Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Henry B. Plant was dubbed “The King of Florida” by a magazine called Success in 1898 for his tremendous impact on the development of Florida’s transportation and…
Possible cat shooting turns into drug bust
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. On Monday, June 2, deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) were brought out to a disturbance on East Pinhook Road in Wacissa. According to a…
Watermelon Festival is this weekend! Enjoy the street dance, parade, car show, beer garden, vendors, kids’ show and more
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County’s celebration of everything watermelon culminates with this weekend’s Watermelon Festival events. Monticello has been fine-tuning this festival since 1949, and the line-up of activities is…
Planners hear Duke’s application for solar farm near Waukeenah on June 12
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Notwithstanding Duke Energy having recently received approval from the Florida Public Service Commission for a solar power rate adjustment, the electric company must still get approval from…
Celebrate Father’s Day in unique ways
Metro Media Father’s Day is a celebration of dads near and far. Falling on the third Sunday of June each year, Father’s Day presents an opportunity for families to come together and…
Meet Onyx and Orca
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. On Friday, May 16, I was typing away at my desk when someone walked into the newspaper office lobby. Our advertisement representative, Tiffany, got up to assist…
Two members of VFW Post 251 recognized
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The June 1 meeting of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 251 in Monticello, Fla., included special recognitions for two of its members. Lt. Col. Jimmy Bellamy…
Chamber to offer more small business grants
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting another round of applications for its grant program to support local entrepreneurs. The grants are intended to help…
Summer water safety
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Temperatures are steadily rising, and with hot, sunny days comes the beckoning call of cool, refreshing waters, the perfect relief from the summer heat waves. But as…
United Way announces local investments
United Way of the Big Bend Contributor On May 22, the United Way of the Big Bend (UWBB) announced that its Board of Directors approved $1.24 million in funding allocations today that…
Wawa Foundation to support Second Harvest
Second Harvest Contributor Second Harvest of the Big Bend has been named recipient of a $10,000 “Fly Beyond” grant from the Wawa Foundation to help provide youth in the Big Bend with increased…
Donna’s testimony
“You have a few months to live.” Well, that would rock anyone’s world, wouldn’t it? That is what I was told in April 2009 when I learned that my breast cancer had…
An inspired challenge for wives this Father’s Day
How many dads (and moms, for that matter) would want their “parenting” televised? I can’t think of anything more intimidating. If someone made a movie about your family, how many scenes would…
At a loss for words: Idioms birthed in the Bible
It comes as no surprise that many of our modern idioms have their roots in scripture, since the Bible is an integral part of millions of people’s lives today. Most of the…
Chocolate Chip Cookies
As the elderly man lay dying in his bed, death’s agony was suddenly pushed aside as he smelled the aroma of his favorite homemade chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs. Gathering…
Mold in your Home: Is it Really a Big Deal?
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Mold is a natural part of our outdoor environment. In nature, mold is a fungus that breaks down dead organic matter such as leaves and other plant…
McDonald’s Golden Grants available for local youth programs
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Schools and other organizations in Jefferson County that offer programs for youth in kindergarten through twelfth grade may want to apply for funding from the 2025 McDonald’s…
Flag retirement ceremony set for Saturday, June 14
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Flag Day is Saturday, June 14, and American Legion Post 49 of Monticello will be conducting a retirement ceremony for U.S. flags that are no longer serviceable. …
A bear hunt in Florida one step closer to realization
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is a step closer to reinstating an annual black bear hunt. In mid-May, the commission voted 4-1 to approve rule changes…
Council honors Kiwanis Club
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Mayor Gloria Cox and the Monticello City Council recently recognized the Kiwanis Club for a century of civic service and contributions to the community. The proclamation that…