The world can be really noisy, and it can be tempting to stay silent in an attempt to not add to all the racket. I have found, however, that often the loudest…
Thoughts from the past and present: On third places
I’ve lived in Monticello my whole life, and I always remember it being pretty quiet. Over the past few years, though, I feel like something’s changed. It’s not a bad change, either. …
Letter to the Editor: Congrats to columnist Hailey Heseltine
This is an octogenarian, vista article. I have been a contributor for many decades. My articles go back to the Ron Cichon era. My composition were submitted to the late Fran Hunt,…
Artist Spotlight: Chris Latham
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Monticello is a quiet hub of highly skilled artists, and many citizens among us harbor incredible talents that often go unnoticed. Among these talented artists is Chris…
Four young queens and one young king crowned as new royalty in the Tiny Miss to Young Miss Watermelon Pageants
Emerald Greene ECB Publishing, Inc. The 2025 Jefferson County Tiny Miss to Young Miss Watermelon pageants were held on Saturday, May 31, at the Old High School Auditorium. The pageants were first…
Heaven-Leigh Purvis and Maggie Walker Crowned 2025 Miss and Teen Miss Watermelon Queens
Emerald Greene ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County residents gathered Saturday evening, May 31, at the Old High School Auditorium to watch the very popular and much-loved Miss and Teen Miss Watermelon Queen…
Cool careers ahead: NFC’s HVAC/R graduates ready to heat up a booming job market
North Florida College Contributor The future looks bright, and climate-controlled, for the first graduating class of North Florida College’s (NFC) Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) program. These trailblazing graduates are…
An open letter to those fighting cancer
“You have cancer.” Those words would tend to take the wind out of anyone’s sails. Yet most, if not all of us, know someone who has heard those words, if we have…
Are your thoughts keeping you awake?
Your mind is racing. It won’t be long before your boss realizes that you’re not as experienced as your resume suggested. Or perhaps you’re wondering if you’ll ever manage to pay down…
Slow down
Slowing down is a term I am hearing a lot in my spirit these days. It seems as if this world has become so hurried that there is hardly time to breathe…
Bless My Ride event is June 7
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Restored Glory Christian Center (RGCC) invites the community to their Bless My Ride event on Saturday, June 7. From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winn…
Growing through it: Fear, faith and a little moth
This morning, as I was getting ready to leave, a little moth flew into my car. It wasn’t big — just a tiny, fluttery thing that landed quietly on my windshield. But…
Man charged with Walker’s death sentenced to prison
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The man charged with causing the vehicular death of Jefferson County Commissioner Stephen Walker in 2023 entered a negotiated agreement with the state earlier this week and…
CDC no longer recommending COVID-19 vaccines for children, pregnant women
Thérèse Boudreaux The Center Square The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has removed mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from children and pregnant women’s recommended immunization schedules, reversing the Centers for Disease Control…
Hearing for proposed new funeral home in city set for June 3
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. City officials are scheduled to hear two zoning-related applications next week that have the potential to generate extensive discussion. The two applications pertain to a 0.77-acre…
Legislation aims to protect state parks from development
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Two companion bills recently approved by the Florida Legislature in the recent session and enroute to the governor for signature into law would prevent the erection of…
Correction:
In the May 9, 2025, issue of the Jefferson County Journal, some information about Renee Marie Huggins in the report of “Felony Verdicts in the 2nd Judicial Circuit” was incorrect. There is…
Ponderings… To spin around a star
As strange as it seems, I have made yet another revolution around our sun, making me 33 years old. Time seems to go simultaneously too quickly and painfully slow, as if I…
Summer program kickoff party at the library today
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The Jefferson County R.J. Bailar Library (375 S. Water St.) is kicking off its summer reading program with a party today, May 30, at 1 p.m. This…
Monticello Kiwanis Club celebrates 100 years of service
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. On May 3, 1925, the Kiwanis Club of Monticello met for the first time at Hotel Monticello. It became the 35th such club to be established in…