Monticello Live

The current Hooten’s Arkansas Football, available at Wal-Mart, has a 2 page feature on the Monticello Billies, complete with the photo above, and an in depth preview of the upcoming season.

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Monticello Police Dept. Lt. Steven Stain led a class of law enforcement officers and visitors who work in related fields in proper procedures for the use of the police dept.’s new Taser units.

Class topics included safety, effects, dept. policies, documentation, and removal of darts. 

Under the topic of “effects” all MPD officers present lined up to have the taser used on them.  This was done so that each individual officer would be able to use proper discretion in decisions about when to use the new taser unit.

Greg Johnson, shown above, was one of the first to take his turn.

Carlos Garcia, who used the unit on Johnson, was next in line.

The taser shoots two small darts into the person being restrained, followed by sending 500,000 volts of electricity into them. 

The muscles between the two darts are the only muscles that are directly affected, but that effect is enough to bring anyone to the ground, and eliminate any physical confrontation.

A total of 25 men including Monticello Police, some Drew County Sheriff’s deputies, a DTF agent, a SouthEast Emergency Services employee, and myself, felt the “knock-down” of the taser.

Mark Grant, who carried the new unit later that night, is shown here, being assisted to the ground by nearby officers.  

When the taser’s darts hit it’s target, the shock immediatlely begins, and the person is unable to control their actions, so the mat was used as a safety factor, with other officers being stationed close to prevent the upcoming fall to the ground.

More photos and information are in the following article.

Monticello Police Chief Robert Rosegrant also took part in the class, including receiving the effects of the taser.

Like the rest of the officers, Chief Rosegrant also went down quickly.

The X-26 model, shown here, is issued by Taser International, and is the model that was chosen by Monticello police.

Monticello School’s resource office, George Strain is shown here, taking his turn.

The 500,000 volts are more than anyone there could take, and remain standing.

MonticelloLive.com’s Joe Burgess, who was recently elected to serve as constable of Marion Township, closed out the class.

Burgess describes the taser’s shock as, “the most pain I’ve ever felt in five seconds.  You can’t move or do anything, except fall down, right were you are.”

A total of 25 men in law enforcement and related fields left Friday’s class with a greater respect for the tool that will provide them with a safer working environment, by reducing the risk to officers and citizens when the threat of physical confrontations can be replaced by simply using this new tool that should virtually eliminate having to fight with suspects.

As of Friday night, the tasers were in use, on the streets of Monticello.

With today being Father’s Day, Mr. Pete Rowe has been chosen the the One Monticello Life for this week.

Mr. Pete is the father of 3 adult children; Vernon who works in the environmental field and lives in Pittsburgh, TX; Norman, who lives in Cabot, Retired from the Air Force after 20 years, and is employed in the computer field; and Sue, who lives here in Monticello, and is a former factory and health-care worker. 

 Pete Rowe was employed by Arkla gas, beginning as a serviceman, with meter reading responsibilities, and retiring 32 years later as district manager for the Dumas district.

He originally started with Arkla after working for the McGehee water dept for 3 years.

Mr. Pete was born and raised in McGehee, where he remained until 1976.

Mr. Rowe was in the 11th grade at McGehee, when he left school to join navy in 1944.  He completed his educaiton after returning from military service.

He served in the U.S. Navy with 2 years active duty, where he served aboard the U.S.S Seagull, stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After his active duty, he served 18 more years in the Navy reserve. 

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The almost annual Monticello Police vs. Fire Dept. softball game was held last Saturday, and was played in honor of Sgt. Larry Smith, of the Monticello Police Dept.

Larry was there for the game, and threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The police won the event by a final score of 10-5.

Although the P.D.-F.D. grudge match was the “Main Event” of the day, their game was only the opening game of the tournament.

The next game of the day pitted Journey Church taking on the First Assembly of God team.

First Assembly’s team won that game, and then defeated the police squad in the tournament championship.

 

Photos by Susan Hollinger.

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MonticelloLive recently received a news tip about an investigation taking place in regards to unaccounted for money in the Monticello District Court.

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This photo shows Monticello people eating a Monticello meal at Ray’s, who is having Monticello’s LA Graphics install a new lighted sign for them.

LA Graphics advertises with MonticelloLive, who took this picture on the way to Monticello Exxon.

That’s 5 levels of “Shopping Monticello First.”

Saturday, eight Monticello residents went on a road trip to Paragould to tour their civic center and pool facility.

The photos shown in this series show a “splash park” that is located away from the primary civic center and pool area.

Spash equipment, water toys, and sprayers of all types were built into the play area.

Nearby benches, as well as a pavilion, were closely located, so that parent could keep a convenient watch over their children.

The primary pool area  included two water slides, umbrellas, and all types of spray and play equipment.

We couldn’t help but notice the long lines of swimmers waiting to enter the facility, which opened at 1 p.m.

Lifeguards are on duty, but children must be attended by adults.

Overhead views show the approximately 600 swimmers enjoying the pool area around 2-3 p.m.

The pool is open to the public during the day, and available to be rented for parties every night, except Sunday, when maintenance occurs.

The indoor pool has a pleasant appearance from the outside, as well as from inside the pool area.

The theraputic pool has a “handicapped access” as well as steps.

Pat Austin, facility director, shown here in orange, led the tour, which included MEDC Director Truman Hamilton, Alderman Tim Chase, Keith Caldwell (Marlins parent), Julie Gentry (UAM intramurals director), Terry Hopper (Marlins parent), and Mayor Joe Rogers.  Also taking the trip were Patty Wooten for the Advance, and Joe Burgess, for MonticelloLive.com (neither pictured).

The enclused area has the roof opened for air-flow, which closes automatically in the event of inclimate weather.

The pool seemed to be the most popular part of the complex, but the “heart” of the facility was the civic center.

A large parking area is filled on Saturday with swimmers and people enjoying the nearby by parks and ball-fields.

There are two full-sized basketball courts, along with an overhead walking track included.

There were family reunions being held in dining areas, and meeting rooms of all types and sizes are available.

Two of these conference rooms include power point presentation equipment, and modern business meeting needs of all sorts.

The Paragould center is used by Tyson and Sonic Corporate offices for management training meetings.

Located next to the pavilion at the splash park, is a skate park.

Ms. Pat said the this area draws heavy youth traffic, as well.  She pointed out the instead of saying “Here’s what you’re getting”, the skaters were able to take part in the planning, and helped design the ramps and fixtures.

Several skaters arrived while we were there, and put on a good “presentation” for us, using the different ramps other features that are built into the park. 

Dailyn Johnston, is the daughter of David and Lyndie Johnston, and has a younger brother, Josh, who is three.

I’ve known Dailyn and her family for several years, and at the age of 9, Dailyn is involved in more activities than most adults. (more…)

Paramedic Jason Beckman and Mr. Taylor are shown here in a phot taken from Taylor’s appearance Saturday night, here in Monticello.

SouthEast Emergency Medical Services had posted an ambulance at the matches, and Jason was present night of the fight and had the  picture made.