The Franklin County Emergency Management Office is planning a hurricane preparedness program in May and are looking for local businesses to partner with them

The Franklin County Emergency Management Office is planning a hurricane preparedness program in May and are looking for local businesses to partner with them.

Franklin County Emergency Management along with other County Offices and organizations will host a Build Your Disaster Bucket Hurricane Season Preparedness Event on Saturday May 3rd at the old football field in Carrabelle.

The event will provide an opportunity for families to collect critical supplies and build their own disaster supply kits, for free.

This is the 2nd time the event has been held in Franklin County.

When the event was last held, the Emergency Management Office was able to better prepare over 300 families with a Disaster Preparedness Buckets.

This year their goal is to serve at least 500.

Local businesses are invited to help support this event, whether with materials and products or you can set up a table to hand out your items showing how your business can help during a hurricane.

If you have any questions or to confirm your participation, please contact Jennifer Daniels, Franklin County Emergency Management Director, at 850-653-8977 or e-mail jenniferd@franklincountyflorida.com.

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2025 Butts & Clucks Cook-Off on the Bay

Butts & Clucks Cook-Off Sponsorship

We want to invite you to be a sponsor of The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce’s event, The 2024 Flagler Award Winning Butts & Clucks Cook-off on the Bay, this event is sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association. We have to get the logos for the T-shirts in to get the shirts in time. This year, we will award over $11,000 cash and prizes. The event will be held on January 24th and 25th in Battery Park in Apalachicola. Included, we will be having The Cluck that Came from the Butt Contest (Deviled Egg Contest), Sweet Smoke Q If It Sauce Competition, People’s Choice, and Mystery Box Competition. After national exposure on Food Network on the show BBQ USA with Michael Symon we expect an even larger turnout for teams and visitors. Anyone that is interested, go to www.ButtsandClucks.com for more information. The Butts & Clucks, like all sanctioned events in the BBQ world, will have multiple teams coming in from all over the state as well as Georgia and Alabama and all over the southeast. This is an annual event for the Chamber of Commerce, which we hope will get larger and larger each year, bringing a much-needed boost to the area in a typically slow time of year. Last year 52 professional teams competed in the event. These teams travel all over competing in these events, bringing many family and friends; most will be new to our area. We want to offer the opportunity for businesses and individuals to sponsor this event. The Chamber, as always, will do its very best to showcase the sponsors leading up to the event and during the event with Newspaper Mentions, Radio Mentions, Multiple posts on Facebook, listed in the newsletters, visibility in the park during the event, and information included in all the teams and judge’s welcome packets. We also will be including the sponsor's logos and names on the T Shirt for the event. As well as all sponsor's names and logos will be included on the main page of the website. Chicken Sponsor $250.00-Name of Business on T-Shirt, 1 T-Shirt, Radio Mentions, Newspaper Mentions, Multiple Posts on Facebook, Newsletter, Visibility in the park during the event, listed on main page of website and sponsor information provided in welcome packets for all judges and Teams. Pig Sponsor $500.00-Business Logo on T-Shirt, 2 T-Shirts, Radio Mentions, Newspaper Mentions, Multiple Posts on Facebook, Newsletter, Visibility in the park during the event at Concert and Mainstage, listed on main page of website and sponsor information provided in welcome packets for all judges and Teams. Cow Sponsor $1,000.00-Prime location Logo on T-Shirt, 4 T-Shirts, Awards Sponsor, Radio Mentions, Newspaper Mentions, Multiple Posts on Facebook, Newsletter, Visibility in the park during the event at Concert and Mainstage During awards ceremony, listed on main page of website and sponsor information provided in welcome packets for all judges and Teams. 12X12 location in park for a booth during the event. All of our sponsors will have the opportunity to place something in the Teams and Judges Goodie bags for advertising as well. For more information, please call John or Becca at 850-653-9419 or email us at execdirector@apalachicolabay.org . Return this form with a digital copy of your logo to info@apalachicolabay.org Click Here for Sponsor Form

Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce 17 Ave E Apalachicola, Fl 32320 www.apalachicolabay.org 850-653-9419

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Today is National AMBER Alert Awareness Day

FDLE’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse share’s Florida’s 7 active AMBER Alerts

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is commemorating National AMBER Alert Awareness Day by spotlighting the seven active AMBER Alerts in Florida.

 

FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said, “We never give up our efforts to bring our missing kids home, and the public is often instrumental in helping us. Someone may have a key piece of information to help us find these children. If you have any information to help find them, please call 911, the investigating agency, or FDLE’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse at 1-888-FL MISSING.”

 

Zachary Bernhardt was eight years old when he was reported missing in 2000. He would be 33 years old today. Zachary was last known to be sleeping in his bed at home in Clearwater on Sept. 10, 2000. At approximately 4:00 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2000, he was discovered missing under suspicious circumstances. He goes by the nickname Zach. He has a scar under his chin, a scar between his eyes on the bridge of his nose, and on the right side of his upper lip. Please contact the Clearwater Police Department at 727-562-4200, 911 or 1-888-FL MISSING (356-4774) if you have any information to help find Zachary.

 

Jarkeius Adside was one year old when he was last seen in 2001. He would be 24 years old today. Jarkeius was reported abducted by three unknown males during an early morning home invasion robbery on Oct. 18, 2001, in Miami. He was last seen wearing a red, white and blue shirt and a diaper. He may respond to the nickname Kisha. Please contact the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office at 305-418-7200, 911 or 1-888-FL MISSING (356-4774) if you have any information to help find Jarkeius.

 

Trenton Duckett was two years old when he was reported missing in 2006. He would be 20 years old today. Trenton was last seen in the Leesburg area on Aug. 26, 2006. He was reported to be wearing a green and blue striped shirt, blue denim shorts and no shoes. Anyone seeing Trenton's mother Melinda Duckett or her vehicle in the vicinity of the Ocala National Forest or the Orlando area on Saturday or Sunday, Aug. 26, 2006, or Aug. 27, 2006, is urged to call the Leesburg Police Department at 352-787-2121, 911 or 1-888-FL MISSING (356-4774).

 

Bryan Dossantos-Gomes was four weeks old when he was reported missing in 2006. He would be 18 years old today. Bryan was last seen in the Estero area. He may be in the company of a heavyset white/Hispanic female, who was approximately 28-30 years old at the time Bryan went missing. The companion was armed and should be considered dangerous. They may have been traveling in a two-door black Ford Explorer SUV. Please contact the Fort Myers Police Department at 1-877-667-1296, 911 or 1-888-FL MISSING (356-4774) if you have any information to help find Bryan.

 

HaLeigh Cummings was five years old when she was reported missing in 2009. She would be 21 years old today. HaLeigh was last known to be sleeping in her home in the Hermit's Cove area in Satsuma on the evening of Feb. 9, 2009. She was discovered missing during the early morning hours of Feb. 10, 2009. She may still be in the local area. HaLeigh has a 4-inch round birth mark on the lower left side of her back, a birthmark in front of her left ear and her ears are pierced. Please contact the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at 1-888-277-8477, 911 or 1-888-FL MISSING (356-4774) if you have any information to help find HaLeigh.

 

Andrew Caballeiro was one week old when he was abducted. He would be four years old today. Andrew has been missing since 2020, and he has still not been found. Baby Andrew was last seen near the 21900 block of Southwest 187th Avenue in Miami. His abductor, Ernesto Caballeiro, was found deceased. Please contact the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office at 305-471-2400, 911 or 1-888-FL MISSING (356-4774) if you have any information to help find Andrew.

 

Unidentified female was approximately 15 years old when she was reported being pulled into a dark or charcoal colored SUV with an unknown tag, by an unknown dark-skinned person in 2018. She would be approximately 22 years old today. Please contact the Titusville Police Department at 321-264-7800, 911 or 1-888-FL MISSING (356-4774) if you have any information to help find her.

 

Thousands of Floridians have signed up at www.missingchildrenalert.com to receive Florida AMBER Alerts via e-mail and text message.  You can also follow FDLE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, allowing you to quickly share alerts with others on social media.

 

“I ask that everyone opt in to receive wireless emergency alerts on their cellphones,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “Sign up at http://www.missingchildrenalert.com to receive AMBER Alerts by text or email and follow FDLE on social media. Every second counts and we need your help to safely locate our kids each time one goes missing.”

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Fishermen are being asked to be on the lookout for the invasive Asian swamp eel, and to report any sightings

Fishermen are being asked to be on the lookout for the invasive Asian swamp eel, and to report any sightings.

The Asian Swamp eel was first detected in Florida’s waterways over two decades ago.

The Asian swamp eel is a unique, air-breathing fish native to Southeast Asia; it thrives in muddy, stagnant waters.

The species has established in numerous parts of the country, including Hawaii and Georgia and there is increased concern about their population growth throughout the southeast, particularly Florida.

Scientists are concerned about the potential for invasion in new waterways and the detrimental effects it could have on Florida’s biodiversity as well as unknown impacts the invasive species could have on freshwater systems, which support recreational and commercial fishing industries.

Swamp eels are highly adaptable and capable of surviving in a variety of environments, from slow-moving streams to marshes and wetlands.

They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a wide range of prey, including small fish, amphibians and invertebrates.

Swamp eels also reproduce prolifically, making it difficult to control their population once they become established.

If you should see an Asian Swamp eel in Florida waters, you should report it through the US Geologic Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species website or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 888-Ive-Got-1 hotline.

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Franklin County's graduation rate fell for the second year in a row after years of increasing graduation rates

 Franklin County's graduation rate fell for the second year in a row after years of increasing graduation rates.

 

The graduation rate measures the percentage of students who graduate within four years of their first enrollment in ninth grade.

 

Franklin County’s graduation rate for the 2023-2024 school year was 72.5 percent – down from 75.4 percent the year before.

 

The local graduation rate has been on a mostly rising trend since 2014 when our graduation rate was only 49 percent.

 

Franklin County had the lowest graduation rate in the state last year – the state average was 89.7 percent.

 

Gulf County saw its graduation rate rise from 80 percent to just over 85 percent. 

 

In Wakulla County the graduation rate fell slightly from 97.6 percent to 97.1 percent. 

 

In Liberty County the graduation rate rose from just over 72 percent to 82 percent.

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FWC enhances boater safety with interactive waterway app campaign

For years, waterway users in Florida have had to juggle multiple sources of information to plan, prepare and navigate safely to enjoy their time on the water. Understanding weather forecasts, finding local boat facilities, official warnings and notices, waterway zones, and safety equipment requirements often required using several apps, websites and publications, leading to uncertainty about where and when to go, what to do and how to fully enjoy a range of water activities safely.

In an exciting development for the boating community, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced a new initiative in collaboration with the National Safe Boating Council to pilot interactive safety content through a free mobile app called DECKEE. The app is designed to keep boaters safe and informed.
Whether you’re navigating the coastline in a powerboat or sailing yacht, paddling in Key West in a kayak, or heading out for a day of fishing with friends, content delivered through the DECKEE app unifies everything Florida’s water enthusiasts need for their next day on the water.

Over 1 million boat owners in Florida now have access to the following benefits and safety features in the free DECKEE app:

• Plan your next adventure on the water with detailed maps, facility information, official warnings, aids to navigation and community insights.
• Access personalized equipment checklists, boating forecasts, regulations and resources from the FWC to ensure you are always ready for the ideal weather window.
• Automatically log your activities while on the water and share your live location to give friends and family peace of mind.

The FWC and the National Safe Boating Council will collaborate on the pilot program to seamlessly integrate safety content into the DECKEE app. This will help boaters plan, prepare and enjoy their activities on the water, and gain insight into how the campaigns are influencing overall boater behavior.

One example of an integrated campaign will be improving education and outreach about dangerous weather conditions, which significantly contribute to boating incidents. Many boaters need help understanding and interpreting the weather forecast, what it means for their boat and their intentions on the day.

The pilot program will introduce a personalized boating forecast targeted to the user’s watercraft and plans, which will give meaning to the information and help users make sense of it.

“Our goal is to create a safer boating environment for everyone in Florida,” said Brian Rewinkel, FWC Boating Safety Education Coordinator. “This pilot program will measure the effectiveness of delivering safety information directly to boaters in an engaging and accessible manner. This initiative represents a significant step forward in our commitment to protecting our waterways and those who enjoy them.”

Peg Phillips, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council, said, “Measuring the impact of boating safety outreach has always been very challenging for the government agencies like the FWC that manage our nation’s waterways. With the DECKEE app pilot program, we now have an accurate and scalable way to measure the influence of our strategic priorities and outreach efforts.”

Florida boaters are encouraged to explore the new safety capabilities in the free DECKEE app, available from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or Deckee.com/download.

For more information about FWC boating safety initiatives, visit MyFWC.com/boating.

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Scientists at the University of Florida are testing a new type of citrus tree that can fight off the tiny insects responsible for citrus greening

Scientists at the University of Florida are testing a new type of citrus tree that can fight off the tiny insects responsible for citrus greening.

Citrus greening disease is bacterial disease that slowly weakens and kills all types of citrus trees and causes fruit to become lopsided and taste bitter, making it unusable.

The disease has plagued growers, researchers and consumers as Florida’s citrus industry has plummeted over the past two decades.
The disease has been found in citrus trees across Florida, including Franklin, Gulf and Bay Counties.

There is no known cure for citrus greening disease, but there is a way to kill off the bug that spreads the disease.

Citrus Greening Disease is spread by an insect called the Asian citrus psyllid and the current method of controlling the psyllids is to release a tiny non-stinging wasp which is a natural enemy of the psyllids.

The parasitic wasp lays its eggs inside the larvae of the psyllids and when the eggs hatch, new wasps emerge and kill the host as they exit.

The wasps remain as long as they have psyllids to lay their eggs in, and die off once the psyllid population is eradicated.

The first local release of the wasps was done in 2017 when four vials containing about 100 wasps each were released in areas between Apalachicola and Carrabelle where citrus greening disease had been found.

Researchers say they now have a promising discovery in the form of a genetically edited tree that produces a protein that can kill baby Asian citrus psyllids without having to introduce the wasps.

The trees have only been tested so far in the lab and the greenhouse, but researchers are calling it one of the most promising discoveries to date.

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The St. George Lighthouse Association will host its Annual SGI ShrimpFest on Saturday, February 8th and are looking for sponsors for the event

The St. George Lighthouse Association will host its Annual SGI ShrimpFest on Saturday, February 8th and are looking for sponsors for the event.

 

Funds raised through Shrimpfest provide for on-going maintenance and enhancement of the St. George Lighthouse, the Keeper’s House Museum, and Lighthouse Park.

 

The one-day outdoor event includes live music, children’s games, local craft beer, and the chance to dine on delicious local shrimp dishes. 

 

This year’s event will feature musical entertainment including the Blues Factor Band.

 

The festival is looking for sponsors.

 

Sponsorships range from popcorn shrimp sponsorships for 100 dollars which come with two tickets to the event, festival swag and recognition on the event website to Shrimp imperial sponsorships for 750.00 which include a reserved Table for Six under a Tent, a One Year Business Membership to the St. George Lighthouse Association, Six ShrimpFest Entry Tickets and a lot more.

 

The group is also looking for volunteers to help out.

 

If you would like to become a sponsor or a volunteer, you can get more information at www.sgishrimpfest.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Pirates of the Florida West Coast: History Talk on Sat, Jan 18th

Pirates of the Florida West Coast: History Talk featuring author and historian, Robert Jacob Saturday, January 18, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm    The Carrabelle History Museum is presenting an fascinating speaker program about the Pirates of the Florida West Coast. This program will feature Robert Jacob, author and historian, and will be held Saturday, January 18, at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm ET at C-Quarters Marina, 501 St James Ave (Hwy 98), Carrabelle, FL. There is no charge for this event. Award-winning author and historian Robert Jacob brings over 50 years of experience in living history portrayals and a passion for uncovering the truths behind myths and inaccuracies in historical records. Known for his expertise in pirate history, he has authored several books, including A Pirate’s Life in the Golden Age of Piracy; Pirates of the Florida Coast: Truths, Legends, and Myths; and Blackbeard: The Truth Revealed. During his engaging presentation, Jacob will share tales of daring adventures, treasure hunts, and legends. Drawing from his research and writings, he will explore the truths, myths, and legends of Florida's pirate past. Attendees can expect an entertaining and educational experience. Florida's pirate history is brimming with colorful stories of plundering along the coasts and shipping lanes, from Key West to Pensacola and beyond. Jacob’s presentation will delve into these accounts, shedding light on figures like the legendary José Gaspar and the pirates of Florida’s West Coast while separating fact from fiction. Jacob’s lifelong dedication to history earned him induction into the International Pirate Hall of Fame. His research, prompted by the contradictions in historical records, culminated in his first book, A Pirate’s Life in the Golden Age of Piracy, published in 2018 after a decade-long quest for accurate information on pirates. There is no fee for this program but donations are gladly accepted to defray costs. Sponsored by C-Quarters Marina and Shaun Donahoe Realty. For more information, visit www.carrabellehistorymuseum.org or contact carrabellehistorymuseum@gmail.com  or 850-697-2141. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.    Save the Dates: for these upcoming events   Flora Fusion: Exploring the Connection Between Plants and People - a history talk featuring Barbara Clark, Regional Director with the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) Saturday, February 8, 10 am - 12 pm ET C-Quarters Marina, Carrabelle, FL.    Carrabelle Culture Crawl  Saturday, March 22. 10 am - 3 pm ET at the Carrabelle History Museum and Carrabelle's Historic Downtown   Do you enjoy programs, event and exhibits from the Carrabelle History Museum? Then join us! Join or renew today as a Member of the Carrabelle History Museum & Carrabelle Historical Society. Your Annual Membership costs $15 for individuals, $20 for families or $35 for organizations and businesses.  Membership may be paid online here by credit card or PayPal - Join Online. You may also renew by completing the CARRABELLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP FORM and mailing it along with your check made payable to: Carrabelle History Museum to P.O. Box 0666, Carrabelle, FL, 32322. If you have any questions, contact us at 850-697-4121, carrabellehistorymuseum@gmail.com or www.carrabellehistorymuseum.org/membership.  Volunteers are needed! In order to hold these fabulous events and keep the museum operating, we depend on volunteers.  Please consider being a volunteer today! A few hours of your time would make a huge difference to the Carrabelle History Museum. We have volunteer opportunities in the areas of research, event planning, administration, docent, greeter, event set up, and much more. ***************************** Your support is vital for us to continue to offer great cultural programs. Donations may be made securely by credit card or PayPal by clicking here: Donate Online.

Copyright © 2025 Carrabelle History Museum, All rights reserved. Our address is: Carrabelle History Museum 106 SE Avenue B Carrabelle, FL 32322-1800

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FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY PET OF THE WEEK

 

Sissy is a 2-year-old brindle Catahoula mix that is looking for her furever family. She is a very sweet girl who is gentle (not a jumper), walks great on leash, is housebroken and is good with other dogs. This beautiful girl has a lot of love to give and should make a wonderful family pet!

 

 

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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Wishing you a Happy New Year - Join the Eastpoint Civic Association for its first meeting of 2025!

First Meeting of a New Year! Monday January 13 at 6:00 p.m. Eastpoint Fire Department We will recap of last Year and Plan for the New Year  Please come out and invite others!! Agenda

Eastpoint Civic Association

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The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved new rates for customers of St. Joe Natural Gas Company

The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved new rates for customers of St. Joe Natural Gas Company.

The utility provides natural gas sales and transportation services to approximately 3,200 residential and commercial customers in Gulf and Bay counties.

It’s the companies first rate hike since 2008.

St. Joe natural gas filed a petition to increase its rates in May 2024, citing increased costs, infrastructure extensions to serve new customers, and increased costs from federal regulations as key drivers of the increase.

The company also suffered some infrastructure damage during Hurricane Michael in 2018.

This week’s approved rate increase will raise the average monthly bill for St. Joe Natural gas customers using 20 therms from the current rate of $77.68 to $82.51.

The estimated residential bill includes the cost to provide service, energy conservation cost recovery factors, and the cost of purchased gas.

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The Franklin County sheriff’s office was called out Thursday to rescue two people and a dog whose boat had flipped over in the bay

The Franklin County sheriff’s office was called out Thursday to rescue two people and a dog whose boat had flipped over in the bay.

 

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a flipped boat with two individuals and a dog treading water.

 

 Colonel Coulter and Major Segree quickly deployed the Sheriff’s office boat, while deputies in the surrounding area assisted in searching for the individuals.

 

A private citizen, Chris Rose also arrived on scene at the same time as the deputies, providing invaluable assistance by getting a hunter into the boat and a dog safely on board.

 

The two individuals were located, rescued, and brought to the Ten Foot Hole area, where emergency medical personnel were standing by to check them out.

 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) assisted by recovering the flipped boat.

 

The sheriff’s office is also reminding everyone to make sure you have life jackets, know where you are, and to have a float plan when going out on the boat.

 

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Wakulla County Public Information Survey

Wakulla County Public Information Survey

Wakulla County Administration is dedicated to keeping our citizens informed and engaged. To better understand your interests and preferences, we’ve created this survey. Your input will help shape how we share information about county programs, services, and initiatives.   Whether you’re curious about public safety, county amenities, or financial planning—or if you have ideas for workshops or communication channels—we want to hear from you!   Please take a few moments to answer the following questions and help us enhance how we connect with our community. Thank you for being an active part of Wakulla County!

Take Survey

Kinsey Miller | Public Information Officer | kmiller@mywakulla.com

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