Monticello Live

Congressman Ross is shown answering questions from the Drew Central students who attended the UAM meeting.

Congressman Mike Ross made a stop at UAM for one of his 39 scheduled town hall meetings for the month. He stated that in August, Congress is usually not in session, and to many Congressmen this means it’s vacation time, but to him, it’s a great time to go out and listen to the people.

“It’s one thing to have the title representative, it’s another thing to be one.” – Ross

He began the question and answer session by saying, “I’m not going to bore you with a long speech… I’m here to listen to you.” (more…)

A long-awaited and much-anticipated event occurred recently in southeast Arkansas. The new “new Greenville bridge” was dedicated on Monday, July 26th. The bridge had been in development sixteen years since its initial planning stages began in 1994.

For a few minutes though I want to take you back in history to the time when the “old” Greenville bridge was the “new” bridge. This old bridge came into reality in 1940. That was nearly 70 years ago. In the 1930s Greenville, Mississippi, was known as the Queen City of the Delta. Greenville’s visionary mayor at the time, Milton C. Smith, felt that the city would develop further economically if there was a bridge connecting it to Arkansas.

In 1936 a task force of businessmen and leaders from three states formed the Arkansas-Mississippi-Alabama U. S. 82 Association to seek funds for a bridge connecting Greenville and Arkansas. Even though the whole country was struggling in the midst of the Great Depression and funds for such major projects were limited, Mayor Smith and John Fox, secretary of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, were determined and spent weeks at a time in Washington, D.C., lobbying Congress until they received funding so the work could begin. (more…)

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The Senate Subcommittee on Minority Health of the Arkansas General Assembly held a legislative public forum, Thursday, at the VFM Building, here in Monticello.

The meeting included many local legislators, and drew a crowd of around 75 attendees.

Topics included Drew County health statistics, local agencies presentations about their programs, and a question and answer period.

Mainline’s new Monticello Community Health Center is discussed at the 12:30 point in the second video.

The Warren Human Development Center held the ribbon cutting ceremony, earlier this week,  for their recent expansion, that will lead the hiring of around 45 additional jobs for southeast Arkansas residents.

Photo courtesy of the Warren Eagle Democrat. (more…)

$3.3 million has been announced as being available to assist migratory birds heading towards the Gulf of Mexico.

Drew County farmers and landowners, shown in the map here, may apply to be a part of the program. (more…)

The Arkansas Dept. of Health issued a statement, Friday, about illnesses that seem to be tied to the Saline River.

Three cases of severe diarrheal illness have occurred in Saline County this month and have been linked to swimming in the Saline River near the Highway Five Bridge. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has tested water from the area and found it to be unsafe for swimming. (more…)

The Arkansas State Highway Commission has opened bids for improvements to a roadway in Drew County, according to Commission Vice Chairman R. Madison Murphy of El Dorado and Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin.

The purpose of the project is to resurface 3.6 miles of County Road 450, (HWY 133) north of Wilmar.

“This project will resurface selected sections of County Road 450 between Highway 278 and Highway 35,” stated Judge Lampkin.

R.M. Courson, Inc. of Hamburg, Arkansas, was awarded the contract at $338,625.79.

Murphy noted that the County Road project is funded through the State Aid Road Program established by the legislature and administered by the State Aid Division of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. This program provides approximately $20 million annually from the state motor fuels tax to assist counties with projects of their choosing on the county road system.

Murphy said work could begin on the project in two to four weeks, weather permitting. Work should be completed in late August of this year.

State Senator Jimmy Jeffress and State Representative Allen Maxwell recently presented Options Director Brenda Nobles with a check for $10,000.00. Jeffress, Maxwell and Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin helped procure the funds through a Rural Services grant.

Options, Inc is an organization located in Monticello that provides emergency shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Options, Inc has a long and strong history of providing services to victims since 1989. Options, Inc is a certified shelter has met all the guidelines and standards required by the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence to be a certified shelter in the State of Arkansas for 2010. (more…)

Lack of programs, high costs contribute to dearth of treatment options just as state holds off on an expansion approved in 2009.

According to a news release from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, 8 in 10 Arkansans addicted to drugs or alcohol who want treatment cannot get it because the state’s treatment system is overloaded, their insurance doesn’t cover it or they can’t afford it. (more…)

The Arkansas Energy Office (AEO), a division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), has announced a $1.78 million Renewable Technology Rebate Fund. Through this program, Arkansans may be eligible to receive rebates on the purchase and installation of small-scale renewable energy systems. Eligible systems include photovoltaic (solar), wind turbine and solar hot water heating systems. Funds for this program were provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. (more…)

Governor Mike Beebe had announced that Robert “Sonny” Jones, Jr., of Monticello, has been appointed to the Arkansas Development Finance Authority Board of Directors.

Jones’ appointment continues until January 14, 2014.

The Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) Baucum Nursery announces a new tree seedling purchasing option. The Nursery has packaged a limited number of wildlife bundles containing Northern Red Oak, Cow Oak, Sawtooth Oak, Persimmon and Pecan. The one-year-old, bare root seedlings are packaged in bundles of 10 (two of each species) for $20, and each species is marked with a different color flagging.

The new wildlife bundles are only available by ordering online, and they must be picked up no later than March 31.

AFC seedlings are grown at Baucum Nursery for one growing season – except for 25 pack Loblolly pine, which are 2 years old. When the seedlings become dormant in the fall, they are lifted and packed “bare root” (no dirt on the roots) for shipment to designated cooler locations. To learn more about AFC seedlings or to place your order online, visit www.arkansasforestry.org or call Baucum Nursery toll-free at 1-888-457-4221.

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. (more…)

$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.

(more…)

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 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.”

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.

Governor Mike Beebe has  announced that Dr. Robert Kissell, of Monticello, has been reappointed to the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Board.

Kessell’s new appointment expires August 1, 2013.

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.

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.

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. (more…)

William 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.

Sheilla Lampkin, Chairperson of the Arkansas History Commission, presents a “timely” plaque of appreciation and recognition to Russell P. Baker, who retired from the State Archives after 39 1/2 years as a state archivist

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.

 

Governor Mike Beebe has announced that Representative Allen Maxwell, of Monticello, has been appointed to the Arkansas Blue Ribbon Committee on Highway Finance.

Maxwell’s appointment expires January 1, 2011.

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. (more…)

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. (more…)

Governor Mike Beebe has announced the appointment of Lee Pinkus, of Monticello, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, for Judicial District #10.Pinkus wil replace Cecil Pryor, and serve until January 14, 2013.

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”.

(more…)

Dr. Jack Lassiter, chancellor at UAM, was appointed last week to the Criminal Justice Institute Advisory Board, by Gov. Mike Beebe.

The appointment will expire on January 14, 2013.

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. (more…)

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.

State Senator Jimmy Jeffrers of Crossett, is shown opening the state senate’s first education committee meeting.

Sen. Jeffress is chaiman of the committee, which held their meeting shortly after UAM’s 100 Anniversay Re-inactment, last week.

Construction of an overpass in Lincoln County is shown here, as construction continues on Interstate 530′s intersection with State HWY 11, west of Stat City.

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.

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.