Jones to chair Apalachee Regional Planning Council
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Jones to chair Apalachee Regional Planning Council

The Apalachee Regional Planning Council has unanimously selected Franklin County Commissioner Ricky Jones as chair of its 24-member board. ARPC is one of 10 regional planning councils in the state. Established in 1977, the council is a regional convener and provides technical assistance in the program areas of economic/community development, emergency planning, transportation, housing, and…

Legislators learn of Weems’ ER plans
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Legislators learn of Weems’ ER plans

As legislative delegation hearings go, it was longer and more detailed than usual, as Franklin County’s two representatives in the Florida legislature on Jan. 31 focused on the county’s asks of state government. Newly elected State Sen. Corey Simon (R-Tallhassee) was part of the proceedings for the first time, with State Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port…

Shoaf to resubmit tourism tax bill for public safety allocations
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Shoaf to resubmit tourism tax bill for public safety allocations

After unsuccessfully trying to guide similar legislation through last year’s legislative session, State Rep. Jason Shoaf (R — Port St. Joe) has filed a bill with the Florida House that would allow limited bed tax revenue to be used for public safety, including law enforcement.  House Bill 309, which has yet to be entitled, calls…

Water quality getting better in Apalachicola
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Water quality getting better in Apalachicola

The appearance of a crew of workers climbing atop the Apalachicola water tower high above the city is a vivid symbol that water quality is improving. City Manager Travis Wade said the 60-day project, at a cost of about $225,000, involves recoating the inside to protect water quality and sandblasting, priming and painting the outside,…

National Legion vice commander visits county
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National Legion vice commander visits county

In a cross-county trip Friday, American Legion National Vice Commander Pamela Harris was treated to an insight into Franklin County’s rich military history. Flanked by an entourage of other national, state and regional leaders, Harris began her morning with a visit to American Legion Post 82 in Lanark Village, Harris was accompanied by National Executive…

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

Carrabelle postpones ‘Culture Crawl’ Saturday Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Carrabelle History Museum is rescheduling the 2023 Carrabelle Culture Crawl to Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many of the event partners are already re-confirmed including musicians Frank Lindamood, Cody Barber, Kevin Andrew & the Rockulla Performers (at a new…

Carrabelle lighthouse showcases original lens
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Carrabelle lighthouse showcases original lens

Housed quietly at the Crooked River Lighthouse Keeper’s House Museum for two years, it sat stationery on display as it awaited the royal treatment that befits the nearly 130-year-old Fresnel lens whose beam once guided ships traveling along the Carrabelle shoreline. Now housed in a newly-created steel lighthouse tower-inspired case, the lens is glowing and…

Seiden trial postponed until June
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Seiden trial postponed until June

Testing to be conducted on shower curtain rod In a hearing Monday afternoon, Circuit Judge Jonathan Sjostrom postponed until the middle of June the murder trial of two defendants accused of bludgeoning to death a South Florida woman nearly five years ago at an Eastpoint motel. In granting a motion for a continuance filed by…

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Gulf Franklin Campus shows off its best

Patients at Gulf Coast State College’s Gulf Franklin Campus cry, bleed, breathe, speak and give birth — so long as they’re plugged in. The college’s new nursing simulation labs were among the cutting edge technology on display at the school’s open house last week. On Jan. 24, dozens of people gathered in GCSC’s new nursing…