Staff Report
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the $115 billion state budget last week, and Wakulla County projects that were funded include:
Read More …Two killed in crash at Port Leon, Hwy. 98 near St. Marks
Staff Report
Two Crawfordville women were killed in a July 4th car crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Port Leon Drive, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Around 6:18 p.m., a 50-year-old woman driving a sedan and her 15-year-old passenger appeared to have failed to yield the right-of-way to a pickup truck pulling a trailer and the sedan was T-boned, according to FHP’s report.
Andrew Riddle resigns from posts with county
Staff Report
Andrew Riddle, who has served numerous volunteer positions with the Wakulla County over the past 10 years, announced his resignation as chair of the Wakulla County Planning Commission and other roles at the county commission meeting on June 16 during the citizens to be heard portion of the meeting.
Read More …Cylie Long, Charley Butler named to All-Big Bend
Lady War Eagles softball coach Sally Wheeler named All-Big Bend Softball Coach of the Year
Staff Report
The Lady War Eagles made it all the way to the Final Four for the state championship but fell to the Eustis Panthers back in May.
Three of those Lady War Eagles were recognized for their season: Cylie Long was named All-Big Bend Player of the Year; Charley Butler was named All-Big Bend Pitcher of the Year; and Sally Wheeler was named All-Big Bend Coach of the Year.
Overall, the softball team had a 22-5-1 season.
4-H Teen Fit Camp
By RACHEL PIENTA
Wakulla 4-H
For the second summer, Wakulla 4-H has partnered with Sunchaser Fitness, the UF/IFAS Family Nutrition Program, the Wakulla County Coalition for Youth, and the Florida Center for Prevention Research at Florida State University to offer a pre-teen and teen-focused camp.
Read More …Populations, circuit courts, and plum assignments
By JUDGE J. LAYNE SMITH
Wakulla Circuit Judge
As of June 30, 2025, I have served three years as your circuit judge, and I deeply care about the people of Wakulla County. As I constantly say, it’s my privilege to serve here!
Both Wakulla County and our State are not just growing, but thriving. Every day, more people move into our State and county than move out. No doubt, Wakulla County is a great place to live and raise a family.
Gellis Law holds ribbon cutting
The Wakulla Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting for Sean Gellis Law PLLC on June 12. The law office is located at 2931 Crawfordville Hwy. in Crawfordville. (Photo by Heather Bryan of the Chamber)
KWCB Awards presented
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
There was a big crowd on hand at the community center on Friday night for Keep Wakulla County Beautiful’s award dinner.
Incoming KWCB president Steve Cushman presented his idea of “Just Imagine” – a new focus for the group away from Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to a reduction of waste. “Just stop,” he said. He bemoaned the consumer culture of “Buy now” that produces enormous waste.
Scallop season opened July 1 in Wakulla waters
From FWC News
The 2025 recreational bay scallop season from Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County (including Carrabelle, Lanark and St. Marks) as well as portions of Levy County and all of Citrus and Hernando counties (including Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa) opened July 1 and will remain open through Sept. 24.
The daily bag limit in these areas is 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel per day.
Throughout the season and region-wide, vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit.
Harvest of bay scallops is permitted only by hand or by using a landing or dip net. Commercial harvest is prohibited.
For information on bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops” under the “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish” tab
Although bay scallop season dates can vary by region, regulations do allow the direct and continuous transit of legally harvested bay scallops through closed areas. When transiting, boaters may not stop their vessels in waters that are closed to harvest and instead must proceed directly to the dock or ramp to land scallops in a closed area.
Recreational harvesters need a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest bay scallops unless they are exempt from needing a license or have a no-cost shoreline fishing license and are wading from shore to collect scallops (i.e., feet do not leave the bottom to swim, snorkel, or SCUBA and harvesters do not use a vessel to reach or return from the harvest location).
To purchase a Saltwater Fishing License, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, call toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356), or purchase through the Fish|Hunt FL app on Apple and Android devices.
Boater and scalloper safety
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters to designate an operator who will remain sober to ensure the safety of everyone with them and around them. Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries and consequences. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, the same as in a motor vehicle.
For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boating Regulations,” and select “Boating Under the Influence.”
A few things to remember that will make diving for scallops safe for divers and boaters alike:
When scalloping in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a correctly displayed divers-down flag or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag if on a river, inlet or navigation channel.
Always operate your boat at idle speed when traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag in open water or within 100 feet of a divers-down flag on a river, inlet or navigational channel.
For more information on boating safey, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boating Regulations,” and select “Divers-down Warning Devices.”
Seagrass awareness
It is a violation of Florida law to damage seagrass beds in some areas within state waters. Boaters should stay within the marked navigation channels whenever possible and avoid motoring through seagrass beds in shallow water, which can cause propeller scars. Seagrasses are the principal food for endangered marine animals including manatees and green sea turtles, act as natural filters to help purify the water, and serve as important habitat for a wide variety of marine life, like the bay scallop. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boating Regulations,” and select “Seagrass Awareness.”
Stow it, don’t throw it
Please do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities, such as near boat ramps or swimming areas. Piles of discarded scallop shells can create hazards for swimmers and damage seagrass habitat. Scallop shells can be discarded in a trash receptacle or in larger bodies of water where they are more likely to disperse. Also, don’t forget to stow your trash securely on your vessel so that it doesn’t blow overboard.
