Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Many homeowners consider buying property in rural Florida for the scenic surroundings and the abundance of wildlife. There is much allure to waking up in the morning…
Sod vs. seed: Which is your best option?
Story submitted A pristine lawn can be the finishing touch to a landscape and add significant value to a home. According to a joint study by the University of Alabama and the…
How does God want to use you – today?
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist What would you imagine Jesus saying if you asked Him, “What is Your plan for me, Lord?” We can easily rattle off a dozen spiritual answers. We…
Kiwanis to host Feb. 5 prayer breakfast
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The upcoming Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast will be hosted by the Monticello Kiwanis on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Jefferson Country Club, located at 748 Boston Hwy….
JROTC cadets attend drill meet
Crystal Goodwin Contributor “Hurry up, sun’s coming up!” the officer yells across the field. Dozens of JROTC students practice for their performance. Precisely dressed competitors march single file, responding to marching orders…
Drought disaster assistance available
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) has designated eight Florida counties as primary natural disaster areas due to the recent drought. These include Jefferson County as well…
Safety first when power washing your home this winter
Metro Media Now is a great time for homeowners to clear their homes of clutter. As people spend extra time indoors in winter, items can quickly pile up around the house. Interior…
Scored Wisdom
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist Score derives from the Old Norse skor, meaning notch or incision. Back in the 13th century, shepherds would carve notches into wood to tally their sheep, one…
Tax season arrives: why hiring a professional may pay off
Hailey Waldo ECB Publishing, Inc. As tax filing season begins, many Americans are gathering documents and preparing for their federal income tax returns. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds taxpayers they are…
Dexter’s Law is now in effect
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. One law that took effect on Thursday, Jan. 1, is called “Dexter’s Law,” although the actual designation is CS/HB 255 –Aggravated Animal Cruelty. The legislation has been…
Corey Burrus recognized in Safe Driver Challenge
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Sgt. Corey Burrus with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) recently was chosen as a $1,000 winner in the 3rd Annual Safe Driver Challenge, a competition sponsored…
CareerSource Capital Region awarded state rural initiatives grant
CareerSource Capital Region Contributor CareerSource Capital Region (CSCR) has been awarded a State Rural Initiatives Grant from the State of Florida to expand workforce development services for career seekers who face significant…
Regional unemployment rate announced for December 2025
CareerSource Capital Region Contributor According to the Florida Department of Commerce, the regional unemployment rate for Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties was 4.9% for December 2025. This rate was 1.6 percentage points greater…
An Important Message to the Citizens of Jefferson County
Dear Editor, I left the January 15, 2026 county commission meeting with an uneasy sense that the peoples’ business was being conducted with less than expected transparency. In the past, I had…
New bill aims to legalize recreational marijuana
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. A bill recently filed in the current Florida legislative session seeks to legalize recreational marijuana, even as Smart & Safe Florida continues its efforts to get an…
“Guys and Dolls” enthralls
Tickets still available for Jan. 30-Feb. 1 Laura Young ECB Publishing “Guys and Dolls,” the Tony Award winning musical that has been enthralling audiences since it first opened on Broadway in 1950,…
Mouthwatering Easy Cheesy Eggplant Casserole
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. One day when my box of lasagne noodles got all broken up, I decided to make a “deconstructed” version. It was so much easier that I never…
Governor announces major rate relief due to insurance and tort reforms
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced significant statewide insurance rate relief for Florida homeowners, saying that Citizens Property Insurance (CPI) policyholders statewide would see meaningful premium reductions beginning…
See “Jeffecello” in 1956
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. In 1956, the student-led Jeffecello Staff at Jefferson County High School published their annual yearbook. Inspired by the idea that eyes, ears and hands are all a…
Brown Family Reunion planned for September 2026
Story Submitted The Brown Family Reunion will be held Friday-Sunday, Sept. 4-6, 2026, at Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg Downtown, 940 Fifth Ave. S, St. Petersburg, Fla. For more information, contact Vanessa Manning…