Southwest Arkansas Daily
published by KDQN
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BROOKEWOOD AND CRYSTAL FALLS NOW SISTER FACILITIES       8/9/10

NHO, LLC an Arkansas based company announced Monday, August 9^th the full purchase and acquisition of Crystal Falls Healthcare. NHO is owned by Steve and Susan Marinick of Hot Springs who also own Brookewood Nursing and Rehab along with other health care facilities. The acquisition took effect on Friday, August 6, 2010 and a full consolidation of services will take place over the next ninety days. The acquisition was prompted by the high number of unused resident rooms in the market and duplication of services.

Arkansas Health Services Permit Agency has calculated that Sevier County has 84 more beds than the projected need through 2015. In addition, government is examining ways to improve efficiencies in healthcare and reduce duplication of service.

“While a change of any kind can create stress or questions this is a change that will strengthen the delivery of nursing home services which will yield long term benefits for residents, families and the community.” “The owners of Brookewood invested a $1,000,000 improving the facility during 2008. This acquisition will give our community the kind of economy of scale that will allow us to enhance services even more for everyone. We will work with the staff and families of Crystal Falls and Brookewood to ensure caring for the residents remains our number one priority.” stated Brookewood administrator, Melanie Marshall. She also added, “Ray Reiss, interim administrator has been in facility management for 30 years and is very capable in assisting with this transition. He can be reached at 870.642.3317 or me at 870-642-3562.”

As part of the purchase, Crystal Falls Healthcare will be closed in approximately ninety days and will undergo renovation. Future plans for the facility have not been revealed. Once the transition is complete the market will be assessed to determine how the facility can best be utilized. Brookewood has the capacity to accommodate the majority of Crystal Falls ’ residents. Residents will be offered assistance in a seamless transition to Brookewood or provided help in transferring to any other facility of their choice. The transfer of Crystal Falls ’ residents will be coordinated by Melanie Marshall and interim Crystal Falls ’ administrator Ray Reiss.

Nursing home care is a highly regulated industry that is funded for the most part by the state. As state funds are stretched, nursing homes work even harder to stay profitable. Brookewood believes this acquisition will allow for an increase in the quality and number of services provided to senior citizens in a more efficient manner. Nursing home staffing is regulated by the number of residents at a facility. Consequently, as residents move to Brookewood more and more of Crystal Falls staff will be hired. The overall number of employees will remain fairly static with the exception of some reduction of management and administrative positions. The improved efficiencies in administration will allow for a greater investment in residential care.  

THREE ARRESTED AT LOCKESBURG PARK FOR POSSESSION        8/9/10

Three people were arrested in Lockesburg City Park after officials receive a call about littering.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s office, Lt Chris Wolcott was dispatched to Lockesburg City Park .  When he arrived he noticed a white car and identified the driver as 20 year old Colby Bates of Locus Grove OK and the passengers as 19 year old Ridge Loyd Allmon of Murfreesboro and 22 year old Arron Lee McGhee of Nashville. During an investigation of the situation, Wolcott discovered a silver case in the front seat of the vehicle that contained a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, a glass pipe and a grinder.  Bates said he was aware the case was in his car and that it belonged to his brother Aaron McGee.  McGhee said the marijuana was his and also inside the case was an id belonging to Ridge Allmon. All three were arrested and transported to the Sevier County Jail.  They are charged with possession of an instrument of crime and possession of a controlled substance. 

METH LAB DISCOVERED IN TRAFFIC STOP                 8/9/10

A traffic stop uncovered several items consistent with the manufacturing of methamphetamine Friday night. According to Arkansas State Trooper J.D. Jones, while on patrol near Horatio, he spotted a vehicle travel left of center and preformed a traffic stop. The driver was identified as 34 year-old Louis Parnell of Haworth , OK .Parnell was very nervous and visibly shaking.  Jones asked Parnell to step from the vehicle and requested that Deputy Clayton Yates bring his partner K-9 Max to his location.  Jones administered several field sobriety tests on Parnell in which he failed.  Parnell told Jones that he had smoked marijuana earlier in the day and had used methamphetamines the day before.  Parnell was placed into custody. Yates told Jones that K-9 Max had alerted on both the passenger side and driver’s side door of the vehicle.  While searching, officers found a small glass container that contained a powdery substance and a powdery residue was found inside a CD case.  In the back of the vehicle, officers located several items and chemicals consistent with the manufacturing of methamphetamines. The scene was turned over to the Arkansas State Police Drug Task Force.  Parnell was transported to the Sevier County Jail where he was charged with manufacture of a controlled substance and DWI drugs. Parnell also had outstanding warrants out of Oklahoma for possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

EARLY VOTING ENDS TODAY ON NEW LRC JAIL 8/9/10

Early voting in a special election to decide the fate of a proposed Little River County jail continues until 4:30 p.m. today in the county clerk’s office.

Little River’s jail was shut down December 31, 2009 for failure to meet state standards. As of Friday 190 county residents had cast ballots early according to county clerk Deanna Sivley. That’s already more than the 159 who voted early in the last vote on the proposed jail.

Twenty-one percent of the county’s 7,962 registered voters made it to the polls in October’s special election. All polling places in Little River County will be open for Tuesday’s special election. Voters rejected the initial proposal for a new jail 894-754 in October of 2009.

Senate confirms Ark sheriff as US marshal    8/9/10

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Polk County Sheriff Mike Oglesby as the next U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas.

President Barack Obama nominated Oglesby in June at the recommendations of Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor.

Oglesby has been sheriff of Polk County since 1989. He served as the justice of the peace for the Polk County Quorum Court from 1982-89, and was a Polk County deputy sheriff from 1976-1980.

He also was a patrol officer with the Mena Police Department in 1976 and served in the Arkansas Army National Guard from 1969 to 1976.

U.S. Marshals protect court officers, transport prisoners and apprehend fugitives.

MINERAL SPRINGS RESIDENTS PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO THEFT CHARGES - 8/9/10

Two Mineral Springs residents pleaded not guilty to theft of property charges in Howard County Circuit Court. 22 year old Jessica Davis and 44 year old David Martz are accused of stealing a hay bale roller in the amount of $1300, scrap metal and metal shelves. Police received several theft reports two weeks ago and after investigating found that Davis had signed for some of the items after taking it to a local scrap metal yard. Davis ' bond has been reduced to $10,000. Both Davis and Martz' pre-trial date has been set for September 29th and trial date set for October 5th.

NASHVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGES - 8/9/10

A 17 year old Nashville teenager, charged as an adult has pleaded guilty to drug charges. Justin Hopkins Ware of Nashville was charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Marijuana, after making a drug deal with an undercover police officer, back in January of this year. Ware gave the officer a bag with a green leafy substance for $40. He is to serve five years of probation, pay a $1000 fine and spend 120 days in a regional punishment facility.

Alisha Lewis

Leopard Band Boosters Host Reception for New Band Director     08/6/10

 

The De Queen Leopard Band Boosters hosted a "Meet & Greet" for new band director, Jeff Attaway, on Thursday night in the High School Band Room. Cookies and punch met a host of excited band members and parents as they came to introduce themselves. Mr. Attaway was pleased with the turnout as well as the encouragement received from students and parents.

Band Booster President, Raymond Sowell, greeted everyone and reminded them of upcoming events. Leopard Pride Band Camp begins Monday, August 9th and ends Friday, August 13th. Concession stand clean-up day is set for Saturday, August 28th, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

The band has also set up a facebook group called "PROUD Supporters of De Queen High School Band" which will allow the community to leave encouraging words of support for band members, in addition to posting reminders of upcoming events for students and parents.

As we are in our second year of a newly remodeled Concession Stand at Leopard Stadium, the following businesses have already jumped in line to help out during the home games:  CCCUA, Arkansas Dept. of Health, First National Bank, and the De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce.

Welcome to Leopard Country, Mr. Attaway.

Pictured: Vice-President, Stefani Jones; Max Jones; Band Director Mr. Jeff Attaway, Presient, Raymond Sowell, and Melissa Sowell.  

Courtesy of Stefani Jones

NAKED MAN SHOT IN FOOT IN TOM OKLAHOMA          8/6/10

A Naked man that was first seen sitting in the middle of the road at the Arkansas/Oklahoma State Line near Tom, OK was shot in the foot after he entered a residence. 

According to reports, the series of events began when a woman called a local grocery store owner stating that a naked man had been shot in her yard.  McCurtain County Deputies arrived in the area of line road and took several statements from different witnesses. 

The investigation of deputies Scott McLain and Bruce Johnson stated that the 21 year old man was first spotted in the middle of the of Line Road that divides Arkansas and Oklahoma.  A vehicle pulled up and an elderly driver attempted to go around the man.  The man then jumped onto the vehicle holding a piece of PVC pipe.  The elderly driver continued to drive down the road approximately 2 miles before the man fell off the car. 

The man then walked to a nearby residence where he proceeded to go into an open home. When the female resident saw the man she woke up her husband that was asleep on the couch.  The husband then grabbed a shotgun from nearby and the naked man ran into the laundry room then back through the living room and back into the yard.   The husband fired a shot into the air and the naked man continued to stare at him.  The man then came at the husband who fired a shot at the ground.  Some of the pellets from the shotgun shell hit the naked man in the foot.  He was taken into custody and transported to McCurtain County Memorial where he was given a gown to put on. The man refused treatment of the gunshot wound and attempted to leave the hospital.  He was detained by Hospital security until officers arrived to take him back into custody.  The doctor’s spoke with the man’s mother who told them the man was bi-polar and had not been taking his medications.  The man was charged with first-degree burglary and indecent exposure.  

LINCOLN CALLS FOR REPEAL OF SECTION OF HEALTH CARE 8/6/10

Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln is calling for a repeal of a health care law that requires nearly 40 million U.S. businesses to file tax forms for every vendor that sells them more than $600 in goods.

Lincoln announced Friday that she signed a proposal by Republican Sen. Mike Johanns of Nebraska to strike the provision from the law. Lincoln's office says she's the first Senate Democrat to sign on to the amendment.

Lincoln says she believes the provision would unfairly burden small businesses with paperwork.

She supported the health care measure that President Barack Obama signed into law, but voted against a companion measure. She faces a tough re-election fight against Republican Congressman John Boozman in November.

The provision is to take effect in 2012.

YOUTH DEER HUNT TO BE HELD AT LAKE MILLWOOD -8/6/10

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking applications from hunters age 15 and younger who want to participate in a special deer hunt November 6th and 7th at Millwood Lake. Five permits will be issued to young hunters who seek to experience the outdoors and hunt in a location that is normally closed to hunting. Applications must be submitted by September 17th. Applicants must have an adult assistant who is at least 21 years old. Three permits will be available for rife only and two permits will be available for muzzleloader or shotgun. For more information or an application contact the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office at 898-3343 extension 121.

GILLHAM MAN ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC BATTERY 8/5/10

A Gillham man was arrested early Thursday morning and charged with domestic battery in the 3^rd degree.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, officers were called to a domestic disturbance at 116 South 2^nd Street in Gillham.  Upon arrival, Deputy Kristopher Hundley and Deputy Mickey Pulliam spoke with a neighbor of the victim. The victim was identified as Janice Ellen Harold.  She told officers that her husband Michael Harold had beaten her after they had gotten into an argument. Janice had multiple wounds to her face and head.  Michael Harold was placed into custody and transported to the Sevier County Jail where he was charged with domestic violence in the 3^rd degree and jailed.

GOV BEEBE ORDERS REVIEW OF STATE VEHICLES     8/5/10

Gov. Mike Beebe wants a detailed review of all the vehicles in the state's 8,653-vehicle fleet.

Beebe said Wednesday that because of inconsistent data from state officials he's ordered the Department of Finance and Administration to look into the fleet. The governor says he wants justification for each vehicle's use and why it's necessary.

Beebe says he's asked DFA director Richard Weiss to conduct the review. Weiss says he sent letters Wednesday to all state agencies, institutions and offices asking for information about their vehicle fleets.

JUDGE WILL WAIT UNTIL NEXT MONTH ON COAL PLANT RULING         8/5/10

A federal judge says he'll wait until next month to consider an effort to stop construction of a $1.7 billion coal plant in southwest Arkansas .

U.S. District Judge Bill Wilson Jr. late Wednesday denied environmentalists' requests for a temporary restraining order to halt work at Southwestern Electric Power Co.'s John W. Turk plant in Hempstead County .

The Sierra Cluib and Audobon Arkansas argue that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should not have issued water permits to the plant because it will harm the environment. Wilson ruled that the request was moot because he already planned a hearing in September on a preliminary injunction request.

A hunting club in the area is also seeking an order to temporarily halt the plant's work.

AHECB EXTENDS MORATORIUM ON NEW CAMPUSES           8/5/10

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) voted Friday to extend the ten year moratorium on new campuses in the state to June 1, 2020 .

The existing moratorium was imposed until 2010 when the AHECB at that time deemed it in the best interest of the state of Arkansas to consider the negative consequences of further dividing the $560,000,000 presently being sent to colleges and universities in the state of Arkansas . After discussing this topic on Friday in Little Rock , the Board saw the same need to extend the moratorium.

In Southwest Arkansas , there had been a rumor floating around that Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas was toying with the idea of making their Nashville site a stand-alone campus. This is simply untrue according to CCCUA Chancellor Steve Cole.

Cole’s statement was validated when the AHECB voted on Friday to extend the moratorium on new campuses. The one exception that the legislature granted in 2000 was the planning for a brand new campus for Arkansas State University of Heber Springs.

De Queen Chalice Cupboard Food Ministry Report for July 2010     08/05/10

Distributions of food from the De Queen Chalice Cupboard during July, 2010, totaled 613 pounds for 52 people living in 19 home units, which included 52 adults and 20 children and youth.    

Additions to the Chalice Cupboard food pantry in July, 2010, totaled 625 pounds.  Included were 111 pounds from three congregations—Old Missionary Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church and Saint Barbara Catholic Church.  Personal donations totaled 34 pounds.  Seventy pounds of rice was contributed by Millwood Trucking in Nashville. Additional food was purchased locally in the amount of 410 pounds. 

A current suggestion for food donations is macaroni and cheese.

It is noted that food distributions during the first six months of 2010 totaled 4,407 pounds, received by 398 people—253 adults and 145 children and youth.  Food added to the pantry during these six months totaled 3,341 pounds—804 donated, and 2,537 purchased.  In comparison, food distributed during the twelve months of 2009 totaled 7,685 pounds for 718 people—418 adults and 300 children and youth. 

The De Queen Chalice Cupboard is located at 315 North 5^th Street in De Queen.  The pantry is open for the distribution of food weekly on Wednesday and Friday from 2:00 till 4:00 p.m.

 Submitted by Grant Groves

SEVIER COUNTY FAIR PAGEANT ANNOUNCED      08/05/10

The Sevier County Fair Pageant and Talent Contest will be held Saturday, August 21^st at the Sevier County Fair Grounds Exhibit building.  Deadline to enter is Friday, August 13^th.  A representative will be at the Sevier County Fair Grounds on Friday, August 6^th  from 5:00 until 6:00 pm to accept and hand out applications.

Applications are also available at First State Bank, KDQN or by clicking here.

Categories include:

For more information contact Linda Frachiseur at 642-7466, Katrina Frachiseur at 642-5569 or Stephanie Haarmeyer at 784-0133. or pick up an applications at First State Bank, KDQN and online by clicking here.

SEVIER COUNTY RODEO ROYALTY DEADLINES                 08/05/09

Sevier Co. Rodeo Royalty committee is accepting entries for the Rodeo Royalty and stick horse competition through August 7th. Entry forms may be picked up by calling 870-642-2397, 870-784-1740 or by coming to the fairgrounds on Aug 7th from 9 a.m. till noon.

Entrants must live in Sevier County or attend school in the Sevier County.   Age groups are Little Miss 8 & under, Princess 9-13, Queen 14-21. Stick-a-roos are for both boys and girls 5 and under. For more info. please call 870-642-2397 or 870-784-1740.

EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY FOR NEW COUNTY JAIL  8/4/10

Little River County voters are asked to go to the poles and vote on a tax that will allow the county to build a new 64 bed jail. 

The special election will be held Tuesday, August 10^th but early voting is going on now through Monday August 9^th.  Early voting is being conducted at the Little River County Courthouse in the County Clerks office.

On October 13^th of last year, voters rejected the same tax increase that would have been used to construct a new 96 bed facility.  The 96 bed facility would have cost the county 6.7 million dollars.  The new proposal of a 64 bed facility will cost the county 4.9 million dollars. 

Little River County ’s jail was closed December 31^st after violations of state standards was cited by the Arkansas Criminal Detention Facilities Review Committee.  The Committee threatened a lawsuit to close the jail, however, county officials offered a compromise of voluntarily closing the jail if the committee would allow them to use the facility to hold prisoners on court days while waiting to appear before the judge.  

Early voting is being conducted from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each business day and all polls will be open throughout the county on Election Day for voters to voice their opinion.  The proposed sales tax is 3/8 of a cent increase. 

KTBS TO VISIT DE QUEEN                8/4/10

KTBS television station out of Shreveport/Texarkana is bringing their Community Caravan Tour to De Queen on August 12^th. Jan Elkins, Rick Rowe, Trish Wilford, Julie Parr and a meteorologist will be coming. They will feature De Queen. The main filming will be done at noon on the 12^th at a local restaurant. They want to talk to people in the community to see what they like about living here and why this is their home. They always ask “Is this a great town or what?”

They are looking for Arkansas made local products, great renovations, and Arkansas Best – which is something that we think that we have the best of - maybe our lakes!!

They want input from the community. They ask that you go to KTBS.com and vote for your favorite restaurant in De Queen. Go to the community page and look for the community caravan tour and vote.

De Queen and Sevier County Citizens should stay tuned for details and make a good showing for our town.

STATE REVENUE UP FROM FORECAST                 8/4/10

State tax collections in July were 3.3 percent above forecast and 4.8 percent above last year, leaving the director of the state's finance office optimistic that the state's economy might be improving.

Net available revenues in July totaled $370.6 million, 14.8 percent above the monthly forecast, though $41.4 million or 10.1 percent below last year due to one-time transfers of funds to general revenue at the beginning of the current fiscal year, Weiss said.

Gross receipts, income tax collections and corporate income tax collections were all above forecast for July.  

SEVIER COUNTY FARM BUREAU DONATES DOG FOOD            8/3/10

The Sevier County Farm Bureau donated 1000 pounds of dog food to the Sevier County Humane Society Tuesday morning. 

President Bruce Jackson and Agency Manager Grant Smith presented the 25 bags of dog food to Karen Mills at the shelter located on North Robinson Loop in De Queen. 

Mills said the food would help the shelter survive until the end of the year when the dog shelter will be closed down until further notice.  With this donation, they will use the money previously used for feed to purchase other things such as portable pens for their foster shelters around the county.  Mills also said donations are still needed for shelter.  They need flea collars for the animals as well as cat food.  They are saving money to build a shelter to keep dogs and cats in a climate-controlled center.  If you would like to make a donation of time or money, or if you are willing to become a foster shelter for the Humane Society, call 642-8688.  

ARKANSAS FORESTRY COMMISSION FIGHTS FIRES IN THE COUNTY          8/3/10

The Arkansas Forestry Commission was busy fighting fires in Sevier County Monday afternoon and evening.  According to County Ranger Harrell Sherwood, three fires with the largest being north of De Queen near Ladd Bridge and the Almond Church.  This fire spread from a brush pile that was burning at a nearby residence.   The fire consumed approximately 9 acres and took fire fighters over 4 ½ hours to contain the blaze.  Rangers used three airplanes out of hot springs dropping water on the blaze as well as dozers.  Sherwood said the De Queen Fire Department assisted the firefighters at the airport by helping refill the planes with water.

Two other smaller fires were contained fairly quickly.  One was near Damascus Church just south of Lockesburg and the other was located between Lockesburg and Provo.  These to fires are believed to be possible arson.  An investigation is ongoing. 

Sherwood wants to remind citizens that with the temperatures on the rise, the possibility of a forest fire is high.  Please be careful if you are burning outdoors as the fire is not only dangerous to the forest animals but also to the firemen fighting to put them out.  The Forestry Commission lost a fireman Monday morning on his way to fight a fire in Lafayette County. 

The Arkansas Forestry Commission is responsible for the protection of 19,727,978 acres of non-federal forestland in Arkansas. Wildfires occur in every month of the year, but are most prevalent in the spring and late summer. The commission also maintains records of all wildfires that occur each year. Wildfire reports are available from 1935 to the present except for the years 1938 and 1939. The records for these years were burned in a fire.

The commission reminds citizens to call 1-800-830-8015 before you burn to check on conditions in your area.  If you need to report a wildfire call 1-800-468-8834 or locally call 870-286-2139 or 642-6614.  You can also call 9-1-1. 

MINERAL SPRINGS SCHOOL BOARD MEETS - 8/3/10

The Mineral Springs School Board hired several new employees during Monday's school board meeting. Michael Smith of Ashdown was hired as an assistant football coach. Smith has coached previously at Pine Bluff. Also hired was Tyler Matthews, Mineral Springs Elementary teacher, Donna Deer and Jan Stewart, cafeteria workers, and Tammy Nolan, Saratoga Early Childhood. The board hired a new Saratoga Principal, Bonnie Dixon-Smith, who is an educator from Chicago and has local ties. Smith says she is very excited to begin and to help the district students learn and achieve their potential. Mineral Springs Elementary Principal Jeanie Gorham announced that the school had received a preliminary letter that stated they had met adequate yearly progress for the last two years and were off the school improvement list. She also said that students taking the Algebra I test at both campuses scored 100% and would not require any remediation. Also the 8th grade literacy score is at 92%, well above the state average.

TEXAS RESIDENT FINDS DIAMOND - 8/3/10

A Texas resident recently found a 2.93 carat yellow diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. Angela Vickers of Winnsboro, Texas found the sparkling yellow diamond, about the size of an English pea, in the East Drain area last week.

So far this year, 359 diamonds have been found at the park. For more information on the park you can visit craterofdiamondsstatepark.com.

GILLHAM MAN AIR LIFTED AFTER BEING HIT WITH FORK LIFT    8/2/10

A Gillham man was air lifted to CHRISTUS St. Michael’s Hospital in Texarkana after he was ran over by a fork lift early Monday morning.

Details are sketchy at this time but family members say the victim is William Jerral Haarmeyer of Gillham.  Haarmeyer is a live haul driver for Tyson Foods of Grannis and was picking up chickens at a farm in McCurtain County when the accident occurred.  Haarmeyer had multiple injuries and was transported by Air Evac to the Texarkana facility where he is listed in critical condition and remains in ICU. 

DE QUEEN WOMAN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION                 8/2/10

A De Queen woman was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop south of Falls Chapel.  

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s office, Deputy Clayton Yates was patrolling US hwy 71 south of Falls Chapel when he observed a vehicle travel left of center and across the fog line several times.  The driver was identified as 51 year old Glenda Kay Parks and the passenger as Ronald Daniels.  Parks started acting nervous and during the investigation, a glass smoking device was found inside a small black purse in the driver’s seat.  Parks was placed into custody and during a routine search of her person, Parks pulled a clear plastic bag out of the back of her pants that contained several pills that she identified as Hydocodone.  Parks was transported to the Sevier County Jail where she was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

NASHVILLE MAN KILLED IN SATURDAY AFTERNOON WRECK - 8/2/10

A 21 year old Nashville resident was killed in a one vehicle accident Saturday afternoon in the Midway community. According to the Arkansas State Police, Oscar Pacheco-Martinez of 208 Clermont Street, was driving a 2000 Lincoln Navigator north on Highway 27 when the vehicle ran off the roadway, overcorrected and overturned. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. State police say Martinez was not wearing a seatbelt.

ASHDOWN MAN GETS 30 YEARS FOR TRYING TO BLOW UP HIS WIFE IN DE QUEEN          8/2/10

An Ashdown man pleaded guilty to attempted murder and received 30 years for trying to blow up his estranged wife in De Queen.

According to reports, 52 year old Danny Adcock pleaded guilty in Sevier County Circuit Court.  On the night of June 11^th, Adcock attempted to wire Christy Adcock’s car to explode when she started the engine.  Adcock told Judge Tom Copper that apparently he had put the wire on the wrong thing because the gas tank did not ignite when his wife started the car.

Christy Adcock had filed for a divorce and was staying with her sister who lives in De Queen.  Christy had called the law that night stating that her estranged husband was trying to gain entry into her sister’s home.  When police arrived, they did not locate Adcock. He was found the next day lying along the railroad tracks near Winthrop , AR.   Officials say he was semi-conscious suffering from heat-exhaustion and dehydration when he was found.  Adcock was transported to De Queen Medical Center where he was treated and released.

Adcock received 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. The charge carried a potential sentence of 10 to 40 years or life in prison. 

LOCKESBURG MAN CHARGED WITH DWI                    8/2/10

A Lockesburg man was arrested during a traffic stop in De Queen and charged with DWI. 

According to the De Queen Police Department, Officer Wayne Baker observed a northbound truck run upon the curb while traveling down the road.  The driver was identified as 36 year old Francis John Hanley of Lockesburg.  Hanley had a PBT of point one-four-seven.  Hanley failed several field sobriety tests. He was placed into custody and transported to the Sevier County Jail where he had a BAC test result of point-one-four-three.   Hanley was charged with DWI.

TWO LOCAL RESIDENTS FACE FELONY CHARGES FOLLOWING DRUG BUST -8/2/10

Two people have been arrested on drug charges as Nashville officers and the South Central Drug Task Force personnel served a search warrant.

34 year old Tony Hutchison and 27 year old Amber Thompson are facing felony charges following their arrest at a home near the Howard County Courthouse on 2nd street . Inside the home, police say they recovered about a pound of processed Marijuana, packaging material, scales, storage containers, various other drug paraphernalia along with 400 dollars in cash and a 22 caliber firearm. According to police, the street value of the drugs is listed at 16 hundred dollars.

In recent months, officers have been conducting an undercover operation they say included the purchase of Marijuana on several occasions at the residence and local police say they have also received reports of Marijuana being distributed from the home. Both individuals are being charged with possession of a controlled substance--with intent to deliver—Marijuana and for possession of drug paraphernalia. Hutchison is also facing Marijuana delivery charges from a previous investigation. The pair was taken into custody without incident. Hutchison's bond has been set at 50 thousand dollars. Bond has not been set for Thompson.

GAMBLING PROPOSAL NOT READY FOR NOVEMBER BALLOT        8/2/10

A proposal to offer casino gambling in seven counties in Arkansas won't be on the November ballot after a Texas businessman missed a deadline to file a petition with the Arkansas Secretary of State's office.

Businessman Michael Wasserman had said in January that the approval of a state lottery by Arkansas voters had encouraged him to start a petition drive to place a casino gambling amendment on the ballot. He needed to collect more than 77,000 signatures on the petition.

But the Secretary of State office's spokeswoman, Sandra McGrew, says Wasserman did not submit a petition by the July 2 deadline to make the November ballot.

Wasserman had proposed that seven counties including Miller County which includes Texarkana could have casino gambling, with the casinos operated by his company, Arkansas Hotels and Entertainment Inc.

In an effort to assist Sevier County residents with the transition of Husqvarna relocating their main operations to Nashville, a group has been formed to explore the possibility of shuttling employees to Nashville from De Queen.

We realize that this will be a financial burden on the employees and we want to help relieve this.

We are gathering information on grants, etc. to help our displaced workers. 

Your Chamber of Commerce, CCCUA, City of De Queen, and County of Sevier are all working together to find a solution and to help our local citizens.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEVIER COUNTY EXPERIENCING HARD TIMES     07/30/10

For 14 years the Sevier County Humane Society has provided a glimmer of hope for animals previously facing grim circumstances. Unfortunately, for a while after 2010, this will no longer be the case.

Over the course of the humane society's existence, there have been three presidents and numerous volunteers to serve its cause. The first and third president died of cancer, and Karen Mills was the second for 10 years. When the humane society was first formed, she allowed it to place the animal shelters on her property. Inadequate when the shelters were first put in, they are now seriously deteriorated and in need of replacing.

While the Mills still hope to build their dream of a new shelter, they will have to find foster families for about 30 dogs right now. Both Karen and her husband have had health issues, and due to lack of funding, the shelter is being forced to close, at least temporarily.

Currently the Sevier County Humane Society is housing 19 medium and large dogs, 10 small dogs, 13 cats, and five kittens. While the cats may have to be sold, they're also looking to PetSmart in Texarkana to find homes for the young animals.

Expenses can accumulate said Karen, and have seriously threatened the humane society's existence. To spay or neuter a small dog is $58 each, plus a three year rabies shot and money on other vaccinations. On top of that, bigger dogs are obviously harder to adopt out. Some are even aggressive in certain situations due to abuse by their previous owners, but they're sweet animals overall, said Karen, and just in need of a home.

Though the Humane Society is a non-profit organization that thrives off volunteer services, it is currently paying for most of the dog care on its own.

Karen said there are many reasons why the present shelter must close, at least temporarily. Funds and ways to get them are lacking. The Mills' health is declining without the necessary amount of help around the shelter. And the haphazard economy isn't helping, either.

About the time Karen and her husband had the money saved to build a new structure for their many guests, she fell ill. When they began building, the price of lumber skyrocketed.

Vet bills have jumped, too, and the assistance the humane society once received so freely from the community has fallen. Wal-Mart and Fred's often gave the society broken bags of dog food to save it money, but even that's become difficult because everyone's had to cut back.

The utilities the Mills have to work with are 14 years old, especially the animal pens on their land. Those were built in the second year of the humane society. Once the dogs are all gone, Karen plans to focus on getting well again and rebuilding her savings account to continue work on a new animal shelter.

The Humane Society plans to continue its spay and neuter clinics with the hope that Sevier County residents will initiate changes in their own homes. It also requests that the residents do not bring animals they do not want – room is running out. If anyone has pure breeds, they should be contained to prevent mix-breeding and mutt puppies. She said don't make excuses - get those animals fixed.

Unfortunately, the human society's remaining animals may have to be euthanized. But Karen has high hopes that they will all be adopted first.

The Humane Society is not quitting, but simply slowing down. Its coordinators are tired, buried in expenses, and have interests of their own. Currently they are having difficulty sustaining a sufficient supply of cat and dog food, but if the community pitched in, they could maintain until the end of this year.

The county's animal shelter is begging its residents to lend a hand however they can. Aid is very difficult to find these days. Someday, though, Karen said the human society will be able to construct its dream shelter and help more animals than ever.

To add a silver lining to this news, the tan dog that was featured in The Bee's previous edition was seen and adopted by a local family. She was taken to her new home soon afterwards.

Written by Chelsea Jones, De Queen Bee Intern

DE QUEEN MAN REPORTS GUN STOLEN FROM VEHICLE       7/29/10

A De Queen Man reported that a gun was stolen from his wife’s vehicle sometime within the past three weeks.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s office, Tom Harding of De Queen came to the Sheriff’s office and reported that a Charter Arms off duty 5 shot 38 special handgun had been stolen out of his wife’s vehicle.  Harding said Mrs Harding works at South Eastern College in Idabel and has been moving things from her office to home and has had several people helping her load an unload her vehicle.  The gun was last seen three weeks ago.  An investigation is continuing.  The gun and holster was valued at $385.

FOREMAN SCHOOL BOARD MEETING                 7/29/10

The Foreman School Board met in special session on Monday, July 26^th in the Oscar Hamilton Elementary Library.

Mr. Bennett updated the Board on the Cafeteria renovations and said the gym project is on going.

Bennett told the board that there is an insect problem at the cafeteria. Terminex has provided services and the problem seems to be getting better.  Bennett also said there are bats in the high school auditorium.  Bennett will contact the health department to have the bat problem taken care of.

The board hired Sara Stewart as second grade teacher and Jennifer Bearden as pre-school teacher.

Federal grant to fund training for rural police chiefs, sheriffs          7/29/10

The University of Arkansas System ’s Criminal Justice Institute in Little Rock will receive a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to fund training for rural sheriffs and police chiefs across the country, members of Arkansas ’ congressional delegation announced today.

The grant will provide continued funding for the Criminal Justice Institute’s Rural Executive Management Institute, which offers a four-day course for police chiefs serving cities with populations of 25,000 or less and sheriffs serving counties with populations of 50,000 or less.

More than 700 people, 72 of them from Arkansas , have participated in the program since it was created in 1995. The course covers topics such as management, budgeting, grant writing and technology.

The training is offered at no charge to the participants. The federal grant will support instructors’ pay and participants’ travel expenses.

IRS offers amnesty to delinquent nonprofits               7/29/10

About 3,000 nonprofit organizations in Arkansas are at risk of losing their tax-exempt status because they failed to file federal tax returns for 2007, 2008 and 2009, the IRS says.

The 3,009 Arkansas organizations are among 325,000 small nonprofit organizations across the country that failed to file returns for the past three years, the IRS said in a news release. The organizations can preserve their tax-exempt status if they file the delinquent returns by Oct. 15 under a one-time amnesty program.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006, which took effect in 2007, requires all tax-exempt organizations other than churches or church-related organizations to file annual tax returns. An organization that fails to file a return for three consecutive years automatically loses its federal tax-exempt status.

A list of the affected organizations and details about the amnesty program are available on the IRS ’ website.

STATE ASKS CITIES TO REPEAL K2 BANS PASSED LOCALLY         7/29/10

Cities in Arkansas that have passed laws banning synthetic marijuana are being asked to repeal the bans now that a new state rule is in place.

The Arkansas Municipal League attorney Mark Hayes says he's e-mailed cities with such laws because the Arkansas Health Department approved an emergency rule prohibiting the sale of the substance known as K2 .

K2 is sold as incense under brand names such as Spice, Genie, Blaze and Zohia.

The state Board of Health approved the rule on July 2 prohibiting the sale of the substance for 120 days. The board is now working on permanent restrictions on the compound.

$20 MILLION TO BE USED IN 8 STATES TO CREATE HABITATS FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS            7/29/10

The government is doling out $20 million to farmers in eight states including Arkansas to create habitats for migratory birds whose usual Gulf wintering spots may be fouled by the massive BP oil spill.

The farmers are being paid to keep their rice, crawfish and soybean fields flooded for months longer than usual.

Biologists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service hope the birds will stop on the farms to find food and rest. They hope that if they arrive at oiled habitats they will know to return to the farms.

The states participating are Alabama , Arkansas , Florida , Georgia , Louisiana , Mississippi , Missouri and Texas . They are along a major flyway.

NASHVILLE WOMAN ACCUSED OF FORGING FEDERAL JUDGES SIGNATURE      7/29/10

A federal indictment accuses a former Nashville woman of forging the signature of a federal bankruptcy judge in Texarkana.

Terah Mumau formerly of Nashville, Arkansas is accused of signing the name of Judge Richard Taylor onto documents that would free her from bankruptcy debt. Taylor is the chief bankruptcy judge in Arkansas.

Mumau and her husband filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in February 2009. She allegedly forged Taylor's name on Nov. 2, 2009.

The couple lived in Nashville, Ark., at the time of the bankruptcy filing. She later filed an address change with the court saying she had moved to Fort Worth, Texas.

She is charged with knowingly forging the signature of a bankruptcy judge and with bankruptcy fraud and is to be arraigned next week in federal court in Texarkana .

COMMUNITY LEADERS DISCUSS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT                          07/29/10 

A group of community leaders, spearheaded by the De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce, met Wednesday evening to discuss ways to make our community stronger and more aggressive in attracting and retaining business and industry in Sevier County. 

The meeting was moderated by CCCUA Chancellor Steve Cole at the request of Chamber President Patty Sharp.  The nineteen attendees, including Jeff Weaver from Congressman Mike Ross’s office, exchanged dialog on how to support and enhance economic and social development in our county. 

Steps proposed to achieve these goals include: 

Economic development can happen here.  A date will be announced for the meeting in August and energetic, open-minded, free-thinking individuals are welcome.  You may call Patty Sharp at 870-642-2212 for more information.

ASHDOWN POLICE HAS NEW CHIEF                             7/28/10

The Ashdown Police Department has a new Chief of Police, but he is no stranger to the Department.  Detective Doyle Crouch has been with the Ashdown Police Department as an investigator for the past four years and was appointed Chief Monday.

Crouch says he is excited about his new position and feels like he has been in law enforcement practically all his life.  He joined the Ashdown Police department as a dispatcher in 1971, and worked as a patrol officer from 1973 to 1975 when he went to work for the Arkansas Highway Police.  He retired from the State Police after 28 years with the department and came back to the Ashdown Police Department as a Detective in the Criminal Investigation Division.  

Police Chief Ben McCraw retired June 30^th and the search was on for the next leader of the department. McCraw served as Ashdown Police Chief for 12 years.

Pike County Quorum Court Jp's verbally agreed to sell the Pike County Hospital during Monday's meeting. The vote was unanimous to sell the hospital for two million dollars to New Directions Health Systems, based out of Kentucky . An official contract has not yet been signed, however New Directions would like to close the deal by September 1st. The county is expecting to receive $300,000 from the sale. New Directions does plan to reopen the hospital and will use one million seven hundred thousand dollars in fixing up the hospital facility and purchasing equipment. Jp's are happy with this arrangement and say their main concern was to bring healthcare back to the county and provide jobs. During Monday's meeting, jp's also signed a resolution to terminate the former lease agreement. County Judge Don Baker is still working to recover Medicare funds to pay back wages owed to employees during the closing of the hospital.

HORATIO SCHOOL BOARD MEETING                  7/28/10

Horatio Board of Education met in special session Tuesday, July 27 at 5:30 pm in the high school library. 

Cary Smith of Stephens, Inc. addressed the board concerning bond issuance.  The board adopted two resolutions concerning this matter.

Board approved elementary and high school student handbooks as presented by principals, accepted milk bid from Borden’s, and accepted transfer of 7 students from De Queen to Horatio.

The board also approved to accept bid from Lonnie Wilemon to asphalt walkways inside football stadium, purchase lockers for football field house, and install irrigation system at softball field.

Board members hired Charles Cross, softball coach, Julie Perez and Denise Beck, special education aides, and accepted resignation from lunchroom worker, Shalamar Dinger.

FORMER PRESS SECRETARY TO BILL CLINTON DIED THURSDAY 7/28/10

A memorial service is scheduled for August 7^th for 55 year old Mike Gauldin - who served as press secretary to Bill Clinton when Clinton was Arkansas governor.

Gauldin was also director of communications for the Department of Energy - then the Department of Interior during the Clinton presidential administration.

He died Thursday in Washington after battling brain cancer. The memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Foreman Baptist Church .

Gauldin worked for newspapers in Russellville and Springdale and taught journalism at the University of Arkansas before becoming Clinton 's press secretary in 1982.

Clinton issued a statement calling Gauldin a gifted man who faced cancer "with courage and grace."

DHS CHEER UNIFORM SALE                       07/27/10

De Queen High School Cheerleaders will be selling good used, uniforms from past Squads on Friday, July 30^th, 6:00 – 7:30 PM, De Queen High School Foyer.

DHS Cheer Uniforms are $25, matching bows $10, and pom poms $15

Call Monica Pearce at 642-7764 for more information.  Uniforms have been cleaned and are ready to go.   Sale is open to the public.  This will be a great chance for all aspiring young cheerleaders to acquire their first uniform. 

DE QUEEN MAN PLEADED GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT OF WEAPONS VIOLATIONS            7/27/10

A De Queen man entered a guilty plea in Federal Court in Texarkana of weapons violations. 

According to reports, Jamie Don Baker pleaded guilty before U.S. district Judge Harry Barnes on Monday.  Officials say that Baker tested positive for methamphetamines and had materials to covert weapons to fully automatic.  The incident started with a hotline call to the Arkansas Department of Human Services where a caller claimed the children were living in the home where a drug lab was in operation.  Baker’s home was visited on January 14^th by the Sevier County Sheriff’s office, the Arkansas State Police, and Southwest Arkansas Drug Task Force.  According to an affidavit,  a drug lab was not found in the home, however the children age 11 and 13 were removed from the home due to “poor living conditions”, which included the fact that both adults in the home tested positive for methamphetamine and marijuana.  The officers also noticed a large number of guns in the home.  On January 21^st, the home was raided by the ATF and they seized over 30 guns, ammunition, and explosives. The ATF also seized parts that convert semi-automatic guns into fully automatic weapons.  

 Baker pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while using or addicted to controlled substances as part of a plea bargain.   He will return to court for sentencing once a report containing a punishment recommendation under federal guidelines has been submitted to the courts. The plea bargain indicates that will be sentenced as if he were only in possession of a single firearm instead of the 31 listed.  Baker posted bail of $5000. 

TWO PEOPLE TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL AFTER ACCIDENT 7/27/10

A Horatio woman and her passenger were taken to the hospital after a single vehicle accident on Central Road Monday evening.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s office, 24 year old Brittani Brewer of Horatio was traveling south bound on Central Road when she lost control of her vehicle after negotiating a curve.  Brewer’s vehicle skid onto the shoulder of the road and went into the ditch.  The 2002 Hyundai Sonata Brewer was driving hit a driveway and rolled.  The vehicle came to rest on its top facing southwest. Both Brewer and her passenger were transported to De Queen Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.  Brewer was cited for no driver’s license.  

SUMMER UTILITY ASSISTANCE FUNDS DEPLETED   7/27/10

Southwest Arkansas Development Council will no longer accept applications for Summer Utility Assistance.  Regular funds have been depleted.  You may still apply on the Crisis Program but you must have a disconnect notice from the electric company.  You will need proof of income for the previous month, household social security numbers.

DE QUEEN AARP TO MEET               7/27/10

The De Queen AARP will meet on August 2, in the De Queen Senior Citizens Center at 5:30 p.m.   Cortney Edminston will present a program on Abuse. Please bring non-perishable food items for the Chalice Cupboard to the meeting.

6OCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS CAN REGISTER FOR PINE TREE FESTIVAL FIREFIGHTER CHALLENGE – 7/27/10

The Dierks Fire Department will be hosting the fourth annual pine tree festival firefighter challenge on August 7th in Dierks at 9 a.m. Events include the bucket brigade, wild hose recovery, obstacle course and water polo. Fire departments interested should call 557-5229 to sign up, by this Friday. For more information visit www.dierkschamberofcommerce.com.

FEES TO INCREASE FOR LODGING AT ARKANSAS STATE PARKS  7/27/10

Officials plan to raise fees for lodging and camp sites at Arkansas State Parks by 10 percent.

The Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission has tentatively approved the hike to make up for revenue that fell because fewer people have been using those services. A second vote is scheduled for Aug. 19, when the panel will listen to public comment.

The increase, projected to generate about $1 million per year in revenue, would affect camping fees that now range from $30 for a site with water and a 50-amp electrical hookup at Mississippi River State Park near Marianna to $10 for camping in undeveloped "overflow areas."

At state lodges, the cost for a room ranges from $65 for a room with a queen-size bed at Petit Jean State Park to $212 for a two-person suite at Mount Magazine State Park from March through November. Cabin rates run from $67 a night to more than $300.

The higher prices would go into effect at the first of the year, said Richard Davies, director of the state Department of Parks and Tourism.

The proposed increase comes after a year in which spending by families at state parks was down, which State Parks Director Greg Butts blamed on the recession, unusually rainy weather and ice storms that caused some parks to temporarily close.

DE QUEEN MAN CITED IN ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENT              7/27/10

A De Queen man was cited for two violations after a single vehicle accident on hwy 371 Tuesday morning around midnight .

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s office, Deputy Christopher Hundley was dispatched to a single vehicle accident.  Upon arrival, Hundley identified the driver as Jose Huerta of De Queen.  Huerta stated that he had fallen asleep and it caused him to run off the roadway.  Huerta’s license plate was expired.  He was issued tickets for driving on a suspended license and for no vehicle license.

LITTLE RIVER COUNTY FAIR DATES ANNOUNCED         07/27/10

Little River County Fair will be August 10-14 at the fairgrounds in Foreman.  Entries in the Family & Consumer (Home Economics) Department will be accepted Monday, August 9 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm and also on Tuesday, August 10 from 8:00 to 10:00 am.

Entries will be judged beginning at 10:30 am August 10. After the fair, entries may be picked up on Monday, August 16 beginning at 3:00 pm. 

Fair catalogs may be picked up at the Foreman Water Department, Winthrop Library, Alleene General Store, and Little River County Extension Office located on the CCCUA-Ashdown campus. For more information, contact the Extension Office at 870-898-7224.

ROTARY CLUB HEARS ABOUT FARMER'S MARKET    07/27/10

DE QUEEN MAN ARRESTED FOR DWI               7/26/10

A De Queen man was arrested and charged with DWI during a traffic stop Saturday night.

According to the De Queen Police Department, Officer Wayne Baker was patrolling on Collin Raye Drive when he noticed a car traveling at a very slow rate of speed.  The car turned on 9^th street and officer Baker paced the car traveling 10 to 15 miles per hour.  Baker preformed a traffic stop and identified the driver as being Randy Gibson of De Queen.  As Baker approached the car he could smell a strong odor of alcohol.  Gibson had a PBT of point two nine seven. He was placed into custody and transported to the Sevier County Jail where he was charged with DWI.

NASHVILLE MAN ARRESTED FOR FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER –7/26/10

 The Nashville Police Department recently arrested a local man for failure to register as a sex offender. 36-year-old Michael Balch of Gurdon who lives on South Main Street was arrested after police responded to a disturbance and learned that Balch hadn't registered as a sex offender in Howard County, but had been working and living here. Balch originally registered as a sex offender in Clark County for assaulting a teenage female at the age of 29. He is being held in the Howard County Jail on a $2500 bond.

DE QUEEN FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD BUSY WEEKEND 7/26/10

The De Queen Fire Department had a very busy weekend with two structure fires Saturday night and several trees on power line Sunday due to the storm system that moved through the area.

The first call that came in was Saturday evening at 6:40 p.m.  The call was to a structure fire at 610 W Altena.  The fire department responded with 3 fire trucks and 20 firemen. The residence belonging to Jose Lagunas was a total loss.

The second call was also Saturday night.  It came in around 10:45 p.m. at 895 E Stillwell and the fire department responded with 4 trucks and 21 firemen.  The home of Jeanette Rojas was a total loss. 

Calls Sunday night due to the storm included the first one around 6:00 p.m. when firemen were called to 119 Robinson Loop on a report of a power line on a house.  When firefighters arrived at the home of Jesus Salazar there were sparks coming out of the meter loop but there was no damage to residence. The fire department responded to the call with 2 fire trucks and 15 firefighters.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. the fire department was called to a power line down in the area of Westwood and Treating Plant Road. The fire department responded with 2 trucks and 14 firefighters.  While at this scene a call came in reporting a tree on a power line at 4^th Street and Lake Ave.  The fire department responded with 2 trucks and 14 firefighters.

At 6:45 a call came in about a power line down in Process Heights.  The owner of the home was Alvie Presley.  There was no damage to the home.  The fire department responded with 2 trucks and 17 firefighters. While still on scene, the firemen were called to 610 West Maple Ave on a report of a tree in the road.  Sixteen firefighters responded with one truck to this location and the last call came in around 7:30 p.m. at 423 Lake Ave to another tree on a power line.  The fire department responded with 2 trucks and 17 firemen.

Photos by Stefani Jones

NASHVILLE MAN ARRESTED FOR FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER –7/26/10

 The Nashville Police Department recently arrested a local man for failure to register as a sex offender. 36-year-old Michael Balch of Gurdon who lives on South Main Street was arrested after police responded to a disturbance and learned that Balch hadn't registered as a sex offender in Howard County, but had been working and living here. Balch originally registered as a sex offender in Clark County for assaulting a teenage female at the age of 29. He is being held in the Howard County Jail on a $2500 bond.

NASHVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY CHARGES - 7/26/10

A Nashville man pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of breaking or entering and residential burglary charges. 20-year-old Dustin Foster allegedly broke into several homes on Jacques road, back in May of this year. When police went to question Foster about the thefts, they found several stolen items inside his residence. Foster claimed he was drunk and high and did not remember breaking into anyone's house or vehicle. He is to serve 15 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

MINERAL SPRINGS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHARGES - 7/26/10

A Mineral Springs man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Howard County Circuit Court to theft of rented property and pleaded true to obtaining property with a check drawn on insufficient funds. 45-year-old James Dixon is to pay $1,757 in restitution he owes for writing hot checks to several businesses in Nashville. Dixon will also serve two years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections for the theft of rented property.

CARLEY COOK OF HORATIO CROWNED MISS PINE TREE - 7/26/10

More than 45 contestants competed Saturday in the annual Pine Tree Festival Pageant. Carley Cook of Horatio was crowned Miss Pine Tree. She was also named most photogenic in her category. Named Teen Miss Pine Tree was Brittany Middleton of Nashville. Faith Bolding of Hot Springs was named Young Miss Pine Tree. Other pageant categories included: Petite Miss Pine Tree, Abigail Ward of Dierks; Little Miss Pine Tree, Gracie Bostic of Dierks; Tiny Miss Pine Tree, Karly Wilt of Glenwood; Baby Miss Pine Tree, Morgan Halcomb of Dierks; Baby Mister Seedling, Gaige Clement of Lockesburg; Little Mister Seedling, Cole Swanger of Glenwood.

SOUTH DAKOTA MAN ARRESTED IN SEVIER COUNTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY                     7/23/10

A man from South Dakota was arrested in Sevier County for failure to comply with the reporting requirements of a sex offender. 

According to Lt Mike Wilson of the Sevier County Sheriff’s office, information was obtained about a registered sex offender from S Dakota possibly living in Sevier County.  Further investigation revealed that 58-year-old Randel Drugger was living in a trailer park behind C & W bait shop on hwy 71 north of De Queen.  The investigation also revealed that Drugger had been living there for approximately a month and failed to meet the reporting requirements of a sex offender in the State of Arkansas.   Drugger was taken into custody.  Drugger made his first court appearance Thursday in Sevier County Circuit Court and Judge Tom Cooper set bail at $100,000.   Drugger remains in the Sevier County Jail.

ARKANSAS DUCK HUNTERS WILL HAVE A 60 DAY SEASON 7/23/10

Arkansas duck hunters will again have a 60-day season with a maximum daily limit of six ducks, the state Game and Fish Commission heard today.

Ricky Chastain, assistant chief of wildlife management, told commissioners that the 60 days had been confirmed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The commission will set the dates for the season at its August meeting. Members are looking at three options for dates with the main difference being when the duck season will open.

FISH SHOW HIGH LEVELS OF MERCURY             7/23/10

Catch a large striped bass in the Broken Bow Reservoir and you might as well throw it back. The bass isn’t safe to eat, according to a Mercury in Fish study released last week.

Sixteen lakes in Oklahoma have some species of fish with mercury levels above what is considered safe for unlimited consumption, according to the report released by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

Two of the 16 lakes had “do not eat” advisories for certain species.

The advisory on striped — or hybrid — bass at Broken Bow includes consumption by both sensitive and general populations.

Sensitive populations include women of child-bearing age and children 15 and younger. The study also advises sensitive populations not to eat walleye or white bass caught at Broken Bow.

Jay Wright, manager of DEQ customer services, said the mercury concentrations in fish were consistently higher in southeastern Oklahoma lakes, but officials are not entirely sure why.

Specific advisories on how much of which species of fish is safe to eat may be viewed at tulsaworld.com/deqfish for the following local lakes: Broken Bow Reservoir, Hugo Lake, and Pine Creek Reservoir.

Whitefish is an excellent source of protein, Wright said, but people should know how much fish is safe to eat from particular lakes.

Mercury is a neurotoxin and is especially dangerous to developing fetuses and children. It can interfere with thinking, memory, attention span, fine motor and visual spatial skills.

Ninety-nine percent of human exposure to mercury comes from eating fish.

Wright said samples will be taken at 84 other lakes. Officials will look at other fish species, as well, including large catfish.

FOREMAN SCHOOL BOARD MEETING              7/23/10

The Foreman School Board met in special session with the following action being taken.  

Mr. Bennett discussed student summer workers with the board. The School has employed six student workers and has paid out a total of $8,235.92 for this past pay period.  The board decided the student workers would stop working on August 13^th.  Bennett discussed having specific criteria set in place for student worker to apply next summer and discussed the fact that every employee needs to be on contract.

Mr. Bennett updated the board on the construction of the high school cafeteria and the Gym renovations.  The windows in the cafeteria were installed this week and the cafeteria should be complete by the second week in August.  The floors will be done next week.  The walk-in freezer has not been working properly and the board approved having the freezer fixed. 

The board hired Lorisa Kegley as pre-school teacher and tabled the second grade teacher position until the next meeting.

WALDRIP APPOINTED TO U OF A BOARD OF TRUSTEES          7/23/10

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas hosted Mike Waldrip, who was newly appointed to the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees last Friday.   

Waldrip, a native of Moro, was named to the Board of Trustees by Governor Mike Beebe.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in Ag-Economics/Business from the University of Arkansas.  Waldrip has served on the State Plant Board since 1997 and on the Arkansas Agriculture Board since 2005.  He has built East Arkansas Seeds, Inc, into one of the state’s most successful seed companies. 

“We were honored to have Mark visit with us in Nashville and De Queen,” said Steve Cole, Chancellor of CCCUA.  “He is dedicated to the success of the U of A system and his expertise will be an incredible asset to us.  I feel very sure he left with a favorable impression of not only our college, but also the people of southwest Arkansas.” 

Waldrip succeeds succeeds Tim Hunt of Paragould in a seat representing the First Congressional District.

ARKANSAS DUCK HUNTERS WILL HAVE A 60 DAY SEASON 7/23/10

Arkansas duck hunters will again have a 60-day season with a maximum daily limit of six ducks, the state Game and Fish Commission heard today.

Ricky Chastain, assistant chief of wildlife management, told commissioners that the 60 days had been confirmed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The commission will set the dates for the season at its August meeting. Members are looking at three options for dates with the main difference being when the duck season will o

Legacy Initiatives Receives Minority Initiative Sub-Recipient Grant for Second Year   07/22/10

DE QUEEN, ARK--- On Monday, July 19, 2010, Legacy Initiatives was awarded a second year of funding for a community based tobacco education program. The grant totals $71,000.   Legacy Initiatives, a local community development organization will administer the minority tobacco grant for five counties in Southwest Arkansas: Sevier, Howard, Hempstead, Little River and Miller. The grant program is funded by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and the Arkansas Department of Health. The grant program is designed to reduce and prevent tobacco use in Southwest Arkansas with an emphasis on the minority populations. It also works to promote public policy that will help create healthier communities.

The grant program focuses on the four intervention areas of preventing the initiation of tobacco usage among youth and adults, quitting among youth and adults, eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke, and identifying and eliminating the disparities related to tobacco use and its effects among different population groups.  Through these intervention activities, the grant program will focus on educating our community schools, businesses, faith based organizations, child care centers, hospitals, and nursing homes on the importance of creating opportunity for young people and adults alike to adopt smoking cessation and live healthier lives.  Joey Hinson, the organization’s projects director said, “It is a privilege to partner with UAPB and the Department of Health. Reducing and preventing tobacco use helps make healthier communities and healthier people. It also helps the economy by reducing unnecessary expenses on the healthcare system—specifically rural hospitals.”

Legacy Initiatives, is a De Queen based community development not-for profit organization designed to empower individual lives, small businesses and community organizations for success.  Legacy Initiatives is designed to help build better communities at the individual and societal levels, administering programs such as the tobacco grant and helping small businesses and other economic development projects. It was founded in 2008 by Chad and Jessica Gallagher. For more information call 870.642.8937.

ROTARY HEARS FROM CHAMBER PRESIDENT     07/22/10

The De Queen ROTARY Chapter heard from Chamber President Patty Sharp on the latest programs that the De Queen Chamber of Commerce is doing.  Patti became President of the Chamber in February and has been very busy with her board members increasing membership, conducting special sales promotions and activities that will help to improve our communities. 

The latest event to wrap up was the $tay-Cation sales promotion held early this summer with individuals receiving tickets for the amount of their purchases.   They wrote their name on their tickets and had a chance to win a Holland Grill that was drawn for on July 3.  This event had over $250,000 in sales recorded in tickets for purchases done in Sevier County.   The “Shop Sevier County” Christmas event generated two and a half million in sales for the County.  The Chamber is also “Spotlighting” different business members each week in the De Queen Bee, KDQN website and Chamber website with a write-up and photo of the business.

Monthly newsletters are being e-mailed to members to provide them with news of interest for them.   Quarterly Business Luncheons have been held with guest speakers talking on a variety of topics from business tips to taxes that are being implemented in the coming years. 

Multiple seasonal special events have been held such as the Annual Bass Tournament with over 300 fishermen coming to the county over Memorial Day Weekend.  The participants for that event generate local income through motel rooms, meals, gas and other products as the visitors spend their money in the county shops. 

A new event that started this year is the Third Saturday Shopping on the Square.  Individuals are able to set-up a booth on the Courthouse Square and sell on the third Saturday of the month.  This is to help bring shoppers to the downtown area and stimulate sales for the businesses on the Square and the individuals to make some extra money.  As well as the Chamber is one of the sponsors for the Farmers Market  held on Wednesday and Saturday in Herman Dierks Park at the Pavilion.

The Chamber worked to update the County maps with the help of Mayor McKelvy and the work was done and promoted locally saving money that would have gone out of the County to another business.

There are other items and events that the Chamber has done and plans are to continue with the regular events they have sponsored.  With membership growing it takes all of the businesses and the members to support the board, the events and to shop locally so everyone continues to make our communities the best in Southwest Arkansas. 

A comment made at the meeting was the job that the Chamber has been doing is wonderful and the Club supported the statement with a round of applause.  Patty had a survey card passed out and asked if there are suggestions and ideas to please share and they will be considered.

Terrie James

As Chairman, Lincoln Will Write 2012 Farm Bill      07/22/10

Washington—U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today called for strong energy and rural development Farm Bill programs in order to create jobs and improve Arkansas’s rural economy.

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VAN RECOVERED, FORGERY SUSPECTS STILL AT LARGE     7/22/10

The van used in a forgery case in De Queen was recovered in Wilton late Wednesday evening but the suspects are still at large.

According to the Little River County Sheriff’s office, van fit the description of the vehicle wanted by the De Queen Police Department.  The van was wanted in connection with fake checks being cashed at a local bank.   

NTSB PRELIMINARY REPORT BACK ON UMPIRE PLANE CRASH    7/22/10

The preliminary report from the National Transportation and Safety Board says the left wing of a small plane separated from the air craft during flight.

The crash killed four De Queen residents near Umpire in June. 

The NTSB says the wing failed shortly after the plane took off the morning of June 13^th, but they do not know what caused the wing to fail and the crash is still under investigation.

Officials say the plane was flying from De Queen to Gaston's Resort in Lakeview on the White River . All four onboard including pilot Michael Lee Hunt, his wife Terri Hunt, as well as their friends Carl Davis and his wife, Carolyn Davis.

The left wing was found about 400 feet away from the main area of wreckage.

POLICE RECOVER VEHICLE IN SALINE RIVER - 7/22/10

A vehicle that's been submerged in the Saline River since last month has been recovered. Charles Clayton of Nashville reported to sheriff's deputies that he was in his 2004 Dodge Durango June 14th at the iron bridge near Cottonshed and as he exited the vehicle, it traveled down the boat ramp into the river. The river currents were well above normal at the time and swept the Durango downstream about 100 yards. Since the river has returned to normal in recent days, boaters have reported hitting the submerged vehicle and a wrecker service as able to remove the Durango this week.

BUILDING PROJECTS IN DIERKS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEARING COMPLETION -7/22/10

ARKANSAS DISABILITY COALITION TO MEET IN DE QUEEN 7/22/10

The Arkansas Disability Coalition will host a meeting for parents who have children with disabilities.   The meeting will be held August 3^rd starting at 6 p.m. an will be held in the community building in Herman Dierks Park.  For more information call 870-279-2250. 

Legacy Academy Teachers Attend Training                07/22/10

The training includes workshops and plenary sessions conducted by well respected educators.  The sessions are designed to strengthen the teachers’ understanding of utilizing the classical approach to academics. This method of learning is based on teaching the children how to learn through interactive and hands on methods. It utilizing three primary stages of learning and is focused on developing long term learning capacity rather than short-term retention. The classical approach teaches children foreign language at every grade level, implements the arts and music—such as the violin and incorporates unique learning tools teaching each subject as an integrated whole.  

The conference includes sessions on general topics such as lesson planning, time management, grading, relationships with parents, and enforcing core values in the classroom. The week will also include multiple workshops that are specific to certain subject matters such as: Latin essentials, teaching reading effectively, classical math, chanting and singing in the grammar stage of learning, teaching history to elementary students, teaching science and many others.  

The conference provides participants an opportunity to interact with educational leaders, practice teaching techniques, see live classroom instruction take place and hone their skills for a new academic school year. “We are excited about the start of a new year. Each life is precious and valuable. Every child deserves the most effort, care and love that can be given. We are looking forward to another year of working with our students.” Said Mrs. Gallagher.  

Legacy Academy will be serving students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 3^rd grade in the upcoming school year. Registration is now open. For more information on the school, its scholarship program or to arrange a tour call 642.8937.

ARMY WORMS SPOTTED IN SEVIER COUNTY    07/21/10

A few reports of army worms have been reported in Northern Sevier County. 

If you find them in your field, County Extension Agent, Rex Herring, recommends using either 80% Seven Dust or liquid Seven or Mustang Max.

 

DE QUEEN POLICE LOOKING FOR SUSPECTS WHO PASSED FORGED CHECKS AT A LOCAL BANK          7/21/10

The De Queen Police Department is asking for help in locating four individuals who cashed bogus chcks at a local bank Tuesday afternoon. 

If you have seen these suspects or know where they are, contact the De Queen Police Department at 870-642-2213.

LOCKESBURG MAN INJURED IN FARMING ACCIDENT 7/21/10

A Lockesburg man was injured in a farming accident while he and his father were working cows on their property near the Dierks Junction.

DE QUEEN CITY COUNCIL                7/21/10

The De Queen City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 20^th with the following action being taken.

The Council passed two resolutions, Mayor Billy Ray McKelvy said the resolutions dealt with placing liens on properties the city has had to clean up due to non-compliance with city ordinances.

The Council also heard reports from the Mayor on the economic climate and financial report.

De Queen Police Chief Richard McKinley also informed the council members that his department had been granted $29,400 in funds to be used to combat underage drinking.

SEVIER COUNTY RECYCLING CENTER OPEN               7/21/10

Sevier County ’s recycling center is now open for operations.  Martha Treece of ORE Recovered Materials said the county is very lucky to have this program.  The first bail of paper weighed 6.35 tons and took 23 man hours to fill the bailer.  Treece said the paper will be used for roofing felt.

Sevier County Judge Dick Tallman said the county recycles several kinds of materials including, paper, used motor oil, metal, tires, and plastic. The only items accepted at the site at the Sevier County Jail is paper and plastic.

Tallman also wanted to warn citizens that the area is under surveillance and  if they dump their household trash at the recycling site, they will be bringing their trash back to them.  Along with their trash being returned, citizens are subject to being ticketed for littering which carries up to a $1000 fine.   If you have any questions about the recycling project call Treece at 800-518-7251 or call the Sevier County Judge’s office.

Parents, Get Children Immunized Before School Starts    07/21/10

Adults Need Immunizations, Too

schedule of adult vaccines visit: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/adult-schedule.htm

WINDSTREAM TO ADD 210 NEW JOBS, KEEP HEADQUARTERS IN LITTLE ROCK   07/21/10

Windstream Corp., which has headquartered its national offices in Little Rock since it was formed in a spin-off from Alltel in July 2006, celebrated its fourth year as a stand-alone company with an announcement for the capital city.
 
Windstream said it would create 210 new jobs and retain 300 existing jobs in central Arkansas, while maintaining its corporate headquarters in west Little Rock.  The rural telecommunications company currently employs 825 in its Little Rock offices, 1,150 in Arkansas, and 9,500 nationwide in the 23 states it serves with telephone and broadband services.
 
The decision to formally locate in Little Rock comes as a 5-year lease expires on its current campus. Since Windstream launched in 2006, it has acquired 5 out-of-state companies which caused the company's management team to consider other options for a headquarters location.

Arkansas Business Weekly

TYSON FOODS ANIMAL FAT FUEL PLANT IS READY TO ROLL           07/21/10

Remember that $150 million renewable fuel plant that Tyson Foods and its partner, Tulsa-based Syntroleum Corp., announced nearly 3 years ago?
 
Dynamic Fuels LLC is the 50/50 joint venture that Tyson and Syntroleum formed to build a fuel plant in Louisiana that takes animal fats and greases and transforms them into high-grade military and diesel fuel. This week, the plant was completed for operations.
 
The new facility, which will commence operations in the third quarter of this year, is designed to convert fats, greases and oils supplied by Tyson Foods into as much as 75 million gallons of renewable fuels per year.

Arkansas Business Weekly

LITTLE RIVER COUNTY QUORUM COURT ASKS SHERIFF TO REHIRE DEPUTY          7/20/10

The Little River County Quorum Court is asking the sheriff to rehire a fired deputy who ran against him in the Democratic primary.

The court voted unanimously Monday to ask Russell to reconsider.

County attorney Al Smith says the court's vote is not binding because the sheriff is an elected official who can hire and fire his employees.

Gregory said he was pleased with the panel’s decision and is hoping Russell will follow the court's wishes. 

ARREST OF 16 YEAR OLD DE QUEEN BOY SOLVES 5 RESIDENTIA L BURGLARIES                7/20/10

The arrest of a 16 year old De Queen boy has solved five residential burglaries in Sevier County .

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Jeff Wahls was dispatched to a residence on Holman Road on a report of a residential burglary.  Upon arrival, Wahls spoke with the reporting person who stated someone had broken into their home and stole an antique milk jug full of coins.  During his investigation of this incident a suspect was developed.  A 16 year old juvenile from De Queen was brought to the Sheriff’s office and questioned about the burglary.  The juvenile confessed to taking the money from that residence and 4 others including three in Pecan Meadows and one on Dunn Road .   The 16 year old has been charged with 5 counts of residential burglary.   

UNEMPLOYMENT FOR ARKANSAS DOW N IN JUNE     07/20/10

The Arkansas unemployment rate for June has fallen two-tenths of a percentage point to 7.5%.

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services said Tuesday that eight major employment sectors showed gains in June.

The national unemployment rate also dropped two-tenths of a percentage points to 9.5%, two full percentage points higher than the Arkansas rate.

In Arkansas, the manufacturing sector added 1,700 jobs and educational and health services added 2,800 positions.

The Arkansas unemployment rate is the lowest since October 2009.

NEW  MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCED FOR FUN & LEARN LAND PRESCHOOL         07/19/10

The Sevier County Developmental Center's Fun and Learn Land preschool is under new management. 

Dana Humphries (left) is the new Director/Special Ed Teacher.  She is an honor graduate of Southern Arkansas University with a degree in Early Childhood Special Education P-4. 

Lisa Dockins (right) is the new instructor.  She is also an honor graduate of Southern Arkansas University with a degree in Early Childhood Education P-4. 

The Board of Directors is confident that Dana and Lisa's compassion for children will lead the program in the right direction.  They are excited about the future of Fun and Learn Land and invite the public to drop by to say hello or for a tour of the facility.

HARRIS NAMED RANKIN'S COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR   07/19/10

Congressional candidate Beth Anne Rankin has named a man born in De Queen as her Director of Communications.

Jim Harris of Bryant has worked in media relations for Mike Huckabee when he was both governor and running for President, and two of the last four congressmen from the Fourth District. He has been a reporter, editor and political columnist for the Benton Courier, Texarkana Gazette and Hope Star.

Harris is the grand son of the late Louis “Cat” and Leona Caplinger of De Queen. He was born in the De Queen General Hospital. At the time, Harris' father was fighting in Korea and has mother was staying with her parents in De Queen.
 

“De Queen is a very special town to me. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents in De Queen each summer as I was growing up. They lived in a little white house across from the elementary school on Vandervoort Avenue,” Harris said. “Every Sunday morning we would walk down the hill to a Baptist church where my grandmother was the music director for many years.”
 

Harris covered De Queen for the Texarkana Gazette for more than 10 years before going to work in the Arkansas Governor’s Office.
 

“Jim and I were on the governor’s transition team in 1996 between the time Jim Guy Tucker resigned and Mike Huckabee became governor. We also worked on Gov. Huckabee’s staff together,” Rankin said. “He has a wealth of experience in working with the news media.”
 

Harris was Huckabee's director of press operations from 1996-2006. During that time, he was the governor’s representative on the Arkansas Press Association’s Freedom of information Committee. In 1997, he was part of the governor’s “tag team” that drafted a rewrite of the Arkansas’ laws on automobile license procedures.
 

Harris was the governor’s representative for the recovery operation in Arkadelphia when that town was devastated by a tornado on March 1, 1997. He began advising the governor on emergency management issues in June 1997 and worked on Homeland Security policy issues after Sept. 11, 2001.
 

In 2001, Huckabee appointed Harris to the Arkansas Homeland Security Council. In 2002, Harris served on the Southern Governor’s Association Taskforce on Homeland Security and Telemedicine.
 

Then-U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins appointed Harris to the Arkansas Anti-Terrorism Task Force for the Eastern District of Arkansas in 2003 .He was a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force from 2002-2003.
 

In 2004, Harris served on the Arkansas Wireless Information Network (AWIN) Advisory Panel while this state-wide communications system was being established.
 

Harris was the Bio-Terrorism and Agriculture Coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Homeland Security from 2006-07. While at ADEM, he was acting public information officer. He is an Arkansas Certified Emergency Manager.
 

In 2007, he started his own business. Harris is the president and CEO of Harris Oil and Timber Co. Later that year, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., appointed Harris to the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Small Business Advisory Council.
 

After serving as director of external communications for the Huckabee for President Campaign, Harris was elected as an Arkansas delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2008.
 

 For more than two years each, he was the constable for District 5 in Saline County and a Transportation Security Officer for the Transportation Security Administration. While at TSA, he served a year as chairman of the Safety Action Team.
 

In the fall of 2000, Harris worked in the re-election campaign of U.S. Representative Jay Dickey, R-Arkansas, while Harris was on leave from Governor’s Office.
 

Before joining the governor's staff, Harris was city editor, assistant city editor, regional editor and a reporter for the Texarkana Gazette from 1979-96. He covered Hempstead, Lafayette, Miller, Little River, Howard and Sevier counties for the paper.
 

In 1992, he took a sabbatical from the Texarkana Gazette to serve as press secretary for the Mike Huckabee for U.S. Senate campaign.
 

Harris served as press secretary and assistant for science and technology issues for U.S. Representative Ray Thornton, D-Arkansas, from 1976-1979. Thornton, who later served as congressman in the Second District, was congressman for the Fourth District then.

Harris was photo-features editor for Hope Star in Hope, Ark., from 1975-76.

A 1975 graduate of Henderson State University, Harris graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1971.
 

HATFIELD MAN KILLED IN TWO VEHICLE COLLISION 7/19/10

A Hatfield man was killed in a head on collision north of Cove on Hwy 71 Sunday afternoon.

According to Arkansas State Police Reports, 91 year old Charles Nichols of Hatfield was traveling northbound on hwy 71 in a 1995 Buick when a southbound vehicle crossed the center line and hit him head on.  The other vehicle was a 1985 GMC being driven by 47 year old Joseph W Scansy of Cove.  Nichols was pronounced at the scene and Scansy was air lifted to St. Edwards Hospital in Ft Smith by Air Evac.  Arkansas State Police Trooper Benjamin Harrison investigated the accident.  

DE QUEEN TEENAGER CHARGED WITH DUI                7/19/10

A De Queen teenager has been charged with DUI during a traffic stop at 2:45 a.m. Sunday morning. 

According to the De Queen Police Department, Officer Amy Turner was on patrol when she observed a vehicle at the intersection of 4^th Street and Stillwell Ave.   Turner said when the vehicle made a southbound turn onto 4^th street they crossed the centerline and went completely into the northbound lane. Turner performed a traffic stop and identified the driver as 18 year old Sandro Guevara of De Queen.  While talking to Guevara, Turner smelled a strong odor of alcohol.  Turner asked Guevara if he had been drinking and he asked her to please just leave him alone. He failed several field sobriety tests.  He was transported to the Sevier County Jail and charged with DUI.

DE QUEEN MAN ARRESTED FOR THEFT BY RECEIVING          7/19/10

A De Queen man was arrested for theft by receiving during a traffic stop near Horatio.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s office, Deputy Wendall Randell was on patrol when he noticed a vehicle with expired tags.  Randell performed a traffic stop and a check on the vehicle and dispatch advised that the sticker on the tags had been reported stolen.  The driver, identified as 27 year old Jason Brooks of De Queen was taken into custody.  Brooks told the deputy that a friend had stolen the sticker and placed it on his car.  Brooks was transported to the Sevier County Jail and charged with theft by receiving.  

TWO MORE FILE AGAINST SWEPCO                   7/19/10

Two organizations have asked a federal judge to halt construction of a $1.7 billion coal-fired power plant in southwestern Arkansas .

Audubon Arkansas and the Sierra Club said Monday they filed a motion in federal court in Texarkana , claiming the construction is destroying wetlands.

Owners of a hunting club near the plant in Hempstead County are also seeking to stop the Southwestern Electric Power Co. from further construction, also on environmental grounds.

Audubon and the Sierra Club say the Army Corps of Engineers should not have issued water permits to the plant.

After the opponents won a court challenge, SWEPCO changed tack and said it would operate the facility as a merchant plant, which would not require state regulatory approval.

BOOZMAN LEADING LINCOLN BY 25 POINTS