A Crawfordville man was critically injured after walking in front of a vehicle near Hudson Park on Tuesday

A Crawfordville man was critically injured after walking in front of a vehicle near Hudson Park on Tuesday.

The accident happened around 1:30 Tuesday on US-319.

The Highway patrol said a 54-year-old man from McDonough, Georgia was heading south on 319 when for unknown reasons, a 59-year-old man from Crawfordville walked in front of his truck.

The pedestrian was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital with critical injuries.

The driver of the truck, along with his passenger, were uninjured.

The Florida Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Wakulla County Sheriff Office, Wakulla EMS and Fire Rescue.

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The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is asking the public for help to protect its federal funding

The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is asking the public for help to protect its federal funding.

The Research Reserve is asking business owners to sign a letter to Legislators, supporting the Reserve and its services to the community.

Our local estuary is the second largest of the 29 in the United States.

The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve oversees over 245 thousand acres of local uplands, rivers and bay helping protect countless species of fish and wildlife including many threatened and endangered species.

The local estuarine research reserve injects over 2.6 million dollars into the local economy every year and employs 26 local people.

The Research reserve provides programs throughout the year for kids and adults and their nature center in Eastpoint is a major regional tourist attraction.

If you would like to sign a letter of support, the Reserve has one available – or, of course, you can write your own letter explaining why you think the Reserve should continue to be funded.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrGtWw8EClVwsC7MFcBjxGcrveKzq1_rlCpta8vCLMLT54Sg/viewform

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Stone crab season starts October 15th

The recreational and commercial stone crab harvest season starts Oct. 15 and will remain open through May 1, closing May 2.

The minimum claw size limit is 2 7/8 inches.

As a reminder, an unobstructed escape ring measuring 2 3/16 inches in diameter must be located within a vertical exterior trap wall for all recreational and commercial plastic or wood stone crab traps.

Recreational Trap Registration

Recreational harvesters who are age 16 and older (including those normally exempt from needing a license) are required to complete an online, no-cost recreational stone crab trap registration each year. To register, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, sign in, click the “Click here to get a License!” tile, scroll down to the “Saltwater Fishing” section, and select “Recreational Stone Crab Trap Registration.”

Upon completion, each person will receive unique trap registration numbers that must be included on each trap along with the owner’s full name and address. This information must be legible and must be permanently attached to each trap. 

Other tips and regulations

Care should be taken when removing the claws so as not to permanently injure the crab.  Please refer to our new video, which shows best practices for claw removal and current stone crab regulations. This video is available on YouTube @FWCSaltwaterFishing.

Claws may not be taken from egg-bearing stone crabs. Stone crabs may not be harvested with any device that can puncture, crush or injure a crab’s body. Examples of devices that can cause this kind of damage include spears and hooks.

Recreational harvesters may take a daily bag limit of 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less, and may use up to five stone crab traps per person.

Traps that are not being fished should be removed from the water to avoid ghost fishing, a process in which marine species get caught in the trap for extended periods of time and are not harvested.

Stone crab regulations are the same in state and federal waters.

For more information on harvesting stone crabs for recreation, trap specifications, commercial stone crab regulations and licensing information, go online to MyFWC.com/Marine, click “Recreational Regulations,” select “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish,” then select “Stone Crab.” 

Keep up to date with Florida fishing regulations on your phone by downloading the Fish Rules app in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more at FishRulesApp.com.

The image depicts a stone crab with the minimum size of a claw for harvest: at least 2 7/8 inches from the joint at the elbow to the outer tip of the inner immovable part of the claw.

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Franklin County is continuing its project to replace dune walkovers on St. George Island

Franklin County is continuing its project to replace dune walkovers on St. George Island, and have added two more walkovers to the list.

Over the past few years, the county has been steadily replacing dune walkovers on the island, many of which are about 25 years old.

It has become necessary to replace some of the oldest and most deteriorated structures as the county parks and recreation department is no longer able to repair and keep the walkovers safe in their current condition.

Dune walkovers are needed for erosion control by aiding in the preservation of natural dune topography and native vegetation.
Earlier this month, the commission agreed to add the walkovers at 8th street east and the walkover at lighthouse park to the replacement list.

The county will soon begin looking for companies to do the work.

Replacing dune walkovers is time sensitive as the county doesn’t want to do it during the busiest tourist season, and they’re not allowed to do it during sea turtle nesting season, which begins in May.

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Carrabelle Holiday on the Harbor looking for vendors and boats for the parade!

HOLIDAY ON THE HARBOR FESTIVAL REGISTRATION Hey there guys! Here it is! Remember... your space is not reserved until we have received the booth fee. Please read all of the information page and return with your registration.

Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce | 105 St James Ave P.O. Box DD | Carrabelle, FL 32322 US

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Florida DEP permit activity for Gulf and Wakulla Counties

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF Environmental Protection Bob Martinez Center 2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400

Ron DeSantis Governor Jay Collins Lt. Governor Alexis A. Lambert Secretary

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Permitting Application Subscription Service Subscriber email address: manager@oysterradio.com   Profile Name: Oyster Radio Permit: Air - General Permit Project Name: SRM PLANT #145 Location Id: 1290007 Location Name: SRM PLANT #145 County: Wakulla Application Number: 1290007-008 For further information, please contact the Tallahassee Headquarters permitting office in Tallahassee at (850) 717-9000 Permit: Water - ERP Exemption Permit Project Name: BODIFORD DOCK Location Id: 465140 Location Name: 362 S. LONG STREET County: Gulf Application Number: 465140-001 For further information, please contact the Northwest District permitting office in Pensacola at (850) 595-8300 Link to Department's application file: 362 S. LONG STREET If you would like to comment on the pending application, please go here: Public Comment | DEP Business Portal (fldepportal.com)

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Stories from the Seaside - The E-newsletter from the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Aquarium

Where the Sea Reveals its Secrets

Spooky Specimens is creeping back to Gulf Specimen! Join us on Saturday, October 25th from 5–8 PM for a hauntingly good time by the sea! Explore our aquarium after dark and meet the creatures that go bump (and splash!) in the night. Special Treats:  Kids in costume get FREE admission! One free drink ticket with every adult ticket purchase Admission: $16 Adults | $14 Members | $11 Children (without costume, up to age 11) Dress up, bring the family, and dive into a night of spooky sea life, glowing tanks, and Halloween fun for all ages! Mark your calendars, grab your costumes, and get ready for a night of frights, fun, and fishy friends!

Beach Explorations Tour Ready for a hands-on adventure? Join Debbi on the shoreline as she uncovers the secrets of the Gulf! From seashells and sand dollars to crabs, sea stars, and other coastal treasures, she brings the beach to life with her passion and knowledge of marine life. Upcoming Walks: Saturday, October 11th Saturday, November 8th Perfect for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone curious about coastal life—every walk is a chance to explore, learn, and be amazed by what the tide brings in. Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today and make a date with the sea! (850) 984-5297

Intern Spotlight Meet Erin Canter, one of our new 6-month interns, who is originally from Annapolis, MD. Erin has a bachelor's degree in Marine Science with a concentration in Biological Oceanography from the University of South Carolina. Erin enjoys surfing, boating, and hiking in her free time. She is most excited about the variety of learning opportunities at GSML. Erin's Goals: Work and live near the water Favorite Lab Animal: Filefish and Batfish We are so thrilled to have her on as an intern!

Introducing Our Greenhouse! We’re thrilled to unveil our brand-new greenhouse—and it’s not just for plants, it’s for cleaner water! While our bays and rivers may look clear, they can still be full of invisible pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus. In excess, these nutrients can fuel harmful algal blooms, create dead zones, and damage delicate ecosystems that so many creatures depend on. That’s where the humble algae comes in. Algae naturally thrive on nitrogen and phosphorus, soaking them up before they can harm our waters. By growing algae in our greenhouse, we’re harnessing nature’s own power to remove these pollutants and give back to our oceans and estuaries. This exciting project was funded by a grant through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and we are extremely thankful for their support in helping us protect Florida’s waters. Stay tuned for updates as our greenhouse grows green for the sea!

Meet Our Newest Patient: Percy! This tiny juvenile green sea turtle weighs just 1.8 lbs—the exact same size Aggie was when she first came to us! Percy was rescued after being found floating off Shell Point and unable to dive. An X-ray revealed she has acute pneumonia and possibly air trapped under her shell. She’s already begun treatment and is resting in a quarantine tank while she regains her strength. With a little time and care, we hope she’ll be strong enough to meet visitors soon! Follow along here to keep up with Percy’s recovery journey, and if you’d like to support her and our other sea turtle patients, please consider donating to our Sea Turtle Fund. Every gift helps provide medicine, food, and care for these incredible creatures. Thank you for helping us give Percy a fighting chance!

Donate to Gulf Specimen Here Our Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy

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FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY PET OF THE WEEK

 

 

Frankie is a six-month-old lab mix. This pretty girl with the beautiful eyes is very happy, social and playful. She loves the company of other dogs and should make a wonderful pet as well as second dog. 

 

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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Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting Donna Duncan P.A. Law Office Friday, October 10th, 5:30 pm

Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting Donna Duncan P.A. Law Office Friday, October 10th, 5:30 pm We invite everyone to the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Donna Duncan P.A. Law Office's new location at 109 MLK Blvd in Apalachicola. Join us in celebrating with the team at this recently renovated space. Light snacks and refreshments will be available. Friday, October 10th 5:30 pm 109 MLK Blvd, Apalachicola Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce 17 Ave E Apalachicola, Fl 32320 www.apalachicolabay.org 850-653-9419

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As it gets colder, monarch butterflies will begin passing through our area on their way to more southern climates

                As it gets colder, monarch butterflies will begin passing through our area on their way to more southern climates so make sure to watch out for them especially while you're driving.

 

As the chilly weather hits the northern United States and Canada every fall, monarch butterflies begin a migration south that takes them across North Florida.

 

Millions of monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains spend their winters at a specific forest in central Mexico—encompassing just 70 square miles and to get there, they use Florida’s river corridors and coastal barrier islands.

 

Many of the butterflies pass over our bays as they move south, so slowing down a little on the bridges might help more of the survive.

Research indicates the Monarch population has declined up to 90 percent due to various factors such as habitat loss, land management practices and some types of chemically aided agriculture.

The loss of quality breeding habitat due to increased use of herbicide-tolerant crops has been particularly harmful because the butterfly’s host plant which is milkweed has been essentially eliminated in the agricultural landscape where they were once abundant. 

There are many things people can do to help increase the Monarch population.

One of the easiest and most helpful options is to create breeding habitat for Monarchs by planting milkweed that is native to Florida.

Native milkweed is the only food source that Monarch butterflies will feed on and there are numerous species of native milkweed to choose from.

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Porch Fest Apalach has kicked off its online auction, so be sure to bid

Porch Fest Apalach has kicked off its online auction, so be sure to bid.

 

Porch Fest Apalach will be held this Saturday, October the 11^th at locations around Apalachicola.

 

The event was created during the pandemic as a way for people to get outdoors and safely listen to live music.

 

Last year over 25 bands and 60 performers took over stages and porches around Apalachicola to perform for hundreds of people.

 

Porchfest has become very popular and is now an annual event raising money for local non-profits.

 

This year’s event will raise money for Aaron Meals, a group that delivers nutritious meals to over 350 food-insecure individuals in Franklin County every week.

 

As part of the fundraiser, Porchfest holds an on-line auction with dozens of items ranging from sunset cruises and vacation rentals to scenic airplane flights and gift baskets from local businesses and restaurants.

 

The auction began Sunday and will end at 9PM on Thursday, October the 9^th.

 

You can find the auction from the Porchfest Apalach Facebook page.

 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100027587815584

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The Florida Department of Health in Gulf County has issued a Red Tide Health Alert for Windmark Beach and St. Joseph Bay

The Florida Department of Health in Gulf County has issued a Red Tide Health Alert for Windmark Beach and St. Joseph Bay after red tide was found in numerous water samples taken on October 1st.

Red tide was found in medium concentrations from water samples taken from Windmark Beach, as well as in low concentrations from mid St. Joseph Bay.

It was also found in very low concentrations from Patton Bayou, west of St. Joseph Bay as well as from Eagle Harbor, Southeast of the St. Joe Bay.

Red Tide is an organism that in large enough concentrations releases a neurotoxin that can kill fish and even affect humans.
The Health Department is Gulf County is alerting people to avoid swimming or wading in the affected water.

Red tide can cause skin irritation, rashes, and eye discomfort.

People with respiratory conditions should use extra caution and avoid the area.

Do not harvest or eat shellfish, or distressed or dead fish from the area.

If exposed to red tide, wash your skin, clothing, and pets with soap and fresh water as soon as possible.

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