Tiffany Martin Children’s Home Society of Florida When students have access to clean clothes and essential hygiene items, they can focus on learning instead of worrying about their basic needs. Clothing closets…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s role in the Civil Rights Movement
MLK Timeline 1929 – Michael King, later known as Martin Luther King, Jr., was born at 501 Auburn Ave. in Atlanta on Jan. 15. 1944 – King began his freshman year at…
ACA students embark on a mission trip to Costa Rica
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Over winter break, seven student athletes from Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) were hard at work on a mission trip in Costa Rica. The group, which was comprised…
Worth a listen: Good Little Giants deliver delightful lyrics in varied styles
Mickey Starling ECB Publishing, Inc. Good Little Giants came on the national scene in 2014, after winning a major music competition. I recently discovered them through a promotion on Spotify. “Arrows” is…
When your pro-life convictions are put to the test
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist If you’re a Christian considering abortion, I can imagine your conflicting emotions. Most likely, you were staunchly pro-life before your pregnancy test, and it sickens you to…
Remembering Suwannee: Reflections on a new year, Part 2
Eric Musgrove Contributor Last week, to start 2026 off, I began a discussion on how to preserve your family’s records and photographs. Today, I’ll complete that discussion before we continue with other…
Meet Your Neighbor: Sylvester Peck, Sr.
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Meet Sylvester Peck, Sr.! Peck was born and raised in the New Bethel community of Jefferson County’s Linton’s Mills area. Though he currently lives in Leon County,…
Anna Weltzbarker makes Dean’s List at VSU
Merit Pages News Contributor Valdosta State University (VSU) congratulates Anna Weltzbarker of Monticello, Fla., for earning a spot on the Fall 2025 Dean’s List. Dean’s List honors are reserved for the highest…
City adds plum tree to community orchard on Florida Arbor Day
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Mayor John Jones declared Jan. 16 as Arbor Day in the City of Monticello, in association with Florida Arbor Day. The proclamation, passed by the city council…
FSU hosts 38th Annual MLK Week
Florida State University Contributor Florida State University will celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with its 38th annual MLK Week. This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,”…
School board recognizes staff of the year
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. At its regular meeting on Jan. 12, 2026, the Jefferson County School Board presented engraved plaques to its recently selected staff of the year. Pictured above, left…
From the Sunny Side: “Squeaky shoe”
Rick Patrick Columnist Those of you who have seen me out and about at any point in time over the last few years may have noticed that I wear a brace on…
City’s possible purchase of former utility building for police department moving forward
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Whether the Monticello Police Department (MPD) remains at its present location or relocates to another building across town that once was occupied by a utility company now…
Pet Adoption Spotlight: Sullivan
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Sullivan, a two-year-old pitbull, is in need of a forever family. At 58 pounds, Sullivan is strong, energetic, intelligent and friendly. His current foster owner, Debbie Snapp,…
Celebrating the many adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey Starling ECB Publishing, Inc. Occasionally, some of the happy reflections of childhood come back to us in one form or another. Many of us grew up enjoying a variety of Disney…
Red Hills Fire & Nature Festival is Jan. 31
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy has organized a Red Hills Fire & Nature Festival for Saturday, Jan. 31, beginning at 11 a.m. and lasting until…
Masonic Lodge No. 5 installs officers
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 5 has named its leaders for 2026. On Monday, Jan. 12, Jason Johnson from Florida’s Sixth Masonic District officiated the ceremony, during which…
Citizen’s noble act encounters legal realities
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. A local citizen’s attempt to do a good turn for the children in his neighborhood ran into legal realities that appear to have doomed the effort. Ronald…
MLK Day parade cancelled but celebration still planned at the community center
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The MLK, Jr. Committee has just announced the cancellation of the parade that was planned for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19. Nevertheless, the…
FDLE spotlights seven active cases on National AMBER Alert Awareness Day
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is commemorating National AMBER Alert Awareness Day by spotlighting the seven active AMBER Alerts in Florida. “When a child goes missing, it becomes an immediate…