By NICOLE CASE
Correspondent

The Wakulla County Animal Shelter, a longstanding pillar of the community since its construction in a 1993 partnership between the Wakulla Humane Society & Wakulla County, stands strong amid recent budget cuts.
A testament to this is its recent recognition by the Best Friends Animal Society as a no-kill shelter, a status it has upheld for the past 6 years— that is, the shelter has an annual adoption rate of 90% or higher.

The animal shelter maintains a euthanasia rate of 5-8%, compared to its typical yearly intake of anywhere from 500 to 2,000 rescues, owner surrenders, and foster animals. This means that every animal is thought of as an individual; their needs, behaviors, and history are considered when adopting them out. And although euthanasia may still be necessary in some cases, such as when the shelter exceeds capacity, it is rare and not taken lightly.
To maintain their facilities, the Wakulla County Animal Shelter has 6-8 volunteers on staff in addition to their paid employees; they socialize animals, administer medications, and handle deworming treatments.
Their paid staff includes 3 animal control officers, according to Walter Class, the shelter’s director, who deal with “public nuisance issues, barking, dog bites, dangerous dogs, animal control violations, like where people are not properly taking care of their animals. They do neglect and cruelty investigations.”
The shelter’s approach is to think of most of the cats animal control has found as wandering, instead of abandoned or lost; a practice that has reportedly reduced their numbers from 20-25 cats to 8.
The shelter’s full-time kennel techs see to the daily cleaning and sanitation of the facility.
“And that’s what we really strive to do is to make sure that we’re maintaining a very high standard,” said Class, “because it would be unfair for us to go out and ask the public to do less … or more than what we do.”
The adult cats, once spayed or neutered, are allowed to free-roam. In the catio area, the adult cats are given many activities and toys to play with, including a giant exercise wheel, scratching posts, “ball tracks,” and wand toys. Their freedom allows for natural socialization before adoption, getting them used to interactions with humans and other cats.
As for the shelter’s kittens — theirs is a separate room, across the hall from the adults.
Additionally, the shelter has 18 dog kennels – nine on either side of the building – which each afford the pooches space to stretch their legs.
Beyond adoption, though, the shelter also works with 40 foster families in the county and surrounding areas year-round. Animals unable to stay at the shelter’s physical location, whether due to capacity limits, behavioral issues, or simply the need for more hands-on care, are taken in by foster families.
To apply to foster, Class told the Wakulla Sun, the process is “very similar to [their] adoption application.”
Since its beginning, the shelter has relied on funding from taxpayer dollars, which they receive through the county budget. This may change soon.
In recent weeks, the Wakulla Animal Group, or WAG, has been in talks with Wakulla over a possible transfer of ownership of the Wakulla County Animal Shelter. For WAG to run the facility, it would reportedly cost the group a minimum of $300,000 a year.
Teresa Brannan of WAG called it premature to speculate on. “The Strategic Organizational and Restructuring Plan is still a proposal and has not yet been approved by the County Commissio,” she said..
Class is optimistic that it won’t come to this.
“I don’t think it’s gonna be a thing … because it takes a lot of money to run this, and I think they’ve kind of decided that’s something they’re not ready to take on,” he said.

If interested in fostering or adopting, visit 1 Oak St, Crawfordville FL 32327, or their page on adoptapet.com.

Principal: Stan Ward

Achievements/Reason for Nomination: We are proud to recognize Kate Shields as our Sun Student of the Week! Kate is a hard worker who always gives her best and approaches each day with a positive attitude. She is kind, helpful, and always willing to lend a hand to others. Kate is a wonderful friend, a great role model, and a shining example of how a Mustang should represent our school. We are so proud of Kate and all that she brings to our school community!

STUDENT OF THE WEEK FEATURES A DIFFERENT SCHOOL EACH WEEK.

By RACHEL PIENTA
4-H Director

At the Wakulla 4-H Open House, the new club year did not begin with a speech. It began with music, conversation, curious questions and the unmistakable energy of young people discovering what they might try next.

On Saturday, Aug. 29, close to 200 people moved through the Agricultural Arena at the UF/IFAS Extension facility in Crawfordville. Colorfully decorated tables turned the arena into a lively map of opportunity. Families met club leaders and youth members, examined projects and explored activities ranging from rabbits and poultry to art, ecology, food, entrepreneurship, communications, robotics and shooting sports.
The variety was the point. One child could pause over a rabbit, another could investigate robotics, and another could picture taking the microphone, starting a small enterprise or building confidence outdoors. Community partners widened the experience with youth activities of their own, creating a family-friendly morning where nearly every stop invited participation.
“The open house lets families see that 4-H is much bigger than any one project. It is a place to find an interest, build skills and belong to a community.” — Christine Pearson, Wakulla 4-H program assistant
A Community Kickoff
The arena sounded as lively as it looked. Event emcee and sound engineer David Pienta kept the program moving while local favorite Rockulla, led by music instructor Kevin Andrew, performed classic and contemporary country and pop selections. Several of Andrew’s students are also 4-H members, making the performance another example of local talent and youth development coming together.
Food trucks Faith Brewed Coffee — by the Shack and Zap Zap LLC served choices ranging from coffee and breakfast sandwiches to Thai cuisine. Keep Wakulla County Beautiful brought its costumed otter mascot, the Wakulla County Coalition for Youth offered friendship-bracelet activities, and Wakulla STEAM engaged visitors with robotics. Bunnies and bees added to a morning designed to make learning visible, inviting and fun.
For 4-H Agent Rachel Pienta, the turnout reflected both the community’s interest and the commitment of the volunteers who make local clubs possible.
“I want to thank everyone who came out to Open House on Saturday,” Pienta said. “The Wakulla 4-H volunteers work very hard to put on this annual club kickoff event, and it means a lot when the community shows up to support them and the youth. We’re looking forward to another great year of serving Wakulla County.”
Learning by Doing, Growing with Others
The open house is festive, but its purpose reaches beyond a single Saturday. Florida 4-H describes its approach as hands-on, or learn-by-doing, education that helps young people gain knowledge, practice responsibility, explore career paths and develop as productive citizens. Statewide offerings span agriculture, STEM, leadership, service and many other interests, with caring adults helping youth turn curiosity into capability.
That model is visible in Wakulla County’s club lineup. Some clubs build technical skills. Others strengthen communication, creativity, teamwork, environmental awareness or leadership. Many do several of those things at once. Pearson said the goal is not for a young person to arrive already knowing how to do something. The goal is to give each member a supportive place to begin, practice and grow.
The wider Florida program reports reaching more than 206,000 youth ages 5 to 18 during the 2023-2024 program year through clubs, school enrichment, camping and other experiences, supported by more than 8,000 adult and youth volunteers. Research highlighted by Florida 4-H associates participation with stronger academic engagement and increased interest in college and science- and technology-related pathways.
Clubs for the 2026-2027 Year
Enrollment is now open for the new club year. Wakulla 4-H is offering a broad mix of fall, spring and full-year experiences. Availability and schedules may change, and some clubs will open later in the year. Families should follow Wakulla 4-H updates and contact the Extension office about interest or wait lists.

• Animals & Agriculture: 4-H Rabbit Club, Panhandle Poultry 4-H Club, Pet Pals Club, Horse Club (coming this spring)
• STEM, Nature & Making: Robotics 4-H SPIN Club, Ecology Crew 4-H Club, 4-H Clay Makers, Art Lab 4-H Club, Build-a-Board 4-H SPIN Club
• Leadership, Voice & Enterprise: Future Leaders of Wakulla (FLOW), Communications Voice and Vision SPIN Club, Entrepreneurship 4-H Club, 4-H Food Challenge Club (opens later)
• Outdoor Skills: 4-H Archery (fall), 4-H Air Rifle (spring), 4-H Shotgun Club
  Families may create or log in to a household account at 4-H Online, add or re-enroll members, select Wakulla County, choose clubs and projects, and submit enrollment. Returning members can use their existing account. Families who are new to 4-H can contact the local office for help choosing a club or understanding when a particular offering will open.
  Enroll: https://v2.4honline.com
  Questions: Christine Pearson at 850-901-7092 or christinepearson@ufl.edu
  Wakulla Extension: can be reached at 850-926-3931.

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.

Chief Lamarche began his career in fire and emergency medical services after completing his Firefighter education at Chipola College. He went on to earn certifications as a Fire Officer I and II and as a Fire Training Instructor through Gulf Coast Community College.
Prior to joining Wakulla County Fire Rescue in 2007, Chief Lamarche served with the Lynn Haven Fire Department in Bay County. During his career with Wakulla County, he continued his professional development and earned his Paramedic certification through North Florida College. He also served for four years as a PRN EMT and Paramedic with Franklin County EMS, gaining additional experience in emergency medical services.
In 2016, Chief Lamarche was appointed Fire Chief of Wakulla County Fire Rescue. Since that time, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Wakulla County. Throughout his tenure, he has remained dedicated to strengthening the department, developing its personnel, and meeting the evolving public safety needs of the community.
“Under Chief Lamarche’s leadership, Wakulla County Fire Rescue grew from a small rural operation into one of the premier first responder agencies in the State of Florida.” said County Administrator David Edwards. “His professionalism, integrity, and steadfast dedication to our community and the men and women of Wakulla County Fire Rescue has been exemplary. His departure will be a significant loss to us.”
Throughout his tenure, Chief Lamarche has been a valued local leader focused on building a modern, integrated fire-rescue system that delivers both advanced life support and fire suppression as part of a unified emergency response system. Under his leadership, the department expanded its fleet of ambulances and apparatus, improved training and preparedness, and strengthened community resilience.
“Everything we have accomplished has been a team effort. I’ve always believed that my responsibility as Chief is to support the people who serve this community every day and to leave the department stronger than I found it,” said Chief Lamarche.
During his tenure as Fire Chief, Chief Lamarche oversaw several critical equipment acquisitions and capital improvements that strengthened the department’s ability to provide uninterrupted emergency services to the community. Working closely with County Administration and his staff, he secured the emergency purchase of multiple Class A pumper fire engines following significant apparatus failures that threatened the department’s operational readiness.
Chief Lamarche also guided the planning and opening of the new 13,600-square-foot Fire Rescue Station on Trice Lane in 2019. The facility was designed to bring command staff and front-line personnel together under one roof, improving communication, coordination, and the overall efficiency of department operations.
The County will soon begin formal preparations for a seamless leadership transition. Current Assistant Fire Chief Richard Lewis will move into the Fire Chief position, while EMS Division Chief Randall Waltman will assume the role of Assistant Fire Chief.

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.

On Aug. 21st, at J.D. Jones Stadium, Wakulla High honored a legend in the making as Principal Michele Falk, joined by coaches Jon Sanchez and Tommy Haynie, presented Haynie with a ring commemorating her 2026 FHSAA girls state wrestling championship.
Last season, Haynie compiled a 24-0 record while only surrendering one takedown. Haynie simply dominated her competition via 20 pins and 4 technical falls while becoming the first girl to win a state title in any sport at Wakulla High.
Currently, Haynie is ranked No. 1 in the state, and 12th in the nation by FloWrestling.

With the cancellation of last week’s preseason game, we didn’t have a photo of this Color Guard for the Football section.

Here they are: Top row: Autumn Bodziak, Emma Carnivale, Lyla Sealy, Chase Hall, Kinley Ledington, Shannon Miller, and Makenzy Coring.
Bottom row: Kinslee Benton, Autumn Mckenzie, Emilee Mason, Violet Sexton, Annaleyse Roland, Paisley Allen, and Olivia Drapeau.

Special to The Sun

Sunchaser CrossFit in Crawfordville is proud to recognize two athletes whose recent accomplishments demonstrate that dedication, perseverance and hard work can lead to success at any age.

Susan Ehr, Sunchaser CrossFit’s head youth CrossFit coach, recently concluded an impressive 2026 CrossFit Games season by finishing 52nd in the world in the Women’s 60–64 age division after the CrossFit Games Semifinals.
Ehr first advanced through the worldwide CrossFit Open before placing 72nd in the world in the Quarterfinals to earn a spot in the Semifinals, where only the top 300 athletes worldwide qualified.
She ultimately finished 52nd overall, competing among the best masters athletes in the world. Only the top 15 advanced to the CrossFit Games. Ehr is already training hard with her sights set on qualifying for the CrossFit Games in the 2027 season.
Fresh off her 11th birthday, Victory Thayer delivered an outstanding performance at the Atlantic Coast Classic CrossFit competition in Daytona Beach. Competing in the Girls 13U RX division against athletes nearly two years older – and often significantly bigger and stronger – Victory captured the overall championship by winning two of the three events.
The competition tested a broad range of fitness, including Olympic weightlifting, advanced gymnastics skills and endurance, highlighting her versatility and composure under pressure.
Her first-place finish is a remarkable achievement against one of the strongest youth fields in the Southeast.
Although separated by nearly five decades in age, Ehr and Thayer share the same commitment to consistent training and the pursuit of excellence.
Their accomplishments reflect the supportive community at Sunchaser CrossFit and serve as an inspiration to athletes of all ages throughout Wakulla County.

In Wakulla County, a volunteer can be the person who helps a young person plant a first garden, safely draw a bow, prepare a family recipe, identify an insect, balance a simple budget or discover that leadership starts with one good idea and the courage to try it.

How you can help

• Club volunteer: organizational leader, assistant, activity leader, project leader, resource leader or mentor to independent youth.
• Project volunteer: county project leader or shooting sports volunteer.
• Activity volunteer: county activity leader, event helper or episodic volunteer.
• Community support: event or contest judge, County 4-H Association member, key leader for a project area or special event, or resource person who teaches a specific skill.
Key Dates
• Wakulla 4-H Open House: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Wakulla Extension Arena, 84 Cedar Avenue, Crawfordville.
• Wakulla 4-H club program year begins: September 1, 2026.

Wakulla 4-H is inviting adults across the community to consider how their knowledge, hobbies and life experience could become meaningful learning opportunities for local youth. From agriculture and natural resources to healthy living, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, shooting sports and hands-on project work, 4-H depends on caring adults who are willing to guide young people as they learn by doing.
4-H is the youth development program of Cooperative Extension, delivered locally through UF/IFAS Extension. At its heart is a simple but powerful model: young people grow when they are connected to caring adults, given real responsibilities and encouraged to practice skills in a safe, supportive environment. The Wakulla 4-H program describes this work as helping youth grow and reach their full potential while working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
That partnership is what makes a 4-H volunteer more than an extra set of hands. Volunteers mentor members, coordinate community clubs, help plan and run events, teach project skills and create the sense of belonging that makes youth feel welcome and capable. Florida 4-H emphasizes hands-on learning, healthy relationships with caring adults and opportunities for youth to find their “spark”—the interest or talent that motivates them to keep learning.
Youth-adult partnership is also a cornerstone of positive youth development. In strong 4-H programs, youth and adults plan, learn, work and lead together. Adults provide encouragement, structure and safety, while youth contribute ideas, make decisions and practice leadership. When both voices are valued, young people become more than participants; they become partners in shaping clubs, projects and community service.
Wakulla 4-H has opportunities for volunteers with many different schedules and interests. Some adults may choose a regular leadership role with a club, serving as an organizational leader, assistant leader, activity leader, project leader or resource leader. Others may mentor independent youth, support a county project area, volunteer with shooting sports, judge an event or contest, help with a special activity, serve on the County 4-H Association or offer short-term help as an episodic volunteer.
The program is especially interested in adults who can share expertise in financial management, entrepreneurship, sewing, beekeeping, cooking, shooting sports such as trap, clays and archery, poultry science, rabbitry and cuniculture, plant, animal and insect identification, fishing, gardening with a farm-to-kitchen focus, domestic pet care and environmental conservation.
No one needs to know everything about 4-H to get started. Volunteers bring the skills they already have, and 4-H provides orientation, training and support. Florida 4-H’s volunteer process encourages adults to explore available roles, connect with the local Extension office, choose a position, complete the volunteer application through 4HOnline, complete required screening, attend orientation and then begin sharing their talents with youth.
Families will have an opportunity to learn about 4-H membership at the Wakulla 4-H Open House on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Wakulla Extension Arena, also located at 84 Cedar Avenue in Crawfordville. The free event will allow youth and families to meet club leaders, gather information and ask questions about 4-H activities before the new club year begins September 1, 2026.
The impact of volunteer service reaches well beyond a single meeting or project. National 4-H describes the program as helping young people build real-world skills and become resilient, adaptable lifelong learners. Those outcomes are strengthened locally every time a caring adult helps a youth member practice a demonstration, prepare for a contest, complete a record book, try a new skill or serve the community.
In a county where neighbors often know one another by name, Wakulla 4-H offers a practical way to invest in the next generation. A few hours of guidance can become the beginning of a career interest, a leadership habit, a sense of belonging or a lifelong confidence that says, “I can do this.”
Adults interested in volunteering with Wakulla 4-H are encouraged to attend the July 22 interest meeting or contact 4-H Agent Rachel Pienta at 850-926-3931 or r.pienta@ufl.edu for more information.

Presentation of $1,500 recently from Wakulla Moose Lodge 2510 to local VA in honor of Paul Peters, a veteran member who passed away recently. The Pool players collected these funds for this donation. A big thank you to our Pool players! (Photo submitted)

Join the fun at Sopchoppy Depot Park (33 Rose Street) on Friday, August 21 between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Help to count bees and butterflies landing on individual wildflower plants as part of the 2026 Great Southeast Pollinator Census in Wakulla County. Spend just 15 minutes to count insect landings and help pollinator scientists.

Members of the Sarracenia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) will be on hand to help you get started. Counting sheets will be provided. Every person who participates will receive a gorgeous pollinator poster. You may also get to taste delicious pollinator-shaped muffins!
Just show up at the park within the 2-hour window. Bring a folding chair or other seating. Bring a pen or pencil and clipboard (if you can). Then enjoy yourself while you help pollinators.
You may also participate in your own yard at any time on August 21 or 22. Get a counting sheet, read the guide, and watch a video at the event website: https://gsepc.org/