Monticello Live

Sandwich Generation Feeling the Squeeze of Supporting Elderly Parents, Boomerang Kids 

More than 40 percent of baby boomers who have a living parent are helping with their care.* Whether health or financial problems, or literally “giving back,” millions of adults are assisting their parents with monetary support. Many also are raising children or supporting their Generation Y children, making them part of the sandwich generation. Read the rest of this entry »

Five Important Tax Credits

You might be eligible for a valuable tax credit. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of taxes owed. Some credits are even refundable, which means you might receive a refund rather than owe any taxes at all. Here are five popular tax credits you should consider before filing your 2009 Federal Income Tax Return:

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable credit for certain people who work and have earned income from wages, self-employment or farming. Income, age and the number of qualifying children determine the amount of the credit. EITC reduces the amount of tax you owe and may also give you a refund. For more information see IRS Publication 596, Earned Income Credit. Read the rest of this entry »

SeaArk Marine, Inc. recently completed the first two boats of a five boat contract for the Haiti Coast Guard. The vessels were purchased through the Global Peace and Security Fund, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), through the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). Read the rest of this entry »

By Sandra Block, USA TODAY

Underpay your taxes, and you could receive a sternly worded letter from the IRS, with ominous references to “interest,” “penalties” and possibly, “incarceration.”

But if you overpay, it’s unlikely that the IRS will send you a check or even a thank-you note. It’s your responsibility to claim all the credits and deductions available to you.

Here’s a look at some new tax breaks that could cut your 2009 tax bill: Read the rest of this entry »

As you get ready to prepare your 2009 tax return, the Internal Revenue Service wants to make sure you have all the details about tax law changes that may impact your tax return.

Here are the top five changes that may show up on your 2009 return.

1. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
ARRA provides several tax provisions that affect tax year 2009 individual tax returns due April 15, 2010. The recovery law provides tax incentives for first-time homebuyers, people who purchased new cars, those that made their homes more energy efficient, parents and students paying for college, and people who received unemployment compensation.

2. IRA Deduction Expanded
You may be able to take an IRA deduction if you were covered by a retirement plan and your 2009 modified adjusted gross income is less than $65,000 or $109,000 if you are married filing a joint return.

3. Standard Deduction Increased for Most Taxpayers
The 2009 basic standard deductions all increased. They are:
$11,400 for married couples filing a joint return and qualifying widows and widowers
$5,700 for singles and married individuals filing separate returns
$8,350 for heads of household Read the rest of this entry »

The financial-services firm Edward Jones ranked No. 2 on FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For 2010″ list in its 11th year on the prestigious list, according to Lee Busby, a local financial advisor . Edward Jones also ranked No. 1 for large-sized companies. The full list and related stories appear in the February 8 issue of FORTUNE, available on newsstands Jan. 25 and currently at www.fortune.com/bestcompanies.

Edward Jones’ 11 FORTUNE rankings include top 10 finishes for eight years and consecutive No. 1 rankings in 2002 and 2003. This is the firm’s second consecutive year in the No. 2 spot. Read the rest of this entry »

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

Information provided by H&R Block, 420 W Gaines, Monticello.

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:

Through a tax credit worth up to $6,500 for existing homeowners in the market for a new home.

Through a new closing deadline of April 30, 2010 – extended from Nov. 30, 2009 – for the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Credit. Also, a special provision gives taxpayers two extra months to close if they’ve entered into a contract by April 30, 2010.

By increased phase-out limits that start at $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married filing jointly – up from $75,000 and $125,000 respectively. The new limits apply to homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009.

Under the new requirements, an estimated 2 million Americans are expected to claim the tax benefit.* The IRS estimates 1.4million people have already claimed earlier versions of the First-Time Homebuyer Credit. Read the rest of this entry »

H&R Block’s new service can cut wait time for W-2 by three weeks

An estimated 90 million taxpayers can access their W-2s up to three weeks early – rather than waiting until the end of January – enabling them to file their tax returns and potentially get their refunds more quickly, thanks to a new service from H&R Block.

“Taxpayers want their refunds as soon as possible, especially in a tight economy. This service will help taxpayers get a head start on doing their taxes and being prepared to e-file on Jan. 15,” said Mark Ciaramitaro, vice president of marketing at H&R Block. “Taxpayers can cut the wait for their W-2s by three weeks, which means if they’re owed a refund, they’ll get it sooner.”

The W-2 Early Access online service enables many taxpayers to securely send electronic copies of their W-2s directly to H&R Block tax offices at no extra cost rather than waiting for the hard copy to be mailed to their home. Feb. 1, 2010, is the date employers must have mailed W-2s to employees. Read the rest of this entry »

ShaRonda Forte’ has been named Vice President of Union Bank & Trust Co.

Forte’ serves as Internal Audit Manager for Union Bank and is a native of Monticello.

“We are extremely pleased with ShaRonda’s performance as our internal audit manager. Her knowledge in this area has proved to be an invaluable contribution to the progress that Union Bank has made.” stated Dave Dickson, President of Union Bank and Trust Co.

She is a graduate of the Barrett School of Banking Commercial Lending School and has obtained various other ABA and PBS compliance & internal audit training certificates. She is a board member of A.R.I.S.E., SEARK Nutritional Services, KOL’S Business Solutions, and the DCHS Parent Advisory Committee. She and her husband Ronald have four children, Jadeci, Antonio, Brittany, and D’Arbonee. They are also members of Trinity Full Gospel Ministries.

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. Read the rest of this entry »

 Provided by Edward Jones Investments, Monticello Branch Financial Advisor, Rena Day.

If you’re like many people, you’re watching your dollars extra carefully this year as you do your holiday shopping. And that’s a good thing, because even in the best of times, it’s never wise to go overboard on gifts. But by making the right moves during this holiday season, you can also help ensure that you stay on track toward your long-term financial goals.

Specifically, what steps should you be taking during these weeks? Here are a few suggestions:

 
Read the rest of this entry »

Last week, forest management teams completed their 3 week long project of dropping fertilize on a wide area of the growing pine forest in and near Drew County.

It’s estimated that just under 1600 round trips were made in and out of our local airfield’s recently improved  agricultural section.

Two tractor-trailers were used to bring in the pelletized fertilizer, and up to 3 planes at a time were used to perform the operation.

Appproximately 3.3 million pounds of fertilize were distributed during the project.

The project began on November 14.

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:

Through a tax credit worth up to $6,500 for existing homeowners in the market for a new home. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

Provided by Edward Jones Investments, Monticello Branch Financial Advisor, Rena Day.

As you’re no doubt aware, the long and deep recession has resulted in the highest unemployment rate in decades. But if you’ve been laid off, or if you fear a layoff may soon be coming, you’re less interested in statistics than in your immediate financial future. How will you get by until you land a new job? 

Read the rest of this entry »

Bath and Body Works, booth 7B has closed its location inside Grannie’s Attic and relocated to The Marketplace, 249 Hwy 425 South.

You can continue to find your Bath and Body Works favorites and more, 7 days a week.

Feel free to request your favorites at sparetimecreations@ymail.com.

The Chamber of Commerce sponsored a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony at “The Buck Stop”, located in the Ed’s Produce location, Thursday.

The new business will provide custom processing of deer, and also had various samples of the country and gourmet sausage that the carry.

Larry’s Pizza, known statewide for their specialty pizzas, will be open for lunch today, at their new Monticello location, in the North Park Shopping Center.

The business held their ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon, and was welcomed to Monticello by the Chamber of Commerce.

Larry’s began in 1992, and has grown into one of the most popular pizza restaurant franchises across Arkansas.

Larry’s features a daily lunch buffet, as is also well known for their many desert pizzas.

Union Bank employees dressed up in costumes, Friday, and hosted a day of fun for visiting children, complete with candy and fun.

Inside The Marketplace you can find booth 7B filled with all new items such as Bath and Body Works products, football mom shirts and $1 grab bags.

It all started in 2007 when Jo Banks moved to the area and decided to rent the former Monticello Drug location on the downtown square to open Monticello’s first multi-vendor shop called Grannie’s Attic. It took off from the beginning and it wasn’t long until she outgrew the space and moved to the empty warehouse beside Save A Lot to offer 54 booth spaces. Grannie’s Attic is now loaded with something for everyone from antiques to new purses, new gift items to knives. In the summer of 2009, Banks transferred ownership of the business to Tracy Strange. Grannie’s Attic is located at 307 North Hyatt Street (beside Save A Lot) and is opened for business Monday-Friday 10am-6, Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 1pm-5pm. Booths are 11′x10′ and rent for $100 per month. Call 870-367-3977 for more information.

Read the rest of this entry »

After the collapse of the “old corner drug store” last week, the parking along the east side of Main Street has been re-opened.

SeaArk Marine, Inc. recently delivered the Captain Kenneth H. Scarbrough, a 50-foot Dauntless Class Patrol vessel, to the Port of New Orleans.

The vessel will be operated by the Harbor Police and used for a variety of port security, maritime response, and emergency rescue missions throughout the Port of New Orleans waterway systems. Additionally, the vessel will support the U.S. Coast Guard in its various marine safety/security missions along the Lower Mississippi River.

The SeaArk 50-foot Dauntless is based on a proven hull designed by C. Raymond Hunt & Associates, of New Bedford, MA, and is constructed of all-welded marine grade aluminum. The state-of-the-art vessel is designed as a Command and Control vessel. Read the rest of this entry »

  Provided by Edward Jones Investments, Monticello Branch Financial Advisor, Rena Day.

Like everyone else, you want to leave a legacy. To make it happen, though, you need to do some estate planning. For most of us, that sounds like a scary task, but it doesn’t have to be — as long as you break it down into a few key moves.

Read the rest of this entry »

South Arkansas TV Satellite & Audio, located behind Remax on Chapman Road, held their grand opening Thursday.

The business, owned by Justin Vanloandingham, also has a location in Warren. 

The grand opening included lunch and a chance to win a TV/DVD combo.