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Unemployment down in Franklin, steady in Gulf

Joblessness in the Forgotten Coast continued to be under control in May, as Franklin County saw a drop and Gulf stayed steady in their unemployment numbers. According to preliminary data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Franklin County joblessness improved by four-tenths of 1 percentage point, from 3.1 down to 2.7 percent….

Big Fourth of July week planned
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Big Fourth of July week planned

With the exception of Tuesday July 2, every evening during next week’s honoring of 248 years of America’s Independence will have fireworks along the Forgotten Coast.  On Monday, July 1, the action gets underway in Eastpoint, with the Freedom Festival in Patton Drive Park starting at 5 p.m. sponsored by the Eastpoint Civic Association. There’ll…

Libraries host Animal Tales Zoofari Earth Friday
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Libraries host Animal Tales Zoofari Earth Friday

The Franklin County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program continues its series of fun events with the highly anticipated Animal Tales Zoofari Earth on Friday, June 28. The program features animal ambassadors from around the globe with six different exotic animals from six different continents. Children and adults alike have the opportunity to get up close…

Proclaiming the energy of emancipation
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Proclaiming the energy of emancipation

In the ninth year of its local observance in Port St. Joe, and the fourth year since it was designated a federal holiday, and the 159th year since it marked that day in Texas, June 19, when a Union general delivered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, Gulf County marked Juneteenth in…

New Nautical Ventures store sets sail
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New Nautical Ventures store sets sail

Six months after Wefings Marine, Franklin County’s oldest boat dealership, dating back 115 years, was sold to a South Florida company, the new Nautical Ventures snipped the ribbon on its remodeled location in Eastpoint. The company, based in Fort Lauderdale with dealership locations also in Palm Beach, Sarasota, Stuart, and Tampa, hosted a BBQ, beer…

Franklin County about to land Bassmaster tourney
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Franklin County about to land Bassmaster tourney

TDC OKs deal for October Redfish Cup Franklin County looks to be quite a busy place for two weeks beginning in late October as tourist development officials have struck a deal to bring a big money, nationally televised fishing tournament here. If details can be agreed upon, the 2024 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship will…

Tax collector races highlight local ballots
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Tax collector races highlight local ballots

With the presidential race in November likely to attract record turnout, and with qualifying now closed, voters in Franklin and Gulf counties still will have several local races to consider, particularly on who will fill their open tax collector seats in both counties. In Franklin County, Republican Amy Braxton Cook and Teresa Ann Martin, a…

History buffs breathe life into cemetery
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History buffs breathe life into cemetery

An ongoing effort by the Apalachicola Area Historical Society to repair and maintain the city’s aging Chestnut Cemetery is about to kick into overdrive, thanks to an infusion of much-needed dollars. The historic cemetery, considered by experts to rank among the state’s oldest and most distinguished burial grounds, is set to benefit from $166,000 in…

Jones seeks re-election to county commission
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Jones seeks re-election to county commission

Eastpoint resident Ricky Jones is seeking re-election to the District 1 county commission seat, which encompasses all of St. George Island and portions of Eastpoint. Jones, 53, of 258 Sago Drive in Eastpoint, is facing a challenge from Republican Russell Turner, 68, who resides at 419 US Highway 98 in Eastpoint. At the primary election…