MonticelloLive’s video coverage was mentioned twice during the city council meeting, once by a Parks Commissioner and once by the mayor.

(more…)

MonticelloLive has an Eater tradition of honoring Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us by featuring a special One Monticello Life, written by a local pastor, on Easter Sunday, each year.  This year we present ONE EXTRA-ORDINARY LIFE by Larry Doggett, of Fountain of Life Christian Center, the speaker at tonight’s Community Easter Service.

The extra-ordinary life that I write about today is about a man called, Jesus, who is also known as the Son of God, and also, Christ–the anointed One of God, and the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Growing up in the Bible belt, I have heard about Jesus all of my life. There are many things that I could share and here are some from A through Z about this extra-ordinary life of Jesus.

The life of Jesus is extra-ordinary for His:
Authenticity. Jesus is Emanuel, God with us. Matthew 1:23
Behavior. Jesus was and is sinless, the living Son of God. 1-Peter 2:21-25
Creation & Cause Jesus is the creator of all things and the abundant life giver. Colossians 1:16, John 10:10
Death: Jesus said that no man would take His life for He gave it for us. John 10:11,15-18
(more…)

The Supreme Court of Arkansas denied a petition from a Drew County man convicted of capital murder and agravated robbery to reinvest jurisdiction in the trial court to consider a petition for writ of error Coram Nobis, last week.

(more…)

At Monday night’s Farm Bureau board meeting, where county judge and county sheriff candidates addressed the group, Ronnie Adcock announced that as of 3:30 pm, this afternoon (Tuesday), he would be out of the towing and tire business.

(more…)

“I worked as a vet for two months in Lake Charles, LA. I hated it, and was convinced I didn’t want to be a vet. “– Dr. Rocky Lindsey

(more…)

– “I went down to Grand Central Station and got pizza for me and DiGiovanni, and we went to the elevator. I was dressed in my urban attire… and these two suits walked up and they looked at us and then backed out and left. It was weird because you could tell they were scared of us because of what we were wearing. I think they thought I was going to rob them. “ – Andrew (LilDru) Bentz

(more…)

In the game of golf, a “do over” on the tee shot is often called a “mulligan”.

Around 8 am, Tuesday morning, the driver of this Volkswagen certainly needed a “do over” as the vehicle lost control as it topped Country Club Hill, crashed through a fence, narrowly missing a power pole, before flipping, and finally coming to rest between a group of trees (on the sidewalk near the 9th hole of the golf course). 

According to reports, the driver was not injured.

A neighbor told MLive, in 17 years living nearby, she has seen 8 major wrecks near that hill and intersectin.

MPD and DCSO worked the accident,  C&L Wrecker towed the VW.

From Leamington, Ontario, Canada all the way to Southeast Arkansas has been quite the journey for Ryan Copico. Ryan’s life began in Canada, where he was born on January 12, 1976. His parents are Ruben and Rowena Copico, originally from the Philippines.

(more…)

(more…)

Change your light bulbs. Not just when they burn out. Exchange any incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents. You will use only 30% of the energy and still get just as much light.

Look for the Energy Star logo. The symbol designates appliances that are energy-efficient. If you purchase only those that are certified, you may pay more initially for these items. Over time, however, you’ll save on energy bills while helping the environment.

(more…)

“When you’re working with special needs, they’re giving you the best they’ve got. When you think of everyday people, you’ve got people that aren’t giving their best, they know they’re not, and they’re okay with it.” – Karen Caldwell

"AJ Huffman joined the Caldwell's team at the 2011 Polar Plunge.

On June 25, 1967 in Heidelberg, Germany, Morris and Gertrud Donham welcomed their youngest child into the world. As they counted her ten fingers and ten toes, they likely wondered what her future would hold. What would she do with her life? What impact would this child have on the people she encountered? Today, citizens of Monticello, AR are thankful for the daughter they raised and the blessings she has spent her life pouring out to others.

(more…)

This week’s One Monticello Life story features a member of our community that has been mentioned to MLive as a good candidate for recognition more times than any other. She is well known throughout the entire city, yet she isn’t a politician, doctor, lawyer, or in the public spotlight at all.

MLive recently received an email from a local business leader saying, “I went through the Taco Bell drive-thru today and realized that for a very long time, I have heard this sweet little voice take my order, and how nice she always is, and I took the time to thank her for a job well done.

(more…)

Eddy Deaton has a new title at the Monticello Police Department as of January 2012… Chief Deaton. He takes his future goals for the department very seriously.

 “I want to make the Monticello Police Department one of the best departments in the state. I want the officers to have the most updated training and equipment out there. I want to see all law enforcement agencies working together to accomplish a common goal of professional enforcement of the law, and community involvement, to aid in preventing and stopping crime.”

(more…)

Sheila Gardner and Kim Wilson, Monticello & Statewide Teacher of the Year, at the Awards Banquet

At the MEDC / Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, each school district honored one teacher as their “Teacher of the Year.”

(more…)

Tom Henry of the Montongo community recently brought a copy of a northwest Arkansas newspaper to church with him.

“That’s my granddaughter”, Tom said with pride.  

After reading the article printed in The Times of Northeast Benton County, written by Annette Beard, it was plain to see that he had a reason to be proud.

“I can’t believe I get paid to do this,” the 23-year-old Air Force second lieutenant said of flying.

Kristin Henry earned her bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2010, and is now stationed at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla. There, she is in the process of earning her wings – becoming a military-rated pilot.

In high school, when most teen-aged girls were getting their driver’s license, worrying about proms and their first car, Kristin had earned both her visual and instrumental pilot’s licenses.

Click here for the full story from “The Times” / NWAonline.com.

2011 brought with it many headlines that affected our lives.   Some simply stirred our interest, while others changed the way we live.

MonticelloLive is posting the top 40 headlines of 2011, based on pageviews, video plays, and amount of public conversation that the stories inspired.

While we are reminiscing, here are links to the 2009 Headlines and the 2010 Headlines- The Year in Review.

The Local Economy

2011 brought with it many changes in Monticello’s business climate.  In August, SeaArk Marine announced their closing as of this month (SeaArk Boats remains unaffected by this change).  Last month, Drew County Speedway told of their operations ceasing, as well.  Larry’a Pizza, Topps Pizza, and other businesses closed during the year.

Even while experiencing the loss of several employers, and several dozen jobs, Monticello still remains one of the “brighter” spots in southeast Arkansas, based on the number of businesses that either started, expanded, hired more workers, were purchased by new owners, or added important equipment.  Each of these entities showed a commitment to their employees, and their intentions to remain a part of Monticello’s future.

Those  75   businesses, industries, and organizations include…..
(Hold mouse over image to view business identity)

Click here for the story about “school without books.”

The fact that MonticelloLive was recognized as the Chamber of Commerces’s “Business of the Year” was an honor, but the reason that this headline made the Top 20 list, is because this achievement was possible.

With the economy being a national topic, and the public impression being that most new businesses fail, this award proves that a new business (in operation only 4 years), with a dedicated owner, a small support staff, and big dreams, can still “keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars”, as Casey Kasey used to say.

MLive has had 2.7 million page views in the past 12 months, and over 30,000 video plays of local news and events. 

Several of it’s stories and videos have been picked up and aired by all 4 Little Rock television stations. 

MLive has also been included in articles in Arkansas Business and Arkansas Times, but owner Joe Burgess considers it’s most prized achievement to be the “Business of the Year” award.

Although a parade may not be considered a “news story” the 2011 Drew County Fair Parade was the 7th most watched video of the year, with the Chamber of Commerce’s “Carols of Christmas” Parade coming in at #11.

Tillar’s 2nd annual Christmas parade also earned an impressive view level.

Note: An “engaging” event that occurred at the Christmas parade, which earned statewide news coverage, will rank higher in the “Top 40 Stories”.

In sharing the Christmas spirit, MonticelloLive.com donated the toys shown here to 3 worth programs.

One group went to the Ryburn Motor Company sleigh, which are distributed by the Junior Auxiliary.

Another group went to Cablevision’s Toys for Tots program, which will find good homes for the goodies, through the assistance of DHS.

The final third of the Christmas toys was delivered to the Baptist Home for Children.

All items donated will remain in Drew County, and bring joy to our local childrem.

These two photos are of the Monticello Doctors exhibit at the museum there are numerous photos of Doctors including the first doctor in Monticello as well as the first African-American Doctor in Monticello, Also in the cases are the tools of the trade, I can remember as a tot going to Dr. Hyatt’s office on Main Street and usually if one in the family was ill all of the family was, but this particular time stands out, Myself and my brother were sick with colds and had to receive a shot, Dr. Hyatt came in with a ominous looking metal syringe full of white liquid stuck it in my arm shot half of it in and pulled the needle out and jabbed it in my brother releasing the remainder of the medicine. How many of you can remember the “old days of modern medicine”?

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 4pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 pm till 4 pm.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

The Arkansas Airport Operator’s Association has announced that Monticello’s Ellis Field has been chosen as the 2011 Arkansas Airport of the Year.

The Monticello Airport was also selected as Airport of the Year in 2008.  Our Airport is the only “repeat winner” of this award in over 20 years. 

(more…)

When a resident of Oak View Apartments went to her car, last Wednesday morning, she discovered that it had been hit in the rear, overnight, and the accident was not reported.

When Monticello Police arrived, the investigation led to the discovery that the “hit & run” vehicle was actually a City of Monticello trash truck.  Estimates to repair the vehicle came in at around $3,000.

Since a city vehicle was involved, the Drew County Sheriff’s Dept. took over the case.

City truck #116 was identified as the vehicle involved, which was confirmed by paint marks.

(more…)

These 2 calves have found a comfortable home in the back yard of a Western Pines residence.

Friends say the owners treat them just like “the family dogs.”

In preparation for the coming dedication of the downtown square and Ridgeway Monticello, the Monticello Downtown Revitalization Committee and Monticello Economic Development Commission need photos to include in a slide show for the public.

They are looking for photos of downtown Monticello and the Ridgeway Hotel from the 1930’s and 1940’s period. If you have photos that we can copy electronically, please contact 367-3076.

Your photos will not be damaged and will be returned to you immediately.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Click on the >< to enlarge

Around 1:18, Friday afternoon, several 911 calls came into Monticello Dispatch, reporting the drowning of a 17 year old male, from Missouri, in Lake Monticello’s south end, near the boat ramp.

(more…)

What if I told you that someone buried in Oakland Cemetary had risen from the grave? What if I told you that their burial place was broken open and no body could be found? What would be your first impulse?

“But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however got up and ran to the tomb.” Luke 24.11,12a (NIV). 

Some would probably think it was crazy. Some would consider it mere nonsense. But some, like Peter, would run to the tomb to see for themselves. It stands to reason that those who had the most to lose or gain would be the first to examine the site. Everyone of any importance knew where Jesus had been buried. I wonder how many people visited there over the first few days. Perhaps a hundred? Maybe a thousand? Is it reasonable to believe that it was a large number?

If a large number of people examined that grave and found it to be empty, wouldn’t that help to explain why so many people converted to following Jesus on the day of Pentecost? That might also explain why “The Way” spread so rapidly in such a short time. It could also help us understand why such a story would survive such great persecution, span so many borders and boundaries, and continue to shape history as radically now as it did 2000 years ago.

“Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” Luke 24.12b

Peter eventually came to a conclusion about what he’d seen and his life, and the world, changed forever.

Have you come to a conclusion? What will it change?

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  Romans 10:9

by Rob Leonard, Pauline Baptist Church, MBSF.

Earlier this afternoon, the Monticello Fire Dept. and Ark. Forestry Commission spent several hours battling  a large forest fire, located near Drew 22 Lane and Old Deene Road, just off of Old Dermott Road.

The blaze origionally began near Old Troy Road.

It has been estimated that approximately 80 acres of forest was damaged by the fire, as it was fanned by winds with gusts up to around 20 mph.

4 trucks, 2 dozers, and at least 3 planes were used in the battle against the raging fire.

The Arkansas Foresty Commision remained on the scene at 5 pm, still dropping water on the “hot spots” and running plows to keep the blaze contained.

ComputerGuys Snowcam

Click on Picture for Full Size
Image refreshes once per minute.
(Hit F5 to Refresh)

The Computer Guys are located next to the Fire Dept. on Church Street, next to the railroad tracks.