Mickey Starling ECB Publishing, Inc. Though the Florida Spectrum Alert was established in 2025, it didn’t go into effect until Wednesday, July 1. The new alert is intended to enhance the safety…
Category: Front Page
SCAM ALERT: Think twice before you give out your info to a “deputy”
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) recently shared a warning on social media regarding persistent scammer activity in our area. If someone contacts you and identifies themselves…
Several local public offices up for election already decided
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Nine local public offices are up for election this year, with 13 candidates remaining on the field after the qualification period, which ran June 8-12. Of the…
Jefferson K-12 regains its B
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. It was all smiles from School Superintendent Jackie Pons and Principal Yolanda Smith-Davis last week. That’s when Jefferson K-12 Community Partnership School received a grade of B…
Second Chance Act takes effect, bringing proactive cardiac screenings to Florida student athletes
Story submitted July 1, the Second Chance Act officially took effect across Florida, requiring all high school student athletes to receive a medical evaluation, including an electrocardiogram (EKG), before participating in school-sanctioned…
Commission honors longtime first responder
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. A Jefferson County Fire Rescue (JCFR) first responder who retired recently received recognition for his long service and devotion to the public. Captain Daniel “Dexter” Walker, who…
Two county department heads resign in quick succession
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Barely a week into office, County Manager Douglas Baber has had to deal with the replacement of two department heads who resigned their positions in recent weeks….
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….
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…
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…
Watermelon Fest is this weekend!
Enjoy the street dance, parade, car show, beer garden, vendors, kids’ show and more Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County’s celebration of everything watermelon culminates with this final weekend of Watermelon…
Wingate returns as interim city manager
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Steve Wingate is back as Monticello’s interim city manager for the third time since he retired from the position some seven years ago. The Monticello City Council…
Jefferson County gets a new manager
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County has a new manager. He is Douglas G. Baber, whom the Jefferson County Commission selected on Thursday morning, June 5, after hearing from three other…
Watermelon Festival events for June 12-13
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Watermelon Festival royalty were crowned last weekend, and the line-up of festival fun continues for two more weeks, organized by the Watermelon Festival Committee and the Monticello-Jefferson…
Planners set hearing on Love’s truck stop near Lloyd
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Some four months after Jefferson County planners denied an application from Eshden Partners, LLC, to rezone a 128-acre property near Lloyd from Mixed Use Suburban Residential (MUSR)…
Local group asks governor for review of Trulieve
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Notwithstanding the ongoing actions of two regulatory agencies relative to the Trulieve facility in the Waukeenah area, some local residents’ concerns have not been alleviated, evident by…
Lawmakers adopt property tax reform measure for ballot (Local officials hold special meeting in anticipation of legislators’ action)
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Although not exactly as proposed by the governor, Florida lawmakers on Tuesday, June 2, approved a revised property tax amendment that could significantly increase the annual homestead…
Connie and Mark Mageary named 2026 Watermelon Parade Grand Marshals
Watermelon Festival Committee Contributor The Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Connie and Mark Mageary will serve as the 2026 Grand Marshals of the Monticello Watermelon Festival Parade….
Watermelon pageants are this Saturday!
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Royalty for the 75th Annual Watermelon Festival – organized by the Watermelon Festival Committee and the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce – will be crowned this Saturday,…