Two-car crash slows island bridge traffic
A two-car collision on the bridge between Eastpoint and St. George Island has slowed down traffic. A report by the Florida Highway Patrol said the accident occurred about 11:43 a.m. ET, with injuries reported. Ambulances from both Franklin and Gulf counties responded, with at least one of the motorists involved being transported to Bay Medical…
Franklin County tax base sees 7% jump
Based on good faith estimates submitted to the Florida Department of Revenue in advance of this week’s preliminary valuations, Franklin County’s tax base looks to be about 7 percent greater than last year. Property Appraiser Rhonda Skipper’s office estimates that Franklin County has seen growth of about 7.1 percent, a roughly $215.5 million increase to…
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DeSantis signs controversial bear bill
Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 20 signed a controversial measure that will bolster self-defense arguments for people who kill bears on their property. The bill about bears (HB 87) provides a sort of stand-your-ground defense for people who shoot bears to defend themselves or property. But with bear hunting long a controversial issue in Florida,…
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Simon touts school choice in campaign stop
Freshman State Senator Corey Simon, running for a second term in the state legislature, stopped by Apalachicola last month as part of a fundraising and campaign swing in Franklin County. After a robust introduction by Sheriff A.J. Smith, and some get-fired-up remarks to the Republican audience by county chairman Kristy Banks, Simon spoke June 20…
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Library helps to create U.S. citizens
Miguel Castillo and his wife Beatriz have studied and passed their US citizenship tests, thanks to resources at the Apalachicola Margaret Key Public Library. Librarian Lucy Carter said to study for the US Naturalization test, the married couple checked out bilingual Civics flash cards created by US Citizenship and Immigration Services to study. Miguel has…
Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce honors Willis
The Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce last month honored Apalachicola’s Helen Ausley Willis with its Trailblazer award. Presented to women for their career success and their leadership role in volunteering and community service, the Trailblazer recipients, selected by the chamber’s Women Business Council, are chosen for the example they set to inspire and empower…
Perfect weather for a turtle festival
Sunday’s eighth annual Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Festival at George Core Park in Port St. Joe was a perfect day for turtles. For humans, it had its pluses and minuses. A sunny morning began the day, and the turnout was strong as locals and visitors took in over 70 arts and crafts vendor booths, 12…
Golf carts in style for Independence Day
Hi Y’all, Happy Fourth of July! In the hot, steamy village of Lanark there is always fun to be found. We make the best of it. Saturday was the most fun. Some of us started our day off celebrating Fred Aman’s 95th birthday. Fred, a Korean War veteran, is a longtime resident of Lanark who…
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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…