Monticello Live

Judge Sam Bird Roasts Lassiter from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Richard Reinhart Reminises from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Mark McElroy Introduces Mike Layfield from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

DMH CEO Layfield Diagnoses Dr. Lassiter from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Leigh Lassiter Counts, “My Dad” from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Mayor Maxwell Toasts Lassiter’s Accomplishments from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Dr. Jack Lassiter Responds to Roasters from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

MonticelloLive.com’s Friday court photo and story about an NFL player’s Drew County DWI charge earned national attention. Phone calls came in from Detroit to Houston.  Google shows the story was picked up and carried on sites from Oakland to Chicago to New York.  The story was also covered by ESPN.   

Recently, MLive coverage of a DWI 3, 4, & 5 case earned a “bottom crawl” from CNN’s Headline News Channel.

In January, CNN networks contacted MLive’s Joe Burgess about use of the “Bear & Deer” video.  He quickly granted them permission.

Aside from the national attention the local website has drawn, Burgess considers the “Business of the Year” award, presented last December by the Monticello – Drew County Chamber of Commerce, the businesss’ highest honor.

“Monticello’s Daily News” is expected to reach 3 million pageviews in 2012.

The City Council voted unanimously to amend Ordinance 756 of the City of Monticello to assess fines associated with repeat nuisance property owners.

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During the airport report to the City Council, Benji Ryburn told the Council that people landing in heavy and fast moving aircraft are complaining of a dip and a hump on the runway. He stated that he “made some calls and asked for additional funds…and got confirmation that FAA will provide additional funds, up to $141,794, to do work to the runway.”

The money comes from a 100% grant so the City will not be required to provide any funding. The Council voted to apply for the grant and bid out the project.

The Monticello City Council passed a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a bid by Toter, Inc for the purchase of 3,000 rollout trash carts. The bid by Toter was the low bid and came in at $134,700.00.

The City will purchase one can per residence, and a second can may be purchased by an individual for $55-$60.

Trash pickups will be moved to once a week, per ward, once the new cans are in place.

Monday night, the Quorum Court  approved an ordinance transfering  operations of the hospital to Drew Memorial Hospital, Inc.  The ordinance also approved a lease of the facilities to the board, which is made up of the current DMH board of directors.  Also October 9 was set as a special election day for two DMH millage questions.

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UAM Chancellor Jack Lassiter gave an updated Community Center Planning Committee status to the Advertising and Promotion Commission, Monday night.

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Request for Bowfishing Approval at Lake Monticello to Control Carp / Improve Vegitation from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Parks Committee Report to City Council from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

MEDC Report to City Council from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

District Court Report to City Council from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Right after Judge Bynum Gibson told the court that a convicted drug manufacturer would receive two consecutive 10 year sentences, the man approached the judge’s bench, said “I object”, and fell to the floor.

This was the same man who when arrested asked for the Postmaster instead of an attorney and called the jury ““Brain-washed Socialist Cowards”  during his trial.

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During their re-scheduled Parks Committee meeting, Monday night, the group heard a request from Curtis Merrill and Hope Bragg to turn approximately 4.5 acres of the W. C. Whaley property into a nature trail park area.

The city’s fire station will be built on the southwest corner of the lot.  The request will turn the remaining portion of the city land into a park.  Earlier discussed uses of the land were for a pool, police station / court complex, or convention center.

Grants are planned on being requested to cover the cost.

This topic will likely be on Thursday night’s City Council agenda.

The local veteran’s organizations, as part of their annual Memorial Day program, recognized 4 local first responders for the service to Monticello and Drew County.

Officer of the Year awards were presented to Billy Barnett of the Monticello Fire Dept.,  Matt Outlaw of the Arkansas State Police, and Danny Chisom of the Monticello Police Dept.  Ben Michel of the Drew County Sheriff’s office was also honored, Ben’s plaque was accepted by Chief Deputy Robin Hood.

The Cornerstone Coalitoin held their Regional Political Forum, Thursday night, with covered many topics of regional topcs.

Candidates taking part in the program included;  Lampkin and Meggs..
State Senate candidates Akin, Bolin, Cheatham, and Reep.
and Congressional candidates: Crawford (by statement), Latanach, Hurst, and Jeffress

The Monticello City Council voted unanimously to grant Monticello School’s Superintendent Bobby Harper’s request for $25,000 of additional funding towards the boot camp program, which is a punitive program for students that serves as an alternative for expulsion.

Superintendent Harper told the Council that when the program began it was a joint effort between the County, City, Drew Central School District, and Monticello School District. The County quickly withdrew from helping with funding, and now Drew Central District has had to withdraw as well due to their fiscal distress status. This leaves only Monticello District and the City left to provide money to keep the program going.

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The City Council was presented with a lease agreement for P.F. Mays & Associates, LLC for the proposed private school at Jordan Park during their regular meeting Thursday evening. Mayor Allen Maxwell reported that he had investigated what a reasonable lease would be on the Jordan Park property and, “What we got back was $300-$500 per month. I want the council to consider that because we don’t have to charge that much. I think we need to write what the City is going to charge on a monthly or annual basis… We came up with a number of $500 a year.”

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UAM Graduation Processional, 1st Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation Processional, 2nd Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Presentaton of Diplomas, 1st Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Presentaton of Diplomas, 2nd Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Welcome Statements from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Distinguished Alumnus, Reginald Glover from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Provost David Ray Honored from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation Recessional, 1st Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation Recessional, 2nd Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Processional from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Jr. & Sr. Choir from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Welcome & Addresses from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Presentation of Diplomas from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Re-union Opening by John Ray Johnson, Class of ’62 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Distunguished Service Award, Superintendent Earl Willis, by his son, James from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Distunguished Service Award, Evelyn McKeown, Teacher from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Distunguished Service Award, Coach Edgar Spencer from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Hall of Fame Induction, James Willis, Class of ’56 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Hall of Fame Induction, Bobby Pace, Class of ’54 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Hall of Fame Induction, Jack Murphy, Class of ’42 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Collector Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Judge Candidates at the Prairie 1 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Judge Candidates at the Prairie 2 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Sheriff Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Treasurer Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

JP District 9 Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Senate & Representative Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Downtown 1st Friday Jam Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Opening Statements from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Imcumbent Accomplishments 1 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Imcumbent Accomplishments 2 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Challengers “What Do You Plan To Do?” from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Tourism & Entertainment from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Burgess Asked About MLive from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Construction Employment & Supplies from Local Sources from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Closing Statements from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 1 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 2 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 3 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 4 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 5 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 6 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 7 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.
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The “you’re lying – name-calling” city council video from Monday night reached the 1,000 play mark, less than 24 hours of being posted.

It reached the 1,700 play level in less that two days.  The 3rd day produced another 250+ plays. It is expected to break the 2,000 mark mid-morning, Friday

One alderman said that she was “embarrassed that the city has had to go through this.”