Monticello Live

I am excited to announce my candidacy for Drew County Sheriff! With a deep commitment to our community and extensive experience in law enforcement, I believe I am well-equipped to lead our county towards a safer and more secure future.

My vision for Drew County includes stronger community engagement, proactive crime prevention, and enhancing transparency and accountability within our sheriff’s office. Together, we can build a community where everyone feels safe and valued.

I look forward to earning your support and working together to make Drew County a better place for all. Thank you

Vote Larry Smith

Justice for all not some

Drew County is a place where I am deeply committed to fostering safety and community well-being. With a diverse range of experience in law enforcement and community service, I have established a strong foundation for effectively leading the sheriff’s office. My professional history includes roles as a Team Assistant at the Dermott Juvenile Facility, a Mental Health Technician at the Center for Youth and Families, and a Patrol Officer/School Resource Officer for the Monticello school district and a juvenile probation officer for the 10th district. I also served as Chief Deputy in the Drew County Sheriff’s Department. I held positions as a Correctional Officer and Sergeant with the Arkansas Department of Corrections, ultimately becoming the EPC Lieutenant as an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.

Beverly Burks has announced her candidacy for re-election to the office of Drew County Circuit Clerk.Burks, 58, is currently serving her fourth term in office.
“I have loved serving as circuit clerk,” Burks said in making her announcement. “I take my responsibilities to the public very seriously, and have worked hard to try and improve the operations of the office and ensure that everything is handled in a professional, transparent fashion.” The circuit clerk’s office is responsible for accepting all filings in felony criminal, civil, domestic relations and juvenile cases, issuing summonses, and recording deeds, mortgages, liens and other property-related instruments and orders. The circuit clerk also calls jury panels, communicates scheduling for jurors, and pays them for their service. Some child support payments are made through the office, and the clerk is responsible for compiling records of pleadings in appeals.
Just this month, Burks was notified that her grant application for a new land records system had been successful. The grant is funded by the Association of Arkansas Counties’ Automated Records System Fund and will be used to update the system by which deeds, mortgages and other instruments are recorded. Once it is in place, all new filings will be accessible online. Burks is also planning to implement a new notification system to help keep jurors better informed of their service dates.
Burks and her staff process dozens of documents in a variety of cases each day and have built solid working relationships with all the judges in the Tenth Judicial District and their assistants, the prosecuting attorney and public defender’s offices, lawyers, banks, title companies and the public to ensure that the important work of the circuit clerk’s office is accomplished.
“It has been a privilege to be entrusted with this job, and I again ask the residents of Drew County for their vote,” Burks said. “I appreciate the trust they have shown in me in the past and pledge to continue to work hard in return.”
Burks, who lives in Wilmar, is a graduate of Monticello High School and Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. She helps manage her family cattle operation and is a member of Monticello First United Methodist Church, where she plays in the handbell choir. She also serves as secretary of the Wilmar Cemetery Association, and is a life member of the Junior Auxiliary of Monticello, as well as a former member of the Seark Concert Association board. She is a member of the Monticello Book Group and Monticello Women’s Investment Club, and the daughter of the late James and Shirley Burks.

Dear Voter,

I am asking for your support and your vote for re-election as your Drew County Judge. Together, we have made great progress, and with your continued trust, I am confident that we can build an even stronger future for our county.

Let’s look forward – not backward – and continue working side by side to make Drew County the best it can be. We truly live in the greatest county in the State of Arkansas, and with all of us working together, our future will be be even brighter.

Thank you again for your support and your vote.

Sincerely,
Jessie L. Griffin, Drew County Judge

(Paid Political Ad)

Hello Citizens of Drew County,

After many thoughts, prayers, and conversations with family and friends, I have decided to run again for the office of Drew County Judge. I served as judge for ten years, from Jan. 1, 2013 – Dec. 31, 2022. Although my time away from office has included some of my favorite pastime activities such as driving a big rig across the country, cattle farming, and spending time with family, I’ve always felt something was missing. Serving the people of Drew County was truly the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. I enjoyed being out amongst the people and working alongside the wonderful Drew County employees. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

You can contact me with any questions at 870-723-0011.

It has been a privilege to serve you as Drew County clerk. As I seek re-election, I remain steadfast in my commitment to providing courteous and efficient service while upholding the highest standards of honesty, security, and transparency in our elections and county government as a whole.

Since assuming office, I have worked diligently to enhance public access and improve services. From the addition of Passport application processing, the digitization of all Ordinances, Court Orders, Election documents and Marriage Licenses dating back to 1940, I have and will continue to move Drew County forward.

I believe that public trust in local government is built upon accountability, professionalism, and accessibility. With your vote, my staff and I will continue to work towards that goal if re-elected.

It would be an honor to continue serving the citizens of Drew County and to earn your support once again in 2026.

Thank you for your support, and may God bless you and yours.

The Republican Party of Drew County announces that filing for county and township offices will begin at noon on Monday, November 3^rd and end at noon on Wednesday, November 12^th. The courthouse will be closed on November 11^th for Veterans Day.

Candidates, including county committee members, may file in the County Collector’s Office.  A member of the local Republican Party will be present to accept candidates’ filing fees and provide appropriate forms on the following dates and times:

November 3^rd, noon – 4:30 pm.

November 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 10^th, 10 am – 3 pm

November 12th, 9am – noon.

Filing fees may be paid with cash, check or CashApp.

After filing with the Republican Party of Drew County, candidates must provide written evidence of filing fee payment and additional paperwork to the Drew County Clerk (located in the Drew County Courthouse) before noon on Wednesday, November 12^th.

Individuals with questions or candidates wishing to file should contact DCRC Chairman Mike Akin at 870-723-3710 or drewcorepchair@gmail.com

The primary election is March 3, 2026.

Since first taking the bench in 2021, Judge Gibson has presided over a wide range of cases with impartiality and diligence. He has built a reputation for fairness, accessibility, and steady leadership in the courtroom.  

“It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of southeast Arkansas as Circuit Judge,” said Judge Gibson. “Every case is important, and every person who enters the courtroom deserves respect, fairness, and integrity. From day one, I pledged to uphold those values, and that commitment remains as strong today as it was when I began.” 

In addition to his judicial duties, he serves on the Committee for Civil Practice and Procedure, an appointment made by the Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, helping ensure clarity and consistency in Arkansas courtrooms statewide.  He also serves on the Sentencing Commission, an appointment made by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. 

“As I seek re-election,” Judge Gibson adds, “I do so with a deep sense of responsibility to the people of the 10th Judicial District. Our communities deserve a judge who will apply the law fairly, without bias or favor, and who will continue to safeguard the trust placed in this office. I look forward to continuing this work in the years ahead.” 

About Judge Robert B. Gibson, III 

Judge Gibson is a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law and has been admitted to practice in both state and federal courts. Prior to taking the bench, he built a respected legal career in Crossett at Streetman & Gibson, PLLC.  His experience prepared him for the complex and varied caseload of Arkansas’s 10th Judicial District.  Judge Gibson is deeply involved in his community. He serves on the board of directors for the Crossett Rotary Club, is a volunteer baseball coach for the Ashley County Boys & Girls Club, and a member of the Crossett School District Booster Club.   He and his family attend First United Methodist Church in Crossett. 

A native of southeast Arkansas, Judge Gibson and his wife, Macy, are raising their two sons, Ivey and Turner, in Crossett. His dedication to both family and community informs his perspective on the bench, where he strives to balance accountability, compassion, and the rule of law. 

Frank Spain, Prosecuting Attorney for Arkansas’s 10th Judicial District, has formally announced his candidacy for re-election.

Spain has served the citizens of Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha, and Drew counties for over two decades. First appointed as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2001, he has led the district’s criminal prosecutions through thousands of felony cases. 

“It has been a privilege to serve the people of Southeast Arkansas,” Spain said in a statement. “As Prosecuting Attorney, I’ve worked hard to protect our communities, uphold the law, and deliver justice for victims. I’m running for re-election to continue that mission.”

Spain has earned a reputation for being tough on violent and repeat offenders, while also supporting alternatives such as mental health and drug treatment programs when appropriate. 

He also works closely with local law enforcement agencies throughout the 10th Judicial District and other joint efforts aimed at targeting criminal activity and improving public safety.

Spain said his priorities in the upcoming term include continuing to hold violent offenders accountable, expanding support for victims and their families, and strengthening partnerships with law enforcement and community organizations.

“The work of a Prosecuting Attorney is about doing what’s right—ensuring the law is applied fairly and consistently, and making sure our communities feel safe and heard.”

 Frank and his wife, LaDonna, live in Monticello. They have three daughters and four grandchildren. 

The Arkansas Preferential Primary Election and Nonpartisan General Election will be held on March 3rd. According to the most recently released Talk Business & Politics/Hendrix College Poll, Democrats in the state are virtually split between former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (19.6%), former Vice President Joe Biden (18.5%), U.S. Senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders (16.4%), and former South Bend Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (15.5%). The poll asked 496 likely Democratic primary voters who they preferred in the upcoming primary election.  (more…)