The Tallahassee Police Department held a Cone with a Cop event Thursday at the McDonalds on West Tennessee Street. Neighbors stopped by to enjoy free ice cream cones.

BROADCAST SCRIPT:

The Tallahassee Police Department hosted a "cone with a cop" event Thursday at the Mcdonald's on West Tennessee Street.

Neighbors enjoyed free ice cream cones and had the chance to connect with local officers to build stronger community relationships.

Sergeant Stephen Stable said,"We sit down and we talk with a lot of people and, um we listen to them and a lot of our commands staff members are here and they uh, when citizens have genuine issues and complaints, uh maybe not necessarily the police department but about, um issues or conditions within the city of Tallahassee, we listen and we take those back to the police department or any other department within the city and we address them and we make sure that they're uh addressed and fixed."

Sergeant Stable says events like this have received positive feedback from the community.

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Three people experiencing homelessness were killed this month in Thomasville now, a local nonprofit is stepping in with urgent support.

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

Three homeless people in Thomasville died in just a month and now, a local nonprofit is trying to prevent the next loss.

I'm taking you inside a critical effort to connect our most vulnerable neighbors to food, shelter, and life-saving support before it's too late.

This past month has been especially hard for Thomasville's homeless community.

Three people died along Highway 19 all hit by cars while walking or biking at night.

Tammie Murphy, who leads Thomas County Cares, says they were likely wearing dark clothes and dealing with health or mental health struggles.

"Because of that, Thomas County Cares now has reflectors that we are handing out to them to wear at night when they're walking or when they're riding their bicycles so that the light will pick up and make it easier to see them. We have reflective vests that are on the way in," said Tammie Murphy, executive director.

But they're not stopping there.

The nonprofit is also helping people survive and move forward through its quarterly Community Resource Fair.

It's a one-stop hub for people struggling with housing, hunger, health, and job access.

And the need is growing... this month alone, Thomas County Cares is working with 249 people, many of them unsheltered, or living in hotels.

"So some people are suffering from food insecurities. Some are having trouble finding employment. Inflation is obviously on the rise. We have folks that have medical issues, and their issues are not being met. We have folks that need help finding their way to health care and to mental health services, as well as drug rehabilitation and things like that. So this resource fair just brings together many, many partners that partner with us through the Homeless Coalition, and that allows us to get those resources out to those in need," said Murphy.

Priscilla McIntire is one of those getting help today.

She's been disabled since 2014, unable to work, and now facing homelessness.

For her, showing up to something like this is about more than just getting supplies.

"I think it's a big help to the community because a lot of people got a lot of stuff going on for their lives that we don't know about, but they know about. And I think it's OK for them to keep coming," said McIntire.

Another local resource is Thomasville Street Feed. They give out free meals every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

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After nearly a year of heartbreak and hard hats, recovery is finally blooming across Valdosta.

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

When Hurricane Helene tore through South Georgia last year, it left behind a trail of destructionripping roofs, toppling trees, and gutting more than 2,000 structures.

It left places like Lake Parks Farmhouse Plaza nearly unrecognizable.

But now, glimmers of hope are finally breaking through.

Audrey Rogers, the heart behind Pinstripes & Polkadots, just reopened her handmade clothing store after months of pop-up shops and patience.

The best way to describe it is when I walk through the door, I just smile so big. Tears start falling, and I feel likeits so exciting. Its so beautiful to walk in. We have been so super blessed.

With repairs wrapping up and shelves restocked, Audrey credits the hard work of landlords, contractors, and a little faith.

I think everybodys got us where we need to be. And you know, more than that, I think Gods got His hand on us and were going to be OK.

And the community? They're being called to show up, too.

Supporting not only your friends and neighbors, but youre supporting those small businesses that give back to your schools, they give back to your churches, they give back to your civic organizations.

With nearly 70% of the city now restored, Valdostas bounce-back is well underwaybut its local love thatll keep it going.

In Valdosta, Im Malia Thomas, reporting for ABC27.

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