If you have a past due traffic fine or court fee which has led to your divers license being suspended, the Franklin County clerk of the court’s office is offering a one week chance to pay it without facing the collection surcharge

If you have a past due traffic fine or court fee which has led to your divers license being suspended, the Franklin County clerk of the court’s office is offering a one week chance to pay it without facing the collection surcharge.

From November 9th through the 13th the Clerk of the Courts office will hold operation green light.

It’s a chance for people to pay unpaid traffic tickets and court fines and fees without having to pay the 40 percent collection surcharge.

Late fees and interest will still apply.

Customers may also be able to have their suspended drivers licenses reinstated.

You do have to pay in person at the Clerk’s office at the county courthouse in Apalachicola.

Operation Green Light will be held November 9th through the 13th from 8 to 5 daily with the exception on Wednesday, November the 11^th when the courthouse will be closed for Veteran's Day.

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Red Tide was found in the St. Joe Bay in Gulf County last week

Red Tide was found in the St. Joe Bay in Gulf County last week.

The algae was found in 1 location from water samples taken on October the 20^th.

Red tide was found in background concentrations at Pig Island, about 7 tenths of a mile east of St. Joe Bay..

Red Tide is a microscopic marine algae called Karenia brevis.

In large enough concentrations its toxin paralyzes the central nervous system of fish so they cannot breathe – leading to fish kills. 

Red tide can even affect humans causing skin, eye and throat irritation.

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FWC invites public comments for Division of Law Enforcement reaccreditation assessment

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement is seeking reaccreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA).

“A team of CFA-certified assessors will begin their review on Dec. 8 to examine the division’s policies, procedures, equipment and facilities, and conduct interviews with employees,” said Col. Curtis Brown, division director. “This important process assures that the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement maintains the highest standards.”

The division must comply with approximately 240 standards to receive reaccreditation status. If the CFA determines the Division of Law Enforcement has complied with the appropriate standards, the reaccreditation will be awarded for three years.

“Accreditation is a voluntary pursuit and a valuable means of external accountability. This will be our fifth accreditation assessment, with the initial assessment taking place in 2008. Our commitment to excellence in conservation law enforcement is apparent by our continued commitment to the accreditation process,” said Juli Brown, the Division of Law Enforcement’s accreditation manager.

The general public, including members of the FWC, are invited to offer comments related to the agency’s ability to comply with CFA standards. Comments must be submitted in writing to CFA, Attention: Public Comment, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302, or may be submitted by email at info@flaccreditation.org.

A copy of the accreditation standards is available by visiting the CFA website or by contacting Shannon Knowles, public information coordinator for the Division of Law Enforcement, at 850-617-9666 or by email at Shannon.Knowles@MyFWC.com.

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FDLE upgrades Computerized Criminal History Internet site

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – FDLE updated Florida’s Computerized Criminal History Internet webpage, making it mobile friendly and easier to use.  For $24, plus a $1 credit card processing fee, citizens can request a Florida criminal history search from the website, with results usually returned in seconds. The link to the newly designed webpage is below: 

 

https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us/search/app/default?3

 

Criminal history searches are now also available as part of FDLE’s Mobile App, allowing quick and easy access to Florida criminal histories. 

 

In addition to criminal histories, FDLE’s mobile app also allows users to search Florida’s Sex Offender Registry, unsolved cases and missing persons.  The app is free to download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY PET OF THE WEEK

Rallo is a 2 yr old Yellow Lab mix and the sweetest, not to mention the cutest dog ever. He is a happy and playful dog with a wonderful personality. who will make a wonderful family pet for any family looking for a sweetheart of a companion!

We are always looking for people willing to bring one of our animals into their home to be fostered for various needs.

Any time you can spare would be greatly appreciated.

Call Karen at 670-8417 for more details or visit the Franklin County Humane Society at 244 State Road 65 in Eastpoint. You may logon to the website at www.forgottenpets.org to see more of our adoptable pets.

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Gray triggerfish closes today, Oct. 26, in Gulf state and federal waters

The recreational gray triggerfish season closes to harvest in Gulf state and federal waters today, Oct. 26. The season is scheduled to reopen March 1, 2021.

Learn more about gray triggerfish regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Recreational Regulations” and “Triggerfish,” which is under the “Reef Fish” tab.

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September was another bad month for shrimping in the Gulf of Mexico, in fact it was the worst September in at least 18 years

September was another bad month for shrimping in the Gulf of Mexico, in fact it was the worst September in at least 18 years.

6.1 million pounds of shrimp was landed in the Gulf in September, the lowest total reported for any September going back to 2002.

Before this year, the smallest amount of shrimp harvested in the Gulf in September had been 8.4 million pounds; that was in 2008.

Landings in every part of the Gulf last month were below where they were in September of 2019.

It has been an overall bad year for shrimping off northwest Florida with 2.4 million pounds of shrimp landed, the lowest volume reported over the last nineteen years.

It's 48 percent below the prior eighteen-year historic average of 4.7 million pounds.

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Agenda & Info Packets for 10/27/2020 Gulf County Commission meeting

A 102720 by manager2738 on Scribd

Info 102720 by manager2738 on Scribd

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A 62 year old Carrabelle men died in a motorcycle accident in Lanark Village Sunday afternoon

A 62 year old Carrabelle men died in a motorcycle accident in Lanark Village Sunday afternoon.

The Highway patrol said the man was traveling east on Highway 98 and was near Kenneth B. Cole Avenue at about 5 o'clock when his motorcycle went off the southern shoulder of the Highway for unknown reasons.

The motorcycle then overturned several times before coming to rest on the southern shoulder of the road.

The driver sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

The Highway patrol said it is unknown if the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet.

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Current Projects at Leon Sinks Geological Area, Apalachicola National Forest

Crawfordville, FL, October 23, 2020--For Immediate Release. The Apalachicola National Forest (ANF) has several projects currently happening to repair the Leon Sinks Geological Area. The Leon Sinks Geological Area is currently closed to public access due to the failing conditions of the boardwalk and overlook trail features. They are completely unsafe for public access. The structural failure of these features is related to failure and aging of the treated lumber that was used in the past. This level of heavy maintenance is not part of the budget allocated for the ANFs annual operating funds. The forest is reliant on funding opportunities outside of the normal Forest Service allocations; and this last year the ANF was the recipient of grant monies that will be used to begin repairs on Leon Sinks. Currently our partner, Franklin's Promise Coalition. is working under this grant to repair the Big Dismal Overlook and will be reviewing general trail conditions. The next phase will be addressing the repairs needed at the Hammock Sink Overlook, followed by the Crossover Trail boardwalk. District Ranger Birk Roseman says: "We understand not having the option to visit Leon Sinks has been hard on our residents and visitors. We plan to reopen the site when repairs are sufficient to allow visitors to enjoy the area; and still remain safe during repair operations."

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Friends of the Wakulla Library October Update

Our Mission: …To stimulate public support, understanding and use of the Wakulla County Public Library and to adequately serve the children of this county by purchasing books, videos and funding all children's programs.

Board Members President - Kay Roberts Vice President - Kimberly Randolph Treasurer - Wrenn Harvey Secretary - Penny Mallow Ashley Rogers Lisa Herron Marilyn Lewis Sue Tabaka-Kritzeck

Dear Friends of the Library:                                                                                                                             Welcome FALL!!!! How wonderful to open your doors and windows to the delightful smells and sounds of fall! I hope you all are enjoying this time of the year, which is the perfect lead-in for our next drawing at the library! Thanksgiving dinner is on the FRIENDS this year with a $50 gift certificate from Winn Dixie. The drawing will take place November 20, 2020. Tickets will be available at the library, 6 for $5.00 or $1.00 each.   Our winner for the El Jalisco and WalMart gift card pack was Terry Price. Congratulations!  Our library is back to its normal operational hours. See you there!!! Our Book Sale Room is open also, come check us out. (No pun intended.) Have you walked around the park and read from the story boards yet?  On Friday, October 9th the Grand Opening was hosted for the Friends of the Wakulla County Public Library StoryWalk at Azalea Park. A new book will be featured in the StoryWalk each month. This is a great interactive for the family as they exercise together, read a book, and ponder questions posed for discussion. If you would like to contribute toward needed funds for the purchase of the Story Boards, of these boards, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/story-boards-project-azalea-park?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf%20share-flow-1&fbclid=IwAR0S82JINxpiJYov0h7Yk4NLhbwwNGuX8igt6bYqd0mAA7mqDIiEZxGQQnc All donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for those who have already contributed.  Would you like to donate a few hours and help the Friends sew a Christmas project? If so, please call the library and leave a message for Kay.  We will be sewing this very simple project with a serger so if you could volunteer some time and your machine we would appreciate your help. Also needed are pieces of children’s fabric, probably no more than 1/3rd of a yard in varying themes…Frozen, Spiderman, etc.  If you would like to join the Friends, applications are available at the desk in the library or online at http://wcpl.wildernesscoast.org/friends-of-the-wakulla-county-public-library/ . Dues are $15.00 per year.  The Friends are always looking for ways to fund the necessary children’s projects and programs that are held by the Wakulla County Public Library. There is never a fee for a child to participate because we fund those projects/programs. Our Annual General Meeting was the 4th Thursday of this month, 10/22/20, at 6:30 pm. We also had the meeting set up on Zoom. If you don’t already receive an email regarding our meetings and would like to attend, just email the Friends – friendswakullalibrary@gmail.com – for the link. Take care and enjoy the FALL!!! Kay

BOOK SALE The Book Sale Room is open again and we are accepting donations as well! Come take a look! Books are 50 cents each. We also have grab backs at $3.00 each.

THANKSGIVING DRAWING NOVEMBER 20, 2020 $50 Winn Dixie Gift Card Enter Drawing at the Wakulla County Library $1.00 per chance or $5.00 for 6 chances Must have a minimum of $75 for drawing to occur All proceeds go to the Friends of the Library

Contact us: Friends of the Wakulla County Public Library PO Box 1737 Crawfordville, FL 32326 friendswakullalibrary@gmail.com

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Deer hunting season begins in just a few weeks so Franklin county will place containers around the county where deer hunters can dispose of deer carcasses

Deer hunting season begins in just a few weeks so Franklin county will place containers around the county where deer hunters can dispose of deer carcasses.

The containers may not be in place on the first day of the season because the county is having new ones built to replace the old ones that are falling apart.

In the past the landfill has set up three containers strategically located near popular hunting areas.

The containers are at the Parking lot of the DW Wilson BallField on Pal Rivers Road in Apalachicola, at bear Creek Road on Highway 65 in Eastpoint and at Cypress Slough, just north of the State Prison, on Highway 67 in Carrabelle.

                                                                                                                                                           

The county began providing the containers about 10 years ago so hunters would have a legal way to dispose of deer carcasses.

Before the containers were provided some hunters dumped their deer carcasses along roadsides and in waterways.

There were also problems caused by carcasses dumped near the airport which attracted birds and posed a danger to airplanes.

The deer carcasses the county collects are either incinerated or used in the county’s composting project.

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Franklin County saw two spikes in new COVID cases this week

 Franklin County saw two spikes in new COVID cases this week.

The Health Department reported 19 new cases on October the 18th, that's the highest one day total we have seen since at least September the 20^th.

There were 15 new cases reported on October 21^st, well above the daily average for Franklin County.

As of Friday there have been 742 total COVID cases in Franklin County since the pandemic began.

There have been four COVID related deaths in Franklin County.

The median age for the cases is 39 years old.

Gulf County reported its 933rd positive COVID case on Friday.

15 people in Gulf County have died because of the coronavirus.

The median age for the cases in Gulf County is 46 years old.

Wakulla County has seen 1289^th cases and 11 deaths with an average age of 40 and Liberty County reported its 532 cases with 10 deaths and an average age of 39.

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As of Friday at noon, 1284 people have early voted in Franklin County - nearly 40 percent of all registered voters!

453 people voted in Franklin County on Monday, the first day of early voting.

As of Friday, 1284 people have early voted.

Between early voting and mail in voting, nearly 40 percent of registered voters have already cast a ballot for the November 3^rd election.

Early voting will continue through October the 31^st.

Early voting is from 8:30 - 5:30 daily and that includes weekends.

You can early vote at 2 locations - The Franklin County Supervisor of Elections Office
at 47 Ave F in Apalachicola and the Franklin County Courthouse Annex at 912 NW Ave A in Carrabelle.

And do make sure to vote as the general election will decide some very important local races – like sheriff, clerk of court, tax collector, and school superintendent,.

There are also races for county commission for district 3 and district 5.

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The Governor Stone has been awarded a FEMA Grant to rebuild after being damaged during Hurricane Michael.

The Governor Stone has been awarded a FEMA Grant to rebuild after being damaged during Hurricane Michael.

The Governor Stone was built in 1877 in Pascagoula, Mississippi making it the oldest sailing vessel still in service on the Gulf Coast and the second oldest operating schooner in the United States.

It was housed in Franklin County from 1990 till 2003 when it became too expensive to keep here – It's now docked in St. Andrews in Bay county.

The Governor Stone was badly damaged during Hurricane Michael in 2018.

It was discovered capsized, demasted and badly beaten resting near her slip in St. Andrews Marina.

The schooner’s debris field stretched down the sea wall of the marina.

Now, two years after the hurricane, The Friends of the Governor Stone have been awarded a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the State of Florida Historic Preservation Office for the restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark.

The group is preparing information to begin the bidding process to rebuild the 144 year old historic sailing vessel.

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Franklin County Commissioners are continuing their efforts to get a boat ramp at Alligator Harbor to help out the clam and oyster aquaculture projects there

Franklin County Commissioners are continuing their efforts to get a boat ramp at Alligator Harbor to help out the clam and oyster aquaculture projects there.

There are currently about 60 active leases in the harbor, and the farmers are using whatever site they can find to get their boats in the water which sometimes puts them on private property or in locations where it is easy to get stuck or damage their boats.

And the problem is getting worse as the state continues to approve oyster leases for more people.

On Tuesday the County commission spoke with DEP Aquatic Preserve Manager - Jonathan Brucker about the issue.

Commissioners had hoped to use the The property that used to house the FSU marine lab at Alligator Point throughout the 1950’s and 60’s before FSU opened up a newer facility at Turkey Point in the late 1960’s.

Brucker said that is not a good option because of the state of Alligator Point road and he does not think many people would want to pull their boats down that road to access the ramp.

Brucker said there are no very good sites for a new boat ramp at this time so there will need to be some feasibility studies done to figure out the best way to move forward.

He added that the recent state purchase of the Bluffs of St. Theresa may help as it could allow for a boat ramp on the water side of Highway 98 and parking across the street.

Commissioner Smokey Parrish said he wishes the state had dealt with the ramp issue before it began approving aquaculture leases so the county wouldn't be facing the problem now. 

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Final Hours! Our Online Silent Auction Ends Tonight!

Final Hours!  Our Online Silent Auction Ends Tonight at 8 PM!  Read on for more information on the available items. Place Your Bid On A Weeklong Stay at a Gorgeous Beachfront Home on St. George Island! Rental Date(s): Saturday, December 5 to Saturday, December 12, 2020  This Cape Cod-style cottage located in the St. George Plantation Community welcomes you the moment you walk in...The hardwood floors and the natural light from the large windows, beamed ceilings, the comfortable furnishings, and carefully planned kitchen all make you exhale and simply relax... Be prepared to enjoy your view - from the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom, from the open deck, or from the screened porch.  There you are...beachfront, the Gulf of Mexico, the pelicans, the shrimp boats, the sandpipers, and the occasional beachcomber...Walk straight out your personal boardwalk to put those toes in the sand. Complimentary beach chairs are available. More photos of this beautiful beachfront property are available on the auction site. Click Here to Enter the Silent Auction! Featured Item: Rascal Flatts Autographed Guitar! Since their debut in 2000, Rascal Flatts helped shape country music's new millennium sound with their three-part harmonies and pop-leaning melodies. Chart hits, Platinum-selling albums and a number of awards wins and nominations place them among the genre's most successful bands.  After 20 years together, Rascal Flatts announced in January that they would be stepping out of the spotlight after a farewell tour (now canceled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic) and a year of celebrating their two decades as a band.  A greatest hits album was just released on October 2nd as part of their farewell celebration and features 13 of their No.1 songs and seven other fan favorites. Don't miss out on a chance to own this handmade "Morgan Monroe" acoustic guitar!  We may not ever see this trio on the stage together again... * Note: Shipping is not available on this item - local pickup only Click Here to Enter the Silent Auction! Featured Item: Blue Shark Vodka Collector Bottle This Blue Shark Vodka collector's bottle is the result of a partnership with conservation artist Wyland, a world-renowned painter, sculptor, and photographer. Wyland created an original oil painting that has been digitally reproduced, printed and placed on 750mL collector bottles. Read more about the project here.  Visit the Online Silent Auction to place your bid!  Check out these other fabulous items up for bid! 2-night stay at The Majestic Jewel in historic Apalachicola  Custom Art from Joyce Estes Gallery Yeti Tundra 35 Hard Cooler from Apalach Outfitters Harmony Bath & Body Basket  "Ice Pink" YETI 26-oz Rambler from Dolce Vita (The Handcrafted Blu Nomad Block Print Quilt from Bee Inspired Too has been purchased under the "Buy it Now" option and is no longer available).     To view all the items and place your bids, please click here! But don't wait! Bidding closes at 8 PM TONIGHT! Click Here to Enter the Silent Auction! Proceeds Will Support the Moses Roper Exhibit Project Journey to Freedom: From North Florida Slave to Prominent Abolitionist Proceeds from the auction will aid the development of Apalachicola Main Street’s exhibit project dedicated to Moses Roper (1815-1891), a survivor of U.S. slavery who dedicated his life to abolition as a freedom fighter, lecturer, and author of one of the best selling slave narratives in history. After a daring escape in 1834, Roper travelled 500 miles on  foot (click here to read more). Thank You to Everyone Who Contributed Items to this Fundraising Auction! Your Generosity is Very Much Appreciated. Our Mission   Apalachicola Main Street, Inc. was established in 2011 as part of the Florida Main Street and National Main Street networks. Apalachicola Main Street’s mission is to enhance the downtown district of Apalachicola with sound economic development that promotes a sustainable future while preserving the district’s historical significance and commitment to quality of life in our community. We are committed to preserving and promoting the district's rich contributions to Florida’s diverse historical and cultural heritage.  Apalachicola Main Street has been designated as a 2020 Accredited Main Street America™ program. The downtown district is defined as the City Marina at Battery Park to the Scipio Creek boat basin, and from Water Street to 6th Street. Stay in Touch! Stay up to date on what's happending in Downtown Apalachicola by following us on social media.  www.DowntownApalachicola.com Apalachicola Main Street is Proud to be Part of the Florida Main Street and National Main Street Networks A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from The Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State.  1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. License # CH44897.

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