On May 23 I saw an extensive story about gun violence in Tallahassee on the WCTV website. Reading the story, I see WCTV has “worked for months” for several areas around Tallahassee…
Property Taxes
I read about the Florida proposal to eliminate property taxes and thought good luck! Looking at HB1371, I see there is no companion Senate bill, so it’s dead in the water. Getting…
Free Advice
I read in the April 26 edition of the paper how solid waste salaries are going up by $37,000 due to the state-mandated minimum wage increase. Since the introduction of the permit…
Eagles’ Nest seeks to honor founders
John Bottcher Contributor The Monticello Eagles’ Nest, the building for all scouts and other youth organizations, located on American Legion property on South Water Street, will be honoring its founders – those…
The lasting legacy of the Watermelon Queens
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Monticello’s annual Watermelon Festival will be kicked off tomorrow with the Watermelon Queen Pageant! This event has been a staple of the Watermelon Festival since its beginning…
JCS students present professional paper at Anthropological Society Meeting
Aucilla Research Institute Contributor Despite the storms, the weekend of May 10-11 marks a major milestone for the Aucilla Research Institute (ARI) in its continuing work to provide educational outreach and support…
Aucilla Christian Academy hosts athletic awards ceremony
Kenzie James ECB Publishing, Inc. Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) hosted their annual athletic ceremony and the sub-varsity athletic awards ceremony last week. The athletic awards ceremony recognized students on the varsity athletic…
Finding a place in the state
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The Florida we know today is comprised of 67 separate counties. The separation of counties is intended to provide citizens with adequate access to government services, and…
Be prepared! Hurricane season is almost here!
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) last week released its outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season; not surprisingly, its prediction calls for above-normal activity, not…
Boutique store break-in last weekend
Kenzie James ECB Publishing, Inc. The Monticello Police Department (MPD) opened an investigation after responding to a burglary alarm at a local boutique in downtown Monticello last weekend. MPD officers responded to…
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…
Free course offered on emergency sheltering of small animals
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County Emergency Management (EM) is partnering with the Florida State Animal Response Coalition to provide a free course called “Small Animal Emergency and Disaster Sheltering Course…
Hurricane season tax holiday planned
News Service of Florida Contributor Retailers hope Floridians will heed multiple forecasts that the upcoming hurricane season will be more active than normal. With the start of a 14-day sales tax “holiday”…
Garden Huggers bid ag agent farewell
Jefferson County Ag Agent De’Anthony Price started the Garden Huggers Club a year ago with a handful of members. The group has grown and grown close to one another as they have…
SBA and Junior Leadership Academy featured at May Chamber luncheon
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce had a varied program for its monthly member luncheon on Tuesday, May 7, which was catered by Jackie’s Brick House Eatery….
Monticello student interns in D.C.
Kenzie James ECB Publishing, Inc. Monticello native Esther Fulford was selected to be a Congressional intern for Rep. Kat Cammack, FL-R, this summer in Washington, D.C. Fulford graduated from Aucilla Christian Academy…
Local pastor Nathan Peeler graduates with second master’s degree
Kenzie James ECB Publishing, Inc. Nathan Peeler, a local pastor at the Monticello Church of Christ, recently graduated with his second master’s degree from Lincoln Christian University (LCU). Peeler graduated from Lincoln…
Acaletics Math celebrates year of achievement
Denisha Keaton Contributor As the academic year ends, it’s essential to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our students who have worked diligently throughout the year. At Jefferson County K-12 School (JCS),…
If you’re feeling hopeless
After I battled depression and an eating disorder for more than two decades, many (including mental health professionals) believed I might never get well. My hope was fading. Then the phone rang….
Ode to Lucky O Henry
O Henry was found abandoned at a local park in a city where I was ministering. He was such a lovable dog that those who found him didn’t want to send him…