Regional

Higher minimum wage passes in Florida

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
TALLAHASSEE — Florida voters on Tuesday approved gradually boosting the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, while narrowly rejecting a proposal that would have overhauled the state’s primary-election system. The hike in the minimum wage will be phased in through Sept.

McAlpin child dies in UTV accident

NEWS STAFF
Monday, November 2, 2020
McALPIN — A 5-year-old child was killed Sunday evening in an accident involving a pair of Polaris Ranger UTVs. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, one of utility vehicles was towing the other westbound on 180th Street in McAlpin around 5:45 p.m. due to an engine malfunction.
Long waits in the drive-through line have been the norm at the Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office the past seven months. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Long waits in the drive-through line have been the norm at the Columbia County Tax Collector’s Office the past seven months. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lobby at tax office opening up again

TONY BRITT
Saturday, October 31, 2020
After more than seven months of long drive-through lines, the Columbia County Tax Collectors Office lobby is reopening. The tax collectors office lobby will reopen 8 a.m. Monday morning and resume normal lobby hours from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The railroad crossing surface at U.S. Highway 129 in downtown Live Oak after work was completed in September. Additional improvements will be made Monday and Tuesday, leading to single lane closures. (COURTESY)

The railroad crossing surface at U.S. Highway 129 in downtown Live Oak after work was completed in September. Additional improvements will be made Monday and Tuesday, leading to single lane closures. (COURTESY)

Rail crossing improvements to close U.S. 129 in Live Oak

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, October 31, 2020
LIVE OAK — There will be single-lane closures on U.S. Highway 129 in downtown Live Oak early this week, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Construction on rail crossing improvements is scheduled to last from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, FDOT said.

Live Oak moving ahead with five interviews

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
LIVE OAK — Mostly following its headhunter’s lead, the Live Oak City Council chose to start with five interviews for its city manager opening. At a special called meeting Tuesday night, the council set the first round of zoom interviews for Nov.
Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative employees present Jennifer Anchors, the executive director of the United Way of Suwannee Valley with a check for $12,052, which includes a matching grant from CoBank. (COURTESY)

Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative employees present Jennifer Anchors, the executive director of the United Way of Suwannee Valley with a check for $12,052, which includes a matching grant from CoBank. (COURTESY)

SVEC presents $12K check to United Way

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
LIVE OAK — As part of its commitment to the community, Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative has presented the United Way of Suwannee Valley with a check for $12,052.

Local health departments offering free covid testing

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Area residents will have a handful of opportunities to get free covid-19 testing from local health departments. The Columbia County Health Department is offering free testing Thursday and Nov. 5, both from 9-11 a.m. at the Southside Sports Complex, 1963 SW Bascom Norris Drive.