Jury acquits man on charges of sexual battery on children
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Jury acquits man on charges of sexual battery on children

A 24-year-old Panama City man, on trial last week for sexual battery offenses against two youth that could have put him behind bars for life, has been acquitted of all charges. The four-man, two woman took just under two hours Friday morning to find Brandon Austin James not guilty of two counts of sexual battery…

Robby Hogan named Carrabelle police chief
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Robby Hogan named Carrabelle police chief

Carrabelle Deputy Chief Robby Hogan was sworn in this afternoon as the city’s new police chief, following a unanimous vote by the city commission. Following a motion by Mayor Brenda La Paz, and seconded by Tony Millender, the commission voted 4-0 to approve Hogan’s hire. Sebrina Brown, who was absent from the special meeting, had…

Early announcements launch 2024 campaign
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Early announcements launch 2024 campaign

In an unusual departure from the traditional start of the election season, two candidates have thrown their hats in the ring about a year ahead of schedule. In an official filing Jan. 6 with the supervisor of election’s office, Terry Tipton, Jr. has announced his intent to run for property appraiser in 2024. A Republican,…

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…

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 wweitzel@nevespublishing.com. It will be ‘chili’ on island Saturday The annual St. George Island Chili Cook Off, a family-friendly 3-day event, begins at 8 a.m. Saturday with the 5K Red Pepper Run…

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…