On September 2, 2026, after a two-day jury trial, a Drew County jury convicted Taiwan Collins of two counts of Murder in the First Degree and one count of Terroristic Act. The convictions stemmed from the December 3, 2023, shooting at the old Wilmar High School.
Agents from the Arkansas State Police and the Drew County Sheriff’s Office investigated the shooting that ultimately ended in the death of two people. The shooting occurred shortly after the party concluded at approximately 2:10 in the morning. The City of Wilmar uses the old high school as a community center and in the past has rented out the facilities for events.
Jurors heard testimony from witnesses at the scene and that officers arrived at the at the school to find the bodies of Suquorey Pitts, and Independence Young. Special Agent Bo Norris testified that while processing the scene 100 shell casings were collected. Those shell casings were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for firearms and tool marks examination, and the bodies were sent to the medical examiner’s office to determine the cause of death.
Associate Medical Examiner, Dr. Teddi Tubre testified that the cause of death for both men was gunshot wounds. Further testimony indicated that multiple firearms were used in the commission of the indicating multiple individuals firing weapons.
At the 2026 Arkansas Career and Technical Education Summer Conference, Missy Martin, education professional I at the DCTE, presents the award for Top Performing Career Coach of Region 5 to Emily Davis.
Emily Davis, a college and career coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett (UAM-CTC), was recently recognized as the Top Performing Career Coach of Region 5 at the 2026 Arkansas Career and Technical Education Summer Conference. The conference was held from July 20 to 24 at the Saline County Career and Technical Campus in Benton, Arkansas.
The college and career coach position housed at UAM-CTC is provided through the College and Career Coach Program administered by the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Education (DCTE). According to the DCTE website, “The College and Career Coach Component is designed to motivate and support Arkansas students and adults achieve their goals as it relates to college and career planning through intensive hands-on programs and services.”
Davis, a Monticello native, joined UAM-CTC in September 2024 to serve in Region 5, which includes several institutions participating in the program throughout eastern and southeastern Arkansas. Davis currently works with the Crossett and Drew Central School Districts.
Before joining UAM-CTC, Davis spent eight years working for Mainline Health Systems in health care. She left for a short time before returning to Mainline to work in marketing and public relations. Davis credits her experience at Mainline with helping prepare her for her current role as a college and career coach.
The University of Arkansas at Monticello football team opened the 2026 season at Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium on Thursday evening. The Boll Weevils hosted Great American Conference member Southeastern Oklahoma State University and dropped the contest, 21-12.
Quarterback Drew Forkner finished the night 10-of-23 through the air for 126 yards. Isaiah Roberts led the Boll Weevil receiving with four receptions for 55 yards, including a long of 26. Michael Lott followed closely behind with three catches for 54 yards, highlighted by a 40-yard reception.
On the ground, Dave Alston led UAM with 39 yards on 12 carries, while Braylon Henry found the end zone twice on nine carries for 23 yards. DT McCoy added 21 yards on just two attempts, including an 18-yard rush.
Defensively, Johnny Richardson led the Boll Weevils with eight total tackles, including six solo stops. Charles Thomas and Andrew Sánchez each finished with six tackles, while Keyon Clark and Lonnie Leverette recorded one sack apiece.
Nicholas Lane handled punting duties for UAM, totaling 186 yards on five punts with a long of 48 yards. Rodrigo Tamez recorded three kickoffs for 167 yards.
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