On January 8, 2026, following a jury trial, Portier Guytan was found guilty of charges related to a financial scam that targeted an elderly victim in Crossett, Arkansas.

Guytan’s case began on May 15, 2025, when Ashley County Sheriff Tommy Sturgeon learned that the 76-year-old victim had been defrauded by individuals claiming the victim had won a Jamaican lottery worth $11 million. The caller instructed the victim to send $50,000 to claim his winnings. Before authorities intervened, the victim had already sent approximately $30,000, and was preparing to deliver the remaining funds to Guytan during an arranged exchange at Brookshire’s in Crossett.

On May 16, 2025, deputies set up to surveil the exchange. After Guytan accepted a bag containing $27,000 in cash from the victim in exchange for a briefcase purportedly holding the prize money, deputies intercepted Guytan.  The briefcase was later found to contain only printer paper. Guytan stated he was originally from Trinidad, but was residing in Massachusetts, when he was paid $3,000 to transport the funds and deliver them to Jamaica, that he placed the copy paper into the briefcase, and that he had been involved in a prior exchange before. Guytan testified he could not name the person whom he was allegedly working for.

The jury recommended Guytan serve 10 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine. Circuit Judge Robert Gibson III followed the jury’s recommendation. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sandra Bradshaw expressed gratitude to the jury for sending a strong and unmistakable message: criminals in Ashley County will be held accountable for their actions.

There will be a Road Seminar held in the Drew County Courthouse courtroom on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to update citizens on the work that has been completed on Drew County roads.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Loggers, timber industry representatives, and anyone who regularly travels county roads are especially requested to be present.

This meeting will be hosted by Drew County Judge Jessie Griffin and the Drew County Road Department.

It’s that time of the year again. Options is bringing boxed chocolates to you this Valentines Day. Please find the flyer, payment options and order forms below. Sweet Options Spectacular will be made of a variety of homemade fudge and homemade candies for only $10.00 a box. 
Deadline to order will be February 5th at 5pm.Pickup will be February 12th from 9am-4pm at 239 Hwy 425N, Monticello but if you order 10 or more we can deliver for free in the Drew county area.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information or call our office at 870.460.0684. 

Click Here To Print Order Form

On October 9, 2025, a Drew County jury convicted Johnathon Paul Smith of Rayne, Louisiana, on multiple felony charges stemming from a traffic stop that occurred on September 15, 2024. Smith was found guilty of Possession of Over 10 Grams of Methamphetamine with the Purpose to Deliver, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, and Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons.

The case began when Officer Evan Ferguson of the Monticello Police Department stopped a Chevy truck for speeding on Highway 425 South. The vehicle was clocked at 73 mph in a 50 mph zone. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Ferguson detected a strong odor of marijuana and initiated a search. The driver, identified as Smith, and his passenger, Cassie Carvalho, were asked to exit the vehicle.

During the search, officers discovered a set of multicolored digital scales, a derringer handgun, and a purse containing a bag of crystal substance later identified as methamphetamine that weighed 99 grams. Additionally, a 9mm handgun was found in a Family Dollar bag on the passenger floor, and a glass pipe was located in the overhead sunglass holder. A small amount of methamphetamine was also found in a clear bag in the passenger door.

The NAACP Drew County Branch is proud to announce its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, featuring a comprehensive summit and community service activities designed to honor Dr. King’s legacy through action and education.

“I am really excited to try something different to honor the legacy and King Movement in Drew County,” said Clarissa Pace, President of the NAACP Drew County Branch. “I encourage community involvement from the entire community. It’s not a Black people observation. It is an American observation. Our nation would not have been a better nation without the sacrifice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

MLK Summit: Monday, January 19, 2026 The centerpiece of this year’s commemoration will be a day-long summit held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Sadie Johnson Building, located at 707 Highway 278 East in Monticello, Arkansas. The summit brings together community leaders, educators, and advocates to inspire meaningful dialogue and positive change under the theme “Engaged, Empowered, and Informed.”

Summit Highlights Include:

Looking for someone interested in doing yard work and to haul off some old junk to the land field. Also have an oak limb to cut up.

Call me @ 870 224 2506  

On October 7, 2025, a Drew County jury convicted Terry Laron Gragg Jr., of Monticello, of Delivery of more than 10 grams of Methamphetamine, following a jury trial.

The conviction stems from a controlled drug buy conducted on February 4, 2025, by agents of the Tenth Judicial District Drug Task Force. Agents James Slaughter, Ben Michel, and Tad Huntsman met with a confidential informant at an undisclosed location in Drew County. After confirming the informant had no drugs or money, agents provided him with $200 in cash and undercover cameras. The informant went directly to Gragg’s residence, where he purchased 28 grams of methamphetamine.

Commercial Bank is proud to announce Tammy Allison as the recipient of the 2025 RISE Award for Leadership. The RISE Award, first introduced in 2024, recognizes a team member who demonstrates exceptional commitment, performance, and embodiment of the bank’s core values.

Due to a pre-scheduled conflict during the bank’s annual Christmas party, Tammy received the award in a surprise presentation on December 3^rd, 2025.

Over the past year, Tammy has distinguished herself in numerous ways, including:

• Initiative: Taking ownership of backlog issues related to organization, storage, and data security.
• Supply and Inventory Management: Collaborating to maintain organized, controlled, and optimal inventory levels, preventing service disruptions.
• Vendor and Facilities Oversight: Managing multiple vendors and working with custodial and facility teams to ensure timely and complete service.
• Financial Process Improvement: Streamlining payables and reimbursements digitally, reducing paper usage and improving efficiency, while acting as a first line of defense against illegitimate billings.

“Tammy starts each day with a positive, can-do attitude and consistently goes above and beyond to support employees and customers alike,” said Todd Smith, President of Commercial Bank. “Her efforts strengthen our bank and our community, and we are proud to recognize her outstanding contributions.”