Buddy Wayne Butler celebrates 80th
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Buddy Wayne Butler celebrates 80th

At a small dinner party Dec. 28 at the Red Pirate Family Grill & Oyster Bar in Eastpoint, the family of Apalachicola’s Buddy Wayne Butler celebrated his 80th birthday. Atop the cake was emblazoned a photo of Buddy Wayne and his late wife Carolyn, working together in Apalachicola Bay on the oyster boat that they…

Documentary on oyster ecosystems wins Emmy
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Documentary on oyster ecosystems wins Emmy

A documentary film that focuses on the environmental pressures confronting oyster reefs worldwide, with a particular emphasis on Apalachicola Bay, has won its second Emmy award as it continues to gather both heightened attention and critical acclaim. At a ceremony held Dec. 2 in Hollywood, Florida, “UNFILTERED: The Truth About Oysters” won a Suncoast Emmy…

Despite probation, New York man keeps harassing sheriff
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Despite probation, New York man keeps harassing sheriff

A Troy, New York man sentenced last month in Franklin County to a five-year probation for threatening and harassing Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith through repeated telephone calls appears to be at it again. According to a Wednesday afternoon news release from the sheriff’s office, David M. Reed, 35, had stopped checking in at the…

Pair of year end wins buoy Hawk hopes
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Pair of year end wins buoy Hawk hopes

A pair of two-point home court wins last week against quality Class 1A opponents has buoyed the hopes of the Seahawk varsity boys basketball team, as they closed out 2023 with a 7-6 record. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, Ray Bailey’s squad trailed throughout the first half against the Cottondale Hornets, falling behind 16-11 after the…

Margaret Cain celebrates her century
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Margaret Cain celebrates her century

At her 100th birthday party Friday afternoon in Apalachicola, Margaret Cain offered some advice on longevity to her granddaughter Jessica Scott. “Just marry a man who loves you,” she told her. “And live with the Lord.” Cain has been fortunate to have enjoyed both of those things, and while her body is frail and her…

Governor appoints Croom to county commission
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Governor appoints Croom to county commission

Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Anthony Croom, Jr. to represent District 3 on Franklin County Board of County Commissioners. Croom, 36, a Republican, fills the position vacated by the death of Noah Lockley, Jr. who passed away at age 72 on Nov. 14. Croom works as district safety and security administrator for the Franklin County…

Laser show climaxes Carrabelle holiday festival
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Laser show climaxes Carrabelle holiday festival

Carrabelle celebrated the Christmas season under the glow of harbor lights and the dazzle of laser beams Saturday with the Holiday on the Harbor Street Festival and Boat Parade of Lights. “The festival was a great success and we could not have asked for more perfect weather,” said Lori Dougherty, director of the Carrabelle Chamber…

Changes in primary care for Gulf and Franklin
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Changes in primary care for Gulf and Franklin

The relocation of Apalachicola family practitioner David Newton M.D. this month to a practice in Port St. Joe signals a change to primary care in Franklin and Gulf counties. Weems Memorial Hospital is reassuring Franklin County patients that all their primary care needs will be met by its existing providers as they continue to seek…