NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1231-14

A THIRD SUSPECT WILL BE CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF A POPE COUNTY MAN.  ACCORDING TO SHERIFF AARON DUVALL, THEIR ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE MURDER OF CLINT BROWN LED AUTHORITIES IN A FEMALE PRISONER, IN THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS--PINE BLUFF UNIT.   25-YEAR OLD LESLIE KOSTER WAS INTERVIEWED ON MONDAY, AND CONFESSED TO PARTICIPATING IN THE HOMICIDE.  POPE COUNTY INVESTIGATORS LT. STEPHEN PACK AND CHRIS RIDENHOUR WERE ON HAND TO QUESTION THE SUSPECT. DUVALL INDICATED THAT INTERVIEW HAS BEEN TURNED OVER TO 5th DISTRICT PROSECUTING ATTORNEY DAVID GIBBONS, AND CHARGES OF MURDER IN THE 1ST DEGREE ARE TO BE FILED NEXT WEEK. DUVALL COMMENDED THE WORK OF INVESTIGATORS PACK AND RIDENHOUR, AND STATED HIS DEPARTMENT, ARKANSAS STATE POLICE AND THE 5TH JUDICIAL PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAVE ALL WORKED CLOSELY OVER THE PAST YEARS ON THIS CASE AND THAT WORK HAS FINALLY PAID OFF.  DUVALL SAYS INVESTIGATORS CONTINUE TO LOOK AT OTHER PERSONS OF INTEREST INVOLVED WITH THIS CASE, WHO MAY HAVE PURPOSELY HINDERED OR TRIED TO DELAY THE ARREST OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

##

 

LUCKILY, NO INJURIES RESULTED, BUT, A DANVILLE HOME WAS DISTROYED BY AN EARLY MORNING FIRE ON TUESDAY.  AUTHORITIES SAY DANVILLE FIREFIGHTERS WERE RESPONDED TO THE BLAZE, IN THE 21-HUNDRED BLOCK OF MAIN STREET ABOUT 6:49 A/M.  THE HOME WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES UPON THEIR ARRIVAL.  UNITS REMAINED ON SCENE UNTIL JUST AFTER 9 A/M, BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL AND EXTENGUISHING THE BLAZE.  FIREFIGHTERS RETURNED TO THE SCENE JUST BEFORE NOON, WHEN A REKINDLE OCCURRED.  THAT FIRE WAS EXTENGUISHED WITHIN 30-MINUTES.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY KNOWN.

##

 

MANY AREA LOCAL AND COUNTY OFFICIALS, THOSE CURRENTLY IN OFFICE AND NEW TO THEIR OFFICES, WILL BE ATTENDING SWEARING IN CEREMONIES, SET FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY, IN SEVERAL LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES.

 

RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCIL HAS CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION FOR JANUARY 1st AT 10:30.  CITY CLERK KATHY COLLINS SAYS THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE REORGANIZATION OF THE NEW COUNCIL AND SETTING OF RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR 2015. THAT SESSION WILL BE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.

##

 

POPE, YELL, JOHNSON AND CONWAY COUNTY OFFICIALS WILL HAVE SIMILAR CEREMONIES PLANNED FOR THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW YEAR.

 

WHILE SWEARING IN CEREMONIES ARE PLANNED IN POPE COUNTY, THEIR QUORUM COURT'S ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FOR 2015 WILL NOT BE HELD UNTIL NEXT THURSDAY.  THAT SESSION, NOW SET FOR JANUARY 8th, WILL BE HELD AT 5 P/M THAT AFTERNOON IN THE COURT CHAMBERS OF THE POPE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.  A JANUARY BUDGET MEETING AND QUORUM COURT SESSION WILL THEN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW. 

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1230-14

RUSSELLVILLE AND POTTSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT CREWS WERE CALLED EARLY THIS (TUES.) MORNING TO A STRUCTURE FIRE AT THE PREMIMUM PROTEIN PRODUCTS PLANT IN THE 34-HUNDRED BLOCK OF BERNICE AVENUE.  UNITS RESPONDED ABOUT 2:45 A/M, AND REMAINED ON SCENE FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS, BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL AND EXTENGUISHING THE BLAZE.  LUCKILY, NO INJURIES OCCURRED, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE.

 

DARDANELLE RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT CREWS WERE RESPONDED ABOUT 6:41 THIS (TUES.) MORNING TO A STRUCTURE FIRE IN THE 10-THOUSAND BLOCK OF BLUEBIRD LANE.  FIREFIGHTERS QUICKLY BROUGHT THE BLAZE UNDER CONTROL.  UNITS WERE BACK IN SERVICE ABOUT 7:15 A/M, WITH NO INJURIES REPORTED, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES.  NO EXTIMATES OF DAMAGE, AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE HAVE BEEN RELEASED.

##

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 30-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 46-YEAR OLD GEORGIA MAN, ARRESTED BY ARKANSAS STATE POLICE ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS JOEL PURNELL WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON, NEAR THE 90 MILE MARKER OF INTERSTATE 40, EASTBOUND.  UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, TROOPERS DISCOVERED 92-POUNDS OF MARIJUANA IN THE FRONT FLOOR BOARDS OF THE VAN PURNELL WAS DRIVING.  STREET VALUE OF THE DRUGS WERE SAID TO BE APPROXIMATELY 147-THOUSAND DOLLARS.  PURNELL APPEARED MONDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE, WHO FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A FEBRUARY 9th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT DATE IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.  CHARGES OF POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER AND SIMULTANIOUS POSSESSION OF DRUGS AND FIREARMS ARE TO BE FILED IN THIS CASE.

##

 

RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS HAVE CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION FOR THIS (TUES.) AFTERNOON, TO ADDRESS A PERSONNEL MATTER.  THAT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 5 P/M, IN THE DISTRICT'S ADMINSTRATION BUILDING. 

##

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1229-14

NO INJURIES RESULTED ON SUNDAY EVENING FROM A SHOP FIRE, NEAR A RESIDENCE IN THE PINE TWIST ROAD AREA OF POPE COUNTY.  BAYLESS, LONDON AND DOVER RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE ABOUT 7:10 P/M, WITH FIREFIGHTERS REMAINING FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS, BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL AND EXTENGUSHING THE BLAZE.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENTS.

##

 

CAMPAIGNING CONTINUES, AS EARLY VOTING NEARS FOR THE SPECIAL STATE SENATE SET ELECTION FOR DISTRICT 16.  EARLY VOTING WILL KICK-OFF JANUARY 6th, IN THAT RACE, THAT INCLUDES ALL OF POPE AND NEWTON COUNTIES, AND PORTIONS OF VAN BUREN, BOONE AND CARROLL COUNTIES. THREE REPUBLICIAN CANDIDATES WILL VYE FOR THE VACANT STATE SENATE SEAT, THAT HAD BEEN HELD BY MICHAEL LAMOREUX OF RUSSELLVILLE. LAMOREUX RESIGNED TO ACCEPT THE CHEIF OF STAFF POSITION FOR IN-COMING GOVERNOR ASA HUTCHINSON. REPUBLICIANS STAN BERRY, GREG STANDRIDGE AND THOMAS AKIN WILL SEEK THE POST, DURING A JANUARY 13th PRIMARY ELECTION. IF NECESSARY, A FEBRUARY 10th RUNOFF DATE WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED.

##

 

RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOL ADMINSTRATORS CONTINUE THEIR SEARCH OF A NEW HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH, AFTER A RECENT REQUEST BY LONG TIME FOOTBALL COACH JEFF HOLT TO BE RE-ASSIGNED TO A TEACHING POSITION WITHIN THE DISTRICT. DURING HOLT'S 15-YEAR TENURE AS CYCLONE HEAD COACH, HIS RECORD WAS 87-94-1, WITH THE END OF THE 2014 SEASON. MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT'S BOARD OF EDUCATION HAVE SCHEDULED A PERSONNEL MEETING FOR TUESDAY, BUT, THERE'S BEEN NO INDICATION THAT THE COACHING POSITION WILL BE ONE OF THE MATTERS ADDRESSED. 

##

 

KFSM-TV in Fort Smith reports Logan County authorities have located a missing Franklin County man, the subject of a Silver Alert recently.  The body of 91-year old William E. Harris of Ozark was located about 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon near his car along Highway 309 in Logan County. Ozark Police Chief Cory Tedford said indications are Harris died of exposure and does not suspect foul play. The Police Chief said family and friends said Harris had not been diagnosed, but had exhibited recent signs of dementia. Tedford said it appears Harris got confused and went for a drive, and when his car got stuck, he tried to walk somewhere for help. Harris' body has been sent to a medical examiner, to confirm cause of death.

##

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1227-14

Here is the latest Arkansas news from The Associated Press

     TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A cold front will bring a chance of rain and wintry precipitation to parts of northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas during the weekend. The National Weather Service in Tulsa says a little sleet or snow could be mixed with the rain with the arrival of colder air early Saturday.

     CONWAY, Ark. (AP) -On the day after Christmas, a massive holiday lights display in Conway boasting thousands of lights continued to draw larger crowds. Tony and Angi Brighter's "Holiday Magic" display features a multi-home computerized light display, which coordinates with music broadcast through the radio. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the Brighters display boasts more than 80,000 lights.

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The incoming speaker of the Arkansas House says he sees economic development as the top priority for next year's legislative session, and he's leaving open the possibility that lawmakers can address highway funding issues, too. Republican Representative Jeremy Gillam, who will take over as the chamber's leader next month, said he believes efforts to cut taxes, overhaul the state's workforce education program and to address road needs are key to improving the state's economy.

     NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - North Little Rock police say a pair of killings on Christmas Eve are unrelated. The Democrat Gazette reports officers responded to fatal shootings less than an hour apart. One man died in the Shorter College Gardens housing complex late Wednesday night, then officers responded to another fatal shooting near a motel a mile away.

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1223-14

BOND HAS BEEN SET FOR TWO FEMALE SUSPECTS, ARRESTED BY ARKANSAS STATE POLICE ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES OVER THE WEEKEND.  A 50-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND WAS ESTABLISHED FOR A 50-YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE, IDENTIFIED AS PATRICIA FULTON.  FULTON APPEARED ON MONDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  BOND WAS ALSO SET AT 40-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR 44-YEAR OLD SUSIAN BARNES, DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE STOPPED BY TROOPERS, NEAR THE 82 MILE MARKER.  A SEARCH OF THAT TRUCK NETTED AUTHORITIES NEARLY 5-POUNDS OF METHAMPHETAMINE, VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY 200-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

 

DR. A.J. ANGLIN HAS BEEN SELECTED TO SERVE AS INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY. A NATIVE OF SILOAM SPRINGS, ANGLIN BRINGS 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION TO HIS NEW ROLE AT ARKANSAS TECH. HE WILL BEGIN HIS DUTIES ON JAN. 5, 2015.

 

THIS REMINDER...LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY IN OBSERVANCE OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. COURTHOUSES IN POPE, YELL, JOHNSON, CONWAY, LOGAN AND PERRY COUNTIES WILL BE INCLUDED. ALL WILL RE-OPEN ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 29th.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1222-14

AUTHORITIES SAY NO INJURIES OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF A VEHICLE/TRAIN COLLISION ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, IN WESTERN POPE COUNTY. AUTHORITIES SAY THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED JUST AFTER 3 P/M, AT THE PIPELINE ROAD CROSSING ON THE POPE/JOHNSON CO. LINE. POPE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL WERE INITIALLY RESPONDED TO THE SCENE.  UNION PACIFIC INVESTIGATORS ARE WORKING WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES, IN OBTAINING DETAILS ABOUT THE  ACCIDENT. FEW ADDITIONAL DETAILS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

##

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR TWO BLACK MALES, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON AGGRIVATED ROBBERY, FLEEING AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF.  THE SUSPECTS, IDENTIFIED BY AUTHORITIES AS 23-YEAR OLD LARRY BROWN AND 33-YEAR OLD CLARENCE ROBINSON, APPEARED ON FRIDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECTS OVER FOR A FEBRUARY 2nd PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.  COURT RECORDS SHOW THAT BOTH SUSPECTS ARE ALLEDGED TO HAVE ATTEMPTED TO BREAK INTO THE HOME OF A LOCAL WOMAN, DURING A RECENT INCIDENT.  THAT UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN, TOLD AUTHORITIES SHE RECOGNIZED ONE OF THE SUSPECTS, AND WITNESSES HIM CARRYING A FIREARM, AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.

 

BOND WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED AT 75-HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A 35-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY POPE COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES ON THEFT AND FIREARMS POSSESSION CHARGES.  THAT SUSPECT WAS IDENTIFIED AS SCOTTY BOYCE.  A 75-HUNDRED DOLLAR BOND WAS ASSESSED AGAINST A 27-YEAR OLD BLACK MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED ON A FELONY WARRANT, IN REFERENCE TO DELIVERY OF METHAMPHETAMINE OR COCAINE CHARGES.  THAT SUSPECT, JUSTIN LEE AND BOYCE WILL ALSO APPEARED IN EARLY FEBRUARY FOR A PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

##

 

ONE PERSON WAS INJURIED IN A ROLL-OVER ACCIDENT, THIS WEEKEND, ALONG CENTER VALLEY ROAD, NORTH OF RUSSELLVILLE.  FRIDAY NIGHT, LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND CROW MOUNTAIN FIRE DEPARTMENT CREWS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE, IN THE 19-HUNDRED BLOCK OF CENTER VALLEY ROAD.  UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, AUTHORITIES DISCOVERED A CAR, ON ITS TOP, IN A DITCH ALONG THE SOUTHSIDE OF THE ROADWAY.  AN UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST. MARY'S REGIONAL MED-CENTER FOR TREATMENT OF UNDETERMINED INJURIES.

##

 

ON TONIGHT'S (MON.) MEETING AGENDA... RUSSELLVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS WILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON A REQUEST TO REZONE PROPERTY IN THE 300 BLOCK OF WEST 10th STREET FROM C-4 TO R-2.  A REQUEST TO CLOSE AN ALLEY BETWEEN NORTH BOSTON PLACE AND NORTH CLEVELAND ON WEST K STREET WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED.  THAT MEETING WILL GET UNDERWAY AT 5:30 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.

 

POTTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL'S DECEMBER SESSION IS SET FOR THIS (MON.) EVENING.  ON THE AGENDA, DISCUSSION OF THE 2015 BUDGET, A PROPOSED RAISE IN THE MAYOR'S SALARY AND OTHER BUDGET ITEM REVIEWS.  DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS AND ANY COMMITTEE UPDATES WILL ALSO BE ADDRESSED DURING THE 7 P/M SESSION AT CITY HALL.

##

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1218-14

AFTER SIGNIFICANT REVIEW, DARDANELLE CITY COUNCIL VOTED WEDNESDAY TO APPROVE A 2015 BUDGET, SET AT APPROXIMATELY 4.606-MILLION DOLLARS.  MAYOR CAROLYN McGEE SAID THIS WAS A POSITIVE VOTE FOR THE CITY OF DARDANELLE, ITS EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS. McGEE SAID DEPARTMENT HEADS AND BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS REALIZED EARLY ON, THAT EXPENDATURES LAST YEAR ON THE CITY'S NEW SOFTBALL FIELDS, AND OBLIGATIONS IN THAT AREA, WOULD MAKE 2015 A CHALLENGING BUDGET YEAR. ONE OTHER FACET OF THIS BUDGET, ACCORDING TO McGEE, IS THAT IT KEEPS DARDANELLE WITHIN THE PERAMETERS, TO PERMIT A 10.68-PERCENT RESERVE, FOR EMERGENCY NEEDS, IF NECESSARY IN THE FUTURE.

##

 

ATKINS FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED EARLY THIS (Thurs.) MORNING TO A TRANSFORMER FIRE, IN THE 800 BLOCK OF NORTH CHURCH STREET.  UNITS WERE RESPONDED JUST BEFORE 2 A/M TO THE FIRE, THAT ALSO RESULTED IN A POWER OUTAGE IN THE AREA.  ENTERGY CREWS QUICKLY RESPONDED, IN AN EFFORT TO REPLACE THE TRANSFORMER AND RESTORE SERVICE.  FIREFIGHTERS WERE ON-SCENE UNTIL JUST AFTER 3 A/M.  NO INJURIES RESULTED.

##

 

CLARKSVILLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TOOK TIME DURING THEIR DECEMBER SESSION THIS WEEK TO RECOGNIZE FIVE DISTRICT TEACHERS, WHO'VE RECENTLY OBTAINED THEIR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION.  SUPERINTENDANT DR. DAVID HOPKINS AND THE BOARD SALUTED DR. JEFF BLACKARD, KRISTI NEWMAN, JENNIFER KOCH(COOK), MANDY WATKINS AND LESLIE MORI.  IN OTHER MATTERS, THE BOARD WAS UPDATED BY CURRICULEN COORDINATOR KARA CHRISMAN ON NUW STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MANDATES FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR.  AN INCREASED LINE OF CREDIT FOR THE DISTRICT, THROUGH ARVEST BANK WAS ALSO APPROVED BY THE BOARD.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1216-14

HUMPHERY FUNERAL SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE PLANNING A SECOND PUBLIC HEARING, LATER THIS WEEK, TO REVIEW PLANS FOR A PROPOSED CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM FACILITY, NORTH OF RUSSELLVILLE  A FRIDAY SESSION IS SET FOR 2 P/M, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL, TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSAL.  SITE FOR THE FACILITY IS JUST WEST OF THE CENTER VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON CENTER VALLEY ROAD, BUT, RECENT PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS OF THE PLAN, MOVED THE CREMATORIUM FARTHER WEST, FROM THE PROPERTY LINE OF THE SCHOOL FACILITY.  ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO MAKE THEIR PLANS TO ATTEND THIS HEARING, AND EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS OR CONCERNS.

##

 

OFFICIALS WITH THE POPE COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD HAVE CANCELLED THEIR DECEMBER SESSION.  THE BOARD'S NEXT MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21st.  THAT AFTERNOON MEETING WILL BE AT 4 P/M, IN THEIR HERITAGE HALL FACILITY.

##

 

THE HOLIDAY CONCERT SEASON IS UNDERWAY, AND MANY AREA SCHOOLS ARE PARTICIPATING. TONIGHT (Tues.), THE RUSSELLVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY BAND CONCERT IS SET FOR 7 P/M, IN THE CENTER OF THE ARTS.

##

 

A NEW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY IS ON THE WAY FOR BROADCAST JOURNALISM STUDENTS AT ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY. THE TELEVISION BROADCASTERS OF ARKANSAS WILL SPONSOR AN ANNUAL $2,500 SCHOLARSHIP FOR AN ACADEMICALLY QUALIFIED ARKANSAS TECH BROADCAST JOURNALISM STUDENT BEGINNING IN FALL 2015. ANTHONY CATON, HEAD OF THE ARKANSAS TECH DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND JOURNALISM AND DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING SAID THE UNIVERSITY IS MOST APPRECIATIVE TO JEANIE REED AND THE TELEVISION BROADCASTERS OF ARKANSAS BOARD FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN PROVIDING THIS SCHOLARSHIP TO A WORTHY ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY BROADCAST JOURNALISM STUDENT.

##

 

THE TWO RIVERS MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL BE ONE OF THE LATEST AREA DISTRICT SCHOOLS HOLDING THEIR ANNUAL SPELLING BEE TODAY(Tues.). THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT THESE STUDENTS AND EVENT ORGANIZERS DURING THE COMPETITION, TO GET UNDERWAY AT 8:15 A/M.  THOSE ADVANCING WILL SOON BE INVOLVED IN COUNTYWIDE COMPETITION.

 

TWO RUSSELLVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WILL HOLD THEIR ANNUAL SPELLING BEE COMPETITION, LATER THIS WEEK.  CENTER VALLEY'S SPELLING BEE IS SET FOR THURSDAY MORNING AT 9:30, WHILE DWIGHT ELEMENTARY HAS THEIR EVENT SET FOR THAT AFTERNOON AT 1 P/M.  PARENTS AND PATRONS ARE REMINDED ABOUT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1215-14

RUSSELLVILLE POLICE AND FIRE AND POPE COUNTY AMBULANCE PERSONNEL RAN MONDAY MORNING ON AN ACCIDENT AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 7 AND CENTER VALLEY ROAD.  AUTHORITIES WERE INITIALLY RESPONDED TO AN ENTRAPMENT ACCIDENT, BUT, THOSE IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAD OVERTURNED, WERE OUT AND UNINJURED, UPON THEIR ARRIVAL.  THAT ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 6:30 THIS (Mon.) MORNING.

##

 

CROW MOUNTAIN AND RUSSELLVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT UNITS WERE RESPONDED SUNDAY EVENING TO A GRASS FIRE IN THE DODSON LANE AREA.  AUTHORITIES SAY UNITS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE ABOUT 7:30 P/M, REMAINING THERE APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR, BRINGING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL.  AT ONE TIME, THE BLAZE COVERED SOME TWO TO THREE ACRES AND WAS THREATENING A STRUCTURE, WHEN UNITS ARRIVED.

##

 

MONDAY'S MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES... THE CLARKSVILLE SCHOOL BOARD, WITH A 6 P/M SESSION IN THE HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER.  TO BE REVIEWED, SEVERAL POLICY MATTERS, CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION FOR ARVEST PURCHACE CARDS, A NUMBER OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS, AND THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. 

 

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ARKANSAS NUCLEAR PLANNING AND RESPONSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL BE TUESDAY AT 10 A/M, IN THE POPE COUNTY QUORUM COURT CHAMBERS.  AN RECAP OF THE 2014 EMERGENCY RESPONSE EXERCISE AND UPDATE ON CONTINUING ACTIVITIES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE MEETING, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

 

ALSO TUESDAY, THE DECEMBER SESSION OF THE RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOL BOARD IS SET, WITH BUDGET, BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR 6:15.  A MEETING OF THE FULL BOARD WILL BEGIN AT 7 P/M, IN THE DISTRICT'S ADMINSTRATION OFFICE.

##

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1213-14

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE IN THE VALLEY THIS WEEKEND... LAMAR WILL HAVE THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE, SCHEDULED FOR 2:30, DOWNTOWN.

 

THE DOVER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE CITY OF DOVER AND THE DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT, WILL BE SPONSORING "TINSEL TOWN CHRISTMAS" THIS YEAR AT THE DOVER CITY HALL. ONE OF THE EVENT'S COORDINATORS PAT BOCKSNICK SAYS THE EFFORT IS THIS SATURDAY AT 7 PM. THIS YEAR'S THEME WILL BE "OLD TIME CHRISTMAS." 

##

 

THE HOLIDAY CONCERT SEASON IS UNDERWAY, AND MANY AREA SCHOOLS ARE PARTICIPATING.  THE DOVER BANDS CHRISTMAS CONCERT WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUN.) AFTERNOON AT 2:30, IN THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM.

ATKINS SCHOOLS BAND AND CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERTS WILL BE HELD SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM. CLARKSVILLE BANDS HOLIDAY CONCERT IS SET FOR SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT 2 P/M, IN THEIR FINE ARTS CENTER.

 

RUSSELLVILLE HIGH SCHOOL BAND ARE PREPARING FOR THEIR ANNUAL CONCERT, SET FOR MONDAY NIGHT AT THE CENTER OF THE ARTS.  THE SYMPHONIC AND CONCERT BANDS WILL PEFORMING TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY FARE, DURING THE 7 P/M CONCERT, WITH ADMISSION FREE TO TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1211-14

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH FOR THREE ASAIN MALES, ARRESTED BY ARKANSAS STATE POLICE IN POSSESSION OF MORE THAN 200-POUNDS OF HIGH GRADE MARIJUANA.  THE SUSPECTS IDENTIFIED AS 50-YEAR OLD SHOBIN WU, 30-YEAR OLD JIN DENG AND 30-YEAR OLD QUN CHEN, WERE ARREST DURING A TRAFFIC STOP ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON NEAR THE 87 MIKE MARKER-EASTBOUND.  STREET VALUE OF THE MARIJUANA HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AT 320-THOUSAND DOLLARS.  THE THREE APPEARED WEDNESDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  A FEBRUARY 2nd PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT DATE HAS BEEN SET IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

##

 

AFTER SIGNIFICANT DISCUSSION AND REVIEW, POPE COUNTY QUORUM COURT MEMBERS HAVE APPROVED A 2015 BUDGET.  POPE COUNTY JUDGE JIM ED GIBSON SAYS THAT APPROVED OCCURRED DURING THE COURT'S DECEMBER SESSION THIS WEEK. BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAD BEEN VISITING WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS AND REVIEWING BUDGETS SINCE OCTOBER. THAT BUDGET AMOUNTS TO APPROXIMATELY 9.16-MILLION DOLLARS IN COUNTY GENERAL AND 5.3-MILLION DOLLARS IN THE COUNTY ROAD BUDGET. GIBSON EXTENDED HIS THANKS TO THE MANY DEPARTMENT HEADS AND EMPLOYEES THAT WORK TOGETHER TO REACH THE COUNTY'S BUDGET GOALS, FOR 2014 AND 2015.

 

ONE AMENDMENT, THIS AT THE RECOMENDATION OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, WAS LOWERING  FROM 6 TO 4 THE NUMBER OF NEW PATROL CARS APPROVED FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.  IN OTHER MATTERS, MIKE McCOY WAS APPOINTED TO AN OPEN POSITION ON THE COUNTY'S AMBULANCE BOARD.

##

 

A BUSY AGENDA WILL FACE THE JOHNSON COUNTY QUORUM COURT, FOR THEIR FINAL 2014 REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY NIGHT.  COUNTY JUDGE MIKE JACOBS SAYS THE 2015 BUDGET PROPOSAL WILL BE REVIEWED, ALONG WITH ORDINANCES INVOLVING SICK PAY, LONGEVIETY, THE DRUG COURT GRANT FUND AND THE COUNTY'S RESCUE TEAM.  A RESOLUTION, INVOLVING A CONTRACT OF OBLIGATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIROMENTAL QUALITY WILL ALSO BE ADDRESS.  THURSDAY'S SESSION WILL GET UNDERWAY AT 6 P/M IN THE CLARKSVILLE COURTHOUSE CHAMBERS.

 

ALSO ON THURSDAY'S MEETING AGENDA... A 6:30 SESSION OF THE PLAINVIEW CITY COUNCIL, IN THEIR CITY HALL AND THE ATKINS HOUSING AUTHORITY AT 7 P/M.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1210-14

RUSSELLVILLE  PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR MAC HOLLIS INFORMED THE CITY’S COMMISSION THAT HE'D MET TUESDAY MORNING WITH ETC ENGINEERING, COORDINATING PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AQUATIC CENTER, SHARING AN UPDATED PLAN  PROJECT. HOLLIS SAID HE'S NOT SURE HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE FOR THE COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL TO FINALIZE A PLAN FOR THE PROJECT, ONCE A FINAL PROPOSAL IS REACHED.  AN INITIAL COMPLETION DATE FOR THE PROJECT WAS SET AROUND MEMORIAL DAY OF 2016.

##

 

                LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas Court of Appeals has rejected a request for a new trial for a man convicted of second-degree murder. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that the court rejected the appeal of 28-year-old A.J. Cody. Cody had argued that the prosecutor in his trail acted inappropriately. Cody was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison for the May 2012 shooting death of 65-year-old Lee Britton at Britton's home in London.

##

 

NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE RESULTED FROM A TUESDAY AFTERNOON GRASS FIRE IN THE 10021 CHURCHILL LANE AREA OF YELL COUNTY.  CHICKALAH FIREFIGHTERS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE ABOUT 12:30, AND REMAINED THERE FOR JUST OVER 45-MINUTES, EXTENGUISHING THE BLAZE. CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE.

##

 

A BUSY AGENDA WILL FACE THE JOHNSON COUNTY QUORUM COURT, FOR THEIR FINAL 2014 REGULAR SESSION ON THURSDAY NIGHT.  COUNTY JUDGE MIKE JACOBS SAYS THE 2015 BUDGET PROPOSAL WILL BE REVIEWED, ALONG WITH ORDINANCES INVOLVING SICK PAY, LONGEVIETY, THE DRUG COURT GRANT FUND AND THE COUNTY'S RESCUE TEAM.  A RESOLUTION, INVOLVING A CONTRACT OF OBLIGATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIROMENTAL QUALITY WILL ALSO BE ADDRESS.  THURSDAY'S SESSION WILL GET UNDERWAY AT 6 P/M IN THE CLARKSVILLE COURTHOUSE CHAMBERS.

 

ALSO ON THURSDAY'S MEETING AGENDA... A 6:30 SESSION OF THE PLAINVIEW CITY COUNCIL, IN THEIR CITY HALL AND THE ATKINS HOUSING AUTHORITY AT 7 P/M.

##

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1209-14

YELL COUNTY QUORUM COURT MEMBERS, AFTER A SHORT DEBATE, APPROVED THE COUNTY'S BUDGET FOR 2015.  TOTAL PROJECTED REVENUES FOR 2015 AMOUNTED TO APPROXIMATELY 4.3-MILLION DOLLARS, WITH SOME 4.1-MILLION DOLLARS IN APPROPRIATIONS.  THE COUNTY ROAD FUND WAS ESTABLISHED AT APPROXIMATELY 3.068-MILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUES AND EXPENDATURES.  COUNTY JUDGE MARK THONE CALLED IT A "GOOD BUDGET. THONE COMMENDED MEMBERS OF THE QUORUM COURT BUDGET COMMITTEE FOR THEIR HARD WORK ON EVALUATING COUNTY FINANCES FOR 2015.

##

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET FOR TWO DOVER MEN, ARRESTED BY POPE COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES ON SUSPICION OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER, IN THE 2009 SHOOTING DEATH OF CLINT BROWN. THE SUSPECTS, IDENTIFIED BY AUTHORITIES AS 25-YEAR OLD MICHAEL HALL AND 24-YEAR OLD NATHAN HULL, APPEARED MONDAY MORNING BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE. JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD BOTH SUSPECTS OVER FOR A FEBRUARY 2ND PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT. BOND WAS SET AT 300-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR HULL AND 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR HALL. AUTHORITIES CONFIRMED THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A THIRD SUSPECT IN THE INCIDENT, BUT, DECLINED TO NAME THAT INDIVIDUAL AT THIS TIME. BOTH SUSPECTS REMAIN IN THE POPE COUNTY DENTENTION CENTER.

##

 

MARCH 2015 COURT DATES HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR A 26-YEAR OLD SUSPECT, IN A YELL COUNTY MURDER THAT OCCURRED IN JULY.  A PRE-TRIAL HEARING FOR SAMUEL WARD HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR LAST WEEK, BUT, A CHANGE OF LEGAL COUNCIL FOR THE SUSPECT, RESULTED IN ITS POSTPONMENT.  WARD IS CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, IN THE DEATH OF HIS CHILD. DURING A JULY 31st INCIDENT BETWEEN THE SUSPECT AND HIS PREGNANT WIFE, AUTHORITIES SAY WARD'S WIFE WAS SHOT.  HIS WIFE, IDENTIFIED AS SHAUNA WARD, GAVE BIRTH TO THE CHILD, WHICH LATER DIED. WARD IS HAS ALSO BEEN CHARGED WITH WITNESS TAMPERING, IN CONNECTION WITH ALLIGATIONS HE PLANNED TO ASK HIS ESTRANGED WIFE TO CHANGE HER TESTIMONY, IN EXCHANGE FOR MONEY.  THE SUSPECT REMAINS IN THE YELL COUNTY DETENTION CENTER ON 500-THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND.

##

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Governor-elect Asa Hutchinson will replace the director of the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services. Director Artee Williams says he's been informed Hutchinson will make a change in leadership at the state agency. Williams was first appointed ADWS director by Governor Mike Huckabee in March 2004.

 

     JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) - A Jonesboro woman has been arrested after police say she cut her ex-girlfriend with a box cutter in a Kmart parking lot. Twenty-one-year-old Rokoiya Smith is being held at the Craighead County jail on a domestic battery charge. Police arrested her Sunday after the other woman called 911.

 

     BAUXITE, Ark. (AP) - A 9-year-old Bauxite boy does not want Christmas gifts this year, instead he wants gifts sent to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Gabriel Yates tells KTHV that when he was 5 his home burned on Christmas and he had to rely on others for presents. Now, he says he'll give his presents and any that he can collect to children in need. Gabriel says he's collected 12 grocery bags of toys so far.

 

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A new study by two Arkansas professors says special needs children with medical complexity who see multiple specialists for more than one chronic condition are more likely to have a health care need go unmet. The study appears in the December issue of the journal Health Affairs. The paper compares inequities of children with special needs to those of children with special needs who also have medical complexity.

 

 

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1205-14

THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE VALLEY... THE CITY STREETS WERE LINED WITH SPECTATORS THURSDAY NIGHT, AND EVEN THE WEATHER COOPERATED, AS THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE WAS HELD.  KICKING-OFF THE FESTIVITIES, THE LIGHTING OF THE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE, ON THE GREEN AT ARVEST BANK. IN MORRILTON, MORE THAN TWO DOZEN GROUPS, BUSINESSES, CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS WERE ON HAND FOR THE THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE.

##

 

WHILE POTTSVILLE AND DARDANELLE'S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADES HAVE BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR EARLY NEXT WEEK,  THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF HOLIDAY ACTIVITY THIS WEEKEND. SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN HECTOR, THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE IS PLANNED FOR A 2 P/M START.  THIS YEAR'S THEME IS "OLD TIME CHRISTMAS". ALSO ON TAP SATURDAY... THE ANNUAL OLA CHRISTMAS -PARADE IS SCHEDULED FOR 5 P/M, DOWNTOWN AND THE THE CLARKSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL "LIGHT UP THE SQUARE" EVENT AND CHRISTMAS PARADE. THAT EVENT BEGINS AT 5 P/M WITH A LIGHTING CEREMONY AT THE JOHNSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, AND THE PARADE TO FOLLOW AT 6 P/M. PERRY COUNTY WILL ALSO HOLD ITS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE SATURDAY NIGHT IN PERRYVILLE.

##

Here is the latest Arkansas news from The Associated Press…Here is the latest Arkansas news from The Associated Press

    

     JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) - A Sedgwick woman has been sentenced to 37 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the stabbing death of a man in Craighead County. Twenty-six-year-old Elizabeth McKnatt entered the plea yesterday as part of a deal with prosecutors. McKnatt and 23-year-old David Ferguson were charged in the January stabbing death of Silva Joe Fry.

 

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas lawmakers are set to hear consultants' recommendations for improving the state's lottery. The Arkansas Lottery Commission Legislative Oversight Committee will hear a report today from Camelot Global Services, which was hired to review the lottery's operations. The amount of money the lottery has raised for scholarships has declined over the past two fiscal years.

 

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department says the outside lanes of a section of Interstate 630 in Little Rock will be closed for pavement research over the weekend. Crews will be taking core samples from the roadway as the department prepares for future widening of the interstate. The lanes will be closed during the day tomorrow and Sunday.

 

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1202-14

YELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICIALS SAY TWO INDIVIDUALS, MISSING WHILE ON A HUNTING TRIP HAVE BEEN LOCATED AND BOTH ARE SAFE.  AUTHORITIES RELEASED INFORMATION TUESDAY MORNING ABOUT  15 YEAR OLD BRANDON BRUHN AND 42-YEAR OLD TONY MORAN

##

DARDANELLE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS APPROVED AN ANNUAL CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE ALLIANCE AND BREIFLY DISCUSSED 2015 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS DURING THEIR DECEMBER MEETING LAST (MON.) NIGHT.  THAT CONTRACT WITH THE ARKANSAS VALLEY ALLIANCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WAS IN THE AMOUNT OF 25-HUNDRED DOLLARS, AND CONTINUES THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE ALLIANCE OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS.  ALDERMEN WERE INFORMED THAT DARDANELLE'S DUES TO THAT ENITITY ARE SOME OF THE LOWEST PAID BY AREA CITIES INVOLVED.  MAYOR CAROLYN McGEE TOOK TIME TO UPDATE THE COUNCIL ON THE CURRENT 2015 BUDGETING PROCESS. AT THIS TIME, THE PROPOSED 2015 GENERAL FUND REVENUE IS APPROXIMATELY 2.5-MILLION DOLLARS, WITH A WATER REVENUE AT 1.9-MILLION, STREET FUND OF 668-THOUSAND DOLLARS AND SEWER FUND OF 390-THOUSAND. IN OTHER MATTERS, THE COUNCIL HONORED LONG TIME PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER KENT TALLENT, WITH A PLAQUE FOR 20-YEARS OF SERVICE.

##

 

ON TODAY'S (TUES.) MEETING AGENDA, DOVER CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET FOR A 6 P/M SESSION, AND ATKINS PLANNING COMMISSION HAS A 7 P/M DECEMBER MEETING.  BOTH WILL BE HELD IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CITY HALL FACILITIES.

##

 

WEDNESDAY, RUSSELLVILLE'S AIRPORT COMMISSION WILL BE CONDUCTING AN AIRPORT MASTER PLAN UPDATE, TO REVIEW PRESENT AIRPORT CONDITIONS AND PROJECT FUTURE GROWTH.  WEDNESDAY'S MEETING IS SET FOR 4 P/M, IN THE AIRPORT TERMINAL CONFERENCE ROOM.

##

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 5-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 21-YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON BURGLARY, BREAKING AND ENTERING AND THEFT CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS EMILY SHIPLEY, APPEARED ON MONDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  ALSO APPEARED IN COURT WAS A 40-YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE, IDENTIFIED AS LATISHA HOLLAND, BEING HELD ON THEFT OF PROPERTY CHARGES.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD BOTH SUSPECTS OVER FOR A JANUARY 5th, 2015 PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1201-14

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A cold front moving across Oklahoma into Arkansas is expected to be followed by light freezing rain and freezing drizzle in northeastern Oklahoma through north-central Arkansas. The National Weather Service said temperatures are expected to fall into the 20s to lower 30s through Monday morning and the rain and drizzle could leave roads, bridges and overpasses slick and hazardous.

 

AUTHORITIES SAY NO INJURIES RESULTED FROM A BARN FIRE THAT OCCURRED LATE SUNDAY NIGHT IN THE 93-HUNDRED BLOCK OF U.S. HIGHWAY 64 NEAR ATKINS.  FIREFIGHTERS WERE DISPATCHED JUST AFTER 11 P/M, WITH SMOKE SHOWING UPON THEIR ARRIVAL.  THAT BLAZE WAS QUICKLY EXTENGUISHED, AND UNITS RETURNED TO SERVICE.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND DETAILS ON THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE WAS NOT READILY AVAILABLE.

 

DANVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT UNITS WERE DISPATCHED TO AN OUT OF CONTROL BRUSH FIRE ON SUNDAY MORNING.  FIREFIGHTERS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE OF THE BLAZE AT 7th AND CLEVELAND STREETS, WHERE THEY BROUGHT THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL WITHIN ABOUT 25-MINUTES.  NO INJURIES RESULTED AS A RESULT OF THE BLAZE.  NO POSSIBLE DAMAGE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE.

##

 

TODAY (MON.) WILL BE THE DEADLINE FOR A HOLIDAY SHORTENED WEEK, DURING WHICH CANDIDATES INTERESTED IN THE ARKANSAS STATE SENATE DISTRICT 16 SEAT COULD FILE FOR THAT POST.  OUTGOING ARKANSAS GOVERNOR MIKE BEEBE HAS SET A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR APRIL 14TH TO FILL THE VACANT STATE SENATE SEAT THAT HAD BEEN HELD BY MICHAEL LAMOREUX OF RUSSELLVILLE. AS OF WEDNESDAY, ONLY STAN BERRY OF DOVER AND GREG STANDRIDGE OF RUSSELLVILLE HAD FILED. PRIMARY ELECTIONS FOR THE SEAT WILL BE HELD JANUARY 13TH, WITH RUNOFFS SET FOR FEBRUARY 10TH IF REQUIRED.

##

 

SCHOOL OFFICIALS IN SEVERAL ARKANSAS DISTRICTS, INCLUDING SOME IN THE VALLEY, ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REPLACE THE PENDING LOSS OF A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FOOD TO NEEDY STUDENTS. THE ARKANSAS RICE DEPOT TOLD DISTRICTS IN JOHNSON, LOGAN, SCOTT CRAWFORD, FRANKLIN, AND SEBASTIAN COUNTIES THAT THE PROGRAM PROVIDING FOOD FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE HOME EACH WEEKEND WILL END JANUARY 1ST. THE TIMES RECORD REPORTS THAT THE RICE DEPOT SAID IN AN EMAIL THAT IT'S FOCUSING ON INCREASING THE IMPACT OF ITS FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND THAT IT CONSIDERED THE AVAILABILITY OF OTHER HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS IN THOSE AREAS. LAMAR SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ROY HESTER SAID THE PROGRAM FOR THE APPROXIMATELY 100 STUDENTS IN HIS DISTRICT WHO RECEIVE IT COSTS ABOUT $300 A WEEK. OTHER SCHOOLS ARE TURNING TO LOCAL GROUPS SUCH AS CHURCHES FOR HELP.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1129-14

Two grass fires in Yell County on Friday, kept firefighters with the Plainview and Belleville Fire Departments busy.  Plainview units were dispatched about 1:50 Friday afternoon to a field fire on West 7th street.  Firefighters quickly extenguished the blaze, and units were back in station just after 2 p/m. 

 

Belleville firefighters were responded about 5:47 p/m to a grass fire in the 900 block of Grand Avenue.  Department personnel knocked down the blaze, and extenguished the fire, with units cleared from the scene in about 25-minutes.  The cause of both fires was not readily available.

##

     FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - School officials in small, western Arkansas districts are looking for ways to replace the pending loss of a program that provides food to needy students. The Times Record reports the Arkansas Rice Depot told districts in Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Scott and Sebastian counties that the program providing food for students to take home each weekend will end January 1st.

 

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The National Weather Service says the fire danger is rising in much of eastern Oklahoma and parts of northwestern Arkansas. The weather service in Tulsa says warm temperatures and gusty winds are expected Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The weather service says a strong cold front is expected to move through the area Sunday night and early Monday and may bring light rains.

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1129-14

Two grass fires in Yell County on Friday, kept firefighters with the Plainview and Belleville Fire Departments busy.  Plainview units were dispatched about 1:50 Friday afternoon to a field fire on West 7th street.  Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, and units were back in station just after 2 p/m. 

 

Belleville firefighters were responded about 5:47 p/m to a grass fire in the 900 block of Grand Avenue.  Department personnel knocked down the blaze, and extinguished the fire, with units cleared from the scene in about 25-minutes.  The cause of both fires was not readily available.

##

     FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - School officials in small, western Arkansas districts are looking for ways to replace the pending loss of a program that provides food to needy students. The Times Record reports the Arkansas Rice Depot told districts in Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Scott and Sebastian counties that the program providing food for students to take home each weekend will end January 1st.

 

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The National Weather Service says the fire danger is rising in much of eastern Oklahoma and parts of northwestern Arkansas. The weather service in Tulsa says warm temperatures and gusty winds are expected Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The weather service says a strong cold front is expected to move through the area Sunday night and early Monday and may bring light rains.

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1128-14

RUSSELLVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT CREWS WERE DISPATCHED YESTERDAY (THURS.) AFTERNOON TO A RV FIRE IN THE 1600 BLOCK OF SOUTH EL PASO, NEAR SEQUOYAH WAY.  AUTHORITIES UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, FIREFIGHTERS DISCOVERED THE UNIT FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.  ADDING TO THEIR CONCERN, WAS A PROPANE TANK, LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BURNING RECREATIONAL VEHICLE.  FIREFIGHTERS QUICKLY CONTAINED THE FIRE, ALTHOUGH IT DESTROYED THE VEHICLE.  NO INJURIES RESULTED, AS A RESULT OF THE BLAZE, AND CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BE RELEASED. 

##

 

DARDANELLE RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT UNITS WERE CALLED ABOUT 2:40 P/M ON THURSDAY, TO A GRASS FIRE ALONG HIGHWAY 155, NEAR ITS INTERSECTION WITH BETHEL ROAD.  AUTHORITIES SAY FIREFIGHTERS KNOCKED DOWN THE BLAZE, WITHIN MINUTES OF THEIR ARRIVAL, BUT, REMAINED ON THE SCENE FOR JUST UNDER AN HOUR, TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE DIDN’T RE-KINDLE.  CAUSE OF THAT BLAZE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

##

 

Here is the latest Arkansas news from The Associated Press…

 

     NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - More than 100 Arkansas National Guard soldiers are back home in time for Thanksgiving after a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. The 111 soldiers with the 216th Military Police Company arrived Wednesday. The soldiers landed at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock about 1 p.m. and were bused to Fisher Armory in North Little Rock where they were greeted by hundreds of friends and family.

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - U.S. Senator-elect Tom Cotton of Arkansas provided the weekly Republican address, a Thanksgiving message that touches on the need for more jobs and the dangers facing America. Cotton - a Republican -said in Thursday's address it is tempting to become consumed with the challenges and to neglect the blessings the U.S. enjoys - including bountiful harvests of food.

     ROLAND, Okla. (AP) - The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says two Arkansans were killed in a single-vehicle crash in eastern Oklahoma. The OHP says 32-year-old Quentin Skiver and 28-year-old Diana Lozano were both dead at the scene of the crash around 3:30 a.m. yesterday near Roland in Sequoyah County. Both victims were from Fort Smith.

     TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) - Roll up the sleeve, hold the arm outside the car window and get a flu shot. The Arkansas Department of Health tells the Texarkana Gazette its Drive-thru Flu Vaccination Clinic this week at Four States Fairgrounds proved popular with an estimated 850 people getting vaccinated - either with a shot or a nasal spray.

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1126-14

RANDY HORTON IS RUSSELLVILLE NEW MAYOR-ELECT.  FINAL, BUT, UNOFFICIAL VOTE TOTALS GAVE HORTON 2,015 VOTES TO TYRONE WILLIAMSON'S 610, IN YESTERDAY 9TUES.) RUN-OFF ELECTION.  HORTON SPOKE TO A MEDIA CONFERENCE, FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF LAST NIGHT'S TOTALS. THE MAYOR-ELECT SAID THERE WERE JUST TO MANY PEOPLE HE'D LIKE TO THANK, BUT, EXTENDED SPECIAL APPRECIATION TO TWO INDIVIDUALS. OTHER ELECTION TOTALS INCLUDED... IN JOHNSON COUNTY, CLARKSVILLE'S INCUMBANT MAYOR WAS UNSEATED, AS CHALLENGER MARK SIMPSON DEFEATED BILLY HELMS 499-288.  IN THE COAL HILL ALDERMAN'S WARD 3 POSITION 1 RACE, CYNDY STYLES CLAIMS THE VICTORY, AS SHE DEFEATED TERRY MARTIN 37-20.  IN PERRY COUNTY, BY THE SLIMMEST OF MARGINS, BRITT RYLES HAS BEEN UNOFFICIALLY ELECTED AS THE NEW MAYOR FOR THE TOWN OF PERRY. IN TUESDAY'S RUNOFF ELECTION, RYLES EDGED WILLIE BOB SUMMERS, 33-32. SIXTY-FIVE OF THE TOWN'S 154 VOTERS CAST A BALLOT IN THE RUNOFF. THE RESULTS ARE UNOFFICIAL UNTIL THEY'RE CERTIFIED BY THE COUNTY'S ELECTION COMMISSION.

##

 

POPE COUNTY QUORUM COURT BUDGET COMMITTEE WILL SOON RECOMMEND TO THE FULL COURT A COMPLETED 2015 BUDGET, TO INCLUDE A 2-PERCENT/ACROSS THE BOARD COST OF LIVING INCREASE. DURING A CALLED BUDGET SESSION ON TUESDAY, COMMITTEE ALSO VOTED TO KEEP ALL THE PILT FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE COUNTY BY THE STATE, FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR. THAT RECOMENDATION WAS MADE BY JUSTICE JAMES KUSTURIN. CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSION ON WHETHER TO RECOMEND A 2-PERCENT COST OF LIVING RAISE OR A ONE TIME STIPEND, ALSO INVOLVED THE QUESTION, WHO WOULD QUALIFY? REVIEW OF SOME SALARY SCHEDULE CHANGES BROUGHT UP, WOULD THOSE INDIVIDUALS BEING RECEIVING A MORE SIGNIFICANT RAISE. COMMITTEE MEMBERS FINALLY AGREED THAT AN ACROSS THE BOARD 2-PERCENT INCREASE, FOR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES, WAS THE BEST OPTION.

THE FULL COURT WILL REVIEW THAT PROPOSAL FURTHER DURING THEIR DECEMBER SESSION.

##

 

AUTHORITIES SAY LUCKILY, NO INJURIES OCCURRED, AS A RESULT OF A CAMPER FIRE ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON IN YELL COUNTY.  OLA FIRE DEPARTMENT UNITS WERE DISPATCHED TO A LOCATION ALONG A DIRT ROAD, OFF HIGHWAY 7, NEAR THE COUNTY LINE, ABOUT 5:30 TUESDAY AFTERNOON.  UNITS REMAINED ON SCNE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P/M.  INFORMATION ON THE CAUSE OF THE BLAZE, AND THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE WAS NOT READILY AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

##

 

BOND WAS ESTABLISHED AT 75-HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A 19-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS SHELBY HARRIS, IS BEING HELD OVER FOR A MID-DECEMBER PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT ON POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHENALIA CHARGES.

 

A 5-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND WAS ALSO SET FOR A 20-YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE SUSPECT, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES.  THAT SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS KILA ANDRUS, ALSO HAS A DECEMBER COURT DATE IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

##

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1125-14

ITS RUN-OFF ELECTION DAY IN POPE AND JOHNSON COUNTY, THIS IN REFERENCE TO TWO LOCAL MAYORIAL RACES.  IN RUSSELLVILLE, RANDY HORTON WILL FACE CHALLENGER TYRONE WILLIAMSON, WHILE IN CLARKSVILLE, INCUMBANT BILLY HELMS WILL MEET CHALLENGER MARK SIMPSON. WITH THE END OF EARLY VOTING ON MONDAY, A TOTAL OF 1828 BALLOTS HAD BEEN CAST AT POPE COUNTY'S ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS.  IN JOHNSON COUNTY, 395 EARLY VOTES HAD BEEN RECORDED, AS OF LATE IN THE DAY AT THE JOHNSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE.  POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:30 TO 7:30 ON ELECTION DAY.

##

 

CANDIDATES INTERESTED IN FILING FOR THE OPEN DISTRICT 16 STATE SENATE SEAT, SAW THAT WINDOW OPEN MONDAY AT 12-NOON.  CANDIDATES MUST MAKE KNOWN THEIR INTENTIONS AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IN LITTLE ROCK, WITH THE FILING PERIOD FOR ONE WEEK, CLOSING AT 5 P/M, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1st. AS OF LATE IN THE DAY ON MONDAY, TWO CANDIDATES HAD FILED FOR THE POST, ALTHOUGH THEIR NAMES WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE FROM STATE OFFICIALS. WE'VE LEARNED THIS (TUES.) MORNING THAT ONE OF THOSE IS RUSSELLVILLE BUSINESSMAN GREG STANDRIDGE. A SPECIAL ELECTION DATE OF APRIL 14TH HAS BEEN SET TO FILL THE SENATE VACANT, AFTER THE RESIGNATION OF REPUBLICIAN MICHAEL LAMOUREUX. LAMOUREUX WILL BECOME CHEIF OF STAFF FOR THE HUTCHINSON ADMINSTRATION. GOVERNOR MIKE BEEBE ESTABLISHED THE ELECTION PERAMITORS LAST WEEK, WITH PRIMARY ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 13TH, WITH RUNOFFS SET FOR FEBRUARY 10TH, IF REQUIRED.

##

 

NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED, AS A RESULT OF AN EARLY AFTERNOON GRASS FIRE IN THE 300-BLOCK OF MOSS LANE ON MONDAY.  ATKINS FIRE DEPARTMENT UNITS WERE DISPATCHED ABOUT 1:55, AND REMAINED ON SCENE FOR ABOUT 25-MINUTES, QUICKLY EXTENGUISHING THE BLAZE.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN. NO INJURIES RESULTED DURING THE INCIDENT.

##

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 75-HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A 29-YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AND POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS AUTUMN GIPSON, APPEARED ON MONDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A DECEMBER 15th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT DATE IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

##

 

TUESDAY'S MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES... A FULL DAY OF 2015 DEPARTMENT BUDGET REVIEWS BY THE RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCIL BUDGET COMMITTEE.  TODAY'S (TUES.) SCHEDULE WILL INCLUDE THE DEPARTMENTS OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ANIMAL CONTROL, DISTRICT COURT, AIRPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND CITY ATTORNEY.  ON WEDNESDAY, PARKS,RECREATION AND POOL, PUBLIC WORKS AND CITY ADMINSTRATION-MAYOR-TREASURER BUDGETS WILL BE REVIEWED.  BUDGET SESSIONS WILL BEGIN AT 9 A/M BOTH DAYS, IN THE CITY HALL FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1124-14

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Outgoing Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has set a special election for April 14th to fill the vacant state Senate seat that had been held by the incoming governor's new chief of staff. Beebe on Friday called for a special election to fill the District 16 seat held by former Senate President Michael Lamoureux, a Republican. Primary elections for the seat will be held January 13th, with runoffs set for February 10th if required.

##

 

THE DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL PREPARE FOR A THIRD MILLAGE ELECTION, WITH A FEBRUARY 10th BALLOT PLANNED. THE UPCOMING PROPOSAL CALLS FOR AN INCREASE OF 3.2 MILLS, NEEDED TO REFINANCE A CURRENT BOND ISSUE AND PRODUCE 6.2-MILLION DOLLARS IN NEW REVENUE FOR NECESSARY DISTRICT CONSTRUCTION.  THAT CONSTRUCTION WOULD ALLOW SUBSTANCIAL RENOVATION OF EXISTING STRUCTURES AND NEW CLASSROOMS AND PHYSICIAL EDUCATION FACILITIES AT THE DISTRICT'S MIDDLE SCHOOL. TWO PREVIOUS MILLAGE ELECTIONS FAILED TO RECEIVE THE APPROVAL OF THE DISTRICT'S PATRONS.

##

 

DURING THEIR NOVEMBER SESSION, THE ARKANSAS TECH BOARD OF TRUSTEES AUTHORIZED UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS TO INVEST $4.67 MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, FOR RESIDENCE HALL IMPROVEMENTS. INCLUDED WILL BE UPGRADED FIRE SPRINKLERS, FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS AND WIRELESS INTERNET CONNECTIVITY. ONCE COMPLETE IN 2017, THE PROJECT WILL MAKE WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS AVAILABLE IN ALL 18 STUDENT HOUSING FACILITIES OPERATED BY ARKANSAS TECH. ARKANSAS TECH PRESIDENT DR. ROBIN BOWEN TOLD THE BOARD ON THURSDAY THAT ALL 18 OF THE FACILITIES ALREADY MEET CODE IN TERMS OF FIRE SPRINKLERS AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS.

 

In other business, the Board approved:

 

*a closing date extension of 180 days on the sale of the Campus Court property to Narayan Hotels LLC, a measure that will delay closing on the property until June 1, 2015;

##

 

EARLY VOTING IS ALMOST COMPLETE AND ELECTION DAY IS TOMORROW (TUES.), IN REFERENCE TO RUN-OFF ELECTIONS FOR TWO LOCAL MAYORIAL RACES. IN RUSSELLVILLE, A TOTAL OF 1471 BALLOTS WERE CAST AT POPE COUNTY'S ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS, AS OF LATE FRIDAY.  A LIGHTER TURN-OUT, THUS FAR, HAD BEEN NOTED IN CLARKSVILLE, 317 EARLY VOTES HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE JOHNSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE.  EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THRU MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24th, FROM 8 A/M TO 4:30 WEEKDAYS.  POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:30 TO 7:30 ON ELECTION DAY.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR THE WEEKEND--1122-1123-14

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Outgoing Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has set a special election for April 14th to fill the vacant state Senate seat that had been held by the incoming governor's new chief of staff. Beebe on Friday called for a special election to fill the District 16 seat held by former Senate President Michael Lamoureux, a Republican. Primary elections for the seat will be held January 13th, with runoffs set for February 10th if required.

##

 

EARLY VOTING NEARS ITS FINAL DAY ON MONDAY, AND BALLOT NUMBERS CONTINUED TO GROW, IN REFERENCE TO RUN-OFF ELECTIONS FOR TWO LOCAL MAYORIAL RACES. IN RUSSELLVILLE, A TOTAL OF 1471 BALLOTS WERE CAST AT POPE COUNTY'S ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS, AS OF LATE THURSDAY.  A LIGHTER TURN-OUT, THUS FAR, HAD BEEN NOTED IN CLARKSVILLE, 317 EARLY VOTES HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE JOHNSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE.  EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THRU MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24th, FROM 8 A/M TO 4:30 WEEKDAYS.  POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:30 TO 7:30 ON ELECTION DAY.

##

 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas State Police will join with other state and local law enforcement agencies in a traffic enforcement campaign along Interstate 40 during the Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers will be a part of the "Click It or Ticket" campaign that targets seat belt law violators. Arkansas has a mandatory seat belt law. Other states along the I-40 corridor taking part in the effort include California, Arizona, New Mexico, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and North Carolina. The effort includes having a trooper assigned to every 20 mile segment of the interstate during peak travel hours.

##

 

THE FOURTH, IN A SERIES OF 2015 BUDGET MEETINGS BY THE POPE COUNTY QUORUM COURT IS SET FOR MONDAY.  THAT SESSION, SCHEDULED FOR 5 P/M IN THE QUORUM COURT CHAMBERS, WILL INCLUDE REVIEW OF BUDGETS FROM THE CORONER'S OFFICE, PUBLIC DEFENDER, COUNTY SHERIFF AND DETENTION CENTER BUDGET.  ALSO ON THE AGENDA, WILL BE A REPRESENTATIVE WITH SOUTHWEST CORRECTIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES, TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL EXPENSES AT THE DETENTION CENTER. 

 

FOLLOWING THAT SESSION, THE QUORUM COURT'S GOVERNMENTAL/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE WILL MEET.  TO BE DISCUSSED WILL BE A REQUEST FROM CIRCUIT CLERK ELECT DIANNE WILLCUTT ON FILLING A VACANCY AND SHERIFF ELECT SHANE JONES ON FILLING VACANCIES AND MOVING POSITIONS, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1st.  BOTH OF THESE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1121-14

 

RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS APPROVED A 15-HUNDRED DOLLAR FUNDING FOR A REQUEST BY ALDERWOMAN FREDDIE HARRIS TO SEEK AN AUDIT OF THE ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY ALLIANCE'S USE OF FUNDS RECEIEVED FROM THE CITY.  HARRIS HAD EARLIER INDICATED THAT SHE HOPE TO HAVE A LIST OF POSSIBLE CANDIDATES TO CONDUCT THE AUDIT, BY THE COUNCIL'S NOVEMBER SESSION, BUT, INDICATED DURING THE MEETING THOSE WOULDN'T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.  WHILE SUPPORTIVE OF THE REQUEST, ALDERMAN RICHARD HARRIS TOOK TIME TO VOICE HIS SUPPORT FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE ALLIANCE. ORGANIZATION ALLIANCE BOARD PRESIDENT BRYCE MOBLEY WAS ALSO ON HAND FOR THE MEETING, AND INDICATED THAT THE ALLIANCE ISN'T AGAINST AN AUDIT, BUT, ISN'T CLEAR WHAT THE CONCERNS OF THE COUNCIL MIGHT BE. MOBLEY SAID THE ALLIANCE IS WILLING TO MEET WITH THE COUNCIL ANYTIME TO DISCUSS AND REVIEW THESE MATTERS.

 

EARLY VOTING MADE ITS WAY TOWARD THE END OF THE WEEK, BALLOT NUMBERS CONTINUED TO GROW, IN REFERENCE TO RUN-OFF ELECTIONS FOR TWO LOCAL MAYORIAL RACES. IN RUSSELLVILLE, A TOTAL OF 1158 BALLOTS WERE CAST AT POPE COUNTY'S ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS, AS OF LATE THURSDAY.  A LIGHTER TURN-OUT, THUS FAR, HAD BEEN NOTED IN CLARKSVILLE, 249 EARLY VOTES HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE JOHNSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE.  EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THRU MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24th, FROM 8 A/M TO 4:30 WEEKDAYS.  POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:30 TO 7:30 ON ELECTION DAY.

##

 

LUCKILY, NO INJURIES OCCURRED IN AN OVERNIGHT FIRE AT THE DUFFIELD GRAVEL TRUCK AND WELDING SHOP IN THE GUMLOG AREA. AUTHORITIES SAY PEA RIDGE AND MORELAND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE DISPATCHED ABOUT 7:15 THIS (FRI.) MORNING, REMAIN ON SCENE AT THIS HOUR. INDICATIONS ARE EMPLOYEES DISCOVERED THE FIRE, WHEN THEIR ARRIVED FOR WORK FRIDAY MORNING. FEW ADDITIONAL DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME...

 

DARDANELLE RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS WERE CALLED LATE THURSDAY AFTERNOON TO A FARM EQUIPMENT FIRE, ON HIGHWAY 27, SOUTHWEST OF DARDANELLE.  UNITS WERE RESPONDED ABOUT 5 P/M, AND REMAINED ON SCENE FOR APPROXIMATELY 45-MINUTES.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND EXTENT OF DAMAGE WERE NOT IMMEDIATELY KNOWN.

 

DOVER RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS WERE RESPONDED ABOUT 11:30 THURSDAY MORNING TO A GRASS FIRE, IN THE 300 BLOCK OF JOHNSON ROAD, NEAR BEWLEY ORCHARD.  FIREFIGHTERS QUICKLY EXTENGUISHED THE BLAZE AND RETURNED TO SERVICE WITHIN ABOUT 20-MINUTES.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN.

##

 

RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOL BOARD HAS APPROVED THE PURCHACE OF SEVERAL NEW BUSSES, JUST BEFORE THE DISTRICT MAKES ITS WAY INTO THE HOLIDAY BREAK.  DURING THEIR NOVEMBER SESSION THIS WEEK, THE BOARD GRANTED A REQUEST FOR THREE NEW 2015 BLUE BIRD BUSSES AND THE PURCHACE OF A NEW 24 PASSENGER SPECIAL NEEDS BUS.  IN OTHER MATTERS,  BOARD MEMBERS APPROVED A CHANGE ORDER REQUEST BY VAN HORN CONSTRUCTION, ON ADDING BRICK TO A CONCRETE AREA ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE NEW CYCLONE GYM.  A REQUEST FOR THE CYCLONE BASEBALL TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TEXAS HIGH CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT IN TEXARKANA, TEXAS ON MARCH 13th AND 14th, WAS ALSO APPROVED.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1120-14

EARLY VOTING CONTINUED WEDNESDAY, IN REFERENCE TO RUN-OFF ELECTIONS FOR TWO LOCAL MAYORIAL RACES. IN RUSSELLVILLE, A TOTAL OF 835 BALLOTS WERE CAST AT POPE COUNTY'S ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS.  IN CLARKSVILLE, 153 EARLY VOTES HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE JOHNSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE.  EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THRU MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24th, FROM 8 A/M TO 4:30 WEEKDAYS.  POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:30 TO 7:30 ON ELECTION DAY.

##

Here is the latest Arkansas news from The Associated Press…

 

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - Jurors have convicted a Fort Smith man of killing two men with a machete. Twenty-one-year-old Gregory Kinsey had faced capital murder charges, but was found guilty of first- and second-degree murder yesterday. Kinsey was convicted of killing 39-year-old Brandon Prince and 32-year-old Nathan Young in June 2013.

 

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas prosecutors have charged champion middleweight boxer Jermain Taylor in a shooting at his home. The 36-year-old Little Rock native was charged yesterday with first-degree battery and first-degree terroristic threatening. Authorities say Taylor shot his 41-year-old cousin, Tyrone Hinton, at Taylor's home in Maumelle in late August.

 

     NASHVILLE, Ark. (AP) - An Arkansas man has been sentenced to 100 years in prison for beating and raping a 79-year-old woman and her 14-year-old great-granddaughter. Thirty-nine-year-old Adrian Wooten of Mineral Springs was sentenced yesterday. The attack occurred in August 2013 at the woman's house in Tollette.

 

     FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - A new faculty fellowship is being created at the University of Arkansas' College of Education and Health Professions thanks to a $500,000 gift from the A.L. Chilton Foundation. The foundation is establishing the fellowship in special education to benefit the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. The foundation was set up in 1945 in Texas by Arthur and Leonore Chilton.

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1118-14

EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY (TUES.), AS RUN-OFF ELECTIONS ARE SCHEDULED NEXT TUESDAY FOR MAYORIAL RACES IN RUSSELLVILLE AND CLARKSVILLE.  IN RUSSELLVILLE, RANDY HORTON WILL FACE CHALLENGER TYRONE WILLIAMSON.  IN CLARKSVILLE, INCUMBANT BILLY HELMS WILL MEET CHALLENGER MARK SIMPSON. EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THRU MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24th, FROM 8 A/M TO 4:30 WEEKDAYS.  POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:30 TO 7:30 ON ELECTION DAY.

##

 

COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY HAVE SCHEDULED THEIR DATES FOR THE ANNUAL MASS FLU SHOT CLINIC EFFORTS. POPE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR PAM SELLERS SAYS TODAY (TUES.) IS THE DAY OF THE CLINIC IN RUSSELLVILLE AT THE FAIRGROUNDS ON SOUTH KNOXVILLE.  HOURS FOR THE "DRIVE THRU" EVENT BE FROM 8 A/M TO 5 P/M, AND ACCESS WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE OFF FAIRWAY BOULEVARD.

 

IN JOHNSON COUNTY, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 19th HAS BEEN SET ASIDE, WITH VACCINATIONS BEING GIVEN FROM 8-TO-5 AT THE MARVIN VINSON CENTER IN CLARKSVILLE.

 

YELL COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE SCHEDULED THEIR MASS FLU SHOT CLINICS FOR EARLY DECEMBER.  TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2nd, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS SCHEDULED A CLINIC IN DANVILLE AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FROM 9-TO-5 P/M.  ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th A SECOND CLINIC IS PLANNED IS THE DATE, FROM 9-TO-5 AT THE DARDANELLE COMMUNITY CENTER.

##

 

NO INJURIES RESULTED FROM A TRUCK FIRE MONDAY NIGHT, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF EAST PARKWAY.  RUSSELLVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT UNITS WERE DISPATCHED MUST BEFORE 8 P/M.  FIREFIGHTERS WORKED QUICKLY TO EXTENGUISH THE BLAZE.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

 

APPLETON AND MORELAND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE DISPATCHED TO A STRUCTURE FIRE IN THE MOUNT ZION ROAD AREA ABOUT 7:40 MONDAY NIGHT.  UNITS WERE ON THE SCENE JUST OVER TWO HOURS, BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL.  LUCKILY, NO INJURIES RESULTED FROM THE BLAZE, AND AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

##

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1117-14

LIGHT SNOW FELL IN MUCH OF NORTHERN AND WESTERN ARKANSAS ON SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT. MOST LOCATIONS RECEIVED A FEW TENTHS OF AN INCH. HOWEVER...LOCATIONS IN PORTIONS OF CONWAY AND CLEBURNE COUNTIES SAW AS MUCH AS ONE TO THREE INCHES. OVER CENTRAL AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN ARKANSAS...AMOUNTS WERE MUCH LIGHTER...WITH LITTLE ACCUMULATION NOTED. MUCH COLDER AIR MOVED INTO THE REGION DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. PRE DAWN TEMPERATURES RANGED FROM THE TEENS IN THE FAR NORTHWEST TO THE MID AND UPPER 30S IN THE SOUTHEAST.                    

 ##

 

RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ARE CONTINUING THEIR SEARCH FOR A SUSPECT IN AN ARMED ROBBERY, FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE CITY.  PATROLMEN RESPONDED JUST AFTER 7:30 PM TO THE 200 BLOCK OF EAST 4TH STREET, THE TOBACCO ROW STORE, IN REFERENCE TO AN ARMED ROBBERY. AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF MONEY WAS TAKEN IN THAT INCIDENT, BUT, LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES. POLICE INVESTIGATORS ARE EVALUATING EVIDENCE IN THE CASE AND ARE SEEKING ANY AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON THE CRIME, FROM THE PUBLIC.  IF HAVE ANY DETAILS OR MIGHT KNOW A SUSPECT OR SUSPECTS INVOLVED, PLEASE CALL 479-968-3232 OR THE SILENT TIP LINE AT 479-967-2221. ALL INFORMATION IS KEPT CONFIDENIAL.

##

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 25-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 28-YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED ON FELONY WARRANTS, PERTAINING TO CHARGERS OF BURGLARY AND FORGERY.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS AMANDA ANDREWS, APPEARED ON FRIDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A DECEMBER 1st PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

 

BOND WAS ALSO SET FOR A 22-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON CHARGES OF DOMESTIC BATTERY, POSSESSION OF A DEFACED FIREARM AND FALSE IMPRISONMENT.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS JERRID PEERS IS BEING HELD ON 20-THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND.

 

A 10-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND WAS ESTABLISHED FOR A 30-YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE, ARRESTED BY POPE COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES ON THEFT OF PROPERTY AND BREAKING AND ENTERING CHARGES.  THAT SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS NICOLE CHISUM, AND PERRS ARE SCHEDULED FOR A DECEMBER 15th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

##

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1115-14

Here is the latest Arkansas news from The Associated Press

    

RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ARE CONTINUING THEIR SEARCH FOR A SUSPECT IN AN ARMED ROBBERY, FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE CITY.  PATROLMEN RESPONDED JUST AFTER 7:30 PM TO THE 200 BLOCK OF EAST 4TH STREET, THE TOBACCO ROW STORE, IN REFERENCE TO AN ARMED ROBBERY. AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF MONEY WAS TAKEN IN THAT INCIDENT, BUT, LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

 

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton's White House colleagues are gathering this weekend in Arkansas amid a swirl of 2016 presidential politics. The reunion celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Clinton presidential center in Little Rock includes a symposium looking at the 42nd president's legacy.

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A billboard that drew the ire of some for its racially charged message is coming down over the next few days in Harrison. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the billboard, which is along the Harrison Bypass, went up in last October and reads, "Anti-Racist is a Code Word for Anti-White." City leaders decried the billboard after it went on display along the U.S. 62/65 bypass.

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas Board of Education has approved the formation of a new school district in Jacksonville. The Democrat-Gazette reports in September, voters in Jacksonville approved splitting off from the Pulaski County Special School District to form a separate district. On Thursday, the Board of Education signed off on that plan to create the Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District.

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1113-14

THE FAMILY OF AN 11-YEAR OLD JOHNSON COUNTY BOY KILLED IN A EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING FIRE, REMAINS HOSPITALIZED, RECOOPERATING FROM BURNS SUSTAINED IN THE EARLY WEDNESDAY FIRE. AUTHORITIES SAY BLAINE RITCHIE DIED IN THAT BLAZE.  HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, IDENTIFIED AS ROBERT AND JEANNIE RITCHIE, WERE INJURED WITH SEVERE BURNS, HIS FATHER CRITICALLY. BOTH WERE TRANSPORTED TO UAMS IN LITTLE ROCK BY HELICOPTER. AUTHORITIES SAY HIS SIX YEAR OLD SISTER, MEADOW, ALSO RECEIVED EXTENSIVE BURNS AND WAS TAKEN BY HELICOPTER TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN LITTLE ROCK. NO FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THEIR CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN RELEASED.  THE 11-YEAR OLD WAS A STUDENT AT KRAUS MIDDLE SCHOOL IN CLARKSVILLE, AND DISTRICT PERSONNEL INDICATE THAT GREIF COUNSELORS WERE BROUGHT INTO TO THE SCHOOL TO VISIT WITH STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR LOSS.  AN INVESTIGATION INDICATES THAT THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE WOOD STOVE LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE RESIDENCE.

##

 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Some areas of Arkansas awoke to a surprise dusting of snow Thursday morning. The National Weather Service says one-tenth of an inch of snow was recorded in Little Rock and less than a half-inch was recorded in North Little Rock. It's the earliest accumulating snowfall on record in nearly 20 years in Little Rock. Forecasters say sleet and snow may continue Thursday morning, primarily east of a line from Arkadelphia to Little Rock to Newport. Any accumulation is expected to be less than an inch. The unseasonably cold weather is expected to persist with a few more chances of wintry precipitation in the forecast. The weather service says snow or sleet is possible Saturday night and early Sunday in northern and central Arkansas, with another round possible again Sunday night.

##

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 15-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 47-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE, ARRESTED ON A FELONY WARRANT DURING A DRUG TASK FORCE INVESTIGATION.  AUTHORITIES SAY JIM COLLINS IS BEING HELD ON TWO COUNTS OF DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-METHAMPHETAMINE.  COLLINS APPEARED ON WEDNESDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE, WHO FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A DECEMBER 15th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

 

BOND WAS ALSO SET AT 15-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 30-YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON BREAKING AND ENTERING AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS CHARITY LOPPE, ALSO HAS A DECEMBER 15th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

##

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1112-14

ARKANSAS SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM MICHAEL LAMOUREUX HAS SUBMITTED A LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM THE SENATE AFTER BEING NAMED CHIEF OF STAFF AND TRANSITION DIRECTOR FOR GOV.-ELECT ASA HUTCHINSON. A SPOKESMAN FOR GOV. MIKE BEEBE SAYS BEEBE'S OFFICE RECEIVED A COPY OF LAMOUREUX'S RESIGNATION LETTER FROM THE SENATE ON MONDAY AND THAT LAMOUREUX ALSO SUBMITTED TO BEEBE A LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM HIS POST WITH THE POPE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

LAMOUREUX IS A REPUBLICAN FROM RUSSELLVILLE. HE WAS NAMED TO HUTCHINSON'S STAFF SHORTLY AFTER HUTCHINSON WON ELECTION AS GOVERNOR LAST WEEK.

GOVERNOR'S SPOKESMAN MATT DECAMPLE SAYS BEEBE WILL BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SETTING A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR LAMOREUX'S SEAT ON WEDNESDAY BY SEEKING INPUT FROM POLITICAL PARTIES ON THEIR PREFERRED METHOD OF DETERMINING PARTY NOMINEES.

##

 

TWO TRACTOR/TRAILER FIRES, ALONG INTERSTATE 40 ON TUESDAY, CAUSED THEIR SHARE OF TRAFFIC ISSUES FOR WESTBOUND TRAFFIC, YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.  ATKINS FIRE DEPARTMENT UNITS WERE DISPATCHED TO A VEHICLE FIRE JUST BEFORE NOON ON TUESDAY, NEAR THE 98-MILE MARKER WESTBOUND.  ARKANSAS STATE POLICE ALSO RESPONDED TO THE INCIDENT, WITH UNITS ON SCENE THRU MID-AFTERNOON, AS CLEAN-UP EFFORTS CONTINUED.  ATKINS FIREFIGHTERS AND STATE POLICE WERE ALSO CALLED TO A TRAILER FIRE NEAR THE 93 MILE MARKER-WESTBOUND, AROUND 3 P/M.  WESTBOUND TRAFFIC REMAINED AT AN ALMOST STAND STILL, THRU THE 5 P/M HOUR, AS WORKED CONTINUED AT THAT SCENE.  CAUSE OF THESE FIRES REMAIN UNDER INVESTIGATION.

##

 

POPE COUNTY QUORUM COURT BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL MEET TODAY (WED.), FOR THEIR SECOND, IN A SERIES OF DEPARTMENT BUDGET REVIEWS FOR 2015.  BUDGET CHAIRMAN DOUG SKELTON SAYS TO BE CONSIDERED WILL BE BUDGETS FROM THE OFFICE OF COUNTY JUDGE, COUNTY CLERK, AGRI-EXTENSION, HEALTH DEPARTMENT, COUNTY CORONER, TREASURER, CIRCUIT CLERK, TAX COLLECTOR, TAX ASSESSOR, AND ELECTION COMMISSION.  MEETING TIME IS SET FOR 5 P/M, IN THE QUORUM COURT CHAMBERS.  JUST PRIOR TO THAT SESSION, A 4:45 MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED OF THE GOVERNMENTAL/PERSONNEL COMMITTEE.  AMENDING THE CATASTROPIC LEAVE TRANSFER PROGRAM WILL BE DISCUSSED.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1111-14

-LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Freezing weather is expected throughout much of Arkansas this week as a front brings temperatures that are much colder than normal for November. National Weather Service forecaster Dave Sheiebe says a cold front is moving through the state. Sheiebe says that mix could even bring some wintry precipitation, but it's still uncertain this far out. Forecasters say a storm system is expected to approach Arkansas from the southwest, which could lead to a wintry mix in the northern parts of the state this weekend.

##

 

RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN PILGRIM'S PRIDE COMPANY, A 30-60 DAY/TWO PHASE PROPOSAL, PERTAINING TO THEIR RENDERING FACILITY IN RUSSELLVILLE.  DURING THE CALLED SESSION LAST (MON.) NIGHT, ALDERMEN QUESTIONED COMPANY OFFICIAL DAVE TOWNSEND ABOUT THE STATUS OF ODOR REDUCTION EFFORTS, AND WHY THEY HAVE TAKEN SO LONG TO DEAL WITH THE ON-GOING ISSUE.  TOWNSEND SAID ALTHOUGH SOME 475-THOUSAND DOLLARS HAD BEEN SPENT ON A NEW ROOF AND EFFORTS TO SEAL THE FACILITY, AND UPGRADED SCRUBBER FILTRATION, FINE-TUNING THESE EFFORTS HAS BEEN A WORK IN PROGRESS

##

 

A MONDAY MEETING OF THE RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS RESULTED IN THE INITIATION OF A SEARCH FOR AN OUTSIDE AUDITOR TO REVIEW THE CURRENT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY ALLIANCE.  ALDERWOMAN FREDDIE HARRIS REQUESTED THE COUNCIL CONSIDER AN OUTSIDE AUDIT OF THE ALLIANCE'S FINANCES FOR THE YEAR OF 2013, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED 15-HUNDRED DOLLARS. HARRIS ALLEGED HER RECENT REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL RECORDS, SHE WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN, RESULTED IN A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS.  ALDERMAN MARTIN  IRWIN MADE A MOTION THAT HARRIS BE PERMITTED TO SEEK QUALIFICATIONS AND BIDS FOR AN OUTSIDE AUDIT SERVICE, RETURNING THAT INFORMATION TO THE COUNCIL BEFORE THEIR NOVEMBER SESSION, ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20th. A RESOLUTION ON THE MATTER, APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL WOULD THEN BE NECESSARY, BEFORE THE AUDIT COULD BE INITIATED.

##

 

YELL COUNTY QUORUM COURT MEMBERS QUICKLY DEALT WITH A SHORT AGENDA OF ITEMS DURING THEIR NOVEMBER MEETING LAST (MON.) NIGHT.  THE COURT LEVIED THE COUNTY'S TAXES FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.  J.P'S ALSO RECOGNIZED A GRANT TO THE COUNTY'S MOUNTED PATROL IN THE AMOUNT OF 30-THOUSAND DOLLARS. YELL COUNTY JUDGE MARK THONE ACKNOWLEDGED THE ASSISTANCE OF LEGISLATORS JOHN CATLETT AND GARY STUBBLEFIELD, FOR THEIR HELP IN OBTAINING THESE FUNDS.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1110-14

YELL COUNTY AUTHORITIES SAY LUCKILY, NO INJURIES OCCURRED IN A FIRE, SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT HAVANA.  FIREFIGHTERS WERE DISPATCHED JUST BEFORE 6 P/M, TO A MOBILE HOME FIRE ON PINEY ROAD.  SMOKE AND FIRE WERE VISIBLE UPON THEIR ARRIVAL.  UNITS WORKED TO CONTROL THE BLAZE, AND REMAINED ON SCENE UNTIL ABUT 7:30 LAST (SUN.) NIGHT.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

##

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 40-YEAR OLD HISPANIC MALE, ARRESTED BY ARKANSAS STATE POLICE ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS JULIO MEJIA, APPEARED ON FRIDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A DECEMBER 1st PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.  CHARGES OF DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-METHAMPHETAMINE ARE PENDING IN THIS CASE.

 

BOND WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED AS 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 34-YEAR OLF WHITE MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED ON A FELONY WARRANT, INVOLVING CHARGES OF BREAKING AND ENTERING AND FRAUDULENT USE OF A CREDIT CARD.  THAT SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS DONALD TERRY, ALSO APPEARED IN POPE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT ON FRIDAY.  TERRY WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY OUT OF STATE, BY CALIFORNIA AUTHORITIES AND EXTRIDITED BACK TO ARKANSAS TO FACE CHARGES.  A DECEMBER 1st ARRAIGNMENT ON THESE CHARGES HAS ALSO BEEN SCHEDULED IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

##

 

RUSSELLVILLE MAYOR BILL EATON HAS CALLED A SPECIAL COUNCIL SESSION FOR TONIGHT (MON.), TO ADDRESS THE PREMIUM PROTEIN PRODUCTS ISSUE.  THAT MEETING WILL BE HELD DIRECTLY FOLLOWING THE COUNCIL'S NOVEMBER FINANCE COMMITTEE AND AGENDA PREPERATION SESSION. TONIGHT'S (MON.) FINANCE AND AGENDA PREP MEETINGS WILL GET UNDERWAY AT 5:30, IN THE FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM.

 

OTHER MEETINGS ON TONIGHT'S (MON.) AGENDA INCLUDE...LAMAR SCHOOL BOARD AT 5:30, HECTOR SCHOOL BOARD AT 6 P/M, CLARKSVILLE CITY COUNCIL AT 6, YELL COUNTY QUORUM COURT AT 7 P/M IN THE DANVILLE COURTS FACILITY.  ALSO AT 7, DARDANELLE SCHOOL BOARD, OLA CITY COUNCIL AND ATKINS SCHOOL BOARD.

##

News headlines for 1105-14

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Congressman Tom Cotton has defeated Senator Mark Pryor in an expensive and heated race that the Republican Party considered crucial to its efforts to take back the Senate. The two rivals and outside groups spent millions of dollars and blanketed Arkansas airwaves with a barrage of TV ads.

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas' next governor will be a Republican. Asa Hutchinson has defeated Mike Ross in a race between two former congressmen. The GOP identified the race as its best chance to flip a governor's office. Hutchinson had lost to Governor Mike Beebe eight years ago. Beebe couldn't run again.

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Voters have filled two open U.S. House seats in Arkansas. Republican French Hill defeated Democrat Pat Hays and Libertarian Debbie Standiford in the 2nd Congressional District and Republican state lawmaker Bruce Westerman is the winner in the 4th Congressional District over Democrat James Lee Witt and Libertarian Ken Hamilton.

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas voters have approved a ballot measure to gradually increase the state's minimum wage. The proposal to raise the wage from $6.25 to $8.50 an hour by 2017 had enjoyed widespread support from Democrats and some Republican candidates, too.

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1104-14

ITS GENERAL ELECTION DAY 2014, AND FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL RACES WILL FINALLY BE DECIDED, AFTER A LENGHTY CAMPAIGNS.  ON THE NATIONAL SCENE, THE SPOTLIGHTS ON A U.S. SENATE RACE, AND U.S. REPRESENTATIVES RACES IN THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, ALL, THAT HAVE RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT ATTENTION.  VOTERS WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF STATEWIDE RACES TO ADDRESS, WITH GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE LAND COMMISSIONER, AND STATE AUDITOR, JUST A FEW OF THOSE.  LOCALLY, STATE REPRESENTATIVES RACES WILL INVOLVING SEVERAL DISTRICTS. POPE, YELL AND JOHNSON COUNTY HAVE THEIR SHARE OF COUNTY OFFICIALS SEEKING RE-ELECTION, MAYORIAL AND CITY COUNCIL POSTS THAT WILL ALL BE DECIDED, WITH TODAY'S VOTE.

 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - THE NATIONALLY WATCHED U.S. SENATE RACE IN ARKANSAS IS NEARING THE END MUCH THE SAME WAY IT BEGAN 15 MONTHS AGO: WITH DEMOCRATIC U.S. SEN. MARK PRYOR AND REPUBLICAN REP. TOM COTTON TRADING FAMILIAR JABS OVER WHO WILL PUT THE STATE'S INTERESTS FIRST.

##

 

EARLY VOTING CAME TO A CLOSE ON MONDAY, WITH NUMBERS INDICATING A SIGNIFICANT TURNOUT BEFORE ELECTION DAY.  AT MONDAY'S CLOSE, 9702 BALLOTS HAD BEEN CAST AT THE POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS.  IN YELL COUNTY, JUST OVER 2-THOUSAND VOTES HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICES IN DARDANELLE AND DANVILLE.  JOHNSON COUNTY OFFICIALS SET THEIR EARLY VOTE TOTAL AT JUST OVER 25-HUNDRED BALLOTS CAST AT THE COURTHOUSE IN CLARKSVILLE.

##

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1103-14

JOHNSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES INDICATE THE BADLY BURNED BODY OF AN UNIDENTIFIED INDIVIDUAL, DISCOVERED BY DEPUTIES IN THE TRUNK OF A BURNED CAR EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, IS THE CENTER OF AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION. AUTHORITIES SAY DEPUTIES DISCOVERED A VEHICLE ON FIRE NEAR THE PAVILION AT CABIN CREEK PARK. FIREFIGHTERS LATER OPENED THE TRUNK OF THAT VEHICLE, DISCOVERING A BADLY BURNED BODY, ACCORDING TO INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT.  ARKANSAS STATE POLICE ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION. CABIN CREEK RECREATION AREA IS A CORPS OF ENGINEERS FACILITY, SO FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HAVE ALSO BEEN NOTIFIED.

 

EARLY VOTING COMES TO A CLOSE TODAY (MON.), AND THE GENERAL ELECTION IS TUESDAY.  AS OF SATURDAY AFTERNOON, POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS REPORTED A TOTAL OF 8181 VOTERS WHO HAD CAST THEIR BALLOT. IN YELL COUNTY, 1,639 BALLOTS HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICES IN DARDANELLE AND DANVILLE.  IN JOHNSON COUNTY, 2,070 VOTES HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE COURTHOUSE IN CLARKSVILLE.

##

 

ON MONDAY'S MEETING AGENDA... THE OCTOBER SESSION OF THE LAMAR CITY COUNCIL AT 6;30, AND A SHORT AGENDA WILL FACE THE DARDANELLE CITY COUNCIL DURING THEIR MEETING, SET FOR 7 P/M, IN CITY HALL.

##

 

CLARKSVILLE SCHOOL BOARD REORGANIZED FOR THE 2014-15 SCHOOL YEAR AND UPDATED THEIR DISTRICT HEALTH CARE COVERAGE, EFFECTIVE WITH THE NEW YEAR, DURING THEIR OCTOBER MEETING.  CRAIG FROST WILL SERVE AS BOARD PRESIDENT FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR, WITH BILLY JOE FELKINS-VICE-PRESIDENT/SECRETARY.  THE BOARD ALSO APPROVED A PROPOSED HEALTH CARE POLICY CHANCE, ALLOWING THE DISTRICT TO CONTRIBUTE 180-DOLLARS PER MONTH PER PARTICIPATING EMPLOYEE TOWARD THE PSELHIP PLAN, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1st.

##

 

1101-14 HEADLINES...

EARLY VOTING COMES TO A CLOSE ON MONDAY, AS THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 2014 IS JUST AHEAD ON TUESDAY. AS OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON, POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS REPORTED A TOTAL OF 7808 VOTERS WHO HAD CAST THEIR BALLOT. IN YELL COUNTY, 1,639 BALLOTS HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICES IN DARDANELLE AND DANVILLE.  IN JOHNSON COUNTY, 2,070 VOTES HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE COURTHOUSE IN CLARKSVILLE.

 

Here is the latest Arkansas news from The Associated Press…

 

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A sharply divided Arkansas Supreme Court has sent a proposal to legalize alcohol sales in Saline County back to circuit court to determine if there are enough valid signatures to put the question on the November 4th ballot. Circuit Judge Grisham Phillips ruled last month that the petition fell nearly 90 signatures short after more than 150 signatures were disqualified.

 

     LESLIE, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas State Police say a man shot during a gun battle with a Searcy County deputy sheriff and a state trooper has died. State police say the agency was notified yesterday that 75-year-old John Kolata died at a Little Rock hospital where he was taken following the October 17th shooting. Deputy Lang Holland was treated at a hospital and later released.

     MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A Tennessee woman has been charged with defrauding an Illinois couple by selling their stocks and property and keeping the proceeds for herself. A federal grand jury in Memphis charged 42-year-old Martha Bizzell of Crump, Tennessee with fraud.

 

     BLACK ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas State Police say a 23-year-old Hardy woman was killed in a four-vehicle collision on Highway 63 near Black Rock. Trooper say Natosha Brink died in the crash on Thursday.

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1031-14

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a civil lawsuit that was filed by the boyfriend of a slain Arkansas beauty queen. Kevin Jones was initially charged and put on trial for the 2005 killing of his girlfriend, Nona Dirksmeyer. Jones was acquitted by a jury and another man was later charged, but not convicted, in the case. Jones sued Russellville police four years after his acquittal, claiming that officers conspired to frame him for the crime. A federal judge in Little Rock dismissed Jones' lawsuit, saying he waited too long to file the case. On Thursday, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, finding that Arkansas' statute of limitations says that such claims must be filed within three years.

##

 

The driver of a sport utility vehicle was airlifted to a Little Rock hospital and three others suffered minor injuries following an accident involving a South Conway County school bus Thursday morning.  Johnathan Trafford, director of emergency management for Conway County, says the accident occurred on Highway 124 just east of Springfield.  He says the bus was slowing down and had activated its caution light when the driver of the S-U-V hit the rear of the bus.  There were 13 students on the bus at the time of the accident. Shawn Halbrook, superintendent of the South Conway County School District, says every student was examined on scene by E-M-Ts.  Two students, along with the bus driver, were taken by ambulance to Saint Vincent Morrilton for treatment of minor injuries.  The accident is being investigated by Arkansas State Police.

##

 

CENTURYLINK TECHNICIANS AND REPAIR CREWS WERE ON THE SCENE OF A FIBER OPTIC CUT, NORTH OF RUSSELLVILLE, ALONG HIGHWAY 7 INTO THE LATE EVENING HOURS ON THURSDAY AND EARLY FRIDAY. CENTURYLINK OFFICIALS SAY THE CUT WAS ALONG THE ROADWAY, NEAR THE RUSSELLVILLE COUNTRY CLUB, AND EFFECTED TELEPHONE, DATA AND CELLPHONE SERVICE, NORTH OF THAT AREA. CUSTOMERS IN THE DOVER, SCOTTSVILLE, HECTOR, AND CENTER VALLEY AREAS EXPERIENCED OUTAGES. CENTURYLINK THANKS CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR UNDERSTANDING DURING THIS SERVICE ISSUE. OFFICIALS HAVE NOT INDICATED HOW THE CUT OCCURRED.

##

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 25-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 19-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON AGGRIVATED BURGLARY AND THEFT OF PROPERTY CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS MARCUS HUBBARD, APPEARED THIS WEEK BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A DECEMBER 1st PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

 

BOND WAS ALSO SET AT 75-HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A 29-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY POTTSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHENALIA.  A DECEMBER COURT DATE HAS ALSO BEEN SCHEDULED IN THIS CASE.

##

 

THE FINAL SATURDAY OPPORTUNITY OF EARLY VOTING IS JUST AHEAD, IN PREPARATION FOR TUESDAY'S NOVEMBER 4th GENERAL ELECTION. AS OF LATE THURSDAY, POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS REPORTED A TOTAL OF 6795 VOTES CAST. IN YELL COUNTY.  AS OF THURSDAY'S ADDITIONS, A TOTAL OF 1,432 BALLOTS HAD BEEN CAST AT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICES IN DARDANELLE AND DANVILLE.  IN JOHNSON COUNTY, 1,780 VOTES HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE COURTHOUSE IN CLARKSVILLE.  EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THRU MONDAY.

##

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 1030-14

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 28-YEAR OLD YELL COUNTY MAN, ARRESTED BY DARDANELLE POLICE ON SUSPICION OF POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.  A NEWS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF ARKANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL DUSTIN MCDANIEL, INDICATES THAT 28-YEAR OLD RONNIE PONDER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON UP TO 30 COUNTS OF DISTRIBUTING, POSSESSING OR VIEWING MATTER DEPICTING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONDUCT INVOLVING A CHILD. AGENTS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CYBER CRIMES UNIT EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT AT PONDER'S HOME IN THE 100 BLOCK OF MAPLE STREET IN DARDANELLE ON TUESDAY. DARDANELLE POLICE ASSISTED IN THE INVESTIGATION AND ARREST. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WILL TURN OVER ITS COMPLETED CASE FILE TO 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROSECUTING ATTORNEY TOM TATUM.

##

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 75-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 31-YEAR OLD HISPANIC MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY POPE COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES ON BATTERY AND AGGRIVATED ASSAULT CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS ADAM RODRIGUEZ, APPEARED ON WEDNESDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A DECEMBER 1st PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

 

BOND WAS ALSO SET AT 75-HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A 43-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY POPE COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES ON FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS SAMUEL MOSLEY, WILL ALSO APPEARED FOR A DECEMBER PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

##

 

EARLY VOTING NUMBERS ARE ON THE INCREASE, AS ELECTION DAY NEARS.  AS OF LATE WEDNESDAY, POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS REPORTED AN ADDITION OF 780 VOTES, BRING THE TOTAL TO 5954 CAST,  THUS FAR. IN YELL COUNTY, A TOTAL OF 892 BALLOTS HAD BEEN CAST AT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IN DARDANELLE, 358 IN DANVILLE.  IN JOHNSON COUNTY, 1,571 VOTES HAD BEEN RECORDED AT THE COURTHOUSE IN CLARKSVILLE.  EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THRU MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd.

##

 

A NUMBER OF DISTRICT RACES AND STATE CONTEST WILL BE ON THE POPE COUNTY ELECTION GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT, BUT, SEVERAL LOCAL RACES WILL ALSO BE DECIDED. THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 68 RACE BETWEEN CHALLENGERS TREVOR DROWN AND TACHANY EVANS, AND THE DISTRICT 73 SEAT, AS INCUMBANT JOHN WAYNE CATLETT FACES MARY BENTLEY. POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK'S RACE WILL PIT CHALLENGERS DIANE WILLCUT AND DAVID VANCE.

 

TWO POPE COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE RACES, MAYOR'S RACES IN RUSSELLVILLE, POTTSVILLE AND ATKINS, AND SEVERAL COUNCIL POSITIONS WILL ALSO BE DECIDED DURING THE TUESDAY ELECTION.

 ##