Category: Community Announcement

New Marianna Murals

Debbie Roney Smith on

There are four new, gorgeous murals decorating downtown Marianna. Funded in part by the Marianna Community Redevelopment Association, the murals depict key aspects of Marianna such as southern magnolias, the Marianna High School bulldog mascot, and peanuts. Completed last month, the murals are the work of Kollet Hardeman. began painting the murals two months ago. She spent 12 to 15 hours a day painting and spent approximately about a week working on each mural. The designs were created digitally before being approved by the Main Street Marianna board members. Hardeman had this to say about her experience in Marianna while completing the murals, “This city has absolutely just come alive. They are smiling. They’re honking, they’re waving.”(1)

So get out into town and see if you can spot all four!

 

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

Debbie Roney Smith on

We’re in the thick of the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday! It started this past Saturday, August 24th and will run through next Friday, September 6th. 

Click on the image to enlarge.

You’ll be able to purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies tax-free! Visit the 2024 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday: FAQ by the Fla. Dept. of Revenue for more information.

Grant Given to Marianna Woman’s Club

Debbie Roney Smith on

The GFWC Marianna Woman’s Club is the recipient of a Facade Improvement Grant from Main Street Marianna and the Community Redevelopment Agency. Follow the GFWC Marianna Woman’s Club and Main Street Marianna on Facebook to see how the community redevelopment plays out. 

For more information about the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Growth and Development Assistance Program Grant, contact Nikisha Milsapp by emailing mainstreet@mariannafl.city.

Announcement for All Event Coordinators

Debbie Roney Smith on

Are you an event coordinator in Jackson County? Then you are invited to the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s meeting on Monday July 15th. The meeting will take place at the Russ House (4318 Lafayette Street, Marianna) at 2pm. All churches, non-profits, venues, parades, festivals, individuals, and associations are encouraged to attend. The focus of the meeting will be creating a community calendar for the County that will keep citizens up-to-date and avoid same-day event competition. There will be cookies! A Zoom link will also be posted on the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page; keep an eye out to participate online.

Jackson County Calls for Community Feedback

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Jackson County is calling for community feedback on its Comprehensive Plan. 

What is a Comprehensive Plan? It’s a plan that guides the future of land use, development, transportation, housing, conservation, and capital improvements in Jackson County. It functions as a policy document that provides a blueprint for how the community will evolve and develop over time.

By taking part in the Comprehensive Plan Feedback Survey, community members can help influence Jackson County’s growth and development policies. Citizens will have the chance to address key issues in the community, and help set goals, and create effective strategies for the future of the county. First, review the current Comprehensive Plan HERE. Then, CLICK HERE to be taken to the survey or scan the QR code in the image.

Property Deed Fraud Is Growing in Florida

Debbie Roney Smith on

Across Florida, scammers are selling peoples’ land and even homes behind their backs. It’s called property deed fraud, and there’s been a big spike in cases here in Florida because the real estate market in the Sunshine State is hot right now. So hot in fact, that numbers suggest approximately 1,218 people move into Florida daily. Officials are urging property owners to protect themselves by signing up for property fraud alerts.

More than 54% of real estate professionals experienced it firsthand in just the second half of 2023. It happens when a scammer steals someone’s identity and title and then sells their property without them knowing. Mary Justino with the Clerk of Clay County Court says: “There are instances where a person filed a fraudulent deed, and simply changed the name by one letter, or to change some of the information in the address or the text of the document by just one letter or two.”

To protect yourself and your property, sign up for your local county’s property fraud alert program. It sends emails and texts if there’s activity on land you own. To be clear, this DOES NOT prevent fraud but it’s like an early warning system. 

Florida has 67 counties with property fraud alert programs; only Jackson and Okaloosa are still working to create a functioning program. For more info or the signup for your county’s alerts, visit the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website.

Citizens Academy

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Click on image to learn more.

“In an effort to develop positive public relations, as well as increase citizen engagement and civic education, Jackson County citizens are invited to participate in monthly Citizens Academy sessions. Each session will focus on the operations of a different department, as well as demonstrate how the departments work together and with the Board of County Commissioners to ensure that the County government runs smoothly.”

Milk & Honey Announcement

Debbie Roney Smith on

We are sad to report that the locally owned coffee shop, Milk and Honey, will close in April. They’ve been serving Marianna for 12 years. They announced that they would be permanently closing on Sunday, April 14th. This is a sad lose for Marianna and Jackson County as a whole; Milk & Honey has served the community as a place to host meetings, birthday parties, gather after kids’ sports events, and more. They will be missed. 

While they are still open, please come out and support them. The more income they make during the next few weeks, the more they will be able to give their employees upon closing. Visit Milk & Honey on Facebook for more information. 

New Quilting Store in Marianna

Debbie Roney Smith on
Click the image to visit Cookie’s Fabrics Facebook page.

Marianna is excited to be welcoming a new quilting shop on Constitution Lane. Cookie’s Fabrics, named after the owner’s mother, celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday. Cookie’s is still growing and hopes to offer the following:

  1. Endless Fabrics
  2. Expert Advice
  3. Classes & Workshops
  4. And a Community Hub for Quilters

New Traffic Law Alert

Debbie Roney Smith on

The current “Move Over” law (Fla. Stat. s. 316.126) requires drivers to slow down to 20mph OR merge when law enforcement, wrecks, or other emergency vehicles are stopped with their hazards flashing. The updated “Move Over” law will require drivers to move over or slow down for ANY vehicle that is disabled, using warning lights/hazards, using emergency flares, posting emergency signage, or if there is one or more persons visibly present. The updated law was effective as of January 1, 2024. The fines for breaking the law range from $60-$158 (according to the numbers posted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office). When in doubt, move over.