Kelly Reid received the Fireman of the Year Award from Lions Club President Don Hogue, along with a $100 check from Lions Club for the annual award.

Kelly is married to Melissa, a Kindergarten Teacher at Monticello Elementary School. They have two children, John Parker, age 5 years, and Jay Dylan, age 9 months.

Kelly trains fellow firemen and teaches at the Arkansas Fire Academy in Camden. He also volunteers as a referee at Jr High football games. In his “spare time” Kelly said he loves to hunt and fish.

Fire Chief Steve Faulkner selected Kelly for the award from 11 full time firemen and 14 volunteers on the City force. Chief Faulkner said the Fire Department has been successful in lowering the fire insurance rating down to four from five last year. This lower rating will significantly reduce fire insurance premiums in future years.

Matthew Spencer, 17, a resident of Drew County and a member of the local Koinonia 4-H club, recently placed third in the nation in the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program’s competition held at Texas A & M and King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas.

His team placed third in the national team competition, as well. This is the first time in the history of Arkansas 4-H that any individual member or any team from Arkansas has placed in the top three at the national level.

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In this week’s contribution for the history of the Drew County Extension Homemakers Clubs, we will honor the history of the African-American EHC organization in Drew County. I want to give credit and honor to a very special lady and friend for this information. Thank you, Mrs. Inez Lindsey!

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The Monticello Boys & Girls Club recently set up a 160 ft. long “home made” water slide for the youngsters to enjoy.

The Monticello Fire Dept. helped get it off to a good wet start, and MPD officer Chris Owen, a regular volunteer at B&GC also helped out with the project.

The Monticello Lions Club recently awarded the Policeman of the Year award.

Eddie Deaton, Police Chief, recommended Kenny Cox for the award.

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