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…

Apalachicola native serves aboard warship in Mayport
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Apalachicola native serves aboard warship in Mayport

Seaman Jamal Robinson, a native of Apalachicola, serves aboard USS Lassen, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Mayport. Robinson, who graduated from Franklin County High School in 2022, believes the skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Apalachicola. “My hometown taught me not to let things…

Election 2024: Rudd seeks school superintendent post
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Election 2024: Rudd seeks school superintendent post

Incumbent school superintendent, Republican Steve Lanier, 66, 126 Hickory Dip Road, Eastpoint, is facing a challenge from Democrat Jill Rudd, 52, 74 Rose Street, Sopchoppy. The following statement is provided by the Rudd campaign. Hello, I am Jill Rudd, and I am aspiring to be your next superintendent of schools.  With a rich educational background…

Election 2024: Lanier faces challenge for superintendent
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Election 2024: Lanier faces challenge for superintendent

Incumbent school superintendent, Republican Steve Lanier, 66, 126 Hickory Dip Road, Eastpoint, is facing a challenge from Democrat Jill Rudd, 52, 74 Rose Street, Sopchoppy. The following statement has been provided by the Lanier campaign. My name is Steve Lanier, and I am running for re-election as your Superintendent of Schools.  Over the last four…

Gulf Coast honored as ‘Military Friendly School’
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Gulf Coast honored as ‘Military Friendly School’

Gulf Coast State College has been named a “Military Friendly School” with Gold Distinction for the 2024-25 Military Friendly Cycle, ranking in the top 10 in the nation for small public schools.  The Military Friendly Schools list recognizes colleges, universities and trade schools that do the most to embrace America’s armed service members, veterans and…

Book bonanzas help stymie ‘summer slide’
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Book bonanzas help stymie ‘summer slide’

Last year the newly renamed Bring Me A Book Forgotten Coast held its first Book Bonanza with a grant from Duke Energy Foundation. The non-profit gave away books to elementary students in Franklin County at the end of the school year to ensure kids had reading material of their own choosing to engage them over…

Araujo sentenced to 25 years
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Araujo sentenced to 25 years

Judge accept prosecutor’s recommendation Following an emotional hearing Friday afternoon in the Apalachicola courthouse, in which convicted murderer Christina Araujo broke down in tears as she expressed remorse for the killing, Circuit Judge Jonathan Sjostrom handed down a 25-year sentence. With about five-and-a-half years of credit for time served, both in the Franklin and Liberty…