Another agenda item from the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners Meeting Tuesday. I would like detail in this article, with the commissioners comments and concerns noted. The concern over the confidentiality of the business and Ms. Watkins response about the proposed business not being detrimental to other 'like' businesses in the City of Graceville. Word count is not an issue.  Darwin Gilmore is president and CEO of Jackson County Economic Development.

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.