Regional

Suwannee County up to 50 covid-19 deaths

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
LIVE OAK — The covid-19 pandemic has now caused 50 deaths in Suwannee County. The Suwannee County Health Department announced three new deaths in positive residents on Wednesday, increasing the death toll from the virus to 50.
John Durrett and his family were all smiles Tuesday night after he won the race for State Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

John Durrett and his family were all smiles Tuesday night after he won the race for State Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Durrett takes state attorney race

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Local prosecutor John Durrett secured victory by a comfortable margin in the race for Third Circuit state attorney, beating out opponent Tina Seifert.  The results came in quickly after the polls closed.
Tim Murphy, center, is congratulated by family members and supporters Tuesday night after winning his re-election bid to the County Commission. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Tim Murphy, center, is congratulated by family members and supporters Tuesday night after winning his re-election bid to the County Commission. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Williams, Murphy re-elected to County Commission

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Three County Commission seats were up for grabs on Tuesday, but no challenger was able to score an easy victory against any of the incumbents. One of the races will go to a runoff in November, while the other two ended with a victory for the sitting office holders.

Bradley captures Senate primary

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Seeking to succeed her husband in the Florida Senate, Jennifer Bradley took the first step Tuesday night. Bradley received nearly 60% of the vote to defeat Jason Holifield to win the Republican primary from Florida’s District 5.

Suspects sought from Busy Bee beating

CARL MCKINNEY
Monday, August 17, 2020
Racially charged violence broke out at a local Busy Bee early Sunday morning, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office report. The incident was initially believed to be a possible hate crime, but deputies later determined the victims may have “possibly enticed the fight,” the report says.

Two additional Columbia County covid-19 deaths reported

NEWS STAFF
Monday, August 17, 2020
Two additional deaths linked to the covid-19 coronavirus were announced for Columbia County over the weekend. The Columbia County Health Department announced the death of a 74-year-old man and a 78-year-old woman Saturday after they contracted the virus.
Rum Island Park in Fort White has been closed for nearly a year for renovations, including wooden fencing and aluminum stairways that provide access to the springs. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rum Island Park in Fort White has been closed for nearly a year for renovations, including wooden fencing and aluminum stairways that provide access to the springs. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Renovation nearly complete at Rum Island Park

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 14, 2020
FORT WHITE — Nearly a year after it closed for renovations, county officials say Rum Island Park is expected to reopen by the end of the month. Rum Island Park initially closed Sept. 9, 2019, for construction and renovation work. Since then the park has seen months of construction.

FGC fall semester begins Monday

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 14, 2020
Students from around the area will continue their pursuit of a college education when fall semester classes at Florida Gateway College begin Monday morning.