Local

Matthew Pugh is seen in this photo from his family. (COURTESY)

Matthew Pugh is seen in this photo from his family. (COURTESY)

Mother recounts suicide victim’s struggles

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Matthew Paul Pugh struggled with mental illness, but he was so much more than just the sum of his demons, his mother said.  The 29-year-old had an interest in welding and frequently talked about pursuing it as a career.
A semi tractor-trailer driven by a St. Cloud man crashed on I-75 in Columbia County early Tuesday morning, killing the driver, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. The man’s name was not released. (COURTESY FHP)

A semi tractor-trailer driven by a St. Cloud man crashed on I-75 in Columbia County early Tuesday morning, killing the driver, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. The man’s name was not released. (COURTESY FHP)

St. Cloud man, 38, dies in I-75 crash

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
A 38-year-old St.Cloud man died on a Columbia County stretch of I-75 early Tuesday when his tractor-trailer left the road and hit some trees, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol. The man’s name was not released. The semi was headed south, about four miles past the U.S.

Dunn no worse for wear after covid-19

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Congressman Neal Dunn, who represents a swath of North Florida that includes the majority of Columbia County voters, has shaken off covid-19 and is back at work, according to his office.  Rep.
President Donald Trump listens as Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., talks about the coronavirus response during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, in Washington. (EVAN VUCCI/Associated Press))

President Donald Trump listens as Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., talks about the coronavirus response during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, in Washington. (EVAN VUCCI/Associated Press))

Florida governor takes first 'baby step' to reopening state

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s restaurants and retail stores will be allowed to reopen Monday at 25% capacity, if the local government allows it, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday, as the state begins the slow climb from the economic abyss caused by the coronavirus.
Both fatal cases in Columbia County involved men, according to the Florida Department of Health in Columbia County. One was 63 years old and the other was 31. 

Both fatal cases in Columbia County involved men, according to the Florida Department of Health in Columbia County. One was 63 years old and the other was 31. 

Covid-19: 2 deaths in Lake City, 14 in Live Oak

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Health officials on Tuesday confirmed the first two two covid-19 deaths in Columbia County. Both fatal cases involved men, according to the Florida Department of Health in Columbia County. One was 63 years old and the other was 31.

Former CCSSO employee commits fraud totaling $350K

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
A disgraced former Columbia County Sheriff’s Office employee, who lost her job and earned prison time after she was caught stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the law enforcement agency starting in 2004, now stands accused of embezzling money from yet another employer, according to an...

CRC set to meet Thursday

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Term limits, employee compensation and multiple measures pitched as ways to improve fiscal responsibility are on the agenda for an all-virtual meeting of the county’s charter review board Thursday evening.
Doctors said 31-year-old Mike Leedom became the county’s first covid-19 casualty on Saturday, according to his brother, Brandt Hayes, who disputes that the virus caused the death.

Doctors said 31-year-old Mike Leedom became the county’s first covid-19 casualty on Saturday, according to his brother, Brandt Hayes, who disputes that the virus caused the death.

County may have 1st fatality from covid-19 but victim's brother doesn't buy it

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, April 27, 2020
Mike Leedom always talked about starting his own repo business. The 31-year-old Columbia County tow truck driver would assure his friends and family members that his plans were going to happen one of these days, according to his brother.  But they never did and never will.