Monticello Live

It has been a privilege to serve you as Drew County clerk. As I seek re-election, I remain steadfast in my commitment to providing courteous and efficient service while upholding the highest standards of honesty, security, and transparency in our elections and county government as a whole.

Since assuming office, I have worked diligently to enhance public access and improve services. From the addition of Passport application processing, the digitization of all Ordinances, Court Orders, Election documents and Marriage Licenses dating back to 1940, I have and will continue to move Drew County forward.

I believe that public trust in local government is built upon accountability, professionalism, and accessibility. With your vote, my staff and I will continue to work towards that goal if re-elected.

It would be an honor to continue serving the citizens of Drew County and to earn your support once again in 2026.

Thank you for your support, and may God bless you and yours.

You’re invited to an important meeting to help Develop a Better Future for Southeast Arkansas. Your unique perspective and input are vital as we discuss important topics like the Benefits of Early Education, a Growing Workforce, Local Revenue & Tax Benefits, and Building a Thriving Economy.

Join us on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM!

RSVP today by calling 870-367-4864 or emailing jessica.griffin@searkcoop.com.

The Republican Party of Drew County announces that filing for county and township offices will begin at noon on Monday, November 3^rd and end at noon on Wednesday, November 12^th. The courthouse will be closed on November 11^th for Veterans Day.

Candidates, including county committee members, may file in the County Collector’s Office.  A member of the local Republican Party will be present to accept candidates’ filing fees and provide appropriate forms on the following dates and times:

November 3^rd, noon – 4:30 pm.

November 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 10^th, 10 am – 3 pm

November 12th, 9am – noon.

Filing fees may be paid with cash, check or CashApp.

After filing with the Republican Party of Drew County, candidates must provide written evidence of filing fee payment and additional paperwork to the Drew County Clerk (located in the Drew County Courthouse) before noon on Wednesday, November 12^th.

Individuals with questions or candidates wishing to file should contact DCRC Chairman Mike Akin at 870-723-3710 or drewcorepchair@gmail.com

The primary election is March 3, 2026.

The 2025 Fountain Hill Alumni Reunion and Banquet…or All Classes Reunion, will be held Saturday October 18, 2025 at the JYM in Fountain Hill. Social hour will be from 4pm to 5pm. The program honoring our 50-year Class of 1975 to follow. Hamburgers, Hotdogs or Pulled Pork Sandwiches with chips and drinks will be served.  Look us up on Facebook at “Fountain Hill Alumni Association” to see the graduates of 1975.

On August 6, 2025, Derek Logan Simmons was convicted by a jury in the Circuit Court of Bradley County, Arkansas, on three felony counts stemming from a May 2023 drug and weapons investigation.The charges arose from a search conducted on May 24, 2023, at Simmons’ residence on Bradley Road North in Warren. Agents from the Tenth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Arkansas Community Corrections, and the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department executed the search based on his parole conditions and search waiver. During the search, law enforcement officers discovered methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded shotgun in Simmons’s reported address. Additional evidence included digital scales, multiple smoking devices, and men’s hunting clothes.

Following a jury trial, Simmons was found guilty of Possession of Methamphetamine, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Dermott native, Zelma Johnson, was convicted by a Chicot County jury on July 31, 2025.
The conviction is the result of an investigation by the Tenth Judicial District Drug Task Force (DTF), the Dermott Police Department, and the McGehee Police Department. On July 8, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence at 905 N Knox St in Dermott, Arkansas. During the search, officers located and seized approximately 12.77 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia. Johnson, a registered sex offender, was found to be living at the residence without having properly registered as a sex offender.
During the penalty phase of the trial, the jury heard about Johnson’s extensive criminal history spanning over three decades, involving multiple felony convictions. In 1991, he was convicted in Chicot County for possession of crack cocaine. He was again convicted in 1997, in Pulaski County, for manufacture, delivery, or possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. In 2003, Johnson received two separate convictions in Chicot County for possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine, both resulting in prison sentences. His most serious conviction came in 2011, when he was sentenced to ten years in the Arkansas Department of Correction for Rape, a Class Y felony.
The jury returned a verdict fixing the following sentences:
Possession of Methamphetamine with Purpose to Deliver (Class A Felony): 17 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and a $1,500 fine.
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (Class C Felony): 17 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and a $1,500 fine.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class D Felony): 3 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and a $1,000 fine.
The jury recommended that all sentences run concurrently. Circuit Judge Quincey Ross followed the recommendation of the jury and sentenced Johnson to a total term of 17 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction with a total fine of $4000.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney William Bridewell represented the State of Arkansas in the case. “I’m pleased with the jury’s verdict and sentence,” said Bridewell. “Cases involving habitual offenders like Mr. Johnson are typical of the types of jury trials we conduct in the Tenth Judicial District.” Additionally, Mr. Bridewell explained that if Johnson earned the maximum amount of good time credit while incarcerated, he would be eligible for release after serving one-fourth of his sentence or approximately 4.25 years.
At the request of the Chicot County Sheriff’s Department, Johnson was released pending bed space due to a lack of available jail space.
This conviction underscores the commitment of the Tenth Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office and its Drug Task Force to combat drug-related offenses and uphold public safety. Convictions against drug dealers play a critical role in protecting communities and saving lives. Drug trafficking fuels addiction, which often leads to overdoses, long-term health deterioration, and death. By removing dealers from the streets, law enforcement disrupts the supply chain of dangerous substances like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, reducing their availability and preventing potential harm to vulnerable individuals. Additionally, drug-related activity is closely linked to property crimes such as burglary and theft, as individuals struggling with addiction often resort to these offenses to fund their habits. Prosecuting and convicting habitual offenders like Zelma Johnson not only holds them accountable but also helps reduce the ripple effects of drug crime, making neighborhoods safer and more stable.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. Call the Arkansas Department of Human Services Mental Health & Addiction Support Line at 1-844-763-0198 for free, confidential assistance in locating treatment providers and support services in your area.

Since first taking the bench in 2021, Judge Gibson has presided over a wide range of cases with impartiality and diligence. He has built a reputation for fairness, accessibility, and steady leadership in the courtroom.  

“It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of southeast Arkansas as Circuit Judge,” said Judge Gibson. “Every case is important, and every person who enters the courtroom deserves respect, fairness, and integrity. From day one, I pledged to uphold those values, and that commitment remains as strong today as it was when I began.” 

In addition to his judicial duties, he serves on the Committee for Civil Practice and Procedure, an appointment made by the Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, helping ensure clarity and consistency in Arkansas courtrooms statewide.  He also serves on the Sentencing Commission, an appointment made by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. 

“As I seek re-election,” Judge Gibson adds, “I do so with a deep sense of responsibility to the people of the 10th Judicial District. Our communities deserve a judge who will apply the law fairly, without bias or favor, and who will continue to safeguard the trust placed in this office. I look forward to continuing this work in the years ahead.” 

About Judge Robert B. Gibson, III 

Judge Gibson is a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law and has been admitted to practice in both state and federal courts. Prior to taking the bench, he built a respected legal career in Crossett at Streetman & Gibson, PLLC.  His experience prepared him for the complex and varied caseload of Arkansas’s 10th Judicial District.  Judge Gibson is deeply involved in his community. He serves on the board of directors for the Crossett Rotary Club, is a volunteer baseball coach for the Ashley County Boys & Girls Club, and a member of the Crossett School District Booster Club.   He and his family attend First United Methodist Church in Crossett. 

A native of southeast Arkansas, Judge Gibson and his wife, Macy, are raising their two sons, Ivey and Turner, in Crossett. His dedication to both family and community informs his perspective on the bench, where he strives to balance accountability, compassion, and the rule of law. 

Frank Spain, Prosecuting Attorney for Arkansas’s 10th Judicial District, has formally announced his candidacy for re-election.

Spain has served the citizens of Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha, and Drew counties for over two decades. First appointed as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2001, he has led the district’s criminal prosecutions through thousands of felony cases. 

“It has been a privilege to serve the people of Southeast Arkansas,” Spain said in a statement. “As Prosecuting Attorney, I’ve worked hard to protect our communities, uphold the law, and deliver justice for victims. I’m running for re-election to continue that mission.”

Spain has earned a reputation for being tough on violent and repeat offenders, while also supporting alternatives such as mental health and drug treatment programs when appropriate. 

He also works closely with local law enforcement agencies throughout the 10th Judicial District and other joint efforts aimed at targeting criminal activity and improving public safety.

Spain said his priorities in the upcoming term include continuing to hold violent offenders accountable, expanding support for victims and their families, and strengthening partnerships with law enforcement and community organizations.

“The work of a Prosecuting Attorney is about doing what’s right—ensuring the law is applied fairly and consistently, and making sure our communities feel safe and heard.”

 Frank and his wife, LaDonna, live in Monticello. They have three daughters and four grandchildren. 

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“Cooking Up Ideas for Operation Christmas Child”

The South Arkansas Area Team would like to invite you to join us for food, fun, fellowship, crafts, and door prizes while learning more about Operation Christmas Child!

September 6th at Central Baptist in Magnolia: Doors open at 9:30 for check-in, the event is 10:00-12:00

September 20th at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Monticello: Doors open at 11:30 for check-in. The event is 12:00-2:00

Please RSVP using the link below to reserve your free shoeboxes for your church or group.
https://forms.gle/BBzFFGuJTVfvQoUE8

Tenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain announced that Reginald Nalls, 48, was convicted by a jury on July 29, 2025, for possession of over two grams of methamphetamine, a class C felony.

Investigator Tad Huntsman with the Ashley County Sheriff’s office received information about Nalls that led to an investigation. Nalls was on parole for a 2012 conviction for delivery of cocaine. In that case, an Ashley County jury sentenced him to 40 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He was released on parole in mid-2023 and was officially registered as residing in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

Huntsman’s information indicated Nalls was actually living on Dunmore Loop. Based upon this information, Investigator Huntsman and other officers went to locate Mr. Nalls. As a parolee, Nalls was required to sign a search waiver to receive parole.  On February 13, 2025, Nalls was located on Dunsmore Loop, searched, and officers found two separate baggies of methamphetamine, each weighing about 3 grams, hidden in the underwear Nalls was wearing.

The jury heard testimony that Nalls had five previous Ashley County felony convictions between 1993 and 2011 and one felony federal conviction. Based upon these convictions, Nalls had been previously ordered to serve a total of 48 years in either state or federal prison. 

The Ashley County jury recommended that Nalls be sentenced to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections and a $500 fine. Circuit Judge Crews Puryear followed the recommendation of the jury.

Prosecuting Attorney Spain said, “Pursuant to the Protect Arkansas Act, Nalls has the ability to earn early release credits, which could reduce his sentence by up to 75%, meaning that Nalls would have to serve a minimum of seven and a half years before being eligible for release. This verdict and sentence reflect the serious nature of Mr. Nalls’ continued criminal activity, his disregard for the law while on parole, and the effect of methamphetamine on families in our community. We are grateful to the jury for their service and to Sheriff Tommy Sturgeon and his law enforcement officers, whose diligent work helped bring this case to justice.”

Nalls will begin serving his sentence immediately.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. Call the Arkansas Department of Human Services Mental Health & Addiction Support Line at 1-844-763-0198 for free, confidential assistance in locating treatment providers and support services in your area.

Additional Information

On May 19, 1993, Nalls pleaded guilty in Case number CR1993-13 to Theft of Property, a class B felony, committed on January 16, 1993, and was sentenced to two years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

On August 19, 1998, Nalls pleaded guilty in case numbers CR1998-148 and CR1998-235 to Possession of Cocaine, a class Y felony,  Possession of Marijuana, a class C felony, both committed on July 11, 1998 and Delivery of Cocaine, a class Y felony, committed on January 20, 1998 and was sentenced to a total of five years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

On January 20^th, 2011, Nalls entered a guilty plea to Misprision of a Felony committed on November 10, 2009, in federal court case number 1:10CR10010-001 and was sentenced to time served, a total of 437 days, and was placed on supervised release for an additional year.

On April 25^th, 2012, Nalls was convicted by a jury of the offense of delivery of cocaine, a class Y felony, and was sentenced to 40 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

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$700/mo rent; $400 deposit. 

For application call (870)723-1073 or (870)723-1652.

Bill and Arlene Miller and Dick and Bernadette Carmical are pleased to announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their children Garyn Rebekah Miller to Jeff Carmical. 

Garyn graduated from Columbia High School in Columbia, Mississippi and earned her degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University.  She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Dyslexia Education and teaches first grade at Columbia Elementary in Madison, Alabama.  Garyn is the granddaughter of Perry A. and Barbara N.  Mercier, Sr. and Carmen R. Prewitt.

Jeff graduated from Monticello High School in Monticello, Arkansas.  He graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering and a Masters degree in Business Administration. He is employed by Capstone Research Corporation in Huntsville, Alabama.  Jeff is the grandson of Florence Rush and the late Dr. Joseph C. Rush and the late Virginia and Ted Carmical.

An October wedding is planned.  They will make their home in Huntsville, Alabama.

The annual fundraising dinner for the Drew County Republicans will be held on Monday, October 6^th at the Monticello Country Club.  The keynote speaker will be 4^th District Congressman Bruce Westerman.

Deep-rooted in Arkansas, Bruce Westerman was born and raised in Garland County. He graduated from Fountain Lake High School in Hot Springs before attending the University of Arkansas where he played football for the Razorbacks.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering, he received his Master’s degree in forestry from Yale University. For more than 22 years, Bruce worked in engineering and forestry at Mid-South Engineering in Hot Springs. Developing a passion for public service, Bruce served as a board member on the Fountain Lake School District.

That dedication to public service grew, and in 2010, he was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives. In 2012, Bruce was elected by his peers as the House Minority Leader, and in 2013 he became the first Republican House Majority Leader since Reconstruction. In the Arkansas legislature, Bruce championed conservative principles: lower taxes, limited government, and strong family values.

When the 4th Congressional District seat opened up in late 2013, Bruce was encouraged to take his conservative leadership to Congress. He won single-handedly, defeating both primary and general election opponents. In Washington, Congressman Westerman currently serves as Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, and is on the House Transportation Committee.

Tickets can be purchased on line at https://buytickets.at/drewcountyrepublicanparty/1796357 or for more information you can call 870-723-5701.