Holden Grace Wilkins Florida State University As autism diagnoses continue to rise across the United States, schools are under growing pressure to better support students on the spectrum. About 1 in 31…
Free Narcan stand installed outdoors at health department
Florida Dept. of Health – Jefferson Contributor The Florida Department of Health in Jefferson County (DOH-Jefferson) is proud to announce the installation of a new naloxone (Narcan) distribution stand, made possible through…
Events for April 4-12
APRIL 4 (Saturday) The exhibit “World War I Lessons and Legacies” opens at Jefferson Arts Gallery (575 W. Washington). This traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian will show through April 25 during regular…
County officials cut the ribbon on sign for road safety
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. On the morning of April 2, county officials cut a ribbon at the first of 12 new signs that warn truckers against traveling on hazardous county roads….
Pet Adoption Spotlight: Harley
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. Harley, a seven-year-old Pointer mix dog,…
Three churches to gather for Easter Sunrise Service
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Mt. Pleasant, Bethel and New Bethel A.M.E. churches invite the public to join them at 6:30 a.m. on April 5 for an Easter Sunrise Service. This event…
Commission postpones approval of revised land development code
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The Jefferson County Commission recently postponed the adoption of an ordinance to update the land development code (LDC), pending an opinion from the Florida Attorney General on…
Grant funds bring home a variable message board for JCEM
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County Emergency Management (JCEM) recently was able to purchase a new variable message board for the benefit of the county, using funding provided by the Big…
JCS hosts prom 2026
Crystal Goodwin ECB Publishing, Inc. Twinkling lights decorated the historic Monticello Opera House as Jefferson County Schools K-12, A Community Partnership School (JCS), celebrated prom 2026 on March 7. Crowns were presented…
Springfield A.M.E. announces Good Friday service
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Jefferson County Ministers’ Conference presents a Good Friday service on April 3 at 7 p.m., hosted by Pastor Annerane F. Wineglass and the congregation of Springfield…
What if God didn’t want a relationship with you?
Sheryl H. Boldt Guest Columnist Imagine what life would be like if God didn’t want a relationship with us. Think how incredibly hard and lonely it would be. Here’s another thought: What…
Easter memories and butterfly lessons
Rev. John Hicks Guest Columnist This week before Easter Sunday brings back memories. For 18 plus years before retiring from pastoring a church, I raised butterflies for release on Easter Sunday morning…
ACA annual heart screenings honor ‘Koda
Crystal Goodwin ECB Publishing, Inc. There are some days that feel bigger than a calendar date. These days are rooted in memory, in love and the quiet determination to protect others. At…
Hurricane center implements new tools for 2026 season
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. It’s never too early to begin thinking about the Atlantic hurricane scene, which is set to begin officially on June 1. At least it’s never too early…
Accounting firm to evaluate county’s internal control system
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Local officials have entered an agreement with an accountant firm to have it perform a one-time evaluation of certain aspects of the county’s system of internal controls…
Proposed measure would allow criminal checks of county employees
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. County officials have scheduled a public hearing for adoption of an ordinance that will require Level II criminal background checks on certain county employees and job applicants….
Auditor General gives Jefferson County Schools a clean report
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The State of Florida Auditor General found no deficiencies when conducting its annual Financial and Federal Single Audit for Jefferson County Schools. None. Its report, just released…
New bill signed by governor further erodes home rule
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law on March 27 House Bill 399, one of several bills in the recently concluded legislative session that aimed to further weaken…
County manager responds to earlier accusation of falsehood
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. County Manager Shannon Metty recently returned to the issue of the $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that the county received from the federal…
Consultant discusses business take-aways from demographic “tapestry”
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on March 3 featured Business Consultant Pamela Johnson. She works at Florida A&M University (FAMU) for the Small Business Development…