Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. See below for the link to 12 full pages of articles and photos capturing special moments from the 75th Monticello Watermelon Festival! Monticello’s 75th Watermelon Festival brought…
Jefferson K-12 regains its B
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. It was all smiles from School Superintendent Jackie Pons and Principal Yolanda Smith-Davis last week. That’s when Jefferson K-12 Community Partnership School received a grade of B…
Back-to-School Tax Holiday begins July 20
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. It might feel like summer’s just begun, but the school year is right around the corner, with most students headed back for the 2026-2027 academic year between…
Second Chance Act takes effect, bringing proactive cardiac screenings to Florida student athletes
Story submitted July 1, the Second Chance Act officially took effect across Florida, requiring all high school student athletes to receive a medical evaluation, including an electrocardiogram (EKG), before participating in school-sanctioned…
Commission honors longtime first responder
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. A Jefferson County Fire Rescue (JCFR) first responder who retired recently received recognition for his long service and devotion to the public. Captain Daniel “Dexter” Walker, who…
Laura’s Garden Notes: Dancing with disappointment
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Disappointment is that dance partner who crushes your toes, misses the beat and hums off-key to your favorite song. I expect we all find ourselves dancing with…
Two county department heads resign in quick succession
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Barely a week into office, County Manager Douglas Baber has had to deal with the replacement of two department heads who resigned their positions in recent weeks….
Youth Athletic Camp returns July 18
Story and Photos Submitted The Jefferson County 2nd Annual Youth Athletic Camp is set to return on Saturday, July 18, with the aim to inspire the next generation through athletics, wellness, leadership…
Cursive writing returns to Florida schools
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing,, Inc. Cursive writing is making a comeback in Florida schools, per a new law that Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law on April 20 and that went into…
Support community journalism; support Jefferson County
What would Jefferson County be like without local news? Local newspapers serve a critical role in communities, providing trustworthy information, serving as government watchdogs, holding officials accountable and reporting on the local…
Wild Adventures named Top 5 Most Affordable Theme Park in U.S.
Story submitted Wild Adventures Theme Park has been named the fourth most affordable theme park in the United States, according to HomeToGo’s 2026 U.S. Summer Travel Survey. The national recognition highlights the overall value of…
Southern Baptist Convention votes to ban women from the pulpit
Mickey Starling ECB Publishing, Inc. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) found the saying “the third time’s the charm” to be accurate as they convened on Wednesday, June 10, in Orlando, Fla. After…
The Road to Independence
Christian Peterson ECB Publishing, Inc. From the Museum of the American Revolution French and Indian War (1754): Amidst ongoing tensions between Great Britain and France in their American colonies and abroad, 22-…
Is a dumpster rental service right for your project? Ask On Demand Dumpsters
Sponsored Content Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. For their daily needs, most in our community use one of two options for garbage disposal: either paying for a private garbage collection service, or…
Healthcare Hero: Donna Catalano
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Meet one of our local healthcare heroes, Donna Catalano! Catalano was born in New York and raised in North Miami Beach. She moved to Tallahassee in 1979,…
The July/August Front Porch has arrived!
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. It is with great pleasure that we announce the arrival of the July/August 2026 edition of The Front Porch magazine. This issue includes a fabulous array of…
Aucilla Christian Academy announces varsity cheerleading squad
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. Aucilla Christian Academy has announced the 2026 varsity cheerleading squad that will be cheering on the Warriors during the upcoming football season. The members of the varsity…
Tips for taming holiday weekend traffic
Metro Media Extended holiday weekends tend to fall on national holidays throughout the year, giving workers and students an opportunity to enjoy an extra day off from work and school. The open…
Celestial events in July
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. For those who like to keep eyes on the skies, here are some interesting celestial events happening this month. • All month: Get a great view of…