MEDC Report from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Constance Thompson, supervising officer in charge of Pine Bluff Post Offices and Terry Gillum of the White Hall Post Office, led a United States Postal Service public meeting at the Wilmar City Hall, Wednesday evening, to announced their recent survey results, and the future of the Wilmar Post Office to a room full of concerned residents.

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MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Candidates Frank Appleberry and Rene Knowles notified the group that they had previous engagements at the time the meeting was scheduled.

Two Wilmar residents (both Barkada volunteer firefighters) were passing by Wilmar Baptist Church, Saturday morning, noticed a small fire coming from under a car, just a few feet from a house.

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Each month, MonticelloLive rewards the reader who calls in the best news tip, or submits the best photo, with a $100 prize.

In October 2012, the video of a Wilmar car fire being put out was taken by Sheena Tucker, who also helped the family (who lost their car and groceries, that day). A couple of Barkada Fire Dept. members were passing by, saw the fire, and put it out; keeping it from reaching the victim’s home. That video earned Sheena $100, and our thanks for sharing it with MLive readers.

In September, 2012, a suspect from AMERICAS MOST WANTED was arrested in Monticello.  The person who told MLive about the “truthful rumor” donated their $100 to Immanuel Baptist Church’s food pantry.

Juanita Webb is shown here with her “pet” alligator, which showed up in their family pond. As the gator continued to grow, in August, the family contacted the AG&F, who re-located it to a safer area.

Juanita’s son, David, is shown with the $100 prize for sharing the photo with MLive readers. The family donated their prize money to PAWS to help support their shelter for homeless pets.

A 75 acre forest wildfire in July, battled by several local fire depts. and the Arkansas Forestry Commission, included an AFC helicopter dipping water from a local farm pond to fight the fire. Karen Kolb-Spencer won $100 for sending that photo to MLive to share with our readers.

A MLive news story about a DWI 3, 4, & 5 was picked up and carried by CNN Headline News in June.

On May 16, there was a fatal car wreck in Wilmar, as the vehicle was fleeing from Bradley Couny Law Enforcement. The prize money for this tip was donated to “Feed the Kids,” thanks to the caller

The person who reported the incident to MLive donated their prize money to purchase school supplies for area children.

Last Easter, BrookLynn White attended 2 local Easter egg hunts. At both of them, she helped a fellow hunter, who had his broken arm in a cast.

BrookLynn’s kind act impressed the boy’s mom, and she told MLive about BrookLynn’s good deed.

BrookLynn used her money to buy dog food for PAWS and other charities.

On March 16, 3 Youths from Saline County Stole a Truck from an Elderly Drew County Man, & Left Him Bleeding in the Road. A Multi-agency Manhunt Followed,, including ADC Dogs, an ASP Helicopter, and all area Law Enforcement. The 3 were captured latere that Evening.

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MADD Mock DWI / 4/13/2009
“In memory of Rooster”

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Future Treasurer Charles Searcy Addresses TEA Party from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

TEA Party Questions Searcy from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Searcy Speaks to TEA Party – Closing from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

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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Ongoing issues with the city’s water system led to an indepth discussion at the August City Council meeting.

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In June, the Game & Fish Commission were called to help capture a live alligator on Alma Street, in the western portion of Dermott, not far from the Drew County line.

Mark Barbee and Michael Shepherd, both of Monticello, of AG&F are shown here restraining the gator, to transport it to a “safer” area.

This video of an alligator being captured, taken near Lake Wallace in May, 2011, has been views almost 3,000 times.

 Another alligator was found in August near Tillar.

Alligator Caught by AG&F in Drew County in May from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Executive Collector Tonya Loveless received the Quorum Court’s approval to continue working to accept credit and debit card payments for property taxes.

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Merlin Taking Off from Monticello, AR Airport from MonticelloLive .

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DMH CEO Mike Layfield addressed the Quorum Court, Monday night, and emphasized “the misconception that proposed millage extension has been referred to as a new tax.” 

The Quorum Court last month approved the hospital board’s request to hold a special election on October 9 to ask county voter’s to approved the continuation of the existing hospital millage to be used to help fund the new Surgery Center, which is estimated to employ an additional 25 employees.  Layfield compared performing surgery in the current facility to “driving a 35 year old car.”Supporters of the millage extension will be visiting interested groups and organization to discuss the proposed extension. 

JP Jimmy Potter also criticized a local editorial calling the proposal “a new tax.”  It was also commented that the October 9 election will not be paid for by the county.

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The Monticello parks commission met Thursday night at City Hall.

Among several items on the agenda, the monument honoring Albert William for his work on the early baseball fields and other features of Jordan Park were discussed. 

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1st Friday Singing on the Square from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Judge Sam Bird Roasts Lassiter from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Richard Reinhart Reminises from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Mark McElroy Introduces Mike Layfield from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

DMH CEO Layfield Diagnoses Dr. Lassiter from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Leigh Lassiter Counts, “My Dad” from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Mayor Maxwell Toasts Lassiter’s Accomplishments from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Dr. Jack Lassiter Responds to Roasters from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

MonticelloLive.com’s Friday court photo and story about an NFL player’s Drew County DWI charge earned national attention. Phone calls came in from Detroit to Houston.  Google shows the story was picked up and carried on sites from Oakland to Chicago to New York.  The story was also covered by ESPN.   

Recently, MLive coverage of a DWI 3, 4, & 5 case earned a “bottom crawl” from CNN’s Headline News Channel.

In January, CNN networks contacted MLive’s Joe Burgess about use of the “Bear & Deer” video.  He quickly granted them permission.

Aside from the national attention the local website has drawn, Burgess considers the “Business of the Year” award, presented last December by the Monticello – Drew County Chamber of Commerce, the businesss’ highest honor.

“Monticello’s Daily News” is expected to reach 3 million pageviews in 2012.

The City Council voted unanimously to amend Ordinance 756 of the City of Monticello to assess fines associated with repeat nuisance property owners.

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