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SGI ‘skinny dipping’ led to FBI agent’s arrest

A “skinny dipping” incident on St. George Island two summers ago figures into a multi-state, multi-jurisdictional case being made against a former FBI supervisory special agent on charges of indecent exposure in front of juveniles. In an Aug. 22 news release, Sheriff AJ Smith said a warrant for the arrest of David Lee Harris, 51,…

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Science struggles against tenacious pusley

Kudzu, Old World climbing fern, and tropical soda apple are all widely known as invaders which were introduced into the region from faraway and exotic locations. Each has its own story of how it arrived here and escaped into a welcoming environment. Once established, these and other alien plant interlopers have aggressively pushed out native…

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More than 160 Franklin County students and staff quarantined due to COVID

FRANKLIN COUNTY – In Franklin County the school system is abiding by Governor Ron DeSantis’ no mask mandate for students. Superintendent Steve Lanier said they leave it up to the parents and students whether they want to wear one. Out of 850 students in K-12, there are 169 students and staff quarantined due to the…

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Unemployment drops, but labor force shrinks

The size of Franklin County’s labor force shrank, even as the unemployment picture improved slightly in July. According to preliminary numbers released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in July was at 4.4 percent, two-tenths of 1 percentage point below the June rate of 4.6 percent. This…

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ABC School opens strong

With a handful of new teachers, maximum enrollment and standardized test results that stayed largely steady during what was a down year throughout the state, the Apalachicola Bay Charter School opened the school year with the wind at its back. Now if it can just keep COVID-19 from wafting into nostrils. Quarantine requirements have sidelined…

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Lanark focuses on future of fire department

Hi Y’all, With the troubles brought up at the county commission meeting on August 3 concerning the St. James-Lanark Volunteer Fire Department, it was decided to invite the community to attend the monthly meeting on August 12 at the St. James-Lanark Firehouse. The attendance was good, considering the threat of COVID again rearing its ugly…

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Alligator Point flourishes under new neighborhood leadership

It’s not your father’s taxpayers’ association anymore. In fact, the Alligator Point St. Teresa Association is blossoming, having ventured out with a rejuvenated outreach to the community. A July 4 catered affair for members at Kay McCord’s home at Mariner Circle not only celebrated the nation’s independence, but the newfound independence of the association. In…