Monticello Live

Late Wednesday afternoon, work crews clearing a wooded area attempted to cross a creek near HWY 278 East, just past “dead man’s curve”, when the New Holland Trac-Hoe they were using began sinking farther than they had estimated.

The muddy bottom of the creek allowed the machine to sink even further before crews removed it from the water Friday.

2 heavy duty wreckers, 2 other trac-hoes, and a bulldozer were brought in for the task.

Around 10:30, it was out of the creek, but still had to be brought out so that it could be loaded.

Traffic on HWY 278 East was shut down at times during the process, from around 10:30 until 12:30, by the Arkansas State Police and Drew County deputies.

A wreck at the railroad crossing on HWY 35 East sent a passenger of a Volvo SUV to Drew Memorial Hospital, possibly complaining of back/neck pain, after the driver of a Ford Ranger pick-up failed to stop behind the Volvo at the train tracks, near the industrial complex.

MPD worked the wreck and directed traffic, SEEMS transported the victim, and Rod’s Wrecker was on the way from Lacey to tow the Ford.  The Volvo was able to be driven from the scene.

The driver of a slow moving car was issued a citation for interfering with governmental operations for blocking traffic at the scene, and not allowing emergency vehicles to get to the wreck.

As Arkansas broadcasting legend B. J. Sams is retiring this week from KTHV after 56 years in the radio/TV industry, Monticello native Charles Crowson is one of the many Channel 11 staff who hates to see him go.  Sam’s has been a part of the “THV Morning Show” for 12 years.

But as B. J. is going to have the chance to sleep late, Crowson, a 1993 Monticello High School graduate, who has been with KTHV since 2007,  will move from his news reporter position with the station, to the morning show’s couch, as the two-time Emmy nominated reporter becomes a daily part of thousand’s of Arkansan’s morning routine.  (more…)

August 6th – 9th grade orientation at 10 am and 6:00pm. 9th grade students accompanied with a parent/guardian must attend one of the sessions to the complete registration process and pick up their schedule.

August 4-5 all 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students accompanied with a parent/guardian to complete the registration process and pick up their schedule. Office hours – 8:00am until 3:00pm.

August 7th – seniors and junior schedule changes may be made and parking permits will be available. Students must provide evidence of a driver’s license, insurance, and $10:.00. Office hours – 8:00am until 3:00pm.

August 10th – sophomores and freshmen schedule changes may be made and parking permits will be available. Students must provide evidence of a driver’s license, insurance, and $10:.00. Office hours – 8:00am until 3:00pm.

August 19th – 1st day of school

August 25th – MHS Open House and Report to the Public at 5pm.

Visitation–Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello , AR 71657
7/30/2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm

Gathering of Friends & Family
Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello , AR 71657
7/31/2009 at 4:00 pm

Internment–Beulah Cemetery
Beulah Road
Monticello, AR 71655
Map to Interment Location

Jason Aaron Cruce, 39 of Star City, passed away Monday July 27, 2009 of injuries from a construction accident in Pine Bluff. He was born February 5, 1970 in Bradley County, AR.

He was a crain operator and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his mother, Janis Stevenson Cruce, one brother, Scott Cruce and one sister, Amy Mann.

Survivors include one son, Hunter Aaron Cruce of Cabot; one daughter, Kyhlee Jade Cruce of Warren; his father, Aaron Cruce of Star City; his step mother, Wanda Cruce of Star City; one brother, Donnie Mann of Pine Bluff; one sister, Tasha Davis of Prairie Grove, AR.

Visitation-Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello , AR 71657
8/1/2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm

Gathering of Friends & Family
Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello , AR 71657
8/2/2009 at 2:00 pm

Internment-Beulah Cemetery
Beulah Road
Monticello, AR 71655
Map to Interment Location

Joy Dell Lusinger Begayne, 53 of Monticello, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at the Drew Memorial Hospital in Monticello, AR. She was born June 8, 1956 in Pine Bluff, AR.

She was a Mary Kay Consultant, Insurance Agent/Pre-Arrangement Counselor at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home, Inc. and a member of Monticello Baptist Temple in Monticello. She was preceded in death by her mother, Alvern Wilson Lusinger.

Survivors include her husband, David Begayne of Monticello; two sons, Jason Maier of Sherwood and Kyle Tucker of Monticello; her father, Al Lusinger of Cabot; two brothers, Hardy Lusinger of Key West, FL and Terry Lusinger of Clinton; one sister, Cherry Cotham of Monticello; her step children, Chris Tucker of Monticello, Constance Begayne, Tamara Begayne and Zachary Begayne, all of Portland, OR; two granddaughters, Corbin and Jayda Maier; her step grandchildren, Stephanie & Ashley Tucker of Monticello and Hunter & Meeki Moody of Portland, OR; and a special niece & caregiver, Nina Blackmountain of Mexician Water, AZ.

Two representatives with Murray and Company provided preliminary sketches of the phase modernization plan. The Board voted to begin work on Phase I, the allied health building, shown in red in the photo.

The Drew Memorial Hospital Board voted to move ahead with the first phase of the master site plan to modernize the hospital during its regular meeting Wednesday, July 22. Murray and Company will draw up the plans for the new allied health building.

The master site plan consists of six phases, which include new construction, renovations and remodeling to modernize the hospital’s facilities. The Board voted to approach the phase modernization project by starting with Phase I, construction of the allied health building. (more…)

National Domenstic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233.

National Suicde Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.

National Alchohol Abuse Hotline 1-877-437-8422.

Jayden Nicholson was a winner at the Monticello Branch Library’s Summer Reading Program. She came closest to guessing the number of crayons in a jar and won an electric keyboard.

Zipporah Hill also won an electric keyboard at theLibrary’s Summer Reading Program. Shown with Zipporah is Nona Dumas, Branch Manager of the library.

Chester L. McKee
June 30, 1942 – July 28, 2009

Visitation will be held at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello , AR 71657
7/29/2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Chester Lee McKee, age 67, of Monticello, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at Drew Memorial Hospital in Monticello, AR. He was born June 30, 1942 to the late Chester Lee McKee and Pat McKinney.

He was a retired carpenter.

Survivors include two sons, Chester Lee McKee of Hot Springs and Cody Allen McKee of Monticello; one daughter, Deborah Rene Burton of Monticello; one brother, Joseph Vondell McKinney of Louisiana; eight grandchildren, Samuel Joseph McKee, Alex Allen McKee, Erica Michelle Forrest, Clayton Lee McKee, Colton Drake McKee, Chelsea Lynn Burton, Devin Scott Claxton Burton and Promise Faith McKee; and one great grandson, Jacob Allen McKee.

Ronnie Joe Price, age 60, of Star City, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2009 at his home. He was born August 27, 1948 in McGehee, AR to the late Luther Price and Ruby Averette Price.

He was a retired farmer. He was preceded in death by one brother, Edward Price.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Price of Monticello; three sons, Wesley, James Paul Price, both of Monticello and Bobby Price of Star City; one daughter, Lucille Price of Monticello; one beloved granddaughter, Hailee Price of Monticello; six brothers, five sisters and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

Visitation at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello , AR 71657
7/28/2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm

Gathering of Friends & Family
Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello , AR 71657
7/29/2009 at 2:00 pm

Internment atOakland Cemetery
300 North Hyatt St.
Monticello, AR 71655

Bobbie Hammil Lawson, 90 of Monticello, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2009 at Wagnon Place Nursing Home in Warren. She was born December 26, 1918, the daughter of the late Ed White and Bessie Burt White.

She was a retired LPN and a member of East Side Baptist Church in Monticello. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Wesley Hammil, Joe Rachaner and Joe Lee Lawson, and four brothers, Lester White, Laverne White, Eddie White and Eugene White.

Survivors include two sons, Clyde Hammil and wife, Kaye of Crossett and Larry Hammil and wife, Gail of Star City; two daughters, Jean Brantley of Monticello and Helen Webb of Conway; one step son, Howard Lawson and wife, Crista of Clarksville, TN; three step daughters, Joan Grady and husband, Leon of Mountain Home, AR, Jeanette Holland and husband, Jimmy of Horn Lake, MS and Janie Wright and husband, John of Hernando, MS; one brother, Jerry White of Monticello; one sister, Peggy “Evelyn” Williams of Monticello; eight grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, eleven step grandchildren.

Visitation at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello , AR 71657
7/28/2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm

Funeral Service
Stephenson-Dearman
943 Hwy 425 N
Monticello , AR 71655
7/29/2009 10:00 AM

Rose Hill Cemetery
Hwy. 83 North
Monticello, AR 71655

The Drew County Historical Society and Museum Commission honored Henri Wells Mason and Dr. Roy Grizzell’s dedication to both institutions with a reception on Sunday, July 26th from 2-5 at the Museum. Both of these individuals had served on both boards. The Historical Society began in 1959, and the Museum was started in 1969. Mrs. Henri had been a docent-tour guide at the Museum  since the 1970′s.

(more…)

Someone showed a receipt to me yesterday, surprised that there was an extra charge for mayonnaise at McDonalds.

I called and asked other fast food restaurants in town, and it seems that McD’s is the only one that makes this additional charge.

This practice is certainly legal, but it once again shows that customers should always look at their receipts.

Professional photos are available at TaylorJamesDesign.com. (more…)

Ray C. Burgess, 65 of Monticello, passed away Friday, July 24, 2009 at his home. He was born February 8, 1944 in Jenny, AR (Chicot County).

He was retired from the U. S. Navy, having served on the USS Intrepid and the USS Saratoga. His duty stations included Quonset Point, RI, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, Brunswick, GA, Millington, TN, Jacksonville, FL, Pensacola, FL, Alamedia, CA and Naval Air Station, New Orleans. He rose through the enlisted ranks achieving the rank of E-8 and recieved a commission the last half of his military career, retiring with the rank of Chief Warrant Officier 3. He was selected for CWO 4, but choose to retire rather than accept the promotion. After moving to Monticello, he went to work for the Arkansas State Police as a D. L. Examiner for E Troop and F Troop. He worked for the ASP for nearly 10 years, retiring for health reasons. Ray was a Deacon at Northside Baptist Church and a Mason. He enjoyed camping, fishing, wood working and could grill a mean steak.

He was the son of the late Lynn Burgess and Alberta Tharp Burgess and was preceded in death by 4 nephews and 2 nieces.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Burgess of Monticello; one son, Brian Burgess and wife, Jenny of Monticello; three daughters, Gayle Spurlock and husband, Ricky, Deborah Tullos and husband, Joel and Kristie Fowler and husband, Pat, all of Monticello; three brothers, J. D. Burgess and wife, Ruth of Robertsdale, AL, Gene Burgess and wife, Ann and Buddy Burgess, all of Monticello; three sisters, Frances Streeter and husband, Scott of Lake Village, Eunice Hackett and husband, Bob of Monticello and Diane Molino and husband, Leo of Catarina, Texas; he was “PaPa” to nine grandsons and nine granddaughters, and “Paw” to five great-grandsons; several nephews and nieces.

Visitation
Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello , AR 71657
7/26/2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm

Funeral Service
Stephenson-Dearman
943 Hwy 425 N
Monticello , AR 71655
7/27/2009 10:00 AM 

Internment
Union Ridge Cemetery
Midway Rt Rd
Monticello, AR 71655

(more…)

Serving on a blue ribbon panel is usually prestigious, but few people envy the 19 members of the Arkansas Blue Ribbon Commission on Highway Finance. (more…)

Look at all of these gorgeous faces. Each of these dogs are located at the Monticello Animal Shelter, off of Old Warren Road. Each of these dogs face certain euthanasia if they are not adopted or taken into foster care. Can you help any of these great dogs have a chance at life?

If you would like to become a foster or permanent home for any of our pound puppies, please contact Mandy Moss at pupfostermom@gmail.com or Ruby Burton at (870)367-3377, or visit their website.

If any of these faces steal your heart, please, act now. Soon their time will be up and their chance at a happy life over. Help us help them.

Robert Wallace, son of Carol Sue Wallace and the late Richard Wallace and a graduate of Monticello High School (’82) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (’86), recently received his Doctorate of Theology from Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary in Henderson, TX. He currently serves in the administration and faculty of the school. (more…)

Gary Meggs (right), director of bands and head of the jazz program at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, recently performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Montreal World Jazz Festival.

(more…)

The Drew Memorial Hospital has selected Sheilla Lampkin as our Auxilian of the Year.

Mrs. Lampkin serves the hospital auxiliary in countless ways that include: initiating and maintaining the DMH Auxiliary’s first monthly newsletter; serving as our legislative delegate during the recent legislative session and keeping our membership updated as to what hospital/health issues were pending, who should be contacted and examples of the messages to be sent; writing articles publicizing our Auxiliary for the local media. (more…)

The Monticello School Board received a report on the preliminary test scores for the 2008-2009 school year during its regular meeting Tuesday, July 21, in addition to approving several recommendations and reports. (more…)

According to Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober, last Wednesday, a Cominto area man saw flames coming up on the outside of his home near the kitchen area.  At the time, the man and two children were inside of the residence, (more…)

(more…)

Ross Bolding, shown here competing in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at the USATF National Track and Field Championships.

Bolding won the 2000 meters steeplechase and set a new American single age group record of 8:09, breaking the old record of 8:15 set by Frank Haviland in 1998. His 4x400meters and his 4x800meters relay teams also won those two events and he placed third in the 10,000 meters, also.

Ross’ totals were three gold medals and one bronze and he has now won five national championships total.

(more…)

Dr. Clay Brown, vice chancellor for university relations and student affairs at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, has been chosen from among more than 700 senior student affairs officers to be featured in a new book from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). (more…)

An 18 wheeler, belonging to Melton Transportation, was hauling pipe to the Monticello Airport, Monday around 10 a.m., that was to be used to continue the fence project, when the driver tried to enter the facility from the north, instead of the south, causing the trailer to cut short, and drop off the culvert into the ditch.

Triple A Towing worked to remove the big rig, and Monticello Police assisted with traffice, as rain continued to fall.

Attorney Cliff Gibson draws a rough diagram of the location of the medical office building during his presentation. According to Gibson, the medical office building will be located on Old Warren Road between Scogin and Ross Drive.  (more…)

Lordy Lordy look whos 40!!!

Hint: Its not the pretty lady!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID LAWSON!!!!

Betty Pace of Green Hill & Dona Schulte of Little Rock hosted a surprise come and go 95th birthday celebration for their Aunt Bessie Chambliss of Green Hill on Sunday, July 12th. (more…)

Around 9 o’clock Monday morning, the driver of this Mazda Protege lost control of their vehicle as they were traveling toward Monticello, on HWY 138, near it’s intersection with N. Sixteen Section Road.

The accident was worked by Arkansas State Trooper Matt Outlaw, asssited by Drew County Sheriff’s deputies, who worked the morning traffic.

MASI transported the driver to DMH, and Tommy Deshaizer is shown as he hooks his wrecker to the Mazda to bring it back to the roadway.

Monticello Police Department’s Sgt. Jerald Clarke is celebrating his birthday.

Congratulation to Jerald from all of the crew at MPD.

Monticello alderman, Beverly Hudson, is celebrating her birthday, today.

If you see Beverly, today, be sure to tell her “Happy Birthday”.