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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2025CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@FloridaDEP.govFlorida State Parks Launches 2025 Summer Photo Contest TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida's award-winning state parks, trails and historic sites offer some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world — and, this summer, nature lovers and photographers are invited to capture them. Florida State Parks is excited to launch its annual Capture the Real Florida photo contest, now open for the 2025 summer season. “With each photo contest, I am amazed by the beauty and variety of Florida’s natural spaces,” said Chuck Hatcher, Director of Florida State Parks. “I invite photographers of all levels to explore and capture the Real Florida, from springs to swamps to beaches. We look forward to seeing this year’s stunning submissions.” The contest is open to all Florida State Park visitors. Entries will be accepted from July 1 through Sept. 1, 2025, and can be submitted on the photo contest website. All photographs must be taken within a Florida State Park. Participants may submit one photo per category for a total of up to five entries. This year, in preparation for the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, Florida State Parks is introducing a new category: Historic Encounters. This category recognizes the contributions of all who helped shape Florida’s communities and preserve the stories that define our shared heritage. The five categories include:
Grand Prize winners in each category will be selected by a blue-ribbon panel. Each winner will receive a B&H Photo gift card, a Florida State Parks Family Annual Entrance Pass and a promotional package that includes a Florida State Parks-branded stand-up paddleboard. The contest will also include a People's Choice Award in each category, with the winner selected through public voting. People’s Choice winners will receive a Florida State Parks promotional package. For contest rules, submission guidelines and prize details, visit the Florida State Parks photo contest website. ### |
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Florida State Parks Launches 2025 Summer Photo Contest
Landscapes. 
Ground Breaking for New Lanark Village EMS Station this Friday
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Whatever Floats Your Boat returns to the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab in September!
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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested a 21 -year-old woman for forgery and altering a check that was stolen from a victim in Apalachicola
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested a 21
-year-old woman for forgery and altering a check that was stolen from a victim
in Apalachicola.
Khaliyah
Symone Phillips of Tallahassee is now facing two third-degree felonies in the
case.
The
case is part of a joint effort between FDLE and the Franklin County Sheriff’s
Office to reduce the amount of mail theft in Franklin County.
The
investigation began in March when the Apalachicola Police Department notified
FDLE investigators of the possible deposit of a forged check.
The
investigation revealed that Phillips had acquired a check for $16,000 that was
stolen from the United States Postal Service and deposited into her
account at a Jacksonville bank.
The
check was altered to show Phillips as the payee.
However,
the check was not intended for her.
Phillips
was arrested on July 1 and was transported by FDLE’s Capitol Police to the Leon
County Jail.
The
Office of the State Attorney, Fourth Judicial Circuit is prosecuting the case.
Monday, July 7, 2025
School grades were released on Monday
The State of Florida issues school grades every year as a way to measure how successful schools around the state are, and whether they are showing improvements from one year to the next.
The Apalachicola Bay Charter School received a A grade for the 2024-2025 school year, up from a C grade the year before.
The Franklin County school received a C grade, the same as the year before.
The Franklin County School district's overall grade was a C, also unchanged from the year before.
Port St. Joe Elementary School in Gulf County earned a B grade last year, Port St. Joe High School also earned a B grade.
Wewahitchka elementary School received a C grade last year as did Wewahitchka High School.
The Gulf County School District overall earned a B grade last year, up from a C grade the year before.
The Wakulla School District received an A grade; The Liberty County School District also earned an A grade.
Statewide 71% of all schools earned an “A” or “B” grade in 2025 compared to 64% in 2024.
The number of schools earning a “D” or “F” decreased from 117 schools in 2024 to 71 schools in 2025.
Saturday, July 5, 2025
A 50-year-old woman from Crawfordville along with a 15-year-old girl were killed Friday in a 2-vehicle accident in Wakulla County
The accident happened at around 6:30 Friday evening at the intersection of Highway 98 and Port Leon Drive.
The Highway Patrol said the two were driving north on Port Leon Drive when they drove onto Highway 98 into the path of a truck pulling a boat trailer.
The truck collided with the side of the sedan.
The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver was taken to Tallahassee memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
The driver of the truck, along with three passengers, were uninjured.
The Highway Patrol was helped on scene by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Fire rescue, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Friday, July 4, 2025
Things to do in Gulf County and beyond!
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