Monticello Live

The Sadie Johnson Community Center is nearing completion, preparing for its opening ceremony on April 14.

Reservation will begin on April 1, for dates after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The front steps were completed, Wednesday, with the handicap access ramp to be added next.

Mark Tiner, of Union Bank, has been appointed to served Drew County on the public facilities board.

Tiner replaces Charlie Searcy, who was elected to serve as county treasurer.

Tiner was appointed by the county judge, with the approval of the Quorum Court.

The Southeast Arkansas Health Foundation’s casino night earned approximately $9000 for the foundation’s support of the local medical and hospital industry.

The winner of the $1500 drawdown was Dr. Julia Nicholson.

Happy Birthday,

From Steven and the Kids.

Mrs. Betty, as an employee of Guesthouse and Greystone Manor, touched many lives. 

She was a friend of the residents in that facility, and an important part of the families of those residents.

Like many other people in the caretaking field, Mrs. Betty never new how many people’s lives she touched.

Judge Robert Akin is shown signing the Proclamation of 100 years for the Arkansas Department of Health.

Left to Right Krista Donley, Keith Reynolds UAM Football player, Savannah Rainey

Drew Central 4th graders in Eva Arrington’s class had 3 furry guests on Friday- ferrets. Keith Reynolds, a UAM football player, spoke to the class about the responsibilities of owning a pet.

For your convenience, the Drew County Tax Collectors Office is now accepting Credit Card payments, for delinquent taxes and beginning March 1, on the Current 2012 Tax Year, according toTonya Loveless, Drew County Tax Collector.

Please note that there will be a 2.49% service charged by the supplier that will be applied to your tax payment amount for using your Credit Card.

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Willie Lee Jefferson was born to the late J.B. Jefferson and the late Clara Hazel Trotter Jefferson on December 18, 1959 in the Winchester Community.  He departed this life on Saturday, February 23, 2013 in Monticello, AR.

Funeral Service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, March 2nd at Christian Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Monticello.  http://www.christianbrothersfuneralhome.com/

  Students from Monticello Dance Academy recently competed at the regional VIP Dance Competition in Little Rock, bringing home numerous awards.

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Four students from Mrs. Engelkes’ 3rd grade classroom at MIS and four students from Mrs. Cases’ 2nd grade classroom at MES presented at TICAL (Technology Information Center for Administrative Leadership) at the Peabody Hotel’s Convention Center. Student’s showcased their ipad work and gave tutorials on how to use the apps.

Students from MIS: Anna Grace Bailey, Lauren Petty, Hayden Cotton, Johnathan Yarbrough

Students from MES: Beth Bragg, Chloe Rosegrant, Brenden Brown, Kel Busby

Drew Central 3rd & 4th graders’ presentation of the musical Aladdin under the direction of Ashley Gonzalez was a theatrical success!

Using the Common Core State Standards as her guide, Ms. Gonzalez, Drew Central Elementary music teacher, read the book to the students first and a character study followed. Every third and fourth grader had a part in the production from actors, dancers, stage managers, props managers, and audience greeters. A backdrop of Agrabah was designed and painted by students under the guidance of Lindsay Harper Groce, Drew Central Elementary art teacher.

The musical had two acts and an intermission. The play ended with a grand finale of all students on stage singing with baton twirlers, gymnasts, bread venders, flag bearers, belly dancers, Jr. Djinns, guards, and a beggar woman.

First picture: Jordan Watson as Jasmine singing her solo “One Jump Ahead”
Second picture: Arnold Diaz as Jafar, Pricila Tinajero as Lago, Lauren Tumey as Genie
Third picture: Pricila Tinajero as Lago, Arnold diaz as Jafar, Michael Herman as Aladdin, Jordan Watson as Jasmine, Adonis acre as Sultan, Lauren Tumey as Genie

Three MONTICELLO HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR members were recently selected to the Arkansas All-State Choir.

Senior Caleb Lamb, pictured in the middle, a Tenor I, achieved 10th chair in the top Mixed Chorus. Senior, Daniel Wigley, left, and Junior, David de Rueda, right, were 21st and 13th chair in the Male Chorus.

The All-State Music Conference featured the performances of some of the state’s top band and choral musicians.

Wednesday evening Entergy Arkansas held a public open house at UAM to discuss the installation and construction of a new 230 kilovolt electrical transmission line being planned for Drew and Desha counties. In addition to providing information and answering questions, attendees were invited to complete questionnaires and express their comments and concerns regarding this installation.

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Happy 5th Birthday to Ember Day Johnson (Feb. 21)
and
Happy 4th Birthday to Haven Len Johnson (Feb 26th)

We Love Ya Nana, Paw Paw, & Kyla

 Airport traffic has greatly increased this weekend, as crop dusters are working with area forests.

Several hundred take-offs are expected, and will likely continue through Monday.

The graphic above shows around a dozen unrelated flights that were in the Monticello area around 9 am this morning.

After several complaints about vehicles and ATV’s “mud ridin’ ” in the construction area of the future I-69, authorities have been patrolling the area.

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Around 8 PM Wednesday evening, Drew County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the report of an assault, with shots being fired at a residence on Carter Road, near Wilmar.

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After a year and a half of consideration, the Monticello City Council has accepted the Mt. Zion water association into the Monticello city water system.

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Around 1:00, Thursday afternoon, the driver of this water delivery truck got too close to the edge of Carpenter Road, when the water-soaked shoulder fell in beneath the weight of the water truck.

Reliable Towing used a heavy-duty strap to pull the truck upright, while another wrecker pulled the water truck forward.

DCSO blocked traffic while the road was cleared.  No one was injured.

Titus Burke with his parents Doyle and Kathy

With February being Heart Disease Awareness month, 37 Drew Central students in grades 1st-6th grade participated in the Physical Education Department’s Annual Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. The students collected donations for The American Heart Association. By collecting $5, students were able to participate in the Jump Rope for Heart event, with music, jumping rope, snacks and recognition of the students’ hard work. Many students raised money and jumped in memory or in honor of a loved one that has battled heart disease.

Titus Burke, a fifth grade student in Mrs. Wilmoth’s class, raised $141.00, which was our highest donation. The grand total raised was $1,226.04.

After 18 years as Monticello Elementary School Principal, Tish Thomas is retiring at the end of this school year.

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This is a call for help from the local Democrats in Southeast Arkansas. Where are you? Why are you not speaking out for your constituents and their firearms? Do something! Is the little “Ole” TEA Party left to speak for the Second Amendment? We have a crisis and the best I can tell, you have been silent. Our Second Amendment to the Constitution is being trampled. Please tell your party we do not want more gun control. And, while you are at it let all of us know (loud and clear) what you are doing. Please help us on this issue.

If you are a constituent like me, please tell these folks you agree with me.
Thank you for reading
Levi Davis

The MHS Forensic Team travelled to Ft. Smith Southside High School and returned with another 1st place sweepstakes trophy. The team earned 37 Excellent / Superior ratings in 47 events, 4th place in Readers Theatre, advanced 12 events to semi-finals, and advanced 4 events to finals.

Finalists were as follows:

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Around 4:45, Monday afternoon, Monticello Fire & Rescue, Arkansas State Police and Monticello Police were called to the scene of a two car collision, one block west of the intersection of HWY 278 and 425.

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