Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Confusion continues to exist over a new state law that makes it a criminal offense to cover any part of a vehicle’s license plate, whether the obstruction…
How New Years traditions took root in North Florida
Hailey Waldo ECB Publishing, Inc. Long before midnight countdowns, fireworks and televised celebrations, the arrival of New Year celebrations in North Florida was marked quietly, shaped by survival, faith and the rhythms…
The 12th day of Christmas
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist Christmas Day was last week. The New Year begins tomorrow. However, we are still in the 12 days of Christmas, which started the day after Christmas and…
New Year’s superstitions around the world
Ady Hammock ECB Publishing, Inc. Many people have odd superstitions when it comes to New Years’ celebrations. From avoiding certain foods and chores to throwing furniture out of the window, several cultures…
Pet Adoption Spotlight: Oreo
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The Jefferson County Humane Society’s Wolf Creek Pet Adoption Center cares for many animals who are eagerly awaiting their new home. Oreo, a tuxedo kitty with a…
Furry friends from JCHS find new homes
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. During a generally chilly and gray time of year, newly adopted furry friends from the Wolf Creek Pet Adoption Center are helping brighten the homes of their…
Beast Feast set for Jan. 10
Bryant Thigpen Contributor St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting their Seventh Annual Beast Feast on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m. This year’s event will be held at a new…
Mouthwatering Smoked Oyster Chowder
Smoked Oyster Chowder Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Wintertime sure makes the mouth water for hearty bowls of chili and simmering stews, but many of the best soup recipes take a long…
Casa Bianca M. B. Church distributes blankets at Brynwood
Story Submitted During the recent holiday season, Casa Bianca Missionary Baptist Church distributed 91 “blankets of love” to residents of Brynwood Health and Rehabilitation Center. The women’s ministry of the church helped…
Florida tests drones in schools to stop shootings
Merrilee Gasser The Center Square A taxpayer-funded program to test whether drones can ward off school shooters is set to launch in three Florida districts by the beginning of next year. The…
What can God do with our dedicated lives?
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist Are you eagerly looking forward to 2026? Or has 2025 been so bad that you dread another day, much less another year? Could it be that experiencing…
County renews and updates housing management contract
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners recently approved changes to the existing contract between the county and Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects, LLC, formerly known as…
Monticello has a new mural
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Monticello has a new mural, located on the south side of the building on the northwest corner of U.S. 19 and Courthouse Circle. Funded by a grant…
Florida continues taking shots at vaccine mandates
Mickey Starling ECB Publishing, Inc. Florida continues its efforts to end all state vaccine mandates, including for schools, a major shift announced by Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo in September of 2025. The…
Jefferson County hires a lobbyist
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County now has its own paid lobbyist to safeguard its interests, promote its agenda in the legislature and keep it abreast of happenings in the state…
Beware of the new tap to pay scam
Christian Peterson ECB Publishing, Inc. Scams and scammers are constantly evolving. It seems like every time the public figures out a way to combat a scam, a new one pops up. Now,…
Jefferson Arts Gallery opens Fiber Arts Exhibit Jan. 10, seeks artists
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. It’s time for the annual Fiber Arts Exhibit at the Jefferson Arts Gallery (JAG)! The 2026 show will carry on the tradition of featuring a diverse array…
Meet Your Neighbor: Dillon Wynn
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Meet Dillon Wynn! Wynn is a Jefferson County native who grew up on Morris Road. Just a couple of years ago, he returned from bustling life in…
“A past of memory; a future of progress”
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. By the ’80s, the Howard Academy campus had become Howard Middle School, the public junior high for Jefferson County. The 1983 Howardite Yearbook bears the words “A…
Post-holiday blues
Ted Okolichany Guest Columnist The article below by Don Williams has just been published in our December Heart to Heart magazine with the title “Are You Down in the Pit(s)?” Since many…