Monticello Live

A 21 year old Monticello man was arrested on a warrant by the Monticello Police Dept, last week and is being held on a $300,00 bond, following his 1st appearance hearing Thursday. (more…)

I am announcing as a candidate for the Monticello Mayors office. My wife and I moved here from St. Louis in 1992. Since that time we have come to love Monticello, Drew County and its citizens.

When we left Missouri we wanted to move back to southeast Arkansas. We considered Monticello the most promising and progressive city in south Arkansas.

I grew up in Warren and graduated from high school there. After a brief stint at UAM I went to work for Southwestern Bell. I worked there 30 years and retired in 1991.I worked in many technical positions with SBC and ended my career as Personnel Director. In this position I managed a 1500 employee work force, a $400 million budget and all labor relations.

Since arriving in Drew County I have spent my time working for Monticello and the entire region. I have always believed we have splendid economic potential as a result of our natural resources. We are a natural resource based economy and we know how to grow and harvest. We are poised to become a major player in the energy world for the benefit of the region, state, and nation. (more…)

The many contributions of the late James T. Jordan to Monticello and Drew County were recognized with an official proclamation honoring his memory during Thursday night Monticello City Counil meeting.

While most Drew County residents were in bed by midnight Monday night, several of our local Rural Fire Dept. were hard at work, serving Drew County residents.

Just before midnight, a call came in, reporting a house fire on Johnson Street, in Reed.  Reed, Tillar, Winchester, and Selma Fire Dept. all responded to the fire.  Reports are that most of the damage was limited to smoke and water damage.

Just a few minutes later, Wilmar’s fire dept. was called out to batle a blaze on Towler Lane.

Not many people realize, but we all should appreciate the dedicated work of all of our local fire departments, many times risking their lives, while the rest of us are comfortable in our beds.

The Monticello City Council approved an increase in city water rates at Thursday evening meeting.

Water rates will increase by 3%, except for the minimum usage bills, which will increase by 50 cents  per month.

Pastor Nathaniel Jones was recently honored as one of the recipients of the “Mike Huckabee Award” at the First Trinity Church of God in Christ in Pine Bluff during their first annual Mike Huckabee Awards banquet. Several community leaders including pastors, television personalities, doctors, and educators were recognized for their outstanding service to their communities.

Pastor Jones was recognized for establishing churches in the southeast Arkansas communities, which includes Revival Center Church of God in Christ of Monticello and There Is Hope Church of God in Christ of Pine Bluff.

At the age of 63, Pastor Jones continues to organize ministries. He is the present pastor of the Hope Institutional Mission Ministries of Lake Village and Pine Bluff. He has successfully implemented the five point Urban Initiative, Inc. of the presiding bishop of the COGIC Inc., into the local communities which includes education, economic development, crime prevention and reduction, and family financial literacy.

Pastor Jones also has his own television ministry. His ministry is being aired each Saturday morning from 6:00 to 6:30 a.m. and every Sunday morning from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on WABG TV6, Greenville, MS.

He and his wife, Bettye, reside in Monticello and are the parents of Pastor Michael Jones and Elder Orlando Jones.

Documents filed with the Drew County Circuit Clerks office show the the charges against Robbie Taylor have been “nolle prossed”, by the prosecuting attorney’s office, due to issues involving evidence. 

The court order includes the phrases,”without prejudice,” and ”insufficient evidence to convict the defendant at this time.” (more…)

The position for State Representative for District 10, has spiked the interest of four candidates who have filed for the office. 

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Late last week, a driver knocked down one of the decorative light poles on the Monticello square, and didn”t stop until she was caught by police, as she attempted to return to her home in Western Pines.

Diane Payne, age 51, of Monticello was arrested and charged with DWI, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, and refusing to submit, after the car she was driving  ran off of McCloy St. at the Monticello square, and onto ther sidewalk, where she knocked down one of the light poles, before leaving the scene.

Another vehicle reported the accident to MPD dispatch, who relayed the call to officers, who saw the vehicle turning into Western Pines.

Payne was arrested and taken to the Drew County Detention Facility.

Mrs. Lou Arnold’s second grade class from Drew Central Elementary was on TV, presenting the KTHV Schoolcast on Wednesday, giving the weather report and the lunch menu.

Although all students participated in writing of the script and background scenery and filming, only a few could actually be filmed.

Students that are actually in the video are as follows:, Trenton Eubanks–weatherman, Dakota Stanfill—weatherman, Olivia Young—Live Reporter, Darbonee Forte—Pirate, Zy Chavis—Pirate Lane Berryman—Pirate, Elijah Trantham—Pirate, Emaleigh Forrest—Pirate

The kids are super excited about being on TV!

Doug Hampton, a Monticello resident and Drury Outdoors team member, along with his wife Brandy and 13 year old son Coltin, were chosen this past fall to be a part of the popular Outdoor Channel television show “Dream Season.” The title for this year’s show is Dream Season 7 “Celebrity”. Four of the regular Drury teams were asked to take on a national celebrity for a hunting partner, as well as hunt and video their immediate family.

Hampton and team mate Rod Owen of Missouri, teamed up with J.W. Hart from the Professional Bull Riders association(P.B.R.) to form “Team Hart”. Team Hart took twelve animals on video this season consisting of eleven bucks and a boar hog. Hampton and his family accounted for five of the bucks and the hog. (more…)

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Tommy Gray has announced that he will seek re-election to another term as District 5 Justice of the Peace.

A native of south Arkansas and a resident of Drew County for more than 33 years, Gray is president and manager of Monticello Tire and Service, Inc. Goodyear. He is a member of Pauline Baptist Church and the Monticello Lions Club, a 32nd Degree Mason, past master of Eureka Lodge #30, a member of the Eastern Star, a Shriner in the Sahara Temple, and a board member of the Drew County Historical Museum and the Drew County Historical Society.

Gray and his wife, LaWanda, have four children: Tess Kilcrease and Ted Gray of Monticello, Jackie Jarrett of Dumas and Debbie Fraser of Gould.

In seeking reelection, Gray states that he will work with and for all the citizens of Drew County. “I pledge to continue work and support for our hospital, library, schools and economic development. I will continue to work for new industry and will support the industry and growth of what we now have.

“I care about Drew County and all of its people. I take pride in my service to District 5. Thank you for the trust and support you have placed in me,” he said.