A busy weekend on tap: Black History, Mardi Gras and Mudbugs

Posted onAuthorStaff Report

Staff Report

It’s another of those weekends in Wakulla where you can’t complain that nothing’s happening.

  • African American History Festival kicks off on Friday night with the Arthur Andrews Memorial Scholarship Gala at the community center beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 and will not be available at the door.
  • On Saturday, the African American History Festival kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m. followed by entertainment and vendors in Hudson Park.
  • Mardi Gras, a fundraiser for Friends of the Wakulla County Public Library, will be held at the community center from 6 to 9 p.m. The event features dinner, live jazz and a cash bar. Tickets are $60.
  • Mudbugs & Music, a crawfish cookoff to benefit Keep Wakulla County Beautiful and Big Bend Maritime Center, will be held at Woolley Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20.
    And on Sunday:
  • African-American Read-In Chain will be held at Palaver Tree Theater, 59 Shadeville Road, beginning at 2 p.m.

Carjacking suspect arrested in Wakulla

Posted onAuthorSpecial to The Sun

Christopher Kentrell Roberts

From WCSO

On Jan. 31, 2026, at approximately 1:18 a.m., the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office received a request for mutual aid from the Tallahassee Police Department regarding a carjacking that had just occurred involving a gray 2014 Acura SUV. The vehicle was reported traveling southbound on Wakulla Springs Highway entering Wakulla County.
On Feb. 1, 2026, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Deputies located and arrested Christopher Kentrell Roberts, 39, on an out-of-county warrant related to a carjacking investigation being conducted by TPD. Roberts was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Wakulla County Jail.

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Murder under the Moose Big Top

Posted onAuthorSpecial to The Sun

The tenth annual Moose Lodge Murder Mystery was held last weekend, sponsored by Prime Meridian Bank, Panacea Waterfronts, and the Moose Lodge, directed by Herb Donaldson and produced by Kay Gay Cannon featuring: Charlene, Susie Jester, Carole McKay, Kevin Hodnett, Stephanie Strubble, Arthur Hart, Tyler Patrick, Janice Salgado, Kimberly Pelt, Barbara Coppola, Liz Blais, Tracie Singletary, Jeff Cannon, Dodi Sheffield, Denise Crawford, and Gail Passenier. (Photo by Gerald Brown)

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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