Monticello Live

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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The Arkansas Economic Developers, a statewide organization of economic development professionals and community leaders, presented it’s yearly awards, Tuesday, including thhe 2012 Volunteer of the Year, at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, Arkansas.

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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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Matthew Spencer, 17, a resident of Drew County and a member of the local Koinonia 4-H club, recently placed third in the nation in the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program’s competition held at Texas A & M and King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas.

His team placed third in the national team competition, as well. This is the first time in the history of Arkansas 4-H that any individual member or any team from Arkansas has placed in the top three at the national level.

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Juanita Webb and her “pet” gator. On left; AG&F’s Mark Barbee measuring the gator that was removed from the Webb’s pond

Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Webb of the Bowser Community had a surprise visitor show up in their pond a few weeks ago. While feeding the fish one day (something he has done every day for over 30 years) Dr. Webb noticed an odd set of eyes staring at him from the opposite side of the pond.

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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.

While many younger folks mistakenly think of the Extension Homemakers Clubs as a group of “little old ladies who meet, eat, sew, swap recipes and make crafts”, they are sadly misinformed. EHC has an educational program that coves a gauntlet of topics from child care issues to healthy eating, to financial advice, to exercise programs and a myriad of other notable subjects to meet someone’s needs.

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Non-credit courses in topics ranging from self-defense to photography will be offered this fall by the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s Department of Community Education.

“Whether you are looking to sharpen your computer skills or for ways to get in shape, we have something for just about everyone,” stated Memorie Dickson, program coordinator.

Classes for fall 2012 include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Dance Fitness plus Toning, Zumba, Shooting Portraits with Artificial Lighting, Self-Defense for Women, The Creative Camera, How to Take Better Photographs, Energy Saving Do It Yourself, Reading Like a Writer (to Become a Better Writer), Understanding State and Local Government, and Digital Image Processing Using Adobe Photoshop.

For detailed information about courses, including dates, times and fees, visit the UAM website.” Space is limited in many classes so early registration is encouraged. To register, call (870) 460-1327.

According to Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober a deputy received a call from a loca man,stating that he noticed that his wallet was missing after returning from a trip to the grocery store, (more…)

Happy 8th Birthday Logan Campos, because you are great!

We Love You and wish you many more to come!

Love Mom and Dad

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The weekly edition of Arkansas Business has long been considered the leading source of news and information for business in Arkansas.

This week’s edition includes an article/editorial by a guest columnist, Tommy Maxwell, of Maxwell Hardwood Flooring, who credited his staff for their efforts in the writing of the article.

Another recent edition of Arkansas Business featured southeast Arkansas bankers uniting in the current economy, and included a photo of Union Bank’s Dave Dickson on the cover.

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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The Drew Memorial Hospital called to order their monthly board meeting Aug. 22 to discuss their financial report, old business and new business.

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Brent Bowden was released on his own recognizance, Monday morning, after the Arkansas Parole Dept. didn’t place him on a parole hold, after his Saturday arrest for 4 Bowser Road area charges of Breaking or Entering vehicles, where he stole money, a car stereo, and other items. 

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Merlin Taking Off from Monticello, AR Airport from MonticelloLive .

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The Monticello school board accepted a CPR training unit donated by Ryburn Motor Company. The unit will help to train coaches and staff of the schools to further help to keep kids safe. The unit, which is junior life sized, tells with signals when the trainee applies the right pressure in the proper location and when the trainee breaths correctly into the unit’s mouth.

Ryburn also donate a unit to Drew Central School at their board meeting, recently, shown here with Superintendent Mike Johnston and Rita Venable.

Article by Caleb Burger

Monticello School District’s board members met August 21 to discuss a variety of topics regarding the district’s three branches.

The Monticello High School Principle Jim Lucas presented the district data analysis on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Flexibility. According to the Department of Education, this act provides “flexibility regarding requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001in exchange for state-developed plans to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity and improve the quality of instruction.”

Article by Caleb Burger

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A Sheridan man, recently moved to Monticello, was arrested Saturday morning and charged with 4 counts of breaking & entering of vehicles.

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Nearly 175 students graduated from South Arkansas Community College this month, including two from Monticello. They are:

From Monticello: Technical certificates, Wykiki S. Green (general studies); Ishshah C. Molina (practical nursing).

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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Ipod found in parking area of Hyatt Field after Blue & White Game.

Call 367-4008 to identify.

The Monticello Fire Dept. and Drew County Sheriff’s Dept. responded to the report of a house fire on Bowser Road.

No one was home a the time of the call.

The fire was believed to be contained to the kitchen, however smoke and water damage effected other areas of the residence.

Happy Birthday, Graci!!!!

Love you,

Mom

Gone, but not Forgotten

Today is the 3rd anniversary of the death of my Daddy, Charles R. Marter, Sr.

November 1st, 1947 – August 17th, 2009

Remembering and Loving you Always, Jennifer

The meeting was contentious from the onset as the board immediately went into a discussion of cash flow issues and the fact that numerous bills are past due including one from T&T Construction in the amount of $278,000.00. Mr. Tracy Rawls, owner of T&T was present and indicated he had pulled off the job pending being paid. He indicated he had borrowed a substantial amount of money to cover his costs while waiting upon payment from the Authority. Mr. Rawls stated that he wanted to be exempt from liability for the work he has completed should there be substantial rain before he can complete more work. There is a danger that repairs could be costly.

Click here to read the full story on SalineRiverChronicle.com

Kandi Keith was recently appointed by Gov. Mike Beebe to serve on the Arkansas Arts Council, representing the southeast Arkansas region.

She is shown being sworn in by Judge Bynum Gibson.

Yesterday’s Lacey and Possum Valley area woods fire destroyed 1,422 acres, according to AFC.

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Before 11 pm,the Arkansas Forestry Commossion declared the Lacey woods fire “contained”.

Fire depts. have been released, but plows are still on site, working trouble areas.

Numerous residents asked MLive to express their appreciation to the AFC,, volunteer fire sets., and law enforcement officers for their service to Drew County, today.