Christmas Greetings Celebrating the Gifts of Friendship & Community Pirates roll over Fordyce, start 8-3A season off right A peek at this Letters to Santa year’s wish lists! 1C ADVANCE-MONTICELLONIAN 75¢ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2017 SERVING DREW COUNTY SINCE 1870 ArFB names 2017 Farm ANOTHER SIGN OF THE SEASON Suspect arrested Family of Year for counterfeiting BY HAROLD COGGINS [email protected] BY ASHLEY FOREMAN [email protected] Back in April, the Mike Mc- Gregor family was named Drew According to Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober, on Tuesday, Nov. County Farm Family of the Year. 28 Deputy Brandon Wright answered a call on Barkada Road regard- That process began a nine-month ing a suspect, later identified as Joshua Tompkins, using two coun- process by the Arkansas Farm terfeit $100 bills to purchase a cell phone from another individual. Bureau that ended last Thursday The fraudulent bills have “For Motion Picture Use Only” printed with the announcement that Luke on them where it should read “The United States of America.” and Deedee Alston of Mena (Polk See FAKE BILLS Page 6A County) have been selected as the 2017 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The award was announced at the annual luncheon honoring the county and district Farm Families of the Year. While the McGregors might not have made the fi nal cut, the Drew County residents were Ashley Foreman/Advance-Monticellonian among the honorees. As Arkansas’ Farm Family of ANNUAL RIDE Children of all ages enjoy the Monticello-Drew County Chamber of Commerce’s “Santa the Year, the Alstons will compete Train,” which brought the jolly old man and Mrs. Claus to town last Saturday at the mini-park on South Main in the 2018 Swisher Sweets/Sun- Street. belt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year program. A winner will be named from among 10 southeast- ern state winners in next October in Moultrie, Ga. The Alstons, who have two sons, Keeping it in the family: Grandson assumes ownership Ryan and Drey, were surprised and humbled to receive the honor, they are excited to continue the Griffi n legacy, said in a ArFB press release an- Tyler Griffi n is new boss but long days are ahead. nouncing their state prize. “We have a lot of updating to do,” Tyler “Unbelievable,” Luke said. “I’d at one of Monticello’s said. “It is our mission to return this busi- be lying if I said I didn’t want it or ness to it’s heyday.” think that possibly we had worked business landmarks For a brief period, Tyler opened his own hard enough to earn such a title. I business, Extreme Heating, Air and Electric was born to do this. Few people I LLC, but has decided to dissolve that name know get to wake up every morn- BY ASHLEY FOREMAN and fully take over the established family ing and spend all day long working [email protected] at something they love. business. Currently, Griffi n Heating and Air “Since I left corporate America I A new generation has taken over a long has six employees but Tyler noted they are haven’t had a job. This is not a job existing business in Drew County. Griffi n hoping to expand in the very near future. for me. It’s my way of life.” Heating and Air has been in business since Keith Griffi n, Richard’s son and Tyler’s The Alstons have a diverse farm 1980 under its fi rst owner, the late Richard father, has been working there since 1989 known as “Holly Springs Home- Griffi n. and is a journeyman and technician. stead.” In addition to Angus cattle Richard Griffi n passed away in May of “Dad was 31 years old when he opened and an eight-house broiler chicken this year, living the 37-year-old business this business,” Keith said. “He borrowed operation, the farm also includes without an owner. $300 from a family member to pay for a large variety of fruit and vege- Richard’s oldest grandson, Tyler Griffi n, the sales tax for a work van and he began tables. Strawberries, sweet corn, and his wife Kayla have now assumed own- working and fi xing people’s heating and air blackberries, pumpkins, musca- ership. Photo courtsey of Tyler Griffi n units.” dines, honeybees, cut fl owers, to- “I have been working with heating, air TAKING OVER Tyler Griffi n (center) and his family have assumed ownership of a longstanding All members of the Griffi n family were matoes, okra, peppers and more are and electrical components with this com- Monticello business, Griffi n Heating and Air. Tyler’s grandfather, Richard, opened the business quick to thank the people of Southeast Ar- grown as part of the Alston’s agri- pany since I was 16 years old,” Tyler said. in 1980. kansas for their years of service and ask tourism enterprise. “I graduated from Monticello High School their customers work with them during this The family also offers a com- in 2008, spent two years at Southeast Ar- then worked two years to become a master fi cations. time of transition. mercial hay and haylage service kansas College in Pine Bluff and then four electrician.” “This is the family business, it is what we During this time of expanding and where they mow, rake, bale, wrap years at the University of Arkansas at Mon- Tyler said he knew he would eventually all do,” Tyler said. switching owners, Griffi n Heating and Air ticello College of Technology in Crossett work full-time in the family business—but Tyler, Kayla and their four children, See FARM FAMILY Page 6A becoming a journeyman electrician and he took his time to get all the proper certi- Hunter, Anna, Jace and Natalee said they See GRIFFIN Page 6A SINGING IN THE HOLIDAYS High court tabs local attorney Special to the Advance Paul Keith, an attorney practicing in Monticello, has been appointed to a six-year term on the Arkansas Su- preme Court Committee on Professional Conduct. Keith was among eight new members named in the Arkansas Supreme Court’s Dec. 7 per curiam order to replace those whose terms had ended. Among those retiring members that were thanked by the Court for their service was James A. Ross of Mon- ticello. Keith is a partner in Gibson & Keith, PLLC, a four-member fi rm in Mon- ticello that began in 1981. Keith and his wife, Kandi, live in Hamburg and have three grown children. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors of Michael Donnella Photography/courtesy of Beverly Burks the Arkansas Bar Associa- RAISE YOUR VOICES The Southeast Arkansas Concert Association will present a Holiday Pops Extravaganza at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Fine Arts Center on the University of Arkansas at Monticello tion. He has served as City campus. The event will feature the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, which is now in its 61st season. The group will be joined by soprano Haley Greer, bass-baritone Greg Pearson and doz- Attorney for Hamburg for ens of area choir students. The variety of Christmas music presented will include traditional favorites, along with some rarely-heard newer carols. The concert will be conducted by Kermit Poling, 15 years. a Centaur recording artist who recently conducted the London Symphony Orchestra for a new album of his music. The fi nale will feature an audience sing-a-long medley of best-known carols. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the door, by calling 870-460-1888 or at searkconcert.org. INDEX Opinion ..............4A Calendar ............2A Religion .............3B HOLIDAY SUBSCRIPTION SPECIAL Classifi eds ........ 7C Sports ............... 1C Obituaries ..........8A Weddings ..........1B Ends December 31st! • See details on Page 5C To start a subscription to The Advance-Monticellonian call (870) OUR 146TH YEAR Reg. $39 367-5325, Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Offer good through NUMBER 50 • 48 PAGES Zip codes beginning in 716 $17.00 Newsstand December 31, 2017. In order to comply with U.S. Postal regulations Price for periodical mail, all mail subscriptions must be paid in advance by check, money order or credit card. Newspapers are mailed out every Reg. $45 All other zip codes $40.00 Subscription Price Wednesday afternoon (unless holidays force an adjustment). 2A | Wednesday, December 13, 2017 NEWS Advance-Monticellonian | mymonticellonews.net | 870-367-5325 COMMUNITY CALENDAR GOING ON NOW Burn ban now in effect Drew County Judge Robert Akin has placed Drew County under a Educator of the Week burn ban due to dry conditions. All residents are to refrain from out- door burning until further notice. Editor’s note: The Ad- Drew County Museum open on select Saturdays vance-Monticellonian is high- RETHA ROBINSON, MONTICELLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The Drew County Museum will be open the first and third Saturday lighting one educator each week of each month. The hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For special to call attention to their accom- events, contact Connie Mullis at 870-367-2431 or Tommy Gray at plishments inside—or outside— 870-367-2401. the classroom. The schools fea- Support for local schools tured (on a rotating basis) are Show support for local schools by purchasing a school mascot yard those in the Monticello and Drew sign for only $20. All three (University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Central school districts, and the Weevils, Drew Central Pirates and Monticello Billies) may be pur- University of Arkansas at Monti- chased for $50. Call the Monticello/Drew County Chamber of Com- cello.