Monticello Live

Monticello's Daily News

Edward Jones Cablevision

Search

CLASSIFIEDS

SCHOOL LUNCHES

OBITUARIES

Dual State Fire Protection

Dual State Fire Protection

Corner Express

Corner Express

Seark Sod Farm

High Maintenance_5

Sonic

Searcy & Associates

Searcy & Associates, LLC.

Giggles N Grins

Young’s BBQ

Young’s BBQ

SeaArk Boats

SeaArk Boats

The Market Place

The Market Place

Hubbell Attorney at Law

Hubbell Attorney At Law

HR Block

Tiner’s

Grace Academy

Grace Academy

LifeShare until March 19th

Life Share Blood Centers

ATT

AT&T

A.J. Huffman

Sheilla Lampkin

Elect Sheilla Lampkin

Mullis Insurance

Sammy Mullis Insurance

Western Sizzlin’

Western Sizzlin'

South Ark Sat. Till Feb. 8th

South Arkansas Satellite

Union Bank

Razorback Body Shop

Razorback Body Shop

Monticello Medical Clinic Flu Shots

Monticello Medical Clinic Flu Shots

Monticello Healthcare

Ray’s

Roberts MarketPlace

Head of the Class

Time & Temp

Time and Temperature

24 Counties, Including Drew, Eligible for Public Assistance

February 12th, 2010 by News Release

Damages from severe storms and flooding left their mark on 24 Arkansas counties hit during the period Dec. 23, 2009 to Jan. 2, 2010 making them eligible to receive federal funding for repairs. The storms and flooding left damages to bridges, highways, public buildings, parks, hospitals and water treatment plants – not to mention a trail of debris and potentially disrupted communications and emergency services. Read the rest of this entry »

Attention: Residents Affected by December 23-24 Severe Storms & Flooding

January 4th, 2010 by Drew County Offices

ATTENTION RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY THE DECEMBER 23-24, 2009 SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Bradley, Calhoun, Clark, Clay, Cleburne, Cleveland, Craighead, Dallas, Drew, Faulkner, Grant, Greene, Hempstead, Jackson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Lonoke, Miller, Monroe, Nevada, Ouachita, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, White, and Woodruff Counties

THE STATE OF ARKANSAS IS REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DAMAGES INFORMATION NEEDED:
PRIMARY HOMEOWNERS INFORMATION (Social Security Number, Damage Address, Phone Numbers, Email, Etc.)
TYPE OF INSURANCE
TYPE OF DAMAGES
TYPES OF ESSENTIAL AND/OR SPECIAL NEEDS
TEMPORARY HOUSING NEEDS UNINSURED PERSONAL PROPERTY LOSS

STATE DISASTER INFORMATION HOTLINE
888-683-ADEM (2336)
TDD 501-682-8820

APPLICATION PERIOD AND HOURS OF OPERATION
January 4 — 8, 2010
8:00 AM — 4:00 PM

CALL CENTER IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. DISASTER ASSISTANCE IS NOT AVAILABLE AND GRANT FUNDING WILL NOT BE AWARDED

UAM, Drew Memorial, Intermodal, and Great River Bridge to get Federal Funding, According to “House”

December 14th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

$475,000 for Southeast Arkansas Intermodal Facility
Funds will be used to construct infrastructure to develop the intermodal and industrial park facility. Improvements will include an access road, water and sewer lines and rail.

 $250,000 to Address Critical National Energy and Environmental Issues at University of Arkansas at Monticello
Funding will provide for renovation, construction, and equipment to further the initiatives of Arkansas Forest Resources Center. Diverse research, extension educational outreach and teaching programs encompassing economic expansion and productivity, and environmental sustainability and quality of life issues provide the principal focus to the Center’s mission. The University’s extension programs reach about two million Arkansans per year.

 $100,000 for Digital Mamography Equipment at Drew Memorial Hospital
Drew Memorial Hospital will use the funds to purchase a state-of-the-art digital breast imaging machine. The hospital’s current mammography equipment is out-of-date and insufficient in the detection and treatment of cancer nodes.

$1,948,000 for Interstate 69/Great River Bridge: Highway 65-MS Highway 1 (Desha County)
Funds will be used to continue engineering, design, and right-of-way acquisition for I-69/Great River Bridge. This bridge is a portion of a new, four-lane, controlled-access highway.

Read the rest of this entry »

Educational Grants Available at Local Workforce Center

November 9th, 2009 by News Release

Apply now for the WIA Grant for the Spring 2010 semester. Qualified applicants can receive up to $10,000 for college or qualified training.

Come by the Arkansas Workforce Center located at 477 South Main Street in Monticello to apply.

Deadline to apply is Friday, November 13, 2009.

For more information, call 870-367-9900.

GOVERNOR BEEBE ORDERS FLAGS FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF

November 6th, 2009 by Governor Mike Beebe

Governor Mike Beebe has ordered U.S. and Arkansas flags to be flown at half-staff until Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, in honor of those killed and wounded at Fort Hood in Texas on Thursday.

“There is still much we don’t know about this terrible tragedy, but Arkansans join our fellow Americans who are grief-stricken by this senseless loss of life,” Beebe said. “Arkansas military personnel have a long history with Fort Hood, and feel an especially deep loss among their family in uniform.”

Governor Mike Beebe to be Keynote Speaker at Cornerstone Coalition Event, Oct .28

October 26th, 2009 by News Release

Governor Mike Beebe will be the Keynote Speaker at the Southeast Arkansas Cornerstone Coalition, Inc.’s inaugural Annual Meeting and Banquet on Wednesday, October 28, 2009.

The Annual Meeting and Banquet will be held in the Capitol Room in the Gibson University Center on the University of Arkansas at Monticello Campus.

The event will begin at 6:30 pm and tickets are $15.00 per person. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Executive Director, Mary Seymore at (870) 460-1224. Seating capacity is limited to 200.

Local Legislator Honored at Capitol

October 21st, 2009 by Submitted

JEFFRESSSenator Jimmy Jeffress of Crossett talks to a television reporter in the rotunda of the state Capitol in Little Rock before a rally kicking off National Teen Driver Safety Week.

Senator Jimmy Jeffress of Crossett was honored Monday by the Arkansans for Graduated Drivers Licensing Coalition in appreciation of his sponsorship of Act 394 of 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

NEW 4-LANE HIGHWAY 65 TO OPEN ALL LANES AT GRADY

October 17th, 2009 by News Release

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) plans to open all four lanes of the new Highway 65 Bypass at Grady next week, according to AHTD officials.

Traffic will begin using all four lanes on Wednesday, October 21st at approximately 10:00 a.m. Existing two-way traffic on the northbound lanes of the new bypass will be split, with northbound traffic remaining the same and southbound traffic moving to the currently unused southbound lanes.

Additional work by the contractor will be ongoing for a few more weeks. The speed limit will remain at 55 mph while the work is being completed. Once completed, the speed limit will be increased to 65 mph. Motorists are reminded that the remaining work will require intermittent lane closures.

AHTD Hearing Tuesday Answers Most Questions about Monticello Bypass for I-69

September 9th, 2009 by Joe Burgess
CLICK TO ENLARGE -- Monticello Bypass

Click to Enlarge.

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department held a Public Hearing Tuesday evening at the Sadie Johnson Community Center, to allow public input, as well as answer some questions about the proposed plans for a bypass of Monticello for the future I-69.

001 (2)Approximately 90 area residents attended the informational meeting, to ask questions about their land, houses, and community.  I was able to go through the process of question and answers with a couple who are losing their home of 12 years to the new roadway, as they visited with one of the approximately 9 AHTD representatives who were present for the forum, representing different departments of the AHTD.

005 (2)The official name of the “Monticello Bypass” is known as “job 020471″, and will begin near the “dead man’s curve” area of HWY 278 East, and continue to it’s end, on HWY 425 South, near the Drew Central Bus Shop.

AHTD brought to the meeting 3 16 foot long maps, showing in great detail the exact area, down to storage sheds, that will be directly affected by the construction.

Interchanges will be built at the 278 East and HWY 425 connection points, as well as it’s crossing with HWY 35 South/HWY 35 East.

3 overpasses will be built where the new roadway comes into the Old Deane Road, Old Troy Road, and Midway Route areas of construction.

The 8.6 mile project will also be raised over the crossing of the Arkansas Midland Railroad.

The project could begin as early as acquiring properties with the next year, and beginning the bid process for construction in the Fall of 2010.  The project will begin as a 2 lane highway, and will be expanded into a 4 lane divided roadway in the future. Read the rest of this entry »

Jeffress Recognized for Legislative Efforts

June 30th, 2009 by Submitted

jeffressState Representative Gene Shelby (Hot Springs) and state senator Jimmy Jeffress (Crossett) were recognized recently by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock.

The recognition was for their work on teen driver legislation in Arkansas. In 2008, Arkansas was ranked last in the nation for adequate traffic safety law. Act 394, sponsored by Jeffress and co-sponsored by Shelby, provides guidelines to improve driving safety for minors.

Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in Arkansas.

The event was sponsored by Meharry Medical College (Nashville, TN) and State Farm Insurance.

Boys State at Capitol, 2009

June 6th, 2009 by Senator Jimmy Jeffress

dsc08198William Jenkins of Rison, a delegate for Arkansas Boys State 2009, is guided by Senators Jimmy Jeffress of Crossett (right) and Percy Malone of Arkadelphia during a mock legislative session at the state Capitol in Little Rock. Jenkins will be a senior at Rison High School next fall.Boys State is sponsored by the American Legion to teach students about government and the democratic process. Jeffress and Malone worked with the boys at the Capitol and earlier in the week when they held mock elections in Conway, where they stayed in dorms at the University of Central Arkansas.

Local Legislator in Group that Studies Mining of Lignite “Coal Bed” Energy

May 24th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

At a recent MEDC meeting, state representative Allen Maxwell presented a power point presentation about a trip the he had been a part, that researched the effects and practices of mining lignite, at the Sabine Lignite Mine and H. W. Pirkey Power Plant, near Hallsville, TX.

The trip was made to learn about lignite mining, because there are 9 billion tons of lignite in Arkansas, including most of Drew, Bradley, Cleveland, Ashley, and Jefferson Counties.

Lignite is a “finger-tip sized’ chunky substance, that would eventually turn into coal.  Mining is done in 1000 acre tracts, and is the “cheapest electricity in Texas.:”

There are unresolved issues about it the owners of “surface rights” also own “mineral rights” to the same properties.

Lignite mining in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas have reportedly been successful, economicly and environmentally.

The photos below include pictures of fields that have been reclaimed at 3-5 and 15 year stages.

 

Arkansas/Drew County Prepare for Swine Flu

April 28th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin, Monticello Mayor Joe Rogers, Drew County Health Nurse Karen Brown, OES manager Bill Horn, DMH CEO Mike Layfield, and DMH ER manager Linda Orrell took part in a statewide conference call, Monday afternoon, discussing the potential effects of swine flu in Arkansas.

At this time, there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Arkansas, but there have been approximately 50 confirmed cases of the illness nationwide, following 149 suspected deaths in Mexico from the disease.

Some schools in New York, Ohio, Texas, and California have canceled classes, which shows that this is a nationwide concern. Read the rest of this entry »

Highway Commission to Improve 425 in Lincoln County

April 19th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

The Arkansas State Highway Commission has opened bids to resurface 5.4 miles of Highway 425 near Star City, according to Commission Vice Chairman R. Madison Murphy of El Dorado.

R.M. Courson, Inc. of Hamburg, Arkansas, was awarded the contract at $1,192,191.41.

Murphy said work could begin on the project in six to eight weeks, weather permitting. Completion is expected by August 3, 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

Tax Day Tea Party-Photos & VIDEO

April 18th, 2009 by Submitted

At noon, yesterday,an estimated 200 citizens met in what is described as “a modern day ‘Boston Tea Party’” to hear speakers, and show their unity against what was described as “taxes that begin when you get up and turn off your alarm clock”.

Here’s a video containing many photos of people and signs at the rally.  The video is by Renee Taylor, one of the speakers for the event.

The event which was organized by Russell Corker, and included local speakers and a guest speaker.

 

Renee Taylor, of FamilySecurityMatters.org,  described the current national situation by saying the current legislators have, “ spent us into an abyss that is destroying the very fabric of our nation”.

Read the rest of this entry »

Legialative Summary for Yearly Session-State Capitol Week in Review

April 11th, 2009 by Senator Jimmy Jeffress

Creation of a lottery and expansion of health care programs were among the major accomplishments of the 2009 regular session of the legislature, which ended after 88 days.Tax cuts were possible because the legislature budgeted very conservatively and kept spending as low as possible.The legislature reduced the sales tax on groceries by a penny, saving Arkansas consumers $40 million a year. Also, the legislature lowered taxes that manufacturing plants pay on utility bills.

Other tax cuts enacted were an income tax credit for restoring historic structures and repeal of the sales tax on mini-warehouses and self storage rentals. Film makers who produce movies in Arkansas will get rebates and incentives. Read the rest of this entry »

Legislators Meet with Citizens Friday at Chamber Office

February 22nd, 2009 by Joe Burgess

Around 40 local residents packed the meeting room of the Monticello Chamber of Commerce office Friday morning to visit with, hear reports from, and ask questions of 4 of our 6 local state legislators.

State Senator Jimmy Jeffress, joined by Representatives Greg Reep, Eddie Cheatham, and Robert Moore. each presented a summary of their legislative efforts, and highlighted several specific items. Read the rest of this entry »

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MEETING at the Chamber of Commerce–Friday

February 19th, 2009 by Submitted

COME VISIT WITH STATE LEGISLATORS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 3:00 P.M. 
MONTICELLO-DREW COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
335 EAST GAINES AVENUE

This meeting is being planned to give area residents and business representatives an opportunity to meet with State Senator Jimmy Jeffress, State Representative Eddie Cheatham, State Representative Gregg Reep and State Representative Allen Maxwell.

We hope you will join us to discuss issues facing the 87th General Assembly and the citizens of Southeast Arkansas.

Meeting Set To Discuss I-69

February 8th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

The Arkansas Highway Department will hold public meetings in connection with the north-south bypass section of I-69.

That section will connect Highway 278 East to Highway 35 East to Highway 425 South.

Public meetings are reportedly scheduled to be held in March on the Drew Central School Campus, according to reports from the MEDC meeting, last week.

Small Generators Needed in Sharp & Randolph Counties–You Can Help

February 3rd, 2009 by Joe Burgess

There is a great need for home generators in Sharp and Randolph County. Power remains out to a large number of homes. If you have a portable generator that you would be willing to loan to a family, here are two telephone numbers to call:
Sharp County Sheriff Larry Brown 870-283-2424 
or
Randolph County Sheriff Gary Tribble 870-810-1601

Your help will be appreciated.

Tax Assessment and Renewing of Car Tags

January 5th, 2009 by Joe Burgess

Arkansas residents must go to the tax assessor’s office at the Courthouse and assess for the new tax year 2009, before they can do any motor vehicle transaction (such as renewing a license or buying license for a new purchase).

In the event that this involves a license that expired in 2008, it still must be assessed after January 2, 2009.

Maxwell Selected as House Chair

December 18th, 2008 by News Release

The House members of the Legislative Council and Legislative Audit Committee have chosen their co-chairs. The Legislative Council chose Rep. Allen Maxwell (D-Monticello) as House Chair and Rep. Nathan George (D-Dardanelle) as Vice Chair. The Audit Committee selected Rep. Johnny Hoyt (D-Morrilton) as House Chair and Rep. Beverly Pyle (R-Cedarville) as Co-Chair.

Yellow Bend Port & Arkansas City Get Federal Grants

October 19th, 2008 by News Release

The Arkansas Congressional Delegation has announced six Arkansas projects that will receive grants totaling $1,099,817 from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), with two of these being located in southeast Arkansas.Two of those projects are:

$66,052 for Infrastructure Improvements for the Port of Yellow Bend, in Chicot and Desha Counties, where funds will increase the production and types of cargo that can be handled in the Port of Yellow Bend. The funds will also increase shipping and job opportunities. 

$183,765 to Construct an Access Road and Parking Area in Arkansas City, in Desha County. These funds will help build an access road and parking area at the local lake and wildlife management area to promote and improve tourism and create jobs. Read the rest of this entry »

1 of 212

Arkansas Carpet

Arkansas Carpet

Baker’s Electrical

Baker's Electrical and Plumbing

Centers for Youth & Families

Centers for Youth & Families

Ryburn’s

Southern Quality Construction

Larry & Lance Kling

Triple A Towing

Triple A Towing

Walmart

A New Day Counseling

DMH Feb. Health Hero

Drew Memorial Hospital

The Buck Stop

The Buck Stop

SeaArk (Supply/Rig/Paint)

SeaArk Marine

JTS & Co. Mortgage

JTS & Co. Mortgage

Farmer’s Insurance

Drager Safety

Monticello Tire

Monticello Tire

Commercial Bank

Delta ACA

Shane Glass

Larry’s Pizza Now Open

Larry's Pizza

Secure Storage

Secure Storage

McKennon

Union Bank

Cowboy’s

Cowboy's

SEEMS

KHBM

KHBM

Save A Lot

Booth 7B March

Booth 7B

LA Graphics

LA Graphics

Clearview

City Drug

City Drug