Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. At the Jefferson County Humane Society’s Wolf Creek Pet Adoption Center (JCHS), many sweet animals are hoping to find their forever home. Three orange kittens, Nick, Chester…
Council set to select a new city clerk
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Monticello officials expect to appoint a new city clerk and treasurer as soon as Tuesday, Jan. 27. This, at least, is the date that the Monticello City…
Trivial pursuit
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist The world is full of fascinating facts. Did you know that your foot is the same length as your forearm , and your nose is about the…
Should I DIY? Three questions to determine if it’s best to renovate on your own
Metro Media A do-it-yourself mentality has taken hold in millions of households across the globe. Popular television channels like HGTV and DIY Network as well as accessible home improvement content on apps…
Pet Adoption Spotlight: Ace
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. At the Jefferson County Humane Society’s Wolf Creek Pet Adoption Center (JCHS), many sweet animals are hoping to find their forever home. Ace, a handsome black-and-white cat,…
Do you have respect for our county?
Can anyone give me one GOOD reason you would throw trash out onto the roadside or parking lots? The “good” reason cannot be something like, “To clean my car” or “Because I…
How to reset your home for the New Year
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. The holidays are over, the new year has come, and life has begun to get back into its usual rhythms. With the fresh start that 2026 brings,…
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
DOH-Jefferson Contributor The Florida Department of Health in Jefferson County (DOH-Jefferson) recognizes January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, observed to highlight the importance of prevention, early detection and education focused on cervical…
Tami Lester speaks at community prayer breakfast
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Around 50 people drove through a thick, predawn fog to attend the Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 8. The gathering was hosted this month by Memorial…
Jefferson County Advisory Council of Big Bend Hospice recognizes local pharmacists
Juanice Hughes Contributor The Jefferson County Advisory Council of Big Bend Hospice (BBH) annually recognizes and expresses its gratitude to local pharmacists on National Pharmacist Day, which was held this year on…
Healthcare Hero: Pharmacist Matt Grant
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Many in the community may already know Matt Grant as one of the friendly faces at the pharmacy counter of our local CVS store. Grant grew up…
Events for January 12-16
JANUARY 12 (Monday) The Jefferson County School Board has a regular meeting at 6 p.m. at 1490 W. Washington St. To attend via Microsoft Teams, use Meeting ID 229 905 633 064…
Two local grocery store projects making progress
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Two development projects related to grocery stores in Monticello continue moving forward, if perhaps not as speedily as some residents would like, given the lack of choices…
Jones reclaims mayor’s seat
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Councilman John Jones is the City of Monticello’s new mayor as of Tuesday evening, Jan. 6. Jones replaced Gloria Cox, the city council member who served in…
Battles of the heart
Ted Okolichany Guest Columnist We see the story of three biblical characters who experienced significant battles of the heart, three men who went through a tremendous strain and discovered a lot about…
Revival is coming to Macedonia Church
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Macedonia Church invites the community to join them on Jan. 21, 22 and 23 for Revival. Meetings will start at 7 p.m. each night at the church,…
Need a little help? Call 211 Big Bend
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…