WFSU Local News

Tallahassee residents could soon see an increase in their garbage bills. During their upcoming meeting, city commissioners are expected to discuss a plan to raise rates by a dollar a month for residential service.

More than 40,000 voters in Leon County are not registered to vote with either the Democratic or Republican party. That means they can’t vote in the primary. Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Early visited the Leon County Detention Center to register voters behind bars. 

He wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to get registered or switch their party ID before the February 18 deadline.

More than 40,000 voters in Leon County are not registered to vote with either the Democratic or Republican party. That means they can’t vote in the primary. Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Early visited the Leon County Detention Center to register voters behind bars. 

He wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to get registered or switch their party ID before the February 18 deadline.

  Sixty years ago, a group of Tallahassee college students decided they’d had enough. It was February 13th, 1960, and 11 students, led by Florida A&M University student Patricia Stephens, decided to go downtown for lunch—to the segregated lunch counter of the Woolworth’s department store. Less than four years prior the city’s bus system had been desegregated but Tallahassee was far from racial equality. 

Update 12:18pm:

From the Madison County Sheriff's Office - The Florida Highway Patrol will be shutting down Interstate 10 in Madison County from the 262 mile maker (Lee exit) to the 275 mile marker in Suwannee County due to zero visibility caused by dust from adjacent fields. Deputies are responding to multiple downed trees from the strong winds throughout the county. 

Update 11:30am:

An approaching weather system is leading schools to cancel classes early across the Big Bend. The region’s two public universities along with Tallahassee Community College are planning early departures and some school districts have cancelled after-school activities.

Update: 

In a statement issued Wednesday night, Keith Powell withdrew from the position of Independent Ethics Officer. 

“I am sorry if my past comments offended members of this community. This was never my intent,” he said. “For 32 years, I have had the honor to serve as an investigator with the Florida Commission on Ethics, and I have always done so with impartiality and professionalism. In this role, I have never been concerned with issues related to right versus left, but merely those involving right versus wrong.”

Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell is putting together what he’s calling a Citizens Advisory Committee. The goal of the committee is to provide ideas, programs and feedback to help TPD improve its relationship with community members.

An advisory committee like the one Revell is proposing has long been in demand. The police chief has said one of his priorities is to strengthen communication and trust between law enforcement and city residents.

TPD Spokeswoman Rachelle Denmark says the group will be diverse.