Benji Ryburn and Ronny Williams of Ryburn Motor Company, in combination with Toyota Motor Company, donated $5000.to the local “FEED THE KIDS” organization.

The “Feed the Kids” program has grown from 8 children from Drew Central Elementary to almost 150 children in both Monticello and Drew Central Schools.

Native Monticellonian P. Q. Gardner was recently presented an Arkansas House of Representatives Citation in honor of his service to his country in the Army Air Corps during WWII; for his lifelong business pursuits in Southeast Arkansas; and for his role for many years in the education of Drew County’s children as teacher and later superintendent at Drew Central Schools.

Mr. Gardner also founded Drew County’s first cable TV company system and is a longtime realtor in the area.

The citation was presented by State Representative Sheilla Lampkin to mark his December 29th birthday.

At the January Monticello Economic Development Commission Board Meeting, Entergy Arkansas presented Maxwell Hardwood Flooring with a rebate check in the amount of $24,044 for energy efficiency improvements implemented at the plant last year.

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According to this graphic from FlighAware.com, even though there wasn’t much traffic on local roads, the skies around the Monticello airport were busy, around 8:30, Tuesday.

KLLQ is the reference for Ellis Field.

Two Arkansas companies, The Reata Foundation, Inc, a non-profit institution commissioned to provide affordable and energy efficient housing for the American family, and Concrete & Foam Structures, LLC( CFS), a fabricator of expanded polystyrene (EPS) have joined together to produce a technological advanced building system. The result is an ultra energy efficient residential home for the future era of residential house building.

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McDonalds on HWY 425 North is advertising a new product on their front sign.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who needs to use spell-check more often.

During Saturday morning’s “Shop with a Cop” sponsored by Walmart, Monticello Police officers took 23 children and teenagers shopping at Walmart, with $100 to spend on each one of them.

The officer that was with one 10 year old boy asked him,  “Where do you want to start.”  Most kids would answer toys or games, but this child’s reply was, “I want to buy my Mommy something for Christmas.”  He wanted to buy her jewelry, so they went to that department and picked out a ring for her.

Next the officer asked him, “What do you want to get now.”  His reply was, “I want to buy me something to wear for Christmas,” so off the clothes they went.

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Employment Opportunity- Licensed Practical Nurse
Competitive Salary
Pass Criminal Background Check
Electronic Medical Records experience preferred
Email resumes to searkemployment@yahoo.com
Accepting resumes until 12-28-2012

Qualifications: HS Diploma, Bachelors preferred
Pass Criminal Background Check
Knowledge of Microsoft Office
Previous purchasing experience preferred.
Email resumes to searkemployment@yahoo.com
Accepting resumes until 12-28-2012

The Panorama Ristorante, Monticello’s new authentic Italian restaurant, will open for business Wednesday at 11 am.

The restaurant hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 11am-3pm for lunch, and 5-9pm for evening meals.  They will stay open on Friday and Saturday till 10 pm.

Sun Country Tanning Salon has been a staple of the small business community of Monticello for over 15 years. Beginning December 1, Sun Country opened a new chapter in its history by welcoming it’s new owner, Mandy Hogg. Sun Country still offers the finest tanning experience in Southeast Arkansas and will continue offering its full line of tanning lotions and accessories. The Salon will also offer the massage therapy services of Olivia Milstead.

Mandy encourages everyone to stop by 518 E. Gaines or call 367-1111 and see what Sun Country has to offer. As a celebration of the new ownership, Mandy is offering all single visit tanning purchases at 50% off the regular price. The visits must be purchased and used prior to Dec 21, 2012.

Sun Country’s hours are M-F 9am – 7pm and Saturday 10am – 3 pm. “Like” us on Facebook.

New 2013 Dodge Avenger

$0 Down &
Payments as low as $299/month, for 72 months WAC
See Dealer for Details

Visit our website.

“Walmart had everything but parking places.”

This photo shows the Walmart parking area a few minutes before the annual “Black Friday” shopping day started at 8 pm, Thursday night.

There weren’t any “bad shopper” problems reported to police, although some video games and houseware customers came close.

One of the many local businesses making improvements to their storefronts, recently, is Burger King, on HWY 425 South.

Burger King will soon have a totally renovated front entrance, and they’re even re-pouring the concrete in the driveway.

Construction on the new Centerpoint Energy buildings in the Monticello Industrial Park is nearing completion, and should be housing their regional work station soon.

Centerpoint plans to move all area operations for the southeast Arkansas region to the new facility, including construction, service and meter reading operation.

Centerplint’s southeast district includes 13 counties, and will likely have it’s 18 area employees based out of the Monticello facility.

Carpet Medics owner, Randy Phillips, is traveling to the east coast to assist to the thousands of homeowners whose homes have been damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Phillips says, “There are still hundreds of thousands of people whose homes are waiting to be repaired, and before that can happen they will have to be dried. The storm surge filled many homes with as much as 4 feet of sea water and although the water has receded the structures are saturated. There are hundreds of restoration contractors like us there but they can barely scratch the surface of the work needed to be done.”

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Suzi Paige 2 is now open at on Main Street, in Monticello, Monday- Friday from 11 am to 6 pm sat 10am to 5pm.

They are an original boutique, offering the latest styles of the fashion world, including; It, Miss Me, and Big Star jeans.. Ronaldo designer jewelry and many more!

Suzi Paige 2 can be reached at 367-0180, or stop by and look around.

Don’t miss out on your chance a win $500 from Ryburn Motor Company.

Ryburn Automotive Superstore on HWY 425 South, or call 367-5353 for details.

Drawing to be held December 5.
See dealer for details.

As trac-hoe operators were nearing completion of their project on the Marketplace II parking lot, one of their machines fell into the deep ditch they were digging, when the ground beneath it caved in.  

No one was injured, and they were working to removed the huge piece of machinery of of the predicament, soon after the accident.

Mosquito Beach Pet Emporium is Monticello’s new pet store, carrying small mammals, birds, fish and reptiles, along with pet supplies, feed, live and frozen feeders, cages and tanks. They will be glad to work with customers on special orders.

They are located on HWY 278, behind Ray’s, and are open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm.

The new business is giving away a 23 gallon aquarium combo in a drawing as a part of their grand opening, Saturday, November 10.

PrimeLending celebrated their ceremonial ribbon-cutting last week, with a catered meal for their guests and tours of their new facility.

The PrimeLending staff also presented awards recognizing our local Veteran’s organizations, UAM, and the Cornerstone Coalition.

Revel Jackson won a 32” TV, Many other door prizes were given away throughout the day.

PrimeLending staff members are: front row left to right: Tiffany Berryman– Monticello Branch Manager, Beth Rowan- Processing Manager, Renee Estes– Sr. Loan Officer, Tena Guin– Loan Processor, Chad Bradford– Loan Officer,
back row: Jimmie Hilburn – Loan Officer, Brandon Lyon – Loan Officer, Scott Denton
Not shown – James Nichols – Arkansas Area Manager, Scott Denton – Loan Officer

The Panorama Italian Restaurant, who announced their upcoming opening last week on MLive, confirmed that they have applied for a liquor license with the State of Arkansas.

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