The 5 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center showed that the storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph after making landfall along Florida s Big Bend region and heading north to Georgia.
The county opened one shelter, at West Port High School, for west Marion residents who have special medical needs.
All in all, people seemed to agree that the storm could have been much worse. Thank you, Jesus, we ve been blessed, Dunnellon Vice Mayor Valerie Hanchar said Wednesday morning when talking about the relative lack of damage. The only reported trouble in her city was a broken oak tree limb that fell across and blocked Palatka Drive at Vogt Springs Road.
Toward the end of the meeting, when it was time for councilors to make their reports, White told the council that the city has a $350,000, 6,000-square-foot property not being used, a police building that has mold problems and needs repair, and a police chief who s eager for a resolution. The problem is not going to go away, White told councilors. He said he was wiling to call a special meeting to discuss the issue, and said he did not want to adjourn Monday night without resolving the problem.
With that, Hanchar made a motion to revisit the issue. This time, Kenny and Cubbage voted yes. The measure passed unanimously.
Sheriff can cover Dunnellon, but it will cost at least $1M per year
DUNNELLON Sheriff Billy Woods told Dunnellon city councilors that if his agency provides police services for the city, Dunnellon would have to pay at least $1 million per year.
The idea of the sheriff s office taking over for the city police department arose when Police Chief Mike McQuaig told city councilors that he wants a new building. City officials believe that before taking on that request, then all options for police service need to be explored.
Six years ago, a similar debate ended with the police department remaining intact.