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 were verified against Florida’s official Election Night Reporting pages on August 18, 2026.
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 →
A new oyster season, an urgent Gulf County scallop closure update, Carrabelle weekend picks, and Sharon’s pecan-crusted chicken.
Wakulla’s development review and budget workshop, Carrabelle civic history, and practical coastal notes for the week ahead.
Apalachicola Bay’s next wild-oyster season is set, while FWC has closed the Gulf County scallop season for all of 2026.
Sharon Rigsby’s pecan-crusted chicken brings a crisp Southern coating with hot honey or honey mustard for serving.
Apalachicola Bay’s next limited wild-oyster season opens October 1 and runs through February 28, 2027, with harvest allowed on NFWF Cat Point, Cat Point Spur, and Peanut Ridge.
Read the oyster update →FWC announced August 13 that the Gulf County Zone, including St. Joseph Bay, will remain closed to recreational bay scallop harvest for all of 2026 after a summer survey found very low scallop abundance.
Read the FWC closure notice →Wakulla commissioners will hold a public workshop August 17 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on development of the FY 2026–27 county budget.
Read the civic brief →
Foundations of Freedom continues at the Carrabelle History Museum with old ballots, ballot boxes, city records, and artifacts from generations of small-town civic life.
The Country Farmer’s Market returns to the Crooked River Lighthouse grounds Saturday, August 15, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Eastern.
Port St. Joe’s Salt Air Farmers Market returns to George Core Park Saturday morning, August 15, beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern.
FWC has set Apalachicola Bay’s next limited wild-oyster season for October 1 through February 28, 2027, with a combined annual harvest level of 2,560 bags across three approved reefs. FWC has now closed the Gulf County Zone, including St. Joseph Bay, to recreational bay scallop harvest for all of 2026 after a summer survey found very low abundance. Franklin and Wakulla waters remain under their separate open-zone rules. Check current boundaries and official status before harvesting.
Read the FWC closure noticeA 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.
Red snapper closes Friday, coastal events ahead, shellfish reminders, and Sharon’s deviled egg potato salad.