Point Blank project honored as โ€˜Rural Deal of the Yearโ€™

Wakulla Economic Development Coordinators Julie Dennis and Beth Chichetti

Special to The Sun

The Wakulla Economic Development Council was presented with the Rural Deal of the Year award Thursday evening, May 14, 2026, at the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) Annual Conference in Orlando โ€” the highest statewide recognition a rural community can receive for economic development achievement. The award celebrates Wakulla Countyโ€™s successful recruitment of Point Blank Enterprises, one of the nationโ€™s leading manufacturers of body armor and protective equipment for military and law enforcement communities.

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Leadership Wakulla

GRADUATION FOR CHAMBER CLASS

The second class of Leadership Wakulla graduated in a ceremony held on Tuesday, May 12 at the community center. The program is designed to teach a group about whatโ€™s going on in the county, from tourism to education to the justice system and more. This yearโ€™s graduates were James Lewis, Molly Jones BoWell, Alex Gonzalez, Kaitlyn Wilson, Kellie Wilsey, Novella L. Franklin, Samatha Kennedy, Tina Torrance and Tina Messer. (Photo by William Snowden)

Makena Glassner โ€“ 8th grader at Riversprings Middle School

Principal: Josh Sandgren

Achievements/Reason for Nomination: Makena is an exceptional student who consistently earns top marks in advanced coursework and demonstrates excellence in the schoolโ€™s band program. In addition to her academic and extracurricular achievements, she has gone above and beyond by dedicating her time to tutoring fellow students in science. Through one-on-one support and encouragement, Makena has worked diligently to help her classmates better understand key scientific concepts in preparation for the 8th grade science assessment. Her leadership, commitment, and willingness to help others make her truly deserving of recognition as Student of the Week.

4-H FLOW elects leaders

Most of the 4-H FLOW leaders pictured with Election Supervisor Joe Morgan.

Special to The Sun

The Future Leaders of Wakulla (FLOW) Club has announced its newly elected officers for the 2026โ€“2027 club year, continuing to build momentum as a youth leadership organization that brings together young people from across Wakulla County.

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Ask Judge Smith: Out with the old and in with the new

By JUDGE LAYNE SMITH

Years ago, I wrote three newspaper columns with โ€œIndependence Dayโ€ in-mind. I share them now in celebration of our nationโ€™s 250th birthday.
This is part three of three:
The Revolutionary War began in 1775 and ended in 1783. It spanned over 8 years (101 months). During that time, many American soldiers received little to no pay for their military service. After the war ended, Congress couldnโ€™t satisfy the nationโ€™s war debts, including soldiersโ€™ back pay. Chronically short of funds, the federal government caused runaway inflation by over-circulating worthless paper money. Farmers were hit hard, and many lost their farms to foreclosures.

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