Regional

Charles Peloni, owner of Peloni’s Pumping and Portable Toilets, pictured on the right operating heavy machinery, installs a new septic tank with his employee and stepson, Joseph Creeley, pictured on the left. Peloni says business has slowed down in some aspects but picked up in others during the pandemic, resulting in revenue staying steady. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Charles Peloni, owner of Peloni’s Pumping and Portable Toilets, pictured on the right operating heavy machinery, installs a new septic tank with his employee and stepson, Joseph Creeley, pictured on the left. Peloni says business has slowed down in some aspects but picked up in others during the pandemic, resulting in revenue staying steady. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Still flush: Furloughs spur septic tank pump-outs

CARL MCKINNEY
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
While small businesses everywhere are struggling, one service is still flush with customers.  More people are staying at home, and that means more people are using their own toilets rather than the facilities at work or school.
A patient is evacuated from the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riverside, Calif., on April 8. More than 80 patients from a Riverside skilled nursing facility are being evacuated this morning to other healthcare locations throughout Riverside County, Calif. (AP PHOTO)

A patient is evacuated from the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riverside, Calif., on April 8. More than 80 patients from a Riverside skilled nursing facility are being evacuated this morning to other healthcare locations throughout Riverside County, Calif. (AP PHOTO)

Feds to track nursing home deaths

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, April 20, 2020
NEW YORK — Calling nursing homes ground zero of the coronavirus crisis, federal officials said Monday they plan to start tracking and publicly sharing information on infections and deaths in such facilities to help spot trends and early signs the virus is spreading in communities.
Dharmendra Thakor, manager of A&D Discount Liquor, at the corner of Main Street and U.S. 90, straightens a top-shelf bottle of Booker’s bourbon at his store in downtown Lake City Friday afternoon. Thakor said since the coronavirus pandemic hit his business has been good, as people have increased spending on liquor and beer, buying larger quantities and more frequently. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Dharmendra Thakor, manager of A&D Discount Liquor, at the corner of Main Street and U.S. 90, straightens a top-shelf bottle of Booker’s bourbon at his store in downtown Lake City Friday afternoon. Thakor said since the coronavirus pandemic hit his business has been good, as people have increased spending on liquor and beer, buying larger quantities and more frequently. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Liquor stores haven’t been feeling any pain

TODD WILSON
Friday, April 17, 2020
People enjoy pulling a cork or popping a top during normal times, but local consumers under stress, as they are now in pandemic uncertainty, are hitting the bottle much harder. Boozing it up means business is good, says one liquor store operator in Lake City.

UWSV relief fund will give some a safety net

CARL MCKINNEY
Friday, April 17, 2020
The covid-19 pandemic is hitting the people of North Florida especially hard, with nearly 51 percent of Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee counties struggling to afford basic necessities, according to United Way of Suwannee Valley.
The entrance to HAECO at Lake City Gateway Airport is seen Thursday afternoon. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

The entrance to HAECO at Lake City Gateway Airport is seen Thursday afternoon. (CARL MCKINNEY/Lake City Reporter)

Layoffs loom at HAECO; ‘some or all’ look to lose jobs

CARL MCKINNEY
Thursday, April 16, 2020
In a turn of events expected to deal a heavy blow to the local economy, HAECO, one of the largest employers in the county, is bracing for layoffs. The aircraft maintenance firm’s facility at Lake City Gateway Airport employs 600 people, said general manager Stephen Coley.
Bags of potatoes and more were available to Columbia County families in need by way of the Worship Room. (TOM NOTON/Special to the Reporter)

Bags of potatoes and more were available to Columbia County families in need by way of the Worship Room. (TOM NOTON/Special to the Reporter)

Food meant for theme parks feeds local folks

CARL MCKINNEY
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
The food no longer wanted or needed by Florida’s theme parks is finding its way into the pantries of struggling Columbia County families.
Lake City Tire Company owner Al Rollison, right, discusses an engine repair with lead technician Jim Givens Tuesday afternoon in the downtown auto repair shop. Rollison said for locally owned small business to survive, Lake City residents need to shop with each other. The store can be reached at (386) 752-6614. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Tire Company owner Al Rollison, right, discusses an engine repair with lead technician Jim Givens Tuesday afternoon in the downtown auto repair shop. Rollison said for locally owned small business to survive, Lake City residents need to shop with each other. The store can be reached at (386) 752-6614. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Tire feeling the heat, business down 25% during covid-19 scare

TODD WILSON
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Venture downtown with the mindset of quality work at a better price and the surprise would be a nice money-saver. That’s the message Al Rollison said he tries to convey to people looking for any automotive repairs and purchasing new tires in Lake City.
Rose Taylor and Michael Rogers, Columbia County Senior Services drivers, bag frozen meals and other staples for clients of the agency’s Meals on Wheels home-delivery program. The agency has seen a 25% increase in the number of meals it delivers in recent weeks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Rose Taylor and Michael Rogers, Columbia County Senior Services drivers, bag frozen meals and other staples for clients of the agency’s Meals on Wheels home-delivery program. The agency has seen a 25% increase in the number of meals it delivers in recent weeks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Covid-19: Senior Meals on Wheels program kicks into high gear during crisis

TONY BRITT
Monday, April 13, 2020
Columbia County Senior Services has ramped up its Meals on Wheels program as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the area. The agency has also added a shopping assistance program and telephone reassurance program for local seniors during the crisis.
Vehicles wait in line to enter the two lanes of the drive-through at the Columbia County Tax Collectors office Monday afternoon. Property owners also may drop their tax payment checks in the white drop box, center, or call and pay by phone with a credit card or pay online at: www.columbiataxcollector.com. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Vehicles wait in line to enter the two lanes of the drive-through at the Columbia County Tax Collectors office Monday afternoon. Property owners also may drop their tax payment checks in the white drop box, center, or call and pay by phone with a credit card or pay online at: www.columbiataxcollector.com. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Property tax deadline Wednesday

TODD WILSON
Monday, April 13, 2020
Property tax payment deadlines in Florida are Wednesday and with the courthouse closed to walk-in traffic, those who waited until the last minute have several options to avoid a penalty.
Swift Lube 10-Minute Oil Change co-owner Kevin Swisher pours fresh oil into an SUV at the company’s business location on Knox Street in Lake City Thursday. morning. Swisher, who owns the business with his brother, Benji, said the volume of their business has declined sharply this month from the “safer at home” order in place statewide. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Swift Lube 10-Minute Oil Change co-owner Kevin Swisher pours fresh oil into an SUV at the company’s business location on Knox Street in Lake City Thursday. morning. Swisher, who owns the business with his brother, Benji, said the volume of their business has declined sharply this month from the “safer at home” order in place statewide. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Swift Lube soldiers on: Business is off by 25 percent due to covid-19, but they’re determined to fight through it

TODD WILSON
Thursday, April 9, 2020
The give-and-take for local business success does not require a fancy economics degree or hyped government speeches and programs. Just shop local and remember who gives back to the community no matter the circumstance. Be loyal to small locally owned businesses.