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…
SRTC recognizes high-achieving students for the Fall 2025 term
Merit Pages News Contributor Recently, the administration at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) recognized several students from Monticello, Fla., who did exceptional work during the Fall 2025 term. In order to qualify…
County manager scores relatively high overall in job performance evaluation
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. In their first formal job evaluation of County Manager Shannon Metty since she assumed the position three years ago, commissioners on the Jefferson County Board of County…
Local historic house is another step closer to national recognition
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The owners of the Avera-Clarke House are a step closer to getting the historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Jefferson County Board…
Florida’s groundwater projected to be insufficient to meet demand in future
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. As Florida’s population continues to grow and ground water withdrawals exceed this source’s sustainable limit, experts expect that the state will increasingly have to meet new demand…
Fire destroys Lamont home
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. On Tuesday, Jan. 6, an electrical issue with a golf cart being charged behind a modular home in Lamont, Fla., apparently started a fire that ultimately destroyed…
Veterans support groups planned
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. In response to requests, the Lee American Legion Post 422, will be hosting Veterans support group meetings, starting on Friday, Jan. 16. There will be two different…
New deputy county manager comes with wealth of experience
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. County Manager Shannon Metty has significantly stepped up her management team in the person of Ron Russo, whom she recently hired as deputy manager. Russo, who started…
FL Cares enters a new year of improving accessibility
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. FL Cares, a local 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit, saw record-breaking activity in 2025. The volunteer-run organization is committed to increasing accessibility across the four-county area of Jefferson, Leon,…
The Jan/Feb Front Porch magazine has arrived!
Emerald Greene ECB Publishing, Inc. It is with great pleasure that we announce the arrival of the Jan/Feb 2026 edition of The Front Porch magazine. The new issue has been mailed and…