Homecoming rides off to see the wizard

In an enormous parade Friday afternoon in Eastpoint, the community celebrated Franklin County High School’s 2021 Homecoming, which this year had the theme of “The Wizard of Oz.” Led by parade grand marshal Sheryl Clouse, of St. George Island,  an energetic volunteer in causes throughout the community, and brought up at the end by  Principal…

Bay restoration work nears critical juncture

The Apalachicola Bay System Initiative, a multi-million dollar effort funded by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. and spearheaded by researchers from Florida State University, is preparing to unveil its priorities as it embarks on solidifying a management and restoration plan for the oyster reefs and the health of the bay. Helped by an audiovisual presentation, Sandra…

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Simpson ties pay raises to prison shutdowns

Senate President Wilton Simpson has a message for state prison leaders: Shut down institutions if you want pay raises for overworked corrections officers. Simpson, in a phone interview last week with The News Service of Florida, blamed chronic staffing shortages and high turnover rates on corrections officials’ “lack of vision” and “myopia” in operating the…

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Camp Gordon Johnston addresses end of World War II

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle is presenting a special exhibit about the surrenders and war’s end in the Asia-Pacific and Europe-Mediterranean theaters of operations. This exhibit is on display at the museum through Saturday, Oct. 30. There is no charge for admission but donations are gladly accepted. The museum and exhibit are open…

Possible red tide concerns health officials

A possible red tide outbreak, as yet unconfirmed by health officials, has county officials concerned. St. George Island resident Bruce Graham told county commissioners Tuesday morning that he and his wife had experienced respiratory distress on the island, which prompted them to sees medical care at Weems Memorial Hospital. Stemming from the organism Karenia brevis, red…

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Counselor arrested for sexual relationship with minor

A 50-year-old Apalachicola woman, active in the community as a behavior and sexual violence counselor, has been arrested for having a sexual relationship with a minor. Kelley Mosley, 50, was arrested for lewd and lascivious battery upon a minor between the ages of 12 and 18, a second degree felony. After an extensive investigation by…

Help sought for ‘overworked, underpaid’ prison workers

 A top corrections official offered a stark picture of Florida’s prison system last week, warning that lawmakers must boost salaries of corrections workers to avert a looming disaster as the system grapples with high turnover rates, dangerously low staffing levels and fatigued employees. Department of Corrections Deputy Secretary Ricky Dixon said the agency wants to…