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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.
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.