According to the Arkansas state board of embalmers and funeral home directors, Christian Brothers Funeral Home, of Monticello, reportedly violated state policy in the case of a July, 2011 funeral.

Larry Brown is the registered manager and a funeral director for Christian Brothers.  Robbiezine Owens is also a licensed funeral director, there.  Michael Jones is owner of Christian Brothes , and is an apprentice funeral director.

(more…)

An 18 wheeler driver was charged with DWI-drugs, drinking on the highway, and criminal mischief with property damage, after he turned off of HWY 425 South at EZ Mart, and drover his empty dump truck across their yard, getting his truck and trailer hung up on concrete barriers.

Onlookers at the store watched as the driver attempted several times to get his truck out of the ruts it had made in the store’s yard, while trying to get it off of the concrete blocks. (more…)

(more…)

Sen. Mark Pryor and the MEDC / 20 for the Future Delegation in Washington DC

8 business and community leaders from Monticello spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington D.C., meeting with with all 6 members of our state’s national representatives, detailing a list of local needs, in hopes of getting or continuing funding of several Monticello / Drew County projects.

Meetings were with with Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman, as well as Congressmen Tim Griffin, Mike Ross, Rick Crawford and Steve Womack.

(more…)

(more…)

In May, a Drew County Circuit Court jury of 5 men and 7 women only took 40 minutes to find a local man guilty of sexual indecency with a child and 2nd degree sexual assault.  He had been arrested on September 2, 2010.

The jury sentenced him to 24 years in prison for those crimes, which were committed against a 7 year old.  He was released on an appeal bond, pending this court decision. (more…)

(more…)

arrests confirmed by Sheriff Mark Gober

(more…)

No one was seriously injured, around 3:45 Saturday, in a 3 vehicle collision at the HWY 425/278 intersection.

A Ford pick-up reportedly ran a red-light, and was struck in the driver’s door by a Pontiac Grand Prix.  Another vehicle was also struck, receiving less damage than the Ford and Pontiac.

Monticello Police and an Arkansas State Trooper responded to work the traffic and accident.

Tom Henry of the Montongo community recently brought a copy of a northwest Arkansas newspaper to church with him.

“That’s my granddaughter”, Tom said with pride.  

After reading the article printed in The Times of Northeast Benton County, written by Annette Beard, it was plain to see that he had a reason to be proud.

“I can’t believe I get paid to do this,” the 23-year-old Air Force second lieutenant said of flying.

Kristin Henry earned her bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2010, and is now stationed at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla. There, she is in the process of earning her wings – becoming a military-rated pilot.

In high school, when most teen-aged girls were getting their driver’s license, worrying about proms and their first car, Kristin had earned both her visual and instrumental pilot’s licenses.

Click here for the full story from “The Times” / NWAonline.com.

Mark Gober has announced his candidacy for re-election to a fifth term as Drew County Sheriff. “During the past seven years I have worked closely with county, local and state officials in the prevention and deterrence of crime. We have increased the level of drug detection and substantially increased the number of drug related arrests. I have enjoyed meeting many citizens of this county while performing my duties as Drew County Sheriff and look forward to the many challenges that I face daily in this office.”

(more…)

2011 brought with it many headlines that affected our lives.   Some simply stirred our interest, while others changed the way we live.

MonticelloLive is posting the top 40 headlines of 2011, based on pageviews, video plays, and amount of public conversation that the stories inspired.

While we are reminiscing, here are links to the 2009 Headlines and the 2010 Headlines- The Year in Review.

At least a dozen law enforcement officers were on patrol on New Year’s Eve, representing MPD, DCSO, and State Troopers, which may have been enough to convince some “celebrators” to “let somebody else drive.”

But that wasn’t the case for everyone, with 5 Drew County arrests being made on potential DWI charges, after the festivities ended well after midnight.

(more…)

A 25 year old Lincoln County woman  was arrested earlier this month by the Arkansas State Police.

She was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Careless Driving, Improper Lane Change, No Seat Belt, Furnishing Prohibited Articles in a Jail, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Carrying a Weapon.

(more…)

The Local Economy

2011 brought with it many changes in Monticello’s business climate.  In August, SeaArk Marine announced their closing as of this month (SeaArk Boats remains unaffected by this change).  Last month, Drew County Speedway told of their operations ceasing, as well.  Larry’a Pizza, Topps Pizza, and other businesses closed during the year.

Even while experiencing the loss of several employers, and several dozen jobs, Monticello still remains one of the “brighter” spots in southeast Arkansas, based on the number of businesses that either started, expanded, hired more workers, were purchased by new owners, or added important equipment.  Each of these entities showed a commitment to their employees, and their intentions to remain a part of Monticello’s future.

Those  75   businesses, industries, and organizations include…..
(Hold mouse over image to view business identity)

In late September, a group of interested individuals met to begin the process of placing a “wet / dry” vote, to allow beer, wine, and liquor sales in Marion Township, which include Monticello, and it’s immediately surrounding area.

Their effort is called “Vote for Growth in Drew County,”

Far too many sex crimes made the headlines in 2011.

Those allegedly charged and/or convicted included (in no specific order):
James Dotson, Jeremy Hill, Arthur Lee Newton, Ronald Magness, Billy Ray Austin, James Green, and Alex Rayford

Eddy Deaton, a 22 year veteran of law enforcement, with 19 years experience with the Monticello Police Dept. will become the new MPD chief on January 6.

Click here for the article from May.

Click here for the story about “school without books.”

Click here for the history of the project.

The fact that MonticelloLive was recognized as the Chamber of Commerces’s “Business of the Year” was an honor, but the reason that this headline made the Top 20 list, is because this achievement was possible.

With the economy being a national topic, and the public impression being that most new businesses fail, this award proves that a new business (in operation only 4 years), with a dedicated owner, a small support staff, and big dreams, can still “keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars”, as Casey Kasey used to say.

MLive has had 2.7 million page views in the past 12 months, and over 30,000 video plays of local news and events. 

Several of it’s stories and videos have been picked up and aired by all 4 Little Rock television stations. 

MLive has also been included in articles in Arkansas Business and Arkansas Times, but owner Joe Burgess considers it’s most prized achievement to be the “Business of the Year” award.

Click here for the full story from January.  The video comes in at #23 for the year.

Although a parade may not be considered a “news story” the 2011 Drew County Fair Parade was the 7th most watched video of the year, with the Chamber of Commerce’s “Carols of Christmas” Parade coming in at #11.

Tillar’s 2nd annual Christmas parade also earned an impressive view level.

Note: An “engaging” event that occurred at the Christmas parade, which earned statewide news coverage, will rank higher in the “Top 40 Stories”.

The top story for the month of May was the Mississippi and Arkansas River Flood Warning, that covered Chicot and Desha Counties.

There was no regular online daily coverage of the event, so MonticelloLive stepped in, with total co-operation of the county judges and emergency personnel in both counties, to provide daily updates on the river levees and the battle to keep residents and property safe.

These two videos were viewed a combined total of 1600 times.

Arkansas Weather held true to it’s reputation. If you don’t like it, wait for tomorrow and it will change.

2011 brought with it a drought and long burn ban, and weeks of rain.  Many trees fell, some because of thunderstorms and strong winds, some not.

This video of February’s snow reveived over 500 viewings.

In 2011, a few Monticello residents were exposed to national audiences, in their specific fields of talent.

The featured performers included Kellie Moore, Cashbox, and Taylor Eubanks.

This alligator was captured near Lake Wallace in May.  An alligator may not be worthy of the #35 story of 2011, but this video ha been viewed over 2,300 times. 

Another alligator was caught near Tillar in August.

After several years of hard work, the “dream” of bringing the old Ridgeway Hotel back to life as a modern senior apartment complex, became a reality, in 2011.

While recycling has only affected those who volunteer to take part, it will take a more prevalent roll in our lives in the near future.

Here’s an article that Mandy Moss recently posted on MLive about recycling in Drew County.

This 2007 article, Recycling, What It’s All About, was enough to stop my family from throwing away 1,000’s of aluminum cans (without any extra work).

In sharing the Christmas spirit, MonticelloLive.com donated the toys shown here to 3 worth programs.

One group went to the Ryburn Motor Company sleigh, which are distributed by the Junior Auxiliary.

Another group went to Cablevision’s Toys for Tots program, which will find good homes for the goodies, through the assistance of DHS.

The final third of the Christmas toys was delivered to the Baptist Home for Children.

All items donated will remain in Drew County, and bring joy to our local childrem.

Jay Dyson, of Monticello, invited his girlfried to watch the Christmas Parade, Tuesday night, at the Monticello Town Square.

Meagan Wilson, of Longview, TX, a senior at UAMonticello, was surprised when Jay “won” the chance to introduce the 4 guest judges.

Meagan was even more surprised when Jay proposed to her in front of the hundreds of onlookers, there for the parade.

She said “yes.”

We think events like this only happen at big league baseball games and in jewelry commercial, but having it take place at the Monticello Square, and on MLive video, was truly a unique event.  

The video of them shairng that special event has been viewed over 1,600 times, and was featurede on FOX16 news, Wednesday night.