By JASON JONES
Special to The Sun

A judge should be fair, compassionate, and follow the law, and I have demonstrated all three of these qualities throughout my 22 years as a member of the Florida Bar and my six years as your Judge.

The Wakulla Sun offers candidates the opportunity to announce their candidacy, and tell voters the issues that are important to them.

For five years, I served as one of Leon County’s general jurisdiction county judges and as the Circuit’s Mental Health Court Judge. As a County Judge, I presided over hundreds of evidentiary hearings and trials. For the past year, I have served as a Circuit Judge in the Second Judicial Circuit, which includes Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden, Jefferson, Franklin, and Liberty counties. As a Circuit Court Judge, I currently serve as the general jurisdiction Circuit Court Judge for Jefferson County and preside over probate and guardianship cases in Leon County.
As a longtime member of this community, I have been honored and humbled to serve as one of your Judges. I have dedicated my career to public service and serving the people in this community.
You do not have to guess what kind of judge I will be. You have thousands of examples of the type of judge I am. I am patient and compassionate; I run my dockets efficiently, and treat everyone who appears before me with respect. I explain my rulings and ensure those unfamiliar with the process understand what is happening and why.
If you have never appeared before me, please visit my website, judgejasonjones.com, and view my endorsements. I am proud to be supported and endorsed by Sheriff Jared Miller as well as many respected attorneys, such as retired Judge Terry Lewis, retired Judge George Reynolds, and former Florida Bar President Kelly Overstreet Johnson. I have support from prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys, plaintiffs’ attorneys and civil defense attorneys, family law attorneys, probate attorneys, transactional attorneys, and everything in between. I am supported and endorsed by a diverse group of people because I am fair, compassionate, and follow the law. I have dedicated my entire career to serving the people of the Second Circuit and the State of Florida, and I humbly ask for the opportunity to continue to serve this community. Please vote to keep Judge Jason Jones on or before August 18th.

These Shadeville Elementary students head inside on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 10, which was an early release day. Superintendent of Schools Rick Myhre issued a statement giving “a huge shout-out and thank you to our bus drivers and van drivers for an amazing first day of school!” Myhre noted that some bus routes were a little longer, and some buses were more crowded than others, but no bus left campus over capacity and all students arrived home safely.

The FRESH Be A Hero to Our Heroes organization held its 16th annual Backpack Giveaway at communities around the county – St. Marks, Panacea, Sopchoppy – culminating in the big event at this past Saturday at the community center in Crawfordville. Students received school supplies to prepare for the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 10.

By LAURA MOOSER
WCGC President

Four Wakulla County students are taking the next step toward careers in environmental and related fields with support from the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, which awards $3,000 scholarships each year to qualified high school seniors and college students.

This year, Lynn Artz, WCGC scholarship coordinator, proudly announced that FFGC awarded scholarships to all four students nominated by the Wakulla County Garden Club.
The scholarship recipients include Jack Coetzee, Joey Coetzee, Richie McWilliams, and Zoe Shoplock.
Joey Coetzee, one of this year’s WCGC-sponsored scholarship recipients, expressed appreciation for the support she and her family have received.

“I am extremely grateful to the FFGC members and scholarship committee for believing in our abilities and our academic worthiness,” she said. “The experiences they exposed my brother and me to helped lead us to our career calling. The classes we take to achieve the goal of becoming environmental engineers are so challenging, requiring a great deal of time dedicated to studying. The financial support from FFGC provides significant help to us and our family. They have been amazingly generous in so many ways. I encourage others to join in their cause if you want to be a part of something meaningful and rewarding.”
Richie McWilliams, son of WCGC member Jenn McWilliams and Patrick McWilliams, has been involved with WCGC and the Sarracenia Chapter for many years. His volunteer support has included plant maintenance, hands-on gardening, construction of garden structures, and assistance at a variety of community gardening events.
“I am incredibly grateful to receive this year’s FFGC scholarship with support from the Wakulla County Garden Club,” he said. “Participating in their programs, including the Arbor Day Tree Give-Away and work at Sopchoppy Depot Park, allowed me to learn invaluable gardening and life lessons that will guide my future studies. I was also fortunate to work with many amazing, passionate people who generously shared their expertise and knowledge with me. This generous support will help me pursue my academic goals. Thank you!”
Zoe Shoplock has a deep love for gardening and extensive experience working with both school and home gardens, including vegetable, rain, and pollinator gardens. Zoe’s career interests continue to evolve, with current areas of focus in biology, including genetics and biomedical engineering, and ecology, particularly algal and cyanobacterial growth in freshwater and coastal waters affected by nitrate and phosphate pollution. Upon receiving the award, Zoe expressed appreciation for the support and the opportunity to continue pursuing her academic interests.
FFGC scholarships are available to eligible Florida residents who are U.S. citizens, enrolled full time at a Florida college or university, and maintaining a “B” average (3.0) or better. Eligible fields of study include agriculture, biology, botany, city planning, conservation, ecology, forestry, horticulture, landscape design or architecture, marine biology, public sanitation, and related disciplines.
Completed applications and supporting documentation may be submitted each year between March 1 and May 1, and applicants must be sponsored by an FFGC garden club.
Students and families interested in future scholarship opportunities are encouraged to contact WCGC on Facebook or by email at Wakullacountygardenclub@gmail.com.

By RACHEL PIENTA
4-H Director

Wakulla County 4-H members returned from Florida 4-H University in Gainesville with an impressive list of honors that showcased their leadership, service, creativity and commitment to their communities. Their achievements earned recognition at the state and national levels and reflected the strength of Wakulla County’s growing 4-H program.

Among the top honorees was graduating senior Caden Gruebel, who was named Northwest District Leader of the Legacy, one of Florida 4-H’s highest youth leadership recognitions. The award honors exceptional leadership, service and positive influence within the organization. Representing sixteen counties across Northwest Florida, Gruebel was recognized for years of dedication to mentoring younger members, strengthening local programs and serving as an ambassador for 4-H at county, district and state events.
Gruebel also received a $500 Florida 4-H scholarship, recognizing both his accomplishments and his potential for future success. Throughout his 4-H career, he has demonstrated a commitment to service, citizenship and leadership that embodies the values of the 4-H pledge. His example has encouraged younger members to pursue leadership opportunities and become active contributors within their clubs and communities.
Another Wakulla County standout, Lauretta Compton, earned a National Trip Scholarship to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, where she will represent Florida 4-H alongside other outstanding youth leaders from across the state. National 4-H Congress is one of the premier leadership development experiences in the country, bringing together 4-H members from across the United States for workshops, community service, networking and personal growth opportunities.
Compton also earned first place honors in the Florida 4-H Fashion Revue for her sewing project. The Fashion Revue competition highlights youth achievement in clothing construction, textile sciences and personal presentation. Her winning project demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship, creativity and attention to detail, placing her among the top youth sewing participants in Florida.
The Future Leaders of Wakulla 4-H Club was recognized for its Community Pride project as one of the Top Six Community Pride projects in Florida. The statewide Community Pride program challenges youth to identify needs within their communities and develop meaningful service-learning projects that create lasting impact. Selection among the top projects in the state reflects the club’s dedication to civic engagement, teamwork and community improvement.
The recognition received by Wakulla County youth at Florida 4-H University demonstrates the powerful impact of positive youth development programs.
As these young leaders continue to build on their accomplishments, they serve as inspiring examples of what can be achieved through dedication, service and a commitment to making a difference. Their achievements bring pride to Wakulla County and highlight the lasting value of the Florida 4-H program in developing confident, capable and engaged young people.

By AUDIE ROWELL
Special to The Sun

I am running for Congress in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District and I am a six-generation Floridian from right here in the Big Bend/Panhandle area. I am not a political insider, a lawyer or a career politician. I have been a public servant who has served Florida’s 2nd congressional district for nearly 40 years as a law enforcement officer, retiring as Chief Deputy.

The Wakulla Sun offers candidates the opportunity to announce their candidacy, and tell voters the issues that are important to them.

As a lifelong public servant, I have spent my career showing up for my community day in and day out, and I intend to bring that same commitment to Washington. The people of Florida’s 2nd District do not need another politician. They need a neighbor, someone who knows these counties, knows these communities, and knows what it takes to get things done for real people living real lives.
On the issues I am clear and I do not waver.

• Our Values: I believe we should stay grounded in the values our country was founded on. That being our Christian/family values, our Constitutional values, our Capitalist values, and our Constitutional Republic values. All of our values are under attack by socialism, communism and woke ideology and these must be eradicated from our culture. I will stand strong and be vocal against the disease that has infected our country.
• Our Veterans: Veteran’s Affairs (VA) is the biggest socialist program within the US Government. The men and women who served in the Armed Forces, are given government mandates on where to go, when to go and who to see when they need medical care. This leads to long wait lines, poor quality care and even no medical care. Our veterans need choices. Instead of 25-30,000 doctors working for the VA in specific locations, we need 300,000 approved physicians working throughout the country. Veterans should be able to choose their own doctor in the location they want. VA government mandates must end.
• Farmers: Farmers are an essential part of North Florida. Not only do they provide food and agriculture to Americans across the country, but they also provide jobs for working class families. My time in congress will be about ensuring farming is not a dying industry but rather a thriving occupation passed down for many generations.
• Taxes: Our seniors have worked their entire lives, and they deserve to keep what they earned. I will fight to eliminate federal income tax on all retirement accounts, whether its social security, 401k or a defined retirement benefit plan the government has no business taxing money that hardworking Americans already paid into. I also support no federal income tax on the first $30,000, permanent no tax on tips up to $30,0000, elimination of the inheritance tax, and raising the minimum capital gains tax.
• Immigration: If you follow the process coming into this country, then you deserve a process going out, however if you don’t follow the process, you only deserve two things: a set of handcuffs and a trip back to the border. I will always fight to ensure ICE is fully funded.
• SAVE America Act: The world is not eligible to vote in our elections. The socialists/communists need this to fail because they don’t have enough Americans to vote for them. The socialists and communists have hijacked the Democratic party and now they want to hijack America. This needs to pass congress now.
• Government Spending: Have you ever heard of the US government cutting spending? Well, neither have I. As long as government exists it will spend money. The number one function of government is public safety. That’s our military, courts, law enforcement, corrections, fire/EMS. I will always ensure they are fully funded and supported.
  All other forms of government are up for debate as to either reduce, restrict or eliminate. When government doesn’t exist, it can’t spend money. I will always be an advocate for reducing, restricting or eliminating government.
• Our Children: Our children deserve to be protected. I fully support efforts to keep woke ideology out of our schools and to ensure parental rights in education. Parents should always have the first and final say in what their children are taught. That is not a political position. That is common sense.
• Data Centers/AI: I support communities that do not want data centers. I encourage communities to have their planning and development order in place now and take in the following considerations. 1. Data centers not allowed in a place that affects property values (residential and commercial) or quality of life. 2. Must generate their own power and not allowed to connect to an existing power grid. 3. Required to use a closed loop cooling system. 4. Required to cover public safety costs related to data centers (i.e. fire department).
  If we don’t control AI, AI will control us. We must have strong legislation to ensure there is an ethical approach to AI.
• 2nd Amendment: You can take my gun when you pry it from my cold dead hands. I believe in the Second Amendment without compromise.
• Term Limits: I have signed a 6 year congressional term limit agreement.
• Endorsements: I am proud to have earned the endorsements of 20+ leaders from Walton County to Taylor County.
  I know the culture and challenges of Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. It’s not just where I live, this is my home and I am ready to serve this district.
  I humbly ask for your vote.
• Audie Rowell is a candidate for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. His website is www.audieforflorida.com and he can be reached at (850) 797-4504.

Greetings Wakulla County,

All communities provide public education, but few support and cherish their schools the way Wakulla County does. Perhaps that is because, for so many of us, these schools helped shape who we are, and we have purposefully chosen to raise our children here as well.

This atmosphere is also what attracts our new residents to our community, the expectation of excellence. As I visit classrooms and attend school programs, the true source of our success is clear: our staff. From bus drivers and paraprofessionals to secretaries, custodians, administrators, and teachers, our team shares a common purpose – the children of this community. The commitment and resolve they show each day are a testament to their excellence.
On Aug. 10, our doors reopen for the 2026-27 school year. We know there will be challenges along the way, and we will not shy away from them. We will face them, learn from them, and grow stronger because of them. We are coming off an exceptional year of student achievement, yet no school believes it has reached its peak. Each school spent the summer planning ways to better serve students and families. In the year ahead, you will see improvements in technology, facilities, communication, safety, and overall culture and climate.
While some districts across the state and nation may speak from a place of despair, Wakulla County’s mindset is different. We are eager to embrace opportunities for growth and confident in our ability to keep improving.
Thanks to the leadership of the School Board and district staff, we are in a stable financial position and focused on opportunities to move our district closer to the very top in Florida.
Still, we understand that success is not defined by metrics alone. On Aug. 3rd, we welcomed back teachers and staff not only with remarks from adults, but with a student-led pep rally. This intentional change helped re-center our purpose: a connected school community. Seeing students cheer for the teachers who have helped them grow – and seeing the pride on those teachers’ faces – was truly inspiring.
The first days of school will be long. Traffic patterns will need time to adjust, and buses may run late, but it will all be worth it.
After a long summer, our community will once again feel as it should—alive with the daily experiences our teachers and schools provide for our students.
As always, thank you for your unwavering support of the Wakulla County School District. Together, we share the responsibility of protecting and strengthening this community for the next generation of students.
God bless,

Rick Myhre
Superintendent

Public schools

CRAWFORDVILLE
ELEMENTARY
School day: 8:55 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
Alena Crawford, Principal
alena.crawford@wcsb.us
Lindsey Sparkman, Asst principal
lindsay.sparkman@wcsb.us
379 Arran Road,
Crawfordville FL 32327
Phone: (850 926-3641

MEDART ELEMENTARY
School day: 8:55 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
Stan Ward, Principal,
stanley.ward@wcsb.us
Amber Allen, Asst. principal,
amber.allen@wcsb.us
Lauren Baker, Associate Dean
lauren.baker@wcsb.us
2558 Coastal Hwy.,
Crawfordville FL 32327
Phone: (850) 962-4881

RIVERSINK ELEMENTARY
School day: 8:55 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
Louis Hernandez, Principal,
louis.hernandez@wcsb.us
Lesley Jamison, Asst Principal
lesley.jamison@wcsb.us
530 Lonnie Raker Lane,
Crawfordville FL 32327
Phone: (850) 926-2664

SHADEVILLE ELEMENTARY
School day: 8:55 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
Eden Rodgers, Principal
eden.rodgers@wcsb.us
Sarojanie Samlal, Asst Principal
sarojanie.samlal @wcsb.us
45 Warrior Way,
Crawfordville FL 32327
Phone: (850) 926-7155

RIVERSPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL
School day: 7:35 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Josh Sandgren, Principal,
joshua.sandgren@wcsb.us
Bethany Pafford, Asst Principal
bethany.pafford@wcsb
Kyle Marks, Associate Dean of Discipline
Charlotte McCormick, Associate Dean of Student Affairs,
charlotte.mccormick@wcsb.org
kyle.marks@wcsb.us
800 Spring Creek Hwy.,
Crawfordville FL 32327
Phone: (850) 926-2300

WAKULLA MIDDLE SCHOOL
School day: 7:30 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
Amy Bryan, Principal,
amy.bryan@wcsb.us
Jessica Prichard, Asst principal,
jessica.mckenzie-prichard@wcsb.us
Elizabeth Andrews, Associate Dean of Discipline
elizabeth.andrews@ wcsb.org
Karrie Jones, Associate Dean of Student Affairs
karrie.jones@ wcsb.org
22 Jean Drive,
Crawfordville FL 32327
Phone: (850) 926-7143

WAKULLA HIGH SCHOOL
School day: 7:15 a.m. to 2:01 p.m.
Michele Falk, Principal,
sabrina.falk@wcsb.us
Jessica Mates, Asst. principal,
jessica.mates@wcsb.us
Kerry Prosser, Asst. principal,
kerry.prosser@wcsb.us
Carissa Frazier, Asst principal
Tolar Griffin, Asst. principal
tolar.griffin@wcsb.us
3237 Coastal Hwy.,
Crawfordville FL 32327
Phone: (850) 926-7125
Grades: 9-12

WAKULLA INSTITUTE
School day: 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Vickie Tillman, Prinicpal
susan.tillman@wcsb.us
Katherine Spivey, Asst. principal
69 Arran Road,
Crawfordville FL 32327
Phone: (850) 926-0065
Multi Purpose Campus
Dropout Programs – Second Chance Alternative High School
Adult/Community Education

Administration Changes:

• Tim Wheeler (former principal of Shadeville Elementary) is the new District Administrator of Athletics at Wakulla High School
• Eden Rodgers (former Assistant Principal at Shadeville Elementary) is the new Principal at Shadeville Elementary
• Sarojanie Samlal is the new Assistant Principal at Shadeville Elementary.

Wakulla High School
Chris Beverly
Taylor Brown
Tim Colman
Sierra Crawford
Todd Day
James Hicks
Kari McGuire
Jordan Morris
Blake Pareton
Amadeo (Paxton) Tomaini
Shon`Lemichiel Valvano
Roy Tomlinson

Shadeville Elementary School
Bethany Carey
Andrew Maldonado
Marsha Marchant
Noah Parramore
Kobi Rasch
Da’Sha Rich
Emily Rowland
Dylan Scotti
Sarah Testerman

Crawfordville Elementary School (CES)
Victoria Beck
Madilyn Brock
Heather Clark
Cassidy Davis
Kasey Fox
Ashley Gatchell
Alexandra McClendon
Sandra Renno
Kirsten Smith

Riversink Elementary School
Ralissa Andrews
Ta’Shieka Crump
Kimberly Dodson
Madison Parenti
Samantha Sherman
Lainey Smith

Medart Elementary School
Karli Dowell
Courtney Kinsey
Ava Lawhon
Prudence Rivera
Catherine Strutz
Rebecca Taff Simmons

From FWC News

Characterized by their long, flattened, toothed rostrum, often referred to as “the saw,” the smalltooth sawfish is the only species of sawfish found in Florida.

FWC biologists have been studying this endangered species for over two decades, tagging and sampling mostly juveniles in the Caloosahatchee River, Peace River, Charlotte Harbor, and St. Lucie River. They recently tagged the 1,000th sawfish as part of this research.
“Back when we started this work over 20 years ago, the thought of tagging a thousand sawfish wasn’t a goal,” said project lead Dr. Gregg Poulakis. “We just wanted to learn as much as we could to help promote recovery, since the species is only found in Florida and the western Bahamas these days. A thousand is certainly a milestone to appreciate, but there’s a lot more to do.”
By collecting fin samples, biologists can learn more about the biology and ecology of the smalltooth sawfish, including population health and stability.
Learn more about FWRI’s Sawfish Research on our website, MyFWC.com/Research.