Ask Judge Smith: Civil trials explained

Posted onAuthorSpecial to The Sun

By JUDGE LAYNE SMITH

Q. Judge Smith, I am curious about how civil trials work. Can you break them down for me? Sincerely, Gerald
A. Sure. Civil trials follow set patterns, and I can explain their key components. Let’s dive in.
Civil trials start with jury selection. Potential jurors are summoned and questioned by the lawyers and the judge to ensure they can be fair and impartial. Both sides want jurors who will listen to their arguments without bias. Once the jury is selected and sworn, the trial begins.

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Lady War Eagles soar at district

Posted onAuthorSpecial to The Sun

Coaches with Lady War Eagles Kameron Easter, Kendal Haynie and Julia Baggett, who all three reached the podium. (WRESTLING PHOTOS BY AMBER HAYNIE)

By WALT JACOBS
Correspondent

On February 14th, the FHSAA Girls District 1 Championship was held in Niceville, Florida. Four Lady War Eagles weighed in on Saturday hoping to place in the top four of their respective weight classes and advance to Regionals.

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Scott Klees stepping down

Posted onAuthorWilliam Snowden

The longtime War Eagle football coach wants to spend more time with family

Scott Klees coaching his team in this year’s playoff game against Bishop Kenny in Jacksonville.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Scott Klees announced this week that he will retire as Wakulla War Eagle football coach.
Klees, who will still be teaching at the high school, said he wants to spend more time with his family.

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Woman charged with fraud for false returns

Posted onAuthorWilliam Snowden

Natosha Beard is charged with more than 30 counts of forging
tax returns, pocketing refunds

Natosha Beard

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

A woman working at the Crawfordville office of Jackson Hewitt was charged with more than 30 counts of preparing fraudulent tax returns for customers and pocketing the refunds.
Natosha Beard was charged in January 2025 with felony fraud. She was in court last week before Wakulla Circuit Judge Layne Smith who set her case for trial in November.

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Dr. Faith Hughes is retiring from practice

Posted onAuthorLinda Ann McDonald

After 36 years of veterinary medicine, she will retire in July

Dr. Faith Hughes, DVM

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

After 36 years of practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Faith Hughes, DVM has reached the finish line. Dr. Hughes announced she will be retiring at the end of July.
Originally from Bainbridge, Georgia, Hughes graduated University of Auburn in 1990, landing her first job as a DVM at Haines Road Animal Clinic in St. Petersburg. Two years later, she moved back to Bainbridge and worked for Allied Veterinary Emergency Hospital in Tallahassee.

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Wakulla man signs record deal

Posted onAuthorLinda Ann McDonald

Wakulla’s Madden Metcalf, center, has announced signing a record deal with producer Freddy Wexler and MCA.

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

After being discovered on social media for his musical talent, Wakulla native Madden Metcalf has signed a record deal with Freddy Wexler, a Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer, and MCA Records.
Metcalf’s first single, “IDWK” came out in November 2025. Metcalf released his next single, “Like My Hometown” on Jan. 26th. Metcalf has been playing guitar and singing since he was 7 years old.

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Student of the Week

Posted onAuthorSpecial to The Sun

Serenity Holcomb – 5th grader at Crawfordville Elementary

Serenity Holcomb

Principal: Alana Crawford.

Achievements/Reason for Nomination: Serenity is a 5th grade student here at Crawfordville Elementary School. While she has not been with us long, she has already made quite the impression. Currently she is leading the school with 3,401,710 words read! She has worked incredibly hard and earned all A’s throughout the entire school year. Serenity’s teachers say that she is an outstanding 5th-grade student who always goes above and beyond in everything she does. Serenity is kind and respectful to others. She consistently gives her best effort and leads by example. Her dedication is clear in her incredible achievement of reading over 3 million words, showing both her strong work ethic and love of learning.