Is the oldest Newspaper in Gulf County (established in 1925).

Is published the 1st and 15th of every month.

Is the last locally owned and operated newspaper in Gulf County and one of the few remaining ones in the region.

Is your paper. Though publishing a newspaper is a business, we approach it as a community service, as well. We do not charge for obituaries, birthday, wedding, or anniversary announcements. We gladly carry all news and announcements from local groups, organizations, schools, churches, etc.

Has the lowest rates of any media around, which means we are still the best value for your advertising budget.

Gives discounts for ads placed by not-for-profit organizations.

Supports local business.

Is good for Gulf County.

Is accountable to you our community readers.

Hires local people.

Is nonpartizan. As a newspaper our reporting in unbiased, fair, and balanced.

Is committed to free speech. Unlike our reporting, feature stories, etc. our columns (River Readings, Byways, Legends, etc.) and other opinion pieces like Letters to the Editor can be as opinionated, partizan, and outrageous as their authors want them to be. There’s a huge difference between opinion pieces and feature stories and we know the difference!

Is the people paper of Gulf County. Our goal is to introduce you to your neighbors and share with you their accomplishments. As much as possible, we report the good news about our good neighbors.

Fresh Breeze Blowing

Wewahitchka, FL — On May 22, 2003, The Gulf County Breeze changed hands again. Wewahitchka residents Jamie Lester and Michael Lister have become the fifth owners of this publication that has been a fixture in Gulf county for over 75 years. Lester, a successful local entrepreneur, will serve as publisher, and Lister, an established local writer, will serve as lead writer and managing editor. Both men were raised in Gulf County, and are part of families local to the area for several generations. After moving away for college, both men returned and began families of their own, each living within sight of where he grew up.

“We’re here because we love it,” Lister said. “We both wanted to raise our children in the same wonderful town we were raised in.”

“Wewa’s like that,” Lester said. “It gets in your blood and stays there. It’s always been and always will be home.”

President of The J. Lester Company, a real estate appraisal and consulting service provider, Lester has a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration with a minor in Political Science and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. He is a community activist, serving as president of the Port Saint Joe Kiwanis, a member of the Economic Development Committee, the activities director of the American Cancer Society and emceed their recent Relay for Life. For the past several years, he has played the part of Jesus in the annual March for Jesus. He is also the host of a weekly talk show on 105.5-The Coast.

Lister, a published novelist and senior staff writer for Triple Horse Entertainment of Atlanta, teaches writing and religion at Gulf Coast Community College, and is founder of Michael Lister Ministries, Pottersville Press, and Pottersville Productions. He regularly teaches classes and conducts workshops on spiritual growth and sacred stories. Before leaving the prison system in 2000 to pursue a full-time career in writing, Lister was for several years a senior chaplain with the Florida Department of Corrections. In addition to holding a Bachelors Degree in Biblical Studies and a Masters Degree in Theology; Lister has also extensively studied writing, publishing, and filmmaking.

When asked about their names, the two agreed that though they are not related, they feel like brothers. “The ones with the ‘i’ have all the money,” Lester was quick to say. “Those of us with the ‘e’ are the poor ones.” Lister smiled. “If that was ever true, it’s certainly not any longer—especially when it comes to the two of us.”

“We are very excited about this opportunity,” Lister said. “It’s something we’ve both wanted to do for a very long time. It’s a way for each of us to use the gifts God has given us and at the same time serve the community we so love.”

Lester added, “We’re going to produce a publication that is fun and entertaining, but also helpful and interesting. We’re going to do our best to cover the entire area, giving all the citizens of Gulf County a voice.”