Local

Fort White man used stimulus check on underage teen girls

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Instead of paying bills or supporting the local economy, a 19-year-old Fort White man used his $1,200 federal stimulus check to smoke pot with underage girls in a hotel room, where he made a sex tape with his also-minor girlfriend, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report.

Impact fees suspended by council

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
With the global economy in turmoil, Lake City officials are incentivizing growth by cutting out one of the costs associated with building a business.  All sewer and water impact fees are suspended in Lake City. The measure went into effect Monday and is effective for six months from that date.
Anti-lockdown protesters march near the Columbia County Courthouse on Tuesday morning. The demonstrators called for all businesses to be allowed to reopen, even as the state has begun relaxing measures in place to curb the spread of covid-19. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Anti-lockdown protesters march near the Columbia County Courthouse on Tuesday morning. The demonstrators called for all businesses to be allowed to reopen, even as the state has begun relaxing measures in place to curb the spread of covid-19. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Open up, say protesters

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Calling for an immediate reopening of the local economy, a group of protesters assembled in front of the Columbia County Courthouse on Tuesday morning.  Around 10 a.m.
A health official directs traffic during a drive-thru covid-19 testing event Tuesday morning at Wilson Park by Lake DeSoto. CENTER: Workers from the Florida Department of Health suit up to begin testing. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

A health official directs traffic during a drive-thru covid-19 testing event Tuesday morning at Wilson Park by Lake DeSoto. CENTER: Workers from the Florida Department of Health suit up to begin testing. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Testing now open to all; response strong

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Let the history books reflect that a traffic jam was a welcome sight for a change on Tuesday morning.   Around 9 a.m., health officials began conducting drive-thru covid-19 tests at Wilson Park by Lake DeSoto.

2nd suspect nabbed in brutal Live Oak robbery

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
The second suspect in a bloody Live Oak pawn shop raid is now in custody.  Victoria Mercedas Fender, 35, of Tallahassee, was arrested in the state capital Sunday evening in connection with an April 20 shooting and robbery Gold Leaf Pawn off U.S.
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.