Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The agriculture extension office for Jefferson County is now fully staffed again. The most recent team member to be hired is FAMU Cooperative Extension 4-H and Agriculture…
Governor proposes legislation to curb AI and AI data centers
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing the enactment of a measure to protect consumers by establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bill of Rights for Floridians, as well…
Watchdog group releases statewide comparison of counties’ taxes and spendings
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing Florida TaxWatch, an independent taxpayer research institute and government watchdog, recently released its 2025 report titled “How Florida Counties Compare,” in terms of taxation, expenditures, policies and programs….
Do you hear what I hear?
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist 1942. As the story goes, a young boy named Bruce was to be the Wise Man from the East in a Christmas pageant at a rural church…
4-H day at the North Florida Fair
Gideon Burrell Contributor The North Florida Fair was very interesting and fun. It had a variety of things to do: games, rides, shows and many other things. On 4-H day at the…
Warriors defeat Panthers in basketball
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. On Friday, Dec. 12, the Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) Warriors hosted the Madison Creative Arts Academy Panthers in basketball action. It was a close-fought contest and, in…
Gregory Anderson honors FAMU professor father with “Deck the Hallways” film
Story Submitted This holiday season, a Florida son honors his late father’s legacy with a heartwarming Lifetime Holiday Movie. The film “Deck the Hallways” is a story of family, tradition and hope…
Aucilla Christian Academy students tour Full Circle Dairy
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. On Thursday, Dec. 11, a group of first-grade students from Aucilla Christian Academy took a tour of Full Circle Dairy, in Lee. It was a fun and…
County signs latest agreement for extension of $500,000 grant for A-Building
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. At this point, it can be difficult to keep up with the many twists and turns and extensions granted to the Jefferson County by the Florida Department…
A Comprehensive Plan should not be changed lightly
A Comprehensive Plan is a long term roadmap for a community’s future. It is supposed to guide growth by addressing land use, transportation housing and the environment. It is supposed to be…
Mosquito control program refunded
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Residents who subscribe to the county’s mosquito control program will be glad to learn that the program has been funded for another year. The Jefferson County Board…
Are you experiencing a prolonged spiritual dry spell?
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist Has it been a while since you truly felt that God heard your prayers? Maybe you haven’t even wanted to pray. Do you feel unworthy? Insignificant? Do…
County’s interest earning exceed half a million in last fiscal year
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Effective cash management strategies employed by the clerk of court’s finance department have resulted in steady earnings throughout Fiscal Year 2024-2025. This was the bottom line of…
Florida leads new wave of SNAP junk food restrictions as 18 states prepare changes in 2026
Hailey Waldo ECB Publishing, Inc. This year, Florida secured approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for certain “junk food”…
Achievement takes center stage at NFC’s Fall 2025 Commencement
NFC Office of Communications Contributor North Florida College honored its Fall 2025 graduates during its commencement ceremony held Thursday, Dec. 11, at Van H. Priest Auditorium. Family, friends, faculty, staff and community…
Proposed legislation seeks to correct problems created by Senate Bill 180
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Two bills introduced in the Florida Legislature for the coming 2026 legislative session aim to correct some of the problems created by last year’s controversial law that…
Winter break fun at the library
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Most Jefferson County students are now out of school for winter break. With the kids enjoying a respite until they return to the classroom the second week…
A true Christmas story
Halie Wetherington ECB Publishing, Inc. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called…
“Palmetto Pioneers: From Harmony to Hostility” is finalist in international competition
Story Submitted American Book Fest has announced the winners and finalists of the 22nd Annual Best Book Awards (BBA), one of the world’s largest international book award programs for mainstream, indie and…
Celebrate the wonder
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist Often what we see and we hear in life depends not so much upon the events as much as who we are as people. It’s not just…