DOH-Jefferson Contributor The Florida Department of Health in Jefferson County (DOH-Jefferson) recognizes January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, observed to highlight the importance of prevention, early detection and education focused on cervical…
Tami Lester speaks at community prayer breakfast
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Around 50 people drove through a thick, predawn fog to attend the Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 8. The gathering was hosted this month by Memorial…
Jefferson County Advisory Council of Big Bend Hospice recognizes local pharmacists
Juanice Hughes Contributor The Jefferson County Advisory Council of Big Bend Hospice (BBH) annually recognizes and expresses its gratitude to local pharmacists on National Pharmacist Day, which was held this year on…
Healthcare Hero: Pharmacist Matt Grant
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Many in the community may already know Matt Grant as one of the friendly faces at the pharmacy counter of our local CVS store. Grant grew up…
Events for January 12-16
JANUARY 12 (Monday) The Jefferson County School Board has a regular meeting at 6 p.m. at 1490 W. Washington St. To attend via Microsoft Teams, use Meeting ID 229 905 633 064…
Two local grocery store projects making progress
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Two development projects related to grocery stores in Monticello continue moving forward, if perhaps not as speedily as some residents would like, given the lack of choices…
Jones reclaims mayor’s seat
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Councilman John Jones is the City of Monticello’s new mayor as of Tuesday evening, Jan. 6. Jones replaced Gloria Cox, the city council member who served in…
Battles of the heart
Ted Okolichany Guest Columnist We see the story of three biblical characters who experienced significant battles of the heart, three men who went through a tremendous strain and discovered a lot about…
Revival is coming to Macedonia Church
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Macedonia Church invites the community to join them on Jan. 21, 22 and 23 for Revival. Meetings will start at 7 p.m. each night at the church,…
Need a little help? Call 211 Big Bend
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Have you ever heard of Florida 211? It’s a free, confidential helpline that connects Floridians to all sorts of resources, including “social services, food, housing, utilities payment…
Is it 2026 or 1984?
George Orwell in 1949 published a book entitled 1984 wherein he warned against massive government surveillance, both outside and inside the home. This was prior to most homes having a television and…
From the Sunny Side: A new year
Rick Patrick Columnist I recently saw something funny. Two aliens were talking and one said to the other, “They are celebrating their planet making another circle around their star; I told you…
Hurricane-impacted rural communities to receive financial help
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that an additional $167.5 million will be awarded to several Florida communities affected by the hurricanes of recent years. A total…
City council denies funeral home application
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The long-running effort by local businesswoman Evelyn Hagan to get a property on North Jefferson Street rezoned and its designation changed on the comprehensive plan in order…
Reorganization of senior services
Dear Jefferson County Citizens, In the past, Jefferson Senior Citizens Center (JSCC) located at 1155 N Jefferson Street, Monticello, Florida, has offered local seniors meals services and engagement activities through funding from…
County manager’s office reviews 2025, sets goals for 2026
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Understanding the importance of messaging, setting goals and establishing standards, Jefferson County Manager Shannon Metty and Deputy Manager Ron Russo have set forth an outline of strategic…
Home mortgage rates dip
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. Potential homeowners had a bit of good news at the end of 2025, as mortgage rates dropped at the end of calendar year 2025. According to the…
State may do away with license stickers
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. If two recent bills filed in the Florida Legislature for the coming session become law, vehicle registration decals will become a thing of the past. The two…
Jefferson County has many Century Pioneer Family Farms
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Many local farming families trace their roots in Jefferson County back several generations. Those who have maintained at least 100 years of continuous family farm ownership can…
Remembering Suwannee: Reflections on a new year, Part 1
Eric Musgrove Contributor I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as we roll into 2026. In lieu of a normal historical article, I’d like to take this…