted to make a gesture showing the students were not forgotten. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

For about an hour Tuesday afternoon, a plane flew over the school, downtown and the U.S. Highway 90 corridor to display the message, “Congratulations CHS Class of 2020.” The plane flies over CHS before continuing its circuit. The pandemic threw a wrench into seniors’ prom and graduation plans, so the school says it wanted to make a gesture showing the students were not forgotten. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

CHS principal Trey Hosford sends students a message with sky-high senior send-off

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
From the rooftop of Columbia High School, Principal Trey Hosford gazed at the sky. Right on cue, the plane came into view.  A special message for CHS seniors soared above Lake City on Tuesday afternoon.
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.