City of Marianna

Playing in the state tournament in Wewahitchka, the Belles battled through three games unbeaten to claim the state championship, earning a coveted berth in the Dixie Softball World Series. The elite group, many of whom have spent years playing together while collecting district, state and even World Series championships throughout their careers, will now represent Florida when the World Series begins July 24 in Odessa, with West Pasco serving as host.

Few places in Jackson County are as recognizable or as treasured as Merritt's Mill Pond. From its crystal-clear waters and world-renowned cave diving to boating, fishing and family recreation, the spring-fed waterway has become one of the county's most cherished natural resources.

After opening District 2 AAA All-Star Tournament play with a 13-3 loss to eventual champion Sneads, Marianna bounced back in impressive fashion before seeing its season come to an end one game later.

The Marianna Angels battled through a grueling Dixie Youth District Tournament schedule, playing multiple games each day while advancing through the winner's bracket before ultimately earning a berth in the state tournament.

The Marianna Lady Dawgs officially opened summer softball play Thursday with an impressive 10-6 victory over Southwest Georgia Academy, showcasing a blend of veteran leadership and youthful energy as the program begins preparing for the upcoming season.

Some teams win games.

A few teams win championships. But every once in a while, a team comes along that creates a season people will talk about for years.

One of the towering live oaks that has stood watch over the Jackson County Courthouse lawn for more than a century and a half has been removed after arborists determined the tree had declined to the point that it posed a public safety risk.

Three leagues are finishing up the spring soccer season but competing at the highest level to capture that all-important city championship title. From the Tiny Mites to the Juniors, the excitement on the field was nothing short of awesome.

Jackson County’s Darlings softball teams were busy on the diamond last week, with Sneads Little Volts picking up a win while BombSquad of Marianna and Graceville Darlings battled through high-scoring contests.

Marianna High School sophomore Braylon Pleas is making school history, but if you ask him about it, you probably would not hear much fanfare.

As Women Build volunteers raised walls and hammered nails in two Panhandle communities, they were helping more than just construct houses. They were helping build stability and a future for families who have spent years dreaming of a place to finally call home.

Two men whose work helped shape the direction of Jackson County’s growth and opportunity are now permanently part of the landscape they worked to improve.

The Camo Crushers of Sneads capitalized on control issues and a flood of free bases to roll past the Marianna Tribe 10-1 in a game defined entirely by walks, hit batters, and one early error. There were no hits recorded by either team.

The City of Marianna continues to make progress on park improvements across the community.

Two Marianna Parks are in store for overhauls in the coming months. Wynn Street Park was shut down April 20 for nine months for a full renovation. In the coming months, Circle Drive Park will be shut down also for an uplifting with major upgrades coming to it.

After nearly a decade in the making, the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center officially opened its new Marianna facility Friday, marking a significant expansion of services for children and families affected by abuse across Jackson County and surrounding rural areas.

On Sunday, April 19, 2026, officers with the Marianna Police Department were flagged down by a female near the intersection of Jefferson Street and Lafayette Street.

With a  break in the action over 2026 spring break, four Jackson County varsity softball teams were ready to hit the diamond last week.

Jackson County’s five high school baseball programs returned from spring break with a full slate of action, and each team showed its ability to compete as the second half of the season gets underway. From offensive explosions to strong outings on the mound, it was a week that featured resilience, big innings, and standout individual performances across the county.

Marianna High School’s Brain Bowl A team brought home the state championship last week, finishing a perfect 10-0 and winning every match decisively on the way to the title.

This Saturday, April 4, 27 teams will take the fields at Optimist Park for another exciting Opening Day of baseball and softball.

In beach volleyball action last week, Marianna beat Sneads 3-2 on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in a home conference match.

Marianna and Cottondale split a tight intra-county series, with the Bulldogs needing extra innings to secure a 5-4 road win after cruising 14-1 in the first meeting.

City commissioners received an update during their regular meeting regarding the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Resilience Project and the need to extend the grant agreement through June 30, 2027, to allow time to complete all project components and required reporting.

Marianna Middle School’s A-Team baseball squad has opened the season with a 3-6 record, showing steady improvement and strong individual performances throughout their recent stretch of games.

Jackson County has received a $250,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation to fund a major landscaping and beautification project along Penn Avenue, marking the first impression many travelers will see when exiting Interstate 10 at the Penn Avenue exit.