Regional

Children skate during a daycare field trip to Skating Palace on Tuesday afternoon. The local skating rink says business is starting to ramp back up, and expects to see an increased volume of customers next week. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Children skate during a daycare field trip to Skating Palace on Tuesday afternoon. The local skating rink says business is starting to ramp back up, and expects to see an increased volume of customers next week. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Out for a spin at the local rink: Finally, a chance to kick up their skates

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
The sound system blasted hit songs from the last several decades, and it still wasn’t enough to drown out the sound of laughter and playful shouting.  Some of the children were naturals and could glide effortlessly around the rink.

Regulators won’t cut FPL rates

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
In an issue that stems from federal tax cuts approved in 2017, state regulators on Tuesday rejected an effort aimed at forcing Florida Power & Light to reduce base electric rates.
A downed tree, snapped apart by a tornado on Sunday, sits in a yard in the Columbia City area. No injuries were reported in connection with the twister, but there was some property damage. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

A downed tree, snapped apart by a tornado on Sunday, sits in a yard in the Columbia City area. No injuries were reported in connection with the twister, but there was some property damage. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

No injuries from twister, but quite a scare for local couple

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, June 8, 2020
Sixty seconds of pure white-knuckle stress elapsed while Kathy Todd and her husband took cover in a closet. They were watching a TV news report about the tornado when it hit their home in the Columbia City area around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.  It was Todd’s first twister.

DeSantis dismisses call for fed probe of state unemployment system

NEWS STAFF
Monday, June 8, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis dismissed as partisan a request Monday by two Democratic U.S. senators for a federal investigation related to Florida’s handling of unemployment benefits. “Well, I’ve never heard of partisan politics in Washington D.C. before. Oh, my goodness. Can you imagine that?
Steve Hale, managing partner for the Lake City Texas Roadhouse, poses alongside an assortment of meats ahead of the opening of the chain’s new location. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Steve Hale, managing partner for the Lake City Texas Roadhouse, poses alongside an assortment of meats ahead of the opening of the chain’s new location. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Texas Roadhouse opens new corral on Monday

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, June 5, 2020
Lucky No. 6 put the cowboy-themed eatery on the map.  The early days of the Texas Roadhouse chain were the Wild West. Three of the first five restaurants were failing when the Lake City franchise — the sixth to be established in the country — hit the ground running with a strong opening in 1995.
The Interstate 10 checkpoint at the Alabama-Florida state line was disbanded Friday once Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Phase 2 reopening plan of Florida went into effect.

The Interstate 10 checkpoint at the Alabama-Florida state line was disbanded Friday once Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Phase 2 reopening plan of Florida went into effect.

Panhandle border checkpoint closes following Phase 2 of reopening

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 5, 2020
PENSACOLA — Florida is wide open. At least on its Panhandle border. The Interstate 10 checkpoint at the Alabama-Florida state line was disbanded Friday once Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Phase 2 reopening plan of Florida went into effect.
Americana band The Krickets poses for a photograph to promote their music. Pictured in the middle is Lake City’s own singer-songwriter Rachel Grubb, who is featured in the group’s new single, “These Games,” which releases Friday. Also pictured are Lauren Spring, left, and Emily Stuckey. (COURTESY)

Americana band The Krickets poses for a photograph to promote their music. Pictured in the middle is Lake City’s own singer-songwriter Rachel Grubb, who is featured in the group’s new single, “These Games,” which releases Friday. Also pictured are Lauren Spring, left, and Emily Stuckey. (COURTESY)

Local chanteuse Grubb joins up with the Krickets

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
The Krickets are chirping.  Described as “swamp-folk Americana,” the award-winning all-women band is dropping a new single this week, “These Games,” the group’s first recording since Lake City native singer-songwriter Rachel Grubb joined last year.
ork continues on the county’s project to construct a rail spur at North Florida Mega Industrial Park. Years in the making, work on the project began in February. (RAY CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY)

ork continues on the county’s project to construct a rail spur at North Florida Mega Industrial Park. Years in the making, work on the project began in February. (RAY CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY)

Rail-spur work continues, long-term project holds big promise

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Workers were out installing a railroad crossing at North Florida Mega Industrial Park on Tuesday, part of a larger rail spur construction project. The crossing will likely be done some time next week, according to the county.
Free drive-thru covid-19 testing events will be taking place throughout June in Columbia and Hamilton counties.

Free drive-thru covid-19 testing events will be taking place throughout June in Columbia and Hamilton counties.

More local covid-19 testing scheduled in Columbia and Hamilton counties

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Free drive-thru covid-19 testing events will be taking place throughout June in Columbia and Hamilton counties. The events, which are organized by the Florida Department of Health’s local office in the two counties, are accessible to anyone who wants a test.