Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Guide to Florida has announced its Best of Florida winners for 2026, and three of them call Monticello home. Congratulations to CowHaus Coffee Co., Jefferson Arts…
Peanuts are in season!
Fresh From Florida Contributor Florida peanuts are in season! Known for their trusted flavor and quality, Florida peanuts deliver the simple goodness families have enjoyed for generations. Grown under the Florida sunshine,…
Moving forward together: A shining success for Jefferson County
Douglas Baber Jefferson County Manager What an incredible evening we had last week! On Tuesday, Sept. 15, we gathered for our annual budget presentation, and I am thrilled to report that it…
County sets tentative budget and millage rate for coming fiscal year (Final hearing is Sept. 24)
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The average property owner in Jefferson County can expect a slight tax break in their taxes in the coming year, if commissioners stick to the numbers that…
Why is the Aucilla River brown? A look at Florida’s famous “sweet tea” rivers
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. North Florida is nearly as southern as it gets in the United States, so it seems only appropriate that the Big Bend’s many blackwater or mixed rivers…
County receives two grants, seeks a third
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County is racking up the grants, with two awarded in the last month and another in process. First was a $105,806 grant from the Florida Division…
Memorial M.B. Church to celebrate 123 years
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Pastor Tony Bowdry and the congregation of Memorial Missionary Baptist Church invite the community to celebrate with them 123 years of faith, fellowship and service. A special…
Hourly wage set to increase by a dollar on Sept. 30
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. In keeping with a constitutional amendment that Florida voters approved in 2020, the state’s minimum wage is set to increase to $15 hourly on Sept. 30. This…
School board approves budget near $24M
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. At a brief final budget hearing on Monday, Sept. 14, the Jefferson County School Board voted unanimously to set the millage rate at 5.408 mills as well…
Commissioner Hall expanding his role nationally
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Commissioner Gene Hall continues to burnish his standing with the National Association of Counties (NACo), whose annual convention he recently attended in New Orleans. As a consequence…
First Saturday Vendor’s Village starts Oct. 3
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Don’t miss the First Saturday Vendor’s Village, a new monthly event downtown kicking off on Oct. 3. Booths will be set up from 9 a.m. to 12…
Gov. DeSantis announces restrictions on non-essential TCA purchases
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced in a press release that Florida will implement restrictions regarding what types of purchases can be made using funds from the Temporary…
It’s all about the wheels, man
Mickey Starling ECB Publishing, Inc. Join me on a throwback glance at the 1970s, when the turbulent culture shifts in America brought about a buying frenzy of a particular bicycle. This was…
Harvest season is here
Stefanie L. Prevatt ECB Publishing, Inc. If you have spent much time traveling the back roads and highways of Jefferson County, chances are you have found yourself behind a tractor, sprayer or…
We all need a little Jesus
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble, but to take heart, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). We all need a…
Car seat safety event is Sept. 25
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. For National Car Seat Safety Month, the Florida Dept. of Health – Jefferson is holding a special event on Friday, Sept. 25. Come to the parking lot…
County establishes proclamation policy
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Organizations, like individuals, learn from experience, and so it is that the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners has now established a policy for the issuance of…
Honoring local women in law enforcement
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Each year in September, our nation sets aside a day to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of female officers who enforce law and order around the country….
When we’d rather crop ourselves out of photos
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist Do you cringe when you see photos of yourself? Perhaps you hide from the camera because you’re worried your physical flaws will be frozen in the snapshot…
Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday returns
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. For the second year in a row, Florida’s Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is happening. Beginning on Sept. 1 and running through Dec. 31, the state has…