Monticello Live

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.

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.

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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…)

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.

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…)

All 7 members of the board of directors of Drew Memorial Hospital unanimously approved a resolution encouraging the quorum court and county judge to support the sale and use of approximately 5 acres of land (located in the pine covered area north of the hospital) to be used as a medical office building.

Dr. Sydney Collins and Dr. Jeff Reinhart were present at last week’s board meeting, representing local dentist Tim Chase, who will also be a part of the venture.  Dr. Michael Fakouri will also work out of the facility. (more…)

Monticello’s  Dr. Sylvia Simon was recently appointed to serve  on the Arkansas Medical Board by Gov. Mike Beebe

Dr. Simon’s term will expire on December 31, 2014.

Tuesday, Veronica Wells, along with her family and a friend, went to the site where her daughter and grandchildren were killed on July 14, 2007, on HWY 425 North, near Pine Bluff.   The family cut grass, and removed the old flowers that marked the location where 5 family members lost their lives in a collision with a tractor trailer, 2 years ago.

A new cross was placed with all the names on it.

A special thank you goes to Mr. Cornelious Branch, Mr. Darrell McDaniel, and Rev. Melvin Foster for the construction of the everlasting cross.

Ms. Will asks that as you are traveling HWY 425 N., approximately 4 miles south of Pine Bluff, take a look to your left at the piece of art and remember her daughter, Ketria, and grandchildren, Kiyah, Kayla, Keshon, and Kaleb.

Mike Stewart, a Monticello agent of Bob Cole Bail Bond Inc., stood before Drew County Circuit Judge Bynum Gibson earlier this week, and was reprimanded for various actions, including lack of preparation in cases where Stewart’s clients came before the court, such as not knowing how much bond had actually been paid, by some clients.

Stewart was also told to make his “best efforts to insure that bonded persons appear in court, and are on time”, and to bring full, proper documentation of his bonding activity that are on that day’s court docket.  Judge Gibson added, “I want it to be done professionally, with no mistakes made.”

One specific topic of discussion was when Judge Gibson asked if he had provided ”bail bonds on credit” or if “partial payment” had been accepted.

Judge Gibson made note in the court’s record that the Circuit Judges were signing an order requiring “any commercial bail bond be paid in full, before any bond is issued.  No credit shall be extended.”  (more…)

Skin Cancer: Reduce Your Risk With ‘Safe Sun’ Guidelines

What are the safe-sun guidelines?Safe-sun guidelines are the following 4 ways to protect your skin and reduce your risk of skin cancer: (more…)

"2009 Drew County Farm Family of the Year" Joel, Eric, & Norris Stevens Families. L to R: Joel, Cole, Eric, Thomas, Dawn, Gloria Parker (Norris' fiance'), Norris Stevens

The annual selection naming  ”Drew County Farm Family of the Year” has taken place, and the honor this year goes to a father and his sons, Norris, Joel, and Eric Stevens.

The Stevens family farms 4,050 acres in Drew County, plus additional acreage in Chicot County.  They raise rice, soy beans, milo, and occasionally wheat during the winter.

The father, Norris Stevens, lives in the Dermott area, on the same land where he grew up.  Both sons, Joel and Eric, live in Monticello. (more…)

This is the classic feel good story, but it is also true.

On a recent, hot June Friday afternoon, a “momma dog” and her litter of approximately 2 week old puppies, were dropped off inside the gate at the city’s trash transfer station, which also houses the city pound.  (this is not an appropriate or responsible action to take with animals.)

One of the small puppies fell into a drain pipe in the area, and couldn’t get out. (more…)

U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) has successfully secured $366,564 for Drew County in the Fiscal Year 2010 House Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. The bill recently passed the full U.S. House of Representatives.

Ross said the funds will be used to provide weather and other related disaster education as well as to purchase outdoor weather sirens that will alert residents of approaching severe weather.

“Given the unpredictability of Arkansas weather, we should be as prepared as possible for any number of emergency weather situations,” said Ross. “This investment in Drew County will help local leaders prepare for the worst by working to reduce the loss of property and to protect lives during a storm.” (more…)

Just after 8 o’clock, Monday night, a single vehicle accident occurred a few miles northeast of Monticello.

The driver of the vehicle was killed in the crash, and the passenger was critically injured, and has been airlifted by helicopter to Little Rock. (more…)

UAM alumni, fans, and supporters may disagree with the “stupider than an aardvark” analysis that “the Weevil” has been honored with, but still it is a good thing for UAMonticello to have their mascot featured on a national TV commercial campaign for KGB 542542, a text message based search engine that provides answers to its customers.

The commercial has been featured on ESPN and other networks, and features “the Weevil” with UAM’s permission.  It has also been approved by NCAA athletic licensing procedures.

UAM media relations director, Jim Brewer describes the commercial as, “a great way to give our university national exposure.”

If the “stupider than an aardvark” is offensive, at least we have the pleasure of seeing our local hero beat the stuffing out of the aardvark at the end of the spot.

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