Top Headlines
More Local News, Focused on Jackson County
Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity will take part in Habitat for Humanity International’s first-ever Rural Rally, a nationwide effort spotlighting the need for affordable housing in rural America.
When Kaboodles Boutique opened its doors on October 2, 2022, at 2899 Orange Street in Marianna, owner Pamela Shack wasn’t just launching a business, she was continuing a legacy of love and generosity deeply rooted in her family and faith.
The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners voted this week to approve a revised interlocal agreement with the City of Marianna for fire protection and emergency services coverage.
The Sneads Town Council officially dedicated Dodson Park last Friday afternoon, honoring the generosity of the Charles Dodson family, who donated the land where the park now stands.
County Fire Rescue Chief Charlie Brunner and Emergency Management Director/Fire Rescue Operations Chief Keith Maddox recently attended the quarterly EMS Leadership Luncheon hosted by Washington County EMS in Chipley.
As Halloween nears, beware of phantom energy.
Petoberfest celebrated its sixth anniversary last Friday at Madison Street Park, and the scene couldn’t have been more perfect.
Rivertown Community Church was the setting for the sixth annual Ladies First event on October 8.
The Cottondale Police Department is promoting Officer Andrew Roedel to the rank of Corporal.
The Alford Community Organization sets the bar high for organizations whose goal is to give back to their community.
Jackson Hospital recently reached a major milestone in surgical innovation.
The City of Marianna received funding under the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) for improvements to McLane Community Center.
Holmes County Commission Coordinator David Corbin expressed his appreciation to the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners for their immediate and generous assistance following the May 10, 2025, storm that struck Holmes County.
Sheriff Donnie Edenfield appeared before the Jackson County Commission to give an update on the long-awaited sheriff’s office complex, telling commissioners that the project is nearing the point of breaking ground. He began by thanking the board, County Administrator Jim Dean, Mr. David Melvin, Deputy County Administrator Rett Daniels, and others who helped make it possible.
JJ Laster from Graceville is the wide receivers coach for the Pitt Panthers
Marianna will soon see three new gas stations taking shape near Interstate 10, each at different stages of construction. The projects are expected to bring new jobs and additional tax revenue to Jackson County.
The Jackson County Times received the following press release from the Florida Highway Patrol.
On October 8, 2025 at approximately 5:30 a.m., a 36-year-old Altoona, Florida man was walking on the southbound side of NW Melvin New Grade Road in Calhoun County when he was fatally struck by a vehicle.
Crime and Courts
Arrests
First Appearances
Law Enforcement Updates
Local Sports
The Cottondale Hornets hosted the Marianna K-8 Bullpups last week and faced tough competition in both games.
The Grand Ridge Indians hit the road last week, taking their second game of the young season to Cottondale to help tip off the Hornets’ middle school boys basketball schedule.
The Lady Indians, under new head coach Mitch Rolls, are also entering the season with high expectations.
Nothing like a week with minimal (two to three games) of rec ball across Jackson County to regroup, revive, and get ready for the next round of sports.
The Chipola College men’s basketball team is setting its sights on another national title run after capturing the 2024-25 NJCAA Panhandle Conference championship.
The Cottondale volleyball season has come to a close, marking one of the most memorable runs in recent years.
The Cottondale Hornets capped off their homecoming week in style with a decisive 54–6 victory over the young Vernon Yellowjackets.
The Grand Ridge Indians hit the road to Vernon for their first middle school basketball games of the 2025 season, but the results weren’t what they had hoped for.
The Panhandle Gator Club is calling on Jackson Countians to join in supporting one of the University of Florida’s most inspiring causes, the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program.
Upcoming Events
Features
Talk to anyone who knows even a little about trees, and they’ll tell you that it’s never too early to start learning about them
Two-year-old Charli Taylor has had quite the busy life for someone who just celebrated her second birthday on October 26.
The Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association held its annual meeting at the Ag Extension Office on Penn Avenue. Attendees enjoyed a hearty meal of smoked steaks, baked potatoes, salad, rolls, and dessert.
The halls of the Chipola Apartments, located inside the historic Chipola Hotel, are filled once again with color, sparkle, and the spirit of the season.
At 4408 Lafayette Street in downtown Marianna, there’s a little shop that holds a lot of history.
When Kaboodles Boutique opened its doors on October 2, 2022, at 2899 Orange Street in Marianna, owner Pamela Shack wasn’t just launching a business, she was continuing a legacy of love and generosity deeply rooted in her family and faith.
Petoberfest celebrated its sixth anniversary last Friday at Madison Street Park, and the scene couldn’t have been more perfect.
Rivertown Community Church was the setting for the sixth annual Ladies First event on October 8.
Fall is definitely in the air, and festivals, pumpkin patches, and other seasonal events are popping up all over Jackson County.
Jackson County can count on many things, and one of them is that the First Ladies of Sneads will always show up for their community.
Malone Volunteer Fire Department is getting closer and closer to a brand-new fire station. And everyone knows it’s not a minute too soon.
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.
Obituaries
Community
The Times last reported on this project in August, and there’s been steady progress since then.
Talk to anyone who knows even a little about trees, and they’ll tell you that it’s never too early to start learning about them
The Panhandle Gator Club is calling on Jackson Countians to join in supporting one of the University of Florida’s most inspiring causes, the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program.
Fall is definitely in the air, and festivals, pumpkin patches, and other seasonal events are popping up all over Jackson County.
Jackson County can count on many things, and one of them is that the First Ladies of Sneads will always show up for their community.
The City of Marianna received funding under the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) for improvements to McLane Community Center.
Malone Volunteer Fire Department is getting closer and closer to a brand-new fire station. And everyone knows it’s not a minute too soon.
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.
Opinion
Nothing like a week with minimal (two to three games) of rec ball across Jackson County to regroup, revive, and get ready for the next round of sports.
"After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and people and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands."
Sometimes, there are three sides, yours, the other party and the truth. But that’s a story for a different day.
There is a chilling efficiency to hate. It does not need to be taught—only permitted.
Football, volleyball and golf are winding down with most finishing up this month. Basketball is getting ready and anxiously awaiting their start time.
Lee Greenwood didn’t write and sing God Bless ‘Merica.
In recent years, a phrase has become almost toxic in the public square and on social media: “thoughts and prayers.”
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.