Monticello Live

At the recent Democratic county committee meeting, local attorney Sara Hartness explained each of the upcoming ballot issues that will be on the November election ballot.

Thursday, officials from the U.S. department of health and human services visited 2 government-owned facilities in Arkansas as possible detention sites for migrant children, that have been the focus of many national news reports. (more…)

Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin was the guest of the Monticello Rotary,  Thursday.

His topics included the importance of STEM education & training.

”We must continue developing the workforce AR needs to attract the good, high-paying jobs of the future.” – Griffin

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At the request of local officials, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has investigated an alternative option for the remaining Future Interstate 69 federal-aid earmarked and state matching funds. (more…)

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Door-to-door salespeople are trying to take advantage of Arkansans at home. Summer is a popular time for home solicitors to hit the streets, selling home improvement projects, home security systems, newspapers, magazines and more. They frequently use high pressure sales tactics to make the deal and sometimes consumers walk away regretting the purchase. (more…)

Recently, there was an I-69 public meeting held in Monticello. Although no major updates were announced, it was very educational and gave a full history of the project. Basically, the next step is to gain funding for the Great River Bridge over the Mississippi River near Desha County.

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According to sources, a local restaurant/bar has had its liquor license suspended by Arkansas DF&A.

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Delta Regional Authority, state and local partners announce $26 million to strengthen Arkansas’s workforce, infrastructure, and economy

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Reggie Binns, of Reggie’s Towing & Recovery has been appointed to
the Arkansas Towing & Recovery Board by Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

“There are serious questions about whether Drew Memorial Hospital can procede with it’s expansion plans,” is how County Attorney CLiff Gibson described the situation abound how DMH surgery center will be affected by 10 owrthwest Arkasas senators refusing to pass Gov. Hutchinson’a Arkansas Works program.

The Arkansas Highway & Transportation Dept. held a public meeting, last week at Drew Centraal, which was attended by dozens of local residents.

Design engineer David Baker gave MLive a “virtual tour” of the proposed bypass, using the map drawings on display.

The video shows all road intersections, bridge crossings, and an overpass, which will evantually be added at Old Warren Road.

BEFORE THE ARKANSAS BURIAL ASSOCIATION BOARD
IN THE MATTER OF:LINDA SHEPHERD, SECRETARY/TREASIIRER
JOSEPH CAVENESS, PRESIDENT, DREW COUNTY BURIAL ASSOCIATION

NOTICE OP HEARING
Pursuant to its supervisory authority over Arkansas burial associations, Ark. Code Ann. 5 23-7S-109, and its statutory authority to conduct hearings and revoke licenses and authorities. Ark. Code. Sec. 23-78-124, the Arkansas Burial Association Board (the Board) has determined that it will conduct a hearing on its own coniplaint against Linda Shepherd, Secrctary-Treasurer of the Drew County Burial Association
(Respondent Shepherd ), and Joseph Caveness, President of the Drew County Burial Association (“despondent Caveness ). Respondent Shepherd and Respondent Caveness are hereafter referred to collectively as the “Respondents.
ALLEGATIONS OF FACT
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A MLive reader noticed the new driving instructions painted on the City Square.

The sign says “Left lane must turn left,” but the arrow points right.

“Parking only” seems to be allowed on the left, even though parking places are on the right.

We’ll probably be covering wrecks on the square, today.

Chuck Dearman, Jr., of Stephenson Dearman Funeral Home has been appointed to the Arkansas Burial Association Board by Governor Mike Beebe.

Dearman replaces Sumner Brashears on the board. The appointment expires December 31, 2015. .

Native Monticellonian P. Q. Gardner was recently presented an Arkansas House of Representatives Citation in honor of his service to his country in the Army Air Corps during WWII; for his lifelong business pursuits in Southeast Arkansas; and for his role for many years in the education of Drew County’s children as teacher and later superintendent at Drew Central Schools.

Mr. Gardner also founded Drew County’s first cable TV company system and is a longtime realtor in the area.

The citation was presented by State Representative Sheilla Lampkin to mark his December 29th birthday.

According to the Arkansas state board of embalmers and funeral home directors, Christian Brothers Funeral Home, of Monticello, reportedly violated state policy in the case of a July, 2011 funeral.

Larry Brown is the registered manager and a funeral director for Christian Brothers.  Robbiezine Owens is also a licensed funeral director, there.  Michael Jones is owner of Christian Brothes , and is an apprentice funeral director.

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Congressman Mike Ross, featured speaker, and several other public officials break ground on the Arkansas portion of the proposed Interstate 69, east of Monticello in Drew County. Ross, who helped secure federal support for the project in Arkansas, said the interstate is expected to bring many much-needed jobs to south Arkansas and provide an economic boost for the entire region.

When complete, I-69 will span over 2,700 miles from the Canadian border in Michigan to the Mexican border in Texas running through southeastern Arkansas.  

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The center span of the old Greenville Bridge over the Mississippi was lowered to a barge on Tuesday afternoon as part of the demolition of the structure.  Courtesy of AshleyCountyLedger.com.

A history of the Greenville Bridge is posted below

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Around 2:30, Saturday afternoon, a forest fire was reported in the southern part of Drew County.

For several hours, the fire was moving north on two separate fronts, and south, with another fire wall, centered around Gates/Mainline Road, between the south section of Midway Route and Collins Line Road, about 15-20 miles from Monticello.

Local fire departments were standing by area deer camps and watch for road crossings, while 2 planes were dropping water, another plane guiding the firefighters, and 9 fire-plows were also working to extinguish the blazes.

Around 7:30, Saturday night,  it was estimated the the fire was 50% contained, and that the planes and plows would be able to contain and control the remaining fire; and at 9 pm Arkansas Forestry Commission crews reported that the fire had been contained. (more…)

Of our three branches of government, most people are least familiar with the judicial branch. While voters choose the judges who sit on the Arkansas Supreme Court and Arkansas Court of Appeals, these judges keep much lower profiles than legislators or constitutional officers. Very few Arkansans will ever be personally involved in cases heard before our highest state courts, but the decisions of these courts impact the lives of all our citizens on a daily basis.

I have emphasized for years that the best way to restore the faith of our people in their government is through candor, access, and citizen involvement. This is why I was especially glad this week to take part in an announcement by the Arkansas Supreme Court, which is taking those very tenets to heart. (more…)

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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…)