Monticello Live

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As the Drew County Fair prepares for this year’s festivities, Commercial Fair Booths will again be available to present local business, church, and community organizations products and services to the public.

Contact Jodie at Simmons Bank, 367-5334, for more information.

Country music sensation Andy Griggs will headline the Saturday night entertainment at Monticello’s Rhythm & Roots Festival on October 9th at 8:00 p.m. You may listen to some Andy Griggs hits online at www.AndyGriggs.com. 

Monticello’s own Cashbox will be on stage at 5 pm, before Andy takes the spotlight.

On Friday, Oct. 8th, the feature entertainment will be Johnny Neel and Criminal Element . Johnny is a super songwriter and artist out of Nashville www.JohnnyNeel.com.

This is deverloping into the best entertainment schedule ever for our festival, so plan to be in McCloy Park on October 8 & 9.

The Drew Centrail booster club has announced that admission to tonights 7th and JR games at DC will be washing det, dryer sheets, liquid body soap, towls or wash clothes.

Thomas Allen Adams, age 31, Tuesday, accepted a ”no contest” plea for the January 25 rape of a Wilmar area child.

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According to a press release from UAPB, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Carlos James to the position of head baseball coach.

James has been UAM’s baseball coach for two seasons.

James is a Pine Bluff native..

Air Evac helicopter picking up car crash victim on HWY 278 East. last November. It was Drew County's first on-scene helicopter transfer.

With the news of Tuesday morning’s helicopter crash near Clinton, followed by the release of the company name, some Monticello emergency workers began to wonder if they knew the crash victims.

The medical transport company who owned the helicopter is AirEvac Lifestream, which has 9 flight bases scattered across Arkansas, and is Arkansas’ largest air ambulance service provider.

Air Evac medical helicopters and personel serve Drew County, and have been seen at events like the MADD Mock DWI presentations at both of our local schools, and also performed Drew County’s first “roadside pickup” of a crash victim last November.  Air Evac also occasionally performs emergency transfers from Drew Memorial Hospital to Little Rock.

The team that lost their lives in Tuesday’s crash worked out of the Vilonia base, and the crews that generally serve Monticello are stationed at the Camden facility; but this tragedy still gives us a reason to stop and recognize the many emergency workers (such as police, firemen, ambulance staff, and others) who’s jobs many times put them in danger, while protecting and caring for others..

A TOWN HALL MEETING HAS BEEN SET FOR SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2010, AT 7:00 p.m. AT THE SADIE JOHNSON COMMUNITY BUILDING, 182 NORTH LARKIN STREET, CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION AND PLACEMENT OF A NEW FIRE STATION.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend, and express their opinions about the need for a new fire station in Monticello, as well as their preferred possible location for it to be located. (more…)

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…)

MonticelloLive.com is proud to, again, provide all of the information for MYSA.

We’ll install a link on the top, left column, to provide easy access to players, parents, and fans.

The rosters and team schedules are posted below.

If your child is not on a team to please contact Stephanie Hill at 870-723-5375 or Andrea Chambers at 870-723-0170.

Another cooler day is forecast, at least with temperatures below 90.

A 30% chance of thunderstorms stays with us, like the photo of Saturday’s storm front seen moving north at the airport.

The 8th grade defeated Fordyce 16-0.

The 9th grade lost their game to Fordyce 24-8.

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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Sam’s Fishin’ Hole, a new seafood restaurant, is now open at 1039 HWY 278, in the former Family Seafood location.

Their ribbon cutting ceremony was held recently, and was attended by several members of the Chamber of Commerce, among other guests.

Sam Etheridge is the owner, and their menu includes fish, seafood, grilled steaks, chicken,  burgers and salads.

Click here to print their menu.

 MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

A Drew County jury took approximately 3 hours to determine the sentence for Jennifer Irene Bates, Wednesday afternoon, after one juror who didn’t want to send Bates to prison was replaced.  The dismissed juror told MonticelloLive, “That’s not the same lady that was drinking and driving that day,” referring to Bates’ current mental state.

The jury then sentenced her to serve 10 years on the negligent homicide case, and another 6 for the aggravated assault charge.

The charges are to run consecutively, for a total of 16 years, but Bates could be eligible for parole in less than 3 years.

A representative of the Arkansas Dept. of Correction had testified that they could provide care for disabled inmates, as needed.

For full background on the case, all related articles are included below. (more…)

Glenda Nichols delivered the Chamber Report and reported that the start of a Downtown Historic District was well received by residents. A specialist will be coming to study and document the background of each property. These documents will then be sent to Washington to become officially certified as historic.

Several new businesses have opened in Monticello including “So Goodies,” “Sam’s Fishing Hole,” and a new restaurant will soon open on the square to serve breakfast and lunch.

“Aaron’s” reported that their grand opening was the best they had ever had. Mrs. Nicholas said, “That’s what we want… we want these businesses to succeed.”

MEDC Report to City Council from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Truman Hamilton gave an update on the Ridgeway Project, stating that it was “well underway,” and that he is “very impressed with the foreman.”

Mr. Hamilton reported that there was a serious lack of growers during this years farmer’s market. He then addressed concerns with a program called Good Agricultural Practices – Good Handling Practices (GAP) that is put into place to regulate how farmers’ crops are grown. Truman said that North Little Rock is expecting to lose 60%-80% of their growers when they all have to participate in GAP.

Perry Carr, a representative for ETC Engineering, had many questions to answer during Thursday’s City Council meeting in regards to delays in the splash pad.

“Why has it taken so long?” asked Claudia Hartness.

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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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These photo show the road construction taking place on the north propertyof Drew Memorial Hospital.

Installation of a new roadway will be useful when the upcoming construction project at the hospital begins later this fall.

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

Thats right 3 acres in Monticello city limits on dead end with pond and pad ready to build home of your dreams. 30,000  OBO get more info at jeff@jagoad.com or 870-224-1798.

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Youth playing football, prior to Saturday's registration

The Pee Wee Football draft will be held Thursday night, and coaches will contact the players soon.

The season will kick off September 18 and end October 23, 2010

Register online at www.monticellopeeweefootball.com/ or stop by Ryburm Auto Supercenter and see Ben or Ronny.  Registration will continue until August 21.

2 coaches are needed for Flag Football and 1 coach is needed for 3rd-4th Grade Football: Contact Gary Lucas 870-224-3155 or Ronny Williams 870-723-5050 for more information.

Cheer Moms are also needed for all 3rd-6th grade: Contact Joanne Trotter 870-224-1752 or Tiffany Berryman 870-723-2082 for more information. 

Monticello Pee Wee Football is open to all children attending any school district from 1st to 6th grade.

Peter Harvey is shown leaving the Drew County Courthouse, Tuesday, after being deined bond for the Crossett Capitol Murder of Donna Woodberry, and the armed robbery of a First National Bank branch..

Peter Harvey waived extradition on Friday, and was transported to Arkansas on Monday.

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Mike Layfield, CEO of Drew Memorial, presented their monthly report to the Drew County Quorum Court, Monday night.

Most statistics are up this month, as compared to the same time last year, and the hospital is above their proposed budget for the year, as well.

The modernization plan was explained, complete with drawings to show the different stages of proposed future expansion (see the video, above).

Dr. John Tedesko will be filling in as staff surgeon for Dr. Sydney Collins, beginning in September.  Dr. Tadesko will also perform cosmetic surgery, as sell as general surgery.

The recent independent audit report was completed, and found no deficiencies and no materal weaknesses.

The Monticello School District held their new teacher orientation last week, and welcomed MonticelloLive to introduce the new staff to our readers.

New MHS teachers include (left to right):

Sammy Grimes, will teach physical science, physics, and chemistry, attended Hendrix College and U of A.

Amanda Cook, UAM graduate, will teach math.

Sarah Stratton, literacy facilitator, Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA, and and Elmira College.

Kristy Mitchell, UAM graduate, and MHS EAST lab.

Kelly Griffin, Drew Central and UAM graduate, will teach physical science and environmental

and LaDeena Kincade-Ellis,  MHS and UAM graduate, will teach biology and environmental science.

“Elvis” put on a special performance at the Woods nursing center, Monday afternoon.

Shown here, Elvis was definitely a hit with the crowd who attended , as he performed some of the hits that made him famous.

At Monday night’s Quorum Court meeting, county attorney Cliff Gibson told the group that Senator Blanche Lincoln informed him last week that an earmark for $500,000 has cleared the committee process, and is in line to be included in the appropriation portion of the budget.

The money is designated for medical equipment, and should be available next summer.

The Monticello Fire Dept responded to the report of a car fire at Walgreens, Sunday around 5:30.

The fire under the hood  of this Toyota Camry is believed to have originated from an electrical issue.

According to a report filed last week, a house fire on Maria Place has been determined to have likely been caused by an attempted plumbing repair.  Reports at the scene indicated that someone had tried to solder a pipe into place earlier in the afternoon, in the back wall of the residence.

The fire which occurred on August 5, around 5:30, was noticed by a neighbor, who saw smoke coming out of the vents in the roof, and notified a resident inside of the home.

Monticello fire and police departments responded.

Rankin speaking to some of those who attended her meet & greet at Western Sizzlin, Friday.

Rankin is a small business owner and seventh-generation south Arkansan who spent seven years working in the Governor’s Office for Gov. Mike Huckabee.   

Items she discussed at lunch included;  her conservative values,  her pro-life position, the fact that she’s a gun owner, the $13 trillion national debt, her family’s military service, and her support for a balanced budget amendment.

She told the group present, “Conservatives, Republicans, and TEA Party members have a common cause-getting our country back on track”

When asked to put her campaign into one phrase, Rankin stated, “Back to the Basics:  not back to the past, but taking lessons from the past.”

The events were hosted by the Drew County Republican Committee.

4th Congressional District Candidate Beth Anne Rankin from Magnolia, visited Monticello on Friday August 13th.  She met with visitors for lunch at Western Sizzlin, and also at a fundraiser that evening at the Trotter House.