The Wakulla War Eagles lose to Godby ews See Page 1B nOur 117th Year, 46th Issue Published Weekly, Read Daily Two Sections Thursday, November 29, 2012 Serving Wakullak ll County For More Thanh A Century 75 Cents Paramedic Operation Santa killed in motorcycle crash Staff report A traffi c crash around 12:40 a.m. on Wednes- day, Nov. 21, claimed the life of a Wakulla County paramedic, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Marshall Wal- lace Bradford, 35, of Crawfordville, was on his Har- ley Sportster mo- torcycle traveling northbound on U.S Highway 319 near Hill Greene Road when he drove onto the JENNIFER JENSEN grass shoulder Pews at the community center are stacked with items as volunteers help sort donations for Operation Santa. and struck a tree. He died at the scene, according Annual eff ort underway to help needy Wakulla families to the FHP. Marshall Wallace According to Bradford By JENNIFER JENSEN or monetary donations or volunteer their to families who would otherwise go the traffi c report, [email protected] time to help a great cause. without this holiday season. Bradford was not wearing a helmet and it was So far, 192 families have been identi- The families are referred by the school believed that alcohol was involved. With two weeks left until gifts are dis- fi ed, according to Layne Davis, Operation district, senior center, Refuge House, The Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office and tributed to families in need in Wakulla Santa volunteer. This equates to 642 the health department, area churches, Wakulla County Emergency Medical Services County through Operation Santa, volun- people. Last year, 141 families were Apalachee Center and others. assisted FHP. teers or “elves” are working overtime to helped. Out of these 642 people, 474 have Many of those who have been re- Bradford worked for Wakulla County EMS as get everything done. been adopted. ferred to the coalition are the working a paramedic and was promoted to captain earlier The Wakulla County Community Cen- The stories they hear are heart poor, she said. “Trying to manage in this this month after competing against three other ter, at the intersection of Trice Lane and wrenching, said Gail Campbell, executive economy,” she added. paramedics, said Wakulla Fire and Rescue Director Shadeville Road, serves as a command director of Wakulla County Coalition for Continued on Page 2A Chief Michael Morgan. center for the program and is the place Youth, the group behind the program Continued on Page 2A where people can drop off needed items which provides basic needs and wishes OBITUARIES Marshall Wallace Bradford James B. O’Bryan Richard A. Seyboth INDEX Public Notices ................................................................. Page 3A The Opinion Page ........................................................... Page 4A Church............................................................................. Page 6A Obituaries ....................................................................... Page 7A Community ..................................................................... Page 8A School ............................................................................. Page 9A Whooping cranes arrive Outdoors ...................................................................... Page 10A Water Ways ...................................................................Page 11A News Extra!.....................................................................Page 12A in SSt.t. Marks Sheriff’s Report ............................................................. Page 14A Sports ..............................................................................Page 1B A group of endangered whooping cranes fl ew over St. A group of endangered whooping cranes fl ew over St. Week in Wakulla ..............................................................Page 3B Marks on Saturday morning on their way to the St. Marks In the Huddle ...................................................................Page 5B National Wildlife Refuge. Thinking Outside the Book ..............................................Page 6B See story on Page 7A. Classifi eds ........................................................................Page 7B Legal Notices ...................................................................Page 7B Comics ...........................................................................Page 10B PHOTO BY MELISSA STARBUCK/SPECIAL TO THE NEWS Puzzles ...........................................................................Page 11B Christmas in Panacea is this Saturday By JENNIFER JENSEN holiday season. [email protected] “This community was Citrus to be struggling, spirits were not After the community high,” said resident Sher- given away was devastated by Hur- rie Posey Miller. “Many ricane Dennis in 2005, residents were left deal- this year people in Panacea were ing with the effects of By JENNIFER JENSEN looking for a way to bring Hurricane Dennis even some joy back into the as the holiday season ap- [email protected] proached.” Many in the community Something a little dif- were not going to be able ferent this year at Christ- to even afford buying a mas in Panacea is the Christmas tree. free citrus that will be After hearing this, given out to the children, members of Panacea Wa- along with candy canes. terfronts decided they Sherrie Posey Miller needed to do something. of Panacea Waterfronts, And so was the start of the group behind the the Christmas in Panacea celebration, said it was celebration. an idea brought forward “The Waterfronts com- by Ronald Fred Crum, munity thought of an idea FILE PHOTO another member of Pan- that would allow everyone A parade fl oat in last year’s boats on trailers parade for Christmas in Panacea. in the community to enjoy acea Waterfronts, who the warm feeling of sit- said it was something ting around a beautifully The boat on trailer pa- Along with the events dren’s activities, hay ride, people did years ago decorated Christmas tree,” rade down U.S. Highway scheduled, many areas story teller, free refresh- and he wanted to see Miller said. 98 begins at 6:30 p.m. businesses and homeown- ments and caroling. if they could start it in The event begins around Following the parade, ers decorate their homes “We want everyone to Panacea. 2 p.m. with a Christmas the community gathers for and storefronts for the come and join us and There will be 30 cases Marketplace featuring local the lighting of the 20-foot celebration. enjoy these events, every- of citrus given out at the arts and crafts in Panacea. Christmas tree, which is In addition, Santa will thing is free,” Miller said. event. Then at 4 p.m. there is live donated by Waterfronts also be in town. There will For more information, entertainment. every year. also be face painting, chil- contact Miller at 528-1527. Continued on Page 2A Page 2A – THE WAKULLA NEWS, Thursday, November 29, 2012 www.thewakullanews.com Operation Santa helps needy families Continued on Page 2A said. By the numbers: She encouraged groups There are also numerous and co-workers to get to- single parents, grandpar- Operation Santa gether to adopt a family. ents taking care of their If people are unable to grandchildren, unemployed donate items or adopt a people and those who are family, they can donate their disabled. 192 time, Davis said. Many of the things be- Number of “There’s something for ing asked for from these everybody to do,” Davis families are basic needs, families who said. including household items, have applied She suggested parents toiletries, winter coats and for help volunteer with their chil- food. dren to teach them about One person asked for a service work and those kitchen table so her chil- who are less fortunate than dren didn’t have to eat their themselves. meals on a sheet on the 642 “There’s people out there fl oor, Davis said. Number of who don’t even have Christ- “People who are coming individuals in mas lists,” Davis said. to us don’t know how they those families Or there are adults who are going to feed their kids put down a Christmas wish on Christmas,” she said. seeking help for themselves that is truly PHOTOS BY WILLIAM SNOWDEN “You just can’t help but open intended for their children, up your heart to them.” having to sleep on the fl oor, such as a baby blanket, she President of the coalition while another asked for a said. New superintendent sworn Bruce Ashley said many couch so her six children Donations can be dropped people are also asking for could have a place to sit off at the Community Cen- help with their medical ter Monday through Friday OATH ADMINISTERED: Bobby Pearce was sworn-in as Superintendent of Schools on in their living room, Davis needs and food. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, by retiring Superintendent David Miller. Pearce’s wife held the Bible said. “We know there are food Families will be notifi ed as his children looked on. There have also been defi ciencies in many house- numerous requests for hair- on or before Dec. 1, with holds in this county,” Ashley cuts. As well as help with confi rmation of acceptance said. handiwork, many which are into the program. Operation The group is asking peo- safety issues. Santa is coordinating with ple in the community to People they have spoken the Salvation Army, Christ- consider adopting a family. to have also asked for help mas Connection and area “Adoptions are No. 1,” with their utility bills and churches to ensure there is Campbell said. rent. In those cases, Op- no overlap and more fami- They are also