News Archive

From Scott Garner, with the Emergency Management Office:

The National Weather Service has some concern about a storm system approaching from the west. While there is some uncertainly in the forecast, they have a “Slight Risk” for severe storms in the forecast for Thursday.

Below is an excerpt from the 3:26 AM Area Forecast Discussion produced by the National Weather Service - Tallahassee Forecast Office, which explains the current thinking of their meteorologists.

VERY CHALLENGING FORECAST THIS CYCLE AS THE MODELS ARE INDICATING A VERY STRONG STORM SYSTEM HEADING OUR WAY BY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.
THIS SYSTEM LOOKS TO PRESENT A MULTIFACETED HAZARDOUS WEATHER THAT WILL INCLUDE NOT ONLY SEVERE POTENTIAL…BUT HEAVY RAIN…COASTAL FLOODING AND MARINE HAZARDS. FOR A SYSTEM THAT IS BETWEEN 48 AND 60 HOURS AWAY…THERE IS STILL SOME SUBTLE DETAILS TO WORK OUT…BUT WHAT IS REMARKABLE IS THAT THE MODELS ARE DOING A REASONABLY GOOD JOB WITH THE SYNOPTIC DETAILS AND DELIVERING SOME RUN TO RUN CONSISTENCY.

You can monitor forecasts from the National Weather Service on their website: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tae/

On Tuesday, 24 November 2009 the Lafayette State Bank in Mayo, Florida was robbed by Jacob P. Launius of Murphysboro, Illinois. Launius entered the bank at approximately 11:24 am and approached a bank teller, placing a handwritten note on her counter. The teller read the note that stated that Launius had a gun and was robbing the bank. The note also stated that the teller was to place the money in a bag and further demanded that she give him the keys to her vehicle as well as write down the make, model, and location of her vehicle. The final statement on the note demanded that she tell no one or he would shoot somebody. After receiving $8,274.00 in cash and the keys to the bank teller’s car Launius exited the building, entered the bank teller’s car, and fled the scene. Lafayette County deputies quickly responded to the call and immediately began a county-wide search. Also at this time a BOLO (Be On Lookout) was issued for surrounding counties. Approximately 45 minutes later Dixie County Sheriff’s deputies located the suspect vehicle and followed it into Taylor County. At this time Taylor County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. A pursuit ensued and ended a short time later when the suspect vehicle crashed and Launius attempted to flee on foot. Oficers quickly apprehended Launius, who was still in possession of the money. Launius is currently in custody in Taylor County. The following Law Enforcement Agencies were instrumental in assisting the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office with the apprehension of this felon:

Taylor County Sheriff’s Office

Dixie County Sheriff’s Office

Perry Police Department

Cross City Police Department

Florida Highway Patrol

Florida Department of Law Enforcement

The DCSO is currently involved in a high speed chase in Jena and Steinhatchee involving a car that is suspected in a Lafayette County Bank robbery earlier today.

The car was pursued from Steinhatchee Falls into Steinhatchee by Officer “DK” Danny King, where he was joined by other officers.  The chase continued around Steinhatchee and the car was eventually wrecked.  The officers are chasing the suspect on foot.

The bravery of our men and women in uniform, and their resolve, remain the world’s most powerful weapon against terrorism.

–Mark Warner