Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. Two local athletes will be joining a national softball program, working in the coaching arena. The Lady Dukes – Davis 16U team out of Tallahassee is a…
City’s customers get break on utility bill
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Monticello residents will get a modicum of relief on their next utility billing as compensation for any excess use of water during the recent hard freeze. On…
Property tax exemptions expanded
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. A ruling went into effect statewide on Sunday, Jan. 1, that increased the homestead and related tax exemption amounts for certain individuals from $500 to $5,000. Those…
City to plant public fruit orchard for Florida Arbor Day
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The City of Monticello has an exciting project planned to observe Florida Arbor Day in 2023. A public fruit orchard is being planted on a parcel of…
Law Enforcement Appreciation Week – Thank you for your service
Emerald Greene Parsons ECB Publishing, Inc. The first thing a person does when he is in danger and needs assistance, is dial 911. A law enforcement officer will show up at your…
Aucilla Christian Academy wins on Senior Night
Patricia Smith ECB Publishing, Inc. Both the Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) girls and boys basketball teams celebrated Senior Night at home on Friday, Jan. 6, by defeating the Ocala Christian Crusaders. The…
Healthcare Heroes – Meet Nurse Practitioner Kasey Hughey
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Kasey Hughey says there wasn’t really any question that she would enter the field of nursing for her profession. It feels to her like everyone in her…
Monticello gets new mayor
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Second-term Councilwoman Gloria Cox is Monticello’s new mayor. Cox’s colleagues elected her to the position on Tuesday evening, Jan. 3, replacing longtime Mayor Julie Conley, who was…
MLK Day parade is Jan. 16
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center of Monticello (MLK Center) has special events planned for the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth and life….
Chaos in todays politics
The recent election had many irregularities. Since Biden was elected, we have clearly seen the face of Marxism. In the 2 years of his presidency so far, 70% of people do not…
Congrats Jingle Run winners!
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. On the cool, Saturday morning of Dec. 10, individuals of all ages lined up in their most festive running outfits for the first Monticello News Jingle Run!…
Historical essay contest sponsored by Keystone Federated Republican Women Deadline to submit is February
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. All middle and high school students who are schooled in Jefferson County are eligible to enter an essay contest sponsored by the Keystone Federated Republican Women (KFRW)….
Sarah Tharpe shares message on contagious joy at January prayer breakfast
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. On Thursday morning, Jan. 5, the Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast was hosted by Memorial Missionary Baptist Church. Gary Wright, who first established the monthly, interdenominational event in…
Big Bend Traffic Advisory: Lane closures on Hwy. 27 at Aucilla River bridge
The Florida Department of Transportation reports that motorists in Jefferson County may encounter intermittent lane closures on Friday, Jan. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance where S.R…
JCS and Head Start close gap in services
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Young children who receive services through the local Capital Area Community Action Agency/Head Start program (Community Action) should experience more continuity of support when they begin to…
New fence regulations called excessive
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The Monticello City Council has now approved a set of three ordinances that were long in the drafting and that aim to bring clarity, uniformity and consistency…
Carrie White Boone Assembly appreciates bus drivers
Mary Madison Contributor Far too often in our busy lives and schedules, we fail to show awareness to many essential workers who perform duties that have enriched the lives of those they…
From the superintendent’s desk
Dear Friends, We are halfway through our first year of regained local control of Jefferson County Schools. Has it been challenging? Yes. Do I continue to learn each day? Of course. Have…
Coming full circle with CB Family Farms
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. For Josie and Cole Bridges, farming has always been a part of life. As they both came from farming family backgrounds, it seemed only natural for this…
New Year, Old News: A look at watermelons in local history
Rebekah Sheats Contributor January always brings a fresh start—a fresh, new year and usually some new resolutions to go with it. Historically, January has been a month devoted to looking back over…