2025 – The Wakulla Sun

Property values up 9.5%

Posted onJune 18, 2025June 17, 2025AuthorWilliam Snowden

Wakulla County property value totals more than $2.5 billion this year

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Wakulla County property values increased some 9.54% over last year, according to Property Appraiser Donnie Sparkman
Sparkman released the preliminary numbers in a memo to county commissioners dated June 1.
The total estimated value of Wakulla property as of June 1 is $2.50 billion, an increase over last year’s $2.28 billion – an increase in value of more than $220 million over the year.

Honeysuckle cut at Depot Park in Sopchoppy

Posted onJune 18, 2025June 17, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

Volunteer gardeners were told that the vine was doing damage to park fence and historic Depot

Volunteer gardener Lynn Artz addresses the city commission at their meeting on Monday, June 9.

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

The Sopchoppy City Commission heard concerns that the wildflowers, native plants and foliage in the Depot Park are looking “ragged” while wisteria and honeysuckle vines are growing too large and heavy with the potential to bend and disfigure the $12,000 decorative fence surrounding the park. Wasps’ nests within the flowering vines on the pavilion columns were also mentioned are a concern for safety.

UNDERWATER FRIEND

Posted onJune 18, 2025June 17, 2025AuthorSpecial to The Sun

Photographer Perry Dissmore shared this underwater photo of a manatee, taken on the Wakulla River on Friday, June 13, with a GoPro. A reminder to look out for manatees in local waters when boating.

Lawmakers’ addresses could be shielded

Posted onJune 18, 2025June 17, 2025AuthorNews Service of Florida

By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — As Minnesota reels from the murder of one state lawmaker and the shooting of another, Florida could shield from public disclosure the home addresses of legislators, other elected officials and their family members.

Chamber ribbon-cutting for Wakulla Elite Cheerleading is held

Posted onJune 18, 2025June 17, 2025AuthorLynda Kinsey

The Wakulla Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting for Wakulla Elite Cheerleading on Friday, June 6. (Photo by Lynda Kinsey)

Robinsons honored

Posted onJune 18, 2025June 17, 2025AuthorWilliam Snowden

Jerome and Terri Robinson, owners of Lindy’s Fried Chicken in Crawfordville, were honored on June 2 by the Wakulla County Commission for their commitment to supporting the community during their nearly 29 years in business. The Robinsons recently closed the business. (Photo by William Snowden)

Happy birthday, Cypress Rudloe, from your dad

Posted onJune 18, 2025June 17, 2025AuthorSpecial to The Sun

Cypress Rudloe with Jimmy Buffet at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in 2011.

By JACK RUDLOE

Happy birthday Cypress Rudloe, you are 42 years old today!
You are doing a marvelous job managing Gulf Specimen Marine Lab. When I started collecting marine specimens in 1961, my goal was to make a living selling them to schools and biological supply houses. I never dreamed that one day it would turn into a nationally known marine environmental education center.

Question of the week

Posted onJune 18, 2025June 17, 2025AuthorLynda Kinsey

Weekly Roundup: Let’s make a deal!

Posted onJune 18, 2025June 17, 2025AuthorNews Service of Florida

By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Weeks after talks imploded on a state spending plan for the next fiscal year, legislative leaders on Friday put the finishing touches on a budget proposal that should be ready for House and Senate votes on Monday.
A bottom-line total for the budget was not immediately available, though it is expected to be smaller than a $115.6 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.