Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Each year, a shoe drive is held with the goal of collecting hundreds of shoes for the community to take home. Last year, organizer Jamia Bradley was…
Six reappointed to North Florida College board
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. It was recently announced that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has reappointed six members to continue serving on the Board of Trustees for North Florida College (NFC). Those…
Several local public offices up for election already decided
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Nine local public offices are up for election this year, with 13 candidates remaining on the field after the qualification period, which ran June 8-12. Of the…
Program to lower blood pressure starts July 16
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. UF/IFAS Extension is offering an online program to help people with hypertension bring their blood pressure down. The interactive sessions take place 12-1 p.m. on Thursdays for…
Events for July 9-19
July 9 (Thursday) Pillow Pals meets at the First Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to noon to make pillows to provide comfort for cancer patients. If you can cut fabric, sew a…
Donations are needed for CERT’s upcoming fundraiser
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The Jefferson County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is in need of the community’s support as their first annual fundraiser yard sale approaches on July 18. The…
A heartfelt thank you to our community
As we celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary, the 250 County Celebration Committee extends our deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make this year’s celebration a truly unforgettable day. The overwhelming support from our…
229 Country: Bringing Traditional Country Music to South Georgia and North Florida
Sponsored Content Business Spotlight If you’re a fan of real country music, chances are you’ve either heard of or seen 229 Country on stage somewhere across South Georgia or North Florida. Featuring…
Clearing the decay: What the city’s buzzard problem reveals about our community’s soul
Patricia Smith Guest Columnist A buzzard landed quietly in the grass before her. Its left wing appeared bloodied. More of the birds descended from the sky, gathering around it as if carrying…
One-day workshop to teach mental health first aid
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. On average, 130 people die by suicide every day. From 1999 to 2019, there were 841,000 fatal drug overdoses. Mental illness affects nearly one in five people….
Record crowd attends the 75th Watermelon Festival
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. See below for the link to 12 full pages of articles and photos capturing special moments from the 75th Monticello Watermelon Festival! Monticello’s 75th Watermelon Festival brought…
Jefferson K-12 regains its B
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. It was all smiles from School Superintendent Jackie Pons and Principal Yolanda Smith-Davis last week. That’s when Jefferson K-12 Community Partnership School received a grade of B…
Back-to-School Tax Holiday begins July 20
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. It might feel like summer’s just begun, but the school year is right around the corner, with most students headed back for the 2026-2027 academic year between…
Second Chance Act takes effect, bringing proactive cardiac screenings to Florida student athletes
Story submitted July 1, the Second Chance Act officially took effect across Florida, requiring all high school student athletes to receive a medical evaluation, including an electrocardiogram (EKG), before participating in school-sanctioned…
Commission honors longtime first responder
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. A Jefferson County Fire Rescue (JCFR) first responder who retired recently received recognition for his long service and devotion to the public. Captain Daniel “Dexter” Walker, who…
Laura’s Garden Notes: Dancing with disappointment
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Disappointment is that dance partner who crushes your toes, misses the beat and hums off-key to your favorite song. I expect we all find ourselves dancing with…
Two county department heads resign in quick succession
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Barely a week into office, County Manager Douglas Baber has had to deal with the replacement of two department heads who resigned their positions in recent weeks….
Youth Athletic Camp returns July 18
Story and Photos Submitted The Jefferson County 2nd Annual Youth Athletic Camp is set to return on Saturday, July 18, with the aim to inspire the next generation through athletics, wellness, leadership…
Cursive writing returns to Florida schools
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing,, Inc. Cursive writing is making a comeback in Florida schools, per a new law that Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law on April 20 and that went into…
Support community journalism; support Jefferson County
What would Jefferson County be like without local news? Local newspapers serve a critical role in communities, providing trustworthy information, serving as government watchdogs, holding officials accountable and reporting on the local…