Mickey Starling Columnist As the summer sun again finds its strength, it signals that hunting season is just around the corner. Since my youth, hunting has always been one of my passions,…
Property Taxes: The Cash Cow
In the June 10, 2026 Monticello News online version, there were two articles next to each other. One touted how the county was giving away $22,000 to local non-profits, a practice in violation of…
Homestead exemption proposal … How much could Jefferson lose?
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Property Appraiser Angela Gray recently provided updated figures on the impact of the increased homestead exemptions on the budgets of the city and county, should voters approve…
How to keep your home bug-free
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. We all want our homes to be an inviting and comfortable place for us to live and guests to visit. What we don’t want, however, is for…
County seeks $1.5M federal grant to acquire tanker trucks
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County Fire Rescue recently received authorization from local officials to apply for a $1.5 million grant to purchase two new pumper/tanker trucks for the Ashville and…
Meet Chrissy Lastinger, Watermelon Queen 2026
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The results are in from the annual Watermelon Queen Pageants! Out of five locals vying for the title of 2026’s Miss Watermelon Queen on June 6, Chrissy…
Meet the 2026 Teen Miss Watermelon Queen, Riley Kate Denton
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The Watermelon Pageants for 2026 were held at the Kilpatrick Civic Auditorium on June 6, ushering in new royalty just in time for the 75th Watermelon Festival….
Watermelon royalty dazzle the festival
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Monticello Watermelon Festival has not only a reigning Queen but a full extended royal family who bring a dimension of elegance to every part of the…
Waukeenah Highway set for resurfacing and widening
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Good and not so good news for motorists who regularly travel on the Waukeenah Highway, also known as CR-259, which begins at the Leon County line near…
Take your pet to work on June 26
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. We’ve taken some pictures of pets that you might have seen in workplaces around Jefferson County. Take a look! Even if you don’t regularly take your pet…
Trulieve found ineligible for agricultural exemptions
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. After a review of Trulieve’s operation, the legislative history of the state’s medical marijuana program and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Best Management…
Stepping back in time at the Hampton-Watson Store
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County is full of history. Our majestic 19th century houses, historic downtown and antiques aplenty make it a fascinating place for locals and visitors alike to…
Say hello to the hives of Liberty Honey
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Liberty Honey started way out by Salt Road, with a wild hive in a sprawling live oak tree. The tale starts with Jason Davis, a Tallahassee resident,…
Young Florida chefs invited to compete for scholarships and statewide recognition
Contest deadline is Monday, July 13 Hailey Waldo ECB Publishing, Inc. Florida students ages eight to 12 are invited to showcase their culinary talents in the 2026 Florida Future Chef Competition, hosted…
Father’s Day around the world
Metro Media Many countries around the world celebrate Father’s Day, but not all of them do so in June. The most common date for Father’s Day celebrations is the third Sunday of…
Five appliances to help manage energy use in the summer
Duke Energy Florida Contributor While summer heat has already settled across Florida, the astronomical start of the season is observed today, June 21. Duke Energy Florida is helping customers manage their energy…
Have you seen a turkey? The FWC wants to know
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking the help of Floridians across the state as they conduct their annual Wild Turkey Summer Survey. The…
When you tell God you love Him
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist “I love You, Father.” When I say this short sentence, it changes my day. Every time I express my love for my heavenly Father, silently or out…
Congratulations to the 2026 Watermelon Royalty!
The 2026 Watermelon Royalty are, left to right: (back row) Miss Watermelon Queen Chrissy Lastinger, Teen Miss Watermelon Queen Riley Kate Denton, Junior Miss Watermelon Queen Hallie Conklin, (front row) Tiny Mister…
Top 10 reasons to shop locally
1) Small businesses and local businesses are still the backbone of our economy. This is where we live, where we are raising our families, where we shop, where we eat and where…