Melanie Southerland UF IFAS Extension – Jefferson Thanksgiving is one of the biggest food holidays of the year, and with large meals and leftovers, food safety is essential to prevent food-borne illness….
Shepherd’s Hands free health clinic is Dec. 2
Katie Marshall and Merry Ann Frisby Shepherd’s Hands of Suwannee Valley Do you or does someone you know need medical care? The Shepherd’s Hands free health clinic will be open this month…
Kidz Biz Day is Saturday, Nov. 29
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. In conjunction with Small Business Saturday, the merchants of downtown Monticello are once again partnering with young entrepreneurs to offer post-Thanksgiving shoppers a very special, once-a-year opportunity….
KFRW honor Veterans at 4th Biennial American Valor Dinner
Keystone Federated Republican Women Contributor The 4th Biennial American Valor Dinner honored 47 local Veterans on Thursday, Nov. 6, with dinner and full program at the Monticello Opera House Perkins Hall. This…
Property tax “relief”: typical politics
Reading the November 12 article regarding the numerous property tax proposals, a common theme appears in nearly every one: “Non-school Property Tax”. In fact, none, not one, of these proposals would truly eliminate allhomestead property…
The “Jeffecello” school days of 1949
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. What was it like to go to Monticello High School (MHS) in 1949? Turn the pages of the 1949 issue of the “Jeffecello” year book to get…
Repent – and clean out the “freezer”
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist I love ice cream. But every time I eat a bowl in the evening, I regret it the next morning when I step on the bathroom scales….
Local schools celebrate fall festivals with games, treats and community fun
Bri Rodriguez ECB Publishing, Inc. Autumn spirit swept through Jefferson County as families gathered at Aucilla Christian Academy and Jefferson K-12 for annual fall festivals, where games, sweet treats and fellowship turned…
Drought intensifies for Jefferson County – state of emergency declared
Updated Nov. 23, 2025 Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County has declared a Local State of Emergency and issued a temporary countywide burn ban due to ongoing exceptional drought conditions. This…
Multiple changes proposed to county’s local land development regulations
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The Jefferson County Commission recently approved the scheduling and advertising of public hearings to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend the Land Development Code (LDC)….
Local writer turns The Blasting Company’s “A History of Public Relations Dilemmae” album into a musical show
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Jason Q. Brookins, who grew up in Monticello, is directing a musical play he wrote that features selected songs from The Blasting Company’s album, “A History of…
Events for Nov. 21-24
NOVEMBER 21 (Friday) Christ Episcopal Church Food Pantry (425 N. Cherry St.) opens at 7:15 a.m. and distributes until the food is gone. The Rotary Club meets at 11:45 a.m. at 420…
Help Jefferson County bundle up this winter
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Do you have unneeded gently used or new winter essentials, like coats or scarves, gathering dust in your closet? You can help your community keep warm this…
Fire Chief issues ban on outdoor burning
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. A large swath of the Big Bend has received only 1.53 inches of rain since Sept. 1, an amount that is 8.24 inches below normal. The most…
VFW Post 251 hosts district conference
Mary Madison Contributor The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts and auxiliaries of District 2 joined the local VFW Post and Auxiliary 251 as it hosted the District 2 Conference this month…
City eyes use of AI to transcribe certain meeting minutes
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Not altogether uncritically, City of Monticello officials are contemplating climbing aboard the artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagon, if on a limited, trial basis. On Tuesday evening, Nov. 4,…
Jefferson Farm Bureau celebrates Farm-City Week with Kiwanis Club
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Jefferson County Farm Bureau, in collaboration with the Monticello Kiwanis Club, hosted another successful Farm-City Week Luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The annual event brought together…
Mayor joins newly-formed economic development committee
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The Monticello City Council recently selected Mayor Gloria Cox to be the city’s representative on the Jefferson County Economic Development Committee, a newly-formed group whose chief purpose…
SRWMD Hydrologic Conditions Report for October is now available
Suwannee River Water Management District Contributor To help enhance public awareness of water levels and the impact rainfall has on current conditions in North Florida, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District)…
Meet Your Neighbor: Audrey Andrews
Bri Rodriguez ECB Publishing, Inc. Aspiring archaeologist with a heart for home. At just 19 years old, Audrey Andrews has lived in Jefferson County her entire life – and she wouldn’t have…