Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. It was a busy morning in Monticello on Wednesday, July 2, when a press conference was held by Governor Ron DeSantis on the south side of the…
Jefferson K-12 has a new principal
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Yolanda Smith-Davis is the new principal for Jefferson County K-12 Community Partnership School (JCS). Her appointment was approved by the Jefferson County School Board on Monday, June…
New state budget does away with tax holidays; implements permanent tax cuts instead
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Following an extended legislative session and much wrangling, Florida lawmakers were finally able to pass a state budget and tax package on June 16. Unlike in recent…
Looking skyward in July
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. July is the month where most of the country is scheduled to look up, but when all the flashes and bangs of Independence Day are over, and…
Fun facts about the Fourth of July
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. The mid-summer celebration known as “Independence Day,” or the Fourth of July, is filled with fireworks, outdoor cook-outs and much summertime fun. It is well known that…
Where to see fireworks on July 4 & 5
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Many nearby communities have Fourth of July celebrations that residents of Jefferson County may find worth the drive. Madison The Madison Lions Club hosts their annual God…
A Fourth of July Timeline
July 4, 1776, is an important date in American history that is widely considered the birthday of the United States of America. That’s the day that delegates to the Second Continental Congress…
Faglie and Scott have meaningful experiences at Boys State
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Ben Faglie and Tre Scott are rising high school seniors who attended American Legion Boys State during June 15-21 at Florida State University, under the sponsorship of…
History’s sports hero: Jim Rice
Mickey Starling ECB Publishing, Inc. When we think of an athlete being a hero, it usually means they made an outstanding play that won a game or at least kept a game…
Laura’s Garden Notes: a breath of garden air
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. It’s hot. It’s humid. It’s July in North Florida, and this is a great time to appreciate the wonderful aromas involved in gardening. Your arm brushes a…
Homeschooled students enjoy an ecological day on the Wacissa River
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. On June 30, a group of Jefferson County homeschoolers gathered at a private Wacissa River landing for a new type of outreach event hosted by the Aucilla…
A friend for Priscilla
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. On Wednesday, June 18, Aucilla Research Institute (ARI) brought a group of mostly homeschooled students to participate in a special project—putting Priscilla back together. Priscilla, ARI’s plaster…
First-generation incoming FAMU student awarded Virginia Morey Rell Scholarship
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Big things are coming for Desmond Whitfield, a Florida A&M University (FAMU) bound Jefferson County student. Recently, he learned he was chosen as a recipient of the…
Madison rescinds previous agreement to share school district directors with Jefferson
Rick Patrick and Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. During a special meeting of the Madison County District School Board on Monday, June 30, the board voted to rescind a previous shared services…
Where to see fireworks on July 4 & 5
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Many nearby communities have Fourth of July celebrations that residents of Jefferson County may find worth the drive. Madison The Madison Lions Club hosts their annual God…
Suspect shot in reported home invasion
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. On Monday, June 30, just before 5 a.m., the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) responded to a 911 call regarding a home invasion at a residence located…
Officials vote to revert role of county manager to county coordinator
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. A county manager’s position is a precarious one, subject to official and public scrutiny, as well as the vagaries of politics, as a recent commission meeting underscored….
From the Sunny Side: Laughing yoga?
I am a generally curious person. Some might say (and some have actually said) I even tend to be a little on the “nosy” side. That basic curiosity often comes in handy,…
Ponderings… A berry good day
This weekend, I was invited to go berry-picking with a friend of mine. We had an excellent time last month picking strawberries and peaches at Moccasin Grove, which is located in nearby…
CERT Basic Training Class to be offered in July
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County’s CERT, the local volunteer Community Emergency Response Team, is ready to onboard new members with training this month. Sessions will take place Tuesday and Thursday…