Good Samaritans COVID-19’S Impact on Levy
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Thursday, April 2, 2020 Covering Williston and Levy County Est. 1879 50 Cents Volume XXVII, Issue 52 www.willistonpioneer.com One Section, 14 Pages plus inserts s the United States faces the worst human spirit, and we’ll be there to document those We here at the newspaper are here to help you public health crisis in a generation, we too. make sense of the situation and to help you navi- want you to know we are here for you For the past few weeks we have made COVID- gate it. Having fact-based, reliable reporting that — and with you. 19 news available to everyone through our website provides public scrutiny and oversight is more WhateverA happens, whenever it happens, your www.willistonpioneer.com and through social media. important than ever. newspaper will be there for you. We’ll be there to Daily, we share with you the latest news from the Together, across the decades, this newspaper and let you know how our community is managing Emergency Management team to ensure that its readers have navigated horrific events — natural through this crisis — from business to government rumors are dispelled and facts are presented. disasters, terrorism, financial down-turns, periods to the health care system and schools to the drastic "As a county, we have faced great challenges and of extreme political and societal division. impact on individuals and families. we always lend help to one another in times of This challenge is greater than any of those, but, And we’ll be there to let you know about the need," Levy County Commission Chairman Matt rest assured, we’ll be here for you. good and extraordinary things happening in the Brooks wrote last week. "I am already hearing Williston is a resilient city where people come midst of this crisis – from people cleaning an aban- many stories of people coming forward to help the together to build and rebuild. Let’s stick together, doned building to the quilters' guilds that are sew- elderly do their shopping, supporting local restau- and we will come through this, too. ing masks for those on the front lines – our health- rants and even checking on neighbors and kids Please use #ThereWithYou when posting on care workers. making sure they have the support they need. We social media. Among the sadness and anxiety, there are uplift- will get through this together and be stronger as a ing moments that remind us of the resilience of the county than ever before." Commissioners address Good Samaritans COVID-19’s impact on Levy BY MARK BERRYMAN date was difficult to enforce because Levy County Commission of the lack of guidelines. He said Chairman Matt Brooks said the state most businesses around the county had requested the county declare a were doing relatively well adapting to state of emergency and that was the the mandates. “Some of them are purpose of the meeting. Several going above and beyond what is department heads and county officials required,” said MacDonald. spoke during the meeting. He stressed that this was not the Levy County Emergency time to panic, even with Levy County Management Director John having two confirmed cases of coro- MacDonald gave commissioners a navirus. He also said most of the report on the current COVID-19 sta- rumors going around are not true and tus in the state and Levy County to need to be squashed because they are begin the meeting. causing some to panic. He also stated “So far we are implementing the that his department cannot release executive orders handed down by the the name or exact location of those governor,” said MacDonald. “Some of who test positive and that informa- them have specific instructions and tion is not shared with his office by guidelines for enforcement and some the health department. “The only don’t.” thing they give us is an area, such as MacDonald said many of them Bronson or Williston. That’s all we center around social distancing, such have,” said MacDonald. as beaches, bars and restaurants. MacDonald said the 10-or-less man- uSee BOCC Page 13A Council will meet via teleconference Photos courtesy of Robert Smith Last week Blake and Chase BY CAROLYN TEN BROECK Hodge of Williston Timber, The lobby at Williston City Hall has been closed along with several members for over a week due to the COVID-19 virus but of their crew, donated time that doesn't mean city staff isn't working. and equipment to mow, land- Although many are working from home during scape and powerwash the this temporary effort at social distancing, many exterior of what was Regional employees continue to work in the building and the General Hospital. The build- utility department is still on the job. ing has been vacant over The March 17 meeting was cancelled but council seven months. The brothers has decided to proceed with its April 7 meeting via said their charitable work is teleconference. intended as a community ser- Those wanting to attend may log in using a com- vice to better the appearance puter, tablet or smartphone to: and condition of the vacant https://www.gotomeet.me/ScottLippmann/city-council- facility. Additionally, the new meeting or dial in from your phone to +1 (646) 749- owners donated supplies to the fight against COVID-19. 3122 Access Code: 350-541-645. For more information, call 528-3060. REACH US Email SUBSCRIBE HOURS & LOCATION [email protected] Phone(s) Visit us in the Chamber of Commerce office, Editor Address Carolyn Ten Broeck 352.528.3343 50 NW Main St., Monday, Wednesday and 50 NW Main St. 352.493.4796 Williston, FL 32696 Thursday 9 a.m. until noon or call for an Phone appointment after office hours. willistonpioneer.com 2A Thursday, April 2, 2020 Beacon s Citizen s Pioneer Dulaney shares tips on how to raise a ‘Superhero’ Both sons are on the autism spectrum BY LISA STATHAM boys, primarily Tommy. from them as you would their limits and move POSTERARO She entitled it How to anyone else. slowly and in modera- Autism. Aspergers. It’s Train a Superhero: A • Know what their tion. probably safe to say that Story of Autism. She has learning style is (visual, Currently, Dulaney the average American been led to share her auditory, tactile). and Jack, who completed has heard or read one of family’s journey to help • Recognize the areas college, have an online these terms. Maybe you educate more people of their development business together. Tom- remember the character about ASD. that are delayed; ind my, who has designed his “Jerry” on Boston Legal, Dulaney’s PowerPoint strategies to strengthen own “superhero” costume, a bright lawyer who gave a general overview them. travels with Dulaney on exhibited what some of what is currently • Know that there her speaking visits. Both would call unusual be- known about the con- will be a lot of trial and men live at home with havior; before he could dition. error; you will make their parents. communicate, especially mistakes. For more information if he became excited, he • Autism spectrum disorder impacts the • Find what moti- about ASD, to purchase would slap his thighs nervous system. vates them and use it to the book or to schedule several times with his The Brothers Delaney, Tom and Jack, travel with • e range and se- achieve the goals you Dulaney to come speak, hands…and he would verity of symptoms can have set for them. mother Teresia when she shares about the family’s journey learning about ASD, autism spectrum she may be contacted be brutally honest about vary widely. via Facebook, online at sharing his feelings and • Know that not all disorder. Tom is autistic, and Jack has Aspergers. • Common symptoms discipline is created oursuperherolife.com or observations. It has include diiculty with equal. at 352-284-3013. been theorized by some communication, dii- • Be aware of their their shoes. of autism. scholars that Einstein, culty with social interac- diiculty in following 2- • Use positive and • ey may not re- Newton and other tions, obsessive interests, & 3-step directions. uplifting words when spond appropriately if genius types exhibited and repetitive behaviors. speaking to the parents you give them 2- and behaviors which would, • Look for root cause • Early recognition, of abnormal or unac- or the child. 3-step directions. today, fall somewhere on as well as behavioral, ceptable behavior. the autism spectrum. • Oer to donate your • Most will learn by educational, and family • Be willing to think time for respite care if example and visual cues Last month the therapies may reduce outside the box. you are able. so keep that in mind Friends of the Willis- symptoms and sup- • Every child can • Don’t be oended or when mentoring them; ton Library hosted a port development and learn, we just need to take things personally model the appropriate program about autism, learning. ind the right path to too quickly; remember behavior. a serious developmental Other behaviors comprehension. that diiculty with social disorder which impairs • Try to help them which could indicate • Plan for strategies in interaction is a symptom it in socially but know one’s ability to com- that someone might be teaching future develop- municate and interact. on the autism spectrum; mental milestones. Since no two individuals some might include • Make sure both exhibit the same behav- abnormal body postur- parents are on the same iors, experts have labeled ing or facial expressions, page with their parent- the condition as “autism avoidance of or poor eye ing strategies. spectrum disorder,” or Make sure that your family has contact, inappropriate • Continually educate ASD.