Regional

Brent Kuykendall, Gulf Coast Financial Services president, said those who haven’t filed their taxes should be mindful of tax changes. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Brent Kuykendall, Gulf Coast Financial Services president, said those who haven’t filed their taxes should be mindful of tax changes. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Tax deadline arrives Wednesday

TONY BRITT
Monday, July 13, 2020
Tax Day 2020 was pushed back three months because of the global pandemic. Although the pandemic continues to impact society, the 2019 federal income tax deadline is Wednesday.
Suwannee County had a 22nd person die after testing positive for covid-19.

Suwannee County had a 22nd person die after testing positive for covid-19.

22nd covid-19 death reported in Suwannee

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, July 13, 2020
LIVE OAK — A 22nd person in Suwannee County has died after testing positive for the covid-19 coronavirus. The Florida Department of Health in Suwannee County announced Saturday the passing of a 92-year-old female that had been previously diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Pedestrian killed during late night stroll

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, July 13, 2020
A pedestrian was struck by a truck and killed during a late night stroll Sunday. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a pickup truck was traveling east on 216th Street in southeastern Suwannee County around 1:30 a.m. Sunday when it hit two pedestrians walking in the roadway.
Lake Shore Hospital in Lake City. (FILE)

Lake Shore Hospital in Lake City. (FILE)

Early exit at Lake Shore

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, July 10, 2020
Lake Shore Hospital will cease operations at the end of August, a month earlier than anticipated. Whether it can be revived remains to be seen.  Employees were told through a memo on Friday that their employment will be terminated by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31.
Columbia and Hamilton County health department officials are offering no-cost drive-through testing for covid-19 during the next few days.

Columbia and Hamilton County health department officials are offering no-cost drive-through testing for covid-19 during the next few days.

DOH offering free covid testing events

TONY BRITT
Friday, July 10, 2020
Columbia and Hamilton County health department officials are offering no-cost drive-through testing for covid-19 during the next few days. The testing is available to anyone that wants to get tested. No signs or symptoms of covid-19 are required to be tested.
FPL crews at work on Northwest Columbia Avenue power lines last week. (TONY BRITT)

FPL crews at work on Northwest Columbia Avenue power lines last week. (TONY BRITT)

FPL is strengthening grid throughout city

TONY BRITT
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Electrical crews working with Florida Power & Light Company have been in Lake City for months making upgrades to the company’s system to strengthen the energy grid and improve service reliability.
Kimberly Claridy-Walker poses in her recently acquired BP gas station. An entrepreneur based in Lake City, Claridy-Walker is the first African-American to own a BP in Florida. (COURTESY)

Kimberly Claridy-Walker poses in her recently acquired BP gas station. An entrepreneur based in Lake City, Claridy-Walker is the first African-American to own a BP in Florida. (COURTESY)

Lake City entrepreneur Kimberly Claridy-Walker makes her mark in Jacksonville

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Everyone in the neighborhood knew that Kimberly Claridy-Walker’s house was the place to go for a cold treat on a sweltering summer day.  Even as a young girl, Claridy-Walker had a mind for business. When she was 9, the Lake City native started her first venture right in her front yard.
Jennifer Anchors, United Way of Suwannee Valley Executive Director, stands outside the agency’s office Monday afternoon. The United Way of Suwannee Valley provided financial assistance to 68 families through its Covid Relief Fund during the past four months. The agency received more than 200 applications for financial assistance from the fund. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jennifer Anchors, United Way of Suwannee Valley Executive Director, stands outside the agency’s office Monday afternoon. The United Way of Suwannee Valley provided financial assistance to 68 families through its Covid Relief Fund during the past four months. The agency received more than 200 applications for financial assistance from the fund. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

UWSV helping 68 families survive virus fallout

TONY BRITT
Monday, July 6, 2020
Furloughs, layoffs and reduced hours were all common results of the covid-19 global pandemic impacting the local workforce. As some local families saw their wages decrease, the United Way of Suwannee Valley was able to provide assistance to nearly 70 families facing financial uncertainty.
Charlie Daniels. (AP FILE PHOTO)

Charlie Daniels. (AP FILE PHOTO)

Charlie Daniels dead at age 83

NEWS STAFF
Monday, July 6, 2020
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Charlie Daniels, who went from being an in-demand session musician to a staple of Southern rock with his hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” has died at 83.