Wakulla Wonderful was held on Saturday

A view of the crowd at the event, which was held at the extension office this year. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RACHEL PIENTA

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

Highlighting community pride and history, Wakulla County 4-H and local partners hosted Wakulla Wonderful to celebrate the countyโ€™s 183rd birthday on Saturday, March 14th at the Wakulla UF/IFAS extension office. Wakulla County was officially created on March 11, 1843.

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2 players sign college scholarships

Wyatt Brown and Auvion Thomas signed football scholarships last week: Brown with Webber University and Thomas with St. Thomas University.

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

Wakulla High School hosted two scholarship signing ceremonies on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the high school.
Stand-outs Auvion Thomas and Wyatt Brown signed with college universities based on stellar athleticism and academics. Both athletes were supported by coaching staff, educational staff, family, and friends present at the event.

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Dr. Faith Hughes is retiring from practice

After 36 years of veterinary medicine, she will retire in July

Dr. Faith Hughes, DVM

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

After 36 years of practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Faith Hughes, DVM has reached the finish line. Dr. Hughes announced she will be retiring at the end of July.
Originally from Bainbridge, Georgia, Hughes graduated University of Auburn in 1990, landing her first job as a DVM at Haines Road Animal Clinic in St. Petersburg. Two years later, she moved back to Bainbridge and worked for Allied Veterinary Emergency Hospital in Tallahassee.

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Wakulla man signs record deal

Wakullaโ€™s Madden Metcalf, center, has announced signing a record deal with producer Freddy Wexler and MCA.

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

After being discovered on social media for his musical talent, Wakulla native Madden Metcalf has signed a record deal with Freddy Wexler, a Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer, and MCA Records.
Metcalfโ€™s first single, โ€œIDWKโ€ came out in November 2025. Metcalf released his next single, โ€œLike My Hometownโ€ on Jan. 26th. Metcalf has been playing guitar and singing since he was 7 years old.

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Sopchoppy Opry ends its run

After 25 years, the Opry will no longer have regular shows

The Opryโ€™s house band, Southbound: Reggie Bradley, Lamar Brock, Larry Bullock, Johnny Calloway, Wayne Martin, Jay Newsome and Ashton Evans.

Story By
LINDA ANN McDONALD
Photos by
GERALD BROWN

The Sopchoppy Opry performed its last scheduled performance to a huge audience in the Historic Sopchoppy High School Auditorium, on Saturday, January 30th, proving it will always be โ€œThe little Opry that could.โ€
After almost 26 years and over 300 shows later, the Sopchoppy Opry is no longer maintaining its last Saturday of the month scheduled performances.

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Wakulla Springs discussion held

FSUโ€™s Dr. Joel Trexler talks about ongoing research on the spring

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge held a Second Sunday Talk about Wakulla Springs on Jan. 11th at the Leon County Library Main Branch. Approximately 50 people attended the lectures.
Guest speaker Dr. Joel Trexler, director of the Coastal and Marine Laboratory and Professor of Biological Science at FSU, shared information and data regarding ongoing studies regarding research to restore and protect the health and clarity of natural springs, especially Wakulla Springs.

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St. Marks holds workshop on closing Wakulla Street

Story By
LINDA ANN McDONALD

Correspondent

The City of St. Marks held a workshop last week to ask the public for feedback and direction regarding growing concerns about Wakulla Street.
Wakulla Street is an undeveloped road with residential homes on one side and 18 city owned platted lots on the other side. The issue was discussed at a workshop at the St. Marks Yacht Club on Thursday, Jan. 15.

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Makenna Maldonado is Teacher of the Year

Shadeville Elementaryโ€™s Makenna Maldonado, center, as balloons drop with the announcement that she is Wakullaโ€™s Teacher of the Year by Superintendent of Schools Rick Myhre, far right.

Story & Photos By
LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

Superintendent of Schools Rick Myhre and the Wakulla County School District held the inaugural Wakula County Teacher of the Year Gala on Friday evening, Jan. 9, at the Wakulla County Community Center.

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