William Snowden – The Wakulla Sun

BREAKING: DOUBLE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION

Posted onAugust 4, 2026August 4, 2026AuthorWilliam SnowdenLeave a comment

On August 2, 2026, at approximately 9:20 p.m., the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation at 740 Otter Creek Road.

Through an extensive investigation, detectives determined that Rebecca Lynn Thomas, 58, and John William Luper III, 49, died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. Detectives further determined that, following the homicides, the victims’ bodies were transported and concealed in separate locations.

A structure fire also occurred at the Otter Creek Road property. The cause and circumstances surrounding the fire remain under investigation; however, based on the information currently available, it is being treated as a separate incident from the homicides.

This remains an active and fluid investigation, with multiple investigative teams continuing to gather evidence and follow all available leads. Additional information will be released when it can be shared without compromising the integrity of the investigation.

Controversy over traffic cameras

Posted onJuly 29, 2026July 28, 2026AuthorWilliam Snowden

License plate readers, used in Wakulla, draw concern over issues of mass surveillance vs. public safety

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Several citizens have voiced concern about Flock license plate readers set up by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office throughout the county.
The concern by several speakers at county commission meetings is mass surveillance of citizens, and who has access to that data.

Candidate Forum 2026 live stream

Posted onJuly 28, 2026July 28, 2026AuthorWilliam Snowden

County Commission, Republican Primary, Candidate Forum 2026. Live stream at 6:00 PM ET via Youtube. https://youtube.com/live/H3wiIrhlWZI?feature=share Incumbent Quincee Messersmith and challenger Carrie Hughes will be asked questions provided to The Wakulla Sun.

Myhre gives report at Chamber lunch event

Posted onJuly 22, 2026July 22, 2026AuthorWilliam Snowden

Wakulla Superintendent of Schools Rick Myhre spoke before a crowd of about 100 Chamber of Commerce members last week at the community center about issues related to local schools.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Wakulla Superintendent of Schools warned that he was going to brag on the school system at a Chamber luncheon event last week slugged as the State of Education.
At the Tuesday, July 14 event at the community center attended by about 75 people, Myhre did just that, boasting that Wakulla is the highest performing district in the Big Bend, No. 1 in graduation rate in the state, and No. 1 in middle school acceleration.

1 mill school levy to appear on Nov. ballot

Posted onJuly 22, 2026July 22, 2026AuthorWilliam Snowden

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

A ballot measure for a 1 mill levy for schools is to be put on the November ballot for voters to approve or deny.

BOCC looks to lower tax rate

Posted onJuly 22, 2026July 22, 2026AuthorWilliam Snowden

Commission also proposes keeping solid waste fees unchanged

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

At a budget workshop prior to the start of last week’s county commission meeting, commissioners discussed proposals to lower the property tax rate to 7.7 mills or 7.5 mills and keeping the solid waste and fire fees flat.

Crum v. Wakulla gets court hearing

Posted onJuly 22, 2026July 22, 2026AuthorWilliam Snowden

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Panacea businessman Ronald Fred Crum was in court on Tuesday, July 14, for a hearing in his lawsuit against Wakulla County over a disputed easement on some bayfront property he owns.
Crum owns acreage on Dickerson Bay off Clark Drive that he wants to develop as a boating and fishing resort. It’s where Division Street dead ends.

County employee of the quarter

Posted onJuly 22, 2026July 22, 2026AuthorWilliam Snowden

Richard ‘Bear’ McCombs was named the Wakulla County employee of the quarter at the county commission meeting on Monday, July 13. McCombs, at left in the photo with Animal Control Director Walter Class, is an Animal Control Officer. McCombs said at the meeting he enjoys his work and considers it a privilege to work for the county assisting citizens.
(Photo by William Snowden)

Got questions for the county commission candidates? Send them in

Posted onJuly 22, 2026July 22, 2026AuthorWilliam Snowden

The Wakulla Sun will host a candidate forum for the two Republican candidates for the District 4 county commission seat – incumbent Quincee Messersmith and challenger Carrie Hughes – on July 28 at the public library beginning at 6 p.m.
Do you have questions you want to ask the candidates? Submit them to editor@thewakullasun.com.
Can’t be there in person? The Sun will livestream the forum on Facebook and archive it on our YouTube page.
The primary election day is Aug. 18.
We had also intended to invite Congressional candidates, but learned there’s a competing event in Lynn Haven at the same time that many candidates had committed to.
We have reserved the library meeting room for the next Tuesday, Aug. 4, beginning at 6 p.m. for Congressional candidates to appear and introduce themselves to voters.
We have received commitments from several of the Congressional candidates to appear.
There are eight Republican candidates and four Democrats. The winners of the party primaries will face off in the November general election.

Wakulla Springs mapping

Posted onJuly 15, 2026July 17, 2026AuthorWilliam Snowden

Chris Brown of Friends of Wakulla Springs asks questions of scientists Ming Ye of FSU, Patricia Spellman of USF, Joel Trexler of FSU, Harley Means, state geologist, and Chris Werner, geologist who heads the Woodville Karst Plain Project.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

State Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, credits the controversy a couple of years ago over a gas station that planned to locate over a recently mapped underground cave with water that flowed to Wakulla Springs as a catalyst.