Monticello Live

New Year’s Eve included a special event at the Drew County Courthouse, as 3 staff members were recognized on their retirement from public service.

Juanda Craig, Ethel Martin, and Sandra Erlanson retired at the end of the calendar year, and were honored with a cake, plaques, and the well wishes of many county residents.

At last week’s City Council budget committee meeting, the group discussed budget items that could be cost-shared with the county.

One of these items was the “man on the hill” at the transfer station.  This city employee operates the compactor the presses the (city and county’s) trash, after it is dumped from the trash trucks.

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The quorum court, Monday night, a “tax rebate” for Zilka Biomass, for the construction of their new industrial site, on HWY 35 East.

W. J. McKiever has been appointed to serve on the Drew County Quorum Court, by Gov. Mike Beebe, filling the remaining and upcoming terms of Billie Gober-Farrell.

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Tornado sirens are currently being installed in the Monticello area, including the show areas near the library, hospital, and Old Troy Road water tower.

A total of 18 sirens will be installed, most on their own self-standing towers.

In response to many resident’s questions, The sirens will be tested weekly (silently), and audibly tested monthly or quarterly.

Following a July incident over the location of a trash dumpster, a Drew County woman complained to the Quorum Court, last month, about Judge Robert Akin.
Monday night, her father followed suit.

Posted below is a letter from the Arkansas Department of Correction to Drew County Judge Robert Akin, inviting the county to bid become the future home Arkansas’s next maximum-security prison, housing 1000–2000 inmates, providing 250 to 500 jobs.
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Beth Davis, Drew County Assessor reminds everyone the deadline to assess your personal property taxes is May 31st, 2014.  You may do this by calling 870-460-6240, online at www.drewcountyassessor.com , www.actdatascout.com or by coming by the assessor’s office located in the courthouse.

A 10% late penalty will be added after this date.  Commercial personal property cannot be done by phone, a signature is required by law.

Reminder:  If you own your home and it is your primary residence you may qualify for up to a $350 homestead tax credit.  Please let our office know if you have become disabled or will turn 65 by December 31st, 2014.

Monday’s meeting to discuss possible weather warning solutions was expected to be a quiet, notetaking event.

That was not the case, as voices and emotions begin to increase.

The full audio file of the meeting is posted below.

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A Countryview Drive resident, whose German Shepherd/Corgi mix pet was attacked and killed by 3 of her neighbor’s dogs in a pond, presented her situation to the Quorum Court, Monday night.

The owner of the attacking dog’s name was not mentioned during the meeting, nor was the fact that she’s the director of the Southeast Arkandsas Humane Society.

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Due to technical difficulties, the video from the Quorum Court meeting is unavailabe.

The screens below, however, provide the audio from the meeting.

After several years of attempting to get governmental assistance to help fund tornado sirens for Drew County, we’ve finally got funding to assist with the purchase of 27 tower sirens, which will be scattered around the county.

But as the years have passed by, many feel that the towers have been surpassed by digital technology, as the best way to go, to notify county residents of impending disanter, should it occur.

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Judge Robert Akin announced Monday morning that the county-wide burn ban has been lifted, due to the recent rain, and the forecast for more rain this week.

According to Judge Robert Akin, a Burn Ban is now in effect for Drew County, since January 28.

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Around 4:30, Thursday afternoon, during the 700 acre wildfire, a local man was trapped in the woods, with fire and smoke surrounding him.

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With the new year, came new security policies at the county courthouse.The north and south doors are now locked during the day.

Monday night, the Drew County Quorum Court approved the county employee insurance for 2014.

The insurance will be provided by United Healthcare, and will cover 60 county employees, plus 9 library employees.

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In a recent Quorum Court meeting, Drew County JP approved a resolution supporting  Arkansas industries, such as logging and farming, over Neosho Muckets and Rabbitfoot Mussels.

The Drew County Quorum Court held a called meeting, Thursday night, to approve a stipend, known to most folks as a Christmas Bonus, to the county employees.

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After months of dirt moving by city and county workers, as well as the UAM heavy equipment training class, rails and crossties are now being laid in place for the new rail spur at the Industrial Park, on HWY 35 East.

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