Monticello Live

Laron Meeks, a former Drew County Sheriff, firefighter, and retired educator, passed from this life during the early morning hours, Saturday.

Our sympathies go out to Mrs. Jane and their family.

Armonzo Watkins & Samantha Barnett at Bond Hearing

Brittany Garcia & Santonio Vaughn at 1st Appearance Hearing.

At 4:02, Saturday morning, a 911 call came into the Monticello Police Dept., reporting a robbery at one of the Park Hill apartments, on North Slemmons St.

Jeffery Thomas, after arrest.

Two of the victims were treated and released from Drew Memorial Hospital, later in the day, Saturday. (more…)

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Kathy Wilson, age 47 of Monticello, was arrested Wednesday evening, around 6:45, on S. Gabbert St., near her residence.

Wilson was charged with DWI 4, which is a felony, and carries a bond of $15,000.

Wilson remains in the Drew County Detention Facility as of this morning.

Duane Gonder, age 25 of Monticello, plead guilty, Friday morning, to the charges of 1st degree murder of his brother, Marcus Gonder, aggravated assault, and attempted introduction of a prohibited item into a jail.

Gonder was sentenced to serve 46 years in the Arkansas Dept. of Correction.

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This year’s Drew County Farm Family of the Year title has been awarded to James and Rene Knowles. Both were raised in farming families and made the decision to keep that tradition alive in their own family, that now includes two sons and a grandson.

“I’ve been farming all my life,” James said as he recalled growing up in Valley Community.  “Dad (Pharris Knowles) was originally a cotton farmer; when I was old enough to help farm he was a commercial hay farmer. He sold hay all over southeast Arkansas.”  James’ mother is Marjorie Knowles Craig.

James graduated from Drew Central High School, is a member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, and a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He worked on the farm with his father until he was married to Rene.

Rene’s dad (Bob Person) owned a hog farm and raised cattle over the years. Rene’s mom was the late Joyce Person, “but  dad’s wife, Mrs. Judy, has been ‘mom’ for over 20 years.”  Rene graduated from Monticello High School and completed 3 years of college. Rene is a Drew Central School board member and was just re-elected to her second term on the Quorum Court. They are active members of Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

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At Thursday night’s meeting, city council member Tim Chase expressed his ongoing concern about the “all-way stop signs” that have been placed on the city square.

Chase accused Mayor Joe Rogers of telling or recommending the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Dept. that the city preferred stop signs, instead of stop lights, when the study to determine that issue was requested. Chase added that he didn’t recall the city council having discussed the issue.

Chase also suggested that the city council, at a later date, consider passing a resolution expressing their desire to have lights put up at the 2 locations, instead of the current stop signs.

A “blind spot” on the north side of the square was also mentioned.

The next topic, related to the signs/lights, was if the man who caused the damage with a November truck wreck had insurance coverage. Mayor Rogers reported that there was “around $22,000″ (Damage to businesses and other utilities probably filed claims against the vehicle’s insurance, as well.)

Council member, Judge Clifton Bond told the council that he felt they should get a letter or petition to the AHTD, requeting that the lights be replaced., in hopes that this effort may get their attention.,

Bond reporeted that he understood that replacement cost for the lights would be around $80,000, and that he felt that cost was the reason that stop signs had been put up on place of the stop lights. (more…)

Around 9 o’clock Thursday morning, a log truck was attempting to maneuver around a trac-hoe on North Cominto Road, when it slowly struck the machine, and overturned.

Drew County Sheriff’s deputies worked the scene, while a wrecker, along with the trac-hoe, returned the log truck to it’s upright position.

No major injuries were reported.

An Ashley County road grader was attempting to cross a railroad crossing around 10 am, Thursday.

The grader operator reportedly coundn’t see the train, due to a line of trees.

The driver was treated for minor injuries later.

Photo courtesy of Bill Horn, Drew County office of emergency management.

Options, Inc.—a non-profit corporation committed to meeting the needs of domestic violence and sexual abuse victims in five counties in Southeast Arkansas—was awarded a $4,000 grant by the Plum Creek Foundation towards the purchase of an emergency shelter. The shelter offers a 24-hour staffed emergency safe house providing women with critical services such as crisis intervention, counseling, food and clothing.

“We have been renting the house for the past 20 years. The current owner insisted that we buy the house in order to continue using it,” said Brenda Noble, executive director of Options, Inc. “Through Plum Creek’s generosity, we will be able to continue providing shelter to victims of domestic violence and abuse at a critical time of need in their lives.” (more…)

Just after midnight, calls began coming into Monticello dispatch, reporting a tractor-trailer engulfed in flames on HWY 278 West, between the city limits and the sports complex.

Drew County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Monticello Fire Dept responded, to find the trailer of the big-rig (containing an estimated 40,000 of Uncle Ben’s rice products) on fire, on the shoulder of the highway.

The driver had unhooked the tractor from the trailer, and pulled it to safety.

After extinguishing the outside blazes, the firefighters then had to unload the back section of the trailer by hand, in order to get to the area of the floor and wall that were still a “hot spots”.

They then had to re-load the damaged product back onto the trailer by hand, in order to re-open that section of the roadway.

Triple A Towing was called to move the remains of the trailer off of the highway.

The driver picked up the load of rice products in Greenville, MS, and was to deliver it to Mesquite, TX.

Mainline Health Systems, who operate medical clinics in Wilmot, Portland, Dermott, and Eudora, opened their newest facility in Monticello, in the former McKeiver Clinic building, located behind Drew Memorial Hospital, Tuesday, July 6.

The clinic is equipped with current, state of the art equipment, such as digital x-ray, and electronic medical records.  Each of their clinics includes equipment that is often used in a ”mini emergency room” setting.

Mainline accepts all forms of insurance, and accepts all patients, with or without insurance, regardess of their ability to pay.  It is estimated that 40% of patients will qualify for some level of financial assistance, based on a sliding fee scale.  The lowest fee for visits will be $15. (more…)

At 6:20, Saturday evening, the driver of this white sedan was stopped by MPD’s Rickey Fleming, who pointed out that they were traveling the wrong way on a one-way street, as they were driving east on on east McCloy Street, toward oncoming traffic, in both lanes.

It reminds us of the old joke, “but officer, I was only going one way.”

The driver was from Florida.

Always read directions
Always have an adult present
Use fireworks outdoor only
Light one at a time
Keep a safe distance
Never experiment with fireworks
Never use near dry grass or flammable item
Never point or throw fireworks at another person
Have a bucket of water & hose handy
Never attempt to re-light or “fix” fireworks
Do not wear loose fitting clothing
Never carry fireworks in your pocket
Fireworks are not toys