Columbia County Observer

City Labor Atny to Firefighters: "We understand your position is the firefighters are underpaid."

Posted July 30, 2020  03:00 pm

Every firefighter that could attend the negotiations, did. In the foreground, City Manager Joe Helfenberger.                                                               Photo: Columbia County Observer

Florida Lawsuits  Challenging Local Mask  Mandates Not Flying in Court

Posted July 29, 2020  07:50 pm

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Palm Beach County can require people to wear facemasks in public places during a pandemic without violating anyone’s constitutional rights, a state judge ruled in tossing out another legal challenge to mandatory mask orders in Florida.

As the Coronavirus Ravaged FL, Gov. Ron DeSantis Sidelined Scientists and Followed Trump

Posted July 27, 2020  11:15 am

Governor Ron DeSantis has claimed he has been "data driven" throughout the coronavirus pandemic, but an analysis by the Washington Post of the Governor's response shows that the Governor took the advice of the President over medical experts, even his own. Florida is now a global COVID-19 hotspot.

George, Breonna, Ahmaud, Trayvon  . . . What Now, White America?

Posted July 23, 2020  06:15 am

Ten weeks before a white policeman killed George Floyd on a Minneapolis street three white officers wearing plain clothes bashed down the Louisville door of another Black American, Breonna Taylor. A “no-knock" warrant tied to a drug investigation permitted their forced entry.

Columbia County a Model of Public Record Access – Commissioner Tim Murphy Has a Problem

Posted July 20, 2020  02:15 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Other than during the reign of the legendary Jackson P. "Jack" Berry at the Lake Shore Hospital Authority, agencies throughout Columbia County have been models of public record access. Last Thursday night, Commissioner Tim Murphy had a problem.

John Lewis Passed:  America Mourns a Titan

Posted July 18, 2020  07:25 pm

Last night, Congressman John Lewis passed away at 80 years old, leaving behind a legacy of activism and service that will echo for generations to come.

Florida: 607,000 Newly Uninsured; 3.1 Mil Adults Without Health Insurance

Posted July 14, 2020  07:25 p

TALLAHASSEE, FL – A new study estimates 5.4 million American workers lost employer-sponsored health insurance between February and May, including 607,000 Floridians, marking the largest single-year loss of coverage in the nation’s history.

LSHA: With  Shands at Lake Shore Going Down for the Count, Not One Word On Tonight's Agenda About Its Eminent Demise or the Future

Posted July 13, 2020  12:35 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – There is a lot going on at the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. Community Health Systems (CHS) the operator of Shands at Lake Shore Hospital is going down for the count. Look at the agenda for this evening's meeting and it looks like business as usual.

Columbia County's Rum Island Park: Rules & Fees on Center Stage in Fort White

Posted July 10, 2020  10:45 am  (4 comments)

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Following up on its March 3, 2020 workshop, the Columbia County 5 met in Fort White last night to hash out the proposed rules for Rum Island Park which lies on the Santa Fe River in the south end of Columbia County.

After 92 Years, Lake City's Confederate Olustee Memorial Will Finally Get a Public Hearing

Posted July 7, 2020  11:45 pm

LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Two weeks after the untimely death of George Floyd, the City Council was confronted by a nation removing post Civil War monuments throughout the South and a request by community activist Sylvester Warren to remove Lake City's 1928 Confederate Memorial Monument in its downtown Olustee Park. 

CRC: The Douglas Amendment – Controlling County Surplus Funds With Incomprehensible Language

Posted July 3, 2020  07:40 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The 2020 Charter Review Commission met again on Wednesday evening for its second round of public hearings in the charter fiasco orchestrated by the charter inexperienced County Attorney Joel Foreman.

Despite Legal Challenges, Local Mandatory Mask Orders Sweeping Florida

Posted July 3, 2020  08:20 am

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Miami-Dade County and Jacksonville, where the Republican National Convention kicks off next month, are among the latest Florida governments to adopt mandatory mask orders.

Florida Dems:  Special Session Needed to Distribute Federal Coronavirus Assistance

Posted June 30, 2020  10:35 pm

TALLAHASSEE, FL – With Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis using veto power to trim $1 billion before signing a $92.2 billion fiscal year 2021 budget, there was no special session to vet the plan before it goes into effect Wednesday.

Charlie Keith Officially Launches Race for Bucky Nash's 'County 5' District 3 Seat

Posted June 29, 2020  09:55 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – This Saturday Charlie Keith kicked of his campaign with hotdogs, chips and a steady flow of people who were  interested in finding out more about one of the men who was looking to take 8 year incumbent Bucky Nash's District 3 seat on the County Commission (County 5).

Rebekah Jones, Fired GIS Scientist, Filing Whistleblower Complaint Against Florida

Posted June 26, 2020  06:30 pm

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Rebekah Jones, the geographic information system analyst fired by the Florida Department of Health in May, says she will file a formal whistleblower complaint and other lawsuits against the state.

Renewed Wave of Firearms Purchases By Floridians

Posted June 25, 2020  04:35 am

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida firearms purchases boomed in March as the COVID-19 emergency emerged, and, just as retailers were restocking inventory, Black Lives Matter protests seem to have spurred a renewed sales surge. 

Lake City Charter Revision, City Manager Helfenberger to Revisit Enhanced Public Notice

Posted June 24, 2020  09:25 pm

LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The City Charter Review Board met virtually on Monday. On its agenda was an item entitled "Enhanced Public Notice," which would have mandated timely notice and the inclusion of agenda material on the Lake City website.

Coronavirus Spiking: 100,207 Pos, Deaths 3,173 Anyone Can Get It, DOH free testing in Fort White

Posted June 22, 2020  04:25 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The recent Florida coronavirus spikes are attention getters. Tomorrow morning between 9 and 11 am the Florida Department of Health is offering free corona virus testing at the Fort White Community Center. 

Columbia County 5 Say "No" to 2021 Residential Trash Assessment: saving residents $4,000,000

Posted June 19, 2020  11:15 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – As Thursday's three hour County 5 meeting drew to a close, Commissioner Bucky Nash asked for an explanation from County Manager Ben Scott for tax relief for Columbia County residents.

Models Confirm Florida Coronavirus Resurgence, Warn of Catastrophic Consequences

Posted June 19, 2020  05:37 am

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida has ranked sixth in the nation for coronavirus spread for six weeks according to a model tracking COVID-19 transmission, and three other projection models forecast bad scenarios for the state by October 1.

Gov. DeSantis: Surging Coronavirus Cases Fueled by 'High Risk' Floridians, FL Deaths Nearing 3,000

Posted June 17, 2020  04:15 pm

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that surging numbers of COVID-19 cases being reported statewide are a function of increased testing in “high-risk environments,” such as in prisons, industrial worksites and among agricultural workers.

New Yorker Cover of George Floyd

Posted June 15, 2020  01:15 pm

Kadir Nelson's "Say Their Names"

A close-up examination of the artist's latest cover in which the murder of George Floyd embodies the history of violence inflicted upon black people in America.