Government

As of Feb. 8, the county had received 66 applications for the county administrator position.
Although there has been discussion about delaying the hiring of a new administrator, the commission has decided to proceed with the process of finding a qualified applicant.
However, that qualified candidate may not start until Oct. 1, after the end of the 2010-11 fiscal year.
“We may end up being in a jam,” said Commissioner Randy Merritt.

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011  The 12-person jury in the Gary Michael Hilton murder trial went out to begin its deliberations at about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15 and came back nearly four hours later finding him guilty on three counts, including first-degree murder, kidnapping and theft of $300. He was not found guilty of grand theft.
The next step of the trial will be the penalty phase, in which the jury decides whether to recommend the death penalty in the case. That will start on Thursday, morning, Feb. 17.

Those housing programs which fall under the purview of the Department of Community Affairs will soon be transferred from Wakulla County back to that agency.
At the Jan. 24 county commission meeting, the board unanimously agreed to transfer the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP) and Weatherization Assistance Program(WAP) to DCA who would contract with an outside party to administer those programs.

By KEITH LAING
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA