Tallahassee Reports, September 6, 2025

Tallahassee

At the September 3rd, 2025, city commission meeting, elected officials received an information update on the use of AI in city operations. P1

Eight months into 2025, crime incident data shows that total crime incidents have declined by 32.3% when compared to incident data from January thru August in 2024. P4

After three separate weapon incidents at three different Leon County schools officials are now considering installing open-gate metal detection systems at all high schools. P1

The Florida State University Board of Trustees unanimously re-elected Trustee Peter Collins as its chair during its meeting on Aug. 29. P1

According to filings with Leon County and the City of Tallahassee, the number of single-family new construction permits were up 21.9% in August 2025 when compared to August 2024. P10

Now that City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow has announced a run for mayor, the race to fill his seat is underway. Get details on the candidates. P6

Opinion: When Seminoles Win, Tallahassee Wins Too. P8

TQB Club Players of The Week. P11

FAMU Board of Trustees Hosts Strategic Retreat

By Alonda Thomas FAMU News

Last month, the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees convened in Orlando for a two-day retreat focused on reflection, transition, and charting a unified path forward for the institution. The retreat provided a platform for the Board to engage in candid discussions around several key topics, including the Board’s self-evaluation, the performance review of Interim President Timothy L. Beard,

A New Class: Metal Detectors 101

By Steve Stewart

After three separate incidents at three different Leon County schools, where students were arrested for bringing weapons on campus, school officials are now considering installing opengate metal detection systems at all high schools.

The issue – students with weapons - is not new, but school officials initially tried to address concerns without metal detectors.

The initiatives included random visits to schools with a weapons detecting dog, AI weapon detecting technology, and promoting a "see something, say something campaign."

However, the recent arrests have had an impact on Superintendent Hanna and other officials.

The Weapon Incidents

So far this year there have been three weapons related arrests on school campuses and a fourth outside a mar-

quee high school football game at Gene Cox stadiums — all in a span of two school days.

On Friday, August 22, Leon County deputies reported a 15-year-old Godby High School student in the 9th grade was arrested for having a gun on campus.

According to deputies, the student left the classroom without permission, telling the teacher he was leaving campus. The teacher immediately notified school administration. The student was located by school staff and escorted to the office. Deputies

Paul Renner, Former Florida House Speaker, Announces Run for Governor

By A.G. Gancarski FloridaPolitics.com

Could a former House Speaker overcome President Donald Trump’s preferred candidate to succeed Ron DeSantis?

That’s the bet Palm Coast Republican Paul Renner is making by entering the Republican Primary for Governor.

Renner, a military veteran and a former state prosecutor, represented Palm Coast for eight years after previously losing a nail-biter Special Election in 2014 for a Jacksonville-based seat in the Legislature, a race he lost by just two votes out of nearly 12,000 cast. Since he left office, speculation has swirled about his next move, even as he served in meaningful roles including the Board of Governors for the State University System.

Now there is clarity, and an opportunity for him to come full circle in title, as he’s looking to move from the Board of Governors to the Governor’s Mansion.

Renner understands the odds and the competition he faces in former House colleague Byron Donalds and whoever may emerge from the current Governor’s inner circle. Yet he is confident he can make the case to voters around the state just as he did when he ran for the state House, and later in leading the House for two years.

say school administrators searched the student’s book bag, finding a .45 caliber revolver and four bullets.

Also on Friday, at Rickards High School, school administration received an anonymous tip that a 17-year-old student in 11th grade was in possession of

This won’t be the first time Renner faces Donalds, and the last time, it was Renner who came out on top. In 2017 both were part of a four-member race for House Speaker.

His argument is rooted in continuing the current course of conservative governance.

“I’m running for Governor because I believe that I’m the right person that’s able to step in on day one and continue what this governor has begun, which is a hugely consequential legacy, and continue to fight to not only defend what we’ve built and defend the free state of Florida, but also to address challenges because we do still have challenges and we’ll always have new challenges ahead,” Renner told Florida Politics.

He said a lot of what he wants to do is rooted in what was done under his watch, including addressing affordability concerns, expanding school choice, reforming litigation, and helping to implement reforms to lower property insurance rates in the state, which even with some modest recent drops overall, remain among the highest in the nation.

More remains to be done, Renner said, including rolling back property

City Staff Details Use of AI in City Operations

By Casey Drayer

Earlier this year, the Tallahassee City Commission requested an overview detailing how City staff are using Artificial Intelligence (AI). At the September 3rd, 2025, city commission meeting, elected officials received an information update.

The Update

AI is the use of computer technology that learns from data, identifies patterns, and improves its performance over time by analyzing information. With AI becoming increasingly prevalent throughout local government, the City has developed numerous policies that establish a framework for the use of this technology, ensuring it meets City standards.

The City is currently using AI in a few select ways. The primary use is to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction by using generative chat-based support and voice recognition services to assist customers 24/7 or during peak call times when workers are not immediately available. In February, the City established an AI solution that automatically summarizes and identifies a customer’s billing activity, payments over the last 12 months, invoices, and any overdue bills—transitioning a process that would take hours to being instant.

The other primary use of AI focuses on public safety. Beginning in 2023, AI-assisted License Plate Readers converted photos

Cardiologist Natalia Rocha, MD, Joins TMH Physician Partners

TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group - Cardiology recently welcomed Natalia Rocha, MD. With board certifications across five specialties, Dr. Rocha’s addition enhances access to comprehensive cardiovascular care in the Big Bend region.

Dr. Rocha offers expertise in cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular computed tomography, nuclear cardiology and echocardiography. Passionate about the connection between metabolic disorders – like diabetes and obesity – and heart diseases, she provides personalized, evidence-based care that addresses the whole person.

Originally from Brazil, she earned her medical degree from Universidade Federal do Ceará before completing her residency and fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Her advanced training allows her to diagnose and manage complex cardiovascular conditions with precision and compassion.

“Heart care isn’t just about tests

and treatment — it’s about helping

patients understand their risk factors and empowering them to make longterm changes,” she said.

Dr. Rocha sees patients at TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group - Cardiology, located at 1300 Medical Drive. To schedule an appointment, talk with your primary care physician and request a referral to Dr. Rocha’s office.

Leon County Celebrates Library Card Sign-up Month with Limited-Edition Library Card

In celebration of Library Card Sign-up Month in September and the upcoming World Athletics Cross Country Championships on January 10, 2026, Leon County Government is now offering a limited-edition championships-themed library card to all eligible residents.

The Capital of Cross Country, Tallahassee-Leon County is home to the internationally recognized cross country course at Leon County’s Apalachee Regional Park, which will serve as the host for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships. To highlight this event, the library is proud to debut a commemorative World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 library card.

A library card unlocks access to everything the library provides, including books, eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, streaming movies, CDs, DVDs, online tutoring and e-Learning resources. While supplies last,

new and current library card holders can receive the WXC Tallahassee 26 library card at no cost by visiting any Leon County Public Library location.

Since 1987, the American Library Association and libraries across the country have celebrated Library Card Sign-up Month each September to mark the beginning of the school year. The purpose of the month is to ensure every child signs up for their own library card.

Community News

Peter Collins Re-elected Chair of FSU Board of Trustees

The Florida State University Board of Trustees unanimously re-elected Trustee Peter Collins as its chair during its meeting on Aug. 29.

“It’s an honor to serve as the chair of the FSU Board of Trustees,” Collins said. “I love the university, and I love being able to lead such a passionate and engaged board of leaders. There are truly incredible things happening at Florida State University right now—from recordsetting student achievements to groundbreaking research— and I am excited to help guide our institution through this

remarkable period of growth and success.”

Collins, who was first elected board chair on Aug. 27, 2021, earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA from FSU. He is the co-founder and managing principal of Forge Capital Partners, directing all private equity activities for the company and serving as CEO of Forge’s real estate private equity fund business.

He previously served on the FSU Foundation Board of Trustees and as chair of the foundation’s Investment and Development committees.

“Chair Collins has been a

United Way of the Big Bend honors Virginia Glass with Legacy Award

By Gina Jordan WFSU

The United Way of the Big Bend has given Virginia Glass its Legacy Award. Glass has become synonymous with 100 Women Who Care – a national philanthropic group.

Every three months, a local non-profit gets a big donation. That’s thanks to 100 Women Who Care, a national organization with a Tallahassee chapter.

Members contribute $100 apiece at meetings, then vote on which nonprofit will receive the quarterly funds.

Virginia Glass says the Tallahassee chapter started with 65 women and now has 255.

“The simplicity of this organization is what makes it work," she says, "because we have so many people who want to give

back, but their schedule does not permit them to go sit in board meetings all the time.”

The group started during the pandemic. Now, five years later, it’s given away more than half a million dollars. Glass has long been involved with local philanthropy, including serving with the United Way of the Big Bend, which honored her work during its annual giving campaign kickoff.

tremendous partner in advancing Florida State University as one of the top public universities in the nation,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “I truly value his leadership, insight and dedication to the university.”

Florida State’s 13-member Board of Trustees comprises six trustees appointed by the Florida governor, five trustees appointed by the Florida Board of Governors, one trustee who is the president of the university’s Faculty Senate and one who is the student body president.

Judith B. McGinnis, Leon High Graduate & Lifelong Seminole, Dies at 87

Judith B. McGinnis, 87, of Tallahassee, born on March 10th, 1938, and affectionately known as “Judi B” and “Miss Judi” passed away peacefully August 26th, 2025.

Born in Tallahassee to Charles and Catherine Benedict, she grew up as a native Tallahassean. She graduated from Leon High School, was in the band, May Court and then graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She was a member of the FSU Flying High Circus specializing as the woman on the Flying Trapeze. A lifelong Seminole, she loved watching and cheering on the Noles whether at Doak Campbell Stadium or with family and friends.

In her early career she was the Director of Palmer Monroe Recreation Center where she shaped the lives of many of the youth on the Tallahassee West Side. She went on to work for the Tallahassee Democrat in advertising, was Executive Director of the Tallahassee Open PGA Golf Tournament for 8 years and finished her career as the Director of Marketing with Benedict Engineering Company working along side her brother Charles E. “Ched” Benedict.

Always active, in her retirement she created “Judi B’s Gluten Free” line of gluten free products she would promote and sell at the Saturday Tallahassee Market.

As an avid golfer she was a member of Winewood (now Hilaman) and Capital City

Country Clubs (Club Champion for many years), loved the beach, traveling, cooking, the arts, her active bridge group, playing card games and gin rummy with her family and was active in all things Episcopalian with the Church of the Advent locally. Her faith was her passion with service through Christ with the Alter Guild, Thursday bible study, a Lay Reader, Advent Vestry and many other Church of the Advent groups. She was preceded in death by her sister Sarah Watson, her brother William Benedict and grandsons Ariel and Jonathan McGinnis. She is survived by her sister and brother, Mary Ann Clarke and Charles E. “Ched” Benedict, her three sons Kevin Willingham, Lance McGinnis and Scott McGinnis as well as 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Her quick wit, infectious laugh, radiant smile and always caring personality will be fondly remembered.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life Reception will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Advent September 13th 2025 at 11AM located at 815 Piedmont Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312.

August Crime Report: Robbery, Auto Burglary Incidents Spike

By Steve Stewart

Eight months into 2025, crime incident data published daily by the Tallahassee Police Department shows that total crime incidents have declined by 32.3% when compared to incident data from January thru August in 2024. The drop was driven by a 52.9% decline in commercial burglaries and a 29.8% drop in residential burglaries. Despite the YTD drops in crime, concerning trends are emerging related to robberies and auto burglaries. Over the last two months – July & August – the frequency of robber-

ies and auto burglaries haves reached 2024 levels after declines during the first six months of 2025.

The Numbers

The incident data -tabulated by TR – show that property crime incidents are down 34.8% and violent crime incidents are down 26.7% during the

TPD Discovers Weapons at Gene Cox Stadium, Make Arrest

The Tallahassee Police Department has released the synopsis of an investigation related to firearms found at Gene Cox Stadium.

On August 22, while patrolling the area around Gene Cox Stadium to prevent potential acts of violence, members of TPD’s Violent Crimes Response Team (VCRT) observed a group of juveniles gathered outside the gate. During this time, one male was seen brandishing a firearm and pointing it at another individual, who immediately fled. Following a brief pursuit, officers detained the group, made one arrest, and recovered the firearm nearby.

Further investigation on scene led to the discovery of a second firearm, equipped with a switch. A switch allows a handgun to fire fully automatic, meaning one pull of the trigger will cause the weapon to continue firing until empty or released. This makes them both extremely dangerous and illegal. The firearm was found close to

where several individuals were detained. A short time after the initial encounter, officers identified a vehicle of interest at a nearby gas station. After developing probable cause to search the vehicle, officers located a handgun with an extended magazine, along with a backpack containing latex gloves, a window punch, and a screwdriver. These actions reinforce TPD’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safety during large community events. TPD reminds the public that if you see suspicious activity to call police at 850-606-5800. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS.

Arrested: Jabori Williams, 17, for possession of a firearm by a delinquent, carrying a concealed firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm, and resisting without violence.

Tuesday and Thursday

8-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 52.9% decrease in commercial burglaries and a 29.8% decrease in residential burglaries. The Auto Burglary & Theft category – which accounts for approximately 55% of all property crimes –was down 33.1%.

The violent crime data shows that robbery incidents were down 20.0%, while assault & battery incidents were down 26.2%.

City Votes to Keep Residency Requirement

By Casey Drayer

On September 3rd, the city commission voted 4-1 (Dailey voted no) not to revise a recently passed ordinance which established a residency requirement for individuals seeking election to the office of mayor or city commissioner. In order to be eligible, one must be a registered elector who has resided in the city of Tallahassee for 365 days prior to the first day of the qualifying period preceding the general election for which the candidate seeks to qualify.

The establishment of a residency requirement serves to ensure the can-

didate is a genuine resident of the city they wish to represent and has lived in the town long enough to identify issues currently confronting Tallahassee. The change raised questions about the upcoming 2026 election. Individuals had already begun to file for election, although some candidates were not aware of this change and had very little time to relocate within the city limits to meet the residency requirement.

After a discussion, the majority of city commissioners argued that changing the law for one cycle would set a bad precedent moving forward for other adopted ordinances.

City Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony for Griffin Heights Grocery Store

By Steve Stewart

The City of Tallahassee hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a neighborhood grocery store on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m., at the corner of Alabama and Harlem streets in the heart of Griffin Heights.

The construction project will deliver a 2,500-square-foot building designed to house a grocery vendor that will provide fresh and healthy food options.

The grocery store was identified as a top-priority project through the City’s Neighborhood First planning process with Griffin Heights residents. The plan was adopted by the City Commission in 2021, and subsequently, the Mayor and City Commissioners advanced the project, supporting the purchase of the property followed by an approval of approximately $1.3 million to fund construction.

of plates into readable text, leading to the recovery of over 200 stolen vehicles. The Capital Region Real-Time Crime Center has developed an AI-powered firearm detection software that gathers information and enables quicker response times when

Ph.D., the broader transition process involving both President Marva Johnson, J.D., and the Board itself.

Central to the retreat was the Board members shared commitment to foster a collegial environment and work collaboratively on behalf of FAMU.

“FAMU is entering the next chapter of its storied history. The retreat was an important moment for our board to engage in open dialogue and a commitment to truth,” said Kristin Harper, chair of the Board of Trustees.

“Through Dr. Silver’s leadership, we began the hard but necessary work of rebuilding trust and aligning our vision for the future of FAMU. Our shared purpose is to fulfill the mission of this institution and serve its students, which

“Bringing a grocery store to Griffin Heights has been a priority for the neighborhood, and it’s taken a tremendous collective planning effort to reach this point,” Mayor John Dailey said. “Residents clearly voiced what they needed, and I’m both proud and excited to see their vision come to life as construction begins.”

The City undertook an extensive and proactive effort to engage neighborhood residents, ensure their voices were heard and garner input that Architects Lewis+Whitlock (ALW) used to design the store and develop building plans. The final design includes architectural elements that complement the neighborhood and an outdoor covered pavilion for community engagement activities.

Tip Top Construction will build the structure, which is anticipated to be complete in 2026.

City Staff Details Use of AI in City Operations

a weapon is detected. Over the last year, the City’s police and fire departments have used drones equipped with AI, allowing for efficient and accurate responses.

While AI has proven to be applicable, numerous rules and regulations must

be implemented to ensure safety. AI can be unpredictable at times due to its ability to absorb information and continually learn and grow.

The City has implemented policies that restrict the information AI is given, including access to all confi

dential data. Employees must oversee AI usage to ensure accuracy and are instructed to report any incidents involving AI to protect City data. Additionally, when disposing of electronic media containing sensitive information,

FAMU Board of Trustees Hosts Strategic Retreat

must always rise above our differences.”

The retreat activities were facilitated by Joseph Silver, Ph.D., a leading higher education expert who previously served as in several higher education roles, including provost, president and vice president for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. He dedicated a significant portion of the retreat clarifying the roles and responsibilities of Board members. Trustees openly addressed concerns about the presidential search process, ways to improve trust, and enhance board cohesion. Through open dialogue, each member had the opportunity to voice their perspectives, leading to a renewed commitment to collaboration and

unity.

“After thoughtful conversation and reflection, the Board discussed adopting a set of group norms to guide future meetings and interactions. These norms are intended to foster transparency, respect, and effective governance,” said Silver.

The retreat also included advice on navigating the current leadership transition. Trustees received guidance on how to support President Johnson and ensure a smooth handover. Similarly, the President Johnson was offered recommendations on how to build trust, engage stakeholders, and establish a strong foundation for her administration. The activity highlighted the importance of trust and mutual respect— qualities the Board agreed

Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: August 26, 2025

By Steve Stewart

Provided below are the news briefs from the August 26, 2025, Leon County School Board meeting.

Recognition of Continuously HighPerforming Schools

Item 2.01: The recognized schools were those that have achieved all ‘A’s in the last five years or consistently ‘A’s and ‘B’s. Elementary Schools: Buck Lake, Gilchrist, Hawks Rise, Killarney Lakes, Roberts, and DeSoto Trail. Middle Schools: Deer Lake, Mumford, and Swift Creek. High Schools: Chiles and Leon High School. Public Comment

Scott Mazur, representing the Leon Classroom Teachers Association, addressed the board regarding the state’s budget. He noted that Florida has a budget stabilization fund of $4.4 billion (10% by law) and total reserves of $12 to $15 billion, the largest in state history. Mazur argued that despite claims of a “tight budget year,” the state has ample funds and that 10% of these reserves could provide $3,000 to $4,000 for every school teacher in Florida.

Items Related to Construction.

Item 18.01: The Leon County School Board owns property constituting Raa Middle School located at 401 West Tharpe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32303. The Board approved The City of Tallahassee request that it be granted a temporary construction easement as referenced in the temporary construction easement.

Item 18.02: The Board approved a Traffic Signal Equipment easement located on the property of Raa Middle School located at 401 West Tharpe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32303.

Item 18.03: The Board approved a Short-Form Agreement ( $1,416,737) with Ajax Building Company, LLC for the Phase I Godby High School Boiler Replacement and HVAC Project, and

other work as instructed.

Item 18.04: The Board approved a Rippee Construction, Inc. Change Order 1 (Deductive) for Construction Manager Services for Chiles High School Welding Lab Project.

Item 18.05: The Board approved a School Impact Analysis for a 358 Multi-Family Residential project located at 309 W. Tennessee Street. Schools impacted include Bond, RAA, & Leon.

Item 18.06: The Board approved certification of applicants seeking prequalification for bidding LCSB construction projects.

Superintendent’s Comments

The Superintendent reported a great start to the school year in its third week, with some expected bumps in transportation. Adjustments were made for pre-IB middle school students, who are now shuttled between their home zone elementary schools and Fairview Middle School, with some volunteering in after-school programs. He provided enrollment figures, noting that the current enrollment is 29,499, which is comparable to the same time last year (29,635 in October of the previous year).

Board Discussion

Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) Legislative Priorities: Board member Smith presented the proposed legislative priorities for the Leon County School Board for submission to the FSBA which included calls for increased funding for teacher salaries.

Tax Initiatives: Board member Jones inquired about the status of two tax initiatives discussed previously: an increase in the millage rate for teacher salaries and a half-cent sales tax for capital outlay. The advice given was to “be still” until the first of the year, after which engagement with stakeholders (chambers, etc.) and a marketing plan would be pursued.

are essential not only among themselves but also in their relationships with the broader FAMU community.

“The retreat and the teambuilding exercises underscored the importance of working together effectively as a unit so that we can advance the mission of Florida A&M University,” said President Johnson. “This was a great opportunity for me to get to know the board members on a more personal level and I look forward to our future collaborations using the tools presented here.”

By the conclusion of the retreat, there was a clear consensus: the Board must stand united in support of the university’s mission, the new president, and work collaboratively to uphold FAMU’s legacy of excellence. Trustees

Tallahassee

By Steve Stewart

Provided below are the news briefs from the Tallahassee City Commission meeting held on September 3, 2025.

Presentations: Tom Napier of Honor Flight Tallahassee recognized the Commission for its participation in and support of Honor Flight.

The city commission presented a proclamation to Click it Twice to Save a Life Day, a movement asking all residents to participate in this citywide campaign to reduce gun thefts.

The city commission presented a proclamation to The Chi Theta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. recognizing the groups 55th Anniversary Weekend.

Consent Agenda Approval: Consent agenda items (8.01 through 8.05) were moved for approval and passed unanimously 5-0.

Introduction of Ordinances: Items 11.01 through 11.05 were moved for approval and passed unanimously 5-0.

Item 12.01: The city commission unanimously voted to not take any action on the 287(g) agreement between TPD and the federal government related to the enforcement of immigration laws until a state court rules on a pending lawsuit on the issue.

Item 12.02: The city commission voted 4-1 (Dailey voted no) to take no action, thereby maintaining the 365-daysbefore-qualifying residency requirement enacted via Ordinance 25-O-13 of the Election Code. The vote came after consideration was given to changing the ordinance for the current election cycle due to some timing issues. Only Mayor Dailey supported the change for this cycle.

Item 12.03: The city commission voted to accept the Speed Zone Enforcement Annual Report. The report provided information related to the active speed zone camera locations in service during

all data must be rendered unreadable. If any information is given to Artificial Intelligence, it must be entirely erased before disposal.

reaffirmed their shared responsibility to act in the best interest of the University and its stakeholders.

“As Chair, I remain hopeful that the progress made during this retreat will guide the path forward. Trust is fragile, and the road ahead will demand integrity, transparency, and accountability from every trustee and President Johnson. Upholding FAMU’s legacy as a beacon of excellence and opportunity is paramount as we ‘Boldly Strike’ together for student success,” said Harper.

the end of the 204-25 school year. The report indicated that 6,629 violations were issued and 4,561 have been paid, leaving 1,643 violations pending. A total of 84 violations were contested with 8 violations upheld and 76 contested violations pending. On the revenue side, a total of $435,600 was collected with $261,360 going to the city, $21,780 going to the school crossing guard program, $87,120 going to the Florida Department of Revenue, $13,068 going to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and $52,272 going to the Leo County School Board.

Item 12.04: On June 11, 2025, the City Commission requested an overview of the ways City staff are currently using artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and a review of policies governing the use of the technology. The city commission voted to accept the report after a detailed presentation on the policy frameworks for City technologies and a summary of current uses of AI applications, including public safety and customer service.

Item 12.05: The city voted to negotiate and execute an agreement with the United States of America, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the lease of Airport property at Tallahassee International Airport. The lease is expected to generate $334,919.60 in new revenue for the Airport during the term of the agreement, which will be deposited into the Aviation Operating Fund.

Item 16.01: The city commission held the first of two public hearings and voted 3-2 (Matlow, Porter no) to approve the tentative FY26 Budget and Millage Rate & the FY26 proposed Operating and Capital Budgets. Matlow and Porter voted no based on the controversy related to the fire services fee. The city commission voted to approve the CY26 health plan rates; approve FY25 budget amendments; and approve Solid Waste, Growth Management, Fire Assessment and Fees, and Cemetery resolutions.

AI, From Front Page

FAMU, From Front Page

The 2,500-square-foot store is located at the corner of Alabama and Harlem streets in the heart of Griffin Heights.

Four Candidates File to Run for City Commission Seat 3

By Steve Stewart

Now that City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow has announced a run for mayor, the race to fill his seat is underway. So far, four people have officially filed with the Leon County Supervisor of Elections to become candidates. Others have until June, 2026 to get into the race. Provided below is information on the four candidates.

Talethia Edwards

Talethia Edwards previously founded the Greater Bond Neighborhood Association and is executive director of the nonprofit Good News Outreach. During an interview after she filed to run, she said her experience has prepared her for the job.

“I've done the work. I'm doing the work, and this is just the next level in doing the work I want to serve this community,” she said. “Most of my work has been focused on the South side of Tallahassee, but I understand this community holistically. There's over 200,000 residents in Tallahassee, and I'm poised and ready to serve all of them in a real way.”

She wants to prioritize bringing business investment

and affordable housing to Tallahassee.

“I want to see more industry, right? I want to retain talent in this community. How do we attract big companies to this community so that we retain our talent? I believe in housing affordability. And how do we utilize city funding, that billion dollar budget to be creative, to bring about housing affordability, creation of more jobs,” she said.

For the past several years, Tallahassee’s city commission chamber has been a contentious place. Votes split along a 3-2 line with spats from the dais have captured headlines at almost every outlet in town. The minority bloc has pushed for reshaping leadership at city hall and ousting city manager Reese Goad. Edwards said fighting from current commissioners isn’t her focus.

“We get distracted a lot with things about, oh, they want to fire the city manager. Oh, the 2-3 split. We get distracted. And those things take us off the focus of what is important, that's the people and making sure that this city stays moving in the direction that it needs to be moved in for generations to come,” she said.

Edwards is friendly with the current majority at city hall.

A

METAL DETECTORS, From Front Page

a weapon at Rickards High. They say the student was removed from her classroom. School administrators searched her belongings, finding a taser and pepper spray. The student said the items were for self-defense. She was arrested on two counts of weapon possession on school property.

Both students were taken to the juvenile assessment center.

On Monday, August 25, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) reported a 17-yearold, 12th grade student at Lincoln High School student was arrested after disclosing to staff that a firearm was inside his vehicle on campus.

The LCSO report states that “Administration received a tip that a student may have a firearm on campus. Administrators notified the student that they would be conducting an administrative search of the student’s vehicle

Video Producer C.B. Lorch Running for Leon County Commission

A Tallahassee media producer is running for Leon County Commission District 3. C.B. Lorch has long been among the Capital City's top creators of video content and now he has decided to run for office due in part to the current political climate.

"As adversarial as it's gotten, we really just need to get away from that. And that starts with good people stepping up and being willing to serve. And doing it for the right reasons and I think we've got the kind of community that wants that."

Lorch is running for County Commission District 3, the county's northwestern area. For the past 7 years, the seat's been held by Commissioner Rick Minor. Lorch says he holds no personal animus against the incumbent. In fact, they've worked together on various past projects.

"We worked on a KCCI (Knight Creative Communities Institute) class together. A really great organization in our community that's doing great things. And we worked on the same project. Rick is a very nice guy.

Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox posted a picture to Facebook in 2023 of herself, Edwards, Mayor John Dailey and Commissioner Curtis Richardson at a Florida A&M University football game. Edwards also previously donated money to Williams-Cox and Dailey’s campaigns in 2022.

Norm Roche

Former Pinellas County Commissioner Norm Roche is running for the Tallahassee City Commission seat Jeremy Matlow is leaving open in 2026 due to his Mayoral run.

During his time on the Pinellas County Commission starting in 2010, Roche supported removing fluoride from the county’s water and opposed a tax increase for expanding public transportation. He lost a bid for another term during the Republican Primary for the seat in 2014. Roche now works at Costco’s membership desk in Tallahassee. He says he became interested in running for the city commission after his nephew left the Tallahassee Fire Department amid a recent standoff between the city and the firefighter union. He wants to bring more busi-

nesses and jobs to the city.

“We've got some of the brightest folks coming out of our colleges here, FSU, FAMU, TSC, and we have our folks here in town, and we need to build around that so that these folks can stay here. They can build their lives here, their families here, and grow with Tallahassee and Leon together,” he said.

Roche said he thinks the city has been run well but believes the commission has been distracted by politics.

“From my view of it, you seem to have a couple of moderate, reasonable Democrats, and then you have some that are a little more left progressive leaning. And that's the ideology behind it. It's not one way or the other. You've got to leave your ideology and your political badges, if you will, at the door, sit at the dais and work together for the benefit of the city, period,” he said.

Roche previously ran for the Pinellas County commission as a Democrat but was elected as a Republican. He has now been an NPA for 10 years.

PJ Perez

PJ Perez has taught in Leon county for over 15 years, including 12 years as a high school teacher at SAIL and two years at Tallahassee

New Class: Metal Detectors 101

at which time the student told administrators he had a firearm inside the vehicle. An administrative search was conducted by school administrators, and a loaded Ruger .380 handgun was found inside the vehicle.”

And, on Tuesday, August 26, while patrolling the area around Gene Cox Stadium to prevent potential acts of violence, members of TPD’s Violent Crimes Response Team (VCRT) observed a group of juveniles gathered outside the gate. During this time, one male was seen brandishing a firearm and pointing it at another individual, who immediately fled. Following a brief pursuit, officers detained the group, made one arrest, and recovered the firearm nearby. Further investigation on scene led to the discovery of a second firearm, equipped with a switch. A switch allows a handgun to fire fully automatic, meaning one pull

of the trigger will cause the weapon to continue firing until it is empty or released. This makes them both extremely dangerous and illegal. The firearm was found close to where several individuals were detained.

A short time after the initial encounter, officers identified a vehicle of interest at a nearby gas station. After developing probable cause to search the vehicle, officers located a handgun with an extended magazine, along with a backpack containing latex gloves, a window punch, and a screwdriver.

Metal Detectors

At the August 25th school board meeting Hanna said, “I’ve had enough.”

Board member Daryl Jones said, "I think this conversation is well timed because I don't think any of us have seen the beginning of a

school year that has had the types of reports that we have had."

Board member Marcus Nicolas requested a workshop to include Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO), Tallahassee Police Department (TPD), Assistant Superintendent Fitzgerald, and other community intervention services. The goal is to gather anecdotal data and qualitative insights into the contributing factors and underlying trauma or anxiety that leads students to bring weapons to school, rather than just quantitative data.

New proposals include gate open detection systems for high schools. There was also discussion about a pilot program for drones that detect guns, which are still very new, expensive (around $1 million for drones and monitoring), and primarily focus on identifying shooters during an event rather than

Local News Briefs

I just don't know that we're where we need to be now that he's served for 7 years as commissioner."

Specifically, Lorch believes Minor's efforts to revive the North Monroe Street corridor haven't met expectations. Even though Minor has indicated he'll seek a third term, Lorch has been the first to officially file as a candidate. He says he wants as much time as he can get to learn as much as he can.

FSU to Host 125th Anniversary Celebration Honoring Senator Claude Pepper

Florida State University and the Claude Pepper Foundation invite the community to a special celebration marking the 125th anniversary of Senator Claude Pepper, a towering figure in Florida and national history. The celebration will take place from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at the Broad Auditorium, Claude Pepper Center Building, on the FSU campus.

The commemorative event will feature a keynote address by James C. Clark, senior lecturer at the University of Central Florida,

and an engaging lineup of presentations exploring Sen. Pepper’s profound influence on Florida State University, his namesake library and museum, and his enduring legacy in public service, health care and advocacy for the elderly.

A celebration will also feature the first public screening of the new documentary, “The Legacy of Claude Denson Pepper,” chronicling the life and work of one of the most respected voices in 20th-century American politics.

Attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast beginning at 8 a.m., followed by presentations and a buffet luncheon at noon. Seating is limited, and early response is encouraged. RSVP by Sept. 1, 2025.

FSU Freshman LB Pritchard in Stable Condition After Weekend Shooting

A Florida State University football player is recovering after being shot in Havana over the weekend.

Freshman linebacker

Ethan Pritchard is in an intensive care unit at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. In a statement, FSU Football said Pritchard is in

Collegiate Academy now. He said he’s running to bring change to city hall.

“Smart growth, public safety, protecting the environment, reforming Blueprint, transparency, accountability at City Hall. As I communicate with people, I'm getting a sense that most people are just united on those fronts. They want change, and I think there's a momentum for reform in local government,” he said.

He’s unhappy with previous Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency spending on the Northeast Gateway and Doak Cambell Stadium projects. He wants to prioritize urban infill in Tallahassee instead of expansion.

“There's a commonly held desire to stop this costly sprawl that's making congestion worse and instead focus on making our existing footprint a better place to live and encourage development where it makes sense and foster community, which is, I think, crucial to any sort of healthy and beautiful city,” he said.

On the 3-2 split at city hall, Perez said he’s not willing to SEAT 3, Page 8

preventing weapons from entering.

Metal detectors are increasingly implemented in Florida high schools as part of safety measures. For example, in 2023, the Palm Beach County School District initiated a pilot program implementing metal detectors in four high schools and by the end of 2024 installed them in all 24 of it’s secondary schools.

Orange County Public Schools tested metal detectors at several schools but did not expand the program district-wide due to costs. St. Lucie Public Schools introduced walk-through metal detectors and Brevard Public Schools installed metal detectors at all high schools, following a pilot program that began at Melbourne High School.

The proposal to activate metal detectors will go before the Leon County School Board on September 9.

critical but stable condition. He was shot while visiting family in Havana on Sunday night.

"It's obviously an extremely tragic event," said Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell during a press conference Monday.

"Our football team, coaches and family, we're all here to support him and absolutely believe in him and are praying for all parts of him and the journey ahead."

According to the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office, the shooting happened around 10 p.m. Sunday near Havana Heights Apartments. A man, later identified as Pritchard, was found injured inside a vehicle. Officers arrived and EMS officials transported him to TMH where he underwent surgery.

An investigation into the shooting is underway.

LCSO Arrests Suspect Connected to Burglary, Grand Theft, and Drug Crimes

On Friday August 29th, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office reported an arrest related to recent property and drug crimes.

On Friday, Aug. 22, the LCSO Property Crimes

Unit, along with LCSO’s Uniform Patrol Deputies, arrested a male suspect in connection with a series of burglary and theft investigations.

Starting in May, LCSO deputies began taking reports around the southeast side of the county involving a business burglary, thefts from construction sites, and thefts from residences in the Woodville, Natural Bridge Road, Old Plank Road and W.W. Kelley Road areas. This includes a theft in the 4000 block of Woodville Highway, where $60,000 worth of equipment was taken.

During a thorough investigation over the next few months, probable cause was established for the arrest of Christopher Knapp in these cases. Knapp was booked at the Leon County Detention Facility on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to burglary, theft, trespassing, and narcotics possession.

The arrests followed a joint effort by Uniform Patrol deputies, Property Crimes detectives, LCSO intel analysts, the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, and the Capital Region Real Time Crime Center.

State

CFO Ingoglia Issuing Subpoenas to Orange County Employees

By Mitch Perry Florida Phoenix

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said Wednesday that it was “probable” Orange County employees tried to hide information when his DOGE team began examining spending practices with the county government.

Therefore, he said, he was issuing investigative subpoenas to all county employees his office believes were involved in grant programs for DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts.

Ingoglia made those remarks while speaking at a press conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis in Orlando.

DeSantis said some of the staff seemed to be reading from a prepared script, which he believes raises suspicions.

“They wouldn’t fully answer the questions and really left a lot of our folks not satisfied that they were getting all the answers that they could. So there’s a lot of different things to unpack here,” the governor said.

DOGE auditors had received a tip from “someone inside county government” that employees were changing the names of files to obscure certain key words, Ingoglia

said — specifically, diversity, equity, and inclusion. His staff ended up gathering about 1.2 million emails related to six grants that had been given out for DEI programs. During the search of those million emails, he said, five of those grants were never alluded to.

“So, I wonder what happened with those emails?” he said. “So, it’s telling me that it is probable that we have county employees [who] tried to hide some of this information.”

‘Freaking out’

Auditors with Florida DOGE — Department of Government Efficiency — have conducted onsite audits throughout the state since DeSantis named Ingoglia as chief financial officer in July, including Broward, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Orange counties and cities like St. Petersburg and Gainesville. Ingoglia suggested he was probably “freaking out Orange County employees” when describing the subpoenas, and urged them when they are interviewed to be truthful. (He did not call out any employees by name during the press conference).

“Don’t lie to us, because, if we have to, we will bring in FDLE and digital forensic

units to find out exactly who did what, so please be truthful with us,” he said.

This is not the first time Ingoglia has claimed unnamed sources had informed his agency that local officials in governments targeted with DOGE audits have tried to delete or hide financial information, but this is the first time his office is going to investigate.

DeSantis and Ingoglia have been campaigning for more than a month on the promise that Floridians will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment in November 2026 that will either substantially reduce or outright eliminate property taxes for those who own homestead properties in the state — something no other state has ever done.

The measure is likely to be proposed during next year’s legislative session, although what it will say has not been determined at this time.

The two Republicans argue it’s important to detect any questionable spending now to get ahead of complaints by local government officials that reducing or eliminating property taxes would severely harm services like public safety.

DeSantis later dismissed comments by Orange County officials that they have complied with all of the requests made by Ingoglia’s DOGE team.

“The CFO would not have issued the subpoenas if all of the questions were answered,” the governor said.

“This is not performative. He wants answers and, under the law, he’s entitled to answers. And I know you haven’t seen CFOs necessarily flex those muscles in the past. This has been part of their authority for a long time.”

He added that the CFO’s office received more authority regarding local government spending in the most recent state budget.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings released a statement

shortly after this story was first published early Wednesday evening.

“Orange County Government fully cooperated with the Florida DOGE audit team providing all the data and documents requested. No employee was instructed to alter, change or delete any documents,” he said. “While our employees may have read from or referred to notes or documents being discussed by the DOGE team, employees were not scripted in their remarks. The state has offered no evidence to support its allegation that we were hiding information or acting without integrity. We welcome the opportunity for full public transparency on this issue

Paul Renner, Former Florida House Speaker, Announces Run for Governor

RENNER, From Front Page

taxes, a priority of Gov. DeSantis.

“They’ve grown at twice the national rate here in Florida, so people need relief, and I’m committed to delivering substantial relief to our homeowners, helping our seniors who’ve been in their homes for decades perhaps, and are getting eaten by taxes that are going up each and every year,” Renner said, adding that in addition to property tax abeyance, guardrails must be installed to ensure local governments don’t just make up the lost revenue in fees.

In addition to being worried about sustainability for older citizens, Renner is conscious of pressures on those just beginning their adult lives in a world where technology threatens to displace workers.

“You’ve heard these stories about people who are graduating with a computer science degree and they

By Jim Saunders The News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — When Florida

lawmakers in December 2022 overhauled property-insurance laws, they shielded insurers from having to pay policyholders’ attorney fees after claims disputes — a top priority of the industry.

But a state appeals court Thursday said the change only went so far.

A three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal sided with a homeowner who argued that an insurer, Security First Insurance Co., should be required to pay her attorney fees because her home was damaged before the 2022 law took effect.

While the homeowner, Denise Blumberg, did not file a claim until January 2023 — and a lawsuit until July 2023 — the appeals court said her

Florida motorists came out of the heavily traveled Labor Day weekend paying an average of $3.04 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline Tuesday, according to the AAA auto club. That was down 2 cents a gallon from a week earlier and within a range of $2.90 to $3.15 a gallon that has remained since May.

can’t find work because AI is doing all the coding, so I’m concerned about its effects on the workforce and I want to make sure that hard work is repaid with a good lifestyle and so that’ll be a principal focus.”

Asked about what his leadership style would be as Governor, Renner pointed to the smoothness of his time as House Speaker when he worked with DeSantis and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.

“What I learned in the military is you criticize in private, praise in public, and I think that’s just good leadership one on one. And so what I would do is try to have the conversations … to make sure that we hash out any differences, we come to agreement and we come out as Republicans hand in hand,” he said, noting the importance of a “cordial relationship.”

“There were times where we disagreed sharply among the three of us, but in the end, we found a landing spot and worked together, and sometimes that meant I gave or the Governor gave or the Senate President gave, but we worked really, really well together by simply airing criticisms in private and praising in public and moving forward together as a Republican Party, together.”

When asked how he would navigate the clearly defined Trump and the stillevolving DeSantis lanes in the race, Renner said he was confident DeSantis and Trump would back him if he becomes the nominee.

“In the meantime, I’m going to go out and deliver my message with conviction,” Renner said. “The reasons why I think that I’m best prepared to continue what the Governor has done

over the last eight years, which has been extraordinary, and that voters will rally to that.”

“I’m not going to get in the middle of this endorsement versus that endorsement. I’m just going to go earn the trust of voters,” Renner added.

Renner is also undaunted by the $25 million Donalds has raised thus far between his campaign and his political committee, saying he’s confident his fundraising will be enough, even if he doesn’t match the Naples Republican dollar for dollar.

“I don’t believe that races are determined solely on that because we see that over and over again, but we will raise money. And you know, at the end of the day, we’ll have enough to compete competitively and again take our message to the voters,” Renner predicted.

Insurer Faces Paying Attorney Fees

policy was in effect at the time the law passed and that the law doesn’t apply retroactively.

“Because attorney’s fees are a substantive right, an amendment limiting that right is presumed to apply prospectively,” Judge Jordan Pratt wrote in an eight-page opinion joined by Judges F. Rand Wallis and John Harris.

The opinion, which overturned a ruling by a Volusia County judge, sent the case back to the lower court to determine the amount of fees that should be paid.

The insurance industry and plaintiffs’ attorneys long battled in the Legislature about what are known as “one-way” attorney fees. In the past, policyholders who recovered money in claims disputes with insurers were entitled to have the carriers pay their attorney fees. That included recoveries through settlements — as was the situation in Blumberg’s case, according to

Thursday’s ruling.

Amid major problems in the property-insurance industry, including soaring premiums and customers losing policies, lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis in December 2022 approved a bill (SB 2-A) that eliminated one-way attorney fees in property insurance disputes.

The industry has hailed the change, saying it reduced costs and litigation and improved the market. Critics, however, have argued it tilted the system too far toward insurers, as policyholders can’t afford to wage legal fights.

A brief filed by Security First attorneys at the Daytona Beach-based appeals court said Blumberg alleged in her claim that the home suffered hail and wind damage in 2022. Thursday’s opinion did not detail terms of the settlement or how much Blumberg has sought in attorney fees.

Gas Prices Remain Stable

Average prices for the Labor Day weekend were the lowest since 2021. The average price was $3.30 a gallon a year ago. The national average price Tuesday was $3.19 a gallon, the same as a week earlier. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said he anticipates the national average price to fall below $3 this fall.

“We’ve seen a remarkably affordable summer to hit the road with incomes up and gas prices down, but there are some challenges that remain: hurricane season and uncertainty over trade, tariffs and Russia’s war on Ukraine,” De Haan said in a blog post.

In the brief, Security First contended that the elimination of the requirement to pay attorney fees should apply to Blumberg because the claim and lawsuit were not filed until 2023 — after the law took effect.

“The date of any initial alleged breach was at the time she reported her claim to Security First (and was denied),” the Security First brief said. “That date was after SB 2-A eliminated any right to … attorney fees. Again, there is no retroactivity issue here.”

But Thursday’s opinion said the right to attorney fees was “incorporated into a contract (the insurance policy) that issued before the statutory amendments.”

“Senate Bill 2-A includes no language near the amendments that implies retroactivity or prospectivity, and it sets no specific effective date for those sections,” the opinion said.

President/Publisher: Kathy Stewart

Editor: Steve Stewart

Contributing Writers: Steve Stewart, Casey Drayer

Social Media and Data Analysis: Robert Stewart

Reports is a project of Red Hills Journalism Foundation Inc. and publishes reports on local government, politics, consumer affairs, business and public policy. Red Hills Journalism Foundation

When Seminoles Win, Tallahassee Wins Too

By Bugra Demirel

On Saturday night, in just three short hours, Tallahassee experienced one of the most powerful demonstrations of sports-driven economic impact we’ve ever seen. Florida State’s victory over Alabama didn’t just shake the college football world — it poured millions into our local economy in real time and set the stage for tens of millions more throughout the rest of the season.

The effect was immediate. By the third quarter, tickets for the October 4th FSU–Miami game were nearly gone. By the final whistle, hotels were filling, flights for upcoming home games were selling out, and food and beverage suppliers were already revising their forecasts upward. Restaurant and bar owners near campus and downtown were grinning from ear to ear — especially after enduring a brutal summer. Conversations with key boosters confirmed the same surge: recruiting calls spiking and Seminole merchandise flying off the shelves.

Here’s the key: more than 60% of FSU season ticket holders travel over three hours to watch a game. That means this isn’t just local dollars recirculating — it’s new money pouring into Tallahassee. Out-of-town fans don’t just buy tickets; they pack hotels, dine at restaurants, shop at local stores, and order rideshares. Each dollar spent by a visitor circulates through the economy multiple times — the hotel pays employees, who then spend locally, creating a ripple effect. These dollars expand sales and bed tax collections, directly funding public and tourism infrastructure without raising the burden on residents.

This surge of momentum is no accident. Under Athletic Director Michael Alford, Florida State has been intentional about building a culture of long-term excellence. The vision goes far beyond signing elite recruits — it’s about investing in facilities, elevating the fan experience, and ensuring Seminole athletics compete at the highest-level year after year.

The renovation of Doak Campbell Stadium has transformed the fan experience with massive new video boards, upgraded seating, and modern amenities that rival NFL teams. Speaking of the fan experience — have you stepped inside the new Doak yet? Florida State’s $265 million renovation is nothing short of transformative, turning it into a stadium that feels like it belongs to a major NFL team. Eleven new ribbon boards now stretch more than 1,200 feet, anchored by a massive 57×120-foot north scoreboard and a new 35×75-foot south scoreboard delivering crystal-clear visuals and nonstop energy. Add redesigned seating, upgraded restrooms and concessions, and multi-use spaces ready for concerts and major events, and the result is stunning. The new Doak isn’t just an upgrade for Seminole fans; it’s a statement for Tallahassee — a “wow, look what we have now” moment that proves our city can host experiences every bit as polished and world-class as the NFL’s biggest arenas.

But this moment is bigger than one Saturday win over Alabama. Under President Richard McCullough, Florida State is doubling down on academics with a bold commitment to research and innovation — a tradition of “winning” that stretches from the arts and sciences to business, law, and beyond. And it matters, because FSU’s impact on our community isn’t symbolic; it’s vital — fueling economic growth, creating jobs, and shaping the lives of thousands of Tallahassee families.

Looking ahead, perhaps the most transformative opportunity lies with the FSU Health initiative, which has the

power to make Tallahassee a true regional hub for cuttingedge research and world-class medical care — improving outcomes not just for our residents but across all of North Florida. Florida State already has a proven track record of bringing hundreds of millions of dollars into our community, putting Tallahassee firmly on the national stage. That impact is fueled by a spirit that runs deeper than athletics — a spirit defined by pride, relentlessness, and the pursuit of excellence in everything it does. And that’s the Seminole way. When FSU wins, Tallahassee wins. Go Noles!

Florida Chamber Poll Shows Local Businesses Enjoy Universal Support

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (August 28, 2025) – The latest Florida Chamber statewide poll finds more than 8 out of 10 (85%) of Florida voters have a favorable opinion of local businesses, which are the foundation of our economy. Additionally, 84% of Florida voters trust in business and 79% trust private sector charities and non-profits. Conversely, trust in the media is evenly divided with 48% trusting the media and another 48% having no trust in the media at all. Clearly,

not all media is perceived equally, and these results suggest voters do maintain personal favorite outlets and mediums.

Lawsuit Abuse Reform Remains Popular Among Florida Voters In 2023, Florida Chamber-backed landmark lawsuit abuse reform was passed to address the frivolous litigation problem in Florida. Two years later, Floridians continue to strongly support the lawsuit abuse reforms passed and they want more. Only 11% of voters polled believe lawsuit

abuse reform passed in 2023 went too far, while more than three times as many Floridians expressed support for additional efforts to rein in frivolous litigation in Florida.

Florida voters believe the personal injury trial lawyers who advertise on billboards and television are more interested in making money than in protecting the rights of people. Only 11% of voters polled believe the personal injury trial lawyers who advertise on billboards and television are more interested in protecting

the rights of people, while 74% say they are more interested in making money, including 83% of Republicans and 71% of NPA’s.

ABOUT THIS POLL: The Florida Chamber of Commerce political poll was conducted on August 13 – 24, 2025, by Cherry Communications during live telephone interviews of likely voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent. The sample size included 216 Democrats, 263 Republicans and 121 others for a total of 600 respondents statewide.

Four Candidates File to Run for City Commission Seat 3

SEAT 3, From Page 6

commit to potentially changing city leadership.

“I'm not going to be in any one camp necessarily. You want to be able to hear what's going on, but I am hearing a lot of momentum for change, but I'll make any decisions on that specifically as I learn more. Part about being a teacher is to reflect and analyze and listen and you know, and so that's what I that's what I would do,” he said.

But some Perez’s viewpoints do align with those held by the commission’s current minority bloc. For example, that bloc has messaged heavily against Blueprint. And Perez has re-

National Guard Ruling

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration illegally deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles during June protests against immigration raids. The San Francisco-based judge said the move violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars the use of federal troops for domestic law enforcement except in limited cases, such as an insurrection. The Justice Department, which is expected to appeal, argued the troops were needed to quell unrest and protect federal immigration agents. The 300 National Guard troops still stationed in Los Angeles may remain following yesterday’s decision, but their duties are essentially restricted to guarding federal property.

The ruling applies only to California, not the more than 2,000 National Guard troops Trump deployed to address crime in Washington, DC. He confirmed plans yesterday to send troops to Chicago and Baltimore but did not specify a timeline.

Ketchup Conglomerate

Splits

Kraft Heinz announced that it is splitting into two companies. The move ends a decadelong merger spearheaded by investment company Berkshire Hathaway and Brazilian

cently appeared at events with Leon Democratic Party Chair Ryan Ray, who is Commissioner Jeremy Matlow’s aide.

Max Herrle

Local political consultant and lobbyist Max Herrle has filed to run. He is saying he’s committed to changing city leadership if elected.

Herrle has previously worked as a political consultant for Tallahassee Commis-

sioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter. He also worked on the now-defunct political blog OurTallahassee.

The Tallahassee Democrat reports that the blog went dark last year after running a story accusing the Tallahassee Police Department of framing a man for DUI along with edited body-cam video that went viral on social media. A jury quickly convicted the man. Herrle turned heads in 2022 when the Tallahassee Democrat revealed he called County Commissioner Nick Maddox a “dumb little bastard” in a 2022 text during debate by the Blueprint 2020 board on a $27

million allocation for Doak Campbell Stadium repairs.

Now, Herrle says he wants to bring change to city hall.

“I'm sick of the fighting at City Hall, and I believe I know how the city and its government is broken, and I believe that I can put it back together with the community's help,” he said.

Matlow and Porter are part of the minority faction and have regularly messaged against City Manager Reese Goad. Herrle said he supports removing Goad if he is elected.

“I’m going to make the motion to terminate the city manager,” he said in an interview

National News Briefs

private equity firm 3G Capital.

When Kraft and Heinz merged in 2015, their $46B deal was the most expensive in the food industry at the time. Since then, health-conscious American consumers have trended away from processed foods, while budget-conscious consumers have turned to store-brand alternatives. Kraft Heinz’s challenges follow a broader trend of packaged food conglomerates struggling to retain their clientele, with Keurig Dr Pepper and Kellogg’s similarly dividing their businesses.

Kraft Heinz plans to finalize its split next year. One company will focus on sauces and shelf-stable meals, while a second will prioritize North American staples like Oscar Mayer and Kraft Singles. Berkshire Hathaway remains Kraft Heinz's single largest investor, owning a 27.5% stake.

Existing-Home Sales Report

Shows 2.0% Increase in July

Existing-home sales increased by 2.0% in July, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales Report.

Month-over-month sales increased in the Northeast, South, and West, and fell in the Midwest. Year-over-year, sales rose in the South, Northeast, and Midwest, and fell in the West.

"The ever-so-slight improvement in housing affordability

is inching up home sales," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "Wage growth is now comfortably outpacing home price growth, and buyers have more choices. Condominium sales increased in the South region, where prices had been falling for the past year."

"Near-zero growth in home prices suggests that roughly half the country is experiencing price reductions. Overall, homeowners are doing well financially. Only 2% of sales were foreclosures or short sales – essentially a historic low. The market's health is supported by a cumulative 49% home price appreciation for a typical American homeowner from pre-COVID July 2019 to July this year," Dr. Yun continued. Homebuyers are in the best position in more than five years to find the right home and negotiate for a better price. Current inventory is at its highest since May 2020, during the COVID lockdown."

Regional Snapshot for Existing-Home Sales in July.

Northeast: 8.7% increase in sales month-over-month to an annual rate of 500,000, up 2.0% year-over-year.

$509,300: Median price, up 0.8% from July 2024.

Midwest:1.1% decrease in sales month-over-month to an annual rate of 940,000, up 1.1% year-over-year.

$333,800: Median price, up

3.9% from July 2024.

South: 2.2% increase in sales month-over-month to an annual rate of 1.85 million, up 2.2% year-over-year.

$367,400: Median price, down 0.6% from July 2024.

West: 1.4% increase in sales month-over-month to an annual rate of 720,000, down 4.0% year-over-year.

$620,700: Median price, down 1.4% from July 2024.

Tariffs Interrupted

President Donald Trump said he plans to appeal a federal appeals court decision that voided most of his socalled reciprocal tariffs against countries late Friday. Levies imposed on over 60 countries will remain in effect until Oct. 14, per the court’s ruling, barring a superseding decision from the Supreme Court. The court ruled 7-4 that the decision to impose taxes, including tariffs, rests exclusively with Congress. Trump had cited the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act in his decision to impose tariffs in recent months, characterizing the US deficit (currently $1.6T) as a national emergency. The court rejected that claim. The court's decision does not affect levies on sector-specific goods (including copper, aluminum, and steel) as those were brought under a separate national security authority.

If the court’s ruling stays, an

with WFSU. “Everyone that I've talked to all across the city is ready to move on with this chapter in our city's history.” Matlow’s aide, Leon County Democratic Party Chair Ryan Ray, has been seen at political events with PJ Perez, another candidate in the race. Porter, who previously dated Herrle, has liked social media posts on Perez’s campaign accounts, but has not interacted with Herrle’s announcement posts.

This report used information from stories previously published by WFSU.

estimated 16% of goods entering the US will be subject to Trump’s recent spate of tariffs, down from 69%.

Minneapolis School Attack

A shooter recently attacked a Catholic school in Minneapolis, killing two children—an 8-year-old and a 10-yearold—and wounding 17 other people, most of them children. Authorities say the attacker, 23-year-old Robin Westman, died by suicide.

Annunciation Catholic School serves children from preschool to eighth grade and had just begun its first week of school. Shortly before 8:30 am, the assailant fired dozens of rounds through the windows into the church where attendees gathered for Mass. The attack lasted roughly two minutes, according to witnesses; at least two doors were barricaded. Three weapons were discovered at the crime scene—a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—all of them legally purchased.

The shooter, who transitioned from male to female in 2019, had no prior criminal history and was reportedly a former student at the school. Officials have not publicly identified a motive; phrases including "Kill Donald Trump" were engraved on a rifle magazine. The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime.

September is National Preparedness Month, and Leon County encourages you to be Leon Ready. Take steps to make sure you, your family, and neighbors are wellprepared. Review your emergency plans, assemble essential supplies, and stay informed, especially if you’re a young adult new to independent living.

Visit LeonReady.com to find disaster preparedness resources and to download the

The Colors of Community

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, join Leon County Government for the opening of the exhibit “Cultura Tallahassee: The Colors of Community” at the Leon County Main Library on Saturday, September 20, from 1-2 p.m. The exhibit features artwork from local artists and will be on display through October 15, 2025.

LeonCountyFL.gov/HispanicHeritageMonth

Unincorporated Residents to Receive Re-Issued TRIM

From Lake Miccosukee to the Everglades: Native Voices of the Apalachee Region

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 6-7 P.M.

Leon County Main Library, 200 W. Park. Ave.

Explore the long and complex history of the Native peoples of the Apalachee Region, guided by the perspective of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. Learn how the community was shaped by colonization, war, and removal — yet survived and thrived, from the banks of Lake Miccosukee to the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamps.

This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments provided.

L earn more at LeonCountyFL.gov/GetEngaged

You’re Invited to Celebrate a New Chapter

Join Leon County Government for the grand opening of the renovated second floor of the downtown Main Library. Refreshments provided.

Friday, September 26 10:30 a.m.

Leon County Main Library 200 W. Park Ave.

 30,000+ sq. ft. renovated

 14 new meeting and gathering rooms

 Workforce development hub

 Simulator lab

 And so much more!

Residents in unincorporated Leon County will receive a re-issued Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice in the mail to reflect recent action by the Leon County Board of County Commissioners. On August 12, 2025, the Board voted to not increase the Fire Services Assessments for the upcoming fiscal year, keeping the assessment flat for Fiscal Year 2026 (Oct. 1, 2025 – Sept. 30, 2026). The initial TRIM notice is prepared and mailed by the Property Appraiser each August. After the Board’s August 12 vote, an updated TRIM notice is being provided so estimates match the Board’s direction.

Contact the Leon County Office of Management and Budget for more information at (850) 606-5100 or visit LeonCountyFL.gov/OMB.

Business News

New Single-Family Construction Permits Up in August

According to filings with Leon County and the City of Tallahassee, the number of single-family new construction permits were up 21.9% in August 2025 when compared to August 2024. Permit values were up 61.4%.

There were 39 permits issued in August 2025, up 7 permits from the 32 issued one year ago. There were 39 permits issued in July 2025. The value of the August 2025 permits was $13.4

million, up 61.4% from the $8.3 million reported in August 2024.

The 3-Mnth Avg. data (Jun, – Aug.) –which smooths out the month-to-month volatility – shows a 25.0% increase in the number of permits issued over the same 3-month period one year ago.

The 3-Mnth Avg. data show a 34.3% increase in monthly average permit value during this period. The 3-month average permit values increased from $10.2 million in August 2024 to $13.7 million in August 2025.

The chart below shows the number of permits issued each month for the last 36-month period. A 3-Month Ave. line is also included. The highlighted numbers relate to permits issued in the month of August back to 2023.

Office of Economic Vitality Internationally Recognized for SoMo Walls Project

The Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) has earned two international awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), spotlighting TallahasseeLeon County as a leader in inclusive and innovative economic growth.

“These awards are a testament to the power of intentional collaboration, creativity, and communitydriven economic development,” said Keith Bowers, Director of the Office of Economic Vitality. “We are proud to see our efforts to foster equity, entrepreneurship, and place-making recognized on an international stage.”

OEV was honored with a Gold Award in Real Estate Reuse & Development for SoMo Walls, a transformative redevelopment project located in the South Monroe corridor. SoMo Walls reimagined an underutilized property into a vibrant, mixed-use destination for art, business, and community gatherings, spurring economic growth, attracting private investment, and enhancing the cultural fabric of the area.

OEV provided over $1.75 million in gap funding to complete the project and worked closely with the project team to reach economic impact objectives. As a result, the project exceeded the anticipated goals with 47 permanent jobs, nearly $1.8 million in annual income and $6 million in ongoing economic benefits and a 35% inclusion goal for Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprises (MWSBE).

“We would not have been able to fully realize our vision for SoMo Walls without the support of OEV. Their assistance came at a crucial time, when inflation and rising construction costs threatened the project’s future. From the start, this has been a community project, and it is an honor to accept this award on behalf of the entire community.,” said Bugra Demirel, owner of the SoMo Walls Project. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who believed in and supported our vision along the way. This recognition affirms

that the public investment in our project was not only vital, but also a wise policy choice—one that continues to deliver lasting value for Tallahassee.”

In addition to this honor from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), SoMo Walls has earned widespread recognition, including the 2024 Urban Land Institute Award of Excellence, the 2022 Merit Award from the Tallahassee branch of the American Institute of Architects, and a feature in Florida/Caribbean Architect magazine.

“Across all of our small-business ecosystem and beyond, these recognitions prove that strategic public investment paired with private leadership delivers tangible results—jobs, opportunity, and momentum for our community,” said Leon County Commission Chairman and Blueprint IA Chair Brian Welch. “I am proud of OEV for their lasting work to grow and support local businesses.”

OEV also received a Bronze Award for Economic Equity & Inclusion for the Black Business Expo Tallahassee (BBET), which in 2025 saw a 22 percent increase in attendance, drawing 279 participants, 72 local businesses, 12 agencies, and 23 sponsors. The event generated 88 on-site vendor registrations with the City of Tallahassee and Leon County Procurement, awarded $16,000 in grants to fuel small business growth, and hosted the inaugural Direct-Connect networking event linking OEV-certified Minority Business Enterprises with prime contractors in the construction industry.

The median sales price of existing homes in the Tallahassee MSA was unchanged in July 2025 ($345,000) when compared to June 2025, according to the Florida Association of REALTORS®. The Tallahassee MSA includes Leon, Jefferson, Gadsden, and Wakulla counties. Leon county accounts for almost 90% of the MSA real estate transactions.

The July 2025 median sales price ($345,00) is up 3.0% when com -

pared to July 2024 ($335,000). However, the 3-mnth average median sales price – which smooths out the month-to-month volatility – is down .34% in July 2025 ($343,300) when compared to one-year ago ($344,500).

Tallahassee MSA Median Sales Price, Single-Family Home

The number of transactions increased from one year ago. There were 395 transactions in July 2025, up 7.3% from the 368 transactions recorded one year.

Monthly 3-Mnth. Ave.

Local Sports Tallahassee Quarterback Club Players of The Week

By Robert Stewart

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) recently announced their players of the week for the first two weeks of the Leon County high school football season. After an action packed start to the 20252026 season, eight players from a total of six schools were acknowledged for their performance in either the first or second week of the season and granted an award for defensive player of the week, offensive player of the week, offensive lineman of the week or impact player of the week.

Week 1

Defensive Player: Florida High’s Jason Harville (LB), 17 total tackles

Offensive Player: Rickards’ Jordan Kelly (QB)

Offensive Lineman: Lincoln’s Jelani WilmerCotton (G)

Impact Player: Maclay’s Tucker Poppell (RB,OLB)

Week 2

Defensive Player: Maclay’s Caden Harrell (DE), 8 total tackles and 4 TFL

Offensive Player: Chiles’ Gavin Ford (QB), 3 touchdowns and 124 yards

Offensive Lineman: NFC’s D’Maure Green (G), 12 pancake blocks

Impact Player: Lincoln’s Thomas Arnold (K)

Leon County High School Golf Teams Begin Fall Season

By Robert Stewart

On Aug. 28, there were multiple high school golf tournaments taking place involving six schools from the Leon County area. Those schools included Chiles, Florida High, Leon, St. JPII, Maclay and Rickards. Although it was not the first tournament of the season for Florida High, JPII, Maclay and Rickards, Chiles and Leon made their 20252026 season debut playing at two different tournaments.

Boys

The Chiles and Florida High boys golf team played in a three team tournament hosted by Wakulla high school at the Wakulla Sands Golf Club in Crawfordville, FL. The Timberwolves won the tournament as a team finishing even par (144) with each golfer playing a 9-hole format. Wakulla placed second as a team shooting 17 over par (161) and Florida High finished third place shooting 31 over par (175).

Notable performances from Leon County golfers included Chiles’ Rhys Cochran (So.) who shot a 32 (-4) winning the individual competition, Chiles’ Alex Parker (So.) who shot a 34 (-2), Chiles’ Matthew Peltier (Sr.) who shot a 37 (+1) and Florida High’s Hunter Glantz (Fr.) who shot a 38 (+2).

The Leon, Rickards and St. JPII boys golf teams competed in a three team 9-hole format tournament taking place at Jake Gaither Municipal Golf Course in Tallahassee, FL on Aug.

28th. Leon won first place as a team shooting a combined score of 176 (+32) followed by St. JPII shooting a 186 (+42) as a team and Rickards shooting a 270 (+126) as a team.

Notable performances from this tournament included Leon’s Solomon Hardy (So.) who shot a 38 (+2) winning the individual competition, St. JPII’s Cullen Edwards (So.) who shot a 40 (+4), and St. JPII’s Crockett Williams (Jr.) who shot a 44 (+8).

Girls

On Aug. 28th, a Leon County high school girls golf tournament took place at the Hilaman Golf Club. Participating teams included Chiles, Florida High and Maclay. Maclay finished on top in the team competition with a collective score of 162 (+18), followed by FSUHS with a score of 167 (+23) and Chiles with a score of 207 (+63).

Notable performances from this tournament included Florida High’s Peyton Johnson (Jr.) who shot a 34 (E) winning the individual competition, Maclay’s Trisha Patel (Fr.) who shot a 39 (+5), and Maclay’s Mollie Sprague (So.) who shot a 40 (+6).

TSC Celebrates 41 Students Named to FCSAA 2024-25 All-Academic Team

Tallahassee State College is recently announced that 41 of its studentathletes and competitors have been recognized by the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) as members of the 2024-2025 All-Academic Team.

They are among 1,497 students from across the state for their outstanding dedication to both academics and athletics. To qualify, students must maintain a high level of academic achievement while actively participating in their respective programs.

“We are incredibly proud of these 41 students who represent the best of TSC — excelling in the classroom while competing at the highest levels,” said Dr. Sheri Rowland, Vice President for Student Affairs. “Their success reflects not only their talent and determination, but also their dedication to personal growth and achievement.”

TSC’s All-Academic honorees include:

Men’s Basketball

Julius Clark, Cole Hansen, Alexander Jasquith, Julius King, Kardell Sims, Nolan Wells

Baseball

Brady Appel, Emery Dawkins, Gabriel Del Fuoco, Aiden Denlinger, Ashton Gainer, Lawson Harvey, John Hay, Bryce Hooker, Jason Hosey, Wyat Jenkins, Keuri Martinez-Mesa, William McDonald, Jacob Reigel, Gilberto Torres-Reyes

Women’s Basketball

Tierra Coleman, Santianna Davy, Zhaniah Ervin, Cleora Johnson, Hanna Pettno, Anna Rumpe, Aiyana Sam, Ashara Spruill, Brianna Spruill Softball

Aubrey Alonso, Karmen Christie, Mallory Collier, Keira D’Errico, Rosalie Dufresne, Josephine Faulk, Marianne Labelle, Asia Peart, Amelia Poucher, Laci Prescott, Victoria Richardson, Lauren Rifenberg, Sophia Ryon, Samantha Thompson, Addison

Wolf

Women’s Cross Country

Sarah Costello, Orianna Madden, Kaylee Sanders Forensics Jackson Chmielewski, Natalie Gordon, Trevor Waller

Leon County Hosts 25 Teams for High School Cross Country Meet

By Robert Stewart

On Aug. 23rd, the first cross country meet of the high school season took place at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Tallahassee featuring ten schools from Leon County. Those schools included Leon, Lincoln, Maclay, St. JPII, Rickards, Godby, Christ Classical Academy (CCA), Community Leadership Academy (CLA), Tallahassee Classical School (TCS) and Community Christian School (CCS).

Notable Leon County results from the varsity boys 5000-meter race included Rickards’ Jamarin Lane (Sr.) finishing 6th with a time of 17:52.30,

Godby’s Erick Garcia (Jr.) finishing 7th with a time of 17:56.90 and CCS’s Jeremy Collier (Sr.) finishing 11th with a time of 18:24.00. Notable team finishes included Leon in 4th place with 96 points and CCS in 5th place with 104 points.

Notable Leon County results from the varsity girls 5000-meter race included Leon’s Tatum Hendon (So.) finishing 6th with a time of 23:16.80, Leon’s Clifton Lewis (Sr.) finishing 9th with a time of 23:30.40 and Brixton Menendez (Fr.) finishing 17th with a time of 24:32.50. Notable team finishes included Leon placing 3rd with 105 points.

Chiles Volleyball Prevails as Key Player Leaves Match with Injury

By Robert Stewart

On Aug. 28th, the Chiles volleyball team (7-0) faced the undefeated Gulf Breeze Dolphins (4-1) searching for their seventh win of the season to stay undefeated. The Timberwolves came out victorious and handed Gulf Breeze their first loss of the 2025-2026 season. Both teams were going back and forth in the first set coming down to the wire with it tied 25-25. After a crucial block by Loganne Abernathy (Jr.) and a Gulf Breeze serving error, Chiles had a chance to put the ball away but could not capitalize. As the score got to 28-27, Eva Goodson (Sr.) had a clutch kill to stay in the set. Loganne Abernathy sent the Timberwolves into the second set up 1-0 with another crucial block winning the set 32-30.

Gulf Breeze got off to a quick start in the second set, but the Timberwolves came back quickly regaining the lead

at 6-4. There was a long pause in the middle of the second set as Chiles hitter and setter Eva Goodson left the court with what looked like an ankle injury. Goodson, an Appalachian State commit, is a six-rotation player and has been instrumental in the Chiles outside attack, tallying 78 kills this season.

Coming out of the official timeout, several players stepped up and the Timberwolves found an offensive groove winning the second set 25-18 to go up 2-0. In a close back and forth, Chiles closed out the third set to win the match 3-0 with set scores of 32-30, 2528, and 25-21.

Notable players for the Timberwolves include Lindsay Smith (Sr.) with 16 kills and five errors, Sterling Carlile (So.) with nine kills and four errors and Loganne Abernathy with six kills and six total blocks.

Florida High Volleyball beats Lafayette in Straight Sets

By Robert Stewart

On Sep. 2nd, the Florida High volleyball team extended their record to 7-1 with a straight set win in a home, non-district match against Lafayette (5-1). With their only loss coming to Blountstown during the first game of the season, the Seminoles have been on a hot streak winning

seven straight games in a row.

Florida High handed the Hornets their first loss of the season with set scores of 25-28, 25-22, and 25-9.

The Seminoles' next match is a home game against the Maclay Marauders on Sep. 10th. With the Seminoles on a roll and the Marauders (4-4) coming off of a two game winning streak, it should be a competitive matchup between two familiar rivals.

Leon County High School Scoreboard

Leon County High School Scoreboard

17. Brixton Menendez, Leon

Cutcliffe 3,

10. DIGS Emma Cornelius 28, Kinsley Platt 15, Mackenzie Poppell 13. BLKS Makensie Boston 2, Saja Gilliam 1. ACES Savannah Weiss 5, Kinsley Platt 4, Londyn Dickey 4.

3-1

3-2

2-2

3-5

1-5

DRS 0-2

JPII 0-3 Recent Matches

Chiles 3, Gulf Breeze 0 Set Scores: 32-30,25-18,2521. Chiles KILLS Lindsay Smith 16, Sterling Carlile 9, Logan Abernathy 6. DIGS Madison Joyner 21, Natalie Gibson

Hartmann 12, Addison Davis 11, Esther Izuegbu 5. DIGS: Maggie Bragg 14, Kate Hartmann 9. BLKS: Sarah Izuegbu 4, Esther Izuegbu 2. ACES: Addison Davis 7, Finley

Golf

Results (9-holes) Chiles, Florida High @ Wakulla (Aug. 28)

Rhys Cochran (So.), Chiles 32 (-4)

Alex Parker (Sr.), Chiles 34 (-4) 3. Matthew Peltier (Sr.), Chiles 37 (+1) Rickards, St. John Paul II @ Leon (Aug. 28) 1. Solomon Hardy (So.), Leon 38 (+2) 2. Cullen Edwards (So.), JPII 40 (+4) 3. Crockett Williams (Jr.), JPII 44 (+8) Girls Golf Top Performances Last Week (9-hole format) Maclay, Chiles @ Florida High (Aug. 28) 1. Peyton Johnson (Jr.), FSUHS 34 (-2) 2. Trisha Patel (Fr.), Maclay 39 (+3) 3. Mollie Sprague (So.), Maclay 40 (+4)

Chiles outside hitter Lindsay Smith looks to score against Gulf Breeze.