In a game from a couple of weeks ago, Lady War Eagle Allison Stephens is safe sliding into home as Wakulla defeated Franklin County 14-4.

The team has gone on to win the district title, and shellacked the Suwannee Bulldogs 16-1 and moved up in the playoffs on Wednesday of last week with an 8-0 win over Wolfson. On Tuesday, the Lady War Eagles travel to Yulee to take on the Hornets in the regional semifinals.

By KRISSY SANCHEZ
WHS

Last week, Wakulla High School Theatre Teacher Krissy Sanchez was awarded one of two State of Florida Jan McArt Director’s Chair Awards. This is a prestigious award in the world of theatre and is awarded annually to two educators across the State of Florida. The award is named for Jan McArt, a beloved figure in the South Florida theatre community, who formed several theatres and programs throughout the state. This award keeps her memory alive by celebrating and supporting educators who inspire and cultivate the next generation of theatre artists.

Sanchez was nominated for the award by others in the industry and was reviewed and selected by the committee as one of just two winners from the State of Florida based on the impact she is making with the Wakulla High School Theatre Program.
The Director of Education and Operations at the Florida Theatrical Society said that “this is a great honor that shows that your impact and dedication to your students and their theatrical education is to be applauded, and your hard work is evident in the investment of not only their education, but the lives of your students as well.”
The award was announced by WHS administration Michele Falk, Kerry Prosser and Jessica Mapes and the Florida Theatrical Association Director of Operations, David Atwood on Thursday. Sanchez will be recognized onstage at the Florida Thespian Festival in March which is attended by over 8,000 theatre students each year. In addition, Sanchez will be awarded a monetary award of $5,000 in recognition of this prestigious award.
Last year, The Wakulla High School Theatre Program was named a School of Excellence in Theatre and given the designation as a Gold Level Honor Troupe for the State of Florida, the highest level of recognition for a school by the Florida Thespian Society. If you would like to see the big things WHS is doing in the theatre department, plan to join them April 30-May3 for their spring production, The Drowsy Chaperone, which will feature 40 students on stage and 20 students making the magic come to life behind the scenes!

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla War Eagles’s season ended in Jacksonville against the No. 3 seed Bishop Kenny Crusaders on Friday night, 43-19.

The War Eagles entered the game as the No. 6 seed as district champs with a 6-4 overall record, and 3-0 in the district.
Bishop Kenny finished the regular season at 8-2.
While the score looks lopsided, it was still competitive halfway through the second quarter – Wakulla was up 13-7 before the game started getting away.
The Crusaders scored with 2 minutes left before halftime, added a 2-point conversion to go up 15-13 and never looked back.
The War Eagles, hampered by injuries, were game but outmanned.
Head Coach Scott Klees noted that, unless you make it to the state championship, your season is going to end with a loss.
He called it an unbelievable season with a “bittersweet ending.”
“There was so much adversity, so many injuries,” Klees said. “I’ve never had a year like this in 32 years of coaching.”
Klees was pleased with his team winning the district championship and making it to the first round of the playoffs – but, again, with so many injuries the team was playing with a next-guy-up mentality.
Klees praised his assistant coaches for their work each week in getting the players ready.
And he praised his players for how hard they worked and how hard they practiced.
“I’m super proud to be part of these guys,” he said.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Special Teams Player of the Week was Bryce Manning, who had 3 big tackles and 2 returns.
Defensive Player of the Week was Jordan Barnes with 8 tackles and 2 pass break ups.
Offensive Player of the Week was Lacari Murry with 8 catches for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.
And MVP was quarterback Owen Klees who rushed 12 times for 94 yards and a TD, and threw for 390 yards and 2 TDs.

The second annual Salute to Veterans will be held at the Wakulla Community Center on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event, hosted by the VFW and Auxiliary Post 4538 is open to all veterans and their families and offers access to medical, dental and eye care, as well as veteran services, counseling and financial services.
For more information, email asaluteto ourveterans@gmail.com.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

A Tallahassee man pleaded to a charge of DUI Manslaughter and was sentenced to 9 years in state prison at a hearing on Tuesday, May 27.

On Oct. 29, 2023, Taylor Searcy had been fishing off Shell Point and had consumed several beers and marijuana when he drove through the flashing lights on Highway 98 at Spring Creek Highway and crashed into a Jeep driven by Stephen Walker, a longtime Jefferson County commissioner. Walker was killed.
The plea was negotiated by Searcy’s defense attorney, Fred Conrad, and Wakulla Chief Prosecutor Andrew Deneen.
In the courtroom, there was a large crowd of family and friends for both Searcy and Walker, and Wakulla Circuit Judge Layne Smith said he had received an outpouring of letters on behalf of both men.
Judge Smith called Walker “a great man” because of his dedication to his community and his good deeds, a man of character and integrity.
The judge noted Searcy had never been in any sort of trouble prior to this incident – showing, the judge said, “All it takes is a lapse of judgment one time.”
“Not a single person leaves the building feeling good about this,” the judge said.
Walker’s family talked about the emotional devastation they felt after Stephen’s death. He was 59 when he was killed.
His stepdaughter, Danielle Bishop, noted that the Jefferson County community had to hold his funeral at a school to sccommodate the large crowd.
Derek Walker, the victim’s younger brother, recounted “the worst phone call of my life” being told of Stephen’s death.
“What I’ve learned,” he told the court, “is that grief for a lost loved one never truly ends.”
Walker’s wife complained of Searcy’s upbringing, saying that his family had spoiled him by making him feel entitled. Later in her victim impact statement, she turned to Searcy and said she forgave him, but that she hated that his selfishness had led to this.
Walker’s daughter Jackie said she had named her son Stephen after her late dad.
Offered the opportunity to speak, Searcy stood and turned to the Walker family, crying, and said: “I’m really sorry.”
After composing himself, he added: “There are no words that can express my regret and remorse,” he said. “My heart is truly broken for everyone affected… I’m sorry,” he added and sobbed.
Walker’s wife answered: “Thank you.”
“This is the worst kind of case, because it’s a tragedy for two families,” Judge Smith said.
DUI Manslaughter is a second degree felony punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis opened Florida’s 2025 legislative session this week by calling for lawmakers to revamp the ballot-initiative process, curb property taxes and revisit gun laws.

Largely sticking to broad ideas, rather than detailed plans, DeSantis used his annual State of the State address this week to emphasize that Florida is a leader on issues such as cracking down on illegal immigration.
“We are convening for the regular legislative session having already enacted groundbreaking legislation to fulfill the historic mission of delivering on President Donald Trump’s mandate to end the illegal immigration crisis once and for all,” DeSantis declared at the top of his remarks on Tuesday
He also boasted of Florida’s ranking as tops among states when it comes to the economy, education, entrepreneurship and new business formations. The governor highlighted Florida’s job numbers and economy, saying that the state’s unemployment rate has been lower than the national mark for more than 50 consecutive months and tourism hit a record 142 million visitors last year. The state’s homeowners’ insurance market, meanwhile, “is seeing stability,” DeSantis said.
“Florida is the leader among the states because we lean into challenges, tackle the big issues and deliver results for the people we serve,” DeSantis asserted.
He also sketched out a legislative agenda for the 60-day session. Lawmakers should take steps to prevent what he contends is fraud in the petition-gathering process for ballot initiatives, assist businesses impacted by recent hurricanes, and consider eliminating or reducing local-government property taxes as higher assessments have created a “gusher of revenue” for local governments.
DeSantis also signaled that he would support revising state gun laws, including a law that prevents people under age 21 from buying rifles and other long guns and what is known as a “red flag” law that allows authorities to remove guns if people are found to pose a “significant danger” to themselves or others. Both laws passed in the aftermath of the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 people.
The governor also used his 30 minute speech to tout the work of his wife, First Lady Casey DeSantis, “to transform the way government agencies provided services to our fellow citizens in need.”
Casey DeSantis is getting attention as a potential 2026 gubernatorial candidate. U.S. Rep. Bryon Donalds, a Naples Republican, has entered formally entered the race for governor, with the backing of President Donald Trump.

WEEDING OUT WASTE

With the primary function of the 60-day session the creation of a budget that likely will exceed $115 billion, House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, highlighted the work ahead.
“Members, do not be afraid to shake the tree of government and pull out the weeds of waste, fraud or abuse,” Perez told House members.
“Regardless of background, age, or political party, Floridians expect our government to operate efficiently and tax dollars to be spent wisely, with accountability and results,” Albritton said.
Democrats quickly noted that Republicans have controlled the Legislature for nearly three decades and are now embracing efficiency because they anticipate Florida will receive fewer federal dollars in the coming years.
Laying out no “personal priorities” for the session, Perez also announced the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee will conduct hearings in the wake of a Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald story regarding a long-buried report on insurance industry practices. The story said insurers declared they were losing money after hurricanes Irma and Michael while companies distributed money to shareholders and affiliated companies.

STORY OF THE WEEK: Touting that “no state has done more” on illegal immigration “than we did in the free state of Florida,” Gov. Ron DeSantis gave a State of the State address Tuesday that broadly outlined priorities for the 2025 legislative session.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We had no fatalities, no shootings, no stampedes. Hotel occupancy last year, in 2024, was up from 2023. Our hotel room rate last year was the highest in the nation for the month of March. That is success on every level.” — Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, supporting Gov. Ron Desantis’ continued use of state law enforcement to help local communities control spring break activities.