ACA announces its school spelling bee winners
Laura Young ECB Publishing Inc. In late January, Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) held spelling bees to determine a Lower Division winner and an Upper Division winner to advance to the Scripps regional…
City council recognizes African-Americans’ achievements
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. In observance of Black History Month, established in 1976 to honor African-Americans’ contributions to the nation, the Monticello City Council last week issued several proclamations recognizing local…
Search for city manager narrows to three candidates
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The list of candidates vying for the city manager position has narrowed to three individuals, according to the latest update from senior consultant Mark Ryan of the…
Fixing immigration
In the most recent election four months ago, the two biggest issues on the minds of the American electorate were inflation and the border. Trump had far better answers to these issues…
Ponderings…When the fire within grows dim
It can be a challenge to know what to say, at times like this. Unprecedented times seem to be the only times we have anymore. Sometimes I wonder if my heart can…
Hunting Heritage Banquet 2025
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. The Jefferson County Kings of Spring Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will be holding its annual Hunting Heritage Banquet on Saturday, March 1, at…
Have a Heart for Horses returns to Monticello
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. After a five-year hiatus following the Covid-19 Pandemic, Triple R Horse Rescue is bringing its annual fundraiser back to Monticello. This year will mark the 10th year…
Grab your besties – It’s Galentine’s Night!
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Just in time for Valentines Day, Downtown Monticello will come alive with their annual Galentine’s Night, an evening of sipping, shopping and spending time with friends. Many…
Sean Walter Sullivan graduates from University of Maryland
Merit Pages Contributor Sean Walter Sullivan of Monticello earned a Master of Science in Information Technology: Database Systems Technology from University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) in fall 2024. Sullivan was one…
Valdosta State announces dean’s list
Merit Pages Contributor More than 2,000 distinguished and accomplished students were named to Valdosta State University’s (VSU) Fall 2024 Dean’s List. Dean’s List honors are reserved for the highest achieving students at…
Anna Calvert named to University of Alabama Presidents List
Merit Pages Contributor Anna Calvert of Monticello, Fla., was named to The University of Alabama Presidents List for Fall Semester 2024. Calvert is majoring in Human Development and Family Studies, which focuses…
Dangers of not being centered
If a tire is not centered, it can lead to serious consequences. It can cause uneven tire wear, reducing lifespan and affect vehicle handling. It can cause the vehicle to pull to…
A Valentine’s message: O, how God loves you and me!
What keeps you from loving others the way you, yourself, crave to be loved? And conversely, what’s lacking in your life (or more accurately, in your heart) that keeps you from fully…
The fruit of the spirit
God in the form of Jesus, our great Savior, came to this Earth to show how much He cares for us, and He saved us to show His mercy towards us. We…
Created in God’s image
The Bible opens with God creating the world and humans taking a special place in God’s creation. In Genesis 1:26, we read: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image,…
Wild Game Dinner to include gun raffle
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Men’s 3rd Annual Wild Game Dinner at Wacissa Christian Church takes place on Saturday, Feb. 22. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served…
Ceremony marks 33rd anniversary of trooper’s death
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. On Saturday, Feb. 1, which marked the 33rd anniversary of the death of Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper Jimmy Fulford, family, friends and members of the law-enforcement…
Human trafficking: know the signs
Leah Androski ECB Publishing, Inc. National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which took place in January, raises awareness about human trafficking. Florida, the state with the third-highest number of reported cases, faces unique…
City seeking nearly $5M for infrastructure improvements
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. At the behest of Interim City Manager Steve Wingate, and in conjunction with Kimley-Horn Engineering, the City of Monticello is going after nearly $5 million in grant…