Local

Vehicles drive through flood waters on Branford Highway (State Road 247) on Monday afternoon after Hurricane Debby drenched the area with approximately 10 inches of rain. (STASI WACHTER/Special to the Reporter)

Vehicles drive through flood waters on Branford Highway (State Road 247) on Monday afternoon after Hurricane Debby drenched the area with approximately 10 inches of rain. (STASI WACHTER/Special to the Reporter)

Debby drenches North Florida

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, August 5, 2024
As Hurricane Debby moved out of North Florida on Monday afternoon, it left behind floodwaters. Heather Futch, Columbia County public information officer, said flooding was an issue in both the northern and southern portions of the county Monday afternoon. The storm, which made landfall around 7 a.
Hurricane Debby made landfall Monday morning near Steinhatchee. (NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER)

Hurricane Debby made landfall Monday morning near Steinhatchee. (NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER)

Debby makes landfall near Steinhatchee

NEWS STAFF
Monday, August 5, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — Hurricane Debby made landfall about 7 a.m. Monday near Steinhatchee with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, bringing the rural Big Bend region its second hurricane in less than a year, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Amber Clark fills up a sandbag at Southside Sports Complex as she prepares for Tropical Storm Debby. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter).

Amber Clark fills up a sandbag at Southside Sports Complex as she prepares for Tropical Storm Debby. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter).

Shelters opening in Columbia County

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Four shelters will be opening Sunday afternoon and evening in advance of Tropical Storm Debby. During an emergency briefing Sunday, county officials announced three general population and one special needs emergency shelters would be opening.
Power trucks staged Saturday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby. The trucks, from various companies across the country, will help Florida Power & Light restore power where needed after impact. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Power trucks staged Saturday at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby. The trucks, from various companies across the country, will help Florida Power & Light restore power where needed after impact. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Tropical Storm Debby could hit Florida as hurricane

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Saturday, August 3, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — A Category 1 hurricane is forecast to make landfall Monday morning in North Florida’s Big Bend region, which the powerful Hurricane Idalia hammered nearly a year ago, according to the private meteorology company AccuWeather.
Workers install new bells in the carillon tower at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. (COURTESY)

Workers install new bells in the carillon tower at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. (COURTESY)

Restoration work begins on Stephen Foster carrillon bells

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 2, 2024
WHITE SPRINGS — The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is getting its voice back. After close to a decade without the park’s signature sounds of its carillon bells, workers spent several days at the park this week working to restoring the unique sound that had been silenced.
Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth said he wants the county to pay attention to RV parks and campgrounds ‘because it can get out of hand.’ The County Commission agreed to put a moratorium in place on new permits so it can revise the LDRs. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth said he wants the county to pay attention to RV parks and campgrounds ‘because it can get out of hand.’ The County Commission agreed to put a moratorium in place on new permits so it can revise the LDRs. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

New RV campgrounds put on hold

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 2, 2024
New RV campgrounds won’t be able to take up residence in Columbia County for the foreseeable future.
Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett told the Lake City Kiwanis Club on Tuesday about the college’s growth, including the addition of a new bachelor’s degree program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Florida Gateway College President Larry Barrett told the Lake City Kiwanis Club on Tuesday about the college’s growth, including the addition of a new bachelor’s degree program. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Barrett touts FGC’s growth

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 2, 2024
Long term plans, upcoming projects and events scheduled to take place at Florida Gateway College aren’t the typical post-luncheon meal topics, but earlier this week Lake City Kiwanis Club members were given an update on plans and programs for the local college.

Teacher sentenced to life for child molestation

NEWS STAFF
Friday, August 2, 2024
BELL — A former elementary school teacher has been sentenced to life in prison for molesting school children. William Charles Carawan Jr., a 33-year-old from Fort White, was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of eight child sex offenses Tuesday in a Gilchrist County trial.
Columbia County Code Enforcement Officer Winston Warner talks to the County Commission about issues with complaints in the Town of Fort White on Thursday while Alexander Veiga, co-owner of The Collective: Food Yard and Garden, looks on. The commission voted to terminate its agreement to handle code enforcement for the town. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County Code Enforcement Officer Winston Warner talks to the County Commission about issues with complaints in the Town of Fort White on Thursday while Alexander Veiga, co-owner of The Collective: Food Yard and Garden, looks on. The commission voted to terminate its agreement to handle code enforcement for the town. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

County stopping code enforcement in Fort White

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, August 2, 2024
Columbia County will stop handling code enforcement in the Town of Fort White early next year. The Columbia County Commission unanimously approved terminating an interlocal agreement with the town to have the county perform that service, providing 180 days notice.