TEXARKANA WOMAN ARRESTED BY DE QUEEN POLICE FOR PRESCRIPTION FRAUD                  8/28/08

A Texarkana, TX woman was arrested by the De Queen Police Department after she called in fake prescriptions to several local pharmacies.

According to the De Queen Police Department, a call came into the department from De Queen Health and Wellness Pharmacy that a woman had called saying she worked in a doctor’s office and needed to call in a prescription of Hydrocodone for a patient.  De Queen Health and Wellness pharmacy had received a call from the Dierks pharmacy that the same thing had happened over there and they copied the tag number and a description of the vehicle the person was driving that came to pick up the prescription.

North Park Pharmacy called to say they had received the same call there officers asked that the pharmacy call when the person came to pick up the prescription.  Sgt. Chad Bradshaw, Officer Amy Turner and officer Sonny Kimmel stopped the vehicle and took both driver and passenger into custody and transported them to the Sevier County Jail.  After interviewing both, the passenger identified as 52 year old Jeanette Jenkins of Texarkana TX told officers that she had called into several pharmacies around the area pretending to work for a doctor’s office and each time calling in a prescription for hydrocodone.  Jenkins said she used a different name at each pharmacy. 
 

Jenkins also told the officers that she was trying to get the pills for her husbands hurt back and that she was addicted to the pills.  Jenkins was charged with fraud. Jenkins will have 3 or more charges in Sevier county and 6 charges in Little River County. 

ASHDOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTICIPATES IN CHILD FIND CAMPAIGN                 08/28

The Ashdown School District is participating in an ongoing statewide effort to identify, locate, and evaluate children, birth to the age of twenty-one, who have a physical, mental, connunicative and/or emotional disability.  Early identification of children in need of special education experiences is most important to each child.  Furthermore, this information gathered from contacts with parents and other agencies will be used to help determine present and future program needs as progress is made toward the goal of providing a free appropriate public education to all children with a disability.

The Ashdown School District will work with the local Head Starts, Human Services, Health Department, and Mental Health Agencies, as well as local education agencies, physicians, and other individuals to identify and locate children out of school and in school who may be in need of special education services.

Please contact Jan Ueckert at 898-4404 or visit the Support Center office in the Community Enrichment Center at 460 NW Front Street if you know any child who may have a disability.

State police special agent reels in fake game warden   8/28/08

An Arkansas State Police Special Agent posed as a fisherman and reeled in a man impersonating a game warden.  And to top that, the impostor was critical about the agent’s fishing technique saying he “wouldn’t catch anything the way he was fishing.”

But the agent’s technique was good enough to catch the impersonator.

Michael J. Jorgenson, 21, of Ashdown, Ark. was arrested Monday for criminal impersonation, a Class A misdemeanor and is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 17 in the Little River District Court in Ashdown.

He was issued the citation, and released from custody, according to Sgt. Mark Kennemore of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.

Some Yarborough Landing residents adjacent to Millwood Lake called Kennemore Saturday saying a man was posing as a game warden and was checking fishing licenses.

Kennemore gave his cell phone number to some of the residents who had been stopped by the man to check for fishing license. That same afternoon, Kennemore received several calls stating the man was back in the area. 

Kennemore contacted Arkansas State Police Special Agent Hays McWhirter, who lives near the lake asking for help searching for the suspect.

McWhirter arrived in plain clothes and started fishing at the landing near the boat ramp.

The suspect was fishing across the boat ramp from McWhirter.

According to Kennemore’s report, Jorgenson walked toward McWhirter on the concrete walkway. McWhirter spoke to the Jorgenson and in conversation mentioned his fishing license was expired and said he was “trying to catch all the fish he could catch.”

Jorgenson allegedly told McWhirter “this is your lucky day” because he was a game warden.

The suspect started trying to tell McWhirter how to fish and he wouldn’t catch anything “the way he was fishing.”

“Hays then told him he was leaving and thanked him for not writing him a ticket. Since he was on vacation he would overlook the expired license,” said Kennemore’s report.

On Monday, Kennemore and McWhirter interviewed Jorgenson at the Little River County Sheriff’s Department and Jorgenson was charged with criminal impersonation.  The misdemeanor charge carries a potential sentence of a maximum one year in jail and a fine. 

11-YEAR-OLD LOCKESBURG GIRL AIRLIFTED AFTER BICYCLE ACCIDENT       8/27/08

An 11- year-old Lockesburg girl was air-lifted after having a bicycle accident Tuesday evening. 

According to Fire Chief Roger Ridley of the Lockesburg Fire Department, 11-year-old Stormy Grubbs was riding her bicycle with her brother when she lost control and wrecked.  The girl fell forward and landed on the handlebars of the bike.  The end of the handlebars punctured the girl’s leg at the juncture of her hip.  The puncture wound was approximately the size of a silver dollar and the girl was loosing blood.  Air Evac was called to transport the child to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.  According to Children’s Hospital, Stormy is in very good condition and was expected to be released today.

DE QUEEN WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER BEING CAUGHT STEALING FROM HER EMPLOYER            8/27/08

A De Queen woman was arrested and charged with theft of property after being caught stealing from her place of employment.

According to the De Queen Police Department, officers were called to the Dollar General Store by the loss prevention officer.  She stated that after reviewing security tapes from the store, she called an employee identified as 39 year old Betty Burgess into the office and asked her about the merchandise.  Burgess confessed to taking the items.

Officer Larry Gibson took Burgess into custody and transported her to the Sevier County Jail.  Once there she talked to the officers and told them that she had been told by another employee that no longer worked for the store that employees could take the damaged merchandise home.  Burgess said that she would also take things off the shelf and place them in a bag and carry them to her car.  The value of the stolen property was estimated to be around $800.  Burgess was charged with theft of property.

DE QUEEN CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES ANNEXATION  8/27/08

The De Queen City Council met in a special called workshop Tuesday evening with only one item to discuss…annexation.

Mayor Billy Ray McKelvy said the council is not making a decision to automatically annex any area; they are deciding which areas to place on the November 4th general election ballot for the citizens of De Queen to vote on.  All voters in the city limits will be eligible to vote and the citizens residing in the area being considered for annexation. The citizen’s will have the final vote. 

SEVIER COUNTY FAIR ACTIVITIES                            8/27/08

The Lockesburg FFA invites you to the Sevier county Fair this week.  Activities today include the livestock judging this afternoon beginning at 4. 

It's school day from 1 until 4 at the carnival with armbands available for $5. 

Don't forget you can buy a week-long gate pass for $5 .

Thursday at 6 pm will be the Rodeo parade,  It will start at the old High School gym on 9th street and end at the fairgrounds.

Thursday is also Senior Citizens Night at the Rodeo.  Free admission to the Rodeo for persons age 62 or older.  Prizes will be awarded to the oldest man and oldest woman attending.  Rodeo starts at  pm.  Admission is $6 for age 13 and up; $3 for age 5 thru 12; 4 and under is Free.

The commercial and exhibits buildings will be open starting at noon and don't forget the premium sale on Friday. 

(Complete Schedule)

60TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SEVIER COUNTY FARMER’S CO-OP               8/27/08

Approximately 400 members attended the 60th annual meeting of the Sevier County Farmer’s Co-operative Tuesday evening at the De Queen High School.

Co-op Manger Darrell Payne reported fiscal year sales of over seven and a half million dollars, with a net savings of almost one hundred seventy three thousand dollars.  Payne attributed the co-op’s continued success to several factors. 

The membership approved the board’s recommendation that one-hundred-percent of the 2008 patronage be paid as a cash dividend.  That represents a 2.4% return.  Payne says the co-op had recently opened a new store in McCurtain County that is doing well.

 With fertilizer and gasoline prices high, Payne says farmers and cattlemen of our area could continue to see tougher times.

                                                    Ken Rogers read minutes from the 2007 meeting

Vice-President Charles Lee conducted the election of board members.  Re-elected were: Kenneth Currence, Lovell Tollett and Gerald Youngblood.

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN CONCERT IN DE QUEEN ON FRIDAY                                08/27/08

A Contemporary Christian Music Concert will be in De Queen Friday, August 29th, at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Youth Facility behind the main sanctuary on West Collin Raye Drive. 

The concert will include Vince Lichlyter of Jonah 33 and local group Hardcore Praise. 

Seating is limited to the first 200.  Tickets are $5 each.  Get your tickets at the First Assembly of God Church Office.

SECURE ARKANSAS SUPPORTERS RE-GROUPING                   08/27

Secure Arkansas, the group that pushed a measure to ban certain state services for illegal immigrants, is not giving up its efforts despite its failure to qualify for the November ballot.  Jeannie Burlsworth, the spokesperson for the group, was in northwest Arkansas with supporters last week.  Burlsworth held two public meetings, one in Rogers and the other in Springdale.  A third meeting was closed to the public. 

MORE SIGNATURES FOR ADOPTION RESTRICTION MEASURE                 08/27

IT'S SEVIER COUNTY FAIR TIME!!!                        8/26/08

According to Ronald Morris, activities at the Sevier County Fair today include a Rabbit Show at 4 pm and Goat and Lamb show at 6:00.    The Exhibits building will be open to the public beginning at 5 o'clock today.

Wednesday is School Day at the fair with $5.00 Arm Bands for carnival rides. 

Gate admission passes are available for $5 and they are good all week. 

Premium sale sponsored by Fair Association will begin at Noon on Friday. 

For questions about check-in call 870-642-5112. 

BOTH DRIVERS IN TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT RECEIVE CITATIONS         8/26/08

Both drivers in a two vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of Lakeside Drive and Ballard Street received citations Monday afternoon. 

According to the De Queen Police Department, Holly M Baker was traveling Lakeside drive when a vehicle pulled into her path.  Baker was unable to avoid the collision with the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche driven by Jesus Contreras of De Queen.  Contreras told officers he did not see Baker’s 1967 Toyota Land Cruiser.  Damage to the Land Cruiser was estimated at $1,500 and damage to the Chevrolet Avalanche was estimated at $10,000.  Contreras was cited for no driver’s license, and failure to yield from a stop sign.  Baker was cited for no proof of insurance.

MERCHANTS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR FAKE $20s         8/26/08

According to the De Queen Police Department, area merchants should be on the lookout for fake 20 dollar bills.

Officers were called to Pawn Exchange on Monday afternoon to take report of a fake $20 being passed at their store.  Officers spoke with the worker who told police she had been very busy that day and had made a transaction in which the customer paid with a $20.  She gave the customer the change and he left.  Later she checked the money and discovered it was fake.  There is a suspect in the case and officials are asking businesses to be on the lookout for other bills as well. 

Fees for teaching licenses go into effect Monday                  8/26/08

Starting Monday September 1st, educators in Arkansas will have to pay a fee ranging from $35 to $100 to obtain, renew or add to a state teaching license. Money collected will fund enforcement of a new code of ethics for educators.

The state's largest teachers union supports the fees.

Act 846 of 2007 created the 15-member Professional Licensure Standards Board and allowed the state Board of Education to impose licensing fees to fund the board's operations. The Legislature created the board to develop licensing standards and a code of ethics for Arkansas educators and to investigate suspected violations of the code, which the state Board of Education approved in June.

Some 60,000 people in Arkansas hold a state teaching license, 28,000 of which teach in public schools, according to Education Department spokeswoman Julie Thompson. The fees are expected to bring in about $1 million annually, according to Beverly Williams, assistant commissioner for human resources and licensure for the state Department of Education. 

THREE SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY FOR SERVICE PAINT BREAK–IN AND VANDALISM                   8/25/08

Three suspects are in custody in connection with a burglary and vandalism at the Service Paint facility at Domtar Paper Mill.

According to the Ashdown Police Department, On Thursday August 21, 2008 at approximately 11:17 p.m. Officers with the Ashdown Police Department observed two suspicious vehicles at the car wash on Locust St. in Ashdown.  

Officers approached the vehicles and identified the occupants as being Alton J. Cressell, age 20, of Ashdown, Janario D. Dillihunt, age 21, of Ashdown, and Javarious O.Threadgill, age 19, of Ashdown. Inside the vehicles, officers noticed a large amount of change in the car along with other articles that aroused their suspicion. 

Further investigation by Ashdown Police Department Detectives developed information that the Service Paint facility at the Domtar Paper Mill had been burglarized.  Two vending machines had been broken into and vending articles and change had been taken.  In addition to the items taken, the entire facility had been vandalized.  The three suspects are being held in custody and formal charges are pending by the prosecuting attorney’s office.  

DE QUEEN MAN CHARGED WITH DWI AND CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION             8/25/08

A De Queen man was charged with DWI and Criminal Impersonation after giving police a false name.

According to the De Queen Police Department, Officer Gary Cunningham was on routine patrol at 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning when he observed a vehicle run a stop sign at 2nd street and Stillwell Ave.  Cunningham preformed a traffic stop and the driver identified himself as being 29 year old George Ramirez of De queen.  The officer asked the driver if he had been drinking and the driver said he had had a few earlier in the evening.  Ramirez had a PBT test reading of point-one-two and failed several field sobriety tests.  Ramirez refused to take a BAC test and was arrested and transported to the Sevier County Jail.  Ramirez was charged with DWI, failure to stop at a stop sign and no driver’s license. 

Officers discovered Ramirez had given them a false name when the real George Ramirez contacted them about retrieving his car.  At around 5:15 Sunday evening, a phone call came into the jail from George Ramirez stating that his brother Jose Ramirez had stolen his vehicle and it had been impounded by police.  At this time Jose Ramirez was also charged with criminal impersonation. 

LOCKESBURG MAYOR CALLS SPECIAL MEETING                            8/25/08

The Lockesburg City Council will have a special called workshop meeting tonight starting at 7:30 p.m.   The purpose of the workshop is to review applications for the position of deputy municipal clerk and assigning oversight areas to council members.  Anyone that would like to apply for the Deputy Clerks Position must have their application turned in to Lockesburg City Hall by 4:30 p.m. today. 

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW PLANNED FOR HOO RAH DAYS              08/25/08 

An art show open to all ages has been unveiled at the latest meeting of the Hoo Rah Days Committee. 

Any subject created with any art medium can be entered in one of five age groups, said Kim Huckaby, coordinator of the exhibit.  Photographs may be entered in color or black and white categories. 

Age group competition will be ages 5-7, 8-12, 13-18, 19-64 and 65-plus.  

Mrs. Huckaby, retired art teacher at De Queen High School , said because of limited space in the Museum Annex, participants will be limited to one entry per person.  Entries must be from 5x7” to 11x14” in size, and either matted or framed. 

Fourteen members of the planning committee attended the meeting.   The committee will meet again on September 4. 

Vendors are encouraged to reserve booth space soon.   Vendors who have selected their booth by September 12 will be identified in Hoo Rah Days advertising and promotional materials. 

The committee decided on an entry fee of $2 per entry in the art and photography show.   Art work must be delivered to the Sevier County Museum between noon and 5 p.m. between Tuesday, Oct. 7 and the deadline at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16.   

The name, age, address and phone number of the maker must be taped to the back of each entry, Mrs. Huckaby said.  

Ribbons for first, second and third place will be presented in each age group.   A “best of show” will be selected among all the art entries and among the photography entries, with the winners receiving a $25 award.

Talent shows will be divided into two sections Hoo Rah Days Festival this year, according to Museum Director Karen Mills.  Talent in ages up to nine will take the stage at noon.   Age groups 10-17 and 18 and over will perform at 5 p.m. 

Final arrangements for the talent show will be announced next week.

FIRE DEPARTMENT HIT BY LIGHTNING    8/23/08

Answering a call to a telephone pole on fire may have saved the De Queen Fire Department building.  Upon arriving at the fire station to dispatch fire trucks, firemen discovered the building full of smoke.  After investigating the cause of the smoke, it was discovered that the power main to the building had been struck by lightning during the rainstorm Saturday afternoon.

Special thanks to Steve Sharp Electric for getting the power restored to the building in just a matter of hours.

MORE ABOUT ARMY WORMS     8/24/08

Friday, Sevier County Extension Agent Rex Herring, told us about the Army Worm problem in Sevier County.  Here is a little more information on the worm, where it comes from, and how they spread.

Identification: Armyworms, which attain a length of 1/2 inches, are also caterpillars of moths. Their bodies are greenish when small but become brown when fully grown. Several stripes are usually apparent, extending from the head to the rear. The adult is a mottled brownish-gray moth with a wingspan of nearly l l/2 inches.

Life Cycle and Diagnosis: Moths lay clusters of eggs on grass blades, lawn furniture, white or light colored walls and other objects near lawns and pastures. Caterpillars hatch and begin to feed on the turf. Damaged turf appears ragged with individual blades showing signs of chewing damage. When numerous, they may devour the grass down to the ground. Caterpillars pupate in the soil. The moths emerge within a couple of weeks. They are active mainly at night. There are three to six generations a year.   

If you see a brown, dead-looking spot in an otherwise green pasture or lawn, you could be seeing the first indication of an army worm infestation.  

As with sod webworms, you should time insecticide applications to control armyworms during the early evening when caterpillars are feeding on the surface of the turf. Rex recommends spraying with 80% Sevin dust or liquid mixed with water.  If you have questions, contact the extension office at 584-3013. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT HIT BY LIGHTNING    8/23/08

Answering a call to a telephone pole on fire may have saved the De Queen Fire Department building.  Upon arriving at the fire station to dispatch fire trucks, firemen discovered the building full of smoke.  After investigating the cause of the smoke, it was discovered that the power main to the building had been struck by lightning during the rainstorm Saturday afternoon.

Special thanks to Steve Sharp Electric for getting the power restored to the building in just a matter of hours.