The Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office held its annual memorial to commemorate the Sept. 11 attacks. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon using hijacked airplanes as missiles.

A fourth aircraft crashed in an empty field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought the hijackers. The sheriff’s office ceremony began at 8:30 a.m., the time the first aircraft crashed into one of the towers at the World Trade Center. Above, the sheriff’s office Color Guard lower the flag. At right, students were among the attendees.

The Wakulla County Commission held the first public hearing on the millage rate at a meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 8.
County commissioners set the tentative millage rate at 7.7 mills and gave preliminary approval to the county budget.
State Attorney Jack Campbell appeared at the meeting to request a fund of $65,000 – a total that includes a one-time $15,000 payment – to cover the increasing costs of improved technology in the courtroom.

The final public hearing for approval of the final millage rate and budget, will be held on Monday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m.
During the public hearing, many voiced their concerns over the future of Wakulla’s animal services in light of the county’s proposed budget cuts, including PAWS volunteers, foster parents, and the shelter’s office manager.
Crystal Thadwick, a volunteer at the animal shelter, spoke on the subject first. “The county cannot sustain these outcomes without community support, and likewise, the community cannot sustain them without the county,” she said about the shelter’s recent 95% live return rate. “When access to surrender and adoption services is reduced, the need does not disappear. It resurfaces as more stray animals, more animal control calls, more abandonment, and more families left without a safe responsible option.”
Later, Tina Rich recounted her family’s own experience with Wakulla Animal Services, wherein they nursed a dog back to health after she’d been left for dead. “She had been shot point blank in her head and her front leg … [Willow] had suffered from unimaginable cruelty, and yet she was still fighting for her life,” Rich said through tears. “Her story is a reminder that the work being done by our shelter and animal control, isn’t simply about animals. It’s about compassion, and doing the right thing.”
Animal Control Director Walter Class, alongside Adam Leath and David Lynch of the Jacksonville Humane Society, spoke of the positive impact their partnership with Wakulla Animal Services has had in the community. According to Leath, the Humane Society has spent $32,940, which has been divided up amongst spay-neuter services, transfer incentives to rescues like the Wakulla Animal Shelter, supplies, and more. They have also reduced the length of stay while raising the adoption rate above the national average, as Leath added: “92% of cats are leaving alive today, and 93% of overall animals are leaving alive from the shelter.”
The partnership is owed to Class’s persistence at many of the Humane Society’s leadership training workshops. They’ve since worked to provide continuous, sustainable resources for Wakulla Animal Services and rescues like it.
Class concluded by presenting the shelter’s official No-Kill plaque.
Veteran Zack Barton expressed frustration with county Veteran Services. He suggested that tax dollars be spent on the needs of veterans, rather than on animal services.

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

Sound vibration therapy is a complementary wellness practice that uses specific tones, frequencies, and physical vibrations to help the body shift into a calmer, more regulated state. To put it into perspective, sound is vibration, and those vibrations can influence the nervous system, muscles, and even emotional states.

Rachel McClure is a certified sound and vibration therapist who describes herself as a multifaceted disciplinarian within the creative realm. Applying her knowledge as a licensed practical nurse, she merges her medical background into music therapy.
McClure explained Wakulla Springs is a large energy source in which she utilizes natural energy pulled from Wakulla Spring.
“The Wakulla Spring has its own unique frequency, and the earth has a frequency. While we are visiting the spring, we feel relaxed because we are picking up on the spring’s frequency. Because Wakulla Spring is so big, it is an equally big amplifier of this earthly frequency.
“Just being near the spring, or getting in the water, the frequencies will affect you. It affects your blood pressure, cardiovascular system, you are relaxed because it lowers your cortisol, it is good for inflammation by way of the cold water of the spring, and it has physical manifestations on your health.”
Through sound therapy, McClure brings sound influenced from Indian ancestors. “With crystal bowls, I makes resonance of frequency and mood.” She explained, “The ripple of sound is cohesion created of nature by using certain instruments and frequencies which bring cohesiveness with the body.”
McClure plays drums, guitar, flute, crystal bowls, wave drums, and anything she can get her hands on percussion wise. She said, “My voice is my best instrument. My instruments add to the spring; it adds another layer so that we can be a part of it. I can’t change the spring, but I can bring in my layer through music and art and color.”, McClure said.
“Sound therapy is a long ancient practice the west is now learning; vibration is the first thing you are aware of when you hear your mother’s heartbeat in the womb. Everything makes sound, there is no beginning.”
Further explaining, McClure shared, “Animals read off magnetic fields, dogs hear whistles we can’t’ hear. Sound has always been there; we are just beginning to understand how it affects us and how we have evolved with it.”
McClure was introduced to sound therapy while attending a yoga class at the Wakulla County Community Center. McClure said, “I was in a class and Nellie Bridgewater had us do an Om, and I knew this was something I can take to incorporate it with my talent and medical background.” For those new to yoga, an om is often regarded as the greatest of all mantras as it represents the sound of creation and the substrate vibration of the entire universe.
While explaining the impacts of the energy from Wakulla Springs upon the human body and the benefit of sound therapy, McClure explained, “My art is like all of my music and all my nursing experience had a grand marriage; it only makes sense that I would take my experience, and rewrite it for me, so I can provide therapy for people.” When speaking about combining the separate worlds of music therapy and nursing, she said, “I can’t make the rules, I can’t break the rules, but I can rewrite them, for me, to provide services for people.”
McClure said, “I utilize Qi Gung exercises, add in some dance, yoga stretching, which is easy on flow with building energy, and then go into a sound bath and play instruments over you.”
McClure grew up in Wekiva Springs. She said, “I was there every day of my life, I was never sick except when I had the chicken pox. When my parents moved to Monticello, Florida, our family visited Wakulla Springs, and I knew instantly that this is what I was looking for to live near.”
McClure will be part of a show on September 11, at Palaver Tree, which will include a wall of gongs and sound instruments. The show is a sound journey with dance and rhythm. The gongs will provide by “The Gong Experience.”

The Wakulla Sun will host a candidate forum for the three candidates seeking the District 4 seat on the Wakulla County Commission: Republican Carrie Hughes, Democrat Beverly Keister, and independent Patricia Dyszer.
All three candidates have committed to attend.
The forum will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24 at the Chamber of Commerce office (the old courthouse) on the second floor beginning at 6 p.m.
Sun readers are encouraged to submit questions for the forum – send them to editor@thewakullasun.com or mail them to the Sun office, 12 Arran Road, Crawfordville FL 32327 or drop your questions off at the office.

Wakulla High School Theatre invites audiences to step into the wonderfully wacky Kingdoms of Zob Proper and Zob Improper this September for its production of “The Clumsy Custard,” a fast-paced comedy filled with heroes, villains, princesses, monsters and plenty of unexpected laughs.

Written by William Gleason, The Clumsy Custard is a full length playful medieval adventure. When danger threatens the kingdom and its princess, an unforgettable cast of characters is swept into an adventure where things rarely go according to plan.
Audiences can expect bold characters, over-the-top comedy and plenty of theatrical surprises as the students of Wakulla High School Theatre bring the strange and hilarious world of Zob to life. With a story that celebrates courage and friendship the production offers entertainment for the whole family. Performances of The Clumsy Custard will be held September 17–19 at 6:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee September 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
Come cheer for the heroes, boo the villains and discover what happens when a princess, a kingdom and a very unusual collection of characters collide in one delightfully ridiculous adventure.
Wakulla High School Theatre looks forward to welcoming the community for their first production of the year where Imagination Comes to Life!

Story & Photos By
LINDA ANN McDONALD

In observance of America’s 250th anniversary, the Wakulla County Historical Society paid tribute by hosting a Threads Through Time fashion history show and afternoon tea event on Saturday at the Crawfordville’s Women’s Club.

At the standing-room-only event, history was broken into eight distinct periods. Each period was followed by a powerful monologue that explained the significance of the clothing on display while sharing their social meaning and historical impact. The show was narrated by Chuck Klieforth and Susan Solburg.
Part One included History and Threads from 12,000 years ago to the end of the Civil War in 1865.
Models included Amber Sanders representing pre-history to 1513. Theater with a Mission, Tallahassee, Fl represented First Spanish Period 1513-1763 and British Period 1783-1821.
Cynthia Paulson and Quincee Messersmith characterized Territorial Florida 1821-1843, and Katheleen Butler, Helga Torbert, Robert and Kenny Manning highlighted Statehood, Civil War and Reconstruction 1845-1877.
Part Two included History and Threads 1865-2026. Models included Pepper Young, Evan Salas, Cynthia Paulson, John Shoemaker, Mary Katherine Westmark, and Wesley Thurmond bringing to life the Development and Boom Era 1877-1929.
Lucy Carter, Elena Mayhre, Heather Bryan, Bianca Trociewitz, Mary Ann Laird, Emilee Mason, Winzie Wilson, Jan Holtman, and Loretta Bowman covered the Modern Times: 1930’s – 2026.
Halfway through the event, guests were invited to an afternoon tea which consisted of a variety of teas and finger sandwiches, such as cucumber, ham salad, and egg salad. Ginger and blueberry scones were served along with egg and spinach bake, fruit, clotted cream, and strawberry jam. Traditional tea was served.
Additional clothing was on display for educational consumption along with tea sets and tableware loaned/donated for use by The Riley House Museum, Theater with a Mission, Goodwood Museum and Gardens, Museum of Florida History, Wakulla Guild, Elena Myhre, Lynda Kinsey of The Wakulla Sun, Elise Barwick, Madeleine Carr, Crawfordville Women’s Club, and Pat Jones.
Madeleine Carr wrote the script for the event.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla War Eagles suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Pace Patriots 37-29 in a hard-fought battle. The War Eagles are now 3-1 on the year.
Head Coach Derek Allen Jr. said he was obviously disappointed in the result.

See our Football page for Coaces Corner and Players of the Week.

“We played a very good 5A team in that environment” – which he compared to the homefield environment of Taylor County, only more so. “We had three turnovers, which is a recipe for disaster. The defense couldn’t tackle, couldn’t get guys on the ground.”
Still, coach added, “It’s all fixable stuff.”
Ryheem Moore was back from a one-game suspension after his two unsportsmanlike penalties against Taylor County, and he had a big impact with two touchdowns and a blocked punt.
Quarterback Ashton Brooks went 9 for 15 passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns, but threw two interceptions.
Jaylen Jones played wildcat QB and carried the ball 10 times for 41 yards and a touchdown, but had one fumble. He got it back on the other side of the ball, though, causing two fumbles. He also had 7 tackles.
The team had a total of 156 rushing yards,
Linebacker Rayshon St. Hilaire had a scoop-and-score fumble receovery and lead the team with 9 tackles.
Armon Lindsey had an interception. And kicker Colby Carranza went 3 for 4 on extra points.

GAME RECAP

Wakulla took the opening drive and settled into a run-heavy drive that burned 5 minutes off the clock but ended with an interception by Pace around their 20. The Patriots took advantage of the turnover, a pass and run to the Wakulla 20, then an outside run for the score. Extra point puts Pace up 7-0.
Wakulla takes kickoff out to the 20. On 3rd and 1, fumble recovered by Pace at the Wakulla 20. Unsportsmanlike penalty moves the ball half the distance. Couple of plays later, a quarterback run, fumble, ball rolls into the end zone and recovered by a Pace lineman for the score. It’s 14-0.
To start the second quarter, Ryheem Moore makes a great play on a pass from QB Ashton Brooks for touchdown. Wakulla cuts the lead to 14-7.
But Pace strikes back on their next drive with an 85-yard touchdown pass. Extra point missed. Pace leads 20-7.
On the next series, Wakulla drives to the Pace 25. Jaylen Jones in as QB and runs to the 14, then the 3, then the end zone. It’s 20-14.
Pace running back makes a big run from midfield and scores. It’s 27-14.
Wakulla takes over at their 15. Long pass to Demarkus Roberts at 45, then a long run by Bryce Manning to the 10. With 8.3 seconds until halftime, 4th and goal at 3, pass to Moore for his second touchdown of the night. Extra point missed. At halftime, Pace 27-Wakulla 20.
On Pace’s drive to start the second half, Armon Lindsey picked off a pass in the end zone and took it out to the 25. Wakulla’s offense would stall, and when the War Eagles went to punt, the ball sailed out of the end zone for a safety. Pace up 29-20.
Pace then scored on a 3-yard run for a touchdown. Wakulla was called for encroachment on the extra point attempt. With ball at the 2, Pace went for 2 and made it. Pace lead extended to 37-20.
In the fourth quarter, Moore blocked a Pace punt and Jones scrambled to recover it for a touchdown, but it got away from him and rolled through the end zone for a safety. Wakulla trailing 37-22.
On Pace’s next series, Jones caused a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Rayshon St. Hilaire who scooped it up and scored. Wakulla trailing now 37-29.
Kickoff out of bounds gave Pace the ball near midfield. A few plays later, Pace has a 4th down and 12 at the Wakulla 16 with 1 minute in the game. Line up for a field goal – it’s wide right.
Game ends with Wakulla with the ball trying to make passes to sideline but run out of time. Final: Pace 37, Wakulla 29.

UP NEXT:
RICKARDS RAIDERS

After a long three weeks of road games, the War Eagles return home this week to play the Rickards Raiders at J.D. Jones Stadium.
The War Eagles played Rickards in the spring exhibition game, along with Chiles.
Rickards is super athletic, Coach Allen said. “They throw the ball around a lot.” Their quarterback can scramble and make plays with his feet. “I don’t know that he’s been sacked” this season, he said.
“We’re bigger than them, but they’re just as athletic,” Allen said.
For Wakulla, the key is win the turnover battle – and not turn the ball over.
“We have to be more physical,” he said. “We have to play our game.”
“We look forward to being back at home and seeing all the familiar faces in the crowd,” Coach Allen said.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Joseph Ronnie Raker was returned to Wakulla County on Saturday, Sept. 5, according to the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office.
Raker was wanted as a suspect in a double murder: the bodies of Rebecca Lynn Thomas, 58, and William Luper III, 49, were found in the woods near a home on Otter Creek in Sopchoppy on Aug. 4. Both died as the result of multiple gunshot wounds.
The warrants for murder were issued for Raker on Aug. 5, along with a $10,000 reward for his capture.

An intense manhunt was underway for a couple of weeks until U.S. Marshals and Mexican police captured him on Aug. 13 in Mexico, across the border from Brownsville, Texas.
He was taken to Hidalgo County, Texas, and waived extradition when given a court appearance some days later.
Capt. Brett Surace, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, said Raker was transported by contract agents from Texas to Wakulla.
He was booked into the Wakulla County Jail on Saturday. Surace told The Sun he believed Raker was given a first appearance on the murder charges on Sunday, but the Labor Day holiday made it difficult to confirm.
So far, the sheriff’s office has released no information about the motive in the murders.
In announcing Raker’s capture on Aug. 13, Sheriff Jared Miller anticipated more arrests for those who may have aided Raker in covering up the crime or fleeing from Wakulla.
In a video made by the sheriff’s office and posted to Facebook back in the first week of August, Major Eddie Wester of Criminal Investigations said that an intoxicated person came forward telling deputies that people had been shot at Otter Creek.
Deputies went to the scene, found signs of struggle, and called for a warrant to search. Eventually, two bodies were found on neighboring refuge property hidden by underbrush.