Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The name of Old Howard Academy means a lot of things to a lot of people. For some, it’s a local landmark that’s steeped in generations of…
Category: Community News
Meet Your Neighbor: Allison Parker
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Meet Allison Parker! Parker is a Monticello native and Franklin Academy graduate following her dreams right here in Jefferson County. After graduating high school in 2017, she…
Emma Agner places fifth in breakaway roping competition
Kathy Egan ECB Publishing, Inc. Emma Agner, a 14-year-old ninth grader at Aucilla Christian Academy who lives with her family in Shady Grove, is proving to be a mighty competitor in the…
Local preservation society uncovers the past to connect with the present
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The Cemetery Restoration and Preservation Society of North Florida, Inc. has been recovering lost stories before the society was even formed. Its founding board members, Jacqueline Seabrooks,…
Regional unemployment rate announced for July 2025
CareerSource Capital Region Contributor According to Florida Department of Commerce, the regional unemployment rate for Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties was 4.4 percent for July 2025. This rate was 0.5 percentage…
Johnston’s grand re-opening a hit
Kathy Egan ECB Publishing, Inc. Johnston’s Meat Market was the place to be in Monticello from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. Patrick and Danielle Figueroa, owners of Johnston’s,…
August chamber lunch features wellness talk by Dr. Amy Neal
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce held a member luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 5. The program opened with a brief spotlight on the Monticello Soap Company, which…
Lloyd Depot to be featured during Train Night program in Tallahassee
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The historic Lloyd Depot is said to be the oldest brick railroad depot Florida. Located in the small community of Lloyd on the western side of Jefferson…
City once again without a city clerk
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. For the second time in just over a year, the City of Monticello finds itself once again without a city clerk. Barely a year after her appointment…
Get ready with the disaster preparedness expo on Aug. 16
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst! It’s more relevant than ever as we’re knee deep into the hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to…
The First is now The Renasant Bank
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Monticello residents will soon see an old bank sporting a new sign, emblematic of an ever-changing corporate culture and rebranding trend. What once was Farmers &…
Is Benadryl the best choice?
Kathy Egan ECB Publishing, Inc. Next time something is blooming that makes you feel itchy and bothers your sinuses, you may consider getting something other than Benadryl to give you a little…
KFRW celebrates seven years
Story Submitted The Keystone Federated Republican Women (KFRW) celebrated their seven-year anniversary on July 26, 2025, at a member’s home. The KFRW formed as a non-profit political organization on July 26, 2018,…
ECB Publishing celebrates its Annual Media Awards
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. At the 2025 Florida Media Conference, ECB Publishing, Inc. received many accolades for work during 2024 by the reporters and graphic designers who create the Monticello News…
Paintball whiz heads to France
Kathy Egan ECB Publishing, Inc. Warren Barker, son of locals Kenny and Joanne Barker and a 15-year-old tenth-grader at Florida High, is regularly on the road to Lakeland, Fla., with his dad…
County to audit employees’ health insurance
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. In the wake of the deputy manager/human resources director allegedly misrepresenting dependents on her health insurance coverage, county officials are taking steps to avoid the repeat of…
County officials approve Duke’s solar farm near Waukeenah
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Based on the recommendations of the planning official and planning commission, the Jefferson County Commission recently approved Duke Energy’s large-scale solar facility off U.S. 27 in the…
Teen Center Youth Camp celebrates 10 years
Justice Barrington Teen Center Youth Camp The Teen Center Youth Camp recently reached a remarkable milestone by celebrating its tenth anniversary, marking a decade of dedication to the development and enrichment of…
EcoWatch: Time for a good and bad news report as season warms up
Delores Savas Contributor “The good news is that bad news can be turned into good news when you change your attitude.” – Robert H. Schuller, American television evangelist, author Sorry to say,…
Senior center found lacking in some aspects
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. A regional agency that subcontracts with area service providers to deliver direct care to the elderly through such services as home delivered meals, homemaking, and personal care…