Top Headlines
More Local News, Focused on Jackson County
Mayor Travis Ephraim presents Ta'Myra Hall with certificate of scholarship
Democrat David Jolly (left) and Republicans Byron Donalds (center) and Paul Renner (right) are running for Florida's governor in 2026.
Nathan Berry EVP & CEO at West Florida Electric Cooperative
John Alter (left) accepted the Distinguished Service Award from Florida Forestry Association President Avery C. Roberts at the Association’s Annual Meeting in Sandestin.
Crime and Courts
Arrests
First Appearances
Law Enforcement Updates
Local Sports
The Graceville Tigers hosted area schools this past week in a spirited cross-country meet that saw athletes from Marianna, Malone, Cottondale, and Graceville post strong performances alongside runners from Chipley and Poplar Springs
I am challenging coaches to look themselves in the mirror and if you see flaws, correct them.
The MK-8 Bullpup volleyball teams ran into tough competition last week, dropping matches against Wakulla and FSUS.
The Marianna Bulldogs made the short trip to Sneads on Tuesday, September 2, to face off against the Pirates, but the night belonged to Sneads.
It was all Jackson County on the court last week as the young Grand Ridge Lady Indians made the trip across the county to take on the Graceville Lady Tigers in middle school basketball action.
The Lady Bulldogs returned home last Thursday night eager to shake off a pair of tough road losses. Playing in front of their home crowd, they gave fans a match to remember, battling through five sets before sealing a hard-fought win over the Community Christian Chargers.
The Cottondale Lady Hornets are quickly proving themselves as a force on the court. Tuesday night, they traveled to Quincy to face off against Gadsden County and returned home with a dominant three-set sweep.
The Marianna High School golf team is off to a red-hot start this season, posting three straight victories and making a statement on the links.
The sport of cross country may still be in its early stages at Marianna K-8, but its impact is already being felt.
Upcoming Events
The Jacob City Action Organization is hoping to see our family and friends for the 41st Annual Jacob City Weekend.
Please join us for the annual Malone Pecan Festival and parade. There will be plenty of food, arts, crafts and entertainment. The parade and festivities begin at 10 am unless you decide to support the NEJCOC for their annual 5K.
Features
Deputy Administrator Rett Daniels introduced Melvin Lewis from Parks and Recycling and recognized his five years of service.
Friday: Velocious: Adjective. Fast, rapid. The roller coaster is too velocious for me to ride.
Cottondale native Jillian Diesner is bringing a touch of hometown nostalgia back to life with her new business, located at 2652 Church Street, just off Highway 231.
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (IFAS) hosted local farmers at their Jackson County Research and Education Center last Thursday.
The City of Jacob, a small rural community tucked away in northwest Jackson County, took a proud step toward its future this week as residents and officials gathered for the groundbreaking of a long-awaited city complex.
In the rural heart of Malone, Florida, green fields signal the steady growth of a family business deeply rooted in tradition.
Florida continues to prove why it’s a top destination for nature lovers, with nine of its state parks making the 2025 State Park Index Top 100, tying with Texas and Pennsylvania for the most parks recognized nationally.
The banquet room was beautifully decorated for the occasion last week when the Chamber hosted their annual Chamber Party and Awards Presentation. The room was filled with inquiring minds anxious to hear the recipients of the various categories.
At the Marianna Municipal Airport, a globally recognized name in aviation quietly operates from a hangar that buzzes with precision, expertise, and history.
Tucked away in the heart of Jackson County, the Bellamy Seed Orchard is growing more than trees, it’s cultivating the future of forestry.
Chipola College has educated families in the panhandle and beyond since 1947 when it opened its doors. Betty Ford Hatcher is a graduate of Chipola College and remains a proud alumna of the college. Ironically, Hatcher resides in view of Chipola College and sees current students daily taking advantage of the education Chipola provides.
Chad Dickson, a Grand Ridge native and 2001 Sneads High School graduate, spoke to the Rotary Club of Marianna this week, offering insight into his high-level role as the head of Governor Ron DeSantis’ security detail.
What started as a broken shark tooth in the Chipola River has evolved into one of the most significant fossil discoveries in the world, thanks to Marianna native and longtime Alabama biology teacher, Ashley Allen.
A special blood drive was held Thursday, July 3, at the Wells Fargo Bank in Marianna in honor of Jazmina Matias, a vibrant little girl whose life was cut tragically short by leukemia. The event, organized by her mother, Rebecca Matias, commemorates what would have been Jazmina’s third birthday.
Two young women from Jackson County recently wrapped up a year of service that reached every corner of Florida agriculture.
The Jackson County Times is proud to welcome Madelin Garcia as our newest intern. A dedicated student, agricultural leader, and aspiring journalist, Madelin brings with her a wealth of experience, passion, and perspective that we know will enrich our pages in the weeks to come.
When you become a pageant title holder, you have the ability to share a platform with your community. These ladies are put in a unique position to share something with their community that means something to them. The 2025 Miss Jackson County and Little Miss Jackson County are both looking to spread kindness and positivity with their platforms.
The Graceville Civic Center was the place to be Saturday morning as families from Jackson County gathered for the first back-to-school giveaway of the 2025–2026 school year. Hosted by the City of Graceville, the event was held in the city’s 10,000+ square foot civic center, a community mainstay since its construction in 1978.
17-year-old Emma Poole has traveled around the country showing her pig, Baby Glo. Recently she placed third at the World Pork Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana. This competition features competitors from all around the world with the best pigs from around the world. A few thousand pigs compete, and Poole placed third in the Crossbred Gilts category.
Last week was a special Marianna Rotary meeting. Along with their regularly scheduled guest speaker, the children of the Rotarians were invited to attend with their parent(s). Appropriately, the scheduled speaker for today was Renae Rountree from the Washington County Public Library System.
Monday morning before family, friends, and school personnel who have watched Rayleigh Carter come up through the Jackson County School System with success at every level further showed their support by watching her receive the AgVocator Scholarship..
Obituaries
Community
The halls of Union Grove School may have long fallen silent, but the legacy of its students, teachers, and community remains strong.
Patients at Jackson Hospital are now enjoying dining over brand new overbed tables.
The 2025–2026 Chipola Artist Series kicks off Tuesday, August 26 with the incredible Emily Ann Thompson!
The Sneads community braved sweltering heat and rainy skies to come together for the recent Sneads Night Out, an event dedicated to building trust and friendship between law enforcement officers and the people they serve.
Five Jackson County high schools welcomed students back on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the senior year for the Class of 2026.
In Alford, community spirit isn’t seasonal, it’s year-round.
Marianna City Manager William Long provided an update on the much-anticipated Marianna Public Service Building, which will serve as the new home for the Fire Department and the Police Department with tie ins to the already complete City Hall Complex.
Cottondale native Jillian Diesner is bringing a touch of hometown nostalgia back to life with her new business, located at 2652 Church Street, just off Highway 231.
With a new school year just around the corner, the owners and staff of Marianna Outdoor Toys wanted to show their appreciation to the community that has supported them since opening their doors.
With the sweeping branches of century-old oak trees creating a shaded canopy and the backdrop of a beautifully restored museum filled with early 1900s furniture and artifacts, families gathered Saturday for a back-to-school bash that was as much about community as it was about supplies.
Families in Graceville gathered at Faith Assembly of God Church on Saturday, August 2, for the second annual Back-to-School Bash, a community event filled with fun, food, and generosity.
Barbara Smith is a familiar name in Malone, known for her tireless commitment to community giving and her awareness of all things happening in and around Jackson County, be it school, church, or community events.
The Marianna City Commission took a moment during their August monthly meeting to shine a spotlight on two employees whose years of service have made a lasting impact on the community.
The City of Marianna is moving steadily toward the completion of its first-ever roundabout, part of the Hospital Drive improvement project.
The Times received the following information concerning the work on the east side of 231 portion of the sewer project.
Concerns arose last week at the Graceville City Commission meeting about the future of the Graceville Police Department.
The 2025 summer season has been one of growth, learning, and community spirit for Jackson County 4-H, and their efforts did not go unnoticed.
A single mother of four is turning the key to a brand-new chapter in her life, literally, as April Lundgren and her children officially become the first residents of a newly constructed Habitat for Humanity home in a new subdivision in Marianna.
County administrator Jim Dean told the board the last request of the regular monthly meeting was to approve Lenny Shores for another term on the Tri County Airport Board.
Last Saturday, with back-to-school giveaways scattered all over the county, NextStep at Endeavor Academy hosted their first carnival fundraiser.
At Tuesday's meeting, the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an updated letter of agreement with Sunshine State Health Plan for medical management care.
Emerald Coast Hospice Care once again stepped up to support the community it serves, hosting its third annual back-to-school drive-thru supply event this past Friday morning.
The Alford Community Center was bustling with excitement Thursday evening as the Alford Community Organization (ACO) hosted its much-anticipated annual Back-to-School Bash.
The Bascom City Hall was alive with excitement as children, parents, and volunteers came together for a successful back-to-school supply event hosted by the Town of Bascom and Bascom First Baptist Church.
In a groundbreaking announcement that promises to reshape the industrial landscape of Jackson County, PACKEX USA has officially confirmed its plans to open a state-of-the-art beverage manufacturing facility in Marianna. The company, which specializes in aluminum can and bottle filling, is investing more than $30 million into the project and expects to create at least 75 jobs, with the potential for more as operations scale.
The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners held a full agenda during its latest meeting, highlighted by the approval of Waste Pro as the new county-wide garbage and debris collection vendor. Commissioners also moved forward on numerous road, bridge, and recreational projects throughout the county.
After considerable discussion and reflection, the Jackson County School Board voted unanimously at their July meeting not to reinstate a mandatory school uniform policy for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.
Jackson County 4-H hosted four very successful summer camps in 2025.
During their first monthly meeting, the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners (JCBOCC) unanimously approved a five-year contract with DRC Emergency Services for debris removal and disposal services, following a competitive bidding process.
There were two 2025 Cottondale queens giving back to the community last Saturday with school starting back close on the horizon.
Opinion
Walk through any town after a hurricane, or any neighborhood after a fire, and you will see a sight that Scripture knows well: ruins. Shattered windows, toppled walls, twisted beams—the remains of what once promised shelter and safety. In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, these are images this town knows all too well. The ruin is not only material. It is spiritual. To stand in the rubble of what was once home or sanctuary is to feel disoriented, even abandoned.
"Of course, there is great gain with godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these." 1 Timothy 6:6-8.
This is one time I really don’t know where to begin, but as you probably know, I usually figure it out, even if it means going all the way around the block just to walk back through my front door.
"But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9.
I’m not talking little extreme but quite the opposite way extreme. I’m talking the one and only ‘Prissie’ and the capital P should give that away.
As I type the word, determination, certain people come to my mind. Ancestors who faced decades of struggle, friends and family facing adversity today.
Do you ever have trouble paying attention? If I were completely candid, I would have to admit I frequently find myself struggling to be present and attentive.