Happy Four Score and One Birthday Celebration,  

to my Mom, Lillie B Wherry.

Bishop Sam Wherry

Thunderstorms moved across Monticello, this morning, bringing with it rain, and hopes of more rain.

There wasn’t enough rain to make a big difference in the recent hot, dry spell, but it did bring some welcome relief to local residents.

There’s a 50% chance of rain for the rest of the day, and a 60% chance on Monday & Tuesday.

Around 4:30, Friday, a 4th woods fire was reported in southern Drew County, this one on HWY 172.

The Arkansas Forestry Commission responded with 2 fire plows.  Local fire depts. responding included Lacey-Ladelle, Greenhill, and Valley.  The fire was contained within a couple of hours, and damage was limited to approximately 3-4 acres.

Lightning caused a fire on HWY 133, Sunday.  There were two fires near Lacey-New Hope Road, Thursday, one burning 75 acres.  The cause of Friday’s fire is unknow, but Sheriff Mark Gober commented, “this one wasn’t started by lightning.”

Our appreciation goes out to all of the firefighters who go out into the heat and smoke, to protect the property and lives of the residents of Drew County.

Thank You.

A burn ban has been issued by Drew County Judge Damom Lampkin, covering all of Drew County.

The recent hot and dry spell has greatly increased the probablity of fires getting out of control.

Around 6 pm, following a good thunderstorm in the area, a woods fire was reported near HWY 133, south of Lacey.

Lacey-Ladelle and Valley Fire Depts. responded with trucks and firefighters, and extinguished the blaze, estimated to be around one acre, which is believed to have started by a lightning strike to a White Oak.

Second Baptist Church wants to remind people that God said ” If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and heal their land. ” (II Chronicles 7:14)

We also want to encourage people to pray for the healing of our land, here in Monticello all across this great country of ours. This includes praying for the heat and drought we are currently experiencing, that God would grant us some relief!

There were 2 different wrecks Tuesday night, both sending vehicles into the nearby wooded areas.

Around 9 pm, an Infinity lost control on Firing Range Road, near Price Lumber.  The driver fled the scene, but a cold beverage was reportedly seen rolling around the floorboard, as the vehicle was removed from the scene.  DCSO worked the scene, Reliable Towing pulled the vehicle out of the trees.
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Around 10 pm DCSO, along with the Fire and Rescue Squad, responded the report of a Ford 4-door pick-up that had rolledover on Old Warren Road.  The 2 pasengers were extricated from the truck, and transported to Drew Memorial Hospital by MASI.

With the recent hot and dry conditions, many city’s aren’t celebrating with fireworks, this year.

However, our friends over at MagnoliaReporter.com have agreed to share their local Tuesday evening fireworks display with us here on MLive.

According to Mayor Allen Maxwell, he received a letter, Monday, confirming the city’s effort to acheive a better ISO rating has been a success.

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Maxwell Hardwood Flooring recently made a strategic decision to make a large capital investment in the company.

Over the course of the next several months, the company will be installing a new optimizing rip system along with rebuilding their yard. “We are really excited about this new proven technology as we prepare for increased market presence in the future”, remarked Tommy Maxwell, President and CEO.

The company is celebrating 20 years in business this year.

With last week being a “slow news week”, MLive had the opportunity to follow up on some of the recent business growth, expansion, and movement around Monticello.

Over the next few days, MLive will spotlight local business success stories.  Although some start-ups have fallen by the wayside, Monticello still provides an environment where local merchants and service providers can succeed.

Grannie’s Attic has moved to a new location on HWY 425 North, as they continue to expand.

For a wide variety of items, you’ll be surprised at what you find in Grannie’s Attic.

A longtime Monticello eating establishment was recently put back in business, when La Bamba opened in the former Captain’s Table location.

Bryant Chiropractic has moved their office back to Main St, next to the Courthouse.

Dr. Wendell Bryant established the office in 1966, and Dr. Mark Bryant joined in 1988, 24 years ago.

They opened the Main St location in the early 90’s, stayed there till 2007, and have moved back this year.  The Trotter St. building was the original office built by Dr. Wendell, but it was too small, so they returned to the Main St office.

Bryant Chiropractic has added a new phone line; 367-BONE (or 2663)  now that’s easy to remember.

An East Shelton St residence was destroyed by fire, just before 7 pm, Sunday eventing.

The fire is believed to have started from a charcoal b-b-q- grill on the front porch.

The family was home at the time of the fire, and sources tole MLive that the man heard something “banging around” on the porch.  When he opened the door, the fire was blazing, across the porch, and right at the front door.

MFD and MPD responded. but the blaze had already entered the bottom of the trailer structure.

Fordyce residents are now served by a new ambulance service.

SouthEast Emergency Medical Services, know to most Monticello residents as SEEMS, began serving all of Dallas County.

Lyle Welch, owner of SEEMS told MLive, that they are duplicating the service they provide to Drew County, in Fordyce.

The Monticello Boys & Girls Club recently set up a 160 ft. long “home made” water slide for the youngsters to enjoy.

The Monticello Fire Dept. helped get it off to a good wet start, and MPD officer Chris Owen, a regular volunteer at B&GC also helped out with the project.

With temps forecast to remain over the 100 degree mark, the National Weather Service has continued a HEAT ADVISORY for Drew County, and most other areas.

A HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM TONIGHT.

HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL RISE TO 105 DEGREES…OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE ACROSS MOST OF THE STATE.

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Provost R. David Ray was honored with a retirement reception, last week, for his 42 years of service to UAM.  

First 5 photos by Jim Brewer, UAM Media Services.

New Merchandise has been added for wider selection!
Be sure to register for Ashley Recliner to be Given Away!

Get $9,000 off on All Ford F-250 XLTs, Super Crew, 4 WD Trucks at Ryburn Automotive Superstore.

Now is the time for huge savings, including $3,000 Retail Customer Cash, and $1,000 Ford Credit Cash.

Rebates good til July 2.

Stop by Today, and see the truck of your dreams at Ryburn Automotive Superstore

The Commercial Bank sign said it all, when it showed 101 degrees, Monday afternoon.

Remember to water your pets, and please, do not leave them in your vehicle.

Also check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.

Monticello Police recently responded to a report from a local resident, claiming that her family’s ex-in-laws had threatened to burn their house down, and had even loosened a pipe on their gas meter.

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A local driver was convicted of his third DWI, last week, for events that occurred on August 26, of last year.

Around 8:30 that evening, State Trooper had a safety checkpoint set up near the intersection of Jose Chapel Road and Florence Road.  As they were checking vehicles, they saw a vehicle come to an abrupt stop, 1/4-1/2 mile up the road, and turn in at a cemetery.

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According to the Drew County Sheriff’s Department, a black bull was found in the Montongo area approximately two (2) months ago.

If anyone is missing a bull they are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 367-6211.

ICM is expanding and looking for candidates in south AR. Must have a degree and experience in a human service related field. Travel required. Must pass a drug test and background checks.

Fax resume and salary requirements to (800)887-1610 .

A set of keys was found at McCloy Park.

If you lost them or know who lost them please call 870-460-2941.

Happy Birthday to Gene Norton!!!

From his friends at South Arkansas Rehab

A Flag Retirement Ceremony was recently hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Woodmen of the World will be held at the Drew County Courthouse.

The public was invited to see the proper way to retire an American Flag that is worn and tattered.

Photos courtesy of a MLive reader.

According to Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober, deputies were dispatched to a residence located at 236 Selma Collins Road, in Selma, at approximately 1:40 pm, Wednesday, after a call came in that a neighbor had shot into the home.

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The Monticello School District Track, recently closed for repairs, is again open for public use.

Michael Keith Williams age 43 of Warren, was killed Saturday, as the result of an automobile accident in Bradley County. According to Arkansas State Police, early Sunday morning, Williams was driving his Chevy pick-up west on Bradley County Road 34, when the truck left the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned.  There were two other passengers in the vehicle. 

Williams was an electric technician for J. P. Price Lumber Company.

Frasers Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral services.