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 final weekend of Watermelon…
Congratulations to the 2026 Watermelon Royalty!
The 2026 Watermelon Royalty are, left to right: (back row) Miss Watermelon Queen Chrissy Lastinger, Teen Miss Watermelon Queen Riley Kate Denton, Junior Miss Watermelon Queen Hallie Conklin, (front row) Tiny Mister…
Top 10 reasons to shop locally
1) Small businesses and local businesses are still the backbone of our economy. This is where we live, where we are raising our families, where we shop, where we eat and where…
Blue Sky Farm’s annual fundraiser is June 27
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Every summer at the peak of blueberry season, Blue Sky Farm gives its u-pick visitors the chance to load up on berries and have their payment donated…
Graduation congratulations to William Reese Alan Madison
Story Submitted Grandmother Mary Madison takes loving and great pleasure in reporting the graduation accomplishment of her and the late Sam, Sr.’s fourth grandchild “Reese,” the name he has been known by…
The history of the Watermelon Festival
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. For 75 years, Monticello has been the home of the annual Watermelon Festival. At this time of year, Jefferson County has plenty of festivities to be found,…
Juneteenth: remembering the past, celebrating freedom
Hailey Waldo ECB Publishing, Inc. Every year on June 19, communities across the United States gather to celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in America and honors the…
How communities benefit when consumers shop local
Metro Media Ideas about shopping are never set in stone, and the pandemic illustrated just how quickly consumer trends and opinions can change. Many individuals are now reevaluating how they spend their…
A cancer survivor is fighting back
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. Kim Allbritton has been an advocate for the health of others for many years. As the Health Department Administrator for both Jefferson and Madison counties, she has…
Trevor Gray named to dean’s list
Merit Pages News Contributor Trevor Gray of Monticello was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2026 term at University of Maryland Global Campus. To be eligible for the honor, a…
Jefferson County sets limits on inmates’ medical bills
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 4001 into law on Monday, June 8. HB-4001, which is specific to Jefferson County, was sponsored by House Representative Allison Tant…
Alexia Dean receives SRTC summer scholarship
Merit Pages News Contributor For the 2026 summer semester, the Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) Foundation awarded scholarships to 50 students totaling $69,250. The SRTC scholarship funds assist students with education-related costs…
Former Warrior head coach moves to Robert F. Munroe
Rick Patrick ECB Publishing, Inc. Former Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) Head Football Coach Colby Roberts has recently taken the Head Football Coaching position at Robert F. Munroe Day School, in Gadsden County….
Constitution Alive!” class to begin July 4
Story Submitted The “Constitution Alive!” class is a popular video series filmed in Independence Hall and known as “The Citizen’s Guide to the Constitution.” Presented by Patriot Academy, it aims to educate…
Pulled pork sandwich fundraiser Saturday for Idaho mission trip
Mickey Starling ECB Publishing, Inc. The Timmy Dyke family, Greenville Baptist Church Pastor Zac Funari and a group of volunteers from Jefferson County are preparing for a mission trip to Rexburg, Idaho,…
Sam Madison, Jr. covers another corner in the football market
Mary Madison Contributor For over three decades, Sam “Junior” Madison has undertaken multiple enterprising, systematic and geographical football markets. Beginning his freshman year at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical (FAMU) High School, into…
Light in the midst of darkness
John Hicks Guest Columnist I didn’t know it at the time, but I grew up in a family with issues. Don’t misunderstand me. My family was and is a loving family, but…
Try your hand at a Word Search, What’s the Difference, Sudoku and Crossword
The June 17 issue of the Monticello News includes a Puzzle Time page. Enjoy!
Conserving fuel as prices rise
Metro Media Fuel is a necessity for millions of drivers on the country’s roadways. According to a recent report from Experian Automotive, approximately 1.4 percent of the 292.3 million cars and trucks…
County officials continue budget hearings
Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. County officials continue hearing budget presentations from the constitutional officers and department heads, preparatory to the formulation of a new budget for the coming fiscal year, which…
Jefferson County’s accountability crisis: when warning signs go unanswered
Patricia Smith Guest Columnist Arrests, public controversies and years of unresolved concerns have intensified scrutiny over accountability, oversight, and public safety in Jefferson County government. In small communities, trust often functions as…