The Tenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain announced that an Ashley County jury has convicted Aaron Dewayne Rice on multiple felony drug charges and sentenced him to a total of 112 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

The conviction stems from an investigation conducted by agents with the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Ashley County Sheriff’s Department following a traffic stop on October 17, 2025.

According to trial testimony, Drug Task Force Agents Ben Michel and James Slaughter were on patrol on the Highway 278 Bypass in Monticello when they observed a black Chevrolet pickup registered to Aaron Rice, whose driver’s license was known to be suspended. When agents initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle continued traveling for approximately three-quarters of a mile while weaving between the roadway and shoulder.

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Jefferson Regional is pleased to announce that Ashok Akula, MD has joined the physician team at Jefferson Regional Cardiology Associates. Dr. Akula is a member of the Jefferson Regional medical staff and will be providing specialized care in interventional cardiology.

Dr. Akula received his Bachelor of Medicine from Kakatiya Medical College in Warangal, India, and completed his internal medicine degree at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas. Dr. Akula went on to complete a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, as well as an interventional cardiology fellowship at Michigan State
University.

He is currently accepting patients at Jefferson Regional Cardiology Associates, located
at 1609 West 40th Ave., Ste. 403. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Akula, call 870-
541-4285.

Jefferson Regional is proud to welcome back Dr. Meer Akbar Ali, who has rejoined the physician group and is now seeing patients at Jefferson Regional GI Associates.

Dr. Ali received his medical degree at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences in
Dehradun, India. He then completed an Internal Medicine residency at the University of
Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN, as well as fellowships in both
Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Advanced Endoscopy at the University Hospitals
Case Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. He is board certified in Gastroenterology.

Before returning to Jefferson Regional, Dr. Ali worked as Associate Professor of Internal
Medicine, Associate Fellowship Program Director, and was a member of the Graduate
Medical Education Executive Committee at the University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences in Little Rock.

He is currently accepting patients at Jefferson Regional GI Associates, located at 1801
West 40th Ave., Ste. 7B. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ali, call 870-541-7201.

DePaul Community Health Centers welcomes Dutton Day, DMD as a dentist serving patients at DePaul’s Gould location (407 South Gould Avenue, Gould, AR  71643). Starting Monday, July 6, Dr. Day will provide comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages.

A native of White Hall, Arkansas, Dr. Day earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with minors in Business Administration and Chemistry from Mississippi State University before receiving his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. Throughout his academic career, he remained actively involved in leadership, research, and community service, including conducting biomaterials research and participating in outreach initiatives focused on expanding access to care for underserved populations. His dedication to rural health care was recognized through his selection as a Mississippi Rural Dentist Scholar.

Jefferson Regional is proud to welcome Jordan Scribner, AuD, to Jefferson Regional Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates.

Dr. Scribner earned her Doctor of Audiology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. She will offer a full range of hearing services, including hearing tests for all ages; hearing aid fittings, checks, and repairs; tinnitus management; and ongoing support for hearing health.

Dr. Scribner is currently accepting new patients at Jefferson Regional Ear, Nose, and
Throat Associates, located at 1801 W. 40th Ave., Ste. 1A & 1B. To schedule an
appointment, please call 870-541-6055.

Sabina Day of Fayetteville has been named to the University of Arkansas Dean’s List for the 2026 spring semester. She is the daughter of Kyle and Rena Day of Monticello.

Day joins a distinguished group of students recognized for outstanding academic achievement by earning a grade-point average of 3.75-3.99 during the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours required for graduation. School of Law students are named to the Law School Dean’s List by earning a 3.0 grade-point average or higher for the semester.

In case of inclement weather, the commemoration will continue at The Great I Am Temple Ministries, 107 W. Gaines Street across from the Monticello town square.

I am looking to buy junk cars in the Monticello area.

I am offering between $150 to $350 depending on the condition and type of the car. I provide free quotes and will handle the pick-up at no cost to you.

If you have a vehicle you are looking to get rid of, please contact Bubba at 870-623-4421.

Thank you for your time.

Best regards,

Bill Hargis

Will need clean title or bill of sale.

The Razorbug Diploma Tour highlighted the first of two graduates on the tour who took part in the Impact Arkansas Principal Fellowship program. Executive director John Bacon presented Hope Caruthers with a framed diploma for her master’s degree in educational leadership. Hope directs preschool programs for Drew Central schools in Monticello.

On January 7, 2025, at approximately 7:20 p.m., Arkansas State Trooper Nathan Jynes conducted a traffic stop on Cherry Street in McGehee after observing a vehicle traveling with a non-functioning taillight and failing to signal before turning onto Choctaw Road. The vehicle, a gold Honda Accord, was occupied by Thompson and passenger Adrian Horton.

During the stop, Trooper Jynes observed Thompson’s right hand shaking excessively and learned that Thompson did not possess a valid Arkansas driver’s license. When asked whether anything illegal was inside the vehicle, Thompson admitted there was a gun. Because Thompson did not have a valid license, the vehicle was to be towed, and Trooper Jynes conducted an administrative inventory.

Under the front passenger seat, Trooper Jynes located a black Springfield XD?40 handgun. Thompson waived his Miranda rights and told Trooper Jynes he was taking the firearm back to an acquaintance. Thompson was not booked at the time of the incident due to the Desha County Jail being unable to accept prisoners.

James Atkins

39
Pediatrician & Owner
SEARK Children’s Clinic
Monticello

Professional achievements

• American Board of Pediatrics, board-certified pediatrician.
• Chief of staff, Baptist Health Drew County.

Community involvement

Board member, SEARK Concert Association; board member, Arkansas chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics; member, First United Methodist Church Monticello; Little League baseball coach.

Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain announced today that Johntavious Owens has been sentenced to a total of 720 months (60 years) in the Arkansas Department of Corrections following his conviction for the fatal shooting of Kevin Morgan in McGehee.

The case stems from an incident that occurred on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at approximately 12:53 a.m., when McGehee Police Department officers were dispatched to 806 North 3rd Street in response to reports of gunfire. While en route, officers were advised that an individual had been shot.

Upon arrival, officers observed multiple individuals gathered around a white Chevrolet Avalanche parked in the driveway. Inside the vehicle, officers found the victim, later identified as Kevin Morgan, suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of his head. The vehicle displayed multiple bullet holes consistent with gunfire directed into the rear of the vehicle. Morgan was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

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