Special to The Sun – Page 4

4-H awards ceremony is held

Posted onJune 3, 2026June 2, 2026AuthorSpecial to The Sun

4-H Director Rachel Pienta hands out awards to youth.

By RACHEL PIENTA
Special to The Sun

On a rainy spring evening in Wakulla County, the spirit of service, leadership, and youthful ambition filled the room as families, volunteers, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the annual Wakulla 4-H Awards Celebration.
The program opened with welcoming remarks from Extension Agent Rachel Pienta, Program Assistant Christy Pearson, and County Commissioner Quincee Messersmith. Youth members led American and 4-H pledges, traditions that reflect both civic pride and the organization’s core values.

Ask Judge Smith: A sprint through the Bill of Rights

Posted onJune 3, 2026June 2, 2026AuthorSpecial to The Sun

By JUDGE LAYNE SMITH

Before the Revolutionary War, British troops occupied Boston and imposed martial law. Throughout the colonies, colonists were not allowed to gather, speak freely, or publish anything critical of British rule. British officials searched people and private property whenever they felt like it, and forcibly housed their troops in American homes without permission or compensation. Following hunches and gossip, they arrested and jailed people without cause.

Hurricane season starts

Posted onJune 3, 2026June 2, 2026AuthorSpecial to The Sun

Lt. Tom Mallon of the Sheriff’s Office, and Emergency Management Director Jennifer Nagy were at Lunar Bay Coffee on Friday, May 29, to talk to residents about preparing for Hurricane season, which started June 1. Nagy especially wanted people to be aware of their flood zone.

Ethics in Business

Posted onJune 3, 2026June 2, 2026AuthorSpecial to The Sun

Trailblazer Award

Posted onJune 3, 2026June 2, 2026AuthorSpecial to The Sun

4-H holds Community Pride Project

Posted onJune 3, 2026June 2, 2026AuthorSpecial to The Sun

Participants in a Teen Town Hall about ‘One Pill Can Kill.’

Special to The Sun

The Wakulla County 4-H Community Pride Project took a powerful step toward youth awareness and prevention this year with “Prevention Before Intervention,” a teen town hall created by youth, for youth. Led by Emily Zak and co-hosted by Caden Gruebel, the event opened honest conversations about substance use, mental health, peer pressure, leadership, and the importance of connection within the community.

County to take over sewer billing for customers

Posted onMay 27, 2026May 28, 2026AuthorSpecial to The Sun

Special to The Sun

Wakulla County is taking over billing for its sewer customers who receive water service from the City of Sopchoppy beginning with the June billing cycle.
Sopchoppy had formerly billed its water customers who received county sewer service.
The county issued a press release:

Point Blank project honored as ‘Rural Deal of the Year’

Posted onMay 27, 2026May 26, 2026AuthorSpecial to The Sun

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 — the highest statewide recognition a rural community can receive for economic development achievement. The award celebrates Wakulla County’s successful recruitment of Point Blank Enterprises, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of body armor and protective equipment for military and law enforcement communities.

Celebrating America’s 250th

Posted onMay 27, 2026May 26, 2026AuthorSpecial to The Sun

Special to The Sun

This year, the United States turns 250, and you’re invited to celebrate. On May 29-31, at Goodwood Museum & Gardens in Tallahassee, you can join Theater with a Mission for a birthday party that’s been 250 years in the making. It’s free, it’s family-friendly, and it’s three days of once-in-a-lifetime fun.

Ask Judge Smith: U.S. Citizenship

Posted onMay 27, 2026May 26, 2026AuthorSpecial to The Sun

By JUDGE LAYNE SMITH

Q. Judge Smith, how does one become a U.S. citizen? What are some of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship? Thank you, Katherine
A. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides two pathways to becoming a citizen at birth, and a pathway for those born abroad: