The Franklin County Seahawks football team fell 6 and 3 after losing their homecoming game Friday night

The Franklin County Seahawks football team fell 6 and 3 after losing their homecoming game Friday night.

The Seahawks lost to Lafayette 39 to 6 with one game left in the regular season.

The seahawks will face Aucilla Christian on Halloween night.
That game will be in Franklin County and will be carried live on Forgotten Coast Radio WFCX.

The Port St. Joe Tigersharks improved their season record Friday night to 4 and 4 with a win over Sneads.

The Tigersharks won 24 to nothing.

Port St. Joe be at home again this week when they take on Jefferson County at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

That game will be carried live right here on Oyster Radio 106.5 FM.

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A 76-year-old Franklin County man has been arrested and charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography

                A 76-year-old Franklin County man has been arrested and charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography.

 

Charles G. Maniscalco of Apalachicola was arrested on Thursday, October the 24^th by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

 

According the Sheriff’s office, Maniscalco possessed 20 digital files of explicit child pornography.

 

The ages of the children ranged from 1-2 years old and 8-11 years old, and included boys and girls pictured or recorded with and without adults.

 

A sheriff’s office post on Facebook said the evidence found was disturbing, explicit, and left them angry.

 

Maniscalco did not have a history of these types of crimes so he was not on law enforcement radar until recent online activity led authorities to him.

 

The Sheriff’s office is reminding parents that there is a sex offender map which you can see through their app which shows the homes of all known sex offenders living in the county.

 

They recommend parents check the map before taking children trick or treating this Halloween.

 

 

 

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Federal wildlife officials have removed the red-cockaded woodpecker from the endangered species list.

Federal wildlife officials have removed the red-cockaded woodpecker from the endangered species list.

The agency decided to downgrade the longtime endangered species to threatened, meaning it no longer faces a serious risk of extinction.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made the announcement last Thursday.

They said that while the bird's habitats still require active management, red-cockaded woodpecker habitats across the Southeastern United States have increased nearly 40% since 2003, when officials last revised their recovery plan.

In 2003, there were an over 5600 active clusters, which typically house 2 to 4 birds, across eleven states.

Today, there are nearly 7800 active clusters of woodpeckers.

The Apalachicola National Forest is one of their primary habitats.

Red-cockaded woodpeckers were first listed as endangered in 1970 after their population declined to fewer than 10,000 birds scattered across the Southeast.

The decline was almost entirely due to habitat loss, primarily due to logging which left only small and scattered forests.

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The Florida Department of Health in Franklin County has lifted the water quality advisory for Alligator Point

The Florida Department of Health in Franklin County has lifted the water quality advisory for Alligator Point.

Tests completed on October 8th found high levels of the enterococcus bacteria at Alligator Point.

A subsequent test on October 21st found that water quality at Alligator Point beaches was safe for swimming and other water activities.

The state currently takes weekly or bi-weekly water samples from beaches in 30 counties – you can see results for all beaches in Florida on-line at the Florida Department of Health healthy beaches website.

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/index.html

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November kicks off Festival Season along the Forgotten Coast

61st Annual Florida Seafood Festival November 1-2 Florida's oldest maritime festival kicks off its 61st year on Friday and Saturday, November 1-2, 2024 in historic Apalalachicola. The festival is held at Battery Park overlooking the mouth of the Apalachicola River and attracts thousands of people eager to enjoy fresh local seafood, arts and crafts exhibits and the famous Oyster Eating and Shucking contests. This year's headline entertainer will be Mark Wills. Learn more here. Crooked River Lantern Fest Saturday November 11 The annual Crooked River Lighthouse Lantern Fest will be held Saturday, November 11 from 6-10 pm on the park grounds at Crooked River Lighthouse, 1975 Highway 98 West, Carrabelle Beach, FL. This year's music headliner will be recording artists and regional favorites, The Currys. In addition to the Currys, there will bedance performances from the Tallahassee Community College Dance Company, special evening tower climbs, ancient craft demonstrations, enchanting glowing lantern display, museum displays, gift shop, and delicious food and desserts. Don’t miss this evening of music, dance, night tower climbs, glowing lanterns and food.  Forgotten Coast Video Enhances Visitor Experience Check out our new interactive video on www.floridasforgottencoast.com. While watching the video, feel free to click on anything that catches your eye, and we'll reveal more details just for you! Start exploring now and plan your next getaway! Seafood on the Menu for Thanksgiving at Local Restaurants Visiting the Forgotten Coast for Thanksgiving and looking for some fresh local seafood? You're in luck! Several restaurants will be open Thanksgiving serving up oysters and other fresh local seafood. In Apalachicola, the Franklin Cafe' and the Owl Cafe will be serving a Thanksgiving Day Buffet from 11 am until 4:30 pm. East of Carrabelle, the Crooked River Grill will be also open. Click here to check out all the local eateries along the Forgotten Coast. Birders Flock to the Coast This Month During November, three of Franklin County's most popular migrating bird stopovers are located at two state parks and a federal wildlife preserve.  And where the birds are, you're sure to find the birders too! Bald Point State Park, located at the extreme eastern tip of Franklin County,  is considered one of the best areas in the Southeast to view the annual bird and butterfly migrations. Some of the migrating bird species you might encounter on a quiet morning or late afternoon might include warblers, Peregrin Falcons, hawks and Bald Eagles.  Common migrating species of butterflies include the Gulf Fritillary and Monarch.  Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park. There are more than 300 species listed on the St. George Island State Park birding list. During the fall several varieties of terns may be observed. St. Vincent Island, a federally owned National Wildlife Refuge at the westernmost end of Franklin County, is also an important stop-off point in the Gulf of Mexico region for migratory birds, including the majestic Wood Stork. Click here to see the top ten spots to enjoy birding in Franklin County. SGI Lighting of the Palms December 6 Kick off the holiday season with us at the St. George Island Lighting of the Palms event on Friday, December 6th at 6pm at Lighthouse Park. There will be Christmas crafts & games, hot chocolate, cookies, books and gifts, and visits with Santa. The lighting of the palms will take place at dusk followed by the golf cart parade. This event is sponsored by the SGI Business Association. Details here. Eastpoint Christmas Celebration December 13 Join Eastpoint for the annual Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 13. Parade line up begins at 4 p.m. behind Seller’s Plaza. The parade begins at South Franklin Street and runs to First Street, then kids go to the Eastpoint Fire Station for their treats and gifts from Santa.  Carrabelle Holiday on the Harbor Festival and Boat Parade of Lights December 14 Carrabelle will host its 29th annual Holiday on the Harbor Festival and Boat Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 14 along Carrabelle’s downtown waterfront beginning at 11 am and lasting until the boat parade at dark thirty. Enjoy an afternoon and evening of food and fun featuring a street festival with children’s activities. Merchants will be open late. In the evening, watch the parade of festive boats decked out in Christmas lights and decor in celebration of the holidays followed by a festive fireworks display.  Details.  Upcoming Events October 25 - Play for the Bay Golf Tournament October 25 - SGI Spooktacular October 25-27 Bassmasters' Tournament, Apalachicola October 30 - November 30 - Military Tribute Exhibit, Carrabelle History Museum November 1-2 - Florida Seafood Festival November 5 - Camp Gordon Johnston Exhibit Honoring Native American Service members November 7 - Catch up Crafts - Eastpoint, Carrabelle Libraries November 8 - Jellyfish Lantern-making Workshop November 9 - Lantern Fest November 9 - Apalachicola Farmers' Market November 11 - SGI Veterans Day Celebration November 12 - Story Time, Eastpoint, Carrabelle Library November 14 - STEM Space Event, Eastpoint Library November 14 - Sally Bethea Author Event, Apalachicola Margaret Key Library November 15 - SGI Lighthouse Full Moon Climb November 15 - Crooked River Lighthouse Full Moon Climb November 16 - Forgotten Coast Freedom Festival November 19 - Adult Crafternoon, Eastpoint Library November 23 - Apalachicola Farmers Market November 24 - SGI Holiday Sip & Shop November 29 - Apalachicola Downtown Christmas Celebration November 30 - Holiday Bazaar, Lanark Village Boat Club December 6 - SGI Lighting of the Palms December 7 - Holiday Fresh Market, Apalachicola December 8 - Eastpoint Christmas Celebration December 12 - Panhandle Players Present The Carol Burnett Show December 14 - Apalachicola Farmers Market December 14 - Carrabelle Holiday on the Harbor December 15 - Bay Area Choral Society Christmas Concert December 15 - Cape St. George Lighthouse Full Moon Climb December 16 - Carrabelle Country Market December 28 - Apalachicola Farmers Market Forgotten Coast Freedom Festival November 16 On November 16th, the Friends of Army Aviation (FOAA) will be flying riders during the Apalachicola Forgotten Coast Festival in Apalachicola. No ticket? No worries – we will have plenty of spaces available so come on out to 8 Airport Rd, Apalachicola, FL and take a ride. Come out and experience Army Aviation history. Take a ride in an iconic UH-1H helicopter—an experience you won’t forget! Food, fun, and entertainment! Details. St. George Island  Sip & Shop Nov. 24 On Sunday November 24th, the Cape St George Lighthouse Gift Shop will host their 8th Annual Holiday Sip ‘N Shop from Noon til 6pm. Featured items include jewelry, holiday cards, ornaments and decor, toys, games pubbles socks and stocking stuffers. Come by, enjoy light refreshments and beverages and “Shop Small” to get a jump start on your Christmas shopping. Details here. Apalachicola Downtown Christmas Celebration Nov. 29 The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce Presents the Apalachicola Downtown Christmas Celebration on November 29 from 3-8 pm. Apalachicola lights up the day after Thanksgiving and the streets will be lined with luminaries as merchants stay open late to welcome the season and early holiday shoppers. Santa arrives on a shrimp boat at 4 pm at Riverfront Park on Water Street the Chamber will hand out hotdogs for all the children who come to visit Santa. Details here. Holiday Fresh Market December 7 in Apalach The following weekend, on December 7, the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce presents the Holiday Fresh Market. Come for the day or the weekend and find one-of-a-kind unusual presents. Shop in a relaxed, hassle-free environment in an outdoor setting. The fun annual event runs from 10am till 4pm and features  hand-crafted Apalachicola specialties such as baked goods, artwork, wood carving, pottery and hand-knitted goods. Details. CGJ Exhibit Honors Native American Servicemen Nov. 5-30 Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle will feature a special exhibit honoring Native American Servicemen. This exhibit will open Tuesday, November 5 and will be on display at the museum until Saturday, November 30, 2024.  November is National Native American Heritage Month, and the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum salutes their service and sacrifice. During World War I and World War II, hundreds of American Indians joined the United States armed forces and used words from their traditional tribal languages as weapons. The United States military asked them to develop secret battle communications based on their languages—and America’s enemies never deciphered the coded messages they sent. “Code Talkers,” as they came to be known after World War II, are twentieth-century American Indian warriors and heroes who significantly aided the victories of the United States and its allies. Learn more here. SGI Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11 The St. George Lighthouse Association, in partnership with SGI Veterans Reveille Group, and the 106th American Legion in Apalachicola, invite everyone to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony in Lighthouse Park on Saturday, November 11, 2024, at 11 AM.   Seating is limited, so please bring your own chairs. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony and the lighthouse will be open to everyone, with free climbs offered to all veterans. Details here. Lighthouse Full Moon Climb November 15 The historic Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island and the Crooked River Lighthouses will each host full moon climbs on Friday November 15. The November Sunset and Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will be held on Friday, November 15. Visitors can enjoy this opportunity to view St. George Island, the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola bay under the evening sky. The Sunset and Full Moon Climb will begin at 5:30 p.m. and run until 7:30 p.m.  The Crooked River Lighthouse will host a Full Moon Lighthouse climb on Friday, November 15 from 6 - 8 pm. November Farmers' Markets and Artisans Markets Apalachicola The Apalachicola Farmers' Market will host its market days on  November 9 and November 24 from 9am to 1pm at the Mill Pond at Scipio Creek.  Can't wait till the weekend? The Apalachicola Growers Market features fresh vegetables, gourmet goodies and more most Wednesdays from 9am to noon at 56 Commerce Street in Apalachicola.  Carrabelle The Crooked River Lighthouse is hosting a Country Farmer's Market Saturday, November 2 from 9 am-1 pm at the foot of the lighthouse at 1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle Beach.

Franklin County Tourist Development Council • 731 Hwy. 98, Eastpoint, FL 32329 • 866-914-2068

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Exhibit Expansion: Military Veteran Tribute Exhibit Nov 3-30 & Reception Nov 3

Military Veterans Tribute Reopening Reception Sunday, November 3, 2:00 - 4:00 pm   You're Invited! The Carrabelle History Museum is proud to announce the grand reopening of its expanded Military Veteran Tribute Exhibit in honor of Veterans Day. Join us as we pay tribute to local men who served in the armed forces from WWI to Vietnam, with the reveal of a new honoree. Reopening Reception: Date: Sunday, November 3 Time: 2:00 - 4:00 pm Location: Carrabelle History Museum, 106 SE Avenue B, Carrabelle, FL Celebrate the stories of service and sacrifice, explore fascinating artifacts from the veterans' families and Camp Gordon Johnston Museum, and honor the legacy of our local heroes. Admission is free, and all are welcome! Expansion of Exhibit: Military Veterans Tribute Sunday, Nov 3 - Saturday, Nov 30 The Carrabelle History Museum is proud to announce the expansion of its Military Veteran Tribute Exhibit, in honor of Veterans Day, which pays tribute to several local men who served in the armed forces from WWI to Vietnam. This deeply meaningful exhibit has resonated deeply with the community and the families of these veterans and will soon include a new honoree. The identity of this local veteran will be revealed at a grand reopening reception. The expanded exhibit will continue to honor several other military veterans with deep ties to Carrabelle, showcasing their stories of service and sacrifice. The exhibit celebration will run from Sunday, November 3, through Saturday, November 30, 2024. Visitors are welcome on Wednesdays from 12 to 5 pm ET, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm ET, and Sundays 12 to 5 pm ET. Admission is free, and donations are gratefully accepted. The exhibit features a variety of fascinating artifacts generously shared by the families of these men and on loan from the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum, offering a glimpse into their military service and lives. The Carrabelle History Museum warmly invites the public to visit and celebrate the legacy of these local heroes. Located at 106 SE Avenue B, Carrabelle, FL.. For more information, go to www.carrabellehistorymuseum.org or contact 850-697-2141 or carrabellehistorymuseum@gmail.com, Sponsored by C-Quarters Marina, Duke Energy and Shaun Donahoe Realty. Funding in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council. Special thanks to the City of Carrabelle.  Do you enjoy the programs, event and exhibits from the Carrabelle History Museum? Then join us! Join or renew today as a Member of the Carrabelle Historical Society which serves as friends of the Carrabelle History Museum. Your Annual Membership to the Carrabelle Historical Society 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 https://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 © 2024 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

 

Julius is a 12-week-old Dalmatian/Lab cross and cuter than cute! This pup is happy, social and playful as are his siblings. There are 2 other males and 1 female in this litter and all four are looking for a loving home and a family to grow up with!

 

 

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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Recreational harvest of greater amberjack closes in Gulf waters starting Nov. 1

Greater amberjack recreational harvest will close in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters starting Nov. 1, with the last day of harvest being Oct. 31.

In July, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order to set the 2024-25 recreational season for greater amberjack in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico consistent with the new recreational federal season, Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, approved by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

The new season is meant to help rebuild the stock.

For current recreational greater amberjack regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Amberjack.”

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Boil water recission for portions of Port St. Joe

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NOAA Fisheries FishNews—October 24

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Celebrating Oyster Week It's Oyster Week 2024! We're celebrating by honoring one of our favorite shellfish all week with special features. Protecting and Restoring Habitat in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula Virginia’s Middle Peninsula is a beautiful part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. But it faces challenges due to climate change, a lack of capacity to restore habitat, and rural coastal economic hardship. We’re working with partners to restore and conserve fish habitat and to enhance coastal community resilience to climate change. New Calculator Helps Oyster Growers Measure the Water Quality Benefits of Farms A new tool provides a science-based estimate of how much nitrogen oyster farms remove from local waterways. It generates a report that can be used in the aquaculture permitting process.

Alaska Connecting Aquaculture Enthusiasts from Across the World Ketchikan, Alaska, hosted the third annual Seagriculture, USA International Seaweed Conference. Science Blog: A Voyage Through the Arctic Post #8 What’s it like voyaging through the Arctic? In a recent science blog, Heather Tabisola shares moments from a survey researching Alaska’s marine ecosystems.

West Coast Surprise! Japanese Sardines Astonish Scientists by Crossing the Pacific to the West Coast When research scientist Gary Longo first saw the results of his genomic analysis of sardines, he thought he must have mixed up his samples. Genomic sequencing of Pacific sardine revealed not one but two species of sardine in the California Current in 2022 and 2023.

Pacific Islands Caught in the Waves: The Cost of Getting Too Close to Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins Imagine living with a disruptive roommate and having no way of asking them to respect your space or, more importantly, your sleep schedule. This is a routine challenge for Hawaiian spinner dolphins, who feed at night and rest during the day. Our Office of Law Enforcement is helping Hawaiian spinner dolphins catch up on some much needed rest.

Southeast Celebrating 125 Years of Science at the NOAA Beaufort Lab The Beaufort Laboratory in North Carolina is celebrating its 125th Anniversary! As the second oldest federal marine science laboratory in the nation, this lab predates the establishment of NOAA by more than 70 years.

New England/Mid-Atlantic Where Do Atlantic Salmon Go to Beat the Heat? As a key river habitat warms, researchers race to protect cold water patches critical to salmon survival. Michigan Tribe to Restore Fish Passage for Native Great Lakes Fish Species With NOAA funds, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians will remove 12 fish passage barriers at road-stream crossings on their traditional lands. They will also investigate fish passage options for lake sturgeon at two hydroelectric dams. Photos: 2024 Bottom Trawl Survey Ever wonder what life is like when your office is a large floating marine laboratory? See highlights of the incredible sights and scenes from the 2024 Bottom Trawl Survey season. Science Blog: Olivine, Oysters, and Ocean Acidification Part 1 Summer 2024 intern Jonathan Lim shares his experiences working at the NOAA Fisheries Milford Laboratory. Annual Abundance Estimate for North Atlantic Right Whales We recently released the updated population abundance estimate for North Atlantic right whales. This report serves to update the population size estimate of North Atlantic right whales for the most recent year of available sightings data. Final Incidental Take Regulations for the Maryland Offshore Wind Project We published the final incidental take regulations, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, to govern the incidental harassment of marine mammals related to the Maryland Offshore Wind Project. We have determined the take allowed under the final rule will have a negligible impact on all affected marine mammal species and stocks.

Upcoming Deadlines October 28: Applications due for FY 2025 NOAA Great Lakes Fish Habitat Restoration Partnership grants October 30: Applications due for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program October 31: Applications due for Species Recovery Grants to States October 31: Applications due for Species Recovery Grants to Tribes November 1: Applications due for Bluefin Tuna Research Program November 4: Proposals due for Citizen Science for Improved Stock Assessments and Climate-Ready Fisheries Management November 21: Applications due for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program November 22: Deadline for the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee’s survey on marine mammal deterrents November 25: Applications due for Partnership for Research Excellence in Sustainable Seafood funding opportunity November 25: Applications due for the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Competition December 13: Pre-proposals due for Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program funding View more news and announcements

Upcoming Events November 2–3: 2024 Right Whale Festival November 4–7: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Meeting November 13–18: Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting View more events

Federal Register Actions Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations web page to learn more about recently proposed and finalized regulations in your region.

Questions? Visit our website for national and regional contact information

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