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Unemployment up in Gulf, down in Franklin

Joblessness in Gulf County rose in March, and fell in Franklin, as both Forgotten Coast counties hovered around the 3.2 percent mark. According to preliminary data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Gulf County unemployment rose by three-tenths of 1 percentage point last month, from 2.9 to 3.2 percent. Franklin County joblessness…

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Unemployment improves in Franklin County

Joblessness in both Forgotten Coast counties dropped slightly in February, with Gulf County doing one-half of 1 percentage point better than Franklin in overall unemployment. According to preliminary data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, both Franklin and Gulf County joblessness improved by two-tenths of 1 percentage point last month over January’s…

Trump dominates Republican preference primary
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Trump dominates Republican preference primary

The results in the March 19 Republican Presidential Preference primary were clear in both Gulf and Franklin counties. About nine out of 10 GOP voters prefer that Donald Trump be their nominee for president. Turnout was pretty modest, 13 percent in Franklin and 19 percent in Gulf, and of those Republicans who cast ballots, about…

Go slow, look out below for manatees
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Go slow, look out below for manatees

Watching for manatees while boating is always important and spring is a particularly important season for boaters to go slow and lookout below for the slow-moving mammals as they naturally disperse from their winter refuges. Manatees overwinter in Florida springs, power plant discharges and other warm-water sites, relying on water that is warmer than 68…

Liberty County judge resigns after probe
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Liberty County judge resigns after probe

The state Judicial Qualifications Commission said earlier this month that a North Florida judge has resigned, ending a case about alleged misconduct.  The commission, which investigates accusations against judges and makes disciplinary recommendations to the Florida Supreme Court, said in a filing that it was dismissing charges against Liberty County Judge Kenneth Hosford.  “The basis…

Bat maternity season coming up in April
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Bat maternity season coming up in April

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is sharing the reminder that bat maternity season, the time when most of our state’s native and beneficial bats give birth and raise their young, starts on April 16.  Now is the time for property owners to check homes and other buildings for roosting bats before bat maternity…

Florida Democratic Party suspends Franklin County chair
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Florida Democratic Party suspends Franklin County chair

In a sign of the challenges facing Democrats in an ongoing shift among Franklin County voters to the Republican party, the chair of the county Democratic Party was suspended last week. The suspension of Carol Barfield from her post as chair was one of three suspensions announced last week by Nikki Fried, chair of the…

Recreational harvest of snook re-opens
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Recreational harvest of snook re-opens

The recreational harvest of snook in the Panhandle and Big Bend, as well as the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor and Southwest management regions opened March 1, and remains open through April 30.  This includes all Florida state and inland waters as well as adjacent federal waters within each management region.  These regions and…

Mike Norvell Voted ACC Coach of the Year
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Mike Norvell Voted ACC Coach of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2023 TALLAHASSEE – Florida State head coach Mike Norvell was voted the 2023 ACC Coach of the Year, it was announced Thursday. Norvell has led the Seminoles to a perfect 12-0 record, including 8-0 in the ACC, and the top seed for Saturday’s ACC Championship Game. He produced the seventh unbeaten regular…

Award offered for escaped inmate
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Award offered for escaped inmate

As the search for an escaped inmate from the Franklin Correctional Institution entered its third day, a reward of up to $5,000 is now being offered to anyone who can provide information that leads to his arrest. Sheriff A.J. Smith said Wednesday morning that 37-year-old Robert Rutherford was last seen between 8th Street and Avenue…