Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Warmest congratulations to Lula Mae Keaton, who celebrated her 108th birthday on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Her family gave her a birthday celebration on Saturday, June 14,…
Category: Community News
Girls of Royalty holds purposeful activities
Mary Madison Contributor The Girls of Royalty Mentoring Program, Inc. (GOR) has adopted bylaws that state the organization’s nine purposes. Three of those are as follows: • to help the girls gain…
Senior Center aims to extend its reach
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. There’s no reason for any resident of Jefferson County over the age of 60 to be home alone when there’s a wonderful place that welcomes seniors for…
What a good bouy!
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. This spring has been unseasonably hot, and the sweltering heat is far from over. Now is an ideal time to put on your swimming trunks, slather on…
Mackenzie Edson raises money for local non-profit
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. For those who enjoyed a pleasant stroll around Downtown Monticello during this year’s Watermelon Festival, they undoubtedly met young Mackenzie Edson, a special little girl who has…
Celebrating Flag Day
Halie Wetherington ECB Publishing, Inc. Flag Day is celebrated annually on June 14 to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States, which occurred on June 14, 1777. The Meaning…
Celebrating freedom with Flag Day
Christian Peterson ECB Publishing, Inc. Flag Day, annually celebrated on June 14, is one of the more obscure American holidays. But where did this holiday originate from? And how can one celebrate…
Meet the 2025 Miss Watermelon Queen!
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Heaven-Leigh Purvis was crowned the 2025 Miss Watermelon Queen by Maggie Boyd, 2024 Miss Watermelon Queen, on the evening of Saturday, May 31. Purvis is the daughter…
Meet our new Teen Miss Watermelon!
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. On the evening of Saturday, May 31, Maggie Walker was crowned 2025 Teen Miss Watermelon. 15-year-old Walker is a Jefferson County native, daughter of Thomas and Christell…
Celebrate Father’s Day in unique ways
Metro Media Father’s Day is a celebration of dads near and far. Falling on the third Sunday of June each year, Father’s Day presents an opportunity for families to come together and…
Meet Onyx and Orca
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. On Friday, May 16, I was typing away at my desk when someone walked into the newspaper office lobby. Our advertisement representative, Tiffany, got up to assist…
Two members of VFW Post 251 recognized
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The June 1 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 251 in Monticello, Fla., included special recognitions for two of its members. Lt. Col. Jimmy Bellamy…
Chamber to offer more small business grants
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting another round of applications for its grant program to support local entrepreneurs. The grants are intended to help…
Summer water safety
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Temperatures are steadily rising, and with hot, sunny days comes the beckoning call of cool, refreshing waters, the perfect relief from the summer heat waves. But as…
United Way announces local investments
United Way of the Big Bend Contributor On May 22, the United Way of the Big Bend (UWBB) announced that its Board of Directors approved $1.24 million in funding allocations today that…
Wawa Foundation to support Second Harvest
Second Harvest Contributor Second Harvest of the Big Bend has been named recipient of a $10,000 “Fly Beyond” grant from the Wawa Foundation to help provide youth in the Big Bend with increased…
Mold in your Home: Is it Really a Big Deal?
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Mold is a natural part of our outdoor environment. In nature, mold is a fungus that breaks down dead organic matter such as leaves and other plant…
Meet your neighbor: Danny Deason
Meet Danny Deason! Deason was born and raised in Cairo, Ga. As a teen, he moved to Tallahassee with his brother to attend Leon High School, where he spent his final two…
Jefferson Arts Gallery opens new exhibition on Saturday
Chris Latham ECB Publishing, Inc. On Saturday, June 14, the Jefferson Arts Gallery will be hosting the opening reception of their brand new exhibition, “A Slice of the Good Life,” from noon…
Hosford updates Chamber members on county commission actions
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. On May 6, the luncheon meeting of the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce included an update from District 4 Commissioner Austin Hosford. Hosford began by introducing himself…