Traffic issue roils Eastpoint’s Serenity project
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Traffic issue roils Eastpoint’s Serenity project

A high-profile mixed-use development in Eastpoint, approved by the county in July 2019, has met with a wrinkle. The hitch came at the county commission’s Feb. 21 meeting when commissioners were asked to reckon with changes to the terms of the planned unit development that will govern the proposed 56-acre Serenity Seaside Resort.  The resort…

Chasing Shadows: The passing of a Coombs era
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Chasing Shadows: The passing of a Coombs era

The gentle hand of death turned the page on the family of one of the most illustrious names in Apalachicola history last month, as the last two children of the man whose names graces the Coombs Armory were laid to rest in Magnolia Cemetery. The Rev. Martha Harris, retired rector at Trinity Episcopal Church, led…

Uncle John’s hounds: Mardi Gras parade brings good vibes
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Uncle John’s hounds: Mardi Gras parade brings good vibes

A groovy time was had in downtown Apalachicola on Saturday, as thousands gathered in Riverfront Park, clad in tie-dye and paisley print, for the Mystic Krewe of Salty Barkers’ annual Mardi Gras parade and celebration. This year’s Grateful Dead theme inspired some spectacular costumes and floats in what many locals said was the largest parade…

Get ready for island’s chili cook-off Saturday
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Get ready for island’s chili cook-off Saturday

They say that nothing is certain but death and taxes. Oh yeah, and the fact that the Spice Boys will be back at the annual St. George Island Charity Chili Cook-off. The crew from Huntsville, Alabama, who swept the field last year after making regular appearances for the past two decades, will be back again…

DEP lifts Apalach water’s consent order
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DEP lifts Apalach water’s consent order

The city of Apalachicola got a longtime weight lifted off its shoulders Monday with a letter from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that a decade-old consent order regarding drinking water has been lifted. Elizabeth Mullins Orr, director of the FDEP’s Northwest District, wrote to Apalachicola Mayor Brenda Ash, that the corrective actions required by…

This weekend in Gulf and Franklin
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This weekend in Gulf and Franklin

It’s going to be a busy weekend in Gulf and Franklin counties.   Have an event coming up you want us to share? Send details to [email protected] Liar’s Challenge The Coastal Communities Association is kicking off their 2023 Easter basket drive with a fun event, the Liar’s Challenge, at the Haughty Heron on Feb. 24…

Black history festival outdoes itself
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Black history festival outdoes itself

By most every measure, the 20th African-American History Festival lived up to its anniversary status last weekend. Blessed by sunny skies, and running like clockwork in the hands of organizers H’COLA (Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola), the festival brought out a huge crowd and a robust number of booths.  The local nonprofits and government…

FSU researcher wants to hear from the fishermen
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FSU researcher wants to hear from the fishermen

For all those in the county’s fishing community who have felt that pointy-headed academics and other experts in the field of marine fisheries haven’t really listened to what they have to say, help is on the way. If you have insight into the historical changes that have transformed the Apalachicola Bay fishing community over the…

Elections office could move to Eastpoint
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Elections office could move to Eastpoint

It’s not a done deal yet, but with the county commission’s go-ahead last week to get appraisals on acreage next to the Tourist Development Office on US 98, the next step could be to relocate the supervisor of elections office there. By a unanimous vote Feb. 7, the county commissioner approved a motion by Commissioner…