| |

Gulf Coast application deadlines near

The Gulf Coast State College Fire Academy is currently open for applications until May 10. The Fire Academy is offered twice per year in three modules, for those interested in pursuing a career in the fire service. GCSC’s Fire Academy offers individualized instruction and training from qualified instructors who work in the field. Students will…

Franklin County kids design license tags
|

Franklin County kids design license tags

Franklin County Tax Collector Richard Watson has announced the 2024 Kids Tag Art winners All fifth graders in Franklin County were invited to compete for small cash prizes by drawing a specialty license tag with a theme of Historical Franklin County.  Leeah Ward from the Franklin County School took first place. Second place went to…

Educators host school superintendent forum
| | |

Educators host school superintendent forum

The local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society of Key Women Educators held a Franklin County Superintendent Candidates Forum Tuesday, April 16 at ED Corps High School. Both candidates, incumbent Steve Lanier and opponent Jill Rudd, participated, shared their platforms, and answered questions from the almost three dozen people who attended. Delta Kappa’s president…

| | |

T.J. Sanders to speak at Franklin education banquet

The fifth annual Franklin County Education Banquet will be held Tuesday, May 7 in the cafetorium of Franklin County School beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Franklin County Education Foundation, the banquet honors Rookies of the Year, School-Related Employees of the Year, and Teachers of the Year for the 2023-24 school year from both…

| |

Free prep course for ham radio license

The Franklin County Emergency Management office will host a free prep course for the general level Ham Radio license.  Because this is the second level of ham radio licenses, the first level, the technician license. has to be completed before taking the general level. Both tests can be taken at the same time; however, technician…

Young voices conquer speech contest
| |

Young voices conquer speech contest

What do a Greek scientist, spiders, candlemaking, and fun stuff to do in Michigan all have in common? They were all among the many topics for speeches given by Franklin County fourth, fifth and sixth graders at the annual 4-H Public Speaking Competition conducted March 22 at the UF IFAS Extension Building in Apalachicola. Twelve…

Dear Hero: Schoolkids pen Christmas letters to soldiers
| | | |

Dear Hero: Schoolkids pen Christmas letters to soldiers

For many years, the Times and the Star have run Letters to Santa from school children, affording readers an opportunity to peer into the hearts of the minds of youngsters during the Christmas season. This year, we are again offering them to readers, but with a twist on the tradition. The idea comes from a…

Raney House on the mend: Facelift begins on 1836 gem
|

Raney House on the mend: Facelift begins on 1836 gem

The Raney House, an 1836 Greek Revival home built by one of Apalachicola’s founding families, is undergoing a major effort to ensure it continues to shine for years to come. Funded by a $311,000 special category grant from the Florida Division of Historic Resources, work began this week on a multifaceted plan to replace many…

County lifts all evacuation orders
| | | | |

County lifts all evacuation orders

As of 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, the county emergency management office has rescinded all evacuation orders, both mandatory and voluntary. Due to a combination of Hurricane Idalia and the rising tide, Bayfront Drive in Alligator Point and Patton Street on St. George Island are under water. Please use extreme caution when in this area. Because there…