Local

Lake City residents Ovidiu and Sondra Deaconescu pose for a picture in Aruba while on a cruise. Their trip was unexpectedly extended yesterday, when Puerto Rican officials refused to let passengers from the ship disembark. (COURTESY)

Lake City residents Ovidiu and Sondra Deaconescu pose for a picture in Aruba while on a cruise. Their trip was unexpectedly extended yesterday, when Puerto Rican officials refused to let passengers from the ship disembark. (COURTESY)

Lake City couple stuck at sea in cruise that won’t end due to coronavirus

TONY BRITT
Monday, March 16, 2020
A Lake City couple, on a seven-night Caribbean cruise, had the final day of their trip unexpectedly extended yesterday, when Puerto Rican officials refused to let passengers disembark from their ship.

Mom faces charges in fatal crash

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, March 16, 2020
State troopers have arrested a Georgia woman in connection with a Suwannee County vehicle crash that claimed the life of her teen daughter in January.  Cinceria Elizabeth Cooke, 35, of Atlanta, was booked into Suwannee County jail Saturday on a range of charges including homicide. On Jan.

Student meals set for extended break

TONY BRITT
Monday, March 16, 2020
The Columbia School District will be providing free meals for children as a result of state officials extending spring break for an additional week. The meals will start on Monday, March 23 and continue until school closures end.
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January shows the novel coronavirus. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January shows the novel coronavirus. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Opinion: COVID-19 common sense

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 13, 2020
We’re your community newspaper, the local voice of Lake City and Columbia County. We’re not “The Media,” with their opinionated talking heads and wild, fact-free social media posts. Amid all of this virus talk, we say use common sense and avoid the hysteria that’s sweeping the nation.
Coronavirus has been found in several Florida residents. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Coronavirus has been found in several Florida residents. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Second coronavirus case confirmed in Alachua as impact mounts here

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 13, 2020
The global pandemic COVID-19 is making itself felt in Columbia County even though no cases have been reported here. Just across the county’s southern border, a 24-year-old Alachua County woman tested positive for the virus. The woman is isolated and will remain so until cleared by health officials.
Columbia County Schools

Columbia County Schools

Columbia County schools, FGC closed for two weeks

TONY BRITT
Friday, March 13, 2020
Columbia County students will get an extra week for spring break after the Florida Department of Education mandated all state schools be closed for two weeks. Florida Gateway College has also extended its spring break for an additional week.
Scharlotte Stewart, Eastside Elementary School head custodian, disinfects a kindergarten classroom door on Thursday morning. The school district will have some of its employees clean and disinfect classrooms for two days next week while students and teachers are on spring break. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Scharlotte Stewart, Eastside Elementary School head custodian, disinfects a kindergarten classroom door on Thursday morning. The school district will have some of its employees clean and disinfect classrooms for two days next week while students and teachers are on spring break. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

As coronavirus concerns grow, district's spring break couldn’t come at a better time

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Spring break couldn’t start a better time for the local school district and Florida Gateway College. As concerns and fears about coronavirus, COVID-19, continue to grow, local education officials are implementing new strategies to address the wellbeing of students.

Schools ban out-of-state travel for March

TONY BRITT
Thursday, March 12, 2020
The school district implemented an out-of-state travel ban Thursday because of concerns associated with coronavirus, COVID-19. The ban will be in effect until at least March 31, but could be extended. The travel ban includes all school-sponsored athletic and extra-curricular events.

‘Dry Streets’ starts today

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, March 12, 2020
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol are teaming up for an initiative targeting impaired drivers. “Operation Dry Streets” will see those three agencies aggressively target those who drive under the influence, according to an LCPD statement.