Monticello Live

Senator Blanche Lincoln visited the annual Drew County Farm Bureau Meeting, at the Drew County fairgrounds, earlier this week.

Senator Lincoln spent around 30-45 minutes talking with guests present, before the event began.

Candidate for United States Congress 4TH Congressional District, Beth Anne Rankin, will hold a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 8th from 4:30pm-5:30pm at the Chamber of Commerce Building, East Gaines, Monticello.

The event is FREE and open to the public.

All girls interested in becoming Girl Scouts need to attend registration on Sept. 2, 2010 at the United Methodist Church on South Main St. at 6:00pm. 

Any adult interested in becoming a leader needs to attend also. 

If you have any questions, call Linda Beam, Monticello Ridge Service Unit Leader at 870-367-7805.

The Coffee Bean will be serving sushi beginning this Friday 09/03/10. You must place your order now through Thursday. They will make it fresh and have it ready for you to dine in or carry out on Friday.

Place your order by calling 460-0023, message them on facebook www.facebook.com/coffeebeanespresso, or e-mail us at coffeebeanespresso@gmail.com.  The menu has been added to our photos on facebook.

The Monticello Branch Library will be closed on Monday, September 6 in honor of Labor Day. We will re-open on Tuesday September 7 at 9:00 as usual.

Please check out the Lewis and Clark display that compliments UAM’s current exhibit.

The regular monthly meeting of the Southeast Arkansas TEA Party will be Monday, September 13 at 6:30 P.M. in the courtroom of the old Monticello Post Office on West Gaines St. Everyone, members and non-members, is invited to attend. Please join us.

Elizabeth Anderson helped turned things around at the Warren Human Development Center and is now calling it quits after 32 years of service.

Anderson began working at the HDC when it open in 1978 and the staff found it fitting to throw her a retirement party on Aug 27. (more…)

The MHS class of 1980 will be having their 30 year class reunion on September 24 and 25. For information call Lee Ann McDaniel at 870-723-5689

Real-Time Groundwater-Level Monitoring Well

The USGS annually monitors groundwater levels in about 400 wells in Arkansas and stores the data as discrete field-water-level measurements. Groundwater level data also are collected as continuous time-series data from automated recorders. Data from some of the continuous record stations are relayed to USGS offices nationwide through telephone lines or by satellite transmissions providing access to real-time groundwater-level data. Currently there are 23 real-time groundwater level sites in Arkansas.

An existing monitoring well (with no pump present) can be instrumented with a down-hole pressure transducer connected to a digital data logger for continuously measuring water levels in the well. Water-level data recording will occur on 1-hour intervals. Communication with each data logger will be via internet modem (using cell phone) to a central USGS computer that will automatically retrieve data every 1 to 6 hours. Real-time data will then be processed automatically for serving as provisional data on the USGS Arkansas Water Science Center web site (http://ar.water.usgs.gov/ :on left menu bar, under Real-time data, click on Groundwater). Water-level data can be retrieved and hydrographs plotted at user defined time series from weekly to the entire period of record (see hydrographs below). (more…)

The Monticello Kiwanis meets at noon the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Larry’s Pizza.

All meetings are open to anyone and everyone is invited to attend.

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.

The Southeast Arkansas Health Foundation is continuing its efforts to raise funds for digital mammography equipment for Drew Memorial Hospital. The Foundation has agreed to match each donation in 2010, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 for a total contribution of $100,000 toward the purchase.

“The Southeast Arkansas Health Foundation has existed since 1992 to support the endeavors of Drew Memorial Hospital as they provide state-of-the-art medical equipment and quality medical care for the people of Southeast Arkansas,” stated Memorie Dickson, director. “This year we have focused our efforts solely on raising funds for a new digital mammography machine. Nearly every family in Drew County has been touched by breast cancer in some way. This piece of equipment will allow for more accurate diagnosis and detection of breast cancer in the earliest stages. It will provide our medical team, for the first time, with the information they need to offer comprehensive breast care for the women in our area.” (more…)

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that a general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) will begin on August 2, 2010 and continue through August 27, 2010. During the sign-up period, farmers and ranchers may offer eligible land for CRP’s competitive general sign-up at their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized USDA to maintain CRP enrollment up to 32 million acres. Jim Miller, Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services, made the announcement on behalf of Secretary Vilsack during a conference call with reporters. (more…)

“Our Little Store” will be merging with CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates to become the Drew County CASA Closet. The support that has been given for the Store has been overwhelming and bridging the two will service even more children. In just one month we have helped approxitmaly 36 children with their clothing needs. What a great feeling we have with your support.

We are in desparate need of a DONATED (Tax Deductable) space to set up in (my office and van are all about to explode). If you have a empty Office Building at least around 400sq feet more would be great please contact Susan Davis.

We will keep the space clean, organized and trash free. With this space we can help more families in  a faster fashion and would be able to take good used furniture.

The 67th composite squadron of the Civil Air Patrol held a ribbon cutting ceremony, Saturday, at their new facility, at the former Drew Foam building, on HWY 35 East.

The building will serve as their squadron headquarters, and includes 3 class rooms and a computer ares, as well as a communications system that can interact with many state agencies, in case of emergencies.

Seark Fight Club S.F.C. proudly announces the advancement of its fighters to there first rank of White Shorts in the Mixed Martial Arts Competition Infighting System.  These fighters are training in a “cage fighting” specific system that takes them through five levels each targeting five specific styles of fighting from boxing to grappling. 

The S.F.C. Fighters will make up core of Monticello’s first Mixed Martial Arts Competition Team the “Monticello Brawlers” and will represent Monticello and Southeast Arkansas as they compete in Mixed Martial Arts events all around the region.  Seark Fight Club is a MMA Gym offering classes and personal training.  For information on how you can join, sponsor or show your support for the “Brawlers” contact Casey Pippin at wwwsearkfightclub.com

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Mike Ross have announced that Monticello has received a $48,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to help purchase two police cars, a fire truck, and an emergency generator for the city’s fuel station. USDA funds will cover approximately 15 percent of the total cost for the vehicles and equipment. (more…)

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that Drew County Developmental Disabilities Services, Inc., in Monticello has received a $50,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to help purchase playground equipment, furniture, a commercial kitchen, computer equipment and three vans that will support its new preschool center. USDA funds will cover approximately 15 percent of the total cost for the equipment. (more…)

Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church of Wilmar has elected the Rev. Shay Gillespie of Monticello as it’s new pastor. This, according to the Rev. Michael Binns, Sr. chairman of Mt. Tabor’s pulpit committee. Gillespie currently serves as an associate minister at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Monticello, where Rev. D.J. Buffington is pastor. (more…)

Shelby Alexandra Sullivan and Brooke Sims age 16, Leaving for Mission Nicaragua, August 6th

Alex “Tootie” Sullivan and Brooke Sims reside in Gilbertown AL. , both girls will be part of a short term mission team for 7 days working and teaching bible lessons to children and teenagers of a village in Nicaragua. They are members of Morgan Chapel Baptist Church in Gilbertown, AL.

Tootie is the daughter of Cheryl Brantley from Monticello, Grandparents late Joe Dean Brantley & Linda Jeffress Nelson of Monticello. Great Grandparents Willie & Virginia Jeffress and Russell & Georgia Brantley of Monticello

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. Nearly one-half of the population lives on less than $2 a day, while one-third of the children suffer from malnutrition. CCM’s desire to meet some of these physical & spiritual needs.

For more info www.chosenchildrenministries.org

The Arkansas Attack baseball team will be having open tryouts for the 2010-2011 ~ 10UAA season for boys that will not turn 11 until after May 1, 2011.

Players will be evaluated on all aspects of the game. Bring your glove, bat and cleats. Tryouts will be at the YMCA ballfield July 31st and August 7 @ 10:00 am.

The team will be coached by Head Coach Kevin Lasiter. If any questions, please contact Kevin at 870-820-5509.

Congradulations to Laurel Ashley Beal, Miss Teen Ding Dong Days, and Allissa Claire Bodiford, Miss Tiny Ding Dong Days,

Jayce Carroll “Butch” Whitehurst will retire July 31, 2010 from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. He started his career with the Soil Conservation Service as a W.A.E. Soil Conservation Aide on January 6, 1975 in the Monticello Field Office. He was promoted and transferred in 1977 to Star City as a full time Soil Conservation Technician.

In 1988, he was promoted and transferred back to Monticello as Soil Conservation Technician. He was promoted to Civil Engineering Technician in February of 2005 at the Monticello Technical Service Center where he has worked until retirement.

 Butch and his wife Rose have two sons, Stephen and wife Shannan of Whitehall, and William and wife DeAnn of Monticello, and one grandson, Colt Braxton of Monticello.

The Boys and Girls Club of Drew County would like to announce the hiring of Jeremy Wilson of Monticello as the new Chief Professional Officer. Wilson began this position as CPO(Director) on July 1, 2010.

Currently, the Boys and Girls Club is in the midst of its summer program which will run through August 6th. The BGC will begin accepting applications for the fall on August 2nd and will continue through August 6th. Fall afterschool program will begin on August 30th.

Donations of used or new supplies are being accepted and would be greatly appreciated. Examples of specific needs include: art supplies, sport equipment (basketballs, footballs, jump ropes), books, movies, etc.

For more information, contact The Boys and Girls Club of Drew County at 367-2334.

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

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.

August 2-6 1-3pm each day

Tuition $50.00 per child

We’re gearing up to make some commercials! Last summer we had lots of  fun making Sonic commercials and this year we’ll be making La Terraza commercials! Email or call to reserve your child’s spot today!

MonticelloFilm@aol.com

870-224-2271 or 870-224-3011.

University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart is proud to announce the names of the local undergraduates who earned a place on the chancellor’s list for the spring 2010 semester. Students must earn a 4.0 grade point average in at least 12 hours of classes during a regular term to be named to the chancellor’s list.

Dean William Schwab of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is  also proud to recognize the local undergraduate students on the dean’s list of their respective colleges and schools. Students on the dean’s list represent the top 10 percent of students in their college, enrolled in 12 or more hours during the semester. All students on the chancellor’s list are automatically on their college’s dean’s list as well.

Steven Morrison of Monticello,  English Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, Senior

The Woodlawn Booster Club is hosting the Second Annual Bear-Backers 16 & Up Co-Ed Softball Tournament August 6th and 7th at the Woodlawn Community Park. Team Entry Fee is $125.

If you are interested in playing contact Brandi Watson at 870-357-2711 or 870-692-7738 or Tina Smith at 870-357-8658 or 870-540-7414.

Hendrix College was the setting for the 2010 Miss Majorette of Arkansas Pageant on June 5, 2010. Participating in this competition was Bethannee Horn, 17-year old student from Monticello High School. This event included several categories, including modeling, solo performances, and strut.

Students participating were from several states including Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, and Wyoming, with ages ranging from 6 years old to 23 years old.

Horn received first place in modeling, strut, one-baton solo, and two-baton, and winning the Beginner Miss Majorette of Arkansas. With this title, she will now be traveling to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana for the Miss Majorette of America on July 20th through the 23rd, 2010.

This year’s Drew County Farm Family of the Year title has been awarded to James and Rene Knowles. Both were raised in farming families and made the decision to keep that tradition alive in their own family, that now includes two sons and a grandson.

“I’ve been farming all my life,” James said as he recalled growing up in Valley Community.  “Dad (Pharris Knowles) was originally a cotton farmer; when I was old enough to help farm he was a commercial hay farmer. He sold hay all over southeast Arkansas.”  James’ mother is Marjorie Knowles Craig.

James graduated from Drew Central High School, is a member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, and a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He worked on the farm with his father until he was married to Rene.

Rene’s dad (Bob Person) owned a hog farm and raised cattle over the years. Rene’s mom was the late Joyce Person, “but  dad’s wife, Mrs. Judy, has been ‘mom’ for over 20 years.”  Rene graduated from Monticello High School and completed 3 years of college. Rene is a Drew Central School board member and was just re-elected to her second term on the Quorum Court. They are active members of Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

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