On May 13th, 2026, Drew County jury convicted Jimmie L. Foster of Dermott on a charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm following a traffic stop and subsequent investigation conducted by the Arkansas State Police.

The incident occurred on Friday, May 17, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., when Arkansas State Police Trooper David Menotti initiated a traffic stop on State Highway 35 East in Drew County. The driver was identified as Jimmie L. Foster. Also in the vehicle were front seat passenger Larry Woods and rear seat passenger Jessica Hardie, both of Dermott.

During the stop, Trooper Menotti determined that Foster was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. Trooper Menotti asked all occupants to exit the vehicle and conducted a search. During the search, a loaded SAR Arms 9mm handgun was discovered beneath the driver’s seat where Foster had been seated. Foster was placed under arrest and transported to the Drew County Detention Facility for processing. Woods and Hardie were released at the scene.

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On the morning of May 5, 2026, community leaders, child welfare experts, church leaders and concerned citizens gathered on the Monticello Town Square in support of children in foster care in Drew County. 

The event was collaboratively developed by The CALL in Southeast Arkansas, CASA of the 10^th Judicial District and the Division of Children and Family Services as an initiative to raise awareness and support for children in foster care in Southeast Arkansas during National Foster Care Awareness Month. 

During the event, Mayor Jason Akers delivered a Proclamation of May 2026 as Foster Care Awareness Month in Drew County. Akers recognized, “Foster care involves a community effort, including social workers, foster parents, advocates, and volunteers, who work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of children and youth in foster care.” 

Mainline Health is proud to announce it has received a $30,000 grant from the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation to support the addition of a new dental operatory at its Star City Dental Clinic.

This expansion will significantly enhance the clinic’s capacity, allowing Mainline Health to serve more patients and reduce wait times for essential dental care in Lincoln County and surrounding communities. The additional operatory will help meet growing demand while advancing Mainline Health’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality oral health services.

“We are incredibly grateful to Delta Dental for investing in the health of our community through this grant opportunity,” says Dr. Skylar Garner from Mainline’s Star City Dental Clinic. “The addition of a new dental operatory will allow us to expand access to care and serve more patients who may otherwise go without essential dental treatment. This expansion is an important step forward in better meeting the growing needs of our community. We are proud to continue expanding the quality, compassionate care our patients deserve.”

In Search Of Home in Monticello / Warren area (within or outside city limits) that’s for sale by owner. Must be in excellent condition within a well maintained neighborhood. Text or call 870-265-2761. Can leave a message if no answer.

The University College of Technology/Crossett is offering a Community Engagement Series made up of workshops presented at the Trotter House on Main Street in Monticello.

Our upcoming workshop will be Cell Phone Photography taught by local photographer: Raylee Pennington.

Monticello Fire Department responds to two mobile home fires, in two days, on same street.

Both homes were unoccupied.

500 block of East Bolling.

One dispatch on 4/22 @ 6:25pm and 2nd dispatch on 4/23 @ 11:02am.

Monticello native, Mary Hanna, has returned home to Monticello to be close to family and teach private music lessons.  Mary teaches piano, voice, flute, clarinet (B flat and bass), and saxophone (alto, tenor and bari). Call 817-456-1844 to reserve your private lesson spot TODAY!

Mary has spent the last 25 years in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX teaching music and performing professionally. Mary has deep roots in Monticello having graduated from Monticello High School and then UAM with her BA in Music Education.  She is a former student of UAM Beverly Lobitz, Annette Hall, Joan Koskoski and Gary Meggs. 

Some of Mary’s credits include 7 years teaching public school music and then as Owner and Head Teacher of Mary Melodies, a private lesson school of music where she taught piano, voice, and all woodwinds.  She also spent 3 years performing as a clarinetist with the McKinney Wind Symphony. Mary sang high soprano II with the Dallas Symphony Chorus for 4 years.  She taught clarinet and flute for the Dallas Symphony Youth Orchestra. Featured in magazines like Shoutout DFW and Professions Women of Dallas, she was musical director at Artisan Theater and played lead roles in musicals such as My Fair Lady and Mary Poppins, starring in plays such as See How They Run and Jake’s Women.  Mary enjoyed taking improvisation classes at Four Day Weekend Comedy Club and went on to star in The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Theater in Dallas for 4 years.

Call 817-456-1844 or email maryhanna2009@gmail.com TODAY to reserve your private lesson spot!

Follow the yellow brick road… right to the library.

Join us at the Monticello Branch Library on Monday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. for a free puppet performance of The Wizard of Oz, presented by Seark Concert and Stevens Puppets.

Performed by master puppeteers Dan and Zan Raynor, this show features beautifully hand-carved marionettes and brings a classic story to life for all ages.

This morning, a vehicle struck a light pole on South Main Street. AT&T has been contacted and is sending crews to the site to replace the pole.

Detour signs are in place as lines are down.

Please travel another route, and share this with your friends or family that may be traveling Main Street this morning.