Monticello Live

A 59 year old white male was crossing HWY 425, traveling east on foot, around 12:35, Friday afternoon, when he was struck by a Chevy pick-up truck.

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Heaven received a new angel…….Sara Frances McMahon Marter, age 61, of Monticello passed away Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 at the home of Jennifer and Randy Gavin after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Sara was born March 11th, 1951 in Monticello, Arkansas to Van Felton Sr. and Marguerite McMahon. She was preceded in death by her parents, Van and Marguerite, a very special friend, Mary Vining and by her husband of 40 years, Charles R. Marter, Sr.

Sara’s biggest pride was being “Granny”. She loved her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. A lot of the children that called her Granny weren’t related at all but that hardly seemed to matter. She enjoyed drawing and sketching, arts and crafts, taking pictures, researching family history, “her girls night out”, shopping, time spent with friends and she was an avid “facebooker”. She was raised as an Assembly of God; she loved the Lord Almighty and Jesus Christ.

Survivors include two daughters, Jennifer Gavin and husband Randy of Monticello, Krista Newkirk and husband Lester of Hot Springs, one son Charles Marter, Jr. and wife Andrea of Monticello. Six grandchildren; Heath Loveless, Cassidy Gavin both of Monticello, Jeffrey Newkirk of Hot Springs, Taylor, Trenton and Sydnee Marter all of Monticello, and Shannon Gavin of Rye. Two great-grandchildren Autumn and Noah Gavin of Rye. One honorary great-granddaughter, Micah Montgomery of Hamburg. One sister, Diana Shoptaw of Magnet Cove, one brother, Van McMahon, Jr. of Monticello, two brothers-in-law, James Marter and wife Debbie of Monticello, Don Marter and wife Donna of Monticello, two sisters-in-law Nancy Forrest Doggett of Monticello, Juanita Smith and husband Shine of Oak Grove, LA Sara left behind many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. A day-care of children that new her as Granny, and a very awesome group of ladies she called her best friends; Deed Shoptaw, Kim Reed, Lynn Marshal, Erma Lee Maness Foster, Dolly Rhodes Farmer, Jeannie Coffman, Sharon Hoppers Barnes and Lisa Coon. One dog, Sheba, her crazy cat, Dahli and his sidekick Toby.

A special thank you to Dr. Tim Simon, his staff at Monticello Medical Clinic, especially Mandy Hayden, Dr. Mark Gibbs and the nurses of the 6th floor oncology wing at Baptist Hospital and to Dr. Omar Atiq and his staff at the Arkansas Cancer Institute…….each and every one of you were so loving and kind.

Sara donated herself to science through the Genesis program in Memphis, TN. Any memorials can be made to Relay for Life at Arkansas Cancer Institute, Team Name “The Incredibles” Contact Person is Kelly Peckham 7200 S. Hazel St., Pine Bluff Ar, 71603.

There will be a memorial service held at a later date. This lady will be forever missed and if you knew her she will always be engraved somewhere in your heart.

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– “I went down to Grand Central Station and got pizza for me and DiGiovanni, and we went to the elevator. I was dressed in my urban attire… and these two suits walked up and they looked at us and then backed out and left. It was weird because you could tell they were scared of us because of what we were wearing. I think they thought I was going to rob them. “ – Andrew (LilDru) Bentz

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This display is an assortment of home made nails and is on display in the Taylor cabin along with a number of tools from a long gone era. Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment..

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

This week will be the last segment of our tour down Monticello’s historic Main Street. We’ll begin at the corner of East Bolling and South Main and proceed down the east side of the street to Midway Route. I must admit that I could not learn as much detail about this area as in earlier segments, yet I do have some interesting information.

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A 911 call came into MPD dispatch, at 3:39, Thursday afternoon, reporting an accidental, self-inflicted gun shot to a 68 year old man at a deer camp, on Mamie Martin Road, in extreme southern Drew County.

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According to Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober, a 20 year old Inverness, Mississippi man surrendered himself to the Drew County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday, March 15th, based on a warrant issued for sexual indecency with a minor.

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In the game of golf, a “do over” on the tee shot is often called a “mulligan”.

Around 8 am, Tuesday morning, the driver of this Volkswagen certainly needed a “do over” as the vehicle lost control as it topped Country Club Hill, crashed through a fence, narrowly missing a power pole, before flipping, and finally coming to rest between a group of trees (on the sidewalk near the 9th hole of the golf course). 

According to reports, the driver was not injured.

A neighbor told MLive, in 17 years living nearby, she has seen 8 major wrecks near that hill and intersectin.

MPD and DCSO worked the accident,  C&L Wrecker towed the VW.

Wayne Fawcett, Drew Central School’superintendent for the past 4 years, will be leaving the district, in order to accept the superintendant’s position in Paris, AR.

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Around 2:30 Sunday morning, an 18 year old Drew County youth was reportedly involved in a 4-wheeler accident in the Possum Valley  area.

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James Roderic Dye, 57 of Heber Springs passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012 at his home. He was born Saturday, December 4, 1954 in Monticello, Arkansas. James was of the Baptist faith and served the country he loved as a life-long U. S. Marine. James was preceded in death by his father, James Roderic Dye Sr.

James is survived by his wife of the home, Janet Dye; his mother, Nellie Chambers; sons, Jimmy Dye, John Dye, Shawn Dye; a brother, Chuck Dye (Melanie); Sisters, Nancy Tranthan (James), Carolyn Taylor, Karan Mathis (Bryon), Jane Coleman (John), Jackie Williams (John); a grandchild, Steven Dye; nieces, nephews, numerous other relatives and many friends.

Visitation for James will be 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2012 in the Chapel of Heber Springs Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2012 at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church located on Good Springs Road in the Pine Snag Community. Arrangements are entrusted to Heber Springs Funeral Home, 1199 Wilburn Road, Heber Springs, Arkansas, 501-887-9152. You may sign James’s online guestbook at heberspringsfuneralhome.com

City Attorney Whit Barton told the Council that he had received correspondence from a Little Rock attorney representing the Babe Ruth League on March 2, 2012, in regards to issues surrounding a contract with the City.

The issue then came up that the title of Commission for Parks and Recreation was not within the statute for how a Commission should be established, and Attorney Barton instructed the Council on ways to amend the issue, such as forming a Parks and Recreation Committee instead.

Barton stated that being a committee means the positions held are elected and told the Council, “Nobody’s making you do anything.”” But, the ordinance is not in compliance with the statute.”

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After an email was sent by Monticello Mayor Allen Maxwell to city council members, that e-mail found it’s way to the courthouse.  A meeting was called Wednesday morning, to “air out” the issues pertaining to the ongoing battle over the Juvenile Court’s use of the MEDC / District Court building.

This long-running soap opera earlier led to the “back door” sign being posted on the MEDC / Court door; the front court room door being locked; and most recently to City Hall’s “No Public Restroom” policy, which in turn led to an “old fashioned outhouse” being placed on the City Hall yard, outside of the Mayor’s window.

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According to Sheriff Mark Gober, on Sunday, March 11th at approximately 1:00 AM, Drew County Sheriff’s Deputies were notified that an officer needed assistance with a fight that had occurred after a fraternity party at the Drew County Fairgrounds. (more…)

Doris Allene Harrell Witcher, 97, of Monticello passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012. She was born and raised in Cato, Arkansas and then moved to North Little Rock where she spent the majority of her years and raised her family. She spent her latter years in Monticello close to her family. She was a member of Sylvan Hills Community Church, the Ladies Organizations in Monticello and enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.

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Happy 43rd Birthday, Charlie!

Love Becky C.J.

And all the Hammock and Meier bunch

Joe Meeks has announced his candidacy for Monticello City Council, Ward 3, Position 2. He has been a resident of Monticello for the last 19 years, having graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a degree in Political Science. He has been employed as an engineer with AT&T for over 12 years. Mr. Meeks currently serves the community as a member of the Library Building Committee and as a volunteer fireman with the Monticello Fire Department. He is married to Kristi McKinley Meeks, a 3rd grade teacher at Drew Central. The couple has two children, Nathan 9, and Hannah 7. They are active members of First United Methodist Church, where Kristi sings in the Praise Band and Joe serves on the finance committee.

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WE NOW CUT AND PROGRAM KEYS AND REMOTES FOR MOST VEHICLES:

GM, FORD, MAZADA, LEXUS, TOYOTA, DODGE, AND MANY MORE.

WE ALSO HAVE A MAXIMUM RANGE BATTERY STATION IF YOU NEED A NEW BATTERY FOR YOUR REMOTE

ALL BATTERIES $5.00.

From Leamington, Ontario, Canada all the way to Southeast Arkansas has been quite the journey for Ryan Copico. Ryan’s life began in Canada, where he was born on January 12, 1976. His parents are Ruben and Rowena Copico, originally from the Philippines.

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If you look all over Facebook these days you will see photos of peoples brooms standing up, Well check this broom out, It is made of corn shucks and is in the Taylor plantation Cabin on display at the museum.

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment..

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

This week we will begin our look at the last block on west side of South Main Street. We will be traveling on the west side of the street from Bolling Avenue to Wood Creek. Looking down the block we see the stately two-story home that was built in the early 1900s by Ed Spencer. Terrell Spencer Sr. grew up there. Spencer was associated with the Monticello Cotton Mills. The grand plantation style home with its wraparound porches, columns, chimneys, dormers, accents and balcony sits on a slight elevation and adds strength and beauty to the corner lot.

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Parks and Recreation Commission Chairperson Karen Connelley gave several updates during their monthly meeting Thursday evening.

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A 59 year old Winchester man died around noon, Thursday, during a house fire at his residence on Old Highway 65.

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Ben Crossett has announced his candidacy for Alderman for the City of Monticello, Ward 4, Position 2.

Ben is a 1994 graduate of Monticello High School, a 1994 graduate of Forest Echoes Technical School (now UAM College of Technology) in Crossett and a 2005 graduate of SouthArk Community College in Eldorado.

Ben has been an Emergency Medical Technician for 17 years and a certified Law Enforcement Officer for 12 years. He is currently employed by Southeast Emergency Medical Services (SEEMS) of Monticello and is a part-time dispatcher for the Monticello Police Department.

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“I would like to thank District 1 for the opportunity to serve on the Quorum Court and hope that I have reprented well. I do have the people at heart. It is with this thought in mind that I decided to file as a Republican this term.

Although locally we may share similar views, the Democratic Party has increasingly moved away from the principles and values that I grew up on. I hope that my decision is viewed with my heart’s intent and that everyone will take a closer look at the direction our country is headed. I will do everything in my power to stand for what I believe.”

The driver of a Bayou Grain 18-wheeler fertilize delivery truck apparently took a curve on Florence Road too fast, around 10 o’clock, Tuesday morning, resulting in a hopper trailer of farm fertilize being dumped into a road ditch.

The driver was extricated from the crushed cab of the vehicle by the Fire & Rescue Team, and them transported to the JRMC trauma center.  Someone at the scene said his injuries didn’t appear to be life threatening.

Triple A Towing is shown in the video, setting the truck upright.

A “bobcat” was cleaning up the spilled product, as evening was approaching, along with several individuals with buckets, collecting fertilize for their personal use.  Contact Ronnie Adcock at 723-2260 for info.

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MonticelloLive has obtained the affadavit the was filed for the arrest of a local mom and step-father for the Capital Murder death of theie 2 year old daughter.

Here is the information contained in the affadavit….

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John Henry Miller, 74, of Monticello, AR, died Saturday, March 3, 2012, at UAMS in Little Rock, AR. He was born June 7, 1937, in Fountain Hill, AR, to the late John and Maureese Hackney Miller.

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This week we’ll begin at the charming grey house with the white trim and the welcoming porches where we stopped last week. This home was built by Harry Wells (William T. Wells and brother to Mary Phenton and Myrtle Wells) around 1910. Mr. Wells was a businessman who also served in one of the county’s clerk positions for a time. The Wells family members are patriarchs in the history of Monticello and Drew County. Let’s go back and look briefly at this family since the grey house and the next one are tied to them and to the history of Drew County.

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