Local

Three linemen from North Carolina were injured when their bucket truck overturned as part of a four-vehicle crash northwest of Jasper on Wednesday afternoon. A Jasper man was killed in the crash. (COURTESY)

Three linemen from North Carolina were injured when their bucket truck overturned as part of a four-vehicle crash northwest of Jasper on Wednesday afternoon. A Jasper man was killed in the crash. (COURTESY)

Jasper man killed in crash involving utility crew

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 4, 2024
JASPER — A Jasper man was killed Wednesday afternoon after starting a four-vehicle crash that included a North Carolina utility crew helping restore power following Hurricane Helene.
Sherm’s Auto Repair and Restoration was nominated previously for the Guide to Florida Best of Florida award for best auto repair center, but this year’s award was the first time it has captured the honor. Sherman Stanley, the repair shop owner, pictured with his son, Tre’s Stanley, said it is big recognition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sherm’s Auto Repair and Restoration was nominated previously for the Guide to Florida Best of Florida award for best auto repair center, but this year’s award was the first time it has captured the honor. Sherman Stanley, the repair shop owner, pictured with his son, Tre’s Stanley, said it is big recognition. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Sherm’s captures State Best of the Best accolade

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 4, 2024
A local automotive repair center is one of the best in the state. Sherm’s Auto Repair and Restoration was listed among the Best of the Best Florida 2024 in the Auto Repair Centers category through a magazine contest held this year.

Registration books close Monday for general election

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 4, 2024
The general election is just a few weeks away and the Columbia County Supervisor of Elections office will close the voter registration books next week for people who want to cast ballots in the election. The book closing deadline for the upcoming election is 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct.
Southern Columbia County residents stand in line to get supplies, including shovels, rakes, tarps, buckets and cleaning supplies, from the American Red Cross in Fort White on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Southern Columbia County residents stand in line to get supplies, including shovels, rakes, tarps, buckets and cleaning supplies, from the American Red Cross in Fort White on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Red Cross provides cleanup supplies

TONY BRITT
Friday, October 4, 2024
FORT WHITE — For the past week, the American Red Cross has been providing invaluable services in Southern Columbia County to people who are working to recover from Hurricane Helene’s impact.

One student hurt when bus hit

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 4, 2024
A Columbia County School District student suffered minor injuries when the school bus they were riding on Thursday afternoon was hit by a pickup truck.

LDS Church members set to help in Helene cleanup efforts

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 4, 2024
A local branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will begin its work today in helping victims of Hurricane Helene. Members of the Church will be helping in cleanup efforts in 12 communities throughout the southeast, according to a release.
Comfort stations, which include showers, restrooms and laundry, will soon be left just in Fort White as power restoration nears completion in Columbia County following Hurricane Helene. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Comfort stations, which include showers, restrooms and laundry, will soon be left just in Fort White as power restoration nears completion in Columbia County following Hurricane Helene. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Shelters closed, comfort stations winding down

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, October 3, 2024
The final emergency shelters in Columbia County after Hurricane Helene closed Wednesday night. Supply distributions are also completed and comfort stations will be relegated to just Fort White after today.
A contractor uses a mechanical lift to remove debris from the buckets of his truck on Tuesday afternoon at Columbia County Public Works. There are five double trucks that are going around the county collecting the organic debris that’s on county right-of-way. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

A contractor uses a mechanical lift to remove debris from the buckets of his truck on Tuesday afternoon at Columbia County Public Works. There are five double trucks that are going around the county collecting the organic debris that’s on county right-of-way. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Cleaning up the county: Roadside debris pickup underway

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
As Columbia County continues to recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, there is a concerted effort to remove all the organic waste — limbs, branches, trees and other debris from county roadsides.