Regional

Columbia County up to 10 covid-19 deaths

The covid-19 coronavirus has now claimed 10 lives in Columbia County. The Florida Department of Health in Columbia County announced three new deaths related to the novel coronavirus on Friday, which raises the death toll in the county to 10 from the virus.

Trump puts nix to GOP convention in Florida

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s hopes to salvage a four-night celebration for his reelection campaign have been thwarted by spiking coronavirus cases across the Sun Belt, with the president announcing Thursday that he was calling off the public events of the Republican National Convention...

Suwannee BOCC not raising millage rate

LIVE OAK — The rollback rate went up in Suwannee County, but the millage rate won’t be. At its Tuesday night meeting, the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a proposed millage rate for the 2020-21 fiscal year of 9.0000 mills, the same rate its been for seven years.

Covid-19 claims sixth life in Columbia County

Columbia County Health Department officials reported the county’s sixth covid-19 death Wednesday morning. The deceased was a 74-year-old man who died after contracting covid-19. The man, who was not identified, was hospitalized at the time of his death.

Suwannee SWAT team finds shooting suspect hiding beneath house

LIVE OAK — Hiding beneath a house nearly worked for a shooting suspect Monday. However, the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team eventually found his hiding spot and arrested 28-year-old Anthony Riley.

Suwannee County adds four covid-19 deaths

LIVE OAK — Suwannee County Health Department officials reported four covid-19 deaths Tuesday morning, pushing the county’s death total of deaths in patients with the virus to 26. The latest deaths were a 75-year-old man, a 20-year-old man, a 74-year-old man and a 96-year-old man.

Fifth death reported in Columbia County

A 68-year-old Columbia County man died after contracting covid-19, marking the fifth local fatality associated with the virus. Local health department officials, who did not identify the deceased man, indicated the man was hospitalized when he died.

FEA sues to keep schools closed

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Education Association, the largest union of educators in the state, filed a lawsuit Monday along with educators and parents to try and stop the state’s reopening of public school campuses this fall. “Gov.

Health department offering free local drive-through testing events

Local health department officials are continuing their efforts to offer no-cost drive-through covid-19 testing in Columbia and Hamilton counties. The testing is available to anyone that wants to get tested. No signs of or symptoms of COVID-19 are required to be tested.

‘Blessed’ Jenkins set to retire

LIVE OAK — Shortly after taking office in 1973, Lamar Jenkins was convinced he would have a brief stint as Suwannee County’s tax assessor.