Union County Sheriff's Office

10/22/2026

***HALLOWEEN EVENTS & SAFETY TIPS - UNION COUNTY***

On Saturday, October 24th, 2026, from 6pm-8pm, RMC will host their Fall Festival at Reception and Medical Center Housing on South CR231.

The City of Lake Butler will observe Trick or Treat/Halloween on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31st from 6pm-8pm. (see flyer)

Increased Law Enforcement patrol will be at these events and throughout the city.

It is the goal of Sheriff Brad Whitehead and the Union County Sheriff’s Office that all remain safe and alert during this time of year. The Union County Sheriff’s Office is offering these safety tips for kids, parents and motorists to ensure that Halloween and the activities involved are enjoyable for all.
Those passing out candy, please have your porch light on and ensure a safe entrance is well lit.

TIPS FOR KIDS:
• Attend an organized event, or it is a good idea to stay in your own neighborhood, go with a friend, or in a group with an adult
• Go only to homes with lights on or Halloween decorations displayed.
• Do not eat any treats until they have been checked by an adult.
• Watch for cars when crossing the street.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:
• Make sure your child’s costume allows freedom of movement and good visibility.
• Carrying a flashlight or light stick makes kids more visible. (Union County Sheriff’s Office will be providing glow necklaces Saturday at RMC and the night of Halloween)
• Young children should always go with an adult.
• Insist that children trick or treat with a group.
• Before children eat any treats, check them.

TIPS FOR MOTORISTS:
• Exercise extreme caution when driving and be alert for excited children, whose vision may be obscured by masks or costumes. Drive very slow throughout neighborhoods.
• Use caution and be aware of children while backing vehicles out of driveways or parking spaces.
• Use caution if transporting children from house to house.
Extra patrol units will be on high alerts for speeders, drunk drivers and registered s*x offenders. See less

10/09/2026

***HURRICANE ISAIAS***
*As of Friday, October 9, 2026*

Union County Sheriff's Office, Office of Emergency Management has been monitoring Hurricane Isaias. It is currently a CAT 3 Hurricane looking to make landfall Friday evening around the Florida-Alabama border in the western panhandle.

We do not expect any direct storm impacts, besides an additional 1-2 inches of rain now through Sunday.

The storm is pushing a warm front north of Union County, which is what will cause the additional rainfall. As a result, there will be numerous thunderstorms in the area this weekend. There is always a chance for wind gusts and the chance of tornado watches tonight and Saturday, although tornadoes will be more likely in counties bordering the Gulf of America. Due to the recent rainfall accumulation that we've already experienced, there will also be a chance for flash flooding / water over roads.

Prepare for nasty weather Friday and Saturday.

09/25/2026

***HOMECOMING EVENTS***
***PARADE/ROAD CLOSURES/BLOCKAGE TODAY - NOON***

CELEBRATE U.C. TIGER HOMECOMING THIS WEEK:
HOMECOMING PARADE: FRIDAY, Sept. 25, 2026

Parade is this today starting at 12:00noon. It will start from Sprinkle Field (SR231/SR121) and travel through the Elementary School bus pickup, then travel East on S.W. 6th Street (SR121), North on Lake Avenue, West on Main Street (SR100), and then South on S.W. 6th Avenue CR231 (back to Sprinkle Field). (SEE MAP)

**THERE WILL BE MAJOR ROAD CLOSURES AND DETOURS**
Detours and Road Closures will occur Friday throughout the city! You are encouraged to avoid the major roads throughout the City of Lake Butler between 11:30AM and 1:30PM.

Deputies will be at every intersection, and you can expect delays throughout the parade route during this time.

If you are watching the parade, you can find great viewing areas on West Main Street, SW 6th Avenue or Lake Avenue. Make sure to park your vehicle off of the main parade route. Early release from school after the parade will continue to cause increased traffic after the parade. Be careful of children crossing the street and those not paying attention.

Please share this information with family and friends.

HOMECOMING GAME: TIGERS VS TERRY PARKER HIGH SCHOOL - FRIDAY NIGHT 7:30PM

09/24/2026

***HOMECOMING EVENTS***
***PARADE/ROAD CLOSURES/BLOCKAGE FRIDAY - NOON***

CELEBRATE U.C. TIGER HOMECOMING THIS WEEK:
HOMECOMING PARADE: FRIDAY, Sept. 25, 2026

Parade is this Friday starting at 12:00noon. It will start from Sprinkle Field (SR231/SR121) and travel through the Elementary School bus pickup, then travel East on S.W. 6th Street (SR121), North on Lake Avenue, West on Main Street (SR100), and then South on S.W. 6th Avenue CR231 (back to Sprinkle Field). (SEE MAP)

**THERE WILL BE MAJOR ROAD CLOSURES AND DETOURS**
Detours and Road Closures will occur Friday throughout the city! You are encouraged to avoid the major roads throughout the City of Lake Butler between 11:30AM and 1:30PM on Friday.
Deputies will be at every intersection, and you can expect delays throughout the parade route during this time.

If you are watching the parade, you can find great viewing areas on West Main Street, SW 6th Avenue or Lake Avenue. Make sure to park your vehicle off of the main parade route. Early release from school after the parade will continue to cause increased traffic after the parade. Be careful of children crossing the street and those not paying attention.

Please share this information with family and friends.
HOMECOMING GAME: TIGERS VS TERRY PARKER HIGH SCHOOL - FRIDAY NIGHT 7:30PM
*TIGER GROWL – TONIGHT- Sept. 24, 7PM (Gates open at 6PM)

09/09/2026

***COURTHOUSE SECURITY ENTRANCE***
***EFFECTIVE - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2026***

A significant portion of the Union County Courthouse renovation and security enhancement project is complete. Beginning Monday, September 14, 2026, the public will enter the courthouse through the new main entrance on the east side of the building along Lake Avenue. This entrance now serves as the courthouse’s single public access point and includes modernized security screening equipment, ADA-compliant access, and improved safety features.

All visitors will be required to undergo physical security screening, and weapons or fi****ms will not be permitted beyond the screening checkpoint.

These upgrades mark a major milestone in the renovation initiative that began in fall 2025. The project was made possible through legislative appropriation grants and is overseen by a security committee established by the Board of County Commissioners. Committee members include Mitchell Bishop (County Court Judge), Karen Cashdollar (Chief Deputy Court Administrator), William Davis (Chief Judge), Donna Jackson (County Commissioner), Kellie Hendricks Rhoades (Clerk of Court), Brad Whitehead (Sheriff), Capt. Lyn Williams (Chief Deputy), and Pam Woodington (Finance Director).

Originally built in 1936 and renovated in 1967 and 2000, the courthouse had never undergone modernization of safety or security features. Efforts to address this need began in January 2017, when then–Chief Judge Toby Monaco emphasized the importance of establishing a single public entrance and installing updated screening equipment to protect the public, staff, and officials.

In addition to the new secure entrance, renovation work continues throughout the building. Structural, mechanical, and aesthetic improvements are underway to preserve the historic courthouse and ensure its functionality for decades to come. Architecture and engineering experts have guided the restoration process to maximize the impact of allocated legislative funding.

With the opening of the new Lake Avenue entrance, the temporary public entry at the Main Street front door will close permanently and will no longer serve as a public access point.

09/04/2026

***Sheriff Brad Whitehead warns of On-going Scams***

"I enjoyed speaking with the Sardis Baptist Church “Senior Saints” about suspicious calls, texts, and emails. If something doesn’t feel right, when in doubt, call the Sheriff’s Office. We’re here to help determine whether it’s legitimate or not!!" stated Sheriff Brad Whitehead

Scammers are constantly changing their tactics and senior citizens are often their target

Churches, civic groups, and organizations interested in a scam-prevention presentation should contact us at 386-496-2501.

Together, we can help protect our community.

08/25/2026

***Buyer Beware: Door-to-Door Solar Solicitors***

The Union County Sheriff's Office would like to make residents aware that solar sales representatives are currently going door-to-door throughout our community soliciting business.
We have confirmed that the individuals and businesses we have been made aware of are legitimate businesses. However, legitimate does not necessarily mean that every statement made by a salesperson is accurate or that the company is affiliated with your local electric utility.

Residents should be aware that solar sales representatives may sometimes imply or state that they are working with, partnered with, or affiliated with a major power company or utility provider. If a solicitor makes this claim, we encourage you to independently verify it directly with your utility company before providing any information or entering into an agreement.

Please remember:
• You are not required to open your door or speak with a solicitor.
• Do not feel pressured to make an immediate decision or sign a contract at your doorstep.
• Ask for identification and the name of the company they represent.
• Independently verify claims regarding partnerships or affiliations with your electric utility.
• Never provide sensitive personal, financial, or account information to an unsolicited salesperson unless you have independently verified who you are dealing with.
• Consider displaying a “No Soliciting” sign if you do not wish to receive unsolicited sales visits.
• Doorbell and security cameras can also help document activity at your residence.

The presence of these solicitors in our community does not mean they are criminals or that they are necessarily engaged in illegal activity. Door-to-door solicitation may be lawful, subject to applicable local laws and regulations.

However, if a solicitor refuses to leave your property after you have clearly asked them to do so, do not confront or argue with them. Contact the Sheriff’s Office at 386-496-2501 and report the situation.

Our goal is simply to make residents aware of these sales visits so that you can make informed decisions and recognize that an unfamiliar person at your door does not necessarily have an affiliation with your power company.

When in doubt, take your time, verify independently, and never feel pressured to make a purchase at your front door.

Please share this information with family, friends, and neighbors—especially those who may be more vulnerable to high-pressure sales tactics.

08/19/2026

08/12/2026

***UNION CO SCHOOLS STARTS BACK TODAY, AUGUST 12, 2026***

Just a reminder as Union County public schools start back TODAY, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12TH for everyone to stop and be aware of all your surroundings. Be aware of the increased traffic on SR121 and CR231 in and around the school zones, especially around 6:30am-8:15am and 2:00pm-3:15pm each day.

Traffic will be very heavy during the first few weeks of school.
Be aware of the school crossing guards helping to get our children across the roads. Be aware of the school buses throughout our county picking up children at each of our bus stops. Be aware of any possible suspicious vehicles and/or persons that might be around and report any unusual behavior to law enforcement immediately.

Please be safe and patient and remember to always slow your speed in the school zones areas. Increased law enforcement patrol will be available throughout our school zones, before and after school. If you are not dropping off students in Union County, it would be advised to avoid SR121 and CR231 area if at all possible, during the next week or two starting this Wednesday.
Also please make sure the school has the most current and accurate emergency contact information on file for your children. We frequently need to get contact parents/guardians for various reasons throughout the year. Teach your children to always CHECK FIRST before changing their plans before or after school. Teach your children to never leave school with anyone unless they CHECK FIRST with you or another trusted adult family member. The Sheriff's Office responds to numerous calls each year about missing children from our schools because of lack of communication with their travels after school and ways to get home.

Be aware of the security measures in place on each campus. Each school has a central sole point of entrance. Parents will need to be screened and checked in to the front office of each school when coming onto campus. We are here to make sure our schools and children remain safe at all times!

THOSE DROPPING CHILDREN OFF AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:
Please see the map in this post. Parents of 1st to 5th Grade Students will enter through the back gate along C.R. 231 and follow the designated path shown. 2nd thru 5th Grade Students will be dropped off along the LEFT side of the bus ramp area. Parents of Pre-K, K and 1st Grade will also enter through the back gate along C.R. 231 and will drop off along the RIGHT side of the bus ramp area. Staff will be there to direct the flow of traffic and help students out of vehicles. Please do not enter the teacher and staff parking area or the loop in front of the cafeteria to drop off students.

Praying for a great and safe school year