Well, it’s that time of year again.  Time change.

Tonight, most parts of the country will turn their clocks BACK.  So if it’s 2 a.m., it becomes 1 a.m. again.

Now that’s a deal, an extra hour of sleep.

By the way, using the excuse of, “I forgot to set my clock” won’t justify missing Church in the morning.  It would only explain why someone was there an hour TOO EARLY.

So, see you in Church.

The MEDC and the Chamber of Commerce hosted the dedication ceremonies for the Ridgeway Monticello and the Downtown Civic Center, Tues afternoon.

Ridgeway tours  led into the ceremony at the fully renovated hotel, where around 100 people attended.

The Downtown Civic Center dedication followed, and had an estimated 75 present.

Cablevisin’s “Hometown Monticello” program on Channel 19 will include a special video segment of the Ridgeway Monticello dedication event, repeating from Sunday at 5 pm, until Monday at 7 am, this weekend.

On May 27, 2011, Monticello lawyer C. C. “Cliff” Gibson, III, was appointed by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe as a Special Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court regarding a case in which Supreme Court Justice Don Corbin recused.

This is Gibson’s fourth time to serve as a Special Justice on the Supreme Court. He is a senior partner in the Gibson & Keith law firm in Monticello, and also serves as County Attorney for Drew County. Gibson has also been active in state and local community affairs by serving over 10 years on the governing board of Legal Services of Arkansas, and as a director and president of both the Monticello-Drew County Chamber of Commerce and the Monticello Economic Development Commission.

A past recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the City of Monticello, Gibson is also a 32nd degree Mason and has twice served as Master of Eureka Lodge No. 40 in Monticello. He and his wife Lisa are members of the First United Methodist Church in Monticello, and their children are Joy O’Neil Sills and C.C. “Chad” Gibson, IV.

In 1993, the UAM Boll Weevils won the last AIC Football Championship under Coach Tommy Barnes..

2 of the defensive leaders on that team were #99, nose tackle, Rodney Mack and #91, linebacker, Sweet Daddy Jones.(middle of row 8 in team photo).

Rodney Mack and Sweet Daddy Jones will be returning to Monticello, tonight, as Downsouth Championship Wrestling invades the National Guard Armory, with the doors opening at 6 pm, and bell time set for 7:30.

Mack is best known for his battles in WWE and ECW.  Also on tonight’s card is former 2 time WWE Women’s Champion, Jazz, and WCW star, Ron Rage.

General admission tickets are available at Larry’s Pizza and Mazzio’s Pizza, for $10.00

Wireless Internet is now available at Monticello’s McCloy Park, thanks to the City of Monticello and Cablevision.

Wireless service will soon be installed at Jordan Park, as well.

After four years with KTHV, Charles Crowson is leaving Arkansas for a new position as morning anchor/multi-media journalist with WMAR in Baltimore, Maryland.

“It was an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up,” Crowson said while signing off during his final broadcast on Today’s THV This Morning Oct. 29. “Arkansas is my home. It always has been and always will be, regardless of where my career takes me.” (more…)

This year’s Drew County Farm Family of the Year title has been awarded to James and Rene Knowles. Both were raised in farming families and made the decision to keep that tradition alive in their own family, that now includes two sons and a grandson.

“I’ve been farming all my life,” James said as he recalled growing up in Valley Community.  “Dad (Pharris Knowles) was originally a cotton farmer; when I was old enough to help farm he was a commercial hay farmer. He sold hay all over southeast Arkansas.”  James’ mother is Marjorie Knowles Craig.

James graduated from Drew Central High School, is a member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, and a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He worked on the farm with his father until he was married to Rene.

Rene’s dad (Bob Person) owned a hog farm and raised cattle over the years. Rene’s mom was the late Joyce Person, “but  dad’s wife, Mrs. Judy, has been ‘mom’ for over 20 years.”  Rene graduated from Monticello High School and completed 3 years of college. Rene is a Drew Central School board member and was just re-elected to her second term on the Quorum Court. They are active members of Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

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The weekend’s two day free dental clinic, sponsored by ArMOM (Arkansas Mission of Mercy) has come to an end, with a lasting benefit to 1,254 south Arkansas residents.

Dr. Terry Fiddler, director of the program, told MonticelloLive that 3,001 teeth were extracted from patients, and thousand’s of fillings were done.

The value of the services that were provided for free would have cost, $760,000, if they had to be paid for.

125 dentist and 798 volunteers made the event possible.

Comments from patients included, “Thank you so much, I couldn’t afford to have this done,” “This is such a  blessing,” and “This will make my life so much better, I’ll be able to eat regular food again.”

Thanks to everyone that made this event possible; dentists, volunteers, UAM, and the other businesses that provided products and services. (more…)