The latest county reports show a decisive Wakulla commission result, an updated Franklin school-board margin, and two key Gulf County outcomes. Results remain unofficial until canvassing is complete.
Carrie Hughes leads Quincee Messersmith 3,851–1,278 in the Republican primary, 75.08% to 24.92%. All 12 precincts report, but the state portal still marks vote-by-mail as partially reported.
Official Wakulla report →Vance B. Pedrick leads Ray Messer 368–333, 52.50% to 47.50%. The latest report expands the election-night margin from two votes to 35; all three participating precincts and all vote types report complete.
Official Franklin report →Sandy E. Quinn Jr. finishes first in the Commission District 4 special Democratic primary with 347 votes (59.83%). In School Board District 1, Chad Bailey leads with 390 (45.56%); because no candidate earned a majority, Bailey and Dennis Peak advance to the general election.
Official Gulf report →Unofficial results: County totals can change during canvassing. Figures shown here reflect the latest official Election Night Reporting totals carried in the August 20 Salt & Spring issue.
The Gulf County Zone — including St. Joseph Bay and state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island — will not open August 16. FWC says a summer survey found very low scallop abundance and closed the 2026 recreational harvest as a precaution to support future seasons. Read the FWC closure notice →
Election results across Wakulla, Franklin, and Gulf, the Gulf County scallop closure, new pediatric care in Port St. Joe, weekend picks, and Sharon’s Creole Shrimp Toast.
New dedicated pediatric care in Port St. Joe, Wakulla’s no-fee ACH sewer autopay option, and practical local updates for the week ahead.
FWC has closed the Gulf County scallop harvest season for all of 2026, while Franklin waters east of St. Vincent Island remain under their separate open-zone season.
Sharon Rigsby’s Creole Shrimp Toast brings Gulf shrimp, cheese, and Creole seasoning together in a quick coastal plate.
Wakulla’s District 4 Republican commission primary was decisive, Franklin’s School Board District 2 margin widened in the later count, and Gulf County voters shaped both a commission special primary and the School Board District 1 race headed toward November.
Read the election results →PanCare began dedicated pediatric services this week with Candi Calderon, APRN, CPNP-PC, giving Gulf County families closer access to well-child visits, newborn care, physicals, screenings, sick visits, and more.
Read the Gulf County update →Beginning with the September billing cycle, Wakulla County sewer customers can enroll in ACH autopay without a processing fee.
See the county notice →
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum’s special exhibit looks at the specialized forces that built and repaired ports, operated harbor craft, and moved supplies behind amphibious operations. Open Thursday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern.
Wakulla County’s Audit Committee holds a public meeting Friday, August 21, at 10 a.m. Eastern in the BOCC Administration Conference Room.
PanCare’s first dedicated pediatric provider at the Port St. Joe clinic is now seeing patients, expanding local care for infants, children, and adolescents.
The Gulf County Zone, including St. Joseph Bay, will remain closed to recreational bay scallop harvest for all of 2026 after FWC’s summer survey found very low abundance. Franklin waters east of the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island remain under the applicable regional open season. Check current boundaries and official status before harvesting.
Read the FWC closure noticeElection results across three counties, Gulf County’s scallop closure, new pediatric care in Port St. Joe, coastal picks, and Sharon’s Creole Shrimp Toast.
A new oyster season, St. Joseph Bay scallops opening Sunday, Carrabelle weekend picks, and Sharon’s pecan-crusted chicken.
A long-awaited pier replacement, early voting dates, First Friday, scallop boundaries, and Sharon’s blackened chicken Alfredo.