The Tenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain announced that an Ashley County jury has convicted Aaron Dewayne Rice on multiple felony drug charges and sentenced him to a total of 112 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
The conviction stems from an investigation conducted by agents with the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Ashley County Sheriff’s Department following a traffic stop on October 17, 2025.
According to trial testimony, Drug Task Force Agents Ben Michel and James Slaughter were on patrol on the Highway 278 Bypass in Monticello when they observed a black Chevrolet pickup registered to Aaron Rice, whose driver’s license was known to be suspended. When agents initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle continued traveling for approximately three-quarters of a mile while weaving between the roadway and shoulder.
Jefferson Regional is pleased to announce that Ashok Akula, MD has joined the physician team at Jefferson Regional Cardiology Associates. Dr. Akula is a member of the Jefferson Regional medical staff and will be providing specialized care in interventional cardiology.
Dr. Akula received his Bachelor of Medicine from Kakatiya Medical College in Warangal, India, and completed his internal medicine degree at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas. Dr. Akula went on to complete a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, as well as an interventional cardiology fellowship at Michigan State University.
He is currently accepting patients at Jefferson Regional Cardiology Associates, located at 1609 West 40th Ave., Ste. 403. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Akula, call 870- 541-4285.
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The City of Monticello continues to work to improve storm drainage and flooding in low-lying areas in town, especially on the East end of Monticello.
Wednesday July 15th, crews were performing follow-up maintenance on a drainage ditch on Mill Street and uncovered a large chunk of concrete that had been buried in decades past and was blocking a large storm drain from performing as it was designed. There appears to be no reason why the concrete was placed where it was decades ago as it serves no purpose other than blocking storm water flow.
Crews removed the concrete and stagnant water flowed for 30-45 minutes. The ditch was also widened to accommodate the additional flow that it will now receive before tying in to a larger channel and shuttling the storm drainage out of town.
Removing blockages such as this reduce the potential of flooding neighborhoods upstream and also reduces mosquito breeding grounds.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to rebuild Monticello’s infrastructure for ALL neighborhoods!
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The Tenth DTF, Monticello Police Department, and Drew County Sheriff Department held Active Shooter training at Drew Central School on July 10, 2026.
Officers from all 3 departments and SRO”s from Drew Central and Monticello School District trained on faster response times, room clearing, and engaging the threat.
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