By JIM TURNER
News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE – Hours after the Senate announced Thursday it would delay the release of its budget to align its timing with the House, the House unveiled its spending plan.
The $113.58 billion House proposal would be about $1 billion less than the current budget.
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.
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)
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.
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.
Read More …The longtime War Eagle football coach wants to spend more time with family
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.
Natosha Beard is charged with more than 30 counts of forging
tax returns, pocketing refunds
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.
After 36 years of veterinary medicine, she will retire in July
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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