Regional

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.
Last month there were only 42 closed sales on local homes, compared to 69 closed sales in May 2019, a 39.1% drop.

Last month there were only 42 closed sales on local homes, compared to 69 closed sales in May 2019, a 39.1% drop.

Housing sees drop due to covid-19

TONY BRITT
Monday, June 22, 2020
The Columbia County housing market, which boasted record breaking sales for the past two years, has slowed due to the global pandemic, which has stripped off some potential entry-level buyers.

DeSantis: Masks should be voluntary

NEWS STAFF
Friday, June 19, 2020
While calls to require residents to wear face masks grow louder amid rising COVID-19 cases, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to maintain his position that mask-wearing should be voluntary.
Ona and Donald Strand show pictures of the most recent flood on their property by Gwen Lake. The lakeside neighborhood’s ongoing watery woes have prompted the city to pursue a project to improve drainage in the area. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Ona and Donald Strand show pictures of the most recent flood on their property by Gwen Lake. The lakeside neighborhood’s ongoing watery woes have prompted the city to pursue a project to improve drainage in the area. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Gwen Lake fix still a dream

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Donald and Ona Strand complained that they might have to build an ark if their yard keeps flooding like it has been.  Gwen Lake was a beautiful sight when the elderly couple moved there from Suwannee County five or six years ago.

I-10 rest areas to be razed, ebuilt

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, June 18, 2020
The Florida Department of Transportation plans to begin demolition and replacement of two Interstate 10 rest areas, just west of the Interstate 75 interchange, next month.
Suzanne Edwards, regional director for Catholic Charities, which operates Florida Gateway Food Bank, holds a couple of bags of oranges at the organization’s HQ on Northwest Railroad Street. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Suzanne Edwards, regional director for Catholic Charities, which operates Florida Gateway Food Bank, holds a couple of bags of oranges at the organization’s HQ on Northwest Railroad Street. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway Food Bank going full-tilt during crisis

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Volunteers and staffers at the Catholic Charities-affiliated Florida Gateway Food Bank are working almost nonstop to keep up with unprecedented levels of need in the community.

DeSantis vows not to close state as cases rise

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Saying society needs to “function,” Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed Tuesday to keep Florida open despite a recent surge in the number of people infected with COVID-19. “We are not shutting down. We are going to go forward.,” DeSantis said during a late afternoon news conference.
Testing is available for anyone who wants to get tested. No signs or symptoms are needed to be tested. Children can be tested with parental consent. No appointment is needed.

Testing is available for anyone who wants to get tested. No signs or symptoms are needed to be tested. Children can be tested with parental consent. No appointment is needed.

Covid-19 tests resume Tuesday

NEWS STAFF
Monday, June 15, 2020
Residents interested in knowing if they are asymptomatic carriers of the covid-19 virus can get a free drive-through test Columbia and Hamilton County during the next two weeks. Testing is available for anyone who wants to get tested. No signs or symptoms are needed to be tested.