Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County’s celebration of everything watermelon culminates with this weekend’s Watermelon Festival events. Monticello has been fine-tuning this festival since 1949, and the line-up of activities is…
Category: Front Page
Planners hear Duke’s application for solar farm near Waukeenah on June 12
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Notwithstanding Duke Energy having recently received approval from the Florida Public Service Commission for a solar power rate adjustment, the electric company must still get approval from…
Flag retirement ceremony set for Saturday, June 14
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Flag Day is Saturday, June 14, and American Legion Post 49 of Monticello will be conducting a retirement ceremony for U.S. flags that are no longer serviceable. …
A bear hunt in Florida one step closer to realization
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is a step closer to reinstating an annual black bear hunt. In mid-May, the commission voted 4-1 to approve rule changes…
Council honors Kiwanis Club
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Mayor Gloria Cox and the Monticello City Council recently recognized the Kiwanis Club for a century of civic service and contributions to the community. The proclamation that…
Join our Father’s Day look-alike contest!
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Do you look like your dad? When it comes to genetics, sometimes a loving son or daughter may get Dear Father’s sense of humor and great fishing…
Sen. Moody to offer mobile office hours in Monticello this Monday
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. United States Senator Ashley Moody will have office hours in Monticello on Monday, June 9. The session is scheduled to take place 8:30-10 a.m. at the Courthouse…
Officials consider use of restitution money to purchase lifesaving equipment
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. County officials are considering using some of the recovered money from the courthouse grand theft case for the public good, namely the purchase of life-saving tools for…
Celestial events in June: The Summer Solstice is almost here!
Chris Latham ECB Publishing, Inc. 2025 has shown itself to be a rather exciting year in the realm of astronomy. From a lunar eclipse, to planetary alignments and meteor showers, the year…
Get ready for a berry good time at the Blackberry Festival!
Danny Federico ECB Publishing, Inc. The sweetest weekend of the year is right around the corner as the Blackberry Festival returns to downtown Jasper on Saturday, June 21! This annual celebration, hosted…
Watermelon Festival events for June 6-7
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Watermelon Festival royalty were crowned last weekend, and the line-up of festival fun continues for two more weeks, from Friday, June 6, through Saturday, June 14, organized…
Man charged with Walker’s death sentenced to prison
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The man charged with causing the vehicular death of Jefferson County Commissioner Stephen Walker in 2023 entered a negotiated agreement with the state earlier this week and…
CDC no longer recommending COVID-19 vaccines for children, pregnant women
Thérèse Boudreaux The Center Square The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has removed mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from children and pregnant women’s recommended immunization schedules, reversing the Centers for Disease Control…
Hearing for proposed new funeral home in city set for June 3
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. City officials are scheduled to hear two zoning-related applications next week that have the potential to generate extensive discussion. The two applications pertain to a 0.77-acre…
Legislation aims to protect state parks from development
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Two companion bills recently approved by the Florida Legislature in the recent session and enroute to the governor for signature into law would prevent the erection of…
Correction:
In the May 9, 2025, issue of the Jefferson County Journal, some information about Renee Marie Huggins in the report of “Felony Verdicts in the 2nd Judicial Circuit” was incorrect. There is…
The Watermelon Pageant is this weekend!
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Mark your calendars, because one of the largest events Jefferson County has to offer is almost here! In just a few short days, the Watermelon Festival events…
From Parades to Parties: Watermelon Festival ushers in a new era of celebration
Story Submitted It’s almost time for Jefferson County’s juiciest tradition. The 74th Annual Monticello Watermelon Festival returns Saturday, May 31 through Saturday, June 14, , with a fresh new lineup of events,…
Marijuana group eyes another ballot initiative in 2026
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. By now, many county residents have probably received in their mail a petition from Smart and Safe Florida asking for the recipient’s signature to endorse a constitutional…
County beginning budget formulation process
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. With the start of a new fiscal year a little more than three months away, county officials have already begun crunching the numbers in preparation for the…