Governor Asa Hutchinson has issued disaster declarations for 11 counties following severe storms across much of Arkansas this week that caused heavy flooding and damage throughout the state.

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Eastern Drew County

After another inch of rain fell, overnight, combined with the saturated ground, roads, highways, and streets are again flooding in places, similar to yesterday.

Now, in our third day of rain, law-enforcement officers, again, ask you to use extreme caution, when traveling.

Thursday, the Monticello Police Department, Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Unit, U.S. Marshall Service and Arkansas Probation and Parole conducted Operation “Safe Watch”.

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Around 5 PM, Thursday evening, the Arkansas Midland railroad track, between Monticello and Dermott, washed out due to the heavy floodwaters.

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35 East in Dermott is open again.Proceed with caution.

South 16 Section Rd.

Hwy 35 North at Hudgens bottom has been closed.

Piney Creek Lane

Additional County Road Closings, this afternoon include Able’s Creek Rd, Old Hwy 65 & Selma-Collins Rd (at highway 35 East), and Gees Landing.

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Dickson Road, shown here, & HWY 278 East have been added to the list of FLOODED ROADS

Highway 138 (Winchester Road) is closed.

HWY 133, north of Wilmar, is underwater, according to Judge Robert Akin.

Local schools are closing.  See next article.

In September, 2013, the City of Monticello granted a contract to Siemens for the installation of approximately 4,300 new water meters city-wide, and for the replacement of some of the old water mains in the core of the City and construction of other water system infrastructure. Mayor Allen Maxwell died on March 10, 2014, before any work on the project had commenced. Within a couple of days following the death of Mayor Maxwell, Siemens made demand on the City for payment of approximately $5 Million, and payment of that money was made by the City to Siemens on the day of Mayor Maxwell’s funeral. The funds came from a revenue bond borrowing done by the City to finance the project. Work on installation of the water meters then began, and a couple of months later Siemens made another demand for payment of approximately $2 Million, and that was paid by the City to Siemens.

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Tuesday, in a US District Courtroom in Little Rock, Judge D. P. Marshall threw out the Siemens case against the City of Monticello.

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During last night’s storms, this tree fell on E. Willis St. fell, totally hiding the truck that is crushed beneath it.

As 8 am approaches, we want to make sure everyone is aware Drew County has had several inches of rain overnight, and many streets/roadways are underwater and dangerous to travel.

Good sources report that we’ve had approximately 3.5 inches of rain since yesterday afternoon.

The Hardwood Federation has elected Tommy Maxwell, President and CEO of Maxwell Flooring in Monticello, as the chair of the Hardwood Federation Public Action Committee Board of Directors.

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The Delta Heritage Trail (DHT) State Park, in extreme southeast Arkansas, is one of the newest additions to Arkansas’ State Park System. It is not a traditional State Park – the southern portion is actually a multi-use trail that follows part of the Mississippi River levee and extends from near Arkansas City to near Rohwer. When complete, the DHT will extend over 90 miles to a point northwest of Helena-West Helena.
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At 9:30, Sunday evening, first responders were called to the report of a big rig/pick up collision, at the Winchester store.
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On March 5th, 2016 at approx. 7:15 am, the Monticello Police Department received a call of a stabbing on the 1300 block of North Hyatt.

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Concealing Birth & Abuse of Corpse Trial, Underway

Jurors Answer Pro-Life:Pro-Choice Questions

2 Attorneys Testify in Jury Trial

Trial Update – Crime Lab Witness Reports Possible Cause of Death

Prosecution Rests – Other Details

Abuse of Corpse Charge Dismissed on Technicality – Concealing Birth Charge still in Court

Defendant Testifies in Jury Trial

Jury Deliberation Begins at 6 pm

“Guilty,” with a 6 Year Prison Sentence

Great Job Opportunities
Positions available for Apartment Manager in Southeast AR.
Great Monthly Salary, possible housing with all utilities paid
WE WILL TRAIN Must pass credit check and background check
Fax resume to 870-367-1073 or mail to P.O. Box 540 Monticello, AR

Found – male yorkie in the Ladelle/Lone Sassafras area.

Please call or text 870-723-4430.

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After the jury was notified of the first ruling, the “concealing a birth” segment began.

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Charges against Anne Bynum were dropped on the charge of abuse of a corpse,  after Judge Sam Pope agreed with a motion by defense counsel attorney Chuck Gibson.

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The trial continued with a forensic psychologist from UAM, on the stand, after lunch.

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We’re not sure when the driver of thie Buick parked it here, but authorities do know when it was towed for the scene.

During the night, var, registered from Bigelow, was parked directly in front of the Collins Cominto Fire Dept station doors, blocking in one of their fire trucks.

It was towed from the site by JNA Towing.

A 40 year old McGehee man, believed to be on his way to a Drew County jury trial, Wednesday, for the alleged rape of a 7-year-old Monticello girl was found with an apparent self-inflicted 22 caliber gunshot wound to the forehead.

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After opening arguments, the defense began calling their witnesses.

After the court resumed, after lunch, Bynum’s mother, the sheriff’s investigator, and 2 area attorneys were called to the stand.

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In the “concealing a birth” and “abuse of a corpse” case, at 11 am, the jury of 8 men and 4 women were seated, (more…)

The jury is currently being selected in the Drew County courthouse in the case of Anne Bynum, who is accused of concealing a birth and abuse of a corpse.

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e cafeteria celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday, with a big thanks to Migeal Strong for being such a great Cat in the Hat, and to all the food service staff who helped make the event happen.

Shortly after 11 AM, Tuesday morning, a Drew County home was destroyed by fire.

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A 30 year old Monticello man was arrested around 9 pm, Sunday, following shots being fired,  as Monticello Police were handcuffing his sister,  after a domestic disturbance.

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Monday – 344
Saturday- 76
Friday – 196
Thursday – 138
Wednesday – 116
Tuesday – 91
Monday – 92
Saturday – 46
Friday – 107
Thursday – 117
Wednesday – 126
Tuesday – 113

Countywide polling precincts  are open today, until 7:30 PM.