Local

Niblack Elementary will be shuttered, then disinfected.

Niblack Elementary will be shuttered, then disinfected.

Coronavirus: 1 local patient a worker at Niblack Elementary

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, March 23, 2020
School officials say they’re taking extra precautions following news that one of the two COVID-19 cases now confirmed in Columbia County involves a 46-year-old woman employed at Niblack Elementary. Schools are shut down statewide and won’t be open again until at least April 15.

Wrecked semis leave 1 badly hurt

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 23, 2020
A truck driver was seriously injured Sunday night when the semi he was driving was involved in a crash with another semi and shut down two southbound lanes of Interstate 75 for close to four hours. The wreck occurred around 10:45 p.m. about one mile south of the U.S. 90 exit.
A second case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Columbia County Sunday evening, just hours after the first.

A second case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Columbia County Sunday evening, just hours after the first.

Second case of COVID-19 confirmed in Columbia County

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, March 22, 2020
A second case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Columbia County Sunday evening, just hours after the first. This time the patient is a 70-year-old woman. The case is not travel-related, state records show.
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Columbia County is a 46-year-old woman.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Columbia County is a 46-year-old woman.

Columbia County has first case of COVID-19

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, March 22, 2020
COVID-19 has been confirmed in Columbia County, state health officials announced shortly before noon Sunday. The patient is a 46-year-old woman.

$1.6M in raises set for county teachers

CARL MCKINNEY
Saturday, March 21, 2020
While most of Tallahassee’s attention is focused on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers on Thursday approved a record $93.2 billion budget for next fiscal year that includes $500 million for teacher raises, of which more than $1.
Use common sense when dealing with COVID-19.

Use common sense when dealing with COVID-19.

Our opinion: COVID-19 common sense

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 20, 2020
As with everyone else, this week has been full of challenges for your local newspaper. Through all the national updates, we’ve delivered a strong local news package to you daily.

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.