By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla County School Board held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, May 27, to celebrate the planned new high school building.

The three-year, $97 million project will demolish the nearly 60-year-old high school building and build a new two-story classroom and administration building, as well as a new gymnasium and performing arts center.
There will also be a redesign of the parking lot with one-way entrance to the school at the current traffic light on U.S. Highway 98.
District Facilities Manager Mike Barwick was especially pleased with some of the new planned amenities – the state-of-the-art performing arts center, which he noted will be larger than Chiles High School’s; the lighted band practice field; the athletic center’s classrooms; the new front entrance which will have a security kiosk to be manned by a school Guardian.
Barwick, who was principal at Wakulla High School before moving to the district office, brought knowledge of an educator and administrator to the planning of the new school.
The plan calls for a complete new parking lot and the start of demolition over the summer. From Fall 2026 to next summer work will be underway for the new athletic center, ROTC room, and carpentry shop.
The new performing arts center is expected to be completed in Decembver 2027.
The new school will be completed by Summer 2028.
The day before the groundbreaking, current principal Michele Falk offered a tour to a handful of members of the Class of 1976, organized by class member Debra Brown and joined by Jena Brooks now of Ocala and Donna Crum Godwin of Panama City. But Falk toured the classmates around the new War Eagle Academy rather than the old building, showing off the new classrooms and vocational training.
Falk noted on the tour that she will retire before the new construction is finished.
The tour did end at the old lunchroom, where the classmates noted it had seemed so big 50 years ago, and unable to believe it’s where dances were held with a band in the corner.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

There is a divide between some school booster clubs and the Superintendent Rick Myhre as he has sought to clarify financial policies with the groups.
Myhre had made it clear that monies collected by groups for student extracurricular activities are required to be turned over to schools internal accounts to be managed.

In emails and in a statement issued last week, Myhre said the changes are required and are being done with a goal of transparency.
But the policy has created tension with the Gridiron Club, which supports the football team by selling signs to advertisers at the stadium, and seating and preferential parking to members.
A member of the Gridiron Club, who did not want to be named, said that, in the past, when the coach needed something for the team – meals for after the game, say, or a new washing machine to clean the uniforms – he told the boosters and they went and got whatever was needed.
The new policy, the person said, would hamstring that with bureaucratic oversight.
“It’s been this way for decades,” the person said, under past superintendents.
At this point, the Gridiron Club is wavering over whether to sell signs, seating and parking passes. If the club does not go forward with the sales, it will return any money that’s been paid.
“The fundraisers were stripped from us,” the person said.
Myhre noted his family had been members of the Gridiron Club for decades and had seats, but insisted money raised needed to be accounted for.
Myhre said he had found no “transgressions” by booster groups, but said the law was clear and there should be accounting for the money raised.
“It’s for the students, right? That’s where it should be spent,” he said.
The member of the Gridiron Club questioned Myhre’s interpretation of the Department of Education’s requirements, saying in an email to Myhre that “the current disagreement relects a differing interpretation or administrative approach regarding the application of certain Red Book and policy provisions to independent booster organizations, rather than the discovery of obvious or longstanding violations that went unnoticed for many years.”
The person in the Gridiron Club said one issue of contention is whether the fundraising is school-based, or done at the school, makes the funds required to be turned over to an internal account.
In response, Myhre issued a statement that read, in part: “The legal requirements are clear, all funds generated on school campuses to support individual sports/clubs are to be properly receipted and deposited into the school’s internal account where records are maintained of theexpenditures from those accounts. It doesn’t take an extensive google search in the news to see the public outcry for transparency, nor the numerous instances of fraud across the state.
“While I have not uncovered,” the statement says, “nor am I accusing anyone one of impropriety, I will not turn a blind eye to a continued practice that is not aligned to law or policy and puts our organization at potential risk. Allowing individuals to not publicly account for, in some cases, tens of thousands of dollars, where there is no public oversight of the expenditures is problematic to say the least. One must wonder why some would be so critical of the elimination of this practice if the proper receipting and accountability of the funds still supports the student athletes at the same financial level.”
Myhre also notes in his statement that recent legislation will require Florida school districts to adapt to numerous changes – including allowing Booster clubs to provide compensation to coaches through the School Board, though he notes that financial regulations don’t allow for the payment of staff from internal accounts. “Once again, intentionally diverting funds which are to be receipted into an internal account into an external account, of any type or name, and using them for an improper purpose is impermissible.”
He also noted changes in Name-Image-Likeness payments for student-athletes become more prevalent, “the requirements for these payments to come from entities not connected to schools are going to be closely monitored as well. The diversion of funds expected to be accounted as school internal funds, to an external source, which then provides an impermissible benefit places the entire program at risk. I cannot allow our student-athletes to have their program placed on probation due to the potential improper accounting practices such a system would create.”
The person with the Gridiron Club said the group had met once with Myhre, and communicated via email, but that he had refused to discuss the matter further – though the person was hopeful for a resolution.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN/Editor

The state attorney’s office filed an appeal of a judge’s ruling dismissing a felony charge of using a public record to harass against former County Commissioner Mike Kemp and requested a stay in the proceedings on a remaining felony for tampering with a witness, but Circuit Court Judge Jeremiah Hawkes denied the motion for a stay in an order issued Tuesday, May 26.

In a three-page order, Judge Hawkes found that granting a stay in the case was not appropriate. The case is set to go to trial the week of Aug. 17.
The case centers on information posted on Wakulla Citizens Facebook page by then-administrator Becky Whaley, provided by Kemp, and given to him by County Commissioner Ralph Thomas, of the voter ID that Kemp and Whaley believed was behind “Thunder Lightening” (sic), who trolled the page and was critical of them. It turned out not to be the person behind the anonymous account, but another person.
The judge dismissed the charge, finding that “responding to public critics, and calling out a notable critic, was not an illegitimate actiity for a candidate for office, and indeed was constitutionally protected speech.”

A 35-year-old Tallahassee man was killed in a crash early Saturday morning on U.S. Highway 98 near Hideaway Lane, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The man was driving an SUV traveling west at 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, when he failed to negotiate a curve and went onto the shoulder of the road and struck a tree.
The man, the sole occupant of the car, was pronounced dead on scene, according to FHP.
FHP was assisted by Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office and Wakulla Fire Rescue.

By MARJ LAW
American Legion Auxiliary

Would you ride 90 miles for our veterans? Would you ride a motorcycle in the rain and wind on Saturday, May 23rd to promote programs for our local vets?
Motorcycle riders would. Despite challenging weather, they came to compete in Wakulla’s Post 114’s very 1st Annual Bug Run put on by Chris Carraway, head of Chapter 114 of the Division of American Legion Riders, and Mike Simmons, Event Chair.

Over 50 people came out to support this new event, including participating riders, Chapter 114 Riders, and members of the Legion, Auxiliary, and community volunteers.
Here’s how it went: Motorcycle riders started out at Crawfordville Auto & Tire which served as base camp. The purpose? To collect the most bugs splattered on their bikes!
From base camp, they drove on to the first site at Ochlocknee River State Park in Sopchoppy to the next site at San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, to the last site at Natural Bridge Battlefield on Natural Bridge Road. 2 or more volunteers awaited them at each stop. Collecting a stamp from each location, riders ended back up at the starting point.
On this windy rainy day, who collected the most bugs on their bikes?
Nine bugs splattered Eric Daniels’ bike and eight bugs decorated Juan Williams’ bike. First place winner Eric won a bike detailing from Shawn’s Precision Detailing and second place Juan won a bucket of cleaning supplies to detail his own bike!
And had the morning rain deterred our riders?
No! “I love riding in the rain,” declared Jeff Williams. Mike Simmons and Austin Colomb must have thought so too, as they rode from stop to stop, constantly monitoring progress.
Legion & Auxiliary members manned the base camp tents where they served lunch after the competition. Joanna Carraway designed the event’s logo which was produced on T-shirts and patches.
“I appreciate each and every person who showed up at this event,” thanked Mike Simmons.
Did riders come out to support our veterans and our 1st Annual Bug Run in Wakulla? They did.

Marj Law serves as Historian of American Legion Auxiliary Post 114.

The Greatest American Cleanup is a nationwide movement preparing America for her 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. With an ambitious goal to remove 25 billion pieces of litter and engage 25,000 communities, communities are setting the stage for a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful nation in time for this historic celebration.

KWCB has been promoting the Greatest American Cleanup in Wakulla County for these past few months now. You may have seen stickers, signs and flyers all promoting this effort. This effort is ongoing!
We need all your help in continuing to clean and beautify our county.

• Sign the Pledge! https://kab.org/greatest-american-cleanup/ On line and on our sign! When you sign up you get a fabulous sticker. Signs of your commitment to this effort will be available to participating businesses and groups.
• Help spread the word – social media posts, photos, signs, flyers and stickers to display in your homes or workplaces.
• Adopt a Road – this is an organized program that is available through KWCB and the FL DOT. Pledge to care for a stretch of road on an annual basis with quarterly clean ups. Many organizations and individuals have already committed but we certainly need more. One of our 250th Anniversary goals is to have 250 miles of road adopted in Wakulla County. We have a way to go to meet that goal and need your help!
• Clean up your property or properties, businesses, etc. Many already do but alittle extra spring cleaning would be great!
• Organize a neighborhood or group clean-up of an stretch of road or area. If you need to know of any opportunities, KWCB will give you plenty of ideas. Sadly Wakulla County is a target rich environment. Take Before and After photos – KWCB loves those! You can really appreciate your hard work and efforts when you see those pictures. KWCB will help you set everything up!
• Participate as an individual, a group or a business in our specific efforts – pick up 250 pieces of garbage or help us to reach 250 miles of adopted roads. KWCB is also promoting beautification projects around the county by setting a goal of planting 250 trees this year.
• Join in the event itself!
  KWCB is sponsoring a Greatest American Cleanup Community event on Saturday, June 13th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hudson Park in Crawfordville. There will be food, fun contests for both adults and kids. A hazardous waste relay, litter scavenger hunts and a dunk tank! There will be vendors and community groups with info about their programs and organizations.
  We’ll be publicly recognizing participating businesses, groups and individuals. Some community groups will be having road clean ups that day as well. KWCB hopes you can join us in this worthy community effort and event!
  Check out KWCB’s website kwcb.org and FB page for updates and more information. You can also send us email at keepwakullabeautiful@gmail.com
  There will be plenty of visitors for our July 4th celebrations – up and down this area. Let them see how great and sparkling clean our county can be.
  Wakulla County is a very unique place – it compasses forests, rivers and a seashore. People who live here stay here for generations. There’s not a lot of places left like that in America. Wakulla County is growing by leaps and bounds. All the more reason to protect this unique environment. We need everyone’s help to insure Wakulla County remains this uniquely beautiful place for the next 250 years!

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.

Graduating senior Caden Gruebel delivered the keynote address, reflecting on his five years in 4-H. His journey, marked by leadership, competition, and service, illustrated the program’s lasting impact on youth development and set an inspiring tone for the evening.
A cornerstone of the celebration was honoring club participation, an essential part of the 4-H experience. Youth who attended at least half of their club meetings were recognized for their commitment, with awards presented across a diverse range of clubs.
Wakulla 4 H members continued to shine as they moved beyond the county level. Numerous youth competed in district events, including the Northwest District Food Challenge, the Panhandle Poultry Show, and Area North horse competitions.
Among the district winners:

• Josie Counce, Laila Brown, and Jace Perez earned first-place honors in the Intermediate Food Challenge.
• Mae Counce, Riley Schaefer, Claire Urbik, and Emily Urbik claimed second place as a junior team.
• Caroline Faulk captured multiple awards in poultry exhibition and photography.
• Riders such as Braelynn Anne Cilano and Kyndall Campbell placed across multiple events, while Riley Manning earned a first-place finish in the keyhole race at the senior level.
  At the state level, Wakulla youth achieved notable success. Lauretta Compton earned first place in the Senior Illustrated Talk.
  The county’s shooting sports program also excelled, with Parker Smith earning first place in Senior Trap and contributing to a third-place team finish. Emiliano Cadena placed in multiple skeet and overall categories, while Warner Counce and teammates Caleb and Nathan O’Grady secured third place in the Senior Team State Shotgun Match.
  On the national stage, Noah Pearson represented Wakulla County at the National Shooting Sports Championships in June 2025 – an achievement highlighting both individual dedication and the strength of the county program.
  Community Pride projects, led by youth including Caden Gruebel, Kynthia Yoshioka, Emily Zak, and Edison Zak, further demonstrated the commitment of Wakulla 4-H’ers to improving their community.
  The ceremony also recognized members’ long-term dedication through Years in 4-H awards, honoring youth from first-year participants to veterans with up to nine years in the program.
  Member Excellence Awards highlighted individuals who exemplify the highest standards of achievement, including:
• Bronze honorees Braelynn Anne Cilano, Hiroshi Yoshioka, Mae Counce, and Josie Counce
• Silver honorees Caden Gruebel and Lauretta Compton
  The Wakulla 4 H Shotgun Club was recognized with the prestigious Gold Clover Club Excellence Award, reflecting outstanding team performance and program quality.
  In addition, Emily Zak and Caden Gruebel were honored with the State 4-H Communicator Award for their work in podcasting, highlighting innovation and leadership in emerging program areas.
  As the evening concluded, Pienta reflected on a year defined by growth, resilience, and success, “The celebration served not only to recognize accomplishments, but also to highlight the strong network of volunteers, families, and leaders who support Wakulla’s youth.”
  Behind every award presented was a story of perseverance and learning. From first-time participants to seasoned competitors, Wakulla 4-H members continue to embody the organization’s motto: “To make the best better.”

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.

With this background, our Founders had good reasons to fear tyrants and centralized authority. Their fears led to the creation of the Bill of Rights. That said, let’s review what the Bill of Rights does for us.
First Amendment
Congress cannot establish a state religion, tell you how to worship, keep you from expressing your thoughts, or censor or shut down the media. It cannot prevent people from gathering peacefully. And people can petition the government for relief, which means they can make complaints, sue the government, and lobby it for change.
Second Amendment (exactly as written)
A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Third Amendment
The government cannot force people to house soldiers in their homes during times of peace. During wartime, it can only do so as prescribed by law.
Fourth Amendment
The Fourth Amendment protects people’s privacy. Government cannot conduct unreasonable searches and seizures of persons or private property, but can conduct searches and seizures that have been authorized by search warrants.
Judges can issue search warrants on findings of probable cause supported by sworn testimony. Search warrants must describe with particularity the places to be searched and the things to be seized.
Fifth Amendment
Only a grand jury can bring certain criminal charges against defendants. Anyone found not guilty of an offense cannot be retried for the same offense, and people’s property cannot be taken from them unless they’re fairly compensated.
Criminal defendants cannot be forced to testify about the charges against them, and they will not face any repercussions for remaining silent. A person’s life, liberty, or property cannot be taken from them without “due process of law.”
Sixth Amendment
Criminal defendants must be informed of the specific charges against them so they can defend themselves. They have the right to speedy and public trials by impartial juries. They have the right to counsel, to confront opposing witnesses, and to present defenses.
Seventh Amendment
A person has the right to a jury trial in a civil lawsuit if certain thresholds are met.
Eighth Amendment (exactly as written)
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted.
Ninth Amendment
People have more rights than those listed in the Constitution.
Tenth Amendment
The states keep all powers the Constitution does not expressly delegate to the federal government nor deny to the states.