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National Estuaries Day

APALACHICOLA, FL – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Floridians to celebrate National Estuaries Day by learning more about estuary habitats and wildlife at events taking place at Florida’s three Natio... Full story

Lobster Festival celebrates 20 years

Shannon Claunch, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - Schooners will host the 20th annual Lobster Festival & Tournament on Sept. 17-20. The four-day festival benefits the Florida Aquatic & Marine Institute and the Toys for Kids Foundation. Divers will compete in a variet... Full story

Cape San Blas Lighthouse a top summer destination

Despina Williams, Florida Freedom Newspapers

CAPE SAN BLAS, FL - What a difference a tower can make. Since the St. Joseph Bay Historical Society reopened the Cape San Blas lighthouse tower last September, visitors have arrived in record numbers. Beverly Mount-Douds, who mans the lighthouse's ... Full story

State Park Literacy Month

NORTHWEST FLORIDA – Northwest Florida State Parks Celebrate September as state park Literacy Month. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service is celebrating with special events at many state parks thr... Full story

Airports seek cheaper flights

Dusty Ricketts and Pat Kelly, Florida Freedom Newspapers

WEST BAY, FL — As Airport Authority officials say they are close to announcing a new low-cost carrier for the airport under construction here, two other Northwest Florida airports are stepping up their own campaigns.     For year... Full story

Beach bucks recession

Numbers might be off from previous years, but area businesses say tourists are still coming

Pat Kelly, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — Kevin Walsh, president of Gulf World Marine Park on Front Beach Road, said tourists will keep coming to the beach, even during lean times, if only to escape for a while.     For a tourism-based economy suc... Full story

Spring break, PCB's image on TDC's plate

Pat Kelly, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — Spring Break can be a touchy subject with some people. Pluck that particular string and you likely will get arguments about unruly, noisy college kids and large tourism dollars. City officials, business leaders and... Full story

EVP Pro Beach Tour

PANAMA CITY, FL - Boardwalk Beach Resort at Royal American Beach Getaways has teamed up with the EVP Tour to host a televised beach volleyball event on Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 6. The 2009 top players from across the nation will bump, set,... Full story

Study says Amtrak could be stopping in Chipley

Jon Miltimore, Florida Freedom Newspapers

CHIPLEY, FL — Amtrak could be making a return to Chipley, according to a federal study listing restoration of the Sunset Limited service as one of three preferred Amtrak proposals.     The Sunset Limited runs from Los Angele... Full story

Emerald Coast an affordable option for beachgoers

Katie Tammen, Florida Freedom Newspapers

EMERALD COAST, FL - Consumer spending habits might have changed, but people still are taking vacations. In this third week of tourist season, businesses along the Emerald Coast said the season is off to a good start, even if area unemployment numbers... Full story

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