Stephen Smith Regatta is this weekend

This year’s Regatta has special meaning with passing of Wright Finney

Special to The Sun

For the past 52 years, the Stephen C. Smith Memorial Regatta (www.smithregatta.com) has been held at Shell Point Beach in southern Wakulla County for the benefit of the American Cancer Society in memory of Stephen Smith, a local sailor who died from a rare form of leukemia at the age of 29.

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Second judge recuses self from Mike Kemp case

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Circuit Judge Ron Flury recused himself from presiding over the felony case of former County Commissioner Mike Kemp, who faces charges of using a public record to harass and tampering with a witness, both felonies.
While Judge Flury offered no explanation for removing himself from the case, it came two days after Kemp’s attorney, Stephen Webster, filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that there was no attempt to harass or threaten the alleged victim.

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Hazardous Waste and Tire Amnesty Day is held

Tires being unloaded at KWCB’s Hazardous Waste/Tire Amnesty on Saturday.

By TAMMIE NASON
Special to The Sun

Keep Wakulla County Beautiful’s Earth Day Responsible Disposal Event was a resounding success, drawing 389 participants to the Wakulla County Landfill for a day focused on environmental stewardship and community impact.
Held as part of the nationwide Greatest American Cleanup, the event provided residents with a free and convenient way to responsibly dispose of materials that should not be placed in regular household trash. Items collected included aluminum cans, plastic bags, household hazardous waste, off-rim tires, and sensitive documents for shredding.

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The Old Pro: Spring has sprung, it’s time to go fishing

By AL HARTMAN

Hope you all are doing well. There’s a lot going on.
If you haven’t got your turkey yet there’s still some time. Season closes April 26. Where I’ve been going for years turkeys have just disappeared. Foxes, raccoons, coyotes and Florida panthers have wiped them out. Hope your area is holding some.
So time to fish. They are really out there right now. Big trout and big reds are a plenty. Keeper trout are tight, but a few nice ones pop up here and there.
I tried something I heard about that will catch nice reds. I heard that they eat small snakes. So I went to my freshwater tackle box and grabbed a pack of long black rubber bass worms. It works. Not as well as a small or a chunk of a blue crab or surf crabs, but it works.

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Library holds a Dr. Seuss-themed open house

Tyson Folsom gets popcorn with Miss Wakullas Lynley and Avyn Bryan.

Story & Photos By
LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

The Wakulla County Public Library hosted a Dr. Seuss themed Spring Open House and Community Partner Fair on Saturday, April 18.
Children enjoyed crafts, story time, face painting, interactive games such as Ring the Gack, The Green Eggs and Ham Race and Hop on Pop Scotch and Story Time. Guests also had opportunities to explore the library, meet the staff and sign up for a library card while enjoying grilled hot dogs, chips and a drink.

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Gulf Specimen fundraiser Mermaids and Mimosas

Friends Jacqui Morris and Sam Samford at Mermaids and Mimosas.

Story & Photos By
LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab held its 3rd annual Mermaid and Mimosas fundraiser on Sunday, April 19th to raise funds for the aquarium and to support the Sea Turtle Hospital expansion.
GSML is a non-profit marine research and education organization and public aquarium in Panacea.

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