Monticello Live

While Arkansas has seen its first real spring in years, the oppressive heat of the summer will arrive soon enough, and farmers throughout the state will be preparing to irrigate when there is too much heat and too little rain.

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The Monticello Economic Development Commission (MEDC) announced the certification of an 87 acre parcel of land in Drew County that could play a major role in recruiting a new company to the region. Although economic indicators have pointed to a slow down in company expansions and investments in the past few years, the city of Monticello has chosen a proactive stance to recruiting in these tough conditions.

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This is the time of year when many of us pull holiday decorations out of the attic and make plans for meaningful time with children, family and friends. At Entergy, we want to share important safety and energy-saving tips as you light up the season.

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U.S. Representative Mike Ross and U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman have announced the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department will receive a $2,721,435 federal grant to rehabilitate and improve 40 miles of railroad track along the Warren Branch of the Arkansas Midland Railroad, a short line railroad located in southeastern Arkansas. The grant will help fund improvements to tracks in Bradley, Chicot and Drew counties.

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After several calls to the factory, SeaArk Boats, recreation aluminum boat builder, is trying to avoid further confusion arising from the recent announcement that its sister company, SeaArk Marine, made on August 29th. In that announcement, SeaArk Marine President, John McClendon, explained that the company had made the decision to suspend acceptance of new boat orders until further notice. SeaArk Marine manufactures work and patrol boats for the military and government agencies as well as commercial boats for various industrial markets.

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According to the Arkansas Dept. of Health, the “Mercury in Fish Advisory” has been lifted and removed for all largemouth bass caught and/or consumed from Lake Monticello.

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Miss Arkansas International 2011, Toni Findley won her State pageant on April 17th. Toni also won the fitness and the Supermodel with Style award. She will be featured in the Summer issue of Supermodel magazine.

Not only an outstanding student but she is involved in her community. Throughout the year, she is involved in countless hours of Community Service, such as Special Olympics.

It takes determination, hard work and community support to help her reach her goal. She need your help to give her this opportunity, as she is preparing to compete at the National Competition in Chicago, July 23-30.

As the Executive Director of the State Competition; it has been a great pleasure working with her. I hope with your support we will be able to cover her financial obligations. (more…)

The 2011 Arkansas State Highway Map is now available from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD), according to AHTD Director Dan Flowers.

The maps may be obtained, at no charge, at any of the Highway Department’s District Headquarters and at all Arkansas Welcome Centers. They are also available at the AHTD Central Office at 10324 Interstate 30 in Little Rock, by phone at 501-569-2444 or online at www.arkansashighways.com. To request one by mail, the address is AHTD, Map Sales Section, P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 72203. (more…)

All Southeast Arkansas Levee districts in Lincoln, Desha, and Chicot counties will be closed to vehicular traffic until further notice (except for required residential traffic)

All owners of livestock pastured on the levee right-of-way should have a plan to transfer their livestock, if required.

Sheriff departments in Lincoln, Desha, and Chicot counties will be patrolling the levee districts.  Violators will be prosecuted

Chicot County Judge Mack Ball reports that a flood warning for the Mississippi River remains in effect for Chicot County. The flood stage is 48.0 feet, with moderate flooding occurring and major flooding predicted. At 4:00 P.M. Monday, the river stage was 53.2 feet. The river will continue to rise to near 64.5 feet by Sunday, May 15th, exceeding the flood of 2008 by 7.1 feet. (more…)

According to Bill Sadler, public information officer for the Arkansas State Police, Chicot County Sheriffs Deputies, Dermott Police and Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division are investigating an incident reported yesterday (Sunday, April 17th 2011) that resulted in the death of two children and the injury of their mother.

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Origionally posted November 22, 2007.

Selma Rosenwald School by Sheilla Lampkin

In the past year or so the Drew County Museum was contacted as to the location of Drew County’s Rosenwald School. Since none of our museum commission members had any knowledge about such a place, a fascinating search began which led to the discovery of the Rosenwald educational project and the knowledge that Drew County did indeed have an old school building of great national significance resting quietly down one of our rural byways. The search was an interesting and informative one, especially dear to my heart since it involved schools and education.

First, let’s go back in history and explore the name Rosenwald and its effects on American education.

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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…)

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.”

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…)

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…)

The weather was great for another exciting night of racing at Drew County Speedway, Saturday. Over 80 cars hit the track to entertain the second largest crowd of the year.

All classes were on the race card making for a full night of dirt track racing. The highlight of the evening was the ADCRA Mod-Lite and Dwarf cars. These mini-cars always put on a good show. This was only the second time this year for the ADCRA series to visit Monticello this year.

Drew County Speedway will take a one week hiatus and not race the weekend of July 16th. The track will be back in action on the 23rd of July with a full schedule of racing with all classes on the race card,

Here’s the result from July 9th: (more…)

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FROM THE CHIEFʼS DESK

The holiday season should be a time of great joy as we share gifts and good times with our families and friends. Unfortunately, it can be a time when our joy is robbed as gifts are stolen from both homes and automobiles. Please read the following “Holiday Safety Tips” and share them with your family and friends.
While Shopping:
*Keep purchases in sight. Combine into one bag as often as possible. Keep a good grip on your treasures.
*Be aware of your surroundings. If someone is following or watching you call a security guard.
*Make frequent trips to the car with purchases. PUT ITEMS IN THE TRUNK, not in the floor or seat where prying eyes can see them. Keep your vehicle locked at all times. Though it is inconvenient, park in a new location after each trip to the car. Park in well-lit, heavily used areas if shopping at night.
*Do not leave packages or purses on the floor while eating. Put packages on table.
*Try not to carry a purse, but if you must, keep it in front of you and close to your body. Keys should not be carried in your purse. In case of a purse snatching the thief will have your address and keys to your home. Keep your keys, money, or credit card in your pocket if it is possible.
*Never carry large amounts of money and do not display the cash you carry. Use credit cards or checks whenever possible. Make sure that only one credit slip is printed with your charge card and tear up any carbons used in the transaction.
Holiday Traveling:
*Ask a neighbor to watch your home while you are away, and to pick up mail and newspapers.
*Set an automatic timer to activate your lights and other appliances to give your home an occupied look.
*Be sure your home is locked and that the shades, blinds, and draperies are in their normal position.
*Do not leave notes outside to indicate that you are away from home.
Home for the Holidays:
*Do not leave the trunk or doors open when unloading the car.
*Keep your doors and deadbolts locked at all times, even when someone is at home.
*Never let a stranger into your home.
*Do not stack presents around the tree in full view of the window.
*Place boxes for new items such as computers, televisions, or video equipment in garbage bags for pick-up. Do not advertise your loot!
Merry Christmas and the very best of wishes for the New Year from the Monticello Police Department!

 

Drew Central High School took part in a recent crisis response drill to see how well students, faculty, and emergency responders would react during a lockdown of the school that involved intruders on campus with weapons. The drill was designed to help school officials and responders plan for a worse case scenario. (more…)

The Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation honored 20 Arkansas educators at an awards luncheon on January 24 in Little Rock. The winning teachers received $500 mini grant awards for creative ideas they will bring to life in the classroom. The 10 elementary and 10 secondary teachers in Arkansas public schools claimed a total of $10,000 in mini-grants. The Arkansas Community Foundation administers the program. Included in this year’s winners was Dennis Thurman of Monticello’s Drew Central High School.
“These teachers’ imaginations are apparent even with the project titles. Oh, It’s Just Water under the Bridge and Growing Is Knowing are just two of many,” said Kathy Stacey, Weyerhaeuser public affairs manager. “‘When these projects hit the classrooms, it will make it more fun for the students to learn math, science and the environment. That’s what it’s all about.”