Monticello Live

Click here for MonticelloLive.com’s Community Calendar.

Each month, MonticelloLive rewards the reader who calls in the best news tip, or submits the best photo, with a $100 prize.

It’s been awhile since the winner’s were announced, so here are the October, November, and December’s winning submissions.  January’s best has been awarded, and will be posted soon, as well.

An unusual photo was taken around noon, one December Friday, showing a southbound car in the northbound lane of HWY 425 at it’s intersection with HWY 278.

That photo was worth $100 to Betb Davis, December’s winner, who quickly took the photo, while waiting in the turning lane, amazed at what she saw.

November’s winning news tip was called in around midnight, after the pick-up truck shut down E. Gaines Street, and caused major damage to several  businesses for several days, and knocked over the power pole that held up the Main Street traffic light..

The winner declined the prize money, but chose to donate it to the work that Mandy Moss is doing with dogs from the pound, with medical treatment, and spay and neutering.

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October best news tip was about the helicopter “blow drying” Hyatt Field before a Billies Game.

The tip came from a Billies fan, who contributed their prize money to Second Baptist’s youth fund.

More monthly prize winner are included in the link below.

Read the rest of this entry »

The 53rd Annual Southeastern Forestry Conclave will be hosted by the University of Arkansas at Monticello, held at the Drew County Fairgrounds on March 25-27, 2010.

It is designed to encourage team work, promote cooperation and friendly competition, and develop long lasting friendships. The colleges that will be participating are Alabama A&M University, the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Auburn University, Clemson University, the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, the University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, Stephen F. Austin University, the University of Tennessee, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Tech University.

Each school will compete in both technical and physical events. The technical events are DBH estimation, wood ID, photogrammetry, pole classification, dendrology, timber estimation, wildlife ID, and compass & pacing. The physical events are archery, axe throw, bowsaw- men’s & women’s, birling, chain throw, crosscut- men’s, women’s, and Jack & Jill, knife throw, log chop, log roll, pole climb, and pole felling. On Thursday night, Stihl will sponsor the Collegiate Timbersports Challenge, held at the University Center Rodeo Arena located south of the UAM campus on HWY 425.

This will eventually be televised on ESPNU, date is to be announced. The UAM Forestry Club encourages the public to come out and cheer the students on. The cost to come and enjoy a great time is nothing. Hope to see you there!

Article by DMH CEO Mike Layfield, from DMH weekly newsletter.

Today is Valentine’s Day. I thought I would share a few thoughts with you regarding Valentine’s Day and what it means to me. Let it serve as a reminder, to you to not forget that special someone in your life, including your family and friends during this holiday.

Last Valentine’s Day, I did a lot of thinking and research of the origins of receiving  and sending Valentine’s Day cards. According to one legend, Valentine, a priest and early saint, actually sent the first “Valentine” greeting card himself, while in prison. According to the greeting card association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine cards are sent each year making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. Read the rest of this entry »

Kindergarten Star Student for January
(Front Row, L to R) Jacob Davis, Cashis Carter, Tyler Henderson, Gracie Connard, Keonda Green, Marco Jimenez, Kaytlin Huff, Hailey Moore
(Back Row, L to R) Mercedes Hayes, Jordan Berryman, Jordan Woolford, Briani Marshall, Sydney West, Cheyenne Parks

First Grade Star Student for January
(Front Row, L to R)Kaylee King, Tylan Burke, DeyShaun Fellows
(Middle Row, L to R) Trevor McKinstry, Spencer Poe, Jace Barnett, Amarion Lucas, Austin Gustafson, Katelyn East
(Back Row, L to R) Keleb Simpson, Kane Taylor, Marshall Baker, Garrett Goggans, Brandon Brown, Ty’Asia Gilbert
Absent: Nathan Meeks

Around 2:30, Thursday afternoon, a maroon Honday Accord was reported driving at high speeds on HWY 425, in notthern Drew County.

As the Honda neared the county line, it rear ended the driver of a vehicle, near the Mt. Zion Road intersection.  No one was injured during the collision, and both vehicles drove from the scene.

The Accord then continued north into Lincoln County, reportedly exceeding speeds of over 100 MPH, according to witnesses, before crashing into the rear of a Chevy Impala, just north of Slingerland’s Furniture.

The Impala overturned on the east side of HWY 425, with it’s driver inside, while the Honda spun to a stop on the west side of the highway.

Witnesses had reportedly seen 3 occupants in the Honda, while it was in Drew County, but after it’s final crash, only one passenger remained in the vehicle, with no one else at the scene of the wreck.

That passenger was transported by E.A.S.I. ambulance to a medical facility north of the county line.  McKinney’s Wrecker responded to the scene, which was being investigated by Troop E (Pine Bluff) of the Arkansas State Police.

I just wanted to say “thank you” so much for posting the classified ad for our ‘house for sale” on MonticelloLive.  

Thanks to you we have now sold the house!

Many people mentioned to us that they saw the ad on MonticelloLive.com. Great advertising!

Have a great day!
Shannon

Read the rest of this entry »

Daily Bible Readings are now available over the phone, day or night, by calling 367-7777.

367-7777 is the phone number for the MonticelloLive Info Line, and we are proud to feature “The Scripture of the Day” on extension 9.

After the time and temperature, dial 9 to hear a favorite scripture.

Other information on the MonticelloLive Info Line includes;

Ext. 2.  Repeat the time & temperature.

Ext.  5.  Stephenson-Dearman funeral schedules.

Ext.  9.  Scripture of the Day.

367-7777.

Give it a call, you’ve already got the number memorized.

As 2009 comes to an end, here’s a look back at the headlines from MonticelloLive.com.

A tornado hit Drew County on May 6.  All of the buildings at the fairgrounds were destroyed, except for the auditorium.  The annual Rhythm & Roots Festival was moved to August, and the Drew County Fair had to cancel many of it’s regular events.  During the ongoing process of planning for this year’s fair, 5 board members have resigned.  The fair board is re-organizing, and in hopes of being able to secure a lease contract with the University of Arkansas (who owns the fairgounds property) in the near future, and re-build the fairgounds in time for 2010’s fair.

Once again, the past year saw too many lives come to an end too early.  In January, Jessica Mann, age 18, a Sav-a-Lot employee was killed in an automobile accident.  In March, Derrick Johnson, age 34 died following a motorcycle wreck.    In May, Latasha Strong, age 32, died, after the vehicle she was in ran off of a bridge over the Saline river.  Her body was found in the vehicle the next afternoon.  Later in May, Robert Brazeale, age 21, drowned in Lake Monticello. Nakeshia Page, age 21, was killed in an car crash in July.  In October, 18 year old Jake Casteel also died in an auto accident.  And December closed out 2009 with another young life lost, as Jesse Cash, age 16, a Drew Central junior, also lost his life in a motor vehicle accident.

Monticello lost two community leaders in 2009, with Betty Lindsey’s death in early April, and James Jordan’s passing in late December.

The Monticello Sr. Billies won the State Championship game, which was played at War Memorial Stadium.  The Billies completed their season with an undefeated record.  Billies fans showed support many ways, including hiring a helecopter to “blow dry” a rain-soaked Hyatt field one Friday afternoon.  

Monticello’s City Council approved the construction of a splash pad, which will be built at Jordan Park. 

Also on the City Council’s agenda was the clean-up of nuisance properties around town.  4 letters were sent to property owners, and now all 4 have either begun removing the houses in question, or at least have agreed to do so in the near future.

UAMonticello celebrated it’s 100th birthday in 2009, with it’s Centennial Celebration. 

Drew Memorial Hospital also made the news regularly in 2009, based on their approved $14 million expansion, their quality award from Gov. Mike Beebe, and the efforts of JP Ron Echols to encourage the DMH board to ask the Quorum Court for a hospital tax.

Two local doctors, Sidney Collins and Jeff Reinhart, and dentist Dr. Tim Chase were approved by the DMH board and Quorum Court to purchase a parcel of land next to the hospital for the construction of a medical office building.  There has since been a disagreement as to the appraised value of the property, and they have now asked for the county to agree to arbitration on the appraisal.

In January, Alicia Ammons was found guilty of manslaughter, for the death of Cortland Jones, who was stabbed in the neck, during a confrontation on July 4, 2008.  Her father, Clarence Ammons, was found not guilty. 

Another January court case came to an end, as a Drew County jury sentenced Michael Anthony Green, who had 17 prior drug charges to 60 years in prison.

One March weekend included an airplane hitting a white tail deer, at the Monticello airport; followed the next day with an SUV colliding with a John Deere.  Only in Arkansas could both of these events take place within 24 hours.

In May, MonticelloLive.com was proud to bring to local attention to the efforts of Monticello Fire Chief Steven “Blue” Faulkner as he entered a burning trailer, waking the man inside, and bringing him out of the burning home.  MPD Sgt. Carlos Garcia, who also responded, said, “Faulkner definitely saved that man’s life.”

In January, MLive ran an update on the 2008 story about the cellulosic diesel plant in Jerome, which should employee 250.  In May, cottonseed stored inside of the facility caught fire, and brought firefighters from all over southeast Arkansas.

MADD’s Mock DWI accident was performed in front of MHS students in April, before the prom.  This year’s event was done in memory of Dustin ”Rooster” Ferguson, who died innocently in an alcohol related crash last year.  MonticelloLive recorded the MADD Mock DWI and it has been viewed over 600 times. 

The month of June brought an end to Stanley Lucas’ election fraud charges stemming from the former convenience store owner, and supporter of legalizing the sale of alcohol in the Wilmar area’s charge of “election canvasser making a false statement” in last years wet/dry township election.  Lucas pled guilty and received no time to serve, but did get a $1 fine, and must pay reimbursement, and court costs.  The $1 fine will make the charge a part of his permanent record.

July began with the capital murder charges against Duane Gonder for the shooting death of his brother Marcus Gonder.

July also included the arrest of Benjamin Briney by the Drew County Sheriff’s Dept. for the beating death of a Shetland pony, that had been loaned to a family for a child’s birthday party.  A jury found Briney not guilty of the first trial of Arkansas’ new cruelty to animals law, later in the year. 

July crime continued as two Monticello men, Emery Riley and Patrick Lewis used a shotgun to commit an armed robbery against a worker at the Wash-O-Matic Laundromat.

In September, Amy Arrington, a MES special ed teacher was arrested by the DTF on alleged forged prescription charges.  She was terminated by the school in December, without a public notice as to the cause, due to confidentiality reasons.

The SeaArk Companies (formerly MonArk Boat Company) celebrated 50 years of boat building in September.

Other September news included the ongoing saga of the stadium lights over Monticello and UAM’s football fields.
The poles holding up the stadium lights were built by a company in Texas, and have been described as a safety risk to sports fans attending games where the Whitco poles are used.   Both Monticello Schools and UAM hired qualified welders install gusset plates to the base of each of the poles for safety, and both fields were returned to service.

In October, Monticello’s Ellis Field was named as the Arkansas Airport of the Year.

Also in October, events occurred that led to November arrest of Robert Avery, an employee of the Warren School District, charged with rape.

Also in October, the building on the corner of Main and Gaines Streets collapsed during heavy rains and a severe thunderstorm.  

A midnight wreck just before Thanksgiving again slowed traffic around Monticello’s square, as a pick-up truck driver fell asleep, and did major damage to several store fronts on East Gaines St, the stop-light, and knocked over a power pole.  The street re-opened as the damage was repaired.

December headlines included $1,000,000 Bond Set for Robbery/Kidnapping Suspect-$500,000 & $750,000 for Other 3 for Car Theft & Gun Shot, after 4 Pine Bluff men came to Monticello in a stolen car, attempted to steal a car from UAM, shot at a student,  and then stole yet another vehicle.  One of the men proceded to go to EZ-Mart on Hyatt Street, rob it, and force the clerk outside to the parking lot, and was assaulting her, as police arrived.

As we look forward into 2010, the past and the future will once again meet at “the Ridgeway”, as the former hotel has been approved by ADFA for a $5.4 million renovation, to serve as an elderly housing complex.

One other event worth mentioning is that congratulations are in order for Monticello’s newest national celebrity.  UAM’s Boll Weevil mascot was featured on ESPN and many other networks across the country, as a part of the advertising campaign for KGB’s information provider service.

December 27 saw the passing of another member of the “greatest generation” – one who spent his adult life in service of others. Born in Drew County in 1925, James Jordan leaves a long legacy of service that should serve as a role model for generations to come.

Read the rest of this entry »

The short message below posted on MonticelloLive this morning, and within an hour, the owner of the lost puppies saw the ad, and called Carol to make arrangements to pick up her lost pets.

Free Classifieds on MonticelloLive.  They work.

Found on Country Club hill Monday afternoon, two yellow lab puppies.
They are being well cared for.
Finder has been to numerous homes in the area trying to find their owner.
You may contact Carol @ 367-####.

Glenda Strickland was chosen as Health Hero for the month of October at Drew Memorial Hospital.

Glenda works in the environmental services department, and won the awared by going over and beyond the call of duty in assisting a visitor by driving their car up to the front entrance allowing them to get in their car on a rainy day.

Rebecca Friend recently joined MonticelloLive as a news reporter.

Rebecca is a Modern Languages Major at UAM, after having received her first Bachelor’s Degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing last May. She is hoping to graduate with her second degree in May 2010 and continue to pursue her Master of Arts in Teaching. 

Rebecca worked as a reporter for the Ashley News Observer during the summer and winter of 2006 and loves writing articles for the news media. She is excited to be a part of MonticelloLive.

Rebecca hopes to teach English and Spanish after she receives her Master’s, and one day hopes to publish novels for teens and young adults.

After the collapse of the building on the east side of  the square’s south side, a temporary repair was noticed that had recently been applied to the building on the west end of that same row of building.

The tape appears to be Duct Tape, a product that is usually made of aluminum, and used in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry, and not the standard grade of “duck tape.”

But it is still a shining example of a potential problem.

Cole Harris killed this 7 point Saturday morning while hunting with his dad.

This was his first buck.

He is the son of Josh & Janell Harris.

Due to lack of participation and lack of publicity, the promotion day set for Tuesday at City Park has been canceled. Thanks to those of you who agreed to help. We will try again in the spring.

Please remember the annual 4-H Banquet is on Tuesday, October 27 at 6:00 p.m. at Pauline Baptist Church. You MUST sign-up by Thursday, October 22nd to attend. PLEASE make sure everyone in your club is aware of this deadline. It will be a great evening out for the whole family. Hope to see you there! Thanks – Amber

MonticelloLive.com is celebrating it’s 2nd  birthday this week, since business operations and reporting duties were taken over by Joe Burgess (“the MonticelloLive guy”) back in October, 2007.

Readership has grown constantly over the 2 year period, as shown by the 1.6 million pageviews that the site has received over in the past year.

While another website keeps posting impressive numbers, MonticelloLive makes it possible for readers to view our actual daily pageviews totals.  Just click on the black, white, & orange One Stat.com logo at the bottom left of  MonticelloLive newspages. 

MonticelloLive is designed to be “User Friendly”, we don’t make you play “hide & seek” to find stories.  All new news stories at that the top of the front page.

When you click on the MonticelloLive icon on your desktop screen, it doesn’t take you to a roadmap of the website, you’re immediately taken to the most recent news items posted that day.  I’ts that simple.   If you want to see school lunch menus, obituaries, yard sales, or the classifieds, they’re just one click away, at the top of the page. 

News and events may be submitted to MonticelloLive by sending an e-mail to joe@MonticelloLive.com.

And if you around town and see a big guy in a MonticelloLive.com shirt, that’s probably Joe. You many want to slow down, because there may be a car wreck, fire, or other event nearby that would be better to read about, than be a part of.

If there are no flashing lights around, just stop and say “hi”.  Joe’s usually a friendly fellow, who likes to hear what folks think about Monticello.

Finally, say “Happy Anniversary” to the sponsors that make our time together each morning possible.

MonticelloLive has implemented a new policy concerning the posting of reader’s comments.

Positive comments are welcome and encouraged.

However, certain readers have felt that MonticelloLive was designed to be a forum to annonymously post comments intended to simply upset other readers, and emphasize their specific causes.

While comments have been moderated in the past, before being posted: that policy will now be more specific, as to the negativity that has previously been accepted. 

I agree with everyone’s “Freedom of speech”, but that does not include the “freedom to insult.”

Comments that are supportive of someone receiving an honor, or losing a loved one are appropriate; while, name-calling and comments that appear to only be meant to “draw fire” will not be posted.

While the embarrassment of someone that has been arrested may begin with an article that tells the public of that person’s list of charges, it does not seem appropriate to publicly detail every act that led them to this point.

Please remember, with over 1.5 million pageviews in the past year, MonticelloLive is now Monticello’s leading daily news source; a locally owned and operated business, providing a service to it’s readers.

Since taking over operation of MonticelloLive, it has been my intention to cover the news and events that affect Monticello and Drew County, not to provide a public discussion forum for the benefit of annonymous individuals hiding behind false e-mail addresses.

All comments will be read by MonticelloLive management, but the standards that must be met for them to be publicly posted has been raised.

Your understanding in this matter is appreciated.

Friday, around noon, the driver of this Ford Taurus reportedly failed to stop at the stop sign on Chester St, pulling in front of this Ford F150 pick-up, which was pulling a trailer.

C&L Wrecker towed to the Taurus, Rod’s pulled the pick-up.  No one was reported to have needed medical attention.

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Wednesday as both vehicle appeared to have been in the northbound turning lane on HWY 425 near Ryburn’s, this Ford Fusion collided with the back of this Fed-Ex delivery truck.

The Fed-Ex truck sustained minimal damage, the Fusion was removed from the scene by J.A. Goad Towing (delivered to Ellis Bros. Body Shop), and no one reportedly needed medical attention.

Yesterday, I implemented a new feature affecting how you view photos on Monticello Live. In the past, when you clicked on a photo, you were taken to a new window within your web browser to see the full-size image. This process has been simplified to improve your interaction with Monticello Live.

Now, when you click a photo that would normally link you to the full-size image, a window will appear “floating” above your browser. If the picture has a caption, it will be below the image. To navigate through images, click the right part of the image (on which a right-pointing arrow will appear) to see older pictures, or click the left part of the image (on which a left-pointing arrow will appear) to see newer pictures.

Once you’re done viewing pictures, click the “X” in the top-right of the photo, or anywhere outside of the picture in your browser window. The picture will fade away and you will be returned to exactly where you were before you opened the photo.

This feature will allow you to view photos easier and quicker than before. It works on any modern browser like Internet Explorer 8, Firefox 3.5, and Safari 4. If you don’t have the latest version of your respective browser, please update it so you can experience Monticello Live and other web sites as intended.

Below is a video showing the interaction with the new photo feature.

Interacting with photos on MonticelloLive.com from shaneglass on Vimeo.

It is now illegal to text message while driving a motor vehicle on Arkansas roads and highways. The new law that prohibits driving while text messaging is Act 181 of 2009, which took effect on October 1.

Arkansas is now one of the nineteen states that prohibit all drivers from texting. Several other states prohibit teenaged drivers or bus drivers from texting while they’re behind the wheel.

Last year the State Police worked 787 traffic accidents in which drivers were distracted by cell phones or other wireless communications devices. Federal transportation officials say driver distraction is a factor in 16 percent of fatal crashes, and is more prevalent in wrecks involving teenaged drivers.

Another law took effect on October 1 that affects teenaged drivers. It is Act 197 and it prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a cell phone while driving. Drivers who are 18, 19 or 20 years old can use a cell phone, but must use a headset or some type of hands-free device. Read the rest of this entry »

Drew Central Schools Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held Thurs., Oct. 1, 2009 from 3:30 until 7:30.

Also students will not have school Fri., Oct. 2 due to Staff Development.

FOUND Study Bible. Found in front of Cowboy’s.

Call Jimmie at 460.0106 to indentify

Update (09/09/09 6:15 AM): Read the rest of this entry »

Support for Facebook Connect has been added to Monticello Live’s commenting system. Even if you already have a Monticello Live user account, you should see a “Facebook Connect” action button in the comment system of an article’s page. Clicking this link will tie your Monticello Live account to your Facebook account.

When you sign in to Monticello Live through Facebook, you can post your new comments to your Facebook News Feed. This adds a whole new social level to Monticello Live, allowing your friends to see stories you’ve read and commented on.

This screenshot shows how Facebook Connect can publish your activity on MonticelloLive to your Facebook News Feed.

These photos, taken Tuesday night, show recent improvements at the Drew County Fairgrounds, including where the destroyed building was that housed the cattle barn and old auditorium has been removed.

The newly graded parking lot should be ready to provide better service, with drainage flowing in 2 directions.

The commercial and exhibit buildings are still out of service, and bids are being taken to provide for their repairs.  They should be back in service by the 2010 fair.

The best news tip for the month of July was about a break-in on HWY 425.   The person who provided this news tip, wishes to remain annonymus, but wanted to donate their $100 to the Youth Group of Second Baptist Church. Read the rest of this entry »

MonticelloLive.com is now posting news updates on facebook.

Just search for MonticelloLive.com on facebook., and click on Become A Fan.
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“Hello Joe, thanks for invitime me to be a fan of MonticelloLive.com on facebook.

You don’t know me but I have a sister and nephew who live in Drew County.

I was born and raised in Monticello many moons ago. I have lived in the Chicagoland area for nearly 37 years, retired moved back to Mt. Home, AR.

So I am really interested in news from Monticello (as I don’t get down that way but maybe once a year.)”

Thanks again.

Read the rest of this entry »