Local

Live Oak man on front lines in NYC fighting covid-19

A physician’s assistant from Live Oak is answering the call of duty by helping New York City in the fight against covid-19.

Charter Review Comission: Lawyer details risks of at-large vote plan

A lawsuit is “highly probable” should Columbia County voters approve a ballot referendum to overhaul local elections, warns an attorney for the county’s charter review board.

Man jailed for stealing Kyle Green's campaign sign

An episode involving politics, theft and mischief brought deputies out to a pawn shop parking lot off North U.S. Highway 441 late Thursday night, leading to an arrest over a stolen campaign sign, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report.

Woman jailed for beating three-year-old girl, say deputies

Criminal charges are being sought against a Lake City woman accused of chronically abusing her boyfriend’s 3-year-old daughter.  Janice Michelle Charles, 46, faces felony child abuse charges following an investigation launched in October, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report.

Golf carts OK’d by county

Residents in some local neighborhoods have a need for speed -- low-speed travel, that is.  Golf carts are generally prohibited on public roads, but there is a list of exceptions.

Hard times ahead for county commission, revenues down

Austerity measures are likely in store for the county government as the covid-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on the economy. The economic downturn is projected to take up to a $3.7 million bite out of the county’s budget, County Manager Ben Scott told the County Commission on Thursday.

Charges await in death of pet dog

After shooting and killing one of his neighbor’s dogs in April, a Columbia County man now faces criminal charges for an animal slaying he claims was justified.

Donations at Firehouse Subs: So that’s where the money goes

You know when you’re buying a sandwich at Firehouse Subs and they ask you if you want to round up your purchase to benefit first responders?

HAECO lends a hand: Laid-off workers still on payroll to volunteer for municipal chores

Aircraft maintenance firm HAECO is still paying its employees despite having no work for them to do, so it’s putting them to use helping the community. The company is offering to have its workers take on jobs to help local government and businesses, said Lake City Manager Joe Helfenberger.

City/county consolidation: straw vote on merger could be coming

The long-standing hostility between Lake City and Columbia County officials appears to have faded away over the last couple of years, giving way to increased levels of cooperation not historically seen in this community.