A strong wind led to a temporary road closing on HWY 172, around 11 am Sunday morning, after this large tree fell across the roadway.

A Drew County Sheriff’s deputy controlled trafic, whle AHTD cleared the roadway.

Photo submitted by a MLive reader.

This barn and field of cut hay was seen on HWY 278 West, in Monticello.

This photo, taken east of Monticello, show an old wooden bridge, that is still in use..  Now, that’s country.

The bridge is a private drive or a farm access road, near a paved highway.  It’s not on a county road.

The Monticello Fire Dept. responded to the report of a structure fire on Bowser Road, around 3 pm, Thursday afternoon.

The shed seems to be a total loss.

Following Wednesday’s 20 year sentence from a jury of 6 men and 6 woman to Victoria Pedraza for Permitting Abuse of a Minor for the death of her infant daughter, MLive spoke to an anonymous juror about what topics the jury felt were the most influential, during their deliberations.

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Victoria Pedraza leaving Courthouse after her 20 year sentence for Permitting Abuse of a Minor, which led to the death of her Daughter.

As the Victoria Pedraza trial is updated throughout the day, the MOST RECENT updates will be posted on top.

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Several current quorum court members, and even a retired JP were present for the posting of Tuesday night’s election returns.

Click below for precint totals.

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Happy 7th birthday to our cson, Chase.

We love you. Love Dad, Mom, Sissy, Mama, Maw Nora and paw John]

A MLive reader took this photo of the clouds, while on their way to the Rock Springs fireworks show.

He recognized the red, white, and blue stripes in the clouds in the sky.

For as long as most folks remember, the intersection of HWY 425 and 278 has always been home to the “Monticello Flag.”

Many are used to seeing it, but don’t realize how often the flags must be repaired and replaced.

The flags, usually 4 at a time, are purchased with donations made by Commercial Bank, Union Bank, Simmons Bank, Parkway Bank, and Maxwell Hardwood Flooring.

Thanks to those donations, “the Flag” still flies above Monticello for all travelers to see.

This lighted flag display is one of the many patriotic displays that residents use to celebrate our country’s birthday.

The Monticello Fire Dept. was paged out to a fire at the building next to Piggly Wiggly, Thursday morning, around 4:30.

The building has been a home to many local business, from a barber and beauty shop, to a bookstore, and recently as a store for bargains and bows.

Major damage was done to the back of the structure.

At last week’s City Council meeting, someone asked about a “sample pipe section” that was on display.

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Monday afternoon, around 4:30, as a driver was attempting to turn off of HWY 35 East, a three vehicle chain-reaction quickly shut down traffic, and sent two drivers to the Drew Memorial Hospital’s’ Emergency Room.

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The Monticello Fire Dept. and Arkansas Forestry Commission responded to a woods fire in the Windy Hills area of Old Hwy 13, Saturday afternoon, around 1 pm.

Fire fighters battled the blaze, and had it contained, controlled, and extinguished in approximately an hour.

No structures were harmed, and only an estimated acre of weeds was damaged.

Photos provided by MLive readers.

The restitution hearing for former Drew County Circuit Clerk Pat Savage Montgomery was held Monday morning, at the Drew County Courthouse.

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MonticelloLive.com reached a new milestone, Sunday, when we received our 2 millionth “click” in a 6 month period.

In recognition of this accomplishment, MLive promoted a “Click, call, & win” over the weekend.

Keba Brown saw the “CALL NOW” post, Sunday around 7:30 pm; was the first caller; and won $100 from MLive.

Other recent accomplishments include having stories and photos picked up by ESPN (NFL DWI charge), CNN (DWI 3 & 4 case), Good Morning America (tornado damage), and all Little Rock TV news depts.

Monticello’s Taco Bell has recently been purchased by K-MAC Enterprises, of Ft. Smith.

K-MAC is a franchise of Taco Bell® and KFC® restaurants, and operates restaurants in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas and Indiana.

Sources have reported that all local employees will transfer to the new company.

This tractor and equipment traveling between farm sites on HWY 425 serves as a reminder of local farmers investments in the local economy.  It just shows us once again that “Ag business is still Big Business.

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