Monticello Live

This week’s column will be devoted to a dire situation for a historic landmark located in Drew County – the 1874 Selma Methodist Church. This unique, little structure stands in great peril and can only be “saved” by immediate action. Let’s begin by reflecting on the history of the beautiful building. (more…)

Steel framed building with 35′ x 50′ bays, a total of 50,088 square feet under a standing seam metal roof system. A glass storefront has been installed to accommodate an interior office, or provide an attractive entry.

Decorative split-faced block has been utilized on the front and street sides of the building. Footing and foundations have been built; the floor remains to be poured thereby allowing the owner to establish specifications.

For more information contact the Monticello Economic Development Commission, P.O. Box 1890, Monticello, AR 71657 or see our web site at http://monticelloedc.org/

(more…)

Around 9 o’clock Monday night, people around UAM had their lights go out, soon the 9-1-1 phone at the police dept. received several reports about a overturned pick-up on Bowser road near HWY 425.

When the police dept. and a state trooper arrived, they heard about another truck that had left the scene…and a drag race. (more…)

(more…)

Mary Smith, a stylist with HairWorks Salon, has recently been featured in a national bride’s magazine, Southern Bride.

The magazine feature’s Ms. Smith’s work in a 9 page layout.

 

She has been a stylinst for 15 years, and has been at HairWorks since August, coming to Monticello from Memphis.

Calvin Murphy, of O&M Oil Co., is celebrating his 73rd birthday today.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Calvin.

(Permission was granted to use the story title.)

At last week’s re-inactment of UAM and 3 other state university’s signing of Act 100 of 1909, several Monticello supporters were there, including Mayor Joe Rogers, Judge Damon Lampkin, MEDC Director Truman Hamilton, and many UAM staff and administration.  Also in attendance were Senator Jimmy Jeffress and state representative Eddie Cheatham.

The photo is taken from the next day’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and shows that pretty much everyone was wearing a suit, except for the fellow wearing the MonticelloLive.com shirt

Oh well, everyone knew i was from Monticello.

Voices from the past came to life in the rotunda of the State Capitol last week during a re-enactment of the signing of a piece of legislation that changed the face of higher education in Arkansas.

The event recreated the signing of Act 100 of the Arkansas General Assembly, also known as the Bellamy Act, which created four district agricultural schools. Those schools would eventually become the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, and Southern Arkansas University. (more…)

 In 1909, Act 100 began the agricultural school system the later grew to form 4 universities: UAM, Arkansas Tech, SAU, and ASU.

Governor Mike Beebe spoke at the event and signed a replica of the original document.

UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter was seen showing UAM’s replica document to Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin, Monticello Mayor Joe Rogers, MEDC Director Truman Hamilton, and Jeff Weaver, of Congressman Mike Ross’ office.

Dr. Lassiter spoke on behalf of UAM, and the re-inactment was presented by actors from the ASU theater dept., dressed in the attire of the 1909 area.

Contrary to the comments made by a legislator, back in 1909, the four agricultural schools did not “fight among themselves and cease to exist withing six years.” (more…)

The old Monticello W. C. Whaley elemtary school has been torn down, and removal is nearing completion.  The building has been unused for several years, and had been heavily vandalized.

The removal is being done by A.C.E.S. of Malvern.

Memory from 2006. (more…)

(more…)

Sheriff Newell Normand, of Jefferson Parish Louisiana, has released information about the arrest of four individuals for aggravated burglary and home invasion charges, including 2 UAM football players, (more…)

MonticelloLive recently spoke with Bill Horton, CEO of the DFI group, w conshich is contructing the Bio-Diesel plant at Jerome, and asked him about the progress of construction of the proposed faclity, which will possibly employ up to 250.  (more…)

After many fund raisers, enough money was raised to purchase the monument for Sgt Larry D. Smith of the Monticello Police Department.

His monument was set on December 23, 2008 which was Larry’s 51st Birthday.

There is no way his Police Department family could ever express our appreciation to everyone that helped from purchasing a ticket to making a donation and or physically helping during each fund raiser that we had, therefore those of you that did help please know we appreciate each and everyone of you. Larry very much deserved this beautiful monument.

We also would like to give a special thank you to Lyle & Kim Welch & all employees of Southeast Emergency Ambulance Service for everything you did to help make this possible. Larry is and forever will be missed but will Never be forgotten.

We Love you Larry. 1902 10-7 10-42 God Speed.

(more…)

This week’s reflection will summarize the history of an American institution in Monticello from its beginnings to its end. This product, symbolic of America itself, was known for generations as “the pause that refreshes” – Coca-Cola. (more…)

The signs posted at the new library parking lot show that I’m not the only one who needs to use spell-check more often.

They have been taken down and will be corrected by the company in central Arkansas who sold them to the county.

(more…)

(more…)

(more…)

In 2007 another grand old structure of Monticello and Drew County has reached its centennial milestone. The present Wood Avenue Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church sanctuary celebrated its 100th birthday. (more…)

Drew County Elected Officials were sworn into office New Year’s Day at the Drew County Courthouse.

County Judge Damon Lampkin and Circuit Judge Bynum Gibson administered the oaths of office to each other, as the traditional ceremony began.

Circuit Clerk Pat Savage was sworn into her continuing position.

County Clerk Lyna Gulledge repeated her oath of office,

followed by tax assessor Beth Davis,

Sheriff Mark Gober, and

County Treasurer Shirley Hancock.

Drew County Quorum Court members were sworn in as a group,

as were Constables Scott Chapman and Joe Burgess,

the Monticello City Council,

Wilmar City Council, and

 

 

Winchester’s Aldermen.

Charlie Dearman repeated the oath of office for his position as County Coroner.

As the ceremony came to a close, Drew County Sheriff Department Deputies were also sworn in.

As of 3 a.m., five drivers have been arrested and charged with DWI at the Drew County Detention Facility.

Monticello Police brought four of them in by 1 a.m.

This Cadillac was stopped on East College Street, around 10 p.m., and was towed by C&L Wrecker,

and this white Chevy pick-up was pulled over on Barkada Road, close to HWY 425, around 1 a.m., and was removed by J. A. Goad Towing.

3 others also made an unplanned trip to the Breathalyzer, apparently due to too much liquid celebration.