Former Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin and newly appointed District Court Judge P. Luevonda Ross were honored for their achievements at Monday night’s Martin Luther King birthday celebration by the NAACP.

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A MLive reader sighted a pair of White-tailed Kites just off 16 Section Rroad, near the cemetery, recently.

She submitted the photos to Whatbird.com and the birds were verified as White-tailed Kites.

Those are scarce in our area and usually restricted to the south Texas  and Mexico area.

Thanks for sharing your discovery.

According to Sheriff Mark Gober, Drew County deputies responded to separate theft related calls at the same residence.

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According to this graphic from FlighAware.com, even though there wasn’t much traffic on local roads, the skies around the Monticello airport were busy, around 8:30, Tuesday.

KLLQ is the reference for Ellis Field.

Mayor Allen Maxwell, in a recorded statement Monday morning, confirmed that Fire Chief Steven Faulkner had been placed on administrative leave, and an interim Fire Chief had been appointed. Today, a few more details have been released.

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Around 11 am Tuesday, as most of Drew County was getting pelted by ice pellets, several ice related accidents occurred.

On HWY 278 East, just before Dead Man’s Curve, a maroon Chevy pick-up was off in the ditch.

Just past the curve, near Bordeaux Road, a gold sedan had lost control in the ice, and came to a stop in a nearby bean field.

Just past the next gradual curve, were 3 vehicles, all involved or partially involved,  in another mishap .

It started as a gray, westbound Mitsubishi lost control in the ice.  The driver avoided colliding with an eastbound Chevy pick up, but the Chevy truck  swerved and ended up in the ditch.

The Mitsubishi then struck an oncoming, white Volkswagen Jetta, which was being driven by the wife of the Chevy driver. sending both vehicles spinning into the ditch area.

Drew County Sheriff’s deputies worked the accident(s).  No one was reportedly injured, however an ambulance resonded to check out one of the drivers.

The recent ice storm has produced fewer fallen trees and broken limbs than earlier predicted.

The top photo shows a tree that fell on Jordan Drive, Tuesday afternoon.

The lower photo was taken of a North Main St. home, Monday evening.  No damage was reported.

Around 10am, Tuesday morning, a UAM student was traveling back to class, westbound on Jordan Drive, when he felt his Jeep loose traction in the ice, “fishtail”, and then rollover on the bridge.

The driver was not injured.  Monticello Police worked scene, assisted by Arkansas State Police. The Fire & Rescue Squad was also paged out.  Dan’s wrecker towed the vehicle.

Mayor Allen Maxwell, in a recorded statement Monday morning, confirmed that Fire Chief Steven Faulkner has been placed on administrative leave, and an interim Fire Chief has been appointed, effective last Friday.

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The AHTD provides statewide highway road conditions at 1-800-245-1672.

Around 10 am, the AHTD was putting salt/sand on the HWY 425 / Jordan Drive overpass, because of ice accumulation.

Roadways and sidewalks are beginning to become slick in some areas, so use caution as you’re out and about, today.

When city hall employees arrived at work this morning, one of them went into the City Council meeting room, and found parts of the ceiling laying on the floor.

It is believed that the weight of the recent heavy rains cause a minor sag in the roof, which caused enough of a bowing effect for the staples holding the ceiling tile to pull loose. 

Around 4 am, Sunday, flooding was reportedly enter homes homes on North Gabbert St.

In an interview with the family, they said they heard water running, and when they got out ot bed to see what was wrong, their feet touched the carpet, and that’s when then knew their home was flooded.

The family told KARK and MLive that they had requested the city and state clean out a culvert under North Gabberrt St. that was clogged up with leaves, but no one taken care of the impending problem.

After their hause was flooded, the AHTD cleared the culvert, and the water (in their yard) was soon gone.

Also see the KARK report.

Around 8:30, Wednesday night, the driver of this eastbound Dodge Dakota lost control of her vehicle in the rain, near Dead Man’s Curve, on HWY 278 East. 

Arkansas State Troopers worked the accident, assisted by the Drew County Sheriff’s Dept.

SEEMS transported the victim to Drew Memorial. Rod’s Wrecker removed the Dakota.

With another 100% chance of rain, today, be aware that hydroplaning can easily occur.

Monticello Police arrested three Walmart employees, Friday, based on evidence that they were involved in the theft of around $5,000 each from the store. 

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5 Year Old Bitten by Pit Bull
Sex Offender Arrested on Child Rape Charges
Man Charged with Rape & Kidnapping Accepts Plea
Panorama Restaurant Opens
New Library Groundbreaking – Video
No Bond Set for Capital Murder Suspect
UAM Planning Major Changes To On-Campus Residential Living
Humane Society Leader Addresses City Council about Pit Bulls
Judge, Treasurer, & JPs Honored with Plaques on Retirement
Monticello Superintendent to School Board on Security
Monticello School Board & Administrators Discuss School’s Drug Policy
Gillespie & McKiever Honored for City Council Service
10 Year Old Becomes Christmas Example During “Shop with a Cop”
Drew Central Hires LR Lawyer to Fight Discrimination Suit by Former Employee
Quorum Court Declares Position Vacant – Appoints New Circuit Clerk to Serve Current Term
Local Fire Chief / Constable Dies, Following Dec. 22 Accident

McDonalds on HWY 425 North is advertising a new product on their front sign.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who needs to use spell-check more often.

Billies to Honor Zach Towers, Injured Star City Player
County Judge Race Ends in Run-Off
Sex Offender on Probation, Pleads Guilty to Another Sex Assault
UAM Professor Responds to Recent Arrest
UAM Chancellor Appointed To NCAA Division II Presidents Council
Update on Sadie Johnson Community Center Construction
“I”m Not Worried About the Cracks” (in the Floor of the Sadie Johnson Center)
MHS Player Signs Letter of Intent to Play for SAU 
Attempted Capital Murder & Armed Robbery Charges Lead to 30 Year Prison Sentence for Last of Manhunt Suspects
Sunday Shooting Sends 1 to Hospital, 1 to Jail
Ross Sworn in as New District Judge – Video 
Election Results – Robert Akin Wins County Judge Race 
Calhoun Named Regional Library Director
4 Mayors Attend Groundbreaking at New Whaley Fire Station
Ashley County Man Receives 2 Life Sentences + 50 Years for Death of Expectant Mother

Area Doctor Charged with 53 Counts of Prescription Fraud

 “Dancing with the Monticello Stars” – VIDEOs

Millage Passed for Future “State of the Art” Surgery Center at DMH, by 2 to 1 Margin

Panorama Italian Restaurant Applies for Liquor License

 $4.3 Million Library Construction Bid Submitted

Car Crash Claims 2 Lives, including UAM Student

SPS, “Wilmar Post Office Will Remain Open” with Reduced Window Hours.

 Judicial Charges Dropped Against Harper, when He Agrees to Not Serve as Judge in the Future

State Police to Investigate Driver Jumping from Big-Rig, Causing Fatal Accident

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The Salvatoim Army collected $12,792.76 in donations to their Bell Ringers at Walmart, on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

They would like to thank everyone for their contributions, and extend their appreciation to the bell ringers for donating their service to th4e community.

Local Doctor Changing Medical Clinics

“America’s Most Wanted” Arrested in Monticello

UAM Professor Arrested on Indecent Exposure Charge 

City’s Trash Transporter Files Bankruptcy

Regional Library Director’s Death Being Investigated as Murder / Suicide

DTF Arrests Local Woman for “Large Drug Fraud Conspiracy”

Emergency / Weather Warning System with 30 Sirens Becoming a Reality

Drew County Circuit Clerk on Leave, Pending Audit & Criminal Investigation

Judicial Commission Files Formal Charges against Ken Harper

Drugs Seized In Route to Monticello

Armed Robbery at Economy Inn

Yeiser Named UAM Provost and Vice Chancellor

TV’s Cliff Clavan Visits Monticello on Political Tour

DMH Earns 3rd Governor’s Quality Award

Former Monticello Resident Pleads Guilty to DWI Death

MonticelloLive has looked back at the full year of 2012, and listed the headlines of stories that made the year what it was.

Some are good; some are sad; and some we can only wonder about.

Just click on the headlines to go to the original story behind it, as we take a short trip back to 2012 Memory LANE.

City ISO Rating Improves

75 Acre Fire near Lacey and The Valley

“Chris Was Stabbing Him, & I Was Pushing Him Out of the Truck” – 2 of 3 Saline County Youths Plead Guilty

Angry Parent, that Crashed School Bus in Teachers Car, Gets 2 Years Sentence 

Death Penalty Possible in Capital Murder Case of Infant

Convention Center Funding Leads to Discussion of Extending Library Tax

Principal Kenny Pennington Leaving MHS after 13 Years

Monticello Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Crime

Trapped Teenagers Inside of Railroad Chip Car, Rescued at Midnight

Commercial Burglar, with Medical Marijuana & Pills, Doesn’t Remember Crime or Arrest

Quorum Court Approves Status Change of Hospital & Vote on Millage Continuation

DC Red Brick Building Demolition Update

Armed Robbery Suspect Was Parolee from Texas for Murder & Multiple Robberies

Detroit Lions’ Corey Williams Local DWI Charge “Taken Under Advisement”  (still under advisement, new judge to decide outcome)

State Trooper Accepts Marraige Proposal from “Traffic Stop” Driver

Mom Pleads Guilty, Will Testify in Husband’s Death Penalty Trial

These 3 Stories, All Same Night
Ashley County Deputy Sheriff’s Abductor Arrested, Deputy Released, at Circle N
13 Gunshots Fired at Local Apt. Complex
Stolen Truck Recovered (with Suspects), 30 Minutes after Theft

Coleman Dairy Opens Facility in Monticello

Level 4 Sex Offender Sentenced to Prison (Again) for Child Sex Crimes

4 Marlins Competing in Junior Olympics

Egg Truck Likely Cause of 80 Acre Forest Fire

Around 9:30, Thursday morning, the driver of a northbound Toyota Camry was traveling from Ashley County toward Monticello, near HWY 172, when he lost control of his vehicle.

The Toyota crossed into the west ditch and slammed into a driveway culvert, before becoming airborne.

The driver was transported by SEEMS to the DMH helipad, where he was transferred to Air Evac, to med-flight to Pine Bluff’s JRMC.

Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle at Walmart Stop-Light

Dancy Sentence Reduced by 8 Years, Still to Serve 28 Year Sentence

State Supreme Court Denies Convicted Murderer’s Petition from 2000 Mudrer Case

Sadie Johnson Community Center Site Being Cleared for Construction

The Great Monticello Egg-Drop, Pics & Videos

Spring Shindig on the Square – Gospel Videos with Haley Creek Boys, & The Martins

One Monticello Life – BrookLynn White, Setting an Easter Example with Good Deeds

UAM Provost David Ray Retiring

Fair Board & University Agree on 25 Year Lease Agreement 

Man Injured in Moped – Truck Collision

Joint Committee on State Retirement Programs Meeting at UAM

Local Woman Wins National Award

Repeat Sex Offender with Child Victims Gets $200,000 Bond

JACKSON THROWS NO-HITTER, GETS TWO WINS ON DAY

DMH Old Patient Wing Razed, to Clear Area for Future Surgery Center

Drew Central Board Discusses Fiscal Distress Action Plan

MHS’s Kim Wilson, Arkansas’s Teacher of the Year, Visits Washington D.C.

City Council Votes to Accept Bids for Fire Station & Move Funds for Sadie Johnson Center

Rape Charges Filed Against Local Man

City Accepts Bid for Automated Trash Truck

One Monticello Life – Thad, Nikki, & Colton Mitchell – 2012 Drew County Farm Family of the Year

“Worst City Council Meeting Ever” – 4th Most Watched ML Video Ever

Drew Central Student Nominated To Attend Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Congress In Chicago

Reginald Glover Is UAM’s 50th Distinguished Alumnus

Drew County Attempted Murder Suspect Stabs 3 Corrections Officers, Near Batesville

Drew County Native to Donate Book Proceeds to Local Museum

Color Guard at Monticello Airport for Fallen Soldier

Downtown Festival Considered for November

Armed Suspect Fleeing from Police Killed in Car Crash

UAM’s First Three-Time Softball All-American

Bond Set for 7 Drug Sweep Suspects

Water Rates Rise, While $690,100 is Transferred from Water Fund for Other Uses.

Election Summary

“Brain-washed Socialist Cowards” Jury Sentences “Pot Growing Idiot” to Maximum Sentences on Drug Charges

$300,000 Bond Set for Employee that Set Fred’s Dermott Fire

Drew County “Most Wanted” Arrested in Florida

Lake Monticello Jet-Ski Rescue

More Info Released on Fatal Car Crash on HWY 278

Shotgun Robbery at Victim’s Home Reported to MPD

Attempted Captial Murder Youth Trio Appear in Court – 1 Mental Evaluation – 1 Bond Reduction Request

Child Drowning in Lake Monticello

DCHS Principal Steve Noble Arrested from Dec. 2011

City Council Votes to Build New Fire Station at W.C. Whaley Property from Dec. 2011

“She only eats at school.”

Rottweiler Attacks Walking Woman

8 Year Old Requests Dog Food for Birthday Present, Donates to Local Animal Shelter

USPS Answers Questions About Proposed UAM Post Office Closing – VIDEO

Drew Central Terminates Former Principal Noble, following Sex Crimes Arrest

State Supreme Court Overturns Drew County Verdict

MPD Chief Explains Arrest Warrant & Old Fine Issues to City Council

Lampkin Will Not Seek Re-Election as Drew County Judge – Video

Waste Disposal Service Likely to be “Thrown Out” by City & County

Monticello Sex Offender’s Appeal Denied by State Court

Man Arrested for Beating 82 Year Old Victim

One Monticello Life – Taco Bell’s Friendly Face & Voice – Keba Brown

Presidential Candidate to Visits Monticello

MHS’s Brunson, Thornton Sign Letters to Play College Football

Nix Found Guilty of Second Degree Murder- Sentenced to 45 Years

Update Gllespie Not Seeking Re-election to City Council

City to Advertise for Bids on Composting Equipment

City Moving Forward with Automated Trash Truck & Residential “Dumpsters”

“Outhouse” Added at City Hall

Mad Cow Attacks Man & Vehicle

After 20 Years of Service, Dunlap Not Seeking JP Re-election

Bear Removing Deer from Road Side – Video – Over 7,100 Views

After 30 Years, Potter Not Running for Re-election to JP Spot

Multi Agency Investigation Leads to 170+ Pills & $50,000 Bond

Local Man Arrested on Rape Charges

Investigator’s Report on Mom & Step-dad’s Capital Murder Case of Infant
Fertilize Truck Overturns on Florence Road

Atwoods Ranch & Home Opens

Winchester Man Dies in Home Fire

“Not Guilty” Plea Entered by Local Man Charged with 1st Degree Murder of Infant Son

Wilmar Man Arrested for Murder & Rape in Oakland. Cal.

$100,000 Bond for Felon Fighting at Fairgrounds & Fighting with Deputies

Bathrooms, Doors, & Front Steps at MEDC / Court Building – Topic of City / County / Court Meeting

Parks Commission Disbanded, Re-instated as Parks Committee

Drew Central’s Fawcett Leaving for Superintendent Post in Paris

“Mulligan on the 9th Hole”

Mississippi Man Arrested for Sexual Indecency with 14 Year Old

Afternoon Winds Blow Over Softball Bleachers & Outfield Fence

Accidental Shooting Causes Death of Jefferson County Man, Visiting Drew County