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.
By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent
After being discovered on social media for his musical talent, Wakulla native Madden Metcalf has signed a record deal with Freddy Wexler, a Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer, and MCA Records.
Metcalf’s first single, “IDWK” came out in November 2025. Metcalf released his next single, “Like My Hometown” on Jan. 26th. Metcalf has been playing guitar and singing since he was 7 years old.
Serenity Holcomb – 5th grader at Crawfordville Elementary
Principal: Alana Crawford.
Achievements/Reason for Nomination: Serenity is a 5th grade student here at Crawfordville Elementary School. While she has not been with us long, she has already made quite the impression. Currently she is leading the school with 3,401,710 words read! She has worked incredibly hard and earned all A’s throughout the entire school year. Serenity’s teachers say that she is an outstanding 5th-grade student who always goes above and beyond in everything she does. Serenity is kind and respectful to others. She consistently gives her best effort and leads by example. Her dedication is clear in her incredible achievement of reading over 3 million words, showing both her strong work ethic and love of learning.
By WINDY JONES
Coach
The WHS Girls Weightlifting team competed in the District Championship Saturday, January 24th at Arnold High School. Several lifters received medals and ribbons, and advanced to the Regional Championship.
Read More …
Wakulla War Eagle strong safety Andrew Nelson signed a scholarship on National Signing Day, Wednesday, Feb. 4, with the Missouri S&T Miners, a Division II team in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Head Coach Scott Klees praised Nelson and the support of his family. Nelson said he chose Missouri S&T because he will get a great education at school and play for a great football team. He is the 106th player from Wakulla under Coach Klees to get a football scholarship.
By JOSHUA PRATER
Special to The Sun
“I don’t know what to do,” the 17-year-old boy muttered over the phone. “I know that I don’t feel safe, but I don’t know how I’ll live without her.”
I was familiar with the young caller and knew he lives with bipolar disorder. This was not his first time calling MRT; he called frequently at night, but this time was noticeably different.
Through the boy’s fear-filled voice, I knew he needed someone to talk to, someone he could trust. That’s my role as a Mobile Response Team (MRT) counselor for Apalachee Center.
By WALT JACOBS
Correspondent
The Wakulla wrestling team closed out their regular season at the Ippolito Memorial Tournament held at Brandon High School. The War Eagles had a strong showing despite missing four wrestlers from their roster. No. 9 Brandon (2A) won the tournament with 274.5 points, followed by No. 7 Harmony (3A) with 200 points, No. 7 Aubrey Rogers (1A) in third, with 183 points, and Wakulla with 182.5 points for a fourth place finish.
Read More …After 25 years, the Opry will no longer have regular shows
Story By
LINDA ANN McDONALD
Photos by
GERALD BROWN
The Sopchoppy Opry performed its last scheduled performance to a huge audience in the Historic Sopchoppy High School Auditorium, on Saturday, January 30th, proving it will always be “The little Opry that could.”
After almost 26 years and over 300 shows later, the Sopchoppy Opry is no longer maintaining its last Saturday of the month scheduled performances.
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