NJROTC detachment begins its climb

For the first time in Franklin County High School’s history, the school is taking part in the Navy Junior ROTC program. Still a fledgling group, the 15 or so members, largely underclassmen, are part of “detachment Eastpoint,” a satellite of the existing unit at Wakulla County High School. Superintendent Steve Lanier, himself a retired Navy…

County’s airports to get millions for infrastructure

Franklin County’s airports are set to receive more than $11 million from the Florida Department of Transportation over the next five years.   According to a draft of the DOT’s Tentative Five-Year Work Program for District 3, which was opened for public comment at public hearings Oct. 5, $4.2 million will be allocated for improvements at the Apalachicola…

Apalach weighs push for fugitive slave marker

If the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture and the Arts wanted to boost the numbers of who comes to view its latest exhibit, they probably couldn’t have better ramped up interest if they tried. Following the reception a week earlier at the HCA for the new exhibit “Journey to Freedom: The Odyssey of Abolitionist Moses…

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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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…

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…