When our Founding Fathers spent weeks drafting the Declaration of Independence, they ignited a war to secure America’s freedom from Britain’s control. In an interesting twist, the process of creating this groundbreaking…
Call me optimistic
God has made us with two ends: one to sit on and one to think with. Success depends on which one we choose to use when. There are times for planning and…
“Musicianary” to perform Sunday, July 13
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Jeff Cleghorn is a missionary who uses his skills as a pianist to spread the Gospel and point people to Jesus. He describes himself as a “musicianary”…
Paul on God’s existence
The foundation of our faith, every sermon and prayer, and every moral obligation are based on the fact God exists. The apostle Paul’s arguments presented in Acts 17 are as needed today…
Non-profit provides accessible entrance for veteran
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Bright and early on June 25, volunteers with FL Cares, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, got to work at the home of a 68-year-old Navy veteran in the Asheville-Greenville…
City using solar energy to power wastewater treatment facility
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Most Monticello residents probably aren’t aware that the wastewater treatment plant off Mamie Scott Drive is now operating off solar power and providing energy cost savings to…
New law requires additional driver’s education for Florida teens
Danny Federico ECB Publishing, Inc. Beginning on Tuesday, July 1, a new Florida law will require students between the ages of 14 and 17 to complete both a Driver’s Education course and…
School board approves 5-0 to share three directors with Madison
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Attendance was high for the Jefferson County School Board meeting on Monday, June 23, when the agenda included 33 items requiring board member votes. Items that seem…
The NEW Front Porch is in the mail
Emerald Greene ECB Publishing, Inc. With great pleasure, we announce the arrival of The Front Porch magazine’s July/August 2025 issue. The new issue has been mailed out and subscribers should have…
Marriage & meddling
I was disappointed to see that the Baptist Convention has made movements to try and outlaw same-sex marriage. What an amazing case of, “my world is the entire world” mentality. The inability…
Anna Weltzbarker makes dean’s list at VSU
Merit Media News Contributor Valdosta State University congratulates Anna Weltzbarker of Monticello, Fla., for earning a spot on the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. The Dean’s List honors are reserved for the highest…
Florida Future Chef Competition seeks its next champion
Jason Futch ECB Publishing, Inc. Calling all Florida student chefs and families! The Florida Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness is on the search for the next Florida Future Chef Champion. The…
A.A. marks its 90-year anniversary
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Alcoholics Anonymous traces its formation back to a 1935 meet-up between a stockbroker and surgeon. Bill, the stockbroker, had been able to achieve sobriety and then maintain…
What a scorcher!
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Whew, it’s really heating up outside! As Floridians, we’re certainly not strangers to what a hot, humid summer feels like. Florida consistently ranks as the hottest state…
Hometown pride
“A slice of the good life” is exactly what we out-of-towners experienced at the Watermelon Festival! Hometown pride and collegiality was quite evident as we took in the sights and sounds of…
This isn’t just about land use
I’m writing this letter with a heavy heart on behalf of my mother, Evelyn Hagan, owner of Hagan Funeral Service, addressing the rezoning at 370 S. Jefferson Street to provide essential parking…
City seeking $1M grant to purchase generators to keep lift stations operational during outages
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Monticello officials continue their efforts to secure a $1 million grant from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) administered by FEMA for the purchase of eight generators…
Fire Rescue looks ahead to potential growth impacts
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The budget formulation hearings are a time when commissioners and department heads get an opportunity to discuss imminent or potential issues specific to each operation. Case in…
Overturned semi blocks I-10 for three hours
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. On Friday afternoon, June 20, a semi truck transporting three vehicles overturned on I-10 around 4. p.m., blocking all traffic until just after 7 p.m. According to…
Cost of postage stamps going up again.
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The cost of postage stamps and other mailing services is about to go up again. The price changes, which include a five-cent increase for First-Class Mail Forever…