Look out for nesting coastal birds in the Panhandle
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Look out for nesting coastal birds in the Panhandle

BySpecial to the Times

Both the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Audubon Florida, are reminding the public that the first shorebird nest of the year has been spotted, and that giving birds their space allows nesting parents to successfully raise the next generation of sea and shorebirds. Spring and summer mark critical times of year for several…

FWC to host virtual meeting March 13 on bear hunting
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FWC to host virtual meeting March 13 on bear hunting

BySpecial to the Times

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants to hear from the public about their thoughts on potential options for regulated black bear hunting. FWC has scheduled a virtual public meeting on Thursday, March 13, beginning at 6 p.m. EDT. Those interested in attending the meeting can join by going to MyFWC.com/Hunting and clicking “Florida…

FWC recognizes Florida bass as unique species
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FWC recognizes Florida bass as unique species

BySpecial to the Times

At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recognized Florida bass as a unique species and incorporated the name change into rules.  As stated in a 2024 news release, the American Fisheries Society confirmed Florida bass (Micropterus salmoides) as a separate species from largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans). The updates do not alter…

FWC implements name change to ‘Gulf of America’
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FWC implements name change to ‘Gulf of America’

BySpecial to the Times

In support of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14172, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in all Commission materials, documents, rules set forth in Chapter 68, F.A.C., maps, forms, and resources through Executive Order 25-04, which can be found at…

Our nation needs to ask itself questions
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Our nation needs to ask itself questions

ByLetters to the Editor

There are so many times in an individual life when it is necessary, though not necessarily compelling nor comfortable, to ask “Who am I now?” There are times when a young nation struggling to find itself needs to ask “Who are we now?” Our current political environment seems to cry out for that question to…

Zelensky, be grateful, read a room
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Zelensky, be grateful, read a room

ByRon Hart

Economist Thomas Sowell once said, “when people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment feels like discrimination.”  His comments were about affirmative action, but apply to Vlodomir Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader. The U.S. has supported Ukraine “bigly,” while having no direct security interest and being an ocean away, to the tune of $150 billion to…

Sergeants graduate from K9 Tracking Team Academy
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Sergeants graduate from K9 Tracking Team Academy

BySpecial to the Times

Sgt. Gregory Colaluca, from the Franklin Correctional Institution, and Sgt. Jason Parke, from Gulf CI, were among 28 graduates from across Florida to complete the Florida Department of Corrections’ K9 Tracking Team Academy. The two-week program teaches correctional officers from across the state essential skills such as K9 handling and advanced tracking techniques, tactical weapons…

Apalachicola hires Brillhart as city manager
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Apalachicola hires Brillhart as city manager

ByDavid Adlerstein

The Apalachicola city commission has turned to a veteran administrator of both city and governments to become its new city manager. By a 3-1 vote at a special meeting March 4, the commissioners voted in favor of a motion by commissioner Despina George to extend an employment offer to Michael Brillhart, 45, who currently serves…