FCHS graduation rate climbs after state review
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FCHS graduation rate climbs after state review

After the state released graduation rates for 2024 in early January, officials with the Franklin County Schools suspected that the 73 percent graduation rate announced for the district was inaccurate. Superintendent Steve Lanier said that after conversations with school administration and testing personnel, the Florida Department of Education was contacted to request a correction. School…

Prescribed burn today in Apalachicola WEA
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Prescribed burn today in Apalachicola WEA

There will be a prescribed fire today, Friday, Feb. 21 in Franklin County on the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.  “The burn does have the potential of sending smoke into Apalachicola and will be visible from the surrounding area due to the large scale of…

Dump trucks collide near Carrabelle Beach Wednesday
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Dump trucks collide near Carrabelle Beach Wednesday

A pair of dump trucks collided Wednesday morning on U.S. 98 near Carrabelle Beach, with neither of the drivers suffering serious injury. According to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol, at about 10 :50 a.m., a fully loaded dump truck, driven by a 52-year-old woman from Quincy,  was traveling westbound on US-98 near…

Lady Seahawks fall in regional semifinals
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Lady Seahawks fall in regional semifinals

It may have been Valentine’s Day, but except from the Franklin County fans who filled the stands, there wasn’t a lot of love on the court for the Lady Seahawks. Squaring up against the third seeded Malone Tigers, a team that brought a losing 7-11 record into the Nest, the second seeded Lady Seahawks managed…

African-American History Festival ‘still standing’
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African-American History Festival ‘still standing’

For the past 22 years, on President’s Day weekend, Apalachicola has been the site of an annual African-American History Festival, at Sixth Street Park adjacent to the Holy Family Senior Center. Last weekend was no exception, in fact it was an exceptional festival, with a large crowd taking in the events that ran all day…

‘Magic Surfer’ hearkens back to island’s glory days
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‘Magic Surfer’ hearkens back to island’s glory days

There was a time, not too long ago, when the vibe on St. George Island was much different than it is today. The island was populated for the most part by people who were there year round, who could afford to live in their homes without renting them out for weeks or even months at…

Boat ramps, reefs highlight governor’s budget
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Boat ramps, reefs highlight governor’s budget

Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed 2025-26 Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommendations are intended to solidify the state’s role in fish and wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation. A news release released last week outlined the governor’s priorities with funding that flows through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “As the ‘Boating Capital of the World,’…

Shrimpfest draws a jumbo crowd
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Shrimpfest draws a jumbo crowd

Despite an overcast day with an unrealized threat of rain, the St. George Island Lighthouse’s fourth annual Shrimpfest, its chief fundraiser for the year, drew as big a crowd as it ever has. With about 2,300 attendees, Amy Hodson, executive director of the St. George Lighthouse Association, said that the event should end up netting…

Franklin County downs St. Joe for district title
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Franklin County downs St. Joe for district title

If you didn’t stay for the second half, you would have thought Saturday night’s district championship in Eastpoint would have gone the other way. The Port St. Joe Lady Tiger Sharks led more of the entire first half, amassing a 25-19 lead at the intermission against the Franklin County Lady Seahawks. But a strong second…