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Outdoors Brief

FWC law enforcement achieves highest accreditation level The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Law Enforcement was awarded the Excelsior Status, the most prestigious achievement in Florida accreditation, by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation at their February 2024 conference.  Excelsior Recognition is reserved for criminal justice agencies that have received accreditation…

Barkus Parade yields $23K to benefit animals
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Barkus Parade yields $23K to benefit animals

Tails were wagging high! The annual Apalachicola Mardi Gras Barkus Parade on Feb. 24 was a phenomenal success, as two- and four-legged friends from all over the country flooded the streets again to walk, wag and woof their way through downtown. Apalachicola Police Chief Bobby Varnes, Sheriff A.J. Smith, this year’s grand marshal, and Apalachicola…

Carrabelle lighthouse introduces vintage flea market
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Carrabelle lighthouse introduces vintage flea market

The Crooked River Lighthouse will host an outdoor Country and Vintage Flea Market on Saturday, March 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1975 U.S. 98 West outside Carrabelle. The Country Markets, held every first, third and fifth Saturdays, added a vintage flea to the upcoming market. From thrift-store worthy scores to high-end antiques,…

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Outdoor Briefs

FWC OKs new alligator harvest opportunity At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved rule changes to establish a special-use alligator harvest opportunity to take effect for the 2024 alligator harvest season. The new opportunity will complement the existing statewide alligator hunt and create a flexible alternative that allows permittees to…

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FWC Report

During the week of Feb. 23 through 29, Officer Lipford was on patrol in Gulf County targeting night hunters when he observed a vehicle displaying a light into an open field in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of deer. He stopped the vehicle and found the driver and passenger were in possession of…

Isle Newell offers world-class bluegrass Saturday
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Isle Newell offers world-class bluegrass Saturday

For the first time in its long history, the Isle Newell Fund for the Performing Arts has booked a bluegrass act. Echo Valley, a family music phenomenon of five sisters and one brother, will perform this Saturday evening, March 9 at  6 p.m. the Holy Family Senior Center in Apalachicola. Echo Valley has performed energetic…

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Outdoors Briefs

FWC OKs new alligator harvest opportunity At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved rule changes to establish a special-use alligator harvest opportunity to take effect for the 2024 alligator harvest season. The new opportunity will complement the existing statewide alligator hunt and create a flexible alternative that allows permittees to…

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FWC Report

During the week of Jan. 26 through Feb. 1, Officer Hartzog was patrolling Timber Island in Franklin County and observed a group of individuals fishing from the bridge over Postum Bayou. Hartzog conducted a resource inspection and observed the subjects to be in possession of multiple undersized spotted seatrout. Also, none of the individuals possessed…

Plein air event offers lots for local community
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Plein air event offers lots for local community

The 19th annual Forgotten Coast en Plein Air event returns March 15 – 24, bringing internationally recognized artists to document the landscape and culture of the region through the plein air process.  The event features artists’ demonstrations, lectures, receptions and exhibits which, with few exceptions, are free and open to the public. The French term “en…

Recreational harvest of snook re-opens
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Recreational harvest of snook re-opens

The recreational harvest of snook in the Panhandle and Big Bend, as well as the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor and Southwest management regions opened March 1, and remains open through April 30.  This includes all Florida state and inland waters as well as adjacent federal waters within each management region.  These regions and…