Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. July has a reputation for being the hottest month of the year, with average temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average heat index hitting a blazing…
Wildlife center seeks volunteers
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The North Florida Wildlife Center (NFWC) in Lamont, Fla., is looking for volunteers from Jefferson County to assist its staff with animal care, visitor interaction and groundskeeping….
Sheriff McNeill spearheads state-funded salary increases for officers
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Governor Ron DeSantis not long ago signed legislation from the last legislative session that significantly increases the base salaries of sheriffs’ deputies and correctional officers in 29…
Semi hits JCSO vehicle
Emerald Greene Parsons ECB Publishing, Inc. One of the more dangerous situations that first responders face is working outside of their patrol vehicles while responding to crash scenes or assisting drivers on…
Fosters desperately needed this kitten season!
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Kitten Season is officially in full swing. For those who may not know, the term kitten season refers to a phenomenon that begins in spring. As winter…
What is the meaning behind the song “It Is Well with My Soul?”
Halie Wetherington ECB Publishing, Inc. Horatio Spafford, an American lawyer born in 1828, was the author behind the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.” Although this tune is relaxing and comforting, the…
Two groups seeking school supplies to fill backpacks
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Individuals and groups alike are looking ahead to the next school year with much anticipation and ideas about how to support local students. Two groups are planning…
Third graders’ reading scores decline
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The latest report from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) on the reading scores of third graders across the state shows a significant drop in the reading…
Jefferson schools now under local control
Submitted by Jefferson County Schools Thursday, June 30, 2022, marked more than the end of summer school in Jefferson County. It marked the end of charter control of Jefferson County Schools, and…
Ponderings…Friend of a fellow
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. I have always been an animal lover, ever since I was a baby. This fascination, respect and appreciation for creatures big and small has absolutely no exceptions,…
Clean-up at the Wacissa Headwaters
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Now that school is out, kids all across Jefferson County are finding new and interesting ways of occupying their time. One group of kids, members of Students…
Emergent and Early Literacy
Miranda Gillyard-Gilley Early Childhood Educator Founder and CEO of Arise Horizon Inc. What is emergent literacy? Emergent literacy is a term that means getting ready to read. Newborns come into the world…
Make the most out of your summer months!
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. If there is anything this heat tells us, it is that summer is finally here! With longer, hotter days and no school to speak of, it is…
Cucumbers have many health benefits and helpful hacks
Leah Androski ECB Publishing, Inc. Cucumbers contain many different healthy benefits and offer many different helpful hacks. Cucumbers contain vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin…
July is Parks and Rec Month
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Since 1985, America has celebrated July as Parks and Recreation Month. Jefferson County residents seem ready to appreciate our local outdoor spaces all year long, but having…
An entertaining and leisurely tax break
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. During the week of Friday, July 1, through Thursday, July 7, Floridians will have the opportunity to enjoy many leisure activities and pay no sales tax. Called the…
A-Building restoration gets another $500,000
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The county recently received another infusion of state funding for the continuing restoration of the historic Monticello High School, more commonly known as the A-Building – a…
Local post office changes routes
and some delivery times to change Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Another indication that Monticello and Jefferson County is growing: the local post office has added another route. Effective Saturday, July 2,…
A distant war/ community support
I have been pleasantly surprised by the support our small community has given to the Ukrainian people in their desperate time. While traveling around Jefferson county I have seen many Ukrainian flags…
Frankie L. (McCranie) Cook
On Sunday, June 26, 2022, Frankie L. (McCranie) Cook entered eternal rest. Frankie was born in Berlin, Ga., on November 2, 1937. She was the oldest child of Tom and Adelle McCranie…