Local

Lake City Police Department Chief Gerald Butler listens to reports from agencies during Tuesday morning’s briefing at the Emergency Operations Center. Butler said his department would be increasing the number of officers on the streets to protect businesses and evacuees parked randomly around the city waiting out Hurricane Milton. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Police Department Chief Gerald Butler listens to reports from agencies during Tuesday morning’s briefing at the Emergency Operations Center. Butler said his department would be increasing the number of officers on the streets to protect businesses and evacuees parked randomly around the city waiting out Hurricane Milton. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Law enforcement beef up patrols as evacuees park, seek shelter in Lake City

TODD WILSON
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Evacuees will be present in Lake City and Columbia County in record numbers the next few days whether passing through or weathering the presence of Hurricane Milton and these people are doing the best they can during the most difficult circumstances, law enforcement leaders said Tuesday morning.
FHP Capt. Mike Burroughs explains Emergency Shoulder Use operations for Interstate 75 northbound lanes Tuesday morning during a Columbia County Emergency Operations Center briefing in Lake City. Southbound lanes of I-75 never closed and will remain open as normal during Hurricane Milton. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

FHP Capt. Mike Burroughs explains Emergency Shoulder Use operations for Interstate 75 northbound lanes Tuesday morning during a Columbia County Emergency Operations Center briefing in Lake City. Southbound lanes of I-75 never closed and will remain open as normal during Hurricane Milton. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Emergency lane remains open on I-75 north; southbound still open

TODD WILSON
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Four lanes of traffic will continue to remain open in the northbound lanes of Interstate 75 under the Florida Highway Patrol’s Emergency Shoulder Use program which allows motorists to drive on the inside shoulder lane of the freeway.
There has been additional traffic at convenience stores around the Suwannee Valley, including SunStop locations like on State Road 47 at the Interstate 75 interchange, with evacuees fleeing Hurricane Milton further south. Still, SunStop stores have plenty of fuel to continue serving those people. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

There has been additional traffic at convenience stores around the Suwannee Valley, including SunStop locations like on State Road 47 at the Interstate 75 interchange, with evacuees fleeing Hurricane Milton further south. Still, SunStop stores have plenty of fuel to continue serving those people. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

SunStop has plenty of fuel amid evacuation

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
There are no concerns of fuel shortages at SunStop convenience stores.
Shayne Morgan describes Hurricane Milton, which now is a Category 5. Seated clockwise from left are Rocky Ford, Ron Williams, Kevin Kirby and Robby Hollingsworth. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

Shayne Morgan describes Hurricane Milton, which now is a Category 5. Seated clockwise from left are Rocky Ford, Ron Williams, Kevin Kirby and Robby Hollingsworth. (TODD WILSON/Lake City Reporter)

MONDAY OUTLOOK: Hurricane Milton: Region expects heavy traffic, South Florida evacuees, tropical storm wind and rain

TODD WILSON
Monday, October 7, 2024
Vicious Category 5 Hurricane Milton slowed on its trek toward the central west coast of Florida on Monday while Columbia County officials moved quickly to prepare, meeting in special session to plan the logistics of the arrival and aftermath.
Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 storm, is expected to hit the state late Wednesday or early Thursday, bringing punishing winds and massive storm surge. (NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER)

Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 storm, is expected to hit the state late Wednesday or early Thursday, bringing punishing winds and massive storm surge. (NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER)

State braces for storm surge, power outages from Milton

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Monday, October 7, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — Hurricane Milton strengthened into a Category 4 storm Monday, as Florida officials implored Gulf Coast residents to follow evacuation orders and utilities prepared for widespread power outages. Gov.
Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida in the middle of the week. (NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER)

Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida in the middle of the week. (NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER)

Hurricane Milton could lead to large evacuation

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Sunday, October 6, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — Florida has ramped up debris-removal efforts and recalled emergency workers who provided aid in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, as residents of Florida’s West Coast face another potentially major storm barreling through the deep, warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Columbia County Commissioners met Thursday to discuss imposing fines and other penalties against contractors using the county’s rights-of-way to dispose of cleared debris following Hurricane Helene. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Commissioners met Thursday to discuss imposing fines and other penalties against contractors using the county’s rights-of-way to dispose of cleared debris following Hurricane Helene. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Relieving the logjam: County takes aim at debris contractors

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, October 4, 2024
Columbia County commissioners are not going to let debris contractors take advantage of residents and add unnecessary costs to the cleanup efforts from Hurricane Helene.

Hill named second county judge

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, October 4, 2024
After 14 years as an assistant state attorney, Garrett Hill will try on a new job title: judge. Hill, the first assistant state attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s Office since December 2020, was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to become Columbia County’s second judge.
State Rep. Chuck Brannan (left) and Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford help pass out drinks and food to people mpacted by Hurricane Helene at the Fort White Community Center on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

State Rep. Chuck Brannan (left) and Columbia County Commissioner Rocky Ford help pass out drinks and food to people mpacted by Hurricane Helene at the Fort White Community Center on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Toys for Tots becomes food for folks

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 4, 2024
FORT WHITE — During the aftermath of Hurricane Helene causing severe damage when it passed Columbia County, the Fort White Community Center has served a variety of community needs.