Jackson County commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a policy change replacing in-person jail visitation with one free weekly video visit for inmates at the Jackson County Correctional Facility, a move officials said is centered on security, safety and stopping drugs from entering the jail
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Jackson County commissioners voted Tuesday morning to lift the countywide burn ban after recent rainfall improved conditions across the area.
For half a century, the Marianna City Farmers Market has been more than just a place to buy fresh vegetables. It has been a Saturday tradition, a gathering place for neighbors, and a lasting symbol of Jackson County’s agricultural roots.
Community members gathered in Marianna last week as part of the statewide “Walk in My Shoes” campaign, an initiative led by Lauren’s Kids to raise awareness about child sexual abuse prevention and support for survivors.
The Union Grove Rockers of the former Union Grove High School of Greenwood, now operating as Union Grove Alumni Association, Incorporated (UGAA), continues to find ways to give back to the community that helped shape them.
Marianna city officials are considering a new ordinance that would prohibit smoking, vaping and the use of smokeless tobacco products in city parks and recreation areas, following a request from the Jackson County Tobacco Prevention Partnership and the Florida Department of Health.
For the men and women of Marianna Fire Rescue, the job doesn’t end when the trucks return to the station. Much of their most important work happens long before an emergency ever begins.
Jackson County Fire Rescue continues to gain statewide recognition, most recently earning a top distinction for pediatric emergency care while still riding the momentum of being named Florida’s Rural EMS Provider of the Year.
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.
Students in Jackson County now have a new, more convenient way to earn their learner’s permit and driver’s license.
The City of Marianna continues to make progress on park improvements across the community.
Ocheesee Pond, a longtime fishing destination near Grand Ridge, has nearly dried up amid ongoing drought conditions, exposing large stretches of ground where water has historically covered the basin.
A standing-room-only crowd turned out in Jackson County Monday evening as Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson addressed growing concerns over two new agricultural interdiction stations under construction for the area, one on U.S. 231 near the Alabama line and another on Highway 2 near the Georgia border.
The evening’s presentations at the Jackson County School Board meeting began with a special recognition tied to item 3.1, celebrating an incredible milestone, students who have read 1,000 books before even starting kindergarten.
The Jackson County School Board took time Tuesday evening to recognize a truly special group of student-athletes: the Marianna K-8 Middle School softball team, the 2025–26 undefeated district champions.
Business and community leaders from Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties gathered Thursday evening at the Tri-County Airport in Bonifay for a joint chamber event aimed at strengthening regional ties and promoting economic collaboration.
At a recent Jackson County School Board meeting, the spotlight turned to a young leader whose roots run deep in agriculture and community, Marianna High School’s own Madeline Garcia.
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.
Get ready for a day full of comics, gaming, cosplay, anime, books, and sci-fi at the second annual JaCo-Con ‘26, returning to Jackson County this weekend.
Marianna resident Douglas Robbins is proving it’s never too late to chase a story worth telling.
The Jackson County School Board spent significant time working through a complex and emotionally charged discussion surrounding staffing allocations, budget limitations, and the long-term sustainability of the district.
The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners formally recognized a century of life, legacy, and community impact during its April 14 meeting, ratifying a proclamation honoring Katrina Pittman Olds on her 100th birthday.
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.
Jackson County Fire Rescue is set to receive a major upgrade thanks to a rare and highly competitive state grant, one that no other agency in Florida secured.
Jackson County residents made their frustrations with Florida Public Utilities loud and clear during the Board of County Commissioners’ monthly meeting, where complaints about billing issues, lack of local access, and customer service failures dominated discussion.
All Jackson County Schools (Florida) will be closed tomorrow, Friday, April 17th, to allow for a thorough spring cleaning of campuses and buses as we work to reduce the spread of illness.
The skies over Panama City Beach drew thousands this past weekend as the Gulf Coast Salute Air Show returned with a full lineup of high-energy performances and near-perfect weather.
The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners revisited its decision on which newspaper will publish the county’s delinquent tax rolls, an item that had been tabled at a previous meeting.
Tuesday morning, the North Florida Research and Education Center welcomed producers, landowners, agricultural professionals, and students to its 2026 Beef and Forage Field Day just outside Marianna. Held every 18 months, the event is designed to bring the agricultural community together for a full day of practical learning, hands-on demonstrations, and expert insight aimed at improving beef cattle and forage management.
The 9th Annual Chipola Mental Health Symposium brought students, educators, and community partners together April 2 at the Chipola Cultural Center, continuing a growing tradition of mental health awareness in Jackson County.
April is recognized nationwide as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging communities to stay alert to the signs of abuse and neglect.
The Marianna Police Department is partnering with the Autism Hero Project to bring the Blue Envelope Program to the community, an initiative designed to make interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism safer, clearer, and less stressful.
The Marianna Farmers Market is marking a major milestone this spring, celebrating 50 years of serving Jackson County while also stepping into a new chapter of growth and expansion.
Born April 9, 1926, Katrina Pittman Olds will mark a remarkable milestone, one that few are blessed to reach.
Crime and Courts
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Other Crime and Courts
Local Sports
Marianna’s varsity softball team closed the book on its 2025 season Tuesday night with a tough 10-9 loss to Florida State University High, as the Seminoles pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning following a defensive miscue. The Bulldogs, who entered the year knowing it would be a rebuilding season, battled to the final out and showed steady growth throughout, finishing with a 7-18 record.
Last Friday marked a milestone moment for Sneads athletics and an even bigger one for two of its senior standouts.
It was about as complete a performance as a team can deliver.
Cottondale left little doubt Saturday, sweeping Sneads in a best-of-three series to advance to the regional round, winning 4-3 in game one before pulling away for a 6-1 victory in game two on their home field. The Hornets, who also edged the Pirates 4-3 for the district title on April 17, showed both consistency and depth against their Jackson County rival.
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.
Optimist Park was bursting at the seams last week with games, games, and more games. No fields could have been more exciting than the AAA field with three games being played.
Ya’Laysha Barnes has been part of Malone School since the second grade, and over the years she has grown into a standout student-athlete now preparing to take her game to the next level. A senior with a deep love for basketball, Barnes has spent the past seven years developing her skills on the court, along with a brief stint in softball. That dedication is paying off as she signs with Enterprise State Community College, just over an hour away, giving local fans the chance to continue watching her career.
Local Business
Jackson County residents were invited to a meet-and-greet at Jackson Hospital last week.
The Wharf Restaurant on Highway 90 East in Marianna is preparing for a major expansion.
Features
Community members gathered in Marianna last week as part of the statewide “Walk in My Shoes” campaign, an initiative led by Lauren’s Kids to raise awareness about child sexual abuse prevention and support for survivors.
The evening’s presentations at the Jackson County School Board meeting began with a special recognition tied to item 3.1, celebrating an incredible milestone, students who have read 1,000 books before even starting kindergarten.
Get ready for a day full of comics, gaming, cosplay, anime, books, and sci-fi at the second annual JaCo-Con ‘26, returning to Jackson County this weekend.
Marianna resident Douglas Robbins is proving it’s never too late to chase a story worth telling.
The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners formally recognized a century of life, legacy, and community impact during its April 14 meeting, ratifying a proclamation honoring Katrina Pittman Olds on her 100th birthday.
Born April 9, 1926, Katrina Pittman Olds will mark a remarkable milestone, one that few are blessed to reach.
Zack and Juanita Arnold recently shared the story of a lifetime with members of the Marianna Optimist Club, recounting their year-long journey along the famed Great Loop, a 6,000-mile boating route that winds through the eastern United States, the Great Lakes and portions of Canada.
"When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them all and prayed. There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again. Then they brought him to the ship." Acts 20:36-38.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12046 recently recognized two members of Jackson County Fire Rescue for their dedication to public safety during a presentation honoring outstanding first responders.
On Monday, March 9th, Jackson County Farm Bureau held their annual banquet at Rivertown Community Church.
The Chipola Regional Arts Association has some exciting news to share.
Lindsey Bigale was recognized last week as the 2026 Jackson County Teacher of the Year during a celebration honoring outstanding educators, rookie teachers and the School Related Employee of the Year.
Florida State Parks Director Chuck Hatcher, a Jackson County native whose career began at the local level, was recognized at the Florida Capitol on February 4 during the 3rd Annual Florida State Parks Day, an event highlighting the ecological, recreational, and economic importance of the state’s park system.
Jackson Hospital proudly welcomed its New Year’s baby, Dahlia Thompson, born on January 2, 2026, at 9:51 p.m.
Obituaries
Community
For half a century, the Marianna City Farmers Market has been more than just a place to buy fresh vegetables. It has been a Saturday tradition, a gathering place for neighbors, and a lasting symbol of Jackson County’s agricultural roots.
The Union Grove Rockers of the former Union Grove High School of Greenwood, now operating as Union Grove Alumni Association, Incorporated (UGAA), continues to find ways to give back to the community that helped shape them.
Jackson County Fire Rescue continues to gain statewide recognition, most recently earning a top distinction for pediatric emergency care while still riding the momentum of being named Florida’s Rural EMS Provider of the Year.
The City of Marianna continues to make progress on park improvements across the community.
At a recent Jackson County School Board meeting, the spotlight turned to a young leader whose roots run deep in agriculture and community, Marianna High School’s own Madeline Garcia.
Tuesday morning, the North Florida Research and Education Center welcomed producers, landowners, agricultural professionals, and students to its 2026 Beef and Forage Field Day just outside Marianna. Held every 18 months, the event is designed to bring the agricultural community together for a full day of practical learning, hands-on demonstrations, and expert insight aimed at improving beef cattle and forage management.
The breakfast crew has been dissolved as a group for some time now but I’m fortunate to say, I’ve maintained frequent contact with them. I am like the nucleus because I am stationary, everyone can appear at the Times and 99 times out of 100, I am here. Last week was a very nice week for ‘breakfast crew’ visits that I always enjoy. We talk about the latest edition of the Times, what was in it or what is going to be in it when it hits the stands on Thursday (or Wednesday night).
The 9th Annual Chipola Mental Health Symposium brought students, educators, and community partners together April 2 at the Chipola Cultural Center, continuing a growing tradition of mental health awareness in Jackson County.
The Marianna Police Department is partnering with the Autism Hero Project to bring the Blue Envelope Program to the community, an initiative designed to make interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism safer, clearer, and less stressful.
The Marianna Farmers Market is marking a major milestone this spring, celebrating 50 years of serving Jackson County while also stepping into a new chapter of growth and expansion.
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.
Opinion
Holy Week arrives not with spectacle but with a kind of steady gravity, as though time itself has slowed to allow us to see what we usually refuse to notice.
That certainly got your attention. What in the world could this older than dirt lady be wishing for at her age.
I can just hear the moans and groans now but take a chill pill (or a glass of wine if that’s your choice) and enjoy the rant. If it hits you in the face, own it and deal with it, and if it doesn’t, kudos to you.
I can see the raised eyebrows now but they will have two ways to go when you have read all of this – they can be raised higher or lower – totally your option.
"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 7:1.
Many more moons ago than I can possibly count, I had quite the heavy foot (and not by virtue of my weight – just to clarify that matter).
"Take care! Be on guard against all kinds of greed. For one's life does not consist of the abundance of possessions." Luke 12:15.
There are days when the news feels impossible to escape. Headlines arrive before we are fully awake
I am sure that raised some eyebrows when it was read.
On Wednesday and Sunday evenings, I have the wonderful opportunity to babysit my grandsons while my daughter and son-in-law lead youth group at the church for our teenagers.
Everyone knows I was so fortunate when I was in school to have had the best teachers on the planet, past, present and future.
"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again, the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'" 1 Corinthians 12:21
Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and giving. For many, it’s a season marked by an overwhelming desire to show love and appreciation to family, friends, and even strangers.
"If we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.
As you all know, I have tons to say about my dad.
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.
Sneads and Cottondale are on a collision course again, but not before a dominant opening round across the district set the tone.