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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Recently, a young door-to-door salesman came to my home, representing the “cutting edge” home security firm Vivint. I heard his sales pitch and promises, along with his list of satisfied customers.  I’m glad I didn’t purchase his promises, since the next day I asked the MPD officer he described as a “satisfied customer” with Vivint, and he told me he had never met (or done business) with them.

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The weekly edition of Arkansas Business has long been considered the leading source of news and information for business in Arkansas.

This week’s edition includes an article/editorial by a guest columnist, Tommy Maxwell, of Maxwell Hardwood Flooring, who credited his staff for their efforts in the writing of the article.

Another recent edition of Arkansas Business featured southeast Arkansas bankers uniting in the current economy, and included a photo of Union Bank’s Dave Dickson on the cover.

The Monticello school board accepted a CPR training unit donated by Ryburn Motor Company. The unit will help to train coaches and staff of the schools to further help to keep kids safe. The unit, which is junior life sized, tells with signals when the trainee applies the right pressure in the proper location and when the trainee breaths correctly into the unit’s mouth.

Ryburn also donate a unit to Drew Central School at their board meeting, recently, shown here with Superintendent Mike Johnston and Rita Venable.

Article by Caleb Burger

This photo was taken on HWY 278, as combine was loading farm trailer.

 Click here to read the Arkansas Business article about 9 Southeast Arkansas banks working together in difficult economic times.