Emily Cordell signs volleyball scholarship

Emily Cordell, center, signed a volleyball scholarship on Thursday, April 17, to play for Wheaton College in Massachusetts. She is flanked by her mom and dad, and longtime coach Elizabeth Andrews, far left, and current coach Hannah Strickland. Cordell thanked her parents, coaches and fellow players โ€“ going back to travel league, several of whom were at the signing.
โ€“ William Snowden

Moratorium considered

City weighs a pause in development while it works out comp plan

FSU students conducted a visioning session before the city commisson meeting on trail enhancements, wastewater treatment options, parking and what they want to see.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The City of St. Marks agreed to have the Apalachee Regional Planning Council help re-do the cityโ€™s comprehensive growth plan but some city residents expressed concern about a six-month moratorium on building and city commissioners agreed to re-advertise the moratorium for consideration in May.
The city commission met on Thursday, April 10 at the St. Marks Yacht Club because City Hall has black mold.

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State to seek death penalty for murder

Richard Bishop was an inmate at Wakulla Correctional when he killed and mutilated a man

Richard Bishop

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Richard Bishop was an inmate at Wakulla Correctional Institution Annex in January 2023 when he killed another inmate at the prison for reportedly being a child molester, according to the probable cause affidavit.
A Wakulla grand jury returned an indictment for first degree murder against Bishop in 2024.

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Bright Futures

Education commissioner, lottery secretary visit Wakulla High School

Education Commissioner Manny Diaz greeted by ESE students.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

State Education Commissioner Manny Diaz and the Secretary of the Florida Lottery John Davis visited Wakulla High School on Friday for an assembly with freshmen and sophomores to give them information about Bright Futures Scholarships.

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Controversy over Division Street in Panacea

Ronald Fred Crum at his property on Friday, explaining his contention that the countyโ€™s right of way for the unopened portion of Division Street does not run to the water.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Businessman Ronald Fred Crum is in the midst of a disagreement with the county over Division Street in Panacea.
Division Street currently dead ends at Clark Drive, but an old plat shows Division Street continuing onto a parcel that Crum bought in 2019 and wants to develop.

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Brad Lord

is Wakullaโ€™s first major leaguer

Brad Lord

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

On Major League Baseballโ€™s opening day โ€“ Thursday, March 27 โ€“ pitcher Brad Lord was in the bullpen for the Washington Nationals.
He is the first Wakulla baseball player to make it to a big league roster.

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Wakulla High teacher arrested for alleged abuse

Eric Kasheta, who taught diesel mechanics, charged with whipping students with a bungee cord

Vocational teacher
Eric Kasheta

By WILLLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

A teacher in Wakulla High Schoolโ€™s diesel mechanic vocational program has been charged with four cases of misdemeanor battery for allegedly whipping four students with a bungee cord, according to an investigation by the Wakulla County Sheriffโ€™s Office.

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Former county commissioner Maxie Lawhon dies

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Maxie Lawhon, who served as a county commissioner for 12 years representing the Sopchoppy area, died on Wednesday, March 12. He was 70 years old.
Lawhon served on the Wakulla Board of County Commissioners during a tumultous time in the county โ€“ commission meetings were fraught with the politics of pro-growth vs. โ€œsmartโ€ growth, or Old Wakulla vs. new residents. At times, the board was split 3-2 and meetings would sometimes go past midnight.

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