Category: Editorials

Last weekend, I made a trip over to Marianna, Fla. For a vast portion of my growing-up years, I lived with my parents in the Marianna, Blountstown and Altha trio of towns;…

Just outside your comfort zone When was the last time you tried something new? Not just a new dish at your favorite restaurant or a new radio station on the drive to…

Five reasons to adopt a shelter pet On Tuesday, April 30, pet owners in America celebrated National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day, and while I am a few days past the mark,…

For such a time as this “…And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). The Biblical account of Esther is…

If Republican lawmakers eliminate public notices, Floridians won’t know what their government is doing. And that’s the point, isn’t it? Originally published in theMiami Herald on April 5, 2019 It’s a longstanding…

We don’t make the news – We just report it So many times, in the newspaper business, I get phone calls, letters or emails asking me not to put names/stories in the…

Why are you angry now? In November of 2018, two teenaged girls (both minors under 18) were arrested by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The two girls had called Jefferson Somerset and…

A woman was created differently on purpose “Our generation is so busy trying to prove that women can do everything men can do, women are losing the unique qualities that set us…

Who speaks for you? Ashley Hunter Columnist On Tuesday, April 9, a special election for a new District 7 State Representative will be held, with Jefferson County’s early voting session beginning on…

Elizabeth Smart: “We are not defined by what happens to us.” Ken and I had the pleasure of attending the Lowndes County Anchored in Hope benefit dinner last week, in Valdosta, GA….

10 things God won’t ask you 1…God won’t ask what kind of car you drove, He’ll ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation. 2…God won’t ask the square footage…

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Ozzy Ezekiel Boaz Hunter (or, “Ozzy” for short) is a vibrant, outgoing five-year-old little boy. On any given day, Ozzy is wearing his cowboy boots and leather “cowboy…

Happy Anniversary today to Hilda and Bobby Smith! The Wacissa United Methodist Church Women’s Ministry is hosting a Chili Dinner fundraiser at the church this evening, March 15 from 6:30 to 8…

How it all began I was born and raised in Madison. I have lived there my entire life. I attended school at Miss Jean’s Kindergarten, Madison Academy, Aucilla Christian Academy and North…

Stop talking about Momo… start talking about actual online problems In 2016, a Japanese horror-themed art gallery in Tokyo displayed an art piece called “Mother Bird.” The grotesque statue showed a chimerical…

Happy Birthday, Mom! Sunday, March 10 will be my mother’s, Mary Ellen Greene, 80th birthday. I wanted to take my column space this week to write a special “Happy Birthday” to her….

Turning the big 5-0 I was born on Feb. 26, 1969 at 8:03 p.m. in the Madison County Memorial Hospital. Yesterday was Feb. 26, 2019. You do the math! Yes, much to…

In defense of small-town news I hear it more frequently than you’d imagine – in doctor’s offices, from family friends I’ve known for years, even professionals in other fields. It’s definitely a…

Remembering my Daddy – seven years later Last Sunday, Feb. 17, marked seven years since the day I sat and held my Daddy’s hand and watched as he took his last breath,…

Happy Birthday MacKenzie Wirick and Happy Anniversary to Tony and Becky Hogg! Join in celebrating the opening of ‘Our Town Monticello’ tonight, Friday, Feb. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the…