Monticello Live

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has had three more heat deaths confirmed by death certificates, bringing this summer’s total to four. The deaths have occurred over the last few weeks of very hot weather, but no other information on the victims can be released due to medical privacy and state vital records protection laws. In a new addition to established news release practices, the Health Department will be issuing any further information on the number of heat-related deaths in the state on Twitter, at http://twitter.com/ADHPIO.

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The Senate Subcommittee on Minority Health of the Arkansas General Assembly held a legislative public forum, Thursday, at the VFM Building, here in Monticello.

The meeting included many local legislators, and drew a crowd of around 75 attendees.

Topics included Drew County health statistics, local agencies presentations about their programs, and a question and answer period.

Mainline’s new Monticello Community Health Center is discussed at the 12:30 point in the second video.

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…)

Jeff Owyoung of Milner/Owyoung Insurance Group was elected President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas at their 109th annual convention held June 7-9, 2010, in Pensacola, Fl. Owyoung has previously served on the IIAA Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He has been in the insurance industry for 24 years with offices in McGehee, Monticello, Conway and Hot Springs.

The Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas, the state’s largest and oldest property and casualty insurance association, represents more than 300 member agencies and is affiliated with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, the nation’s largest association of primarily property and casualty insurance producers.

U.S. Congressman Mike Ross and U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor today announced that five airports in Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District will receive U.S. Department of Transportation funding for repairs and new construction at their facilities.

 Monticello Municipal Airport, Ellis Field will receive $87,647 to provide for the acquisition of land at the airport. The acquisition of this land is required to ensure the airport has control of the primary surface of the airport’s runway.

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Edward Jones Financial Advisor Rena Day of Monticello recently received the Winner’s Circle Award for her outstanding service efforts over the past year.

James D. Weddle, Edward Jones’ managing partner, added, “Rena is an outstanding member of the Edward Jones team who personifies the ideal financial advisor, someone who is 100% dedicated to serving the financial needs of her clients. I am very pleased to present this well-deserved award.”

Day was one of only 619 of the firm’s more than 12,000 financial advisors to receive the Winner’s Circle award. (more…)

The Arkansas Dept. of Health issued a statement, Friday, about illnesses that seem to be tied to the Saline River.

Three cases of severe diarrheal illness have occurred in Saline County this month and have been linked to swimming in the Saline River near the Highway Five Bridge. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has tested water from the area and found it to be unsafe for swimming. (more…)

Former Houston Astros All-Star first baseman, Jeff Bagwell, will be the guest speaker at the banquet for the  15 year old Babe Ruth World Series, that will be held in Monticello.

The banquet will be held Sunday, August 22, at 6 pm, at the UAM Gibson Center.

Banquet tickets are $20 each, in advance.  A limited number of tickets are available.  Contact Charles Davis at 367-7987 to order your tickets now, to make sure that you don’t miss this special event.

Jeffrey Robert Bagwell is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who spent his entire major league career with the Houston Astros. After retirement as a player, he remains with the Astros as an assistant to the General Manager. (more…)

A HOT DOME OF HIGH PRESSURE IS REBUILDING OVER THE ARKLAMISS, AND HEAT STRESS LEVELS HAVE RETURNED TO MORE DANGEROUS LEVELS.

MAXIMUM HEAT INDICES SUNDAY WILL RANGE FROM 105 TO 110…WHILE LOW TEMPERATURES TONIGHT WILL RANGE FROM 75 TO 79.

Monticello’s Downtown Network Program Committee met recently to discuss improvements to the downtown area of the city.

The group organized committees to study different aspects of improvement, including design, organization, promotion, and economic restructuring. 

Monticello was officially accepted into the Arkansas Downtown Network Program in May, as designated by the plaque shown above, which was presented at the May City Council meeting.

Representatives from Main Street Arkansas will be in Monticello in upcoming weeks to provide training and organizational assistance to our local committee. 

Photo Submitted to MonticelloLive by Andrew Bentz

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DAD’S Pet Care to Increase Workforce by 75 Percent

Just four months after purchasing ARKAT Animal Nutrition LLC, DAD’S Pet Care Friday announced it is creating 44 new jobs at its Dumas, Arkansas pet food manufacturing facility.  (more…)

The Arkansas State Highway Commission has opened bids for improvements to a roadway in Drew County, according to Commission Vice Chairman R. Madison Murphy of El Dorado and Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin.

The purpose of the project is to resurface 3.6 miles of County Road 450, (HWY 133) north of Wilmar.

“This project will resurface selected sections of County Road 450 between Highway 278 and Highway 35,” stated Judge Lampkin.

R.M. Courson, Inc. of Hamburg, Arkansas, was awarded the contract at $338,625.79.

Murphy noted that the County Road project is funded through the State Aid Road Program established by the legislature and administered by the State Aid Division of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. This program provides approximately $20 million annually from the state motor fuels tax to assist counties with projects of their choosing on the county road system.

Murphy said work could begin on the project in two to four weeks, weather permitting. Work should be completed in late August of this year.

In 1991, Mayor Harold West proclaimed May 4, as “Hank Thompson Day” in Monticello, AR. The dedication of a little league field was named in his honor at Jordan Park, Hwy. 278 East.

The family is hosting the “ Hank Thompson Day Celebration” on Sunday, May 2, 2010 @ 3:00 pm to be held at the little league field named in his honor.

Free Food and drinks will be served, activities for the children and fellowship for the community as well. The recipient of the second memorial scholarship will also be named during the celebration.

Everyone is invited to attend and join in some family fun in honor of our beloved Hank Thompson.

In case of inclement weather the event will be inside the Sadie Johnson Community Building at the same address.

Josh McKiever, a life time resident of Monticello, announces his candidacy for Ward 3, Position 2 on the City Council. In making his announcement, McKiever states “I want to serve all of Monticello not just the ward that elects me. My family has lived here for several generations and have held public offices in the past.

I believe the City Council should be a voice for the people we serve and make decisions for the best of Monticello. We should try to make decisions for industry and commercial interests to secure jobs for this area where our young people can not only have a good education, but will be able to live and work and raise their families.”

McKiever is a graduate of Monticello High School and a UAM graduate with a degree in Spatial Information System and an associate degree in Land Surveying.

He is licensed with the Arkansas Real Estate Commission as a sales agent after completing his studies with Camp School of Real Estate. He is an associate with McKiever Realty Company. Josh is married to Sidney Amanda Thompson, a student at UAM majoring in Elementary Education. Amanda is now interning at Monticello Elementary School System.

“I would appreciate your vote in the upcoming primary on May 18, 2010. If you are 18 and older and have not registered, please register and make a difference. Please call me at 870-723-0685 for comments or questions. I am looking forward to hearing from you.”

Lack of programs, high costs contribute to dearth of treatment options just as state holds off on an expansion approved in 2009.

According to a news release from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, 8 in 10 Arkansans addicted to drugs or alcohol who want treatment cannot get it because the state’s treatment system is overloaded, their insurance doesn’t cover it or they can’t afford it. (more…)

The Arkansas Energy Office (AEO), a division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), has announced a $1.78 million Renewable Technology Rebate Fund. Through this program, Arkansans may be eligible to receive rebates on the purchase and installation of small-scale renewable energy systems. Eligible systems include photovoltaic (solar), wind turbine and solar hot water heating systems. Funds for this program were provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. (more…)

A question & answer session followed the platform presentations.

The Drew County Tea Party sponsored an Open Forum Town Hall Meeting for all United States Senatorial candidates, Saturday,  in the Monticello District Courtroom.

Coleman

Ramey

Each candidate was given time to present their political platform, followed by an open public question and answer session.

3 candidate for Senate came to Monticello for the event, including; Fred Ramey, Curtis Coleman, and Conrad Reynolds.

Reynolds

Gallas

Congressional candidate Glenn Gallas also took part in the program.

Issues discussed by the candidates covered many topics, including, of course, healthcare and the economy.

Drew County Sheriff’s Department has been notified from several from citizens saying that they have been contacted over the phone by persons soliciting money for the local sheriff’s department. The phone numbers comes from an “unknown” number. The caller says that they will pick up the money immediately.

Sheriff Mark Gober says “These individuals are fraudulently soliciting money. At no time will any representative from the Drew County Sheriff’s Department be contacting citizens to solicit money.”

Any citizen receiving such phone calls should contact the local sheriff’s department.

Damages from severe storms and flooding left their mark on 24 Arkansas counties hit during the period Dec. 23, 2009 to Jan. 2, 2010 making them eligible to receive federal funding for repairs. The storms and flooding left damages to bridges, highways, public buildings, parks, hospitals and water treatment plants – not to mention a trail of debris and potentially disrupted communications and emergency services. (more…)

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry , Vic Snyder and Mike Ross  yesterday announced that Arkansas will receive $584,747 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for public health efforts to help reduce obesity, encourage exercise and improve nutrition. In addition, Arkansas will receive $664,204 to help people avoid or stop smoking. The Recovery Act funds under HHS’s Prevention and Wellness Initiative will go toward media campaigns, tobacco quitlines for counseling to help quit smoking, safe places to exercise in communities, and healthy food choices in schools. (more…)

The Arkansas State Highway Commission has announced the release of the Draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for Federal Fiscal Years 2010-2013.

The projects listed are for the State’s overall highway and transit programs and encompass all areas of the state. The program is consistent with the State’s long range plan and includes roadway, bridge, traffic signal, intersection improvement and transit projects. (more…)

Congress Should Help Seniors Make Ends Meet

 Almost 75 years ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law our nation’s Social Security system to provide retirement protection for all Americans. (more…)

Emphasizing Literacy: Local KidzLit Program to Receive $5,000 Grant

Monticello educators, mentors, volunteers, and parents are putting an extra emphasis on literacy skills to help America’s youth beat the odds and graduate. Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is no different. With generous support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, BGCA has teamed up with Developmental Studies Center to implement AfterSchool Kidzlit, a proven reading enrichment program for young people in grades K-8th.

Boys & Girls Club of Monticello is one of 18 organizations across the country selected to benefit from essential after-school educational assistance that emphasizes literacy. Each Club is receiving a $5,000 program implementation grant and an AfterSchool KidzLit kit, including grade-and age appropriate books and leader’s guides. In August, Boys & Girls Club of Monticello, Kimberly Steen AmeriCorp member joined representatives from selected sites in Atlanta for intensive training led by Lissette Resto-Brooks, an instructor for Developmental Studies Center. (more…)

Each year since 2002, FRED’S Hometown Discount Stores have commemorated the fallen heroes of 9/11 through a fundraiser for the emergency teams that serve their store locations. The campaign was successful again this year, and FRED’S is donating a total chain wide of over $314,803 to local emergency teams across their regions. FRED’S stores sold “Hero Hats” for $1 each with all proceeds going to selected emergency teams around Store locations. In addition, all-operating profits from store sales on September 11 were also donated.

Monticello’s Fred’s Store donated $800 to the Monticello Police Dept, which will be used to support the patrol division, which provides protection for Monticello’s citizens and businesses.

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2 million Americans expected to take advantage of extended, expanded homebuyer credit

More American homebuyers will get tax relief thanks to changes made to the First-Time Homebuyer Credit. H&R Block advises the popular credit is now more accessible to existing homeowners and first-time homebuyers in three ways: (more…)

SeaArk Boats, a manufacturer of all-welded aluminum boats located in Monticello, has recently announced that Wendy Tassin, also of Monticello, has been named the company’s new marketing coordinator. (more…)

Apply now for the WIA Grant for the Spring 2010 semester. Qualified applicants can receive up to $10,000 for college or qualified training.

Come by the Arkansas Workforce Center located at 477 South Main Street in Monticello to apply.

Deadline to apply is Friday, November 13, 2009.

For more information, call 870-367-9900.

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) plans to open all four lanes of the new Highway 65 Bypass at Grady next week, according to AHTD officials.

Traffic will begin using all four lanes on Wednesday, October 21st at approximately 10:00 a.m. Existing two-way traffic on the northbound lanes of the new bypass will be split, with northbound traffic remaining the same and southbound traffic moving to the currently unused southbound lanes.

Additional work by the contractor will be ongoing for a few more weeks. The speed limit will remain at 55 mph while the work is being completed. Once completed, the speed limit will be increased to 65 mph. Motorists are reminded that the remaining work will require intermittent lane closures.

The SeaArk Companies (formerly MonArk Boat Company) Mark 50 Years of Boat Building with an open house at SeaArk, today, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Zach McClendon, Jr. of Monticello, Arkansas will celebrate being in the boat building business for 50 consecutive years this September. McClendon, along with his father, Zach McClendon, Sr. and another local businessman, Norris Judkins started MonArk Boat Company in May of 1958 building small aluminum jon boats using a shear and break press provided by Judkins. The company incorporated the next year, in August of 1959.

MonArk Boat Company eventually grew to include a large recreational division that included both aluminum and fiberglass boats and manufactured a wide range of products including Ski Boats, Pontoons, Houseboats, Sail Boats, Canoes, and Bass Boats in addition to the basic jon boat that is still built today. At the height of the recreation business the company was building approximately 15,000 boats per year and had over 300 dealers throughout the United States. (more…)

U.S. Representative Mike Ross, along with U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, Thursday announced that the City of Monticello will receive $248,027 from the Department of Transportation to help enhance airport safety and security by installing perimeter fencing at Ellis Field at Monticello Municipal Airport. (more…)

Brian Rauls, age 21 of Monticello, was sentenced in Drew County Circuit Court Monday, in regards to the July, 2008 charges from prescription narcotics that were “diverted” from Fred’s Pharmacy, after pleading guilty in Circuit Court, last May. (more…)

Drew County has been chosen to receive $6,723.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. These funds have been made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA: National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; the Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities and, United Way of America. The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. (more…)

Former University of Arkansas head basketball coach Nolan Richardson will be the guest speaker at the Dermott High School Athletic Banquet on Friday, May 1 at 6 pm in the Dermott Elementary School cafeteria.

Richardson took the University of Arkansas to the Final Four three times, losing to Duke in the semifinals in 1990, winning the National Championship in 1994 against Duke, and losing in the Championship game to UCLA in 1995. (more…)

Top Ten Things You Need to Know About Making Federal Tax Payments 

Will you be making a payment with your federal tax return this year? If so, here is what you need to know about making tax payments correctly.

Never send cash!

If you file electronically, you can file and pay in a single step by authorizing an electronic funds withdrawal via tax preparation software or a tax professional.

You can pay by phone or online using a credit or debit card whether you file a paper return or electronically. (more…)

Tax Credits Provide Funds for First-Time Homebuyers, Childcare, Education and More (more…)