Monticello Live

First let me say that I am not a computer technician, but it seems that the Conficker worm or virus is a reality.

Starting at midnight local time (depending on local timezones around the world) on April 1st, Conficker has been launched from it mildly hidden home inside millions of computers, worldwide.

Respected sources consider the most likely threat from Conficker to the theft of personal identifying information, such as numbers and passwords stored or used in computers.

The first safey step is to install a current version of Microsoft’s Windows Update.  You can probably access the site from the bottom tool-bar on your computer screen.

Here are some web-sites that should be helpful dealing with whatever may happen to your computer today: (more…)

In 1995, a Jennings 9mm handgun was stolen from an apartment in Monticello.  The pistol had not been seen or heard from since, it seems.

However, Friday night that missing firearm was recovered, still in Monticello, according to Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober. (more…)

Today will mark the 100th Anniversary of four Arkansas institutions of higher learning -Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello.   (more…)

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Just before 10 o’clock this morning, lightning struck the large tree in the 500 block of West Bolling Street.

No one was injured by the sound of the lightning strike was heard from several blocks away.

Last Tuesday night, Shane Kelley was charged with DWI, as well as leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to maintain control, after he wrecked this Chevy pick up on State School Road.

The wreck occurred around 11 p.m., and Kelley was surrendered to the Sheriff’s Dept. a couple of hours later, thanks to the help of a family member.

Triple A towed the Chevy.

 After having accepted a plea bargain on December 12, which sentenced him to life in prison, Gary Riley had petitioned the Drew County Circuit Court to withdraw his guilty plea based on “deficient performance” by his attorney. (more…)

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Drew Central Middle and High School parents and community are invited to “Brag Night”, at Drew Central Auditorium.Monday, April 6th, at 6:30 PM, the program will include a night showcasing vocal and instrumental talents, artistic creations, EAST presentations, and culinary arts by Drew Central Students.

Around 8 p.m. Sunday night, Monticello Firefighters responded to the call of a house fire on Winchester Road, just past Oak Grove Assembly of God Church.

The fire appears to have started when a large tree limb fell onto a power supply line, causing a short-out.

Someone at the scene told MonticelloLive that the family that lives there was out of town at the time of the fire, which was quickly extinguished by the responding firemen.

Savannah Jones, Jake Rodgers, Claudia Morrison, Ashley Berryman, Taylor Watkins, Lydia Bran, Kash Keith
Not pictured: Kennedy Powell, Brittany Hodges.  Not shown in order.

The Automated Records Systems Fund Committee for the state of Arkansas has awarded Pat Savage, Circuit Clerk and Recorder for Drew County, a grant in the amount of $30,000.00. This will be applied toward scanning of old deed and mortgage books in the Circuit Clerk office. All recordings will be on computer. This should make documents easier to obtain and preserve the records of Drew County. (more…)

Click here for more information from UAM’s web-site.

Recently, Mr. Ron Graham, a Drew Central Civics teacher, took two students from his honors class to Little Rock to learn the history of voting and how important it is for all Americans to exercise their right to vote. The students were told of the struggle that women and minorities have had to endure to be able to have the right to vote. (
Women were not able to vote until 1920 and minorities not until 1964). (more…)

Tax Credits Provide Funds for First-Time Homebuyers, Childcare, Education and More (more…)

Click here to go the Area Agency’s website about the tourmament.

 Last Saturday, Shawna Densmore’s Senior Project at Drew Central took place, and reached out to approximately 100 girls, ranging from 1st to 8th grade.

Fundamentals of softball hitting, fielding, and throwing were taught.

Congratulations, Shawna, for a job well done. 

This “be prepared to stop” sign has more meaning than usual, as it was placed facing east on West Gaines Street, Wednesday.

The sign was located between the Child Support Enforcement Office and Hospice Home Care, which is a two-lane, one-way street.

Donna Ollie, administrative assitant to Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin, is celebrating her birthday.

Congratulations, Donna!

Vick Patel, of Economy Inn Express, is shown here making a donation to Chief Robert Rosegrant of the Monticello Police Dept, to be used to help the department with operating expenses.

The donation was made in appreciation for the service that the Police Dept. does for the community.

The Monticello High School Junior Class (Big 10) will be having a cookout at Piggly Wiggly, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 – 3:00.

Including:
BBQ Sandwiches-$1.00–Slab of Ribs–$12.00–Boston Butts (10-12 lbs.)-$25.00 each.

This is for a great cause for the students to be able to have a safe place to hang out all night on Prom Night.
No pre-sales, so first come first served—your support is greatly appreciated!!

First $2,400 of Unemployment Benefits Tax Free for 2009

All or part of unemployment benefits received in 2009 will be tax free for many unemployed workers, according to the Internal Revenue Service. (more…)

Over 100 Drew Central Elementary Students participated in “Jump Rope for Heart.” Students jumped rope for donations from family and friends. The students collected $2,500.00 for the American Heart Association. Sydnie Stewart, Rachel Shirey, and Barrett Hunnicut were the students who collected the most money for the fund raiser. Coach Edgar Spencer and P. E. Assistant, Becky Pace sponsored the event. 

Shown here are Sammi Sanders (top): Sydnie Stewart, Rachel Shirey, Barrett Hunnicutt

The Drew Memorial Hospital Board primarily focused on the preliminary Master Site Plan report and the Energy Savings and Infrastructure Modernization Program report during its regular meeting March 25. The plans will provide expansion and improvements for the hospital, which has had only minimal upgrades in 33 years. (more…)

Earlier this month, the USDA Forest Service announced that Congress has approved a $2.06 million Forest Legacy grant to the State of Arkansas to purchase approximately 2,400 acres of south Arkansas forestland in Bradley and Drew counties. (more…)

As the nation marks National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March, the American Cancer Society is encouraging Americans to get lifesaving screening tests that have been proven to reduce the risk of the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. (more…)

Union Bank is proud to announce that Jim Moore of Monticello is the lucky winner of the RELAY FOR LIFE “BARROW” fund raiser. CONGRATULATIONS Jim!!!!

Just after 9 p.m. Satrday night, a call came into the Monticello Police dispatch, reporting an overturned pick-up on Wilson Mill Road, just south of Monticello.

The 2003 Dodge Ram 4 door was being driven by Luther Hines Jr., who was charged with DWI and failure to maintain control.

State Trooper Morris Knight worked the accident.  Triple A towed the pick-up

According to Lt. Jason Akers, Supervisory Agent of the Tenth Drug Task Force, a Warren man with ties to Monticello is facing multiple felony charges after his arrest in Monticello on Monday and a search of his Warren residence late Monday afternoon. The arrest concludes a lengthy joint investigation by the Drug Task Force, Monticello Police, Drew County Sheriff’s Deparment and the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department. (more…)

The Drew County Public Facilities Board and the Monticello Housing Authority hosted a public forum on affordable housing for Drew County citizens at the Monticello-Drew County Chamber of Commerce March 24.

According to Monticello Housing Authority secretary Linda Nichols, “The Monticello Housing Authority and Drew County Public Facilities Board are happy to have the opportunity to sponsor this program.”

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Commercial Bank, Wells Fargo, Simmons Bank and WSM Lending, Inc., presented information to a crowd of 15-20 on affordable housing programs. Each representative presented information on the different loan and grant programs available to low and very-low income families for affordable housing.

According to Carla Smith of Commercial Bank, new homeowners currently have a lot of incentive to buy from the recent tax credit for first-time home buyers, especially since potential buyers have a lot of opportunities to combine the tax credit with other affordable housing programs. (more…)

The children of Homer Pace invite everyone to help celebrate his 90th birthday. 

They will host a come & go reception at his home Sunday from 2 to 4pm, which is located at 1318 South Wilmar Road.

Please come help celebrate Mr. Homer’s birthday. No gifts, please.

Six students from Drew Central High School have received the “Arkansas Student Achievement Award” from the Arkansas ACT Council for their performance on the PLAN (Pre-ACT) Assessment. These students are on target to meet or exceed ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks by graduation. ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks are empirically-based and identify the level of achievement necessary in English, mathematics, reading and science to have a successful college freshman experience.

The students receiving this recognition from the Arkansas ACT Council are: Josh Bodiford, Lauren Horn, Matthew McKeown, Landon Owens, Ellie Satterlee, and Tyler Stewart. (more…)

Pat Savage has announced that the Drew County Circuit Clerk’s office in the Courthouse will be hosting a Passport Day on Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm to provide passport information to US citizens and to accept passport applications. The Circuit Clerk’s office is joining the Department of State in celebrating “Passport Day in the USA”, a national passport acceptance and outreach event. (more…)

H & H Construction from North Little Rock, Arkansas, has finished construction of a new boat dock located at Lake Monticello. The total cost of the boat dock was $42,750.00.

Due to wind damage from Hurricane Gustav in the fall of 2008, the previous boat dock was damaged and unsafe.

Drew County was declared a  dock and the safe and well-constructed design that we now have. 

Press release from the city of Monticello.

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