Local News

With Franklin and Gulf county residents getting vaccinated at about two-thirds the rate of entire state, and a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases in both counties during the month of July, the Florida Department of Health that serves the population is pressing its message. It’s not about masks, it’s not about handwashing, it’s not about…

A Carrabelle man arrested for abandoning seven mixed-breed pit bull terriers in the county said he dropped them off because he knew they would likely be picked up and later adopted. Following the discovery of six puppies dropped off in a cardboard box July 21 at 300 Ocean Mile on St. George Island, and a…

TALLAHASSEE — With most students expected to be in classrooms next month, after many learned online for at least part of the 2020-2021 school year, retailers anticipate a surge in shopping during Florida’s upcoming back-to-school sales tax “holiday.” The return of students who remained at home last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected…

The low frequency droning is unmistakable. The casual flight pattern belies the potential agony of an encounter and the real possibility of a painful attack from multiple directions. Wasps in Franklin and Gulf counties, and most other locales, are known for their dyspeptic nature and vile retaliation if provoked. They are the grumps of mini…

A 17-year-old Eastpoint girl was killed early Tuesday morning in a one-car collision along U.S. 98, just east of State Road 65. In the report by Florida Highway Patrol Homicide Investigator Cpl. Karen Shipman, no name was released nor a description of the vehicle. The family has confirmed that the driver was Emma Jae Crum,…

More than a year after completing renovations at its new office location, the Franklin County Extension staff welcomed the community to celebrate the new digs, “The road to completion for the project was long and winding with some unexpected turns but in the end we have a beautiful facility in which to serve the public…

Apalachicola Mayor Brenda Ash was among the many dignitaries to speak Saturday in remembrance of former Florida A&M University President Dr. Frederick S. Humphries, Sr., who was eulogized as a mentor, recruiter, leader, visionary, and innovator. Ash said Humphries, a native of her waterfront community, was taught by Roman Catholic nuns in elementary school at…

County Commissioner Noah Lockley is not a fan of turtles. He reiterated this point several times last week, at a public hearing on a proposed revision of the county’s Leave No Trace ordinance intended to strengthen protections of the  vital sea turtle nursery, and extend the affected shoreline further east to Carrabelle, Alligator Point and…

With three fox attacks this summer, the Florida Department of Health in Franklin County is cautioning people to be extra careful outdoors with themselves and their pets. Eastpoint veterinarian Dr. Hobson Fulmer said such a rash of rabies is not uncommon. “We’ll see little flareups here and there, and then we’ll go a couple years…

Areas saturated by recent heavy rains might see flash flooding because of Tropical Storm Elsa, which could reach hurricane strength when it makes landfall early Wednesday on the Gulf Coast,  Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Tuesday. At 8 a.m., Elsa was west of Key West, about 240 miles south of Tampa, with maximum sustained winds of…