Monticello Live

Around 11:15 Wednesday morning, an 18-wheeler turned short off of Conrad Street onto Westgate Drive, clipping a power pole.

Several power and utility lines were down, and power was disrupted for many local customers.

Around 300 customers were affected by the outage, including some local lunch favorites during noon. All power was restored during the afternoon

This week’s One Monticello Life story features a member of our community that has been mentioned to MLive as a good candidate for recognition more times than any other. She is well known throughout the entire city, yet she isn’t a politician, doctor, lawyer, or in the public spotlight at all.

MLive recently received an email from a local business leader saying, “I went through the Taco Bell drive-thru today and realized that for a very long time, I have heard this sweet little voice take my order, and how nice she always is, and I took the time to thank her for a job well done.

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MLive is proud to feature all of the local Church activities, revivals, singings, and other events, every Sunday morning, here in the Sunday Bulletin.

Eddy Deaton has a new title at the Monticello Police Department as of January 2012… Chief Deaton. He takes his future goals for the department very seriously.

 “I want to make the Monticello Police Department one of the best departments in the state. I want the officers to have the most updated training and equipment out there. I want to see all law enforcement agencies working together to accomplish a common goal of professional enforcement of the law, and community involvement, to aid in preventing and stopping crime.”

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Parks Commission Chairperson Karen Connelly updated the Board on several items during the regular meeting Thursday night, including the city council’s actions concerning the parks budget and the re-building of the Sadie Johnson Community Center.

The Parks and Recreation Commission agreed to accept a contract to be used for all league and organizations that utilize city property. This would include swim team, girls softball, boys baseball, Babe Ruth, etc. – The purpose of the contract is “to protect leagues as well as city as far as injury and liability.”- Commission Chairperson Karen Connelly

Connelly stated that the recreational grant has been officially received in the amount of $111,000. This is part of a match grant so $222,000 will eventually be received by the Commission.

Amphitheater news revealed that the City needs to get one project started before receiving funding for anything else, and that Parks and Tourism has to approve what goes into bids before bidding can begin.

Mrs. Connelly said that the Commission has been trying to figure out funding for an ADA approved electric 9 passenger, 2 wheelchair capacity shuttle to be used at the Sports Complex. She stated that she had spoken with MEDC Executive Director Nita McDaniel, and Mrs. Daniel said that she would look into grants to help find funding.

Sheila Gardner and Kim Wilson, Monticello & Statewide Teacher of the Year, at the Awards Banquet

At the MEDC / Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, each school district honored one teacher as their “Teacher of the Year.”

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Tom Henry of the Montongo community recently brought a copy of a northwest Arkansas newspaper to church with him.

“That’s my granddaughter”, Tom said with pride.  

After reading the article printed in The Times of Northeast Benton County, written by Annette Beard, it was plain to see that he had a reason to be proud.

“I can’t believe I get paid to do this,” the 23-year-old Air Force second lieutenant said of flying.

Kristin Henry earned her bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2010, and is now stationed at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla. There, she is in the process of earning her wings – becoming a military-rated pilot.

In high school, when most teen-aged girls were getting their driver’s license, worrying about proms and their first car, Kristin had earned both her visual and instrumental pilot’s licenses.

Click here for the full story from “The Times” / NWAonline.com.

Due to the overwhelming success Discount Merchandise on the square in Monticello is extending their Inventory Reduction Sale through Saturday, January 14 open M-S 9-5:30

Everything with a red dot is 50% off, green dot is 25% off! New bedrooms are in! Black or Cherry sleigh groups starting at $749.00 for a queen bed, dresser, mirror, chest and night stand.

Also arriving faux leather beds starting at $229.00 for bed only. Sale items are going fast, so hurry in!

“Like” our Facebook page (Discount Merchandise) for pictures of new merchandise arriving daily and sales only available to Facebook fans!

According to MPD Chief Eddy Deaton, a woman taking a walk was mauled by a Rottweiler, Friday morning. (more…)

The Local Economy

2011 brought with it many changes in Monticello’s business climate.  In August, SeaArk Marine announced their closing as of this month (SeaArk Boats remains unaffected by this change).  Last month, Drew County Speedway told of their operations ceasing, as well.  Larry’a Pizza, Topps Pizza, and other businesses closed during the year.

Even while experiencing the loss of several employers, and several dozen jobs, Monticello still remains one of the “brighter” spots in southeast Arkansas, based on the number of businesses that either started, expanded, hired more workers, were purchased by new owners, or added important equipment.  Each of these entities showed a commitment to their employees, and their intentions to remain a part of Monticello’s future.

Those  75   businesses, industries, and organizations include…..
(Hold mouse over image to view business identity)

Sanitation routes were not run on Monday, January 2. Monday routes will be run on Tuesday, January 3. Tuesday routes will be run on Wednesday; Wednesday routes on Thursday and Thursday routes on Friday.

In other words, everyone will receive service; it will just be delayed one day.

The year 2012 has arrived. Let’s hope all of us have a healthy, happy one. New Year’s Eve was quiet at my house. Thankfully the weather was beautiful. Like most people I know, I am ready to get back into some sort of routine.

The courthouse and road department were closed last Monday in celebration of Christmas. Tuesday was a busy day begun at the courthouse and then shop. Later I rode out to check the hole on Old Military Road and Piney Creek Road. Office chores finished the day.

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2011 brought with it many headlines that affected our lives.   Some simply stirred our interest, while others changed the way we live.

MonticelloLive is posting the top 40 headlines of 2011, based on pageviews, video plays, and amount of public conversation that the stories inspired.

While we are reminiscing, here are links to the 2009 Headlines and the 2010 Headlines- The Year in Review.

This is a photo of Miss Minnie F. Bond (1862-1950) She was a teacher in the first Drew County Common School System established in 1880 for general education.

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment..

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

Click here for the story about “school without books.”

The fact that MonticelloLive was recognized as the Chamber of Commerces’s “Business of the Year” was an honor, but the reason that this headline made the Top 20 list, is because this achievement was possible.

With the economy being a national topic, and the public impression being that most new businesses fail, this award proves that a new business (in operation only 4 years), with a dedicated owner, a small support staff, and big dreams, can still “keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars”, as Casey Kasey used to say.

MLive has had 2.7 million page views in the past 12 months, and over 30,000 video plays of local news and events. 

Several of it’s stories and videos have been picked up and aired by all 4 Little Rock television stations. 

MLive has also been included in articles in Arkansas Business and Arkansas Times, but owner Joe Burgess considers it’s most prized achievement to be the “Business of the Year” award.

Although a parade may not be considered a “news story” the 2011 Drew County Fair Parade was the 7th most watched video of the year, with the Chamber of Commerce’s “Carols of Christmas” Parade coming in at #11.

Tillar’s 2nd annual Christmas parade also earned an impressive view level.

Note: An ”engaging” event that occurred at the Christmas parade, which earned statewide news coverage, will rank higher in the “Top 40 Stories”.

Recently, when I fired up my computer to work on MonticelloLive projects, I went to check my email and realized that my Yahoo email account had been hacked. When I discovered the hack, I was upset to realize that everyone in my address book had received an email from my account with a suspicious link. The email contained no text in the subject line and no text other than the link in the body of the email.

How I Knew My Email Was Hacked:

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In sharing the Christmas spirit, MonticelloLive.com donated the toys shown here to 3 worth programs.

One group went to the Ryburn Motor Company sleigh, which are distributed by the Junior Auxiliary.

Another group went to Cablevision’s Toys for Tots program, which will find good homes for the goodies, through the assistance of DHS.

The final third of the Christmas toys was delivered to the Baptist Home for Children.

All items donated will remain in Drew County, and bring joy to our local childrem.

Dear Santa,

You have a really big job. Mr. Claus, you even seem to be so busy that I thought I’d like to help you out. I want to give this Christmas instead of want a lot of things like the other years. 

I have a LOT of stuffed animals that I really love a lot. I wanted to know if you could find good homes for them. Please find some so that they are happy too. I’m so excited about it but I’m sad too.

Sincerely,

S Hunter

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Several members of the Southeast Arkansas Republican Women met Wednesday, December 7th at the Drew County Republican headquarters on North Main in Monticello to pack gift boxes for troops in Afghanistan. This project was done in conjunction with the “Operation We Care- Support Our Soldiers” organization. Boxes containing things such as toiletry items, snack foods, gum and candy were sent to soldiers in an attempt to brighten their day and encourage them.

This is just one of several service projects the Southeast Arkansas Republican Women will be doing over the next year. In addition, the group will work to strengthen the Republican Party by recruiting and electing candidates, advocating the Party’s philosophy and initiatives, and empowering women of all ages in the political process. If you are interested in becoming involved or learning more please contact searw@drewcountygop.org or go to www.drewcountygop.org.

Click To Enlarge Maps.

Current JP Boundaries

New JP Boundaries

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UAM softball coach Alvy Early has announced his recruiting class.

This year’s class includes additions all over the field with a pitcher, two outfielders, and two infielders, all with solid fielding and hitting abilities.

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Click here for a list of this week’s yards sales, listed on MonticelloLive.com

During this Thanksgiving season, we should stop and appreciate where our blessings and freedoms come from.

It has been said, “The only two men that have loved you enough to die for you are Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.”

Clearview Glass, on East Gaines St., displays this sign, “Jesus the Redeemer”, publicly honoring our Lord and Savior.

The Scripture says that we should confess His Name before men, and this sign certainly does that; as does posting this message on MLive.

In honor of our American Soldiers, new American Flags have been purchased by Commercial Bank, Parkway Bank, Simmons Bank, and Union Bank, to be flown at Monticello’s main intersection at HWY 425 and 278. 

As we celebrate this Thanksgiving season, may we realize that “God has blessed America, and still does today.”

MonticelloLive has been featuring local businesses that are opening, moving, and expanding.

Here  is More GOOD NEWS for MONTICELLO!!

Businesses listed earlier in the series include:
Atwoods Ranch & Home
Spee-D-Lube – Custom Trucks
Ferguson’s Eye Clinic
Simply Jenny Lynn
Ross Law Firm
Union Bank Express
Dewey’s Tire & Service
Seasons New Location
J-Birds Deli, Gas, Grocery
Gold Buying Center
Ray Ryburn Real Estate
DMH New Patient Wing
Square’s Corner Building
UAM Forest Resources Annex
AAA Gold Buyers
Medlin’s Metal Roofing
Marketplace II
Mosquito Beach Emporium
Dollar Tree
Future Medical Office Building
DCDDC’s New $2.5 Million Facility
Soil Testing Begins at New Library Site
High Maintenance at New Convenient Location
MHS Track Resurfacing Underway
Christmas Shop Opens for Holiday Season

Sorry for my long absence with this column but I just finished my first Krazy for Coupons class as part of UAM’s Continuing Education Program. It took a lot of my time to prepare for but was well worth it. I will be offering another class in Monticello next semester and one in Hamburg, as well. The class was packed with all levels of couponers. We had a great time and several brought up questions that I felt like needed to be addressed in this column.

For instance, did you know that Walmart will price match Black Friday ads? (more…)

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The 19 year old Monticello man, who was charged with theft by receiving, fleeing, discharging a firearm, and possession of a firearm, after he allegedly fired at man shot stopped at his residence to buy some yard sale items, had his bond set at $15,000 by District Judge Ken Harper.

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To list your free non-commercial classified ad, email info, 1 photo, and phone number to joe@MonticelloLive.com.

Around 300 Drew Central High School students attended a special program honoring our local Drew County Veterans Friday morning.

Coach Michael Goad and Carolyn Cook, both employees of Drew Central Schools, were recognized to raise the American flag on Veterans Day as students, faculty, staff, and guests look on.

Also, DCHS Student Council President Kyle Kunkle and Vice President Nicole Nichiniello presented American and Arkansas flags to Glen Kellebew and Randy Gavin, who both served in Vietnam.

 The campus Flag was raided, and them lowered to half staff, and the choir sang the Star Spangled Banner.