Regional

Lynda Cauley spoons up some Mandarin oranges as she prepares food at the Columbia County Senior Services Lifestyle Enrichment Center kitchen. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lynda Cauley spoons up some Mandarin oranges as she prepares food at the Columbia County Senior Services Lifestyle Enrichment Center kitchen. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

New look at LEC: Upgrades mean hot meals for seniors

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 26, 2020
The kitchen area for the Columbia County Senior Services Lifestyle Enrichment Center has been upgraded and the agency is now providing hot meals to local senior citizens.
The fate of Shands Lake Shore is up in the air as current lease is canceled. (FILE)

The fate of Shands Lake Shore is up in the air as current lease is canceled. (FILE)

Services to be cut at Lake Shore

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, June 26, 2020
Certain services at Lake Shore Hospital will be eliminated over the next three months. Beyond that, the fate of the long-standing institution is an open question.
The Columbia and Hamilton County health departments will offer free drive-thru covid-19 testing during the remainder of June as well as several days in July.

The Columbia and Hamilton County health departments will offer free drive-thru covid-19 testing during the remainder of June as well as several days in July.

DOH, VA are offering covid tests

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 26, 2020
Local health care providers are offering free covid-19 screenings through the Columbia County and Hamilton County health departments, while the local VA Medical Center is offering testing to veterans who are symptomatic, as well as those who are scheduled for certain medical procedures.
Michael Lydick, Lake City Elks Lodge #893 Veterans Committee chairman, stands with Cynthia Voltz of the Lake City VA Medical Center, as the two showoff a 65-inch television that was recently donated to the facility. The TV was one of several items donated for veterans who have been restricted from normal social outings due to the global pandemic. (COURTESY)

Michael Lydick, Lake City Elks Lodge #893 Veterans Committee chairman, stands with Cynthia Voltz of the Lake City VA Medical Center, as the two showoff a 65-inch television that was recently donated to the facility. The TV was one of several items donated for veterans who have been restricted from normal social outings due to the global pandemic. (COURTESY)

Covid can’t keep Elks from helping local vets

TONY BRITT
Thursday, June 25, 2020
A program offering veterans residing in assisted living or specialized housing an opportunity to visit see rodeos, monster truck shows, hockey, professional football or the Jacksonville Zoo, was shuttered by the recent health crisis.  As a result, many of the veterans at the Robert H.
Eastside Elementary music teacher Teresa Cameron holds an angklung, an instrument originating in India. Cameron brought a large collection of world instruments with her when she joined Eastside 13 years ago. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Eastside Elementary music teacher Teresa Cameron holds an angklung, an instrument originating in India. Cameron brought a large collection of world instruments with her when she joined Eastside 13 years ago. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Cancer couldn’t quell her dreams, says Eastside’s music teacher

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Her father thought she’d make a good country star, but Teresa Cameron wanted to sing opera. The costumes, the drama — it all spoke to her, made the music feel engaging.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission bear biologists Teri Graves (left) and Allan Hallman, set up a bear trap using doughnuts as bait hoping to capture a 300-pound bear that was recently perched in a tree near Interstate 75. (KAREN PARKER/FWC)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission bear biologists Teri Graves (left) and Allan Hallman, set up a bear trap using doughnuts as bait hoping to capture a 300-pound bear that was recently perched in a tree near Interstate 75. (KAREN PARKER/FWC)

Bears are back looking for love, food or both

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Two Florida black bears, on the prowl for food or bear love, were sighted in local residential and commercial areas last week.
Tommy Smith models his recovered wedding band. (COURTESY)

Tommy Smith models his recovered wedding band. (COURTESY)

Fort White pair found more than a lost ring

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
First they lost the wedding band, then they lost all hope of finding it. They tried retracing their steps, asking around to see if anyone might have turned it in.  After about a month, the Fort White couple was almost ready to accept defeat.  Almost.
Jennifer Williamson, owner of Right Way Automotive, is down to a handful of vehicles to sell, with little hope of getting more anytime soon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Jennifer Williamson, owner of Right Way Automotive, is down to a handful of vehicles to sell, with little hope of getting more anytime soon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Used car market takes a hit from coronavirus

TONY BRITT
Monday, June 22, 2020
Of all the businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic — restaurants and bars among them — who would have guessed that used car dealers would be right in there? Jennifer Williamson, owner of Right Way Automotive, said the pandemic has sapped her inventory nearly dry.