The 2026-2027 Monticello Senior High Cheerleaders. 

Front Row L-R: Mia Scogin, Madison Anderson, Caroline Wilson- Co Captain, Madelyn Boardman-Captain, Mariah Rowlett, Grace Ferguson 

Second Row L-R: Faith Walker, Rhyse Guthrie, Hadley Cotton, Jacee Hays, Annabel Fowler, Rivers Grisham

Back Row L-R:Nia Bealer, Brooklyn McDaniel, Joanie Jeffers, Lily Copico, Layla Walker, Hayden Culpepper 

The 2026-2027 Monticello Junior Cheer Squad 

Front Row L-R :Savanna Westhelle, Caroline Barton, Mollie Turner-Captain, Leigh Ross- Co Captain, Tia Grubbs 

Second Row L-R : Olivia Stell, Hattie Patrick, Lila Frazer, Ella Pennington, Cate Akin, Sadye Caldwell 

Back Row L-R :Hatley Kulbeth, Ava Hill, Bentley Maggard, Jenna Lyon, Addilyn Bryant 

Both squads are coached by Whitney Maggard. 

Emily Davis, a college and career coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett (UAM-CTC), was recently recognized as the Top Performing Career Coach of Region 5 at the 2026 Arkansas Career and Technical Education Summer Conference. The conference was held from July 20 to 24 at the Saline County Career and Technical Campus in Benton, Arkansas.

The college and career coach position housed at UAM-CTC is provided through the College and Career Coach Program administered by the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Education (DCTE). According to the DCTE website, “The College and Career Coach Component is designed to motivate and support Arkansas students and adults achieve their goals as it relates to college and career planning through intensive hands-on programs and services.”

Davis, a Monticello native, joined UAM-CTC in September 2024 to serve in Region 5, which includes several institutions participating in the program throughout eastern and southeastern Arkansas. Davis currently works with the Crossett and Drew Central School Districts.

Before joining UAM-CTC, Davis spent eight years working for Mainline Health Systems in health care. She left for a short time before returning to Mainline to work in marketing and public relations. Davis credits her experience at Mainline with helping prepare her for her current role as a college and career coach. 

The University of Arkansas at Monticello football team opened the 2026 season at Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium on Thursday evening. The Boll Weevils hosted Great American Conference member Southeastern Oklahoma State University and dropped the contest, 21-12.

Quarterback Drew Forkner finished the night 10-of-23 through the air for 126 yards. Isaiah Roberts led the Boll Weevil receiving with four receptions for 55 yards, including a long of 26. Michael Lott followed closely behind with three catches for 54 yards, highlighted by a 40-yard reception.  

On the ground, Dave Alston led UAM with 39 yards on 12 carries, while Braylon Henry found the end zone twice on nine carries for 23 yards. DT McCoy added 21 yards on just two attempts, including an 18-yard rush. 

Defensively, Johnny Richardson led the Boll Weevils with eight total tackles, including six solo stops. Charles Thomas and Andrew Sánchez each finished with six tackles, while Keyon Clark and Lonnie Leverette recorded one sack apiece.  

Nicholas Lane handled punting duties for UAM, totaling 186 yards on five punts with a long of 48 yards. Rodrigo Tamez recorded three kickoffs for 167 yards.  

UPDATE: 10:32 PM

City crews are finalizing repairs and are preparing to open valves. Barring any more unexpected line ruptures, water service should be restored soon.

UPDATE:

Crews are still on scene working. Crews repaired the original leak and another section of pipe ruptured. Water pressure is low due to the opening of fire hydrants to alleviate pressure on the water line so that it can be accessed and worked on.

Update: 10:33am

Crews on scene are anticipating roughly another hour of work. Due to a water leak, water service will be disrupted from the intersection of Highway 425 down Allen Drive to North Chester and from the intersection of Allen Drive and North Chester southward on North Chester. City crews have arrived on scene and a rough estimate of service disruption is 2-3 hours. Thank you for your patience!

Thursday, September 3, due to a UAM home football game, the UAM exit at Drew Central will be closed beginning around 2:00 p.m. This will require all traffic to exit by the elementary school.

After passing Middle School, All Pre-K through 4th-grade car riders will remain in the left lane.

Middle and high school car riders use the right lane to exit.