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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.
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.