Healthy CEO Compensation Revealed Tallahassee Reports
$3.7M CEO Payout, Nurses Frustrated with 3% Raises
During the last city commission meeting, City Commissioner Jack Porter voted against a $625,000 federal law enforcement grant. P1
A review of tax documents has discovered that Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare CEO Mark O’Bryant received $3.7 million in compensation in 2021. P1
James Timothy “Tim” Moore Sr., 74, former Commissioner of the FDLE and a legendary figure and icon in the Florida law enforcement community, passed away on November 26, 2025. P4
Despite the year-todate declines, over the last three months violent crime incidents related to assaults are up 48% when compared to the same three-month period in 2024. P4
Florida Department of Revenue data shows that consumer spending in Leon County was up 2.0% in September. P9
A divided federal appeals court Tuesday ruled that Florida can begin enforcing a 2024 law aimed at preventing children from having access to certain social-media platforms. P10
Local Sports: TR's best Leon County high school golfers for the 2025-26 school year. P11
TSC Responds to State Audit
By Casey Dryer, FSU
The Florida Auditor General’s office issued the operational audit report for Tallahassee State College (TSC), pointing out concerns such as financial oversight and transparency. The report, covering the 2024 calendar year, revealed several weaknesses. Although TSC has already started working on these issues, they disagree with one of them.
The first concern was that the office identified a severe weakness in financial reconciliation, noting that they were often incomplete or inaccurate. This pertains to the compari -
By Steve Stewart
A review of tax documents has discovered that Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare CEO Mark O’Bryant received $3.7 million in compensation in 2021. This finding follows a TR report revealing $3.1 million in compensation for O’Bryant in 2024.
Over the last five years, O’Bryant has received $11.6 million in compensation for an annual average of $2.3 million. This average is higher than the annual compensation of hospital CEO’s at Shands in Gainesville, Tampa General Hospital and Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
The compensation for high level officials has become an issue during the negotiations
between FSU and TMH related to the academic medical center. In May of this year, the Tallahassee Democrat published an article on the issue. In that article, it was noted that TMH officials declined to
disclose O’Bryant’s 2025 compensation.
Confusing Answer
The level of compensation and the response from TMH explaining the increase in the 2024
State Gets OK to Enforce Social Media Law
By Jim Saunders The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — A divided federal appeals court Tuesday ruled that Florida can begin enforcing a 2024 law aimed at preventing children from having access to certain socialmedia platforms, rejecting arguments that the measure violates First Amendment rights.
A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, granted the state’s request for a stay of a preliminary injunction that U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued in June to block the law (HB 3). Tuesday’s decision means the state can enforce the law while a legal battle continues to play out — with Attorney General James Uthmeier quickly posting on X that “HB 3 is now the law of the state and will be enforced.”
The law prevents children under age 14 from opening accounts on certain platforms — which court documents indicate could include platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and YouTube. Parents would have to give consent for 14and 15-year-olds to have accounts on the platforms.
Supporters of the law, one of the biggest issues of the 2024 legislative session, contend that the targeted platforms have addictive features that harm children’s mental health. The majority of the appeals-court panel rejected Walker’s conclusion that the law likely violated the First Amend-
compensation ($3.1 million) when compared to the 2023 compensation ($1.8 million) is not consistent with numbers provided in IRS tax documents.
When TR reported the 2024 compensa-
ment.
“Rather than blocking children from accessing social media altogether, HB 3 simply prevents them from creating accounts on platforms that employ addictive features,” Judge Elizabeth Branch wrote in the 26-page majority opinion joined by Judge Barbara Lagoa. “And even among such platforms, the law narrows its focus to those that have evidenced significant usage by children and young teens. The district court erred in holding otherwise.”
But Judge Robin Rosenbaum, in a 29-page dissent, called the law “plainly unconstitutional on its face” and said it also will affect adults, who will be subject to age verification to have accounts on the targeted platforms.
“As it’s written, the act purports to regulate the speech of everyone who uses the covered social media websites,” Rosenbaum wrote. “For minors, it acts as a categorical ban on speech (and access to speech) on covered social media platforms.
By Steve Stewart
tion of $3.1 million, TMH Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Stephanie Derzypolski said the compensation included “a one-time payout from an enhanced retirement plan.” (This
During the last city commission meeting, City Commissioner Jack Porter, saying hiring more police officers will not impact crime, voted against a consent item from the city’s consent agenda related to a $625,000 federal grant awarded to the city to aid in funding police officer salaries to address violent crime. The final was 4-1, in support of the grant.
Consent items are issues that staff believes are non-controversial and are included as one agenda item for the purpose of voting. However, elected officials are allowed to pull items from the agenda for discussion.
Porter pulled the item and stated she believed that hiring more police officers did not impact crime.
Porter’s position that hiring more police officers will not impact crime was criticized on social media in a video post viewed by over 40,000 people. Even progressive colleague, Commissioner Jeremy Matlow who is running for mayor, voted
TMH refused to provide current compensation information for CEO.
By Staff
Big Bend Cares, a nonprofit celebrating 40 years of providing health care, housing and supportive services throughout the Big Bend, announced on December 1 that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos are recognizing the organization with a $5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. This investment is the largest private gift in the nonprofit’s history.
Big Bend Cares is part of the eighth annual cohort of organizations across the country receiving funding from the Day 1 Families Fund to deepen their work to help every family have a safe, stable place to call home.
“This investment from the Day 1 Families Fund allows Big Bend Cares to do what our community has needed for far too long: create real, lasting housing solutions for families,” said Amber R. Tynan, CEO of Big Bend Cares. “For decades we’ve believed that housing is critical healthcare. With this support, we can ensure families have both the stability and the wraparound care they need to thrive, building a healthier and more resilient Big Bend.”
Big Bend Cares will use its Day 1 Families Fund grant to serve even more families experiencing home-
Community News
lessness in Big Bend, with the goal of ensuring no child in our community sleeps outside.
Specifically, Big Bend Cares plans to use this one-time grant over the next five years to help families living in shelters, hotels, cars or outdoors with their transition to safe, affordable housing, long-term stability and better health.
Big Bend Cares was identified to receive this grant by a group of national advisors who are leading advocates and bring expertise on homelessness, housing policy and effective approaches and solutions to family homelessness.
“This transformational investment reinforces Big Bend Cares’ long-standing commitment to meeting people where they are,” said Amy Thorn, president of the Big Bend Cares Board of Directors. “For decades, this organization has stepped up to fill critical gaps in care, and this new program is no exception. By pairing housing with health care, we are ensuring that families in our region not only have a safe place to live but also the support they need to build stronger, healthier futures.”
Since its inception in 2018, the Day 1 Families Fund has awarded 280 grants totaling more than $850 million
Lake Street Dive Joins Leon County Spring Concert Lineup
Leon County Government recently announced Lake Street Dive will perform at the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park on Thursday, April 23, 2026. This performance adds another highlight to an already vibrant spring lineup of concerts, including TOTO and Earth, Wind & Fire in partnership with Word of South Festival. Tickets for Lake Street Dive go on sale Friday, December 5, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Formed at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Lake Street Dive pushes the boundaries of pop music with a bold blend of soul, folk, jazz and R&B. Touring in support of its Grammy-nominated album “Good Together,” the five-piece band delivers a show built on “joyful rebel
Big Bend Cares Receives $5M Grant from Bezos “Families Fund” WE CONQUER ALL PEAKS
two-decade career, featuring new anthems like “Dance with a Stranger” alongside chart-topping favorites “Good Kisser,” “Hypotheticals,” and “Bad Self Portraits.”
Ticket Information (including all taxes and fees): General Admission: $64, P2 Reserved Seating: $88, and P1 Reserved Seating: $99.
For tickets or more information on
to organizations serving families in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.
The Day 1 Families Fund grant recipients have tremendous flexibility to use the funds in the ways that are most impactful in their communities, making the grant a game-changer for organizations on the frontlines of the family homelessness crisis. Recipients will use their funds to support families experiencing homelessness to access critical services, regain stable housing and achieve well-being.
This year, the Fund issued a total of $102.5 million in grants to 32 organizations. The full list of awardees is available at https://bezosdayonefund. org/day1familiesfund. Case studies of the impact selected grantees have made with their funds are available at https://www.bezosdayonefund.org/ case-studies.
About Big Bend Cares
Big Bend Cares provides a range of health care, housing and supportive services to residents of our eightcounty area. Big Bend Cares is also the local HIV Lead Agency, a provider of HIV prevention and testing services and the operator of a full-service clinic called Care Point Health & Wellness. Care Point provides primary care,
dentistry, lab work, pharmacy and radiology to the community at large and has special programs to assist lowincome uninsured residents.
Our housing programs range from rapid rehousing, long-term tenantbased rental assistance, general housing assistance, and supportive services linking people to employment, benefits and educational programs. We specialize in homeless prevention as well as assisting people who are exiting homelessness. Supportive services offered range from assistance with food, helping with medical expenses, providing medical transportation and more.
About the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund
Through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos issue annual leadership awards to organizations doing compassionate, needle-moving work to help families experiencing homelessness. For more information, visit www.BezosDayOneFund.org/Day1FamiliesFund.
Dec 13-14 2025
Each year, families celebrate the holiday season by dressing up and sharing the enchantment of the most beloved ballet in America and around the world. Watch as dancers leap across the stage in Kathryn Karrh Cashin’s breathtaking choreography (set by Katy E. Cashin) under the artistic direction of Meagan Helman. The orchestra is under the direction of Dr. Alexander Jiménez, a dynamic conductor who has led ensembles across the globe. With The Tallahassee Ballet’s dazzling costumes and storybook sets, audiences are transported into a timeless holiday adventure where snowflakes shimmer, soldiers march, and the Sugar Plum Fairy reigns. The Nutcracker is a treasured experience that brings joy to children, parents, and grandparents alike.
Ruby Diamond Concert Hall - FSU, Phone: (850) 224-6917
Email: Jenny@TallahasseeBallet.org
Website: https://www.tallahasseeballet.org/nutcracker
Community News
Cotterell, an ‘Institution’ in Political Coverage, Dies
By Jim Saunders & Dara Kam
The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Bill Cotterell, a reporter and columnist who covered Florida government and politics for more than four decades with a blend of doggedness and humor, died Monday as he tried to recover at a rehabilitation center from norovirus and a bleeding ulcer.
Cotterell, 82, who for the past two years wrote a once-a-week column for The News Service of Florida that was distributed statewide, was a newshound. He could be curmudgeonly and sometimes wasn’t politically correct. But he also stood behind the First Amendment and tried to tell the truth about what was happening in government.
Mac Stipanovich, a longtime Republican political operative and lobbyist who was a friend of Cotterell, told the News Service on Monday that Cotterell “was an institution in Tallahassee political coverage.”
“I never detected bias in anything Bill wrote and never had a reason to complain about his work, other than, like I said, he just insisted on telling the truth, which can be damned annoying,” Stipanovich said. “There’s not that many people like Bill Cotterell left in my life and I’m sorry to lose him.”
Cotterell, who grew up in Miami and served in the U.S. Marine Corps after high school, was inducted into the Florida Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2017.
After starting out as a copy clerk at The Miami Herald, he became a reporter for the United Press Interna-
tional wire service in 1967. Cotterell worked in Tallahassee from 1969 to 1974 for UPI before returning in 1984, according to information on the hall of fame website. A year later, Cotterell began a 27-year stint with the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper.
During that period, Cotterell became a go-to source for news about state employees and agencies — a big issue in a government town. While he retired in 2012, Cotterell never really stepped away from the keyboard, as he continued to write columns, including the past two years for the News Service.
In July, Cotterell received a firstplace award for his columns in the Florida Society of News Editors’ annual journalism contest. And while in the rehab center last week, Cotterell was still writing and sending emails to an editor.
“He loved his family and his son and his seven grandchildren, and they made his life very busy and very complete,” his wife, Cynthia Fuller, told the USA TODAY-NETWORKFlorida on Monday. “I’m gonna miss him. He was a journalist who believed in the facts, not the alternative facts. He was very strong and believed in the ethics of true journalism. And if he had opinions, they were in his opinion column.”
In a social-media post Monday, former Gov. Jeb Bush offered condolences.
“Very sorry to hear of Bill Cotterell’s passing,” Bush wrote. “I enjoyed many conversations with him during my time running and serving as governor. He was smart, professional and never
afraid to challenge us. A true old school newsman! Columba and I send our condolences to Bill’s family.”
Cotterell had a knack for telling sometimes-not-pleasant truths about politics while also adding a dash of humor. As an example, in a column this month, he wrote that redistricting “is about winning, not representation.”
“Some well-meaning reformers won approval for a pair of ‘Fair Districts’ constitutional amendments in 2010, requiring Florida lawmakers to draw legislative and congressional boundaries honestly, but the decisions are still made by elected politicians with party loyalties and self interests,” he wrote. “Which is like sending lettuce by rabbit. The politicians still pick their people, instead of the other way around.”
Cotterell was willing to challenge the positions of liberals and conservatives. In a July column, for instance, he wrote that opposing transgender women participating in female sports was a “winning” political position for Attorney General James Uthmeier.
“The laws and individual cases can be thrashed out in courts and legislative committee rooms, but voters seem to have made up their minds on this stuff,” Cotterell wrote. “Gender identity is what some campaign consultants call, at best, an 80/20 issue. Do Democrats really want to bet a statewide campaign on the side that has maybe — maybe — 20 percent public support?”
Charlie and Tonya Ward Host Groundbreaking
Ground-breaking for the first phase of Charlie and Tonja Ward’s Champions Ranch in south Tallahassee took place on Monday, Dec. 1. The Ranch is a one stop shop for athletics, education, wellness, performing arts and life skills, and the goal is to cultivate lifelong champions.
The Marching 100 from Florida A&M University –where Charlie Ward is now the head basketball coach – got the ceremony off to a festive start.
Also, in attendance were elected officials, which included Florida Rep. Allison
Tant, Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey and Leon County Commissioners Christian Caban and Carolyn Cummings. Ward’s wife Tonja welcomed the crowd, which numbered in the hundreds.
“We are excited about breaking ground on the first multi-sport field for the Charlie Ward Champions Ranch and the Champions Cafe, powered by Centennial Bank…” Charlie Ward said it’s not only the large corporate donors, but the many small contributions that have so far helped raised more than $9
million for the ranch.
“And to our small group friends and mentors and the people who believed in this dream at every stage, you laid the foundation for today.”
Ward stated that the immediate goal is to reach $11 million by the end of the year which will allow for the phase1 construction to begin. Phase 1 includes the 93,000 square-foot multi-sport field and Champions Cafe.
“Probably this time next year, we should be cutting a ribbon and having kids come out to play,” Ward said.
“Once complete, the state-
But in an August column, Cotterell criticized the state for painting over rainbow-colored crosswalks, writing that “what’s really going on here is state government’s long-running hostility toward gay people.”
“It goes back about 75 years to the old Charley Johns committee, which ran a witch-hunt on state college campuses, and continues right up to the DeSantis administration’s parentalrights-in-education (dubbed ‘Don’t Say Gay’) law,” Cotterell wrote.
Cotterell and Stipanovich were among a group of men who met every other week in Tallahassee to swap stories and catch up on the latest news. The informal club was dubbed the “Geezer Lunch Bunch.”
The veteran newsman “was a cut above his peers, in my judgment,” Stipanovich said.
“More than that, he was a good friend who you could always count on if you needed anything, including the truth, even when you didn’t want to hear it,” Stipanovich said.
for the Champions Ranch
of-the art sport and recreational complex with components including recreation fields and courts, gymnasiums, golf activities, meetings/conference rooms, event space, cafes, training facilities, a retreat center and lodging. The facility will also include passive recreation such as parks and walking trails and open space. The plan is for the project to be fully built
out in 10 to 15 years, with phases 1 and 2 completed within the next five years.
Violent Crime Continues to Increase, YTD Incidents Still Down
By Steve Stewart
Through November, crime incident data published daily by the Tallahassee Police Department shows that total crime incidents have declined by 24.9% when compared to incident data from January thru November in 2024. The drop was driven by a 42.9% decline in commercial burglaries and a 31.5% decline auto related crime incidents.
Despite the year-to-date declines, over the last three months violent crime incidents related to assaults are up 48% when compared to the same three-month period in 2024. During this period in 2024 there were 155 reported assaults, compared to 230 as-
YTD
saults in 2025.
The YTD Numbers
The incident data -tabulated by TR – show that property crime incidents are down 30.0% and violent crime incidents are down 12.8% during the 11-month period.
Property crimes encompass burglaries, thefts, and incidents of vandalism. Violent
incidents include aggravated assaults, armed robberies, and physical altercations.
A look at specific crimes (see table below) reveals the decrease in property crime was driven by a 42.9% decrease in commercial burglaries and a 3.15% decrease the Auto Burglary & Theft category – which accounts for approximately 55% of all
property crime. The violent crime data shows that robbery incidents were down 13.2% while assault & battery incidents were down 10.6%.
Fatal Shootings
During this 11-month pe-
Comparisons
riod, there have been 18 fatal shootings in 2025, compared to 26 fatal shooting deaths in 2024. The annual rate of shooting deaths has been trending down since May 2024 when the number of deaths reached 32.
Nurses Struggle as TMH CEO Receives Healthy Compensation
TMH, From Front Page
enhanced retirement plan is in addition to O’Bryant’s 457(F) retirement plan maintained by TMH.)
However, a tax document shows O’Bryant received another “one-time payout from an enhanced retirement plan” of $2.4 million in 2021 making the total 2021 compensation $3.7 million.
The IRS Form 990 labels the “enhanced retirement plan” monies as “other reportable compensation” in a category called “supplemental nonqualified retirement plan.”
The IRS defines a “supplemental nonqualified retirement plan” as a plan that is not generally available to all employees. These plans are typically used to supplement an employee’s qualified plan or serve as an additional compensation tool for highly compensated individuals.
Compensation Comparison
Over the last five years (2020-2024), O’Bryant has received $11.6 million in compensation for an average
annual compensation of $2.3 million. For the same period, this is higher than the average CEO compensation at Shands ($1.83 million), Tampa General Hospital ($1.98 million), and Lakeland Regional Medical Center ($1.8 million). All available compensation numbers were calculated using the same IRS Form 990 reporting categories, including “other reportable compensation.”
For comparison purposes, the 2024 annual revenue for the hospitals in the comparison were TMH – $1.0 billion, Shands $2.3 billion, Tampa General Hospital – $3.1 billion, and Lakeland Regional Medical Center $1.3 billion.
TMH Responds to Social Media Reaction
On Facebook, the article was viewed approximately 80,000 times with over 340 comments. TMH Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Stephanie Derzypolski joined the comment thread and provided answers to a number of comments.
On the level of compensation, Derzypolski replied, "His salary is in line with healthcare systems of similar size and complexity. And, this article is misleading because it combines a one-time retirementrelated payout and a deferred compensation distribution
(earned over 16 years) with an annual salary to suggest an inflated yearly compensation figure.”
"The 2021 payment was deferred compensation: not a bonus, a raise, or a retirement benefit. It was actual earned wages....compensation the CEO earned between 2004 and 2020 that he elected to defer and take as a one-time lumpsum distribution in 2021. This was not an increase in his annual salary."
"The 2024 payment was a retirement-related benefit (a 457F enhanced retirement plan) that pays out at or near retirement which coincides with his 20 years of service to TMH. Again, not an increase in his annual salary."
Several comments addressed the CEO compensation related to the 3% raises that nurses and other employees recently received.
Derzypolski replied, "I understand why seeing a large number can feel frustrating — I received the same 3% raise, so I get that perspective.
What’s important to know is that the 2021 amount wasn’t a raise or a bonus. It was compensation he earned between 2004 and 2020 that he voluntarily set aside to receive later. And the 2023 amount was a one-time payout tied to his 20 years of service and retirement-related benefits. Those figures aren’t part of his ongoing annual salary."
Comments also addressed contract staffing at TMH.
Derzypolski replied, "80% of our medical staff are definitely not on contract. Medical staff are our physicians and APRNs, PAs, etc. We have rarely used Locum Tenens. Are you referring to nurses? We do have some that are contract, but that is also a relatively small number. And, thankfully, our ER waiting times have been largely addressed. It doesn't mean people may not have a wait when things are busy, but we implemented a new system several years ago that have greatly improved our wait times."
Obituary: Tim Moore, Former FDLE Commissioner, Dies at 74
By Steve Stewart
James Timothy “Tim” Moore Sr., 74, former Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and a legendary figure and icon in the Florida law enforcement community, passed away on November 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 20, 1950, in Hartford, Alabama, Tim was the son of the late James and Lucille Moore. In addition to his parents, Tim was preceded in death by his beloved son James Tyler Moore and his sister Dianne Owen.
Tim is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Mary Ann; his devoted son, James Timothy “Tim” Moore Jr., daughter-in-law, Ashley, and their three daughters— Madeline Tyler, Mary Claire Elizabeth, and Molly Katherine—all of Tallahassee. He is also survived by his stepmother, Helen Harris Moore; brother-in-law, Jempsey Owen; niece, Jamie Edwards and her husband, Cody; and nephew, Todd Christopher Owen and his wife, Jassiel, all of Bonifay, Florida; his sisterin-law Paulette Stogner and her husband, Shelton; brother-in-law, Bill Pigott, and his wife, Doris, all of Tylertown, Mississippi; his niece, Paula Morris and her husband, William, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; his niece, Susan Pigott of Petal Mississippi; his nephew, Paul Pigott, and wife, Jessica, of Sioux Falls North Dakota. And a host of muchloved cousins. For all his professional accomplishments, Tim’s heart was firmly rooted in his family. His wife, Mary Ann, was the center of his world.
He was a devoted and deeply loving father to his sons, Tim Jr. and Tyler. The pride he felt for Tim Jr.’s achievements could fill volumes, and the loss of Tyler in 2011 marked him forever in ways he rarely spoke about but always carried with quiet, unmistakable strength. Those who knew Tim saw how completely he poured himself into the people he loved: the gentle way he listened, the steadiness he offered in moments of crisis, the humor he used to ease hard days, and the fierce loyalty that made his family feel cherished and protected. Even in his busiest years, his family remained his truest calling and greatest joy. The family is grateful to be blessed with cherished memories of Tim as a husband, father, and grandfather that will be etched in their hearts and minds forever.
Tim spent his life making Florida a safer, better place— quietly, relentlessly, and with the full weight of his integrity behind every decision. His legacy endures in the people he protected, the colleagues he shaped, and the countless Floridians whose lives were made safer because he chose a life of service.
Tim dedicated more than 30 years of distinguished service to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). In his early years with FDLE, Tim worked in the mailroom and coded fingerprints on the graveyard shift while in college. His colleagues would often quip about his dress code of suits and ties while in these positions. Good-naturedly, Tim would say, “Dress for the position you want.” Eventually, Tim’s determination—
aided by generous doses of good fortune—resulted in him being appointed as the Commissioner. From 1988 to 2003, he served as the longest-tenured Commissioner in the agency’s history, appointed by and serving under three Florida Governors and many Florida Cabinet Members. Throughout his nearly 16 years as Commissioner, he guided FDLE through statewide crime challenges, major criminal justice advancements, and significant organizational growth. Under his leadership, FDLE’s budget and workforce more than doubled, and the agency expanded facilities statewide, including a new Tallahassee headquarters and multiple Regional Operations Centers and Crime Laboratories. The core values he championed— Service, Integrity, Respect, and Quality—remain central to the agency today.
Tim’s leadership extended beyond the Department to state and national levels. Following the events of September 11, 2001, he was selected by Governor Jeb Bush to lead Florida’s Domestic Security efforts. Nationally, he served on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council and was appointed by President George W. Bush to the President’s Homeland Security Advisory Commission. Additionally, he was a member of the National Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, served more than 12 years on the Executive Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and was actively involved with the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, and other professional
organizations. In recognition of his lifelong contributions, Tim was inducted into the Florida Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2017.
During his time with FDLE, Tim never sought the limelight, yet his work often put him directly in the public eye. He approached every highprofile case and public safety challenge with humility and steadiness, always guided by his belief that the responsibility of power was to serve, not to perform. What was less visible, but just as defining, was the work Tim did out of public view. Behind the scenes, he was equally committed to protecting the most vulnerable Floridians. He spent countless hours strengthening the systems that keep people safe.
In describing Tim’s tenure with FDLE, Former Governor Jeb Bush stated that Tim “led with purpose, humility, and an unshakable moral compass. His legacy is felt in every corner of Florida’s criminal justice and public safety systems, and in the countless lives made safer by his vision and leadership,” and “Florida is a stronger, safer place because of his life’s work, and his impact will endure for generations.”
After retiring from FDLE in 2003, Tim entered the private sector with the same steadiness and judgment that defined his public career. Tim became an equity partner with The Southern Group, representing numerous business and government entities before the Executive and Legislative branches in Florida and other states on some of their most complex public-safety issues. Tim was also an owner and partner in
two General Motors dealerships in Tallahassee, helping those businesses grow with Larry Strom and Tim Revell before their successful sale to the Hendrick Automotive Group. Most recently, Tim served as Senior Partner of The Integrity Group, where he was actively involved in the company’s service divisions, including disaster recovery consulting and corporate and governmental compliance. Through every chapter, he remained a calm, principled presence and a trusted mentor to younger colleagues.
Above all, Tim’s colleagues remember him as a man who carried himself without pretense. His moral compass did not waver. His word was his bond. He was steady in a world that rewards noise and steadfastly principled in a political environment that causes lesser people to compromise beliefs.
During his retirement, Tim enjoyed traveling with his wife, spending time at the beach with his precious granddaughters, and hunting with his son. He devoted his life to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was a member of Bradfordville First Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as a deacon.
A memorial service will be held at Bradfordville First Baptist Church on December 10th at 1PM, with Pastor Ronny Raines officiating. Visitation is prior to the service from 11 AM to 1 PM on December 10th. Following services there will be a committal service at Culley’s MeadowWood Memorial Park 700 Timberlane Rd, Tallahassee, Fl. 32312
City to Consider Sale of Capital City Golf Course
By Steve Stewart
During their next meeting on December 10, the Tallahassee City Commission is poised to vote on the sale of the 179-acre city-owned property that is currently leased to the Capital City Country Club through August 2055.
After an inquiry by the club about purchasing the property, followed by a staff analysis, city staff is seeking city commission approval to sell the property to the Capital City
TSC, From Front Page
son between the company’s internal accounting system and the balance reported on the bank statement. It was discovered that TSC had differences ranging from $5 million less to $4.7 million more. Without timely reconciliation, the college risks undetected errors, fraud, and unreliable financial reporting. The audit also identified
Country Club for $1,255,000.
Staff has prepared a Purchase and Sale Agreement, and additional transaction documents that would add multiple layers of provisions and terms ensuring permanent use as a golf course and public access to the commemorative area and cemetery.
The agenda item notes that approximately 20 responses have been received as a result of notifications mailed to 608 adjacent and surrounding property owners and residents within 1,000 feet of
the golf course. Some respondents are in favor of the sale under conditions such as the property remaining a golf course or a partnership established with FAMU’s golf team for use of the course. A majority of the responses supported maintaining City ownership or a sale of the property with various restrictions on the future use of the property.
For example, the Myers Park Neighborhood Association provided a position statement on the sale of the golf
course including an example easement, expressing a preference that the City continue to lease the property to the Country Club, or provisional support for the sale of the golf course under detailed conditions restricting the use of the property as a golf course and commemorate burial sites, and preserving the property’s natural and historic resources and scenic open space in perpetuity.
In addition, Florida A&M University Board of Trustees has submitted a letter of sup-
TSC Responds to State Audit
gaps in tracking the college’s tangible personal property, with 227 of 773 items not verified in the 2023-24 report. It was found that, although most items were depreciated, 92 items still held a net book value of $1.3 million. While TSC disagreed with the finding, the auditors warned that this weak control could increase the risk of asset loss, theft, or misuse.
Finding three revealed that TSC failed to post all tuition and fees along with the proposed changes on its website, as required by law. TSC had only listed the average tuition per credit hour, omitting fee information. The college has since updated the site, but this situation showed a lack of transparency for students and families.
In the fourth area of con -
cern, the auditors discovered that over 290 students had incorrect hours reported for adult general education courses—some hours were overreported, while others were underreported. This raised concerns about the accuracy of the data used to determine state funding. Although the College claimed to follow the Department of Education guidelines, the
port to the City of Tallahassee offering support for the sale of the golf course. The Country Club and FAMU have signed an agreement formalizing the commitment to “hosting collegiate golf competitions for FAMU upon completion of course improvements; FAMU Golf Team access for practice; hosting events and fundraisers benefiting the FAMU student body; and events and programs for the betterment of the City of Tallahassee and the community.”
auditors observed that the methodology had not been verified.
This audit highlights the need for stronger internal controls and improved procedures to ensure accurate reporting. While TSC has resolved previous issues, these findings reveal the ongoing challenges in financial management.
Porter Votes Against $625K Federal Grant to Hire Police Officers to Address Violent Crime
PORTER, From Front Page
for the grant.
Also at odds with Porter’s statement is recently elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America. Mamdani recently appointed a police chief that supports hiring more police officers to address crime.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who agreed to stay on next year, said in August, “the single most strategic thing the NYPD can do right now is hire more qualified officers.”
The Grant
The city identified the DOJ COPS Hiring Program as a potential source to assist in achieving the strategic goal of increasing the number of
sworn officers per capita and reducing violent crime. The competitive program provides funding to selected law enforcement agencies to hire additional officers to increase community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.
The city’s application provided a community-based approach to address violent crime, with a focus on gun violence in areas that are experiencing the highest rates of gun-related crime. The five new officer positions will be assigned to these areas to reduce calls for service for existing personnel, which will provide increased officer availability for foot patrols, business checks, and neighborhood outreach, and allow for proactive initiatives such as youth mentoring, gun violence prevention interactions, and follow-up visits
Loranne Ausley Starts Tallahassee Mayoral Campaign with Launch Party
By Tristan Wood, WFSU
Former state senator Loranne Ausley launched her run for Tallahassee Mayor at Proof Brewing Company Tuesday night.
Just a year ago, Ausley suffered a traumatic brain injury while participating in a triathlon in Panama City. Now, she says after a long road to recovery, she is ready to jump back into public service.
“It was a very long and taxing year on my family, and I went lots of therapies and, you know, but this is my home, and I love it, and I feel like I have something left to give,” she said. Ausley, a Democrat, lost her reelection bid to the state senate in 2022 to Republican Corey Simon. On Tuesday night, she told a crowd of volunteers, campaign donors and Tallahassee residents she wants to focus on strengthening Tallahassee.
“This has always been an incredible place to call home and to raise a family, but I think we're ready to move to the next level. We're ready for leadership that's focused on building a stronger, a safer and a more vibrant Tallahassee for everyone,” she said. The crowd gathered at the launch party consisted of volunteers, campaign donors, former Democratic colleagues of Ausley in the Florida Legislature and more.
One of the biggest needs, she says, is creating a local economy where younger people stay in town after graduating.
“Where small businesses grow, entrepreneurs feel supported, our colleges, our universities and the mag lab continue to spark new ideas and good paying jobs keep talent right here a city,” she said.
When asked how she plans to do
that, she said she doesn’t have all the answers but will spend her time on the campaign trail speaking with residents to hear their thoughts.
While speaking with reporters during the launch party, she weighed in on the proposed partnership between FSU and Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare that has captured headlines over the past several months.
“You know, I think we all recognize that a partnership with Florida State is really important. I mean, my son was born and lived at TMH for four months. I just did therapy for six months at TMH. You know, it's a very important place to me, and , I think it's important to talk, listen to all sides. I think the devil is in the details, and that's, you know, these back and forth. It's very interesting to watch, and I'm listening, and, you know, I think it's important,” she said.
City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, another candidate in the race, has strongly criticized the partnership, saying it would give up local control of the hospital to the state.
Attorney Daryl Parks is also vying for the job. All three candidates have not struggled to find their financial supporters even in this early stage of the 2026 election cycle, raising a combined $230,000 already.
with victims and complainants. This creates an opportunity for increased officer and community involvement to proactively address quality of life issues before they escalate into criminal activity.
Officer assignment will be reviewed and adjusted throughout the term of the grant to reflect evolving trends, ensuring that these resources are aligned with public safety priorities. TPD will continue partnering with local organizations, including neighborhood associations and the Tallahassee Urban League, to identify community objectives and collaboratively develop problem-solving strategies that enhance public safety and trust.
The COPS Hiring Program funding is capped at a total of $125,000 per officer for three years of salary
and benefit expenses. City funds are required to support the remaining cost of the positions, as well as to procure all equipment necessary to outfit the additional personnel.
The first-year cost of a new officer is estimated to be $220,000, inclusive of salary and benefits, uniforms, a vehicle, and all associated equipment. Recurring costs are approximately $130,000 annually. The total estimated cost for five new officer positions for three years is $2.4 million. Acceptance of the grant will provide an offset of $625,000 to this cost. Due to the timing of the award, the positions and funds will be added as a part of the FY27 budget and each subsequent year thereafter.
Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor Launches Reelection Bid
By Tristan Wood, WFSU
Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor launched his reelection campaign at a holiday party at the Tallahassee Garden Club Wednesday night.
There were rumors that Minor might run for Tallahassee Mayor, but he instead is seeking a third term representing District 3 in Northwest Leon County.
The holiday-themed event featured food, a live cello played by Lauren Mulinax, and a speech from the commissioner.
He told the crowd of supporters gathered at his campaign launch party that he wants to continue to fight for them, not political glory.
“People in Leon County want a workhorse in their county commissioner, not a show horse,” Minor said. “Every single day, I try to work as hard as I possibly can. I don't need to be in front of a microphone. I don't need to be in front of a camera. What I need to be is in front of results and getting real
results for what people want in this community.”
He highlighted his work on the $31 million North Monroe Gateway project, his advocacy for bringing passenger rail back to North Florida and his efforts to protect Lake Jackson. Minor is being challenged by business owner and media producer C. B. Lorch. The commissioner alluded to his challenger in his address.
“I think this campaign is going to go very well, but I think we might have a rough race on our hands,” he said. Lorch has already raised about $13,000.
City Commissioner Salary Increase Received Overwhelming Support from Southside Voters
By Steve Stewart
Analysis of voter data shows that the 2024 ballot referendum to increase city commissioner salaries passed with overwhelming support from southside voters.
The city charter amendment, which proposed to raise the salaries of a city commissioner from $48,000 to $96,000 avoided mentioning those dollar figures in the ballot language. Instead, the language asked, “Shall the Charter of the City of Tallahassee be amended to provide that members of the City Commission be paid an annual salary equal to the annual salary
set by state law for members of the Board of County Commissioners of Leon County, Florida?”
The charter amendment passed with 56.0% of the vote.
Voting tallies show that there was a significant geographic divide between the voters who supported the amendment. The table below shows that voters from District 1 (Southside) and District 2 (FUS, TSC, West Tennessee Street) voted 67.4%, and 69.7% for the pay raise.
In contrast, 45.0% of voters in District 4 (NE Tallahassee, Killearn, Summerbrooke) supported the charter amendment.
In District 3 (Waverly, Betton) 51.6% of the voters supported the pay raise, while in District 5 (Eastside, Southwood) 50.7% supported the raise.
TMH Relies on Tallahassee Democrat Connections, $1.5M in Advertising to Shape the “News”
By Steve Stewart
In the ongoing effort to shape public opinion in their favor, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (TMH) is relying on the connections of their hired public relation experts with the Tallahassee Democrat to impact what news is reported and what news is shelved related to the TMH-FSU academic medical center.
Public comments and other available information verify that former Tallahassee Democrat publisher Skip Foster and veteran political consultant Gary Yordon are both on the TMH’s payroll.
In addition to these connections, IRS tax documents (page 10) show that TMH spent $1.5 million on “advertising and promotion” in 2024. When contacted by TR, TMH refused to say how much of that $1.5 million is spent with the Tallahassee Democrat.
Foster Hired Current Tallahassee Democrat Editor Twice Foster, via his public relations firm Hammerhead Communications, list TMH as a client and has recently promoted TMH’s talking points related to the TMH-FSU issue.
Foster also recently wrote an article defending the campaign donation made by TMH Board Chair Sally Bradshaw to city commissioner Jeremy Matlow during the hospital’s negotiations with FSU. Matlow has been very public in denouncing the deal between
the TMH and FSU.
With Foster, TMH gets the benefits of the longtime relationship that Foster has with current Tallahassee Democrat executive editor Wiliam Hatfield.
In March 2015, Foster, then the Tallahassee Democrat President and Publisher, announced the hiring of Hatfield, who was the editor of the Northwest Florida Dailey News. Foster said in the press release “the job drew nationwide interest and that the candidate pool was impressive.”
What was not revealed in the press release is that Foster had a previous relationship with Hatfield. Foster previously hired Hatfield as the editor at the Northwest Florida Dailey News when Foster was the paper’s publisher.
Gary Yordon Registers as TMH Lobbyist
On May 1, 2025, veteran political consultant and local government lobbyist registered with the Tallahassee City Commission to represent the interests of TMH related to “hospital ownership and governance.”
In November, at a town hall hosted by the Tallahassee Branch of the NAACP and Tallahassee ALERT, Yordon identified himself as a political consultant hired by TMH and argued and noted that any outcome that gives a majority of seats to academic institutions is not acceptable to TMH.
Yordon, who has been an influential
force in Tallahassee politics for decades, produces the weekly political show Usual Suspects which airs locally on WCTV and often writes opinion columns for the Tallahassee Democrat.
Influencing News Coverage
Two recent, notable and controversial issues related to TMH has escaped coverage by the Tallahassee Democrat.
First, back in May, the Tallahassee Democrat published an article addressing the compensation package of FSU President Richard McCullough. In the article, TMH officials refused to provide updated compensation information for TMH CEO Mark O’Bryant. Instead, the article referenced 2023 data indicating annual compensation of $1.8 million.
However, when TR discovered the O’Bryant’s 2024 annual compensation was $3.1 million the Tallahassee Democrat ignored the new information despite the widespread debate on the issue on social media between commenters and TMH officials.
Second, the campaign donation of TMH Board Chair Bradshaw to city
commissioner and mayoral candidate Jeremy Matlow and possible implications has been ignored by the Tallahassee Democrat. This is in contrast to the Democrat’s coverage of FSU donations to elected officials during the debate over Blueprint funds allocated to Doak Campbell stadium improvements and the Democrat’s request for text messages on the issue.
It appears that Tallahassee’s largest newspaper is avoiding critical reporting related to TMH, while parroting the narrative of public relation experts. Questions about the lack of TMH financial transparency and the use of political influence are ignored while critical stories about the motives of those that support an academic health center receive priority.
FAMU Looks to AI to Improve Campus Operations and Research
FAMU is taking an aggressive step to embed artificial intelligence across its academic and operational frameworks, part of a broader strategy to achieve Carnegie R1 research status, improve customer service, and prepare students for a rapidly evolving technological landscape. At a campus forum, university leaders outlined ambitious plans to integrate AI into teaching, research, and administrative functions.
“The priority for me is really to figure out how to advance a campus-wide sustained engagement level for advancing our integration of artificial intelligence,” said FAMU President Marva Johnson.
FAMU is pursuing a multifaceted strategy to integrate artificial intelligence into its curriculum, aimed at equipping students with skills for emerging workforce demands, and has established two high-level taskforce to achieve its goal: an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council and an R1 Task Force, Provost Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D. announced. The dual initiatives reflects FAMU’s
aim to combine cutting-edge technological training with elevated research output.
“Innovation at FAMU begins with cultivating a future-ready mindset in our students and supporting groundbreaking research among our faculty,” said Watson. “The AI Council will ensure that our approach to AI is forward-thinking, ethical, and beneficial to society at large.”
The AI Advisory Council, chaired by Desmond Stephens PhD, assistant provost for Faculty Development, Teaching, and Innovation, will include 20 members from across the university community. Its mandate includes identifying opportunities to infuse AI into curricula, support faculty research, and promote equitable and ethical AI applications.
Tallahassee Man Sentenced for Dog Shooting
A Tallahassee man who shot his neighbor’s dog inside a vehicle has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and 10 years’ probation. John Pender, 31, claimed the dog bit his child but no injuries were found.
The incident happened on April 25 on Heathrow Drive
at the Glen at Golden Eagle neighborhood of Killearn Lakes. A home surveillance camera captured Pender opening the car door and firing with children just a few feet away.
Pender pleaded no contest Dec. 2 to aggravated animal cruelty, three counts of child abuse, shooting into an occupied vehicle and discharging a firearm on specified property.
Pender was found guilty on six of the seven counts he was charged with after his arrest April 27. According to court records, he was sentenced to 90 days in the Leon County Detention Facility followed by 10 years of probation.
In addition to jail time, Pender was ordered to pay for the vet bills and the therapy for the children who saw the shooting. He also was ordered to forfeit his firearm and to attend substance abuse counseling and an anger management course.
One Dead in Thomasville Road Crash
A 74-year-old woman has died after a head-on collision on Thomasville Road in Leon County, per the Florida Highway Patrol. The FHP report
says it happened at around 9 p.m. on Dec 4 near Iamonia Cut-Off Road on Thomasville Road, which is about a mile from the Georgia state line.
FHP says the 74-year-old in a 2014 BMW crossover SUV was driving south in the northbound lanes on Thomasville Road when she hit a 23-year-old driver in a 2020 BMW sedan head-on.
The report says the 74-yearold was pronounced dead on scene. The 23-year-old was transported to the hospital as a trauma alert and was in critical condition.
The report noted that FHP was assisted on scene by the Leon County Sheriff's Office, Leon County EMS and the Tallahassee Fire Department, the release said. Northbound lanes of Thomasville Road were shut down.
Tallahassee Man Indicted Over School Shooting Threat
A Tallahassee man was indicted in federal court in connection with a school shooting threat that prompted the closure of three Leon County Schools on Nov. 12, according to the Northern District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Demetrius Murray, 33, was arrested in Gadsden County just hours after the alleged threat and was charged with written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury or conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, according to court records.
“We are grateful this situation did not escalate and that we were able to work seamlessly with our partner agencies to bring this to a safe conclusion,” said Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell. “We take all threats seriously and remain fully committed to investigating each one to the fullest extent of the law to ensure the safety of our community.”
Murray appeared before a judge for his arraignment in federal court and his trial is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026. If Murray is convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in prison on each threat count, according to the attorney’s office.
By Mitch Perry Florida Phoenix
TALLAHASSEE — Unions representing college faculty members have challenged a state Department of Education plan that would expand requirements for professors to post syllabi and other course material online.
The Florida Education Association and the United Faculty of Florida filed the administrative challenge last week, contending that state education officials overstepped their legal authority in moving forward with the plan.
The Department of Education proposed a rule that included the changes to the State Board of Education, which approved it Nov. 13.
The challenge, which seeks a decision by an administrative law judge, contends that nothing in state law authorizes the Department of Education “to regulate course
Unions Challenge College Syllabi Rule
syllabi with such minutiae as to make them unworkable and inflexible to those preparing and utilizing them.” The information would have to be posted at least 45 days before the start of academic terms.
“While the department is authorized by statute to promulgate rules necessary to effectuate statutes it administers, there is no authority granted whereby the department may either subvert legislative intent or expand statutory language to create conditions or impose requirements not stated plainly in the statute or even alluded to when similar statutes are read in conjunction with each other,” the challenge said.
During the Nov. 13 meeting, Kathy Hebda, chancellor of the department’s Division of Florida Colleges, said the plan would expand on requirements that have been in place for general-education courses. Describing it as increasing “transparency” for
students, Hebda said the plan would require posting syllabi for all courses and posting assignments for the courses.
“Now, we want to make sure that students prior to signing up, prior to enrolling for these courses, and all courses, really know exactly what’s going to be expected of them, what they’re going to be expected to read, major readings in the course, before they ever enroll in the course,” Hebda said.
The United Faculty of Florida is an affiliate of the Florida Education Association. The Department of Education and the State Board of Education oversee the state college system — but not state universities.
The plan, in part, would require publicly posted syllabi to include information about such things as the curriculum, required and recommended textbooks and instructional materials and assignments “including at a minimum, the assignment title, a brief narra-
tive description of the assignment, and, if applicable, any required readings.”
The challenge contends the plan exceeds the department’s rulemaking authority, is vague and is “arbitrary and capricious.”
In a prepared statement issued Monday, Robert Cassanello, president of the United Faculty of Florida, said the “latest rule from the Florida Department of Education points to a continued attack on academic freedom
from the state of Florida” and said colleges have responsibility to protect professors “both from physical harm and intellectual theft.”
“Through this rule, the Department of Education has overstepped its statutory legal authority and is forcing professors to comply with the use of a public-facing platform that serves to place a target on the backs of our professors and students,” Cassanello said.
“More than being an overreach, it is flat out dangerous.”.
Supreme Court: Florida Needs 25 Additional Judges
By Christine Sexton
The Phoenix Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis may get a chance to appoint up to 25 additional judges in his final year in office if the Florida Legislature goes along with a new request from the state Supreme Court. DeSantis has repeatedly boasted about his efforts to reshape Florida’s judicial branch, including the state Supreme Court. Five of the seven justices on the court were appointed by the Republican governor. The court has made several crucial rulings including one that undid its previous decisions on the right to abortion.
By Jim Turner
The News Service of Florida
Justice Charles Canady announced this month that he will step down in January to take a position at the University of Florida. DeSantis will get the chance to name Canady’s replacement.
The state Supreme Court on Wednesday certified the need for 13 circuit court judges and 12 county court judges. Both are trial venues. The bulk of the court’s request centered on Florida’s 20th Circuit, where it found is a need to appoint eight judges in the circuit that covers southwest Florida. The court request asked for multiple county judges in Duval, Miami-Dade, and Orange counties.
This is the second year in a row the Supreme Court has made a substantial
request for new judges. Last year, the court found the need for a total of 50 judges spread between circuit courts, county courts, and appeals courts.
The Legislature ultimately agreed to authorize a total of 39 judgeships and many of those have yet to be filled by DeSantis.
New judgeships are filled by gubernatorial appointment, although those appointed to county and circuit posts must be retained by the voters.
Annually, the court looks at judicial caseloads and gets reports from the chief judges in each judicial circuit. In its latest set of recommendations, the court said it is “mindful of the state’s current fiscal climate and projected
budget shortfalls in subsequent fiscal years and recognizes that establishing new judgeships results in operational and potential fiscal impacts for justicesystem partners.”
The Office of State Courts Administrator reports that Florida has 1,060 authorized judgeships, not counting those at the Supreme Court.
DeSantis, who has repeatedly praised U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has gotten to appoint many judges during his two terms in offices. Many lawyers ultimately chosen by DeSantis have ties to The Federalist Society, a conservative activist group.
House Panel Backs Property Tax Proposals
TALLAHASSEE — Four proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reducing property taxes for homeowners continued moving forward Tuesday in the Florida House, despite concerns about how they could hit funding for local services.
The Republican-controlled State Affairs Committee voted along party lines to approve the proposals, including a straight elimination of nonschool homestead property taxes (HJR 201), which would be projected to cut local government revenue by $14.1 billion in the first year of implementation.
“If we took $14 billion away from local governments, we would still be $3 billion above spending levels from 2020,” said Rep. Monique Miller, a Palm City Republican who is a sponsor of the proposal. “We have a huge spending problem.”
The four measures were among seven proposed constitutional amendments and a separate property-tax bill
that House Speaker Daniel Perez, RMiami, released in October. The package came as Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a priority of putting propertytax cuts on the 2026 ballot — though he has disagreed with the House’s approach.
On Monday, House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, suggested the House was whittling down its proposals as talks continue with the Senate, which has not released tax proposals..
“I think throwing eight proposals out there, in a way, was a kind of razzle dazzle and a bit of, let’s be honest, a bit of politics, because the governor is the one who initiated this conversation on property taxes,” Driskell said during a conference call with reporters.
DeSantis has called for a single proposal to go on the November 2026 ballot and has described the series of House proposals as an attempt to “create confusion.”
But Rep. Toby Overdorf, a Palm City Republican who chairs the House Select Committee on Property Taxes, said that “it’s been 300 days since the
governor actually said that he wanted to deal with property taxes. We’re still waiting on his proposal.”
The measures advanced Tuesday would need approval from the House Ways & Means Committee before they could go to the full House during the legislative session that will start Jan. 13.
Local governments continue to raise concerns about potentially reduced funding for schools, infrastructure, recreation programs, water management and emergency services, such as fire-rescue services.
“With less revenue, we face daunting choices,” South Pasadena Vice Mayor Thomas Reid told the committee. “We will need to cut or scale back vital services such as road infrastructure, park upkeep, emergency services and, yes, very likely, law enforcement. That doesn’t just mean fewer amenities, it means fewer protections, less maintenance, and overall, a reduced quality of life for our residents.”
Critics also contend that costs will be shifted to owners of rental properties and businesses.
An economic analysis posted Monday by a team from Realtor.com projected that elimination of homesteaded property taxes would raise property values in Florida by 7 percent to 9 percent, a windfall for existing property owners that could also hinder entry into the market for first-time buyers.
In addition to the straight elimination of non-school homestead property taxes, measures advanced Tuesday would eliminate non-school homestead taxes for homeowners 65 years and older (HJR 205); create an additional $100,000 homestead exemption on non-school taxes for insured properties (HJR 209); and allow people to transfer the full value of accumulated “Save Our Homes” benefits to new homes (HJR 211).
Save Our Homes places a 3 percent cap on annual increases in taxable values of homesteaded property.
If passed during the upcoming legislative session, the proposals would need approval from at least 60 percent of voters next year.
State Gets OK to Enforce Social Media Law
SOCIAL MEDIA, From Front Page
And it forces the platform to demand identifying information from all users, including adults. In doing so, it chills countless users’ speech on deeply personal, political, religious and familial matters — reaching the heart of what the First Amendment was designed to protect in the first place.”
The industry groups NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association filed the lawsuit last year in federal court in Tallahassee. The group’s members include companies such as Google, Meta Platforms and Snap Inc., the operator of Snapchat.
The state went to the Atlanta-based appeals court after Walker issued the preliminary injunction. While Tuesday’s ruling allows the law to be at least temporarily enforced, it did not resolve the underlying battle about the injunction.
“Briefing (on the preliminary injunction) has finished, and we look forward to the opportunity to explain the law’s constitutional problems to the court directly,” Paul Taske, co-director of the
NetChoice Litigation Center, said in a prepared statement Tuesday. “We will consider all available options to ensure Floridians’ online communication is safe and free. Florida’s censorship regime not only violates its citizens’ free speech rights but also makes all users — especially minors — less safe.”
The law did not name platforms that would be affected. But it includes criteria such as whether platforms’ features include infinite scroll and autoplay.
The appeals court’s majority opinion said the law was “content neutral.”
“And plaintiffs do not point to any language in the statute or other evidence that the Florida Legislature’s justification for passing the law was related to the suppression of speech or disagreement with certain topics or viewpoints,” Branch wrote. “Instead, they argue that ‘HB 3 targets websites based on the social subject matter of the material they disseminate.’ But HB 3 defines social media platforms by reference to a form of expression, not a subject matter.”
But Rosenbaum wrote that the law is
“content based,” saying, for example, it doesn’t apply to streaming services that include many of the same features as the targeted platforms.
“For instance, platforms like YouTube and Snapchat are covered, but websites like Hulu and Disney+ are not,” Rosenbaum wrote. “And the act
determines whether a platform is covered based on what content that platform permits. Generally speaking, if a platform involves public user-to-user speech, then the platform is covered; if it doesn’t, it’s not.”
— News Service senior writer Dara Kam contributed to this report.
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Tallahassee–Leon County Consolidation: Public Attitudes and Prior Efforts
By Casey Drayer
As part of a Leon County Commission status update on consolidation, the county staff provided information on the public attitudes and prior efforts to consolidate Leon County. Provided below is an edited portion of the presentation.
According to Linda S. Johnson’s Tallahassee–Leon County chapter of Case Studies of City-County Consolidation: Reshaping the Local Government Landscape (the “case study”), Tallahassee and Leon County have returned to the idea of city–county consolidation many times over the past fifty years. The community has examined some form of a unified government at least seven times, with four proposals reaching the ballot (1971, 1973, 1976, and 1992) and three other efforts ending before a referendum, including a 1953 Consolidation Study Committee that recommended against pursuing consolidation at that time and two later efforts in 1981 and 1986 that were halted before reaching the ballot.
Concept vs. Plan
Taken together, these efforts suggest that consolidation as a concept has generally attracted interest—and at times broad support—while specific plans have struggled to secure final approval. The consolidation case study observes that “a common theme … is that opposition has not been to the concept of consolidation
By Curtis Baynes
but to the proposed charter.”
In other words, the principle of consolidation has often been viewed favorably; the points of contention have centered on exactly how a consolidated government would be structured and how representation and powers would be allocated.
Absence of an “accelerator event”
Research on the Tallahassee–Leon County attempts to consolidate note that, unlike some successful consolidations, there was no single “accelerator event” — a scandal, crisis, or other shock that rallied broad public support for structural change. Instead, local challenges such as growth, traffic, taxes, drainage, crime, and intergovernmental disputes created a recurring “crisis climate,” but never coalesced into a unifying event that pushed voters to embrace a consolidation charter.
Public actions in the early 1990s underscore this distinction between concept and plan. In 1990, Leon County voters approved the creation of a Consolidation Commission “by a 58.5 percent to 41.5 percent margin” to study and draft a consolidation charter, signaling majority support for formally exploring consolidation as an option. Civic and business leaders—including the Chamber of Commerce, professional organizations, and other community groups—are described in the case study as “strong supporters of the consolidation,” citing efficiency, lower costs, and
better growth management as potential benefits of a unified government.
Charter design, representation, and balance of power.
Each proposed charter triggered concerns about representation, constitutional officers, taxation levels in the unincorporated area, and the urban–rural balance of power. The case study notes that an early poll in the 1992 effort showed a 2 to 1 margin of support for consolidation in the rural areas of the county, but that support declined once the specific charter language was released and debated, and the final referendum was defeated, as voters increasingly questioned whether consolidation would raise costs, weaken local representation (especially in rural and minority communities), and shift too much authority away from existing elected offices.
Earlier attempts in the 1970s followed a similar pattern: substantial business sector support, coupled with voter skepticism about particular charter provisions.
One 1976 pro-consolidation campaign, for example, promoted the merger as “the most practical and least expensive alternative to solve the major problems facing the city and county residents,” but the proposed charter still failed at the ballot.
Rural character and representation
The Tallahassee–Leon community has long been described as a “heterogeneous”
county with “clear-cut rural and urban areas,” and the rural character and influence of outlying areas have been central to each consolidation debate. In the 1970s referenda, county voters outside the city repeatedly defeated proposed charters—only 1 of 16 county precincts supported consolidation in 1976, even as a majority of city precincts voted in favor. In 1992, early polling suggested that rural residents might support consolidation, but specific charter provisions and service concerns ultimately eroded that support.
Residents of communities such as Woodville and Miccosukee questioned whether a consolidated government would “cost more money and provide few services,” objected to proposals such as an appointed sheriff and a single rural district, and expressed feeling like a “stepchild of Leon County.”
Rural political leaders with a “rural, conservative background” and a “deep distrust of government,” along with the local rural electric cooperative concerned about territory, tax status, and utility revenues, mobilized against the charter.
These dynamics underscore how protecting rural representation, autonomy, and service expectations has been a decisive factor in past consolidation outcomes.
Other efforts that did not reach the ballot. Beyond the four Tallahassee–Leon County consolidation referenda (1971, 1973, 1976, and 1992),
Opinion: Property Tax Reform on the Agenda
On November 3, 2026, Florida voters may make a transformative decision about the future of property taxes. It’s too early to know the precise nature of the expected change but, so far, the proposals target non-school taxes, meaning that, at a minimum, property tax abolition for school-related taxation is not in the cards. However, even abolishing non-school property taxes may be a little further than the legislature is prepared to go.
Currently, there is no consensus as to how to proceed. So far, there are eight proposals running the gamut of possibilities from the governor’s desire to abolish property taxes to the legislature’s initial proposals to do something less than totally abolish the tax. The current proposals include exempting some taxpayers, such as homesteaded property or those 65 or older. Others
Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber Suspect
Arrested
Federal agents yesterday arrested Brian Cole Jr., a 30-year-old Virginia resident, on charges related to the use of an explosive device. He is suspected of planting two pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters the night before the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the US Capitol. The arrest marks a breakthrough in a nearly five-year probe that puzzled investigators and fueled conspiracy theories. The bombs—viable devices about a foot long and filled with gunpowder and metal—were placed between 7:30 and 8:30 pm on Jan. 5. They never detonated and were discovered roughly 15 hours later, as the Capitol riot unfolded, diverting some law enforcement resources.
Officials say the investigation involved reviewing tens of thousands of video files, over a thousand interviews, hundreds of tips, cell tower data, and subpoenas to tech companies. Investigators also traced purchases of bomb components and flagged the suspect’s distinctive Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes. A motive has not yet been released.
range from increasing the homestead exemption to phasing out property taxes over the next decade. Still others affect such issues as portability and future increases in taxable values.
And when all is said and done, the proposed constitutional amendment could end up dealing with some combination of those alternatives, or multiple amendments for voters to consider.
Most of us would prefer to pay less in property tax, but it may not be as simple as that nor always prudent.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue,in 2025, statewide, nearly $3.5 trillion in taxable property value generated over $100 billion, in part, to finance government goods and services in over 400 municipalities, 67 counties and school districts, over 600 dependent special districts, and almost 1,500 independent special districts.
Property taxes financed education, law enforcement, fire safety, emergency services, constitutional officers, infrastructure, and debt service, to name a few.
In Leon County, $27.5 billion dollars of taxable value, financed just over $296 in goods and services by the two principal users of non-school property tax: Tallahassee and Leon County. Locally, property tax is allocated to the county’s general fund, fine and forfeiture fund (county sheriff), county emergency medical services, law enforcement (city).
Needless to say, with so much at stake, the issue will produce a conundrum for us all, including:
What goods and services are we prepared to do without?
What, if anything, will we use to replace lost property tax revenue?
What combination of the two is nec-
National News Briefs
NAR: Existing Home Sales
Up in October
Existing-home sales increased by 1.2% in October, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.
Month-over-month sales increased in the Midwest and South, showed no change in the Northeast, and fell in the West. Year-over-year sales rose in the Northeast, Midwest and South, and decreased in the West.
The median sales price in October for all housing types was $415,200, up 2.1% from one year ago ($406,800) – the 28th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases. The single-family median sales price was $420,600, up 2.2% from last year.
"Home sales increased in October even with the government shutdown due to homebuyers taking advantage of lower mortgage rates," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "First-time homebuyers are facing headwinds in the Northeast due to a lack of supply and in the West because of high home prices. First-time buyers fared better in the Midwest because of the plentiful supply of affordable houses and in the South because there is sufficient inventory."
"Rents are decelerating
which will reduce inflation and encourage the Federal Reserve to continue cutting rates and pulling back their quantitative tightening," Yun added. "This will help bring more homebuyers into the market since the Fed rate has an indirect impact on mortgage rates."
Boat Strike Suit
A Colombian family filed the first legal challenge against US airstrikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific with an inter-American human rights watchdog.
Alejandro Andres Carranza Medina, a 42-year-old fisherman, was among over 80 people killed in 21 confirmed airstrikes carried out by the Trump administration since September. Carranza's wife and four children insist he was on a fishing expedition and not carrying drugs when his boat was struck Sept. 15. Their complaint alleges Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the strike without knowing who was aboard, violating Carranza's right to due process and a fair trial. Hegseth is also facing scrutiny from US lawmakers over a follow-up strike on another alleged drug boat days earlier that killed two survivors of the first strike.
the community saw several other pushes that never made it to a binding ballot, including: A 1953 Consolidation Study Committee, which examined merging the city and county in response to growth and service issues but ultimately recommended that consolidation not be pursued at that time.
Efforts in 1981 and 1986, both of which were halted before reaching voters. In 1986, the debate became entangled with a Voting Rights Act lawsuit over county at-large elections and a failed attempt to adopt a county charter, and the legislative delegation declined to advance a consolidation plan to referendum.
Together, these episodes show that interest in consolidation has surfaced repeatedly, even when the process stalled short of a public vote.
In summary, the Tallahassee–Leon County experience suggests that residents have not been opposed to exploring consolidation—or even to consolidation in principle. Rather, past efforts have faltered on the specifics of the plan: how elected officials would be chosen, how constitutional officers (particularly law enforcement) would be treated, and how urban and rural communities would see their interests reflected in a new charter. Any renewed discussion of consolidation should consider the primacy of these details over the broader questions of whether to consolidate.
essary for local government to meet fiscal constraints?
Citing a study by the James Madison Institution, Mitch Perry, writing for the Florida Phoenix (September 29, 2025), reports that about 65% of voters intend to enact some form of property tax changes. Until the legislature completes its public hearings, bill analyses, legislative debate, and court review, we will not know ultimately what is at stake.
If you want to be heard on the matter, now is the time to contact your representative, senator, and local officials. You may write, telephone, or meet with them, or make arrangements to attend any public hearings that may be scheduled. And whether you participate or not, be prepared in the event any constitutional amendment passes.
New Orleans, Minnesota Immigration Crackdown
Federal agents began immigration enforcement efforts yesterday in New Orleans, Louisiana, and two Minnesota cities: Minneapolis and St. Paul. The crackdown follows similar endeavors in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and Memphis.
Federal officials specifically named 10 people in Louisiana for arrest and deportation: men from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Jordan, and Vietnam who had been arrested for crimes including child endangerment, robbery, and domestic abuse. The Department of Homeland Security says the men had been inappropriately released from custody due to New Orleans' sanctuary city laws. Federal agents are separately targeting unauthorized Somali immigrants in Minnesota, according to reports. The crackdown comes after President Donald Trump used derogatory language to refer to Somalis and Somali-born Rep. Ilhan Omar (D, MN-5). It is not clear to what extent officials will arrest people without criminal records. Out of more than 370 unauthorized immigrants arrested in North Carolina, federal officials say at least 44 had criminal records.
Amazon Eyes USPS Amazon is considering launching a competitor to the US Postal Service, according to the Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The revelation comes as negotiations between the two reportedly stagnated over their multibillion-dollar partnership, set to expire Oct. 1, 2026.
Amazon has an extensive logistics network, delivering over 9 billion same- or nextday items last year and 6.3 billion parcels total, second only to the Postal Service’s 6.9 billion. However, the company often relies on the Postal Service—and private carriers UPS and FedEx—for the so-called “last mile,” getting products to customers’ doorsteps (see more, w/video). The USPS is the only delivery service reaching nearly 167 million US addresses, including post office boxes.
The two entered a partnership in 2013, bringing the USPS a cash influx: $6B this year, accounting for 7.5% of the Postal Service’s total revenue. President Donald Trump's effort to privatize the USPS is reportedly a sticking point in the negotiations.
(From left) District 1 Commissioner Bill Proctor, At-Large Commissioner Nick Maddox, District 3 Commissioner Rick Minor, District 2 Commissioner Christian Caban (Chairman), District 5 Commissioner David T. O’Keefe (Vice Chairman), At-Large Commissioner Carolyn D. Cummings, and District 4 Commissioner Brian Welch. Leon County Government held its 2025 Reorganization of the Board Ceremony on Tuesday, November 18, in the Commission Chambers of the Judge Augustus D. Aikens, Jr. Leon County Courthouse. Former Florida Senator Bill Montford swore in District 2 Commissioner Christian Caban as Chairman, and District 5 Commissioner David T. O’Keefe was selected as Vice Chairman. For more information about the Leon County Board of County Commissioners and to view the Board calendar, visit LeonCountyFL.gov
Your
Now Experience the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Leon County!
Don’t miss out on the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Leon County Apalachee Regional Park, 7550 Apalachee Parkway. Tickets start at $10, with free admission for children 12 years and under. The races continue with the World’s Fun Run: Florida Edition. Register now to take on the same Florida-inspired obstacles faced by the world’s top competitors in a 2km or 4km distance, and earn a commemorative medal. Registration is $25 per person and includes full-day entry into the park. Kids under 12 can register for the Kids Athletics 2km race for free! Details at VisitTallahassee.com/WXC26
Saturday, January 24, 1-3 p.m.
DR. B.L. PERRY, JR. BRANCH LIBRARY Saturday, January 24, 1-3 p.m.
NEWS & EVENTS
Don’t Leave
Your Guns in Your Unlocked Cars
Leon County Government, along with the Tallahassee Urban League and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, reminds residents to never leave firearms in unlocked vehicles. Stolen and unsecured guns often contribute to violent crimes, posing a serious risk to public safety. By simply locking your car and safely securing your firearm, you can help prevent gun theft and reduce gun violence. Let’s work together to keep Leon County safe.
Receive Notifications About County Procurements, Bids, and More!
Leon County Government utilizes OpenGov Procurement, an electronic bidding and vendor registration system that allows prospective bidders to: Register to receive notifications of future opportunities
• Follow along with updates to existing opportunities
• Submit questions and receive answers regarding open bids opportunities
• Receive guidance to ensure bids have been accurately completed
Access all bid opportunities issued by Leon County in one location
To learn more and apply for exciting opportunities, visit LeonCountyFL.gov/ Purchasing or call 850-606-1600.
Business News
Leon County Sales Tax Revenues Up 2.0% in September
The most recent information from the Florida Department of Revenue shows that consumer spending in Leon County-as measured by taxable sales – was up in September by 2.0% when compared to spending one year ago. In absolute terms, spending in September 2025 was up $8.9 million to $459.1 million. These numbers are preliminary and are subject to revisions. At the state level, Florida sales tax revenues increased 4.65% in September when compared to last year.
The Taxable Sales Report below shows that Leon county’s aggregate spending over the last 12-months ($5.742 billion) was 1.6% more than the aggregate 12-month spending reported in May 2019 ($5.652 billion).
At the state-level, annual spending as of September 2025 increased 2.43% when compared to annual spending one year ago.
The chart to the right compares the growth rates in aggregate spending for the previous 12-months in Leon County for the month of September over the last four years.
After the post-covid increase of 9.5% in 2022, Leon County, annual taxable sales have trended down from 2.7% in 2023 to 1.6% in 2025. Sep-24Sep-25Chg%Chg
Jim Moran College Earns
By Stephen Stone, FSU News
The Florida State University Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship (JMC) is ranked as a Top 10 public undergraduate entrepreneurship program according to The Princeton Review’s list of Top Schools for Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Programs of 2026.
The college is also ranked second in the South, second in the state of Florida and 18th overall for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs.
“Students come to Florida State with bold ideas and leave our college with the confidence and skills to bring them to life,” said Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. “We work every day to create an environment where they can experiment, take risks, and learn what it truly means to turn ideas into opportunity. Our standing as a top 10 public undergraduate entrepreneurship program is driven entirely by our students’ accomplishments.”
The Princeton Review evaluates schools based on factors including course offerings, competitions hosted, faculty experience and alumni ventures, among others.
Over the past five years, 531 companies have been launched by JMC graduates, and the college now offers more than 125 entrepreneurship courses. JMC’s six hands-on laboratories, supporting product development and omnichannel merchandising and textile testing allow students to explore entrepreneurship beyond the classroom.
JMC provides a rich curriculum with three undergraduate majors in
entrepreneurship — commercial, STEM or retail — and 10 minors through collaborations with colleges across FSU’s campus. (Lauren Sparling)
JMC provides a rich curriculum with three undergraduate majors in entrepreneurship — commercial, STEM or retail — and 10 minors through collaborations with colleges across FSU’s campus.
At the graduate level, JMC offers a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship with specialized tracks in product development, social and sustainable enterprises, creative arts and hospitality, as well as a textiles and apparel entrepreneurship master’s program.
JMC’s full-time faculty bring extensive real-world experience, having built or currently operating their own businesses.
Beyond serving FSU students, the JMC is also home to the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, which supports entrepreneurs through a suite of no-cost programs designed for small business owners, nonprofit leaders, veterans and aspiring entrepreneurs. With regional offices in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, the JMC is one of the most far-reaching entrepreneurial colleges in the nation.
Recent Single-Family Home Sales in Betton Hills Average $541,127
The table above lists the most recent single family home sales in the Betton Hills neighborhood. The sales information is from the Leon County Property Appraiser.
Betton Hills is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Tallahassee, Florida. Nestled close to downtown, between Thomasville and Centerville Roads, the residences in this neighborhood blend design from old and new Tallahassee.
Reviewing another popular measure of home value, the dollar per square foot ($/SqFt) shows a range starting with a low of 155.8 $/SqFt to a high of 318.6 $/SqFt. The average $/SqFt was calculated to be 218.2 $/ SqFt.
Current homes listed for sale in Betton Hills range from $535,000 to $1,080,000. For more information on real estate sales in Leon county and overall economic conditions, visit TallahasseeReports.com.
The table above lists 15 recent transactions with sale prices ranging from a low of $310,000 to a high of $775,000. The average sales price for these transactions was calculated to be $541,127
By Robert Stewart
As the high school golf season comes to a close, Tallahassee Reports is highlighting the top boys golfers across Leon County. After a fall filled with standout performances and clutch tournament play, we’ve compiled our final rankings of the county’s top five players. The players were evaluated using a combination of their IWR rating, their season-long scoring average, and overall performance in key tournaments. The iWR, or Iwanamaker rating, “is a measure of a golfer’s skill level based on team stroke play events. Player 9-hole and 18-hole event iWRs are averaged throughout the season and represent a player’s skill level.” Iwanamaker is a well-known website that tracks results and stats for high school golf.
1. Alex Parker, Chiles
During his senior season and his last year at Chiles, Alex Parker is Tallahassee Reports’ top golfer in Leon County. Parker had the best iWR score with a 9-hole score of -.437 and an 18-hole score of .021, which comes out to a total of -.416 between 23 9-hole events and six 18-hole events. Both iWR rankings were in the top 40 of all other FHSAA golfers. The next best iWR score from golfers in Leon County was
Local Sports
Leon County’s Best 2025 High School Golfers
1.474 by Florida High’s Hunter Glantz. Parker also had the best average stroke score with an average of 35.9 strokes in 9-hole events and an average of 72.8 in 18-hole events. Parker had multiple first place finishes this year but one that sticks out was his 9-hole round against Florida High and Godby where he shot a 33 (-3) at Hilaman Golf Course. While at states, Parker finished T11th with a score of 150 (+6).
2. Hunter Glantz, Florida High
Florida High’s Hunter Glantz emerged as a top golfer in Leon County this year while having a breakout freshman season including a great performance at the 2025 Tallahassee City Championship. On Oct. 8th Glantz competed in, and won the City Championship in a playoff scenario while shooting a 71(-1) at Hilaman Golf Course in one of the few 18-hole tournaments of the season. Glantz had the second best iWR score in Leon County with a 9-hole score of .458 and an 18-hole score of 1.016. Glantz also had the second best average stroke score with 36.7 through 9-hole matches and 73.3 through 18-hole matches. While at states, Glantz finished 42nd with a score of 145 (+10).
3. Bryce Matthews, Lincoln
Lincoln’s Bryce Matthews ranks third in our Leon County golfer rankings in with a very successful senior season and much to show for it. Matthews had an impressive 9-hole iWR of .092 through 21 events while also having an 18-hole iWR of 1.666 through six events, ranking him third in Leon County with a total iWR of 1.758. Matthews also finished the season with the third best average stroke score with 36.3 through 9-hole matches and 73.8 through 18-hole matches, trailing second place by .1. A notable performance from Bryce Matthews this year included 9-hole match against Wakulla and Maclay where Matthews placed first with a score of 30 (-6) at Capital City Country Club to break the 9-hole Lincoln individual school record. While at states, Matthews placed T4th with a score of 145 (+1), which was the best performance by any Leon County golfer.
4. Rhys Cochran, Chiles Sophomore Rhys Cochran comes in at the fourth spot in our rankings being the second Timberwolf to make our list. Cochran placed fourth in Leon County with an iWR of 2.459 while having a .313 through 23 9-hole matches and a 2.146 through six 18-hole matches. Cochran also placed fourth
Leon County Teams Compete in Cross-Country State Meets
By Robert Stewart
On Nov. 22nd, three different classifications of cross-country state meets took place at Apalachee Regional Park including multiple Leon County schools. The Chiles girls cross country team was the only Leon County team to win a state title placing first in the FHSAA 3A meet.
1A Maclay and Community Christian (CCS) both had multiple runners compete in the FHSAA 1A boys meet. Maclay placed fifth as a team with two runners in the top 20 including David Barton who placed fifth with a time of 16:07.20 and Logan Phipps who placed 20th with a time of 16:59.90. The Marauders had an average run time of 17:30. CCS entered two runners as individuals in Luke Mel who placed 46th with a time of 17:42.00 and Jeremy Collier who placed 47th with a time of 17:42.30.
2A Florida High placed 31st as a team in the boys meet with an average time of 19:12. The best performance from the Seminoles included Lawson Phillips who placed 63rd out of 234 runners with a time of 17:26.00. Godby entered one runner in the boys meet in Erick Garcia who placed 51st with a time of 17:15.80.
3A
In the boys meet, Chiles and Lincoln both entered teams to compete in the FHSAA 3A state meet while Rickards entered one runner as an individual. Chiles placed third overall as a team with an average run time of 16:23 with two runners finishing in the top 5. FSU signee Joshua Hicks medaled, placing third with a time of 15:21.10 and Jonathan Kiros placed fourth with a time of 15:46.40. Lincoln placed 14th overall as a team with an average run time of 17:24. Notable performances from the Trojans included Trent parsons placing 59th with a time of 16:51.60 and Kingsley Knispel placing 90th with a time of 17:20.40. Another notable performance by a Leon County runner included Rickards’ Jamarin Lane who placed 65th with a time of 16:57.20
The Chiles girls cross country team won the FHSAA 3A state championship, with all runners finishing inside the top 31 out of 229 competitors. The team was made up of runners Emma-Claire Tanenbaum, Kaia Ables, Madeline Brockmeier, Charlotte Sikes and Maddie Morris. Notable performances from the Timberwolves included Emma-Claire Tanenbaum placing fifth with a time of 18:33.70 and Kaia Ables placing 21st with a time of 19:23.80.
in Leon County in average stroke score with 36.7 for 9-hole tournaments and 75.2 for 18-hole tournaments. One of Cochran’s best performances of the year included a first place finish in a match against Wakulla and Florida High where he shot a 32 (-4) during a 9-hole format tournament at Wakulla Sands Golf Club. While at state, Cochran finished T21st with a score of 161 (+17).
5. Chase Fleischer, Lincoln Rounding up our rankings at the fifth spot is Lincoln Junior Chase Fleisher. Fleischer placed fifth in Leon County with an iWR ranking of 3.689 while having a 1.517 through 20 9-hole matches and a 2.172 through 6 18-hole matches. Fleischer also placed fifth in Leon County in average stroke score with 37.8 for 9-hole tournaments and 74.5 for 18-hole tournaments. A notable performance from Fleischer this year included a joint first place finish through 18 holes during the district championship. Fleischer shot a 72 (E) at Wakulla Sands Golf club to force a playoff with Santa Fe’s Trent Spires. Although Fleischer did not win the playoff, he helped his team place third out of seven schools. While at states, Fleischer finished T21st with a score of 155 (+11).
FSU’s Dudley, Suarez and Gilchrist Earn Soccer All-America Accolades
By FSU NEWS
Three Florida State soccer players have been named All-Americans by United Soccer Coaches on Friday, headlined by junior forward Jordynn Dudley on the First Team, sophomore midfielder Taylor Suarez on the Second Team and senior defender Heather Gilchrist on the Third Team.
Dudley is an All-American for the third time in her three-year career, along with receiving First Team honors in 2023 and Second Team accolades in 2024. The first player in program history to collect three All-America honors with two of them being First Team, Dudley is the fourth player in FSU history to be named an All-American three times and the first to do it in her first three seasons. She also is the fourth player to be named to the First Team twice. As one of 19 players to earn First Team distinction all-time, this year's award is the 23rd in team history. Gilchrist is bestowed with AllAmerica accolades for the second time in her career, after she was named to the Fourth Team in 2024. She is the 15th FSU player to earn
multiple career All-America honors. Suarez is the 36th player in program history to earn at least one All-America award by United Soccer Coaches.
56 total All-America honors have been awarded to Florida State players by the organization since the first one in 2003. FSU has had at least three awardees in four consecutive seasons and at least two every year since 2018. This is the 20th consecutive season, since 2006, that the Seminoles have had at least one AllAmerican.
Dudley joins Tiffany McCarty (2009-First, 2011-Second, 2012-Third), Deyna Castellanos (2017-Second, 2018-Second, 2019-Second) and Yujie Zhao (2018-Second, 2020-Third and 2021-Second) as three-time recipients. She is joined by Becky Edwards (2008, 2009), Malia Berkely (2019, 2020) and Jaelin Howell (2020, 2021) as two-time First Team awardees.
Friday's accolades come after the FSU trio were recognized on United Soccer Coaches' All-Region Team on Tuesday.
Tallahassee Alumni: Keira Mathis
By Robert Stewart
On Nov. 22, Gulf Coast State College’s (GCSC) volleyball season came to an end after winning the third place game in the NJCAA Division II women’s volleyball championship. The Lady Commodores finished the season with an overall record of 32-5 and a conference record of 19-1. Leon High School alum Keira Mathis played a pivotal role in the Commodores’ success, delivering a standout freshman season that earned her Second Team All-Sun-Lakes Conference recognition. Keira Mathis was the starting libero for the Commodores finishing the season with 501 digs. Mathis had 6 matches with 20 or more digs including her best performance against Pensacola State College on Sep. 16 where she set her season high of 27 digs in a single match. She accumulated 71 digs during the NJCAA tournament while having 22 digs in the third-place match against Cowley County Community College.
During their match against Cowley County Community College, the Commodores won the first two sets in commanding fashion with set scores of 25-19 and 25-17. Cowley made a comeback winning two sets in a row forcing a fifth set with a third set score of 25-23 and a fourth set score of 2520. The fifth set went into extra points as Gulf Coast State College won the match with a fifth set score of 17-15. During her high school career at Leon, Mathis played three years on varsity and played 200 sets. She recorded 571 digs through her three years at Leon and 59 aces from the service line.
Lincoln Basketball Beats Rickards to Stay Undefeated
By Tyler Powell
On December 5, the Lincoln Trojans (6–0) took on the Rickards Raiders (3–3) in an exciting non-conference matchup. Lincoln, riding a five game winning streak, entered the night looking to extend their undefeated start to the season. Rickards, meanwhile, came into the contest fresh off an overtime thriller against Leon just days earlier and hoped to secure another win, preferably without the need for extra minutes this time around.
The Trojans opened the game on a hot start, fueled by an aggressive and disruptive defense paired with a wellstructured and fluid offense. Early on, forward Malakhi Lowe set the tone with a dominant presence in the paint, chipping in key buckets that helped build early momentum. Rickards, meanwhile, struggled to find offensive rhythm, routinely turning the ball over and missing clean looks at the rim. The lone bright spot for the Raiders was forward Calvin Thomas, who knocked down a few tough mid-range shots to keep his team afloat. Lincoln closed the first quarter with a 15 to 8 lead.
Going into the second quarter, Rickards finally began to gain some offensive momentum. After a few good looks and a big three from Thomas, the Raiders cut the deficit to 18 to 15, which was the closest they would be all night. Lincoln responded immediately. Guard Jaylin Parrish sparked a run with a few aggressive drives to the rim, and Lowe added a timely three to stretch the lead to 23 to 18. Despite Thomas continuing to produce for Rickards, Lincoln maintained control and went
into halftime up 27 to 21. Starting the second half, Lincoln came out aggressive again, turning up their defensive pressure and continuing to force turnovers. Their ability to get downhill offensively pushed the lead to 32 to 25 with about three minutes left in the third quarter. Thomas remained the driving force for the Raiders, collapsing the defense and creating opportunities for teammates. His efforts helped trim the margin to 33 to 28, but every time Rickards made progress, Lincoln answered. The Trojans eventually put together a 10 point unanswered run, pushing the lead to 41 to 31 before closing the quarter ahead 42 to 34.
Lincoln opened the fourth quarter with another strong burst, quickly extending the lead to 48 to 34. Midway through the period, the Trojans changed their approach by slowing the pace, moving the ball around the perimeter, and using the clock to their advantage while staying in control. Rickards eventually mounted one last push. The Raiders converted a four-point play with 51 seconds left to cut the score to 51 to 43. Moments later, Steve Koonce Jr. knocked down a big shot to make it 52 to 46 with 24 seconds remaining. Lincoln held firm on the final possession, stopping the late surge. Final Score, Lincoln 54, Rickards 46.
Notable performances for Lincoln, Forward Malakhi Lowe (Sr.) finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists, and Guard Kyel Chambliss (Jr.) added 10 points, including 2 made threes while shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc.
