By law, most City of Monticello projects that are engineered are required to be bid on.

“In the past, many local contractors simply weren’t in the loop or were unfamiliar with the bid process for engineered City related work. It’s our job to familiarize them with procedures and make them aware of the opportunities so we can ensure our local businesses get a fair shot.”

The city currently has numerous projects either ongoing or in the design phase and will be put out to bid upon completion of the designs. One drainage project is currently out for bids.

“I believe we have talented local people who can perform the services and work on projects the city has planned for the future. If they win a bid, the money stays local as it should.”

Local contractors can access appropriate forms required for proper bid submission by visiting www.mce.us.com for Monticello related large project bids, as well as other engineered projects in other towns.

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division (Forestry Division) has released a survey for members of the public to report pine tree discoloration and/or mortality, specifically in southeast Arkansas. The survey can be found at arcg.is/1HyHCu0.

The increase in pine tree discoloration and mortality is an issue that has been observed in Arkansas and neighboring states. No specific cause has been identified and several possible causes are being considered.

This survey will provide Forestry Division staff and partners with data to further investigate this issue. The survey will collect information about the date and location of the observation, the environment where the observation occurred, and other general observations.

To analyze the causes of pine tree mortality and identify solutions, the Forestry Division is working with multiple partners, including the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources; the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service; and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industries Division.

For more information about pine tree discoloration and/or mortality, visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry/arkansas-forestry-health/arkansas-loblolly-pine-decline/.

Murphy Oil, at the Monticello Walmart, is fenced off, and currently closed until further notice, due to a recently announced remodeling/construction project.

No time frame has been announced on when the store/station will reopen. (more…)

“First, let me be clear in saying that I support mobile vendors. I think they bring variety, culture, convenience and many other positive aspects. Our local vendors (in my experience) are all great people providing a service to our communities. We want to encourage that, but also set guidelines for operating in the City of Monticello. This will allow vendors and property owners as well as City or State entities responsible for the safety of our public, to know the rules as to when, where and how food trucks operate. (more…)

Chris Loyd of Drew County was recognized at the Farm Bureau Statewide Agents and Agency Managers meeting in March for total performance during 2022.  Loyd received the Million Dollar Ring Award for outstanding insurance production.

Mike Zieman, LUTCF of Drew/Bradley Counties was recognized at the Farm Bureau Statewide Agents and Agency Managers meeting in March for total performance during 2022. Zieman received the Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company Leadership Council award for outstanding insurance production.

Over 60 former Burlington Industries employees, from the Monticello plants, took part in a reunion of employees Saturday.

For decades, Burlington Industries was the main industry in Drew County, operating three manufacturing plants.

“Burlington Industries” plants closed in January 2021, although a company with Burlington in their name, operated some of the facilities, a short time longer.

Plans are being made to make the reunion an annual event, for the first weekend in April, each year.

The year long rumors of having an Arby’s built in Monticello appear to be coming true, based on a building permit application, recently submitted to the City of Monticello.

The location will be on Highway 425 N., between Rays, Commercial Bank, and the Marketplace.

No opening date or construction details have been announced.

If this proposed long-term lease, likely for 25 years, takes place, it could begin as early as July 1, of this year.

Drew Memorial is owned by Drew County, and would continue to be.

The transaction also requires support of approximately 1/2% sales tax increase for the hospital by members of the current Drew Memorial board of directors.

A wide range of questions were asked by the board and hospital staff, and doctors, most of which were answered with either descriptions that were pleasing to most, or in some cases, “just look at our past history of how we’ve dealt with other local hospitals that have joined our system.”