Local

Amanda Ramirez (right) and her family members hold a conversation while their camper is parked in the Walmart parking lot. Ramirez and family evacuated from Manatee County a few days ago to avoid Hurricane Milton. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Amanda Ramirez (right) and her family members hold a conversation while their camper is parked in the Walmart parking lot. Ramirez and family evacuated from Manatee County a few days ago to avoid Hurricane Milton. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Milton evacuees find respite in Lake City

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Hurricane Milton’s threat to the Florida coast as a potential Category 4 storm has resulted in the exodus of thousands from south and central Florida.
Vicki Shanks, who is helping organize the Gateway Art Gallery silent auction, shows off items that will be available during the fundraiser later in the month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Vicki Shanks, who is helping organize the Gateway Art Gallery silent auction, shows off items that will be available during the fundraiser later in the month. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Gateway Art Gallery hosting silent auction

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
The Gateway Art Gallery is looking to raise funds to purchase the building where it’s currently housed with its next effort a silent one. A silent auction will take place 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Gateway Art Gallery, 168 N. Marion Ave.
U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Gainesville) speaks during Thursday’s Farm To Table fundraiser as Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson dines on chicken pot pie. (COURTESY)

U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Gainesville) speaks during Thursday’s Farm To Table fundraiser as Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson dines on chicken pot pie. (COURTESY)

Farm To Table highlights local 4-H, FFA programs

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
What better way to promote Florida agriculture than by letting people taste the product and meet the next generation of farmers.
Kids Feeding Kids President John Cole (left) displays the items he got from Target to donate to victims of Hurricane Helene. (COURTESY)

Kids Feeding Kids President John Cole (left) displays the items he got from Target to donate to victims of Hurricane Helene. (COURTESY)

Kids Feeding Kids helps with Helene relief

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Following the damage and destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, the local Kids Feeding Kids program has launched an effort to help both local residents and residents in North Carolina rebound from the monster storm.
An entry into last year’s Scarecrow Festival is pictured with a crow companion. This year’s event has been delayed. (COURTESY)

An entry into last year’s Scarecrow Festival is pictured with a crow companion. This year’s event has been delayed. (COURTESY)

Helene damage delays Scarecrow Festival

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
WELLBORN — Originally scheduled for this weekend, a burgeoning autumn get-together is being postponed. The fifth annual Hearthstone Gardens Scarecrow Festival is pushing its festivities back three weeks, from Oct. 12 to Saturday, Nov. 2, following Hurricane Helene’s run through the state last week.
Andrew Miner, the president of the Cocoa Beach Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, looks at a map of the cleanup work needed in North Florida following Hurricane Helene. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Andrew Miner, the president of the Cocoa Beach Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, looks at a map of the cleanup work needed in North Florida following Hurricane Helene. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Church helps 400 recover from Helene

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene across North Florida was extensive. The Category 4 storm, the strongest storm to hit the Big Bend on record, inflicted the most storm debris damage Columbia County has ever seen.
The Lake City Elks Lodge #893 collected and distributed approximately $5,500 worth of supplies to Hurricane Helene victims in Steinhatchee, Horeshoe Beach, Suwannee and Cedar Key. (COURTESY)

The Lake City Elks Lodge #893 collected and distributed approximately $5,500 worth of supplies to Hurricane Helene victims in Steinhatchee, Horeshoe Beach, Suwannee and Cedar Key. (COURTESY)

Lake City Elks helps Helene victims on coast

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Hurricane Helene cut a path of destruction through Florida putting millions of residents across the state in survival mode.
Richardson Community Center is one of four emergency shelters opening in Columbia County for Hurricane Milton. The shelters will also be available to house evacuees. (FILE)

Richardson Community Center is one of four emergency shelters opening in Columbia County for Hurricane Milton. The shelters will also be available to house evacuees. (FILE)

Shelter locations open for evacuees

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Staff report Emergency shelters are opening across the Suwannee Valley in preparation for Hurricane Milton and to provide space for evacuees from the storm. Columbia County is opening four emergency shelters for Hurricane Milton. The shelters, which are opening at 6 p.m.