Category: Community Announcement

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

Debbie Roney Smith on
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. 

USPS Holiday Shipping

Debbie Roney Smith on

The holiday season is well underway! If you have gifts or cards to send via the United States Post Office, be sure to get them sent out by the cutoff dates if you want them to get there by December 25th. For First-Class Mail, the cutoff date is December 16th. For Priority Mail, the cutoff date is December 18th. The latest date you can send gifts by USPS is December 20th; you’ll have to send them by Priority Mail Express. 

The Artists’ Guild

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Artists’ Guild of Northwest Florida will meet at the Historic 1st National Bank Multi-Use Facility today from 11 am-3 pm. The Artist Guild is a nonprofit visual and performing arts group focused on education, support, events, and community economic growth throughout Northwest Florida. They will be discussing the 2024 Gallery installations, events, and community workshops. All community members are welcome.

Learn more about the Guild and future meetings (held the second Saturday of every month) by visiting their website HERE. 

Jackson County Isn’t Growing

Debbie Roney Smith on

While Florida is ranked as the eighth fastest-growing state in the United States, Jackson County is ranked as the ninth fastest-shrinking county in Florida. Jackson County is not only not growing, it is actively losing population. While Florida’s population grew by 14.5% from 2010-2020, Jackson County’s population declined by 4.5%.(1)

Florida itself is benefiting from the movement of industries and individuals from other states while Jackson County has failed to experience any significant inrush. The County has an abundance of natural resources, land space to accommodate affordable homesites, an above-average school system, and a highly-rated hospital. Community leaders are looking to create an action plan to draw new families, businesses, and individuals into the area. 

Jackson County Calls for Citizen Engagement

Debbie Roney Smith on
Jackson County is proactively addressing the challenges of flooding and its impact on our critical infrastructure with the initiation of a Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment. The County is calling for citizens to partake in the process. There will be three separate in-person meetings held to hear from the community from individual residents to businesses. The goal is to share collective insights to develop strategies for mitigating current and future flood risks. 
These meetings will include experts ready to discuss flood-related challenges, respond to inquiries, and gather valuable community input to shape a resilient Jackson County. Click on the image to enlarge and view meeting details and more. 

Walmart’s Sensory Hours

Debbie Roney Smith on

Walmart’s across the United States and Puerto Rico are implementing semi-permanent sensory hours. The hours will take place every day from 8-10 a.m. Depending on how things go, these hours could become permanent. 

Sensory hours are designed for those who are easily overwhelmed by external stimulation. During as typical Walmart visit, highly-sensitive individuals have to handle an influx of stimuli including stranger’s conversations, accidental touch, bright overhead lights, store music, and more. This can cause irritability, stress, agitation, insomnia, loss of focus, overwhelming feelings and thoughts, and anxiety. Some individuals even experience physical symptoms such as tight, itchy skin or buzzing nerves.