Rhonda Brooks recieved “Hospice Volunteer of the Year” at a volunteer appreciation “Luau”, Saturday, hosted by Hospice Home Care staff of Monticello.

Rhonda’s husband, Sanders Brooks serves as pastor of Northside Baptist Church, here in Monticello.

RELAY FOR LIFE-CARRIE WELLENBERGER’S TESTIMONY ABOUT HER CHILDREN-2009-04-24 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

RELAY FOR LIFE AWARDS-2009-04-24 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

RELAY FOR LIFE LUMINARIAS-2009-04-24 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

According to Monticello school district officials, 4  elementary students were suspended, following an incident that occurred on the school’s playground after lunch Thursday. (more…)

This year’s MADD sponsored DWI mock accident was held on the parking lot area of the Monticello High School, Monday.

This year’s event was held in honor of Dustin “Rooster” Ferguson.

The first video show the accident re-enactment.
The second covers Steve Brantley’s comments about the event.
The last video is of Dustin Ferguson’s mother’s statements from Monday, which was the first time she has spoken publicly about the wreck that took Dustin’s life.

MADD MOCK DWI 2009-04-13 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Dustin’s parents came out to speak for the first time since the accident. His mom told the students attending, “Sept. 22, 2008, two days after his 19th birthday, our son lost his life from a drunk driver. One choice of an indivdual changed our lives and our community. I stand before you as Dustin’s voice. His plans and his dreams could not be achieved because of the choice of another. Remember your choice affects everyone.”

DVD video’s of last year’s presentation are available at James Quick Print.

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A Drew County jury said enough is enough to a former Monticello resident, Lyndall Golden, Tuesday, by sentencing him to serve 40 in the state prison system.

The charge is described as “theft of property over $2,500”, but the items Golden stole were valued to be around $654,825, and included in stocks, bonds, CDs, jewelry, and a substantial amount of cash from an elderly couple, in the Coleman area, while she was in a Little Rock hospital. (more…)

Captain Eddy Deaton of the Monticello Police Dept. wishes to recognize patrolman Kenny Cox for his actions Sunday afternoon, in attempting to extinguish a fire caused by an overturned b-b-q grill at an apartment on HWY 278 West, while armed only with a standard garden hose.

The Fire Dept. soon arrived and the fire was put out.

 In an order issued April 3, Circuit Judge Sam Pope denied Kenneth Isom’s request for additional DNA testing as to a third cousin, Jerry Avery. The order states that “such an attenuated relationship could not possibly change the results of the testing in this case.” Judge Pope dismissed the petition. (more…)

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 After having accepted a plea bargain on December 12, which sentenced him to life in prison, Gary Riley had petitioned the Drew County Circuit Court to withdraw his guilty plea based on “deficient performance” by his attorney. (more…)

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Just before 10 o’clock, Friday night, Jim Metzger, of Washougal, WA, was attempting to land his Flight Commander aircraft at the Monticello Airport, when the plane struck a deer in the run way. (more…)

At approximately 7:23 Monday evening, Derrick Johnson, age 34 of Wilmar, was traveling east on HWY 278, 1/2 mile west of the Monticello city limits, when he came up behind a 1995 Dodge pick up, being driven by a Monticello man, and struck right rear of the truck at a high rate of speed. (more…)

Repair crews are seen working Saturday on the damaged underground phone, cable TV, and natural gas supply lines

Saturday morning, around 11 o’clock, normal activities of cooking lunch, while watching TV, and talking on the telephone to friends came to a quick stop for many Monticello residents.

That is approximately the time that a Robin Hood Drive resident had a backhoe operator reportedly working on replacing a sewer line, in the residence’s back yard. (more…)

21 local business, education, and political leaders traveled to Washington D.C. last Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and met with Arkansas’ Congressional Delegation. (more…)

MonticelloLive.com would like to thank the members of the “20 for the Future” group that went to Washington D.C. for the photos that they have provided for public posting. 

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Joe Burgess, of MonticelloLive.com, complied with unofficial police dept. requests today and posted his own birthday on MonticelloLive.com.

After several readers pointed out, “if you posted my birthday, you ought to put your own out there for everyone to know about”, he agreed.

Shown here are Lt. Steven Stain, Burgess, and Sgt. Jerald Clarke.

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James Daniels, age 23 of Monticello, drove to the Monticello Police Dept, with the intention of filing a police report.  Upon arrival, Daniels was arrested and charged with DWI, after failing a field sobriety test.

He also admitted to the officer, during the test, that he had recently “smoked a blunt”.

Daniels’ vehicle was towed, and he was transported to the Drew County Detention Facility.

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Around 9 o’clock Monday night, people around UAM had their lights go out, soon the 9-1-1 phone at the police dept. received several reports about a overturned pick-up on Bowser road near HWY 425.

When the police dept. and a state trooper arrived, they heard about another truck that had left the scene…and a drag race. (more…)

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Calvin Murphy, of O&M Oil Co., is celebrating his ?? birthday today.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Calvin.
(Permission was granted to use the story title.)

Sheriff Newell Normand, of Jefferson Parish Louisiana, has released information about the arrest of four individuals for aggravated burglary and home invasion charges, including 2 UAM football players, (more…)

MonticelloLive recently spoke with Bill Horton, CEO of the DFI group, w conshich is contructing the Bio-Diesel plant at Jerome, and asked him about the progress of construction of the proposed faclity, which will possibly employ up to 250.  (more…)

After many fund raisers, enough money was raised to purchase the monument for Sgt Larry D. Smith of the Monticello Police Department.

His monument was set on December 23, 2008 which was Larry’s 51st Birthday.

There is no way his Police Department family could ever express our appreciation to everyone that helped from purchasing a ticket to making a donation and or physically helping during each fund raiser that we had, therefore those of you that did help please know we appreciate each and everyone of you. Larry very much deserved this beautiful monument.

We also would like to give a special thank you to Lyle & Kim Welch & all employees of Southeast Emergency Ambulance Service for everything you did to help make this possible. Larry is and forever will be missed but will Never be forgotten.

We Love you Larry. 1902 10-7 10-42 God Speed.

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Tuesday night the Chamber of Commerce and MEDC held their annual awards banquet, at the UAM University Center.

The winners are:

Monticello teacher of the year; Jennifer Touchstone, MMS science teacher, also awarded regional teacher of the year.

Drew Central teacher of the year;  Rose Ann Adcock, DCMS 6th grade teacher.

Industry of the year: UAM.  “UAM’s impact includes millions of dollars into the local economy.  More than buildings and books,” quoted from Truman Hamilton during the presentation.

Business of the year; Head of the Class Child Care and Learning Center, Sherrie and Shay Gillespie-10 years with 40 employees now.

Woman of the year;  Betty Lindsey, president of Drew Memorial Hospital auxiliary-recruited 12 new auxiliary members in last 2 years. Awarded state “auxiliary member of the year”.

Man of the year; Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin.

 

 

Drew County Farm Family of the Year; Jeremy & Michael Oltmann families.

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Click photos to enlarge.

 

 

 

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