The Desha/Drew County Cattlemen’s Association met on Thursday June 18th at 7:00 pm at the UAM Ag Building. Vice President Nita Carpenter opened the meeting and led the membership in the pledge of allegiance. Following the pledge Mr. Greg Montgomery Blessed the meal. Commercial Bank sponsored the meal and producers got to enjoy cheeseburgers fresh off the grill. The Desha/Drew County Cattlemen’s Association also provided a delicious 4th of July themed cake for an early 4th of July Celebration.  The American Flag cake featured Old Glory and read “God Bless the USA and Cattlemen’s”.

Following supper and dessert, Todd Smith with Commercial Bank talked to producers about the choices consumers have at Commercial Bank as well as the friendly staff ready to help. Dr. James Mitchell with UofA gave members a market update. He covered topics from the new world screwworm, herd build back, and consumers as well as their effects on the beef market. The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 pm and followed by fellowship.

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.