The 44 year old man, arrested by MPD after a local business owner entered his shop, Saturday, to find the stranger holding his cash register, received a $15,000 bond, Monday afternoon.

Tony Glynn Irons, currently from Monticello, told District Judge Ken Harper that he had taken a “#10 Valium and a Xanax” together for the first time, and didn’t remember anything else until he woke up in jail.

(more…)

Reggie’s Lock & Key has………..
Programmed Keys
Remotes
Fobs
Replacement Shells
Key Art Keys
Tool Box Locks
Pad Locks- that fit YOUR VEHICLE KEY, Ford, GM, Dodge/Chrysler in stock others available

Plus, a wide range of services….
Give us a call today, 870-723-6898,   205 S. Hyatt

Just before midnight, Saturday night, Monticello Police Dispatch received a phone call reporting that two local teenagers were trapped inside of an empty railroad chip car.

(more…)

The Monticello 12 year old boys all-star team finished first in District and second in State tournament.

They have qualified to compete in the Regionals, in Lemesa, TX, leaving on July 18th.

Anyone wishing to donate to this team can drop the money off at Ryburn Motor Company or call (870)723-6201. This will be a very expensive tournament so any and all donations will be greatly appreciated.

Ben Philley Players:(back row left to right) Ryan Bitely, Mason Philley, Aaron Spencer, Devon Burton,Preston Arrington and Sam Mercer (front row left to right) Sam English, Wil Brooks, Colby Stephens, Luke Frost, Ryan Lambert and Jackson Grant

Thursday Morning, just before 10 am, the Monticello Fire Dept. was called to extinguish a fire on Commercial Drive, off of Airport Road.

At the former Southeast Trust factory, a cutting torch had reportedly been used to disassemble some equipment for scrap metal.  After the workers had left the area, the sawdust under the machine smoldered, and eventually caught fire.

It seems no damage was done, since the machine were already scrap.

Some neighborhoods in Drew County have had rain for 5-6 days in a row.  It’s been several weeks since we’ve been able to say that.

A 50% chance of rain stays with us for at least another 2 days.

The driver of this Chevy Monte Carlo was southbound, Thursday around 11:45, when the vehicle hydroplaned, spinning around, and crossing into the northbound lane.

As the car entered the northbound land, the passenger side collided with the tanker truck, shown here.

The accident occurred on HWY 425 North, near Cablevision. No one was injured. MPD and MFD responded,  Rod’s Wrecker towed the Chevy.

At Wednesday’s MEDC meeting, Benji Rybrn, on behalf of Ryburn Automotive Superstore, the National Automobile Dealers Association, and the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association, presented the Workforce Training Center with two cardiopulmonary resuscitation dummies.

The dummies will be used for training students in their upcoming healthcare classes.

A 26 year old Monticello man accepted a guilty plea, in Circuit Court, Monday, in a case where he had been charged with Engaging Child in Sexually Explicit Conduct for use in Visual Media.

(more…)

After  13 years principal Kenny Pennington is leaving MHS.

(more…)

Happy Birthday Jace Wyatt!!

Four years ago you changed my life forever and I thank God for it!! You are a blessing.

I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my sweet baby you’ll be!!

We Love you, Mommy & Bryson.

The capital murder case of Aubriana Coke went before the Drew County Circuit Court, Tuesday afternoon, with details leading up to the October jury trial becoming more complete.

Prosecutor Thomas Deen confirmed to MLive that the prosecution, “intends to seek the death penalty for Daniel Pedraza,” the deceased infant’s step-father, in the case.

(more…)

Happy 16th Birthday to Morgan Hopper.

In honor of her birthday, Morgan’s friends decorated her yard with a flock of pink flamingos.

Congratulations, Morgan.

With all 5 zone positions on both Monticello and Drew Central’s school boards up for re-election, due to the recent re-districting, here is the list of candidates filing, as the deadline passed, Tuesday at noon.

(more…)

There is a regularly scheduled Advertising and Promotion Commission meeting was held Monday night  at the MEDC building.

(more…)

New Drew Central School Board Districts

New Monticello School District Boundaries

Enlarged Map of City Area, Monticello District

Re-disticting of school board boundaries is required, due to the 2010 census, just like it was for the city council and quorum court.

All school board seats in both districts are up for re-election in the upcoming September 18 election.

Today, at noon, was the deadline to file as a candidate for any of the 5 seats, on both Monticello and Drew Central’s school board. (more…)

According to Sheriff Mark Gober, the Drew County Sheriff’s Department is looking for information regarding the theft of white Infiniti i30 four-door sedan which was reported stolen from Old Deane Road at 1:30 AM Wednesday, July 4th.

(more…)

(more…)

The angry parent accused of crashing a Drew Central school bus and a teacher’s car (February 2011), appeared in Circuit Court, Friday, before Judge Sam Pope. 

(more…)

According to AshleyCountyLedger.com, the Crossett School Board has named a former Monticello assistant superintendent  as the interim Crossett superintendent.

(more…)

Two of the three Saline County youths charged with the attempted capital murder of a Lacey man, aggravated robbery, theft of property, and theft by receiving, entered Guilty pleas, Friday, in Drew County Circuit Court.

One received a 25 year sentence, followed by a 15 year suspended sentence, and the other earned a 10 year sentence, followed by 10 more, suspended.

(more…)

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.
————————
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.

(more…)

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.