Articles by Publisher

Mark Pettus is Publisher of The Chattahoochee News-Herald & Sneads Sentinel. He can be reached at mark.pettus@prioritynews.net

A wooden boardwalk with handrails overlooks a wide, calm lake on a clear, sunny day. A wooden park bench is positioned along the walkway under the shade of mature trees lining the grassy shoreline. Shadows stretch across the wooden planks, and small white clouds dot the blue sky over the distant opposite shore.
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County adopts facility use policy, approves opioid funding plan

Erin Hill Gadsden County News Service The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners approved a new countywide facility and park use policy and authorized the distribution of opioid settlement funding during its June 1 meeting. Commissioners spent considerable time discussing the proposed facility and park use policy, application form and standard use agreement governing the…

Gadsden County Extension Column

Exploring blackberry production opportunities in North Florida Blackberries are a deciduous, perennial crop that thrive in temperate climates. While several native blackberry species grow wild in Florida, their small fruit size, late maturation, and low yields make them unsuitable for commercial production. Historically, cultivated blackberry varieties in Florida have been primarily limited to homeowner production….

Smiling woman seated at a table with colorful fabric, books, and handmade items, in front of a store window display during an outdoor market.
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NURSE JUDY’S NOOK

NicknamesJudy Conlin Nurse Judy, my “thinks she’s so smart” alter ego, is on a new kick. She’s found one more way to make fun of me. Now, I don’t mind being made fun of if it is current and funny. In fact, I have the most fun making fun of myself. But when someone is…

Promotional image for “Home Country with Slim Randles,” featuring an older man with a white beard, glasses, and cowboy hat smiling beside a country scene with a red truck.
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Home Country

Slim Randles   “Wonder what the count is today,” said Herb. “Sure is hot.”   We sipped simultaneously, as is our wont, and stared at our friend. “What count would that be?” asked Steve.   “The btu count, of course,” said Herb. “Those are British thermal units, you know. It’s how heat is measured.”    Leave it to Herb….

Obituary portrait of Elma Cummings. The photograph shows an older Black woman smiling warmly at the camera, wearing an elegant cream-colored dress or jacket and a matching wide-brimmed church hat with lace detailing against a neutral studio background.
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Elma Cummings

Elma Cummings Mother Elma Cummings, 93, of Quincy, Florida, peacefully departed this earthly life on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Born on Feb. 17, 1933, in Headland, Alabama, Mother Cummings lived a life marked by faith, service and devotion to family. A faithful member and founding mother of Bear Creek Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Mother Cummings…

Erin Hill Gadsden County News Service After previously tabling the matter for more information, the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners voted May 19 to approve a land-use amendment for property on Aspalaga Road in Chattahoochee following renewed debate over density and precedent. In a 5-0 vote, commissioners approved a small-scale Future Land Use Map amendment for approximately 72.48 acres at 2441 Aspalaga Road owned by Kenny and Jennifer Smith. The amendment changes the property’s future land-use designation from Agriculture 3 to Agriculture 1. County documents state the applicants sought the change to facilitate future homesites for family members. Under the existing Agriculture 3 designation, density would allow about one dwelling unit per 20 acres, or roughly three homesites. Agriculture 1 allows up to one dwelling unit per five acres, potentially permitting as many as 14 dwelling units on the property. The request returned to commissioners as a continuation hearing after being tabled earlier this month amid public opposition and questions about development potential. During the May 19 hearing, Kenny Carroll spoke in support of the amendment while Growth Management Director Justin Stiell reviewed details of the request. Commissioners revisited concerns raised during the earlier hearing, including questions about whether approval could create precedent for similar requests. Planning Commission Chairman Bouie urged commissioners to evaluate land-use requests individually rather than apply a blanket standard. An opposition letter was also read into the record by Interim County Attorney Louis Baptiste. Chair Eric Hinson said he did not object to the Smith family providing land to relatives but expressed concern about altering the county’s land-use framework. “I have no problem giving the land to their kids,” Hinson said, according to meeting notes. “My issue is with changing the land code.” A woman identified in meeting notes as Ms. Smith challenged information she said had circulated about the application, stating she had consistently maintained that she and her husband hoped to provide land for their five children and nine grandchildren. Stiell told commissioners the applicants could sell their property if they wished and said there was no connection between the Smith family and allegations made by some opposing residents. Commissioner Ronterious Green said he was glad the applicants were not the individuals they had been accused of being by opponents. Commissioner Brenda Holt said she was not opposed to the amendment but questioned whether approval could lead to additional requests. “If this is approved, when can they have a meeting because if this is approved, they will have a room full of people wanting theirs changed,” Holt said, according to meeting notes. Commissioners also discussed differences between the Agriculture 1 and Agriculture 3 designations. Stiell explained Agriculture 3 allows one house per 20 acres while Agriculture 1 permits one house per five acres. County staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval. Planning documents stated the property is primarily timberland, contains approximately 7.48 acres of wetlands and is consistent with Agriculture 1 policies and surrounding agricultural and residential uses. The board approved the amendment unanimously.
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Gadsden commissioners approve Aspalaga Road land-use amendment after debate

Erin Hill Gadsden County News Service  After previously tabling the matter for more information, the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners voted May 19 to approve a land-use amendment for property on Aspalaga Road in Chattahoochee following renewed debate over density and precedent. In a 5-0 vote, commissioners approved a small-scale Future Land Use Map…

At The Pump

Local State, and National National Average: $4.29State Average: $3.98 Gadsden County Average: $4.40 Jackson County Average: $4.35Leon County Average: $4.31 Numbers based on AAA Gas Prices report, as of June 2, 2026.

An awards presentation inside a school classroom, featuring four adults posing together in the foreground. A man dressed in a black hat, a black-and-gold patterned blazer, a gold sequined vest, and gold shoes stands next to a woman wearing a white lace dress and a white sun hat; both are holding black recognition plaques. They are flanked by two smiling women, one on the left in a teal blouse and black pants, and one on the right in an orange patterned dress and denim jacket.
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Chattahoochee Elementary school salutes its finest

Linda YoungGadsden County News Service Dressed up and suited for a special celebration, Teacher of the Year Mrs. Ira House and School-Related Employee of the Year Mr. Dexter Thigpen received accolades and applause on May 26 for consistently exceeding expectations at Chattahoochee Elementary School.The honorees made a grand entrance into the afternoon luncheon, greeted by…

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