Monticello Live

Mark Gober is well known in Monticello for being Sheriff since 2005, but few may know what brought him to this point in life.

Growing up, Sheriff Gober said that his family often moved every year due to his father’s career in the ARMY. It was a move to Alaska that put him on a path right back to Drew County.

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Monticello native Ronnie Adcock has held several jobs over his lifetime. From gravel trains to pawn shops and a wrecker service, he hopes to add Drew County Sheriff to his resume this year.

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“I really thought I was done that day, and even though this person was very irate and taking it out on me, I still managed to get my job done correctly and it didn’t sway me from getting things done in the office.”

Cheri Norris grew up the oldest of three siblings, and said she had a great time doing family activities like roller skating, having picnics, and playing at the lake. At the age of five she moved from Southeast Arkansas up to Michigan with her mom, Betty Maloney.

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The Cornerstone Coalitoin held their Regional Political Forum, Thursday night, with covered many topics of regional topcs.

Candidates taking part in the program included;  Lampkin and Meggs..
State Senate candidates Akin, Bolin, Cheatham, and Reep.
and Congressional candidates: Crawford (by statement), Latanach, Hurst, and Jeffress

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The Monticello City Council voted unanimously to grant Monticello School’s Superintendent Bobby Harper’s request for $25,000 of additional funding towards the boot camp program, which is a punitive program for students that serves as an alternative for expulsion.

Superintendent Harper told the Council that when the program began it was a joint effort between the County, City, Drew Central School District, and Monticello School District. The County quickly withdrew from helping with funding, and now Drew Central District has had to withdraw as well due to their fiscal distress status. This leaves only Monticello District and the City left to provide money to keep the program going.

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At Thursday’s city council meeting, the council’s next meeting was moved to June 14, due to a Municipal League conference time conflict, with the regular date.

No one (except for this reporter) realized that this is the same date, same time, and same place as the regularly scheduled Parks & Recreation Committee meeting.

They apparently will be having a joint meeting, which is appropriate, since the city council has recently imposed the “no smoking” policy at City Park, the “no tournament” policy at Lake Monticello, and leased out a major portion of Jordan Park for use by the private school, without referring these issues to the Parks Commission / Committee.

The City Council was presented with a lease agreement for P.F. Mays & Associates, LLC for the proposed private school at Jordan Park during their regular meeting Thursday evening. Mayor Allen Maxwell reported that he had investigated what a reasonable lease would be on the Jordan Park property and, “What we got back was $300-$500 per month. I want the council to consider that because we don’t have to charge that much. I think we need to write what the City is going to charge on a monthly or annual basis… We came up with a number of $500 a year.”

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UKayla Jackson continues to add to her legacy as one of the best softball players in University of Arkansas at Monticello history.

Jackson became the first three-time softball All-American in school history Wednesday when she was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American Second Team. The senior pitcher from Hallsville, Tex., was a third team All-American in 2010 and a second team selection last year.

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Around noon, Wednesday, the driver of a Chrysler Sebring was fleeing from Warren Police officers and Bradley County deputies, as he entered Drew County on HWY 278 West.

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A military color guard paid tribute to a fallen soldier, Friday morning, at the Monticello airport.

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The Drew County Museum and Archives have recently been offered an opportunity to gain some much-needed income from the proceeds of a book written by Dr. James William Willis, who was inducted into the Drew Central Hall of Fame, last week.

Willis is a native of Drew County, who grew up in the White Hall Community south of Monticello and graduated from Drew Central. He was the son of Earl and Lela McKinstry Willis, local educators, who were both native Drew County residents. Willis’ father was a long-time superintendent of the Drew Central schools, and his mother was an English teacher at both Drew Central and Arkansas A & M College. Later, they moved to Little Rock to work with the state department of education before they retired in Monticello.

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According to Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober, one of the three capitol murder suspects being held for the life threatening assault to an elderly Lacey man, allegedly was involved in the assault of three corrections officer at the White River Juvenile Center, near Batesville.

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UAM Graduation Processional, 1st Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation Processional, 2nd Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Presentaton of Diplomas, 1st Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Presentaton of Diplomas, 2nd Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Welcome Statements from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Distinguished Alumnus, Reginald Glover from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation, Provost David Ray Honored from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation Recessional, 1st Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

UAM Graduation Recessional, 2nd Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

To Reginald Glover, the University of Arkansas at Monticello – and Arkansas A&M before it – have always seemed like part of his extended family.

Glover, a retired banking executive, long-time volunteer fund-raiser and all-around booster for the university, is UAM’s 50th Distinguished Alumnus. Glover will be honored during commencement exercises this Friday at Steelman Fieldhouse.

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2012 MHS Graduation – Processional from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Jr. & Sr. Choir from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Welcome & Addresses from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

2012 MHS Graduation – Presentation of Diplomas from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

MLive’s Mandy Moss sat down and visited with all 3 county collector candidates, this week.

Now you can join in on their conversations, as all 3 are featured in this week’s triple edition of One Monticello Life.

The photo above was taken at their Barkada Community Candidates Forum.

Drew Central Re-union Opening by John Ray Johnson, Class of ’62 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Distunguished Service Award, Superintendent Earl Willis, by his son, James from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Distunguished Service Award, Evelyn McKeown, Teacher from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Distunguished Service Award, Coach Edgar Spencer from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Hall of Fame Induction, James Willis, Class of ’56 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Hall of Fame Induction, Bobby Pace, Class of ’54 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Drew Central Hall of Fame Induction, Jack Murphy, Class of ’42 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Collector Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Judge Candidates at the Prairie 1 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Judge Candidates at the Prairie 2 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Sheriff Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Treasurer Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

JP District 9 Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Senate & Representative Candidates at the Prairie from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Downtown 1st Friday Jam Session from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Opening Statements from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Imcumbent Accomplishments 1 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Imcumbent Accomplishments 2 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Challengers “What Do You Plan To Do?” from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Tourism & Entertainment from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Burgess Asked About MLive from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Construction Employment & Supplies from Local Sources from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Closing Statements from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 1 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 2 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 3 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 4 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 5 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 6 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Holmes Chapel City Council Forum – Senate & Representive Candiates 7 from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.
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The “you’re lying – name-calling” city council video from Monday night reached the 1,000 play mark, less than 24 hours of being posted.

It reached the 1,700 play level in less that two days.  The 3rd day produced another 250+ plays. It is expected to break the 2,000 mark mid-morning, Friday

One alderman said that she was “embarrassed that the city has had to go through this.”

“I was born and raised on same property we’re living on now. This 180 acres of land has never been bought or sold, it was homesteaded by my family. It goes back to my Great Great Granddaddy. I’m the 5th generation farming this land.” – Thad Mitchell

Thad and Nikki Mitchell, along with their six year old son, Colton, have settled on the family land to continue with the farming tradition and raise their family. This year, they have been selected as Farm Family of the Year for Drew County.

Thad and Nikki’s farming business largely consists of raising Bermuda grass for hay, along with some Alfalfa, and producing eggs for Tyson Foods.

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A 40 year old Drew County man has been arrested and charged with the rape of a juvenile.

The Drew County Sheriff’s Dept. arrested Michael Walls, Saturday, following the issuance of a warrant, alleging that a juvenile female had been sexually assaulted.

Walls is being held in the Drew County Detention Facility,after his first appearance, Monday, where his bondwas set at $100,000.

The City Council voted unanimously to allow Mayor Allen Maxwell to begin advertising for bids for the fire station to be built at the W.C. Whaley lot.

The Council also voted to combine CD’s and budgeted items that have not, or will not be used this year, in order to fund the deficit in the Sadie Johnson Building Fund.

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

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