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State to step up testing for deer disease

Jim Turner News Service of Florida Some deer killed during two popular hunting days in December must be tested for a contagious disease fatal to the animals as the state expands efforts to limit the spread of the disease. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said on Tuesday, Sept. 19, that deer killed on…

Legislative Delegation meetings scheduled for October.
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Legislative Delegation meetings scheduled for October.

Senator Jay Trumbull and Representative Shane Abbott are scheduled to host a series of legislative delegation meetings to hear from constituents and government leaders in Holmes, Jackson, Walton, and Washington counties.   The Holmes County Legislative Delegation will hold their annual pre-session meetings on Tuesday, October 3, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held…

New toll road eyed in Northwest Florida
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New toll road eyed in Northwest Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Transportation officials have started working on a proposal that could lead to a new toll road linking Interstate 10 and U.S. 98 in Northwest Florida, as the state’s Turnpike Enterprise increases its presence in the region. The Turnpike Enterprise, a division of the Florida Department of Transportation, introduced a rough outline last week…

Slowing Deer Disease ‘Best That We Can Hope For’
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Slowing Deer Disease ‘Best That We Can Hope For’

Environmentalists and animal-rights advocates want state wildlife officials to put more restrictions on deer farming and hunting as Florida responds to the long-expected arrival of a contagious disease fatal to deer. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission imposed a management zone covering parts of Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties after the detection last month…

Circuit Court consolidation expected to impact Holmes, Washington
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Circuit Court consolidation expected to impact Holmes, Washington

TALLAHASSEE — The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit – which includes Holmes and Washington counties – is expected to be impacted by a pending circuit court consolidation. After Florida lawmakers in 2022 reorganized the state’s appeals courts, House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, is pushing to consolidate circuit courts. A committee appointed by Florida Supreme Court Chief…

U.S. senator visits Mexico Beach to discuss hurricane preparedness: Atlantic hurricane season begins this week
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U.S. senator visits Mexico Beach to discuss hurricane preparedness: Atlantic hurricane season begins this week

U.S. Senator Rick Scott picked a location with a view of the water for his press conference held in Mexico Beach last week, a setting he felt would highlight the point of his visit to the community. “Hurricane season is coming,” he said. “We need to be prepared if and when another storm hits.” Mexico…

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Campground owners could get legal shield

  By Jim Saunders News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With the proposal pointing to “inherent risk,” a Florida House panel Monday approved a bill that would help shield campground owners from lawsuits about people getting injured or killed while camping. “Passing this bill is not going to result in campground owners suddenly wanting to throw…