Monticello Live

On Thursday, August 26, 2010 agents of the Tenth Drug Task Force were attempting to stop a vehicle driven by James Daniels, age 39, formerly of Warren, currently residing in Little Rock, Arkansas.  A search warrant had been obtained for the vehicle prior to the stop as information had been received that the vehicle was transporting narcotics to South Arkansas.

The stop occurred on County Road 133 near the intersection of 133 and Highway 35.

As Agents made the initial stop on the vehicle, a second Task Force vehicle pulled in front of the vehicle driven by Daniels and occupied by three other suspects. As Agents exited from the blocking vehicle, Daniels accelerated his vehicle as it swerved towards and rammed the blocking vehicle, striking a DTF agent. The agent fired on Daniels’ vehicle, striking the front and rear passenger side tires. (more…)

Pictured from left (first row) are Mary Whiting, Debbie Gasaway, Dr. Clay Brown, (second row) Lathan Hairston, Jay Hughes, and Scott Kuttenkuler.

The names and faces are the same, but the job titles and responsibilities have changed or expanded.

In a major administrative reorganization announced recently by University of Arkansas at Monticello Chancellor Jack Lassiter, Dr. Clay Brown, formerly vice chancellor for student affairs, has been named vice chancellor for advancement and university relations. Jay Hughes, formerly dean of students, will replace Brown as vice chancellor for student affairs. Scott Kuttenkuler, formerly director of advancement, will become dean of students and director of governmental relations. Director of Admissions Mary Whiting is now dean of enrollment management while Controller Debbie Gasaway and Business Manager Lathan Hairston have been named associate vice chancellors in the Office of Finance and Administration. (more…)

John Hoy began his life in the small town of Hughes, AR. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, James and Zenobia Graham. Mr. Hoy’s mother dropped out of high school in order to work on the farms in northeast Arkansas, and then earned her GED. She went on to receive her nursing license as well, and her promise was that all of her children would graduate from high school. They did.

Mr. Hoy, meeting with Monticello's new teachers, in preparation for the new school year.

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North Syracuse's Pilotti's game-winning 3 run homer in the final inning gave New York the victory in the World Series final.

The "Champs" celebrate, after the final out.

While trailing 4-3 in the top of the final inning with 2 outs, North Syracuse centerfielder Pilotti hit a 3 run home run to take the lead away from Saginaw Valley, MI and put New York ahead 6-4.

N. Syracuse added another run before the inning ended, and that’s how the game ended, with a 7-4 final score

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 MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Former Arkansas Razorback and St. Louis Cardinals catcher, Tom Pagnozzi, was the guest speaker at the banquet for the  15 year old Babe Ruth World Series, Sunday night, at the UAM Gibson Center. (more…)

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Although Drew County for the most part has been in a semi-drought situation and a good rain would be welcomed by most, we have had some unwelcome precipitation in different places at different times.

One such memorable rain may be the deluge that thoroughly drenched Monticello on October 13 th, 2009, and brought down part of a landmark. At approximately 12:15 p. m. during that “gullywasher” a significant portion of the rear of the old Fish Drug Store building at the corner of North Main and West Gaines gave way under the weight of the water and tumbled to the ground.

Fortunately, no vehicle passing through was caught in the rubble. City workers quickly blocked that portion of South Main and began to clear the debris from the street.

When the rain subsided, and the dust settled, a lone, silent and mysterious artifact could be seen hanging eerily from the remaining parts of the noble building.

This silent remainder from days gone by was a half-glass paneled door with the words “Patrick Henry” painted on its frosted surface. As passersby noticed the old door hanging haphazardly on one hinge above the pile of broken bricks, many wondered, “Who was this Patrick Henry?” More than a few called to ask that very question. (more…)

Wednesday, UAMS received a $102,131,393 federal grant – one of the largest ever received by an Arkansas institution – announced at UAMS by Rick Wade, senior advisor and deputy chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In addition to the $102 million grant, UAMS and its partners are providing a 20.6 percent match of $26,450,427.

The grant will enable fiber connections and/or bandwidth upgrades in all 75 counties and in 135 Arkansas communities, including 81 Arkansas hospitals, all two-year colleges (four-year colleges are already connected), eight public libraries, all state human development centers, the state’s trauma network, community health centers, mental health clinics and home health agencies.

For more information read the full article on MagnoliaReporter.com

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As summer comes to an end, and children gear up to head back to school, students of Drew Central High will be welcomed by a new face this year.

New to the district, Principal Steve Noble has had quite a journey that’s landed him right here in Monticello.

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Nearly every city has allegedly experienced a brush with a famous person whether he is “good or bad”. Bonnie and Clyde reportedly once visited Monticello. Tillar, a small farming community, also had a visit from legendary outlaws – the notorious James boys.

This event was recorded by Hie C. Birch of Tillar and found in the Drew County Archives. Mr. Birch was born August 24, 1874, on Macon Bayou and died in McGehee on January 10, 1956. At some point before his death he wrote his memories of the James’ visit to Tillar during his youth. This article is a summary of that ignoble visit. (more…)

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that Drew County Developmental Disabilities Services, Inc., in Monticello has received a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to help purchase playground equipment, furniture, a commercial kitchen, computer equipment and three vans that will support its new preschool center. USDA funds will cover approximately 15 percent of the total cost for the equipment. (more…)

A Monticello couple plead guilty and was sentenced Monday for manufacturing methamphetamine twice in two months. (more…)

Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church of Wilmar has elected the Rev. Shay Gillespie of Monticello as it’s new pastor. This, according to the Rev. Michael Binns, Sr. chairman of Mt. Tabor’s pulpit committee. Gillespie currently serves as an associate minister at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Monticello, where Rev. D.J. Buffington is pastor. (more…)

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

The Monticello City Council approved $10,000 to build the parking area at the new city splash pad, with is located at Jordan Park.  $10,000 is what was approved at last month’s meeting for McCloy Park improvements.

Mayor Joe Rogers told the council that the contractor’s are finishing up final work on the splash pad, itself, and that the city has installed sod around the facility.

An opening date has not been announced, but should be later in the year.

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Alderman Tim Chase criticized the addition of this item, as well as another item that was added to the agenda earlier in the day. (see 3:15 on video)

Rogers told the council, “This is what we’re here for, to take care of city business.”

Chase responded, saying, “I think it’s not appropriate.  and we should have the opportunity to know what we’re going to be talking about, and voting about, before we get here.”

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

The Monticello City Council in a special called meeting Tuesday evening, agreed to appropriate $40,000.00 to MEDC to help defray the costs of moving and installing manufacturing equipment at Hood Packaging, in a program similar to what the council took part in several months ago. (more…)

Betty Jean Lewis, age 53 of Crossett (this is not the Betty Lewis that lives in Monticello), thought more of her “lovely nails” than her pet Schnauzer, yesterday afternoon around 3:10, as she left the little fellow inside of her Monte Carlo for over 20 minutes, with no air, and according to sources, no water.

Monticello Police and an animal control officer responded to the call, and Lewis came out of the nail salon, long enough to crank the vehicle and turn on the air conditioner, before going back into the business.  Someone at the scene said, “when she came out, she didn’t even pick up the little pooch to pet, pamper, or apologize to him.”

Lewis was cited for “cruelty to an animal” for putting the pet through the smothering hot ordeal.  Even though the passenger’s window was rolled down a couple of inches, the extra heat caused by the window tint would have added to the neglect.

Whenever someone would get close to the car, the dog would begin barking and running around the vehicle, and it wouldn’t have been safe to open the car, to let him out.

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