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. 

A Warren police officer was arrested earlier this week, and charged with abuse of the public trust for accepting bribes.

Here’s the story from SalineRiverChronicle.com.

A 26 year old Dumas man, likely to be charged with Capital Murder and Felon in Possession of  a Firearm, appeared before Circuit Judge Bynum Gibson for a First Appearance Hearing, Monday afternoon, at the Drew County Courthouse.

(more…)

(more…)

In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, Pauline Baptist Church members spent yesterday morning preparing, serving, and delivering around 400 Thanksgiving dinners to Monticello area residents.

Giving their holiday to serve and minister to others; now that’s really celebrating the meaning of Thanksgiving.

A Monticello man, arrested for stealing multiple items from his employer, was released on a $20,000 bond in February.

He allegedly fled to Los Angeles, CA, and was recently arrested there by U.S. Marshals.

(more…)

Fredrick “Alex” Rayford was arrested Sunday, and charged with the rape of a juvenile victim in Drew County, earlier that day.

Rayford is a registered sex offender and was on probation at the time of the alleged event.

(more…)

On Monday, James Edward Green, Jr., was convicted of Failure to Register as a Sexual Offender, and Registered Sex Offender Living Near a School or Daycare, by a jury in the Drew County Circuit Court.

Green still faces drug charges from an arrest last week, while he was out on bond, for this trial.

(more…)

(more…)

Monticello District Judge Ken Harper reportedly agreed to accept letters of reprimand and censure by the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, last week.

By reaching an agreement with the JDDC, Harper will remain in the position of District Judge, with no other disciplinary action being taken against him. if he follows the guidelines outlined in the agreement.

Below are the context of those 2 letters.

(more…)

Click here.

According to Lt. Jason Akers of the Tenth Drug Task Force, a multi-county investigation by the Task Force has resulted in the arrest of three suspects the Task Force believes were involved in the illegal distribution of prescription narcotics.

(more…)

Approximately 50 local residents attended Thursday nights public meeting to see the presentation of the proposed Convention Center at UAM’s Fine Arts Center.

The video of the meeting is posted above, along with the question and answer session. (more…)