Island home consumed in Wednesday night blaze
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Island home consumed in Wednesday night blaze

A vacation home on St. George Island with a commanding view of the Gulf of Mexico was devastated by fire Wednesday night that saw firefighters battling the blaze during the torrential wind and rain. According to Jason Timbert, a firefighter with the St. George Island Volunteer Fire Department, the blaze erupted at just before 11…

Franklin commissioners to revamp TDC board rules
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Franklin commissioners to revamp TDC board rules

After several weeks of discussion, Franklin County commissioners plan to make changes as to who and how members are selected on the Tourist Development Council board, including getting rid of the designation of two seats that had been earmarked for representatives of the Apalachicola and Carrabelle chambers of commerce. At their April 2 meeting, the…

Eastern partners to build Corps’ hopper dredge
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Eastern partners to build Corps’ hopper dredge

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc, has announced a strategic partnership with Royal IHC to design and construct a highly automated medium-class hopper dredge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This state-of-the-art vessel, contracted for the Department of Defense, is slated for delivery in 2027, and will be constructed at Eastern’s Allanton and Port St. Joe…

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Apalachicola club hosts April 21 sailing day

The Apalachicola Bay Sailing Club invites all sailors in Franklin or Gulf counties to bring their sailboats to Apalachicola on Sunday, April 21, for a day of sailing on the bay. “We are looking to assemble as many sailboats as possible and to sail around a short course in mid bay where the water is…

‘Lend Me A Tenor’ was missing a lot
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‘Lend Me A Tenor’ was missing a lot

There is such a long list of what the Panhandle Players did not do last weekend in performing the final show of their 2023-24 season, that I feel compelled to share these pronounced omissions so obvious throughout the staging of the Tony Award-winning farce “Lend Me A Tenor” at the Chapman Theatre. For example, the…

Be BearWise to prevent conflicts with bears
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Be BearWise to prevent conflicts with bears

Spring has arrived and wildlife is becoming more active, including Florida’s black bears. With this increase in activity, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is sharing ways to be BearWise to help prevent conflicts between people and bears. Black bears are on the move more this time of year in search of things to…

Optimizing your Social Security benefits
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Optimizing your Social Security benefits

The number of interesting, talented, intelligent, and aging (notice I didn’t say “aged”) people who currently live in Gulf and Franklin counties is quite remarkable. And that number is increasing, literally, on a daily basis. I was asked by one of my pickleball friends to address, “When to start taking Social Security.” Within my word…