Leah Schwarting

Early voting ended Saturday, and the early voter turnout totals are in for the tri-county area. Metro Creative

Don Wiley, seated at center next to his wife, Debbie, holding his arm, celebrates his victory in the Sumter County Commission District 5 Republican primary Tuesday night with a group of friends and supporters at a home in the Village of Osceola Hills.

Rob Albert, of Crestview, sorts the lionfish spears in May in preparation for team ZooKeeper to venture out on a boat through Taz’s Excursions during the Emerald Coast Open lionfish tournament in Shalimar. Rachel Govola, Daily Sun

Beckie Johnson, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron environment management wildlife technician, said Tyndall’s new sea oat plants will gather sand and create dunes over time. They will act as hurricane shock absorbers as part of a natural defense system. “It’s better than hardening,” Johnson said. More traditional mechanical means, she said, might break down. Rachel Govola, Daily Sun

By KEITH PEARLMAN and LEAH SCHWARTING, Daily Sun Specialty Editors

Election Day is almost here. Florida’s election officials and voters are gearing up to make sure voters can head to the polls, even in the wake of a Category 4 hurricane.

By LEAH SCHWARTING, KEITH PEARLMAN and DAVID R. CORDER, Daily Sun Specialty Editors

Reliability vs. wild card.

Sumter County was No. 1 voter turnout during early voting before falling to No. 12 on Election Day.

From the dirt, comes joy.