WEEKLY ROUNDUP: State budget in limb0
By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE– Gov. Ron DeSantis still isn’t fully on board with cutting the state gas tax to counter mounting fuel prices.
But as legislative budget leaders head into the Memorial Day weekend having spent the past week of the special session quietly behind closed doors, DeSantis said Friday he’d sign a tax package that includes a reduction in the state’s 22-cent-a-gallon gas tax.
“If they put it in the tax package, I’ll happily sign it,” DeSantis said during a bill signing event in Jacksonville.
One charge against Kemp dismissed
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
The judge presiding over the criminal case of former county commissioner Mike Kemp dismissed one of two felony charges against him for using a public identification to harass.
The case stemmed from the posting on Facebook of a person that Kemp and Wakulla Citizens Page Administrator Becky Whaley was behind the “Thunder Lightening” (sic) Facebook account that was a frequent online critic of both Kemp and Whaley.
Leadership Wakulla
GRADUATION FOR CHAMBER CLASS
The second class of Leadership Wakulla graduated in a ceremony held on Tuesday, May 12 at the community center. The program is designed to teach a group about what’s going on in the county, from tourism to education to the justice system and more. This year’s graduates were James Lewis, Molly Jones BoWell, Alex Gonzalez, Kaitlyn Wilson, Kellie Wilsey, Novella L. Franklin, Samatha Kennedy, Tina Torrance and Tina Messer. (Photo by William Snowden)
R.F. Crum files lawsuit against Wakulla County
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
Panacea businessman Ronald Fred Crum filed a lawsuit in circuit court against Wakulla County over a disputed title for coastal property in Panacea that he wants to develop as an upscale fishing enclave.
Read More …Lady War Eagles headed to state semi-final
Staff Report
The Wakulla High School Lady War Eagles are in the Final Four after a walloping of Paxon 13-2 on Thursday, May 14.
Read More …Makena Glassner – 8th grader at Riversprings Middle School
Principal: Josh Sandgren
Achievements/Reason for Nomination: Makena is an exceptional student who consistently earns top marks in advanced coursework and demonstrates excellence in the school’s band program. In addition to her academic and extracurricular achievements, she has gone above and beyond by dedicating her time to tutoring fellow students in science. Through one-on-one support and encouragement, Makena has worked diligently to help her classmates better understand key scientific concepts in preparation for the 8th grade science assessment. Her leadership, commitment, and willingness to help others make her truly deserving of recognition as Student of the Week.
From the notebook: The passing of Mark Wallheiser, stolen flowers
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
It is with much sadness that we note the passing of photographer extraordinaire and friend of this newspaper Mark Wallheiser.
A longtime photographer at the Tallahassee Democrat, Wallheiser had an exceptional skill to take photos that told stories.
4-H FLOW elects leaders
Special to The Sun
The Future Leaders of Wakulla (FLOW) Club has announced its newly elected officers for the 2026–2027 club year, continuing to build momentum as a youth leadership organization that brings together young people from across Wakulla County.
Read More …Ducks Unlimited scholarship
Special to The Sun
On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Ducks Unlimited announced the recipients of its 2026 National Scholarship Program. Applications were reviewed by a volunteer selection committee appointed by the Advisory Senior Vice President to the National Youth Engagement Committee.
Read More …
