If Amendment 3 passes…

County puts out 172-page plan on how it will cut services

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The county administration released a plan last week that looks at how the county government would reduce costs if Amendment 3 passes in November.
Amendment 3 is the property tax plan proposed by the state Legislature that would increase Homestead Exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 the following year.

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Mike Kemp files federal lawsuit against detective

Retired major with the Wakulla sheriff’s office and former County Commissioner Mike Kemp

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Former County Commissioner Mike Kemp filed a federal lawsuit last week against the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office and named individually Wakulla Detective Chris Ormerod, claiming the detective was biased in his investigation that led to two felony criminal charges against Kemp.

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Joseph Raker, wanted for murder, waives extradition

Arrested in Mexico on Aug. 13 for a double-murder in Sopchoppy, he won’t contest extradition to Wakulla from jail in Texas

Raker was captured in Mexico, across the border from Brownsville, Texas.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Joseph Ronnie Raker appeared in court in Hidalgo County, Texas and waived extradition back to Wakulla on two charges of murder.
Raker was captured on Thursday, Aug. 13 in Mexico, across the river from Brownsville, Texas, by U.S. Marshals and Mexican police.

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Fire Chief Lamarche will retire

Fire Chief Louis Lamarche in a file photo from September 2024 when he was featured in the Wakulla Neighbor.

Special to The Sun

Wakulla County Fire Chief Louis Lamarche has announced his plans to retire in June 2027, concluding a distinguished career in public safety that began more than two decades ago and has been marked by steady leadership, operational improvements, and an unwavering commitment to the residents of Wakulla County.

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Cleaning out the reporter’s notebook of some random notes

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

I think election night is one of my favorite events to cover: There’s the excitement of the returns, and usually some socializing.
I will admit that the old days were better – when the Supervisor of Elections office was at the courthouse and spectators gathered on the lawn to see results on a color TV rolled out the front door.

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WRESTLING

State champion has a nice ‘ring’ to it

Kendal Haynie shows her ring earned as state champion in wrestling at halftime of the Wakulla v. Gadsden football game. Joining her are Coach Tommy Haynie, Principal Michele Falk, and Coach Jon Sanchez.

By WALT JACOBS
Correspondent

The title “Kendal Haynie, 2026 State Champion” has a nice ring to it and now her copious collection of awards does too.

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War Eagles wallop Gadsden, 27-7

Ryheem Moore does a flip coming out on the field. He would have a stunning game against the Gadsden Jaguars, with three interceptions, one a pick six; and a pass reception for a 41-yard touchdown.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla War Eagles and their new head coach got their first victory of the season, a 27-7 win over the Gadsden Jaguars in a weather-shortened game.
There were two lightning delays. The first delay came in the third quarter, and the game went on until the second lightning alarm, which sounded with 9:18 left in the fourth quarter.
The game was eventually called.

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