NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0428-15

Nuclear Regulatory Commission has scheduled a May 12th meeting with Arkansas Nuclear One officials in Russellville, to discuss the agency's 2014 assessment of safety performance for Arkansas Nuclear One and action to be taken. Arkansas Nuclear One is in Column 4 of the agency's review status, after incidents in 2013 and 2014, and will receive the highest level of oversight. There are five columns in the matrix with Column 1 requiring a baseline level of inspections; plants in Column 5 are not permitted to operate. The NRC increases the level of oversight and inspection as plant performance deteriorates. The meeting, which will be open to the public, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. that evening, in the Lakepoint Conference Center. In addition to presenting their assessment of plant performance, the NRC staff will be available to answer questions from the public on the safety performance of Arkansas Nuclear One, as well as the NRC's role in ensuring safe plant operation.

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Bond has been set at 15-thousand dollars for a 37-year old white male suspect, arrested by Pope County Sheriff's Authorities on possession of a controlled substance charges.  The suspect, identified as John Ward, appeared on Monday before Pope County District Judge Don Bourne.  Judge Bourne found probable cause to hold the suspect over for a June 8th plea and arraignment hearing in Pope County Circuit Court. 

 

During Monday's hearing, bond was also established at 10-thousand dollars for a 23-year old female, identified as Julia Hindsman, taken into custody on 2nd degree battery on an Officer. A June plea and arraignment has also been scheduled.

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Conway County Quorum Court quickly dealt with several business matters during their April session on Monday. Justices of the Peace approved an ordinance to amend the 2015 budget, approved minor amendments to the bylaws for the county fire department and passed a resolution to fill a full-time position at the county road department...

 

In committee reports, Emergency Management Director Johnathan Trafford updated J-Ps about the county's plan to apply for a 15-thousand courtroom security grant.  If approved for the grant, Trafford said the county would use the funds to install extra cameras outside the courtrooms and increase security at the entrances of the courthouse.

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It's just days away... the annual "Taste of the Valley" fund raiser for Main Street Russellville.  The event, scheduled for this Thursday from 5-to-8 p/m, involves a variety of fantastic food and plenty of entertainment at the Russellville Railway Depot. According to Main Street Director Betsy McGuire, vendors from throughout the valley and across the state are present, each year.  Advance tickets are available at the Main Street office or can be purchaced the afternoon of the event at the door.  Entertainment will range from Jazz Reunion, The Journey, Judy Olson, The Mountain Boomers and Some Guy named Robb. Get further details about "Taste of the Valley" at mainstreetrussellville-dot-com.

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While Pope, Yell and Johnson Counties seemed to have dodged a bullet, when it comes to any significant storm damage on Sunday afternoon, parts of Conway County weren't quite as lucky. Emergency management director Johnathan Trafford, says a tornado warning was initially attached to the storms, but that was downgraded to a severe thunderstorm warning before being upgraded back to a tornado warning as it entered the Overcup area. Trafford says damage was done to a few homes and buildings, but there were also several downed trees and power outages. High winds, pea to marble size hail and torrental rainfall were associated with the severe thunderstorms that passed thru the area about 4:30 Sunday afternoon. Power outages were also associated with the storms, and Entergy crews were dispatched to begin restoration work. The damage was caused primarily by the strong winds, though reports of quarter-size hail were also noted with the storm.  Trafford says, despite the damage, his office had no reports of injuries from the storm.

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Russellville Fire Department responded Sunday night to a stove fire in the 11-hundred block of University Drive.  Units were sent to the scene at 10 p/m, quickly extenguishing the blaze.  No indication of damage to the structure was readily available, but, authorities said no injuries resulted.

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Bond has been set at 40-thousand dollars for a 25-year old white female, arrested by Pope County Sheriff Authorities on delivery of methamphetamine charges.  The suspect, identified as Amber Rogers, appeared on Friday before Pope County District Judge Don Bourne.  Judge Bourne found probable cause to hold the suspect over for a May 18th plea and arraignment date in Pope County Circuit Court.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0408-15

EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY FOR NEXT TUESDAY'S SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE DISTRICT 16 SENATE SEAT.  ALTHOUGH, GREG STANDRIDGE IS THE SENATOR-ELECT, AS A RESULT OF A RECENT PRIMARY RUN-OFF WIN, STATE LAW REQUIRES THE ELECTION, SET BY THEN GOVERNOR MIKE BEEBE, BE HELD.  AS OF TUESDAY'S CLOSE, A TOTAL OF 9 VOTES HAD BEEN CAST.  EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THRU NEXT MONDAY.  BOTH EARLY AND ELECTION DAY VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS ON EAST MAIN STREET.

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A BUSY AGENDA WILL FACE THE DOVER CITY COUNCIL, AS THEY MEET A WEEK FROM NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 21st.  ONE OF THE LEAD ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL BE THE OFFICIAL APPOINTMENT OF BARRY WALKER, AS CITY MARSHAL.  WALKER ASSUMES THAT POST, AFTER THE RETIREMENT OF RODNEY PHEIFER, THIS PAST FRIDAY.  THAT SESSION WILL GET UNDERWAY AT 6 P/M, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.

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ITS BEEN IN THE PLANNING STAGES FOR MONTHS, BUT, SATURDAY MORNING IS THE "BIG SHOW" IN RUSSELLVILLE, AS THE 2nd ANNUAL "RUSS-VEGAS HALF-MARATHON" WILL GET UNDERWAY.  A 7:30 START TIME HAS BEEN SET FOR THIS YEAR'S EVENT, A FUND RAISER FOR THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND THE RIVER VALLEY CIRCLE OF FRIENDS. MORE THAN 15-HUNDRED RUNNERS ARE REGISTERED TO PARTICIPATE.

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THE BIG TO-DO ON & OFF OF HIGHWAY 22 KICKS OFF THIS THURSDAY THRU SATURDAY, WITH A VARIETY OF YARD SALES FROM DARDANELLE TO BARLING! SELLERS: FIND A SPOT ON OR OFF OF HIGHWAY 22 FOR THEIR SALES, AND YOUR SALE. POST YOUR HOURS OR SELL FROM DAYLIGHT UNTIL DARK. BUYERS: PUT ON YOUR BARGAIN HUNTING SHOES AND ENJOY THE SALES. BE SURE TO DRIVE THE CITY STREETS AND WATCH FOR YARD SIGNS FOR THE SELLERS WHO ARE NOT LOCATED DIRECTLY ON THE HIGHWAY. CHECK YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS FOR ADS. WANT MORE INFO? VISIT: WWW.PARISARONLINE.COM OR CALL 479.963.2244.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0331-15

ALL THOSE IN ATTENDANCE AT A RUSSELLVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING LAST (MON.)NIGHT WERE SUPPORTIVE OF SOME COMING CHANGES FOR TWO LOCAL PARKS.  THE PUBLIC HEARING ADDRESSED POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE OLD SHORTY TRAIL AT BONA DEA PARK AND THE CURRENT VETERANS PARK ON NORTH DETROIT. TERRY THOMAS,  ASSISTANT PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR SAID COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSAL ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED. RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCILMAN AND AMERICAN LEGION OFFICIAL BILL EATON SAID A COALITION OF VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE DISCUSSED FOR SOMETIME, THIS SORT OF PROJECT. WITH THE EVENT OF THAT CHANGE, A NEW NAME FOR THE NORTH DETROIT PARK WOULD THEN BE NEEDED.  SUGGESTIONS ARE NOW BEING TAKEN AT THE PARKS AND RECREATION OFFICE, INSIDE THE HUGHES COMMUNITY CENTER,

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ATKINS AND POTTSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED MONDAY AFTERNOON TO A GRASS FIRE IN THE 300 BLOCK OF HUDSON ROAD.  UNITS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE ABOUT 2:50 P/M, AND BATTLED THE BLAZE FOR MORE THAN 30-MINUTES, BEFORE BRINGING IT UNDER CONTROL.  NO INJURIES OCCURRED, AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT.

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OFFICIALS WITH 15th JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROSECUTOR TOM TATUM THE SECOND'S OFFICE SAYS AN AUGUST TRIAL DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR A 26-YEAR OLD YELL COUNTY MAN, CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, BATTERY AND BRIBERY, IN A JULY 2014 INCIDENT.  SAMUEL WARD IS CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING OF HIS PREGNANT WIFE, RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF THEIR UNBORN CHILD.  INDICATIONS MONDAY WERE THAT A PRE-TRIAL HEARING FOR WARD HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR MAY 7th, WHILE AUGUST 10th AND 11th HAVE TENTATIVELY BEEN SET ASIDE FOR HIS TRIAL IN YELL COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.  WARD REMAINS IN THE YELL COUNTY DETENTION CENTER. 

 

PROSECUTION AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE STILL AWAITING THE RESULT OF A MENTAL EVALUATION FOR 21-YEAR OLD BROOKE FLOYD OF GREENWOOD.  FLOYD IS CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER IN THE DEATH OF HER 10-MONTH OLD SON, IN A INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED LAST SUMMER IN YELL COUNTY.  FLOYD REMAINS FREE ON A 50-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. 

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BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 27-YEAR OLD SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY POPE COUNTY SHERIF'S AUTHORITIES ON BREAKING AND ENTERING AND THEFT BY RECEIVING CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS JACOB HARDIN APPEARED MONDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD HARDIN OVER FOR A MAY 4th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.   HARDIN WAS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT BREAK-INS AND THEFTS IN THE CLIFF AND STREAM, STONEGATE AND COVE LANDING AREAS IN POPE COUNTY.

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0323-15

A late-night residential fire has claimed the life of a Morrilton youth.  According to Fire Chief Earle Eichenberger, firefighters responded to a residence on Maple Street around midnight Saturday night and found the house fully engulfed when they arrived.  That investigation is being led by the Morrilton Police Department with assistance from the Morrilton Fire Department and the state fire marshal's office. The identity of the victim and other details have not been released at this time, pending an investigation into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the incident

 

A Crittenden County jury has ordered an ex-Russellville doctor to pay $122.5 million in a civil lawsuit for severely injuring the Arkansas medical board's chairman in a 2009 bombing. Randeep Mann was convicted in 2010 for conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction and other charges following the bombing of Dr. Trent Pierce outside his home. Pierce led the medical board when it revoked Mann's license to prescribe narcotics after he was suspected of overprescribing pain medications, leading to some patient deaths

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Over the weekend, Clarksville, Russellville, Morrilton were all a part of a path across a portion of Arkansas in the annual "Run for the Fallen" event.  Military service personnel participated in a more than 140 mile trek, honoring Arkansas Service Members who've died since September 11, 2001. The run started at Ozark City Hall Friday morning at ten, passed thru the valley Saturday morning and finished at the state capitol on Sunday. Each mile of the run is dedicated annually, to a fallen Arkansas hero.

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BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 27-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY ARKANSAS STATE POLICE ON POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS BRANDON SELMAN, APPEARED ON FRIDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A MAY 4th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

 

LUCKILY, NO INJURIES RESULTED, BUT, SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE RESULTED FROM AN EARLY MORNING STRUCTURE FIRE IN THE 11-HUNDRED BLOCK OF EAST E STREET IN RUSSELLVILLE.  RUSSELLVILLE FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED TO THE LOCATION ABOUT 3 A/M, AFTER POLICE OFFICERS NOTED SMOKE IN THE AREA, AND DISCOVERED THE HOUSE FIRE.  NO OCCUPANTS WERE IN THE HOME AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE.  DEPARTMENT UNITS WERE ON SCENE FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL ANE EXTENGUISHING THE BLAZE.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN.

 

RUSSELLVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT CREWS WERE CALLED TO A LARGE TRUCK FIRE, JUST BEFORE 5 P/M ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, ON NORTH ARKANSAS AVENUE.  UNITS RESPONDED TO THE CITY MALL, WHERE THE TRACTOR-TRUCK WAS ABLAZE.  FIREFIGHTERS EXTENGUISHED THE FIRE, AND WERE ON SCENE FOR ABOUT 30-MINUTES.

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THURSDAY'S MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES THE MARCH SESSION OF THE ARKANSAS TECH BOARD OF TRUSTEES, MEETING AT 1 P/M, IN THE PENDERGRAPH LIBRARY ON  THE TECH CAMPUS.  RUSSELLVILLE ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION HAS A 1 P/M SESSION, IN THE RUSSELLVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE ROOM.  RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCIL PERSONNEL COMMITTEE HAS A 5 P/M SESSION IN THE FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM.  THE CITY'S FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL MEET AT 5 P/M IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, THIS JUST PRIOR TO THE FULL COUNCIL SESSION AT 6 P/M, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.  DOVER SCHOOL BOARD WILL MEET AT 6 P/M AND DANVILLE CITY COUNCIL AT 6;30.  POTTSVILLE AND TWO RIVERS BOARDS OF EDUCATION WILL MEET AT 7 P/M, IN THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCATIONS. 

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BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 23-YEAR OLD BLACK MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY POPE COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES ON ASSAULT ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS ZACH STOKES, APPEARED ON WEDNESDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR AN APRIL 30th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

 

BOND WAS ALSO SET AT 20-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 43-YEAR OLD INDENTIFIED AS BARRY DUKE, ARRESTED ON A FELONY WARRANT PERTAINING TO POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITH INTENT TO DELIVER CHARGES.  DURING THAT WEDNESDAY COURT SESSION, A 10-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED FOR 32-YEAR OLD KATIE SAENZ, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHENALIE AND 25-YEAR OLD JUSTIN BEAN, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON FELON IN POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHENALIA.  THESE SUSPECTS ARE ALSO SCHEDULED TO APPEAR FOR AN APRIL 30th POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT HEARING.

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A CORNERSTONE OF THE RUSSELLVILLE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS PASSES.  RIVER VALLEY RADIO HAS LEARNED OF THE DEATH OF TROY BURRIS.  BURRIS AND HIS BROTHER, ROY OPENED BURRIS OFFICE MACHINES IN 1953 ON MAIN STREET, AND LATER MOVED AND EXPANDED THE BUSINESS TO SOUTH ARKANSAS AVENUE. BURRIS LATER CONVERTED THEIR ORIGINAL BUSINESS LOCATION INTO BURRIS MEMORIAL PARK, ON THE CORNER OF MAIN AND SOUTH ARKANSAS. A COMMUNITY LEADER, BURRIS WAS ACTIVE IN A NUMBER OF CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE.  HE WAS AN ARKANSAS TECH GRADUATE, AN AVID ATU SUPPORTER, AN U.S. ARMY OFFICER, AND WAS PART OF AN ARKANSAS TECH MILITARY UNIT THAT SERVED IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, DURING WORLD WAR TWO.  FUNERAL SERVICES ARE BEING COORDINATED BY HUMPHERY FUNERAL OF RUSSELLVILLE.  TROY BURRIS WAS 93.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0317-15

TODAY'S (TUES.) MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES THE MARCH SESSION OF THE RUSSELLVILLE CITY CORPORATION BOARD, SET FOR 3 P/M, IN THE UTILITY'S HEADQUARTERS ON WEST THIRD STREET.  RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WILL REVIEW TWO CHANGE ORDERS AND DISCUSS RE-EMPLOYMENT OF ADMINSTRATORS, SUPERVISORS AND COORDINATORS FOR THE 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR, DURING THEIR MARCH SESSION TONIGHT (TUES.).  STUDENTS OF THE MONTH WILL BE RECOGNIZED, AND SEVERAL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS WILL BE ADDRESSED.  BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS WILL GET UNDERWAY AT 6:15, WHILE A MEETING OF THE FULL BOARD IS SET TO BEGIN AT 7 P/M. 

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LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY RESCUE A CONWAY COUNTY MAN WHO HAD REPORTEDLY JUMPED OFF THE ARKANSAS RIVER BRIDGE AT MORRILTON ON SUNDAY. ACCORDING TO POLICE CHIEF SONNY STOVER, SEVERAL CALLS WERE MADE TO 9-1-1 AROUND 4:30 P.M. REPORTING A PERSON HAD JUMPED OFF THE BRIDGE. ONCE ON SCENE, OFFICERS NOTICED A WHITE MALE FLOATING IN THE RIVER ON HIS BACK. OFFICERS CONTACTED THE CONWAY COUNTY MOUNTED PATROL AND THE MORRILTON FIRE DEPARTMENT TO BRING RESCUE BOATS, AND STOVER SAYS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO RESCUE THE PERSON APPROXIMATELY THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILE DOWN RIVER FROM WHERE HE JUMPED. THE 60-YEAR-OLD OPPELO MAN WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO CONWAY REGIONAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT AND EVALUATION.

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BOND HAS BEEN AT 25-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 40-YEAR OLD BLACK FEMALE, ARRESTED ON AGGRAVATED ROBBERY CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS TAMMY PRICHARD, APPEARED ON MONDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A MAY 4th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

 

BOND WAS ALSO SET AT 5-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 39-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON THEFT BY RECEIVING CHARGES.  THAT SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS JERRY BROWN, WILL ALSO BE HELD OVER FOR AN EARLY MAY PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

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THE ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE WILL HOST A RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR GAIL VAUGHAN, BOOKSTORE MANAGER, AND MARILYN JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ACCOUNTS AND CARD OFFICE, ON MONDAY, MARCH 30. THE COME-AND-GO RECEPTION WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 2-4 P.M. IN CHAMBERS CAFETERIA WEST DINING ROOM. VAUGHAN BEGAN HER ASSOCIATION WITH ARKANSAS TECH AS A FRESHMAN STUDENT IN 1983. SIX YEARS LATER, SHE JOINED THE FULL-TIME STAFF IN THE BUSINESS MANAGER'S OFFICE. SINCE 1991, SHE HAS SERVED AS BOOKSTORE MANAGER. JOHNSON IS RETIRING FOLLOWING 17 YEARS ON THE ARKANSAS TECH STAFF. THEIR RETIREMENT WILL BE EFFECTIVE MARCH 31st.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0314-15

RUSSELLVILLE FIRE MARSHAL RICHARD SETIAN SAYS THE CAUSE OF AN EARLY (FRI.) MORNING FIRE ON SOUTH ARKANSAS REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.  UNITS WERE RESPONDED ABOUT 5:20 A/M FRIDAY, TO A BOARDING HOUSE IN THE 400 BLOCK OF SOUTH ARKANSAS. UPON ARRIVAL, FIRE COMPANIES FOUND HEAVY SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE REAR OF A TWO-STORY, MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING. FIREFIGHTERS ENTERED THE STRUCTURE AND QUICKLY DISCOVERED THAT THE FIRE HAD ADVANCED TO THE SECOND STORY. APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE STRUCTURE SUSTAINED HEAVY FIRE DAMAGE. NO BUILDING OCCUBANTS OR FIREFIGHTERS WERE INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. MUTUAL AID WAS PROVIDED BY POTTSVILLE AND DOVER CITY FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS RUSSELLVILLE POLICE, WHO ASSISTED WITH TRAFFIC CONTROL, AS SOUTH ARKANSAS WAS CLOSED DURING THE INCIDENT, REOPENING AT 12-NOON.

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BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER AND WET FIELD CONDITIONS, THE POPE/YELL COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE HAS BEEN MOVED INDOORS, TO CYCLONE GYMNAISUM.  THE RELAY IS SCHEDULE FOR THIS (SAT.) EVENING AT RUSSELLVILLE HIGH SCHOOL. RELAY IS THE PRIMARY LOCAL FUNDRAISER FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, LOCALLY, AND THIS YEAR'S THEME IS "GIVE CANCER THE BOOT". OPENING CEREMONIES ARE SET TO BEGIN AT 5 P.M.

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MONDAY'S MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES... DANVILLE SCHOOL BOARD AT 5 P/M, CLARKSVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION AT 6 P/M, HECTOR CITY COUNCIL AT 6, AND WESTERN YELL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AT 7 P/M, IN THE HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA IN HAVANA.

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BOBBY TURNER IS THE LATEST BIG ARKANSAS SCHOLARSHIP LOTTERY WINNER.  TURNER, WHO PURCHACED HIS "MAKE MY YEAR" INSTANT TICKET AT PDQ WEST IN RUSSELLVILLE CLAIMED A 250-THOUSAND DOLLAR PRIZE.  THE LUCKY WINNER SAID HE PLANS ON INVESTING IN HIS FUTURE, PAYING SOME BILLS AND OPENED A COLLEGE FUND FOR HIS DAUGHTER. TURNER CLAIMED HIS WINNINGS THIS WEEK.  "MAKE MY YEAR" IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY INSTANT GAMES IN THE ARKANSAS SCHOLARSHIP LOTTERY. FIND OUT MORE AT "MY ARKANSAS LOTTERY-DOT-COM.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0312-15

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR AN 18-YEAR OLD HISPANIC MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND ACCOMPLICE TO DELIVERY CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED BY AUTHORITIES AS CHISTIAN LOPEZ, APPEARED ON WEDNESDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR AN APRIL 20th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT DATE IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

 

BOND WAS ESTABLISHED AT 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 25-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY POPE COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES ON FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER CHARGE.  THAT INDIVIDUAL WAS IDENTIFIED AS CHARLEY CASTO.

 

A 30-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND WAS SET FOR STEVEN GIBSON, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY POPE COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES ON POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CHARGE.  A MID-APRIL POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT DATE HAS ALSO BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR CASTO AND GIBSON IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

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TODAY'S (THURS.) MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES... A MARCH  SESSION OF THE PLAINVIEW CITY COUNCIL IS PLANNED FOR TONIGHT (THURS.) AT 6:30 AT THEIR CITY HALL.  A 7 P/M MEETINGS IS PLANNED FOR THE ATKINS HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE JOHNSON COUNTY QUORUM COURT, IN THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCATIONS.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0310-15

YELL COUNTY QUORUM COURT MEMBERS HAVE APPROVED THE EXPENDATURE OF MORE THE 247-THOUSAND DOLLARS, TO REEQUIPMENT THE YELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WITH 10 NEW VEHICLE.  SHERIFF BILL GILKEY SPOKE TO THE COURT DURING THEIR MARCH SESSION, INDICATING THIS WILL BE A RENEWAL OF THE DEPARTMENT FLEET PURCHACE PROGRAM THRU THE STATE.  GILKEY SAID WHILE THEY NORMALLY UPGRADE THEIR VEHICLES THRU THIS PLAN EVERY THREE YEARS, HE DECIDED TO DELAY THAT ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR IN 2014, BUT, INDICATED THE UPGRADE IS NEEDED NOW.

GILKEY SAID THE DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST HAS PURCHACED SOME USED VEHICLES IN GOOD CONDITION, BUT, THRU THE STATE EQUIPMENT PROGRAM, THEY CAN BUY NEW, FOR A COMPARABLE COST.  THE SHERIFF SAID THE REQUEST HAD BEEN BUDGETED FOR, SO THIS IS NOT A NEW APPROPRIATION REQUEST FROM THE COURT.

 

IN OTHER MATTERS, THE COURT APPROVED THREE APPOINTMENTS.  INCLUDED WAS JUDGE DAVID McCORMICK, REAPPOINTED TO THE DARDANELLE LAW LIBRARY, TOM TATUM TO THE DANVILLE LAW LIBRARY AND WAYNE SHUMAKE TO THE YELL COUNTY EMS BOARD.

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APPROVAL FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW POLICE CAR AND PASSAGE OF AN ORDINANCE TO REPLACE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S EXISTING POLICY AND PROCEDURE HANDBOOK ARE AMONG THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MORRILTON CITY COUNCIL DURING MONDAY NIGHT'S REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING.  THE COUNCIL APPROVED A RECOMMENDATION TO PURCHASE A 2016 FORD EXPLORER FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRST PURCHASE OF A NEW PATROL UNIT FOR THE DEPARTMENT IN THREE YEARS.  CHIEF SONNY STOVER EXPLAINS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S HANDBOOK CHANGE THAT WAS APPROVED WAS DONE SO TO GET THE POLICY IN LINE WITH THE MODEL POLICY RECOMMENDED BY THE POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION AND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE. 

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ITS ELECTION DAY FOR THE SPECIAL MILLAGE ELECTION FOR THE DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND POLLS WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 7:30 THIS (TUES.) EVENING. DOVER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH WILL BE TODAY'S ELECTION POLLING PLACE.  EARLY VOTING COMPLETED ON MONDAY, AND A TOTAL OF 235 BALLOTS, THAT HAD BEEN RECORDED.  IF APPROVED, FUNDS FROM THE PROPOSED MILLAGE ADDITION, WOULD BE USED TO FUND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AND OTHER NEEDED EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. THAT INCREASE WOULD RAISE THE MILLAGE FROM A CURRENT RATE OF 40.30 TO 43.50.

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RUSSELLVILLE CITY CORPORATION OFFICIALS WILL BE VISITING WITH AREA RESIDENTS TONIGHT (TUES.), DURING A PUBLIC HEARING, IN RELATION TO A REQUESTED WATER AND WASTE WATER RATE INCREASE.  CITY CORP MANAGER STEVE MALLETT SAYS A NECESSITY OF MEETING INCREASING FEDERAL GUIDELINES, IS THE REASON FOR THIS RATE CONSIDERATION. FEDERAL STANDARDS, STEMING FROM THE CLEAN WATER ACT PASSED IN THE 1970'S AND AN AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, GIVE LITTLE LEAWAY TO MAKING THESE IMPROVEMENTS. MALLETT SAYS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM MUST BE COMPLETED BY 2022, TO MEET FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND DEAL WITH THE CONSENT ORDERS FACING THE CITY.  TONIGHT'S (TUES.) PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.

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JUST PRIOR TO THAT MEETING, RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCIL PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL FURTHER DISCUSS ON TUESDAY, PROPOSALS BY FIVE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES, INTERESTED IN BECOMING PROJECT MANAGER FOR CITY PROJECTS. THE CITY'S FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTED RECENTLY TO NAME VAN HORN CONSTRUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGER'S STATUS ON THE AQUATICS CENTER.  THE COUNCIL'S PERSONNEL COMMITTEE WANTED TO DISCUSS THAT MATTER FURTHER. OF THE FIVE COMPANIES, WHO'VE INDICATED INTEREST IN THE POST, THREE ARE LOCAL BUSINESSES, EWI, INCORPORATED, VAN HORN CONSTRUCTION, AND VEI GENERAL CONTRACTORS.  TUESDAY'S MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 5 P/M, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0309-15

TODAY (MON.)IS THE FINAL DAY OF EARLY VOTING, IN PREPERATION FOR TUESDAY'S SPECIAL MILLAGE ELECTION FOR THE DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT. AS OF LATE FRIDAY SOME 164 BALLOTS HAD BEEN CAST.  POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARRTERS IN RUSSELLVILLE IS SERVING AS THE LOCATION FOR EARLY VOTING.  FUNDS FROM THE PROPOSED MILLAGE ADDITION, IF APPROVED, WOULD BE USED TO FUND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AND OTHER NEEDED EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. THAT INCREASE WOULD RAISE THE MILLAGE FROM 40.30 TO 43.50. ELECTION DAY VOTING WILL BE AT THE DOVER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

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YELL COUNTY QUORUM COURT WILL ADDRESS A COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE RESOLUTION AND SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS DURING THEIR MARCH SESSION THIS (MON.) EVENING.  JOY WEST, WITH THE EXTENSION SERVICE WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION ABOUT THE PROPOSAL.  APPOINTMENTS TO THE DARDANELLE AND DANVILLE LAW LIBRARIES AND THE EMS BOARD WILL ALSO BE REVIEWED DURING THE 7 P/M MEETING, TO BE HELD AT THE DANVILLE CHAMBERS OF THE YELL COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

 

OTHER MONDAY'S MEETINGS INCLUDE... LAMAR SCHOOL BOARD AT 5:30, ATKINS AND HECTOR BOARDS OF EDUCATION AT 6 P/M, CLARKSVILLE CITY COUNCIL WITH A 6 P/M SESSION, AND OLA CITY COUNCIL AT 7 P/M.

 

The second reading of an amended zoning ordinance and approval for the purchase of a police car are among the items aldermen will consider during tonight's (Monday's) monthly meeting of the Morrilton City Council at 6 p/m in City Hall.

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NO INJURIES RESULTED FROM A SATURDAY NIGHT HOUSE FIRE IN THE HECTOR AREA, ALONG HIGHWAY 164 NORTH.  UNITS WERE RESPONDED ABOUT 8 P/M, WITH THE HOME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES. DOVER RURAL FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED ON MUTUAL AID AND HECTOR POLICE ASSISTED AT THE SCENE.  UNITS REMAINED ON SCENE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS, BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL AND EXTENGUISHING THE BLAZE.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

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LINKER MOUNTAIN, DOVER CITY AND RURAL, AND THE HATLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED SATURDAY MORNING TO A FLU FIRE AT A HOME IN THE 400-BLOCK OF OWEN WAITE ROAD.  UNITS RESPONDED ABOUT 8:50 A/M, AND HAD THE BLAZE EXTENGUISHED JUST BEFORE 9:30 A/M.  NO INJURIES RESULTED, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, BUT,  NO INFORMATION ON ANY DAMAGE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0309-15

TODAY (MON.)IS THE FINAL DAY OF EARLY VOTING, IN PREPERATION FOR TUESDAY'S SPECIAL MILLAGE ELECTION FOR THE DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT. AS OF LATE FRIDAY SOME 164 BALLOTS HAD BEEN CAST.  POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARRTERS IN RUSSELLVILLE IS SERVING AS THE LOCATION FOR EARLY VOTING.  FUNDS FROM THE PROPOSED MILLAGE ADDITION, IF APPROVED, WOULD BE USED TO FUND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AND OTHER NEEDED EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. THAT INCREASE WOULD RAISE THE MILLAGE FROM 40.30 TO 43.50. ELECTION DAY VOTING WILL BE AT THE DOVER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

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YELL COUNTY QUORUM COURT WILL ADDRESS A COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE RESOLUTION AND SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS DURING THEIR MARCH SESSION THIS (MON.) EVENING.  JOY WEST, WITH THE EXTENSION SERVICE WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION ABOUT THE PROPOSAL.  APPOINTMENTS TO THE DARDANELLE AND DANVILLE LAW LIBRARIES AND THE EMS BOARD WILL ALSO BE REVIEWED DURING THE 7 P/M MEETING, TO BE HELD AT THE DANVILLE CHAMBERS OF THE YELL COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

 

OTHER MONDAY'S MEETINGS INCLUDE... LAMAR SCHOOL BOARD AT 5:30, ATKINS AND HECTOR BOARDS OF EDUCATION AT 6 P/M, CLARKSVILLE CITY COUNCIL WITH A 6 P/M SESSION, AND OLA CITY COUNCIL AT 7 P/M.

 

The second reading of an amended zoning ordinance and approval for the purchase of a police car are among the items aldermen will consider during tonight's (Monday's) monthly meeting of the Morrilton City Council at 6 p/m in City Hall.

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NO INJURIES RESULTED FROM A SATURDAY NIGHT HOUSE FIRE IN THE HECTOR AREA, ALONG HIGHWAY 164 NORTH.  UNITS WERE RESPONDED ABOUT 8 P/M, WITH THE HOME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES. DOVER RURAL FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED ON MUTUAL AID AND HECTOR POLICE ASSISTED AT THE SCENE.  UNITS REMAINED ON SCENE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS, BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL AND EXTENGUISHING THE BLAZE.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

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LINKER MOUNTAIN, DOVER CITY AND RURAL, AND THE HATLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED SATURDAY MORNING TO A FLU FIRE AT A HOME IN THE 400-BLOCK OF OWEN WAITE ROAD.  UNITS RESPONDED ABOUT 8:50 A/M, AND HAD THE BLAZE EXTENGUISHED JUST BEFORE 9:30 A/M.  NO INJURIES RESULTED, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, BUT,  NO INFORMATION ON ANY DAMAGE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

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WEEKEND NEW BREIF

LINKER MOUNTAIN, DOVER CITY AND RURAL , AND THE HATLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED SATURDAY MORNING TO A FLU FIRE AT A HOME IN THE 400-BLOCK OF OWEN WAITE ROAD.  UNITS RESPONDED ABOUT 8:50 A/M, AND HAD THE BLAZE EXTENGUISHED JUST BEFORE 9:30 A/M.  NO INJURIES RESULTED, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, BUT,  NO INFORMATION ON ANY DAMAGE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

 

AUTHORITIES SAY AN UNIDENTIFIED MALE PEDESTRIAN WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST. MARY’S REGIONAL MED-CENTER ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, WITH UNDETERMINED INJURIES, AFTER BEING STRUCK BY AN ON-COMING CAR.  THE INCIDENT, JUST BEFORE 3 P/M, OCCURRED NEAR THE STREET INTERSECTION WITH NORTH GREENWICH.  THE VICTIM’S INJURIES WERE NOT LIFE THREATENING, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES.

 

POPE COUNTY SHERIFF SHANE JONES HAS RELEASED THE NAMES OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE FOUND DECEASED AT A RESIDENCE ON DOUBLE SPRINGS ROAD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD. THEY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 34-YEAR OLD MIRANDA HARRIS AND 32-YEAR OLD CLYDE DANIEL HARRIS OF CROW MOUNTAIN. POPE COUNTY SHERIFF SHANE JONES SAYS WHILE HIS DEPARTMENT'S INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING, INITIAL EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE INDICATES HOMICIDE/SUICIDE.  AUTHORITIES INDICATED THE BODIES OF BOTH INDIVIDUALS,  EXHIBITED APPARENT GUNSHOT WOUNDS. JONES SAYS THE BODIES OF BOTH SUBJECTS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE STATE CRIME LAB FOR AUTOPSY.

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AS OF LATE FRIDAY, SOME 164 BALLOTS HAD BEEN CAST, IN EARLY VOTING FOR NEXT TUESDAY'S DOVER SCHOOLS MILLAGE ELECTION.  POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARRTERS IN RUSSELLVILLE IS SERVING AS THE LOCATION FOR EARLY VOTING.  FUNDS FROM THE PROPOSED MILLAGE ADDITION WOULD BE USED TO CONSTRUCT A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AND NEEDED EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. IF APPROVED, THAT INCREASE WOULD RAISE THE MILLAGE FROM 40.30 TO 43.50. ELECTION DAY VOTING WILL BE AT THE DOVER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THRU NEXT MONDAY.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0306-15

ARKANSAS STATE POLICE SAY A 41-YEAR OLD LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA MAN HAS DIED IN A TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 40 ABOUT 5 P/M ON THURSDAY.  AUTHORITIES SAY THE VICTIM, IDENTIFIED AS SAMUEL SIPPO, WAS THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE, WESTBOUND NEAR THE 87 MILE MARKER.  THE SIPPO VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, VEERED FROM THE ROADWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE BARRIER CABLE.  REBOUNDING, THE VEHICLE SPUN BACK INTO THE ROADWAY, INTO THE PATH OF A TRACTOR-TRAILER RIG, ALSO WESTBOUND.  INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, 45-YEAR OLD LAURA SIPPO AND AN UNIDENTIFIED JUVINILE, PASSENGERS IN THE SIPPO VEHICLE.  DRIVER OF THE TRACTOR-TRAILER, IDENTIFIED AS 71-YEAR OLD FRANCIS PETERSON OF HUDSON, SOUTH DAKOTA, WAS NOT INJURED.

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SOME 118 DOVER SCHOOL PATRONS CAST THEIR BALLOT ON THE DAY TWO OF EARLY VOTING FOR NEXT TUESDAY  MILLAGE ELECTION FOR THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT.  POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARRTERS IN RUSSELLVILLE IS SERVING AS THE LOCATION FOR EARLY VOTING.  FUNDS FROM THE PROPOSED MILLAGE ADDITION WOULD BE USED TO CONSTRUCT A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AND NEEDED EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. ELECTION DAY VOTING WILL BE AT THE DOVER FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. EARLY VOTING CONTINUES THRU NEXT MONDAY.

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IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN, DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME KICKS IN FOR 2015, EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.  OFFICIALLY, CLOCKS WILL SPRING FORWARD ONE HOUR AT 2 A/M SUNDAY MORNING, BUT, MOST WILL RESET THEIR CLOCKS BEFORE THEY GO TO BED ON SATURDAY NIGHT.  DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME WILL RUN THRU THE LAST SUNDAY IN OCTOBER.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0302-15

MONDAY'S MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES THE MARCH SESSION OF THE DARDANELLE CITY COUNCIL. A REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BILL SMITH ON WATER TANK MAINTENANCE, AND AN UPDATE ON THE CITY OF DARDANELLE 2013 AUDIT WILL HEAD THE AGENDA.  OTHER MATTERS WILL INCLUDE A NOTICE FOR BIDS ON A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA OWNED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND A FIREWORK DISPLAY REQUEST FOR THE FREE STATE OF YELL IN MAY.  COMMITTEE REPORTS ARE ALSO ON THE AGENDA OF MONDAY'S MEETING, SET FOR 7 P/M, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.  ALSO ON TAP TONIGHT (MON.), THE LAMAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, SET FOR 6:30 P/M IN THEIR CITY HALL.

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EARLY VOTING BEGINS TOMORROW (TUES.), IN PREPARATION FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT ON MARCH 10th.  THE ELECTION, WILL ALLOW SCHOOL PATRONS TO REVIEW A PROPOSED MILLAGE INCREASE FOR THE DISTRICT.  IF APPROVED, THAT INCREASE WOULD SET THE MILLAGE AT 43.50.  DOVER'S SCHOOL MILLAGE IS CURRENTLY 40.30.  SIMILAR MILLAGE PROPOSALS, WHICH HAVE BEEN DENIED BY DISTRICT VOTERS TWICE OVER THE PAST YEAR,  IF APPROVED, THE MILLAGE WOULD BE USED TO CONSTRUCT A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL FACILITY.  PROPONENTS OF THE MILLAGE ISSUE SAY THE INCREASE WOULD ADD 5.33 A MONTH TO THE ASSESSMENT OF 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN REAL ESTATE. EARLY VOTING WILL BE HELD AT THE POPE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS ON EAST MAIN STREET.

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AFTER WINTER WEATHER POSTPONED LAST WEEK'S SCHEDULED MEETING, THE CONWAY COUNTY QUORUM COURT WILL TRY TONIGHT (MONDAY) TO HOLD ITS REGULAR FEBRUARY SESSION WHERE MEMBERS ARE SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS TWO REGIONALLY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES AFFECTING THE COUNTY.  JUSTICES OF THE PEACE WILL BE ASKED TO VOTE ON A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLAINS AND EASTERN CLEAN LINE ENERGY'S PROPOSED HIGH-VOLTAGE POWER TRANSMISSION LINE.  COUNTY JUDGE JIMMY HART HAS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROJECT BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE ON LOCAL LANDOWNERS.

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BETWEEN CONWAY, PERRY AND FAULKNER COUNTIES WILL ALSO BE REVIEWED DURING THE 6 P/M SESSION IN THE CONWAY COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN MORRILTON. 

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BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 28-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON ATTEMPTED ARSON CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS KARSON SHEPERD, APPEARED ON FRIDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A MARCH 30th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT DATE IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

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WEEKEND HEADLINES...

Arkansas State Police have now identified the individual arrested by authorities, following two high speed pursuits in Pope and Yell County on Thursday.

Chad Thompson, 35, of Clark County was taken into by Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division, Troop J.

Thompson refused to stop for State Police when spotted about 12:15 PM yesterday (Thursday, February, 26th). A pursuit of Thompson continued to a location along State Highway 154 northeast of Danville, where Thompson was taken into custody following a PIT maneuver, or "precision immobilization technique" executed by State Police. Thompson is being now being held at the Pope County Detention Center on numerous felony charges and a parole violation warrant.

 

BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 28-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON ATTEMPTED ARSON CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS KARSON SHEPERD, APPEARED ON FRIDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A MARCH 30th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT DATE IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

 

BOND WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED AT 30-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 23-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON A FELONY WARRANT PERTAINING TO SEXUAL INDECENCY WITH A CHILD CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS DAVID BULLOCK, ALSO HAS A MARCH 30th PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT COURT DATE.

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MONDAY'S MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES THE MARCH SESSION OF THE DARDANELLE CITY COUNCIL. A REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BILL SMITH ON WATER TANK MAINTENANCE, AND AN UPDATE ON THE CITY OF DARDANELLE 2013 AUDIT WILL HEAD THE AGENDA.  OTHER MATTERS WILL INCLUDE A NOTICE FOR BIDS ON A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA OWNED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND A FIREWORK DISPLAY REQUEST FOR THE FREE STATE OF YELL IN MAY.  COMMITTEE REPORTS ARE ALSO ON THE AGENDA OF MONDAY'S MEETING, SET FOR 7 P/M, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0218-15

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -  Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson plans to discuss proposals aimed at easing the overcrowding of thousands of state inmates at county jails. Hutchinson planned a news conference Wednesday to discuss prison reform efforts, a major issue looming over the legislative session that began last month. Hutchinson has said he's committed to finding money to open additional bed space for the inmates crowding local jails. Corrections officials have said they need a 1,000-bed new prison, but legislative leaders say they've found little support for that proposal.

 

TODAY'S (WED.) MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES A FEBRUARY SESSION OF THE POPE COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD, SET FOR 4 P/M IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM.

 

OTHER THURSDAY'S MEETING AGENDA... THE ARKANSAS TECH BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL MEET AT 1 P/M IN THE PENDERGRAPH LIBRARY. RUSSELLVILLE ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION HAS A 1 P/M SESSION AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE ROOM. DOVER SCHOOL BOARD WILL MEET AT 6 P/M IN THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY. DANVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET AT 6;30 AND TWO RIVERS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS AT 7 P/M IN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM.

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THE 2015 EDITION OF THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS "POLAR PLUNGE" IS SET FOR THIS SATURDAY AT LAKE DARDANELLE STATE PARK.  KYLE WILLS, ONE OF THE MANY PEOPLE COORDINATING THE EVENT AGAIN THIS YEAR, IS LOOKING FORWARD TO A BIGGER AND BETTER EFFORT THIS YEAR. IT ALL BEGINS WITH A POLAR PLUNGE 5-K. RUSSELLVILLE'S KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS WILL ALSO JOIN THE EVENT THIS YEAR, WITH A BREAKFAST BUFFET AT THE AMERICAN LEGION HUT, SATURDAY MORNING FROM 7-TILL-11 A/M. THOSE NEEDING FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT CAN CONTACT DARLA JONES AT 479-264-4831. 

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0214-15

..Winter Storm Watch in effect from Sunday evening through

Monday afternoon...

 

The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a Winter

Storm Watch...which is in effect from Sunday evening through

Monday afternoon.

 

Snow...sleet...and ice accumulations will occur across

  the state with snow and sleet most likely across the

  north...snow...sleet and freezing rain across central

  Arkansas...and sleet and freezing rain across southern Arkansas.

 

THIS REMINDER... MANY LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF PRESIDENTS' DAY. COURTHOUSES IN POPE, YELL, JOHNSON, CONWAY, LOGAN AND PERRY COUNTIES WILL ALSO BE CLOSED. DARDANELLE CITY HALL WILL ONE OF THE OFFICES OPEN ON MONDAY, AND OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL OBSERVE REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS.                                                                                                                                      ##

 

ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS JAMES BIBLER WILL BE ONE OF THOSE SELECTED FOR INDUCTION INTO THE ARKANSAS AGRICULTURE HALL OF FAME IN EARLY MARCH. BIBLER AND FOUR OTHER 2015 INDUCTEES WILL BE HONORED DURING A LUNCHEON, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, AT EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL IN LITTLE ROCK.  BIBLER WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARKANSAS TECH HALL OF DISTINCTION, IN 2011.

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THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENERGY HAS SENT A LETTER TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OPPOSING THE PLAINS AND EASTERN CLEAN LINE ENERGY'S APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE A TRANSMISSION LINE THROUGH SEVERAL COUNTIES IN ARKANSAS.  THE PROPOSED ROUTE WOULD TAKE THE LINE THROUGH THE NORTHERN PART OF CONWAY COUNTY WITH A CONVERTER STATION TO POSSIBLY BE LOCATED IN CONWAY OR POPE COUNTY.

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FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF THE KEYSTONE X-L PIPELINE APPROVAL ACT, ARKANSAS' CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS CALLING ON PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TO SUPPORT THE BILL.  SPEAKING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WEDNESDAY, SECOND DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN FRENCH HILL URGED THE PRESIDENT TO REMOVE HIS VETO THREAT AND SIGN THE BILL INTO LAW. IF APPROVED, HILL SAYS THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE THOUSANDS MORE JOBS AND CONTRIBUTE OVER THREE-POINT-FOUR BILLION DOLLARS TO THE NATION'S ECONOMY. 

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0213-15

A winter storm possibly packing snow, sleet and ice could pelt parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas beginning this weekend. The National Weather Service says the storm could set up on Saturday with a dry, cold front that will peak for the area late Sunday into Tuesday. Forecasters say the worst of storm would mostly affect northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas, and that any accumulations of snow, sleet and ice could be significant.

ARKANSAS STATE POLICE SAY A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN JOHNSON COUNTY, EARLIER IN THE WEEK, HAS NOW RESULTED IN A FATALITY.  REPORTS INDICATED THAT 22-YEAR OLD JAMES DAVIS OF RUSSELLVILLE, DIED WEDNESDAY AS A RESULT OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT.  THAT ROLLOVER ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT THE INTERSECTION OF U.S. HIGHWAYS 64 AND 359 IN LAMAR.  REPORTS INDICATE THAT DAVIS WAS EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 64, WHICHE HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE, AND LEFT THE ROADWAY  THE VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO ST. VINCENT'S INFIRMARY IN LITTLE ROCK FOR TREATMENT, WHERE HE LATER DIED.

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RUSSELLVILLE POLICE AND POPE COUNTY AMBULANCE PERSONNEL WORKED A TWO VEHICLE PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENT, DURING THE NOON-HOUR, AT THE INTERSECTION OF EAST MAIN AND KNOXVILLE AVENUE. A CAR AND SPORT UTILITY WAGON WERE INVOLVED, WITH THE DRIVER OF THE WAGON TAKEN TO ST. MARY'S REGIONAL MED-CENTER WITH UNDETERMINED INJURIES.

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NO INJURIES RESULTED FROM AN EARLY FRIDAY MORNING FIRE AT J AND W ALUMINUM COMPANY IN RUSSELLVILLE.  FIREFIGHTERS WERE DISPATCHED TO THAT TYLER ROAD LOCATION, JUST BEFORE 4 A/M, AND REMAINED ON SCENE UNTIL ABOUT 5:45, BATTLING A FIRE IN ONE OF THEIR MILL FACILITIES.  NO DAMAGE ESTIMATES ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0210-15

ITS RUN-OFF ELECTION DAY FOR THE DISTRICT 16 STATE SENATE RACE, AND TWO REPUBLICIAN CANDIDATES STAN BERRY AND GREG STANDRIDGE AND STAN BERRY WILL VYE FOR THAT SEAT. JUST OVER 44-HUNDRED VOTES WERE CAST IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION, AND INDICATIONS WERE TURNOUT MIGHT BE LIGHT FOR THE RUN-OFF. BUT, AS OF THE END OF EARLY VOTING ON MONDAY, POPE COUNTY HAD RECORDED A TOTAL OF 2110 VOTES, NEWTON COUNTY-161,  VAN BUREN COUNTY-38, BOONE COUNTY-12, AND CARROLL COUNTY-TWO. DISTRICT 16 INVOLVES ALL OF POPE AND NEWTON COUNTIES, AND A PORTION OF VAN BUREN, BOONE AND CARROLL COUNTY ARE ALSO SERVED BY DISTRICT 16.  HEAR YOUR VOTES COUNT THIS (TUES.) EVENING, ON RIVER VALLEY RADIO.

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YELL COUNTY QUORUM COURT MEMBERS APPROVED TWO APPROPRIATION ORDINANCES DURING A SHORT FEBRUARY SESSION ON MONDAY NIGHT.  JUSTICES GRANTED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2013 BUDGET, INCREASING THE COUNTY GENERAL BY JUST OF 94-THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND MAKING AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTY ROAD AND JUVINILE DETENTION CENTER AND SEVERAL OTHER BUDGETS.  ALSO APPROVED, WAS AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2015 COUNTY BUDGET, WITH A DECREASE OF JUST OVER 7-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN THE COUNTY ROAD FUND. 

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IN HIS INAUGURAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS MONDAY NIGHT, MAYOR ALLEN LIPSMEYER TOLD THE CITIZENS THAT HE LOVES HIS NEW JOB LEADING THE CITY OF MORRILTON AND THAT HIS FIRST MONTH IN OFFICE HAS BEEN GREAT.  LIPSMEYER WENT ON TO COMMEND THE WORK OF ALL CITY DEPARTMENTS, PARTICULARLY NOTING THE PROGRESS BEING MADE AT THE MORRILTON ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER. THE MAYOR ADDED THAT MORRILTON HAS MOMENTUM ON ITS SIDE AND THAT WE MUST EMBRACE AND FOSTER THIS CHANGE AND NOT SLOW DOWN. 

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ARKANSAS STATE POLICE, POPE COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES AND OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL WERE RESPONDED JUST BEFORE THE NOON-HOUR MONDAY, TO AN ENTRAPMENT ACCIDENT IN THE 17-THOUSAND BLOCK OF HIGHWAY 7 NORTH. POPE COUNTY EMS AND RESCUE, DOVER ERT'S AND MARTIN TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE ALSO CALLED TO THE SCENE.  AUTHORITIES SAY AN UNIDENTIFIED VICTIM WAS EXTRICATED FROM THE ACCIDENT ABOUT 12:48 P/M MONDAY, AND TRANSPORTED TO ST. MARY'S REGIONAL MED-CENTER WITH UNDETERMINED INJURIES.  FURTHER DETAILS ON THE ACCIDENT REMAIN SKETCHY AT THIS TIME.

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ONE PERSON WAS ALSO INJURED IN A TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT, NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF EAST SECOND STREET AND KNOXVILLE AVENUE IN RUSSELLVILLE ABOUT 11:45 A/M MONDAY.  RUSSELLVILLE POLICE AND POPE COUNTY AMBULANCE PERSONNEL WERE RESPONDED TO THE SCENE, WITH AN UNIDENTIFIED VICTIM TRANSPORTED TO ST. MARY'S REGIONAL MED-CENTER WITH UNDETERMINED INJURIES.

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THE SOUTH CONWAY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS APPROVED A CONTRACT RENEWAL FOR ALL DISTRICT-LEVEL ADMINISTRATORS.  THE ACTION TAKEN DURING MONDAY'S REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING.  SUPERINTENDENT SHAWN HALBROOK'S CONTRACT WAS RENEWED LAST MONTH. 

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0209-15

TODAY (MON.) IS THE FINAL DAY FOR EARLY VOTING IN THE DISTRICT 16 STATE SENATE RUN-OFF.  REPUBLICIAN CANDIDATES GREG STANDRIDGE AND STAN BERRY ARE VYING FOR THE SEAT. LATE IN THE DAY ON FRIDAY, POPE COUNTY REPORTED A TOTAL OF 1681 VOTES, 105 BALLOTS CAST IN NEWTON COUNTY, 27 EARLY AND 17 ABSENTEE IN VAN BUREN COUNTY, 9 EARLY AND 3 ABSENTEE IN BOONE COUNTY AND TWO IN CARROLL COUNTY. DISTRICT 16 INVOLVES ALL OF POPE AND NEWTON COUNTIES, AND A PORTION OF VAN BUREN, BOONE AND CARROLL COUNTY ARE SERVED BY DISTRICT 16.  NO DEMOCRATS FILED FOR THE SEAT.

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WHILE DISCUSSION OF THE MATTER WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA FRIDAY, AN APPEAL BY FORMER CLARKSVILLE POLICE CHIEF GREG DONALDSON OF HIS RECENT DISMISSAL, IS BELIEVED TO BE PENDING FOR TONIGHT'S (MON.) FEBRUARY CITY COUNCIL SESSION. DONALDSON WAS FIRED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON BY NEW MAYOR MARK SIMPSON. MONDAY'S MEETING IS SET FOR 6 P/M, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.

 

OTHER MONDAY MEETINGS INCLUDE... LAMAR SCHOOL BOARD AT 5:30, CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS, RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS OF THE MONTH AND THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT TO BE REVIEWED BY THE ATKINS SCHOOL BOARD, DURING A 6 P/M SESSION, IN THEIR ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.  MORRILTON MAYOR ALLEN LIPSMEYER IS SCHEDULED TO GIVE HIS INAUGURAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS DURING TONIGHT'S (MONDAY'S) REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE MORRILTON CITY COUNCIL.  THE SOUTH CONWAY COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD WILL CONSIDER CONTRACT RENEWALS FOR DISTRICT-LEVEL ADMINISTRATORS AMONG A NUMBER OF PERSONNEL MATTERS DURING THAT GROUP'S REGULAR MONTHLY SESSION TONIGHT (MONDAY). BOTH THOSE MEETING SARE SET FOR 6 P/M. HECTOR CITY COUNCIL AT 6 P/M. A SHORT AGENDA OF ITEMS WILL COME BEFORE THE YELL COUNTY QUORUM COURT, WITH THAT MEETING AT 6:30 IN THE DANVILLE COURTS FACILITY.  DARDANELLE SCHOOL BOARD AND OLA CITY COUNCIL AT 7 P/M, IN THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCATIONS. EACH OF THESE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

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WEEKEND NEWS HEADLINES...

THE DISTRICT 16 STATE SENATE SEAT ELECTION IS JUST DAYS AWAY, AND EARLY VOTING IS CONTINUING. REPUBLICIAN CANDIDATES STAN BERRY AND GREG STANDRIDGE ARE VYING FOR THE SEAT. LATE IN THE DAY FRIDAY,  POPE COUNTY REPORTED A TOTAL OF 1681 VOTES, 105  BALLOTS CAST IN NEWTON COUNTY, 27  IN VAN BUREN COUNTY, 9  IN BOONE COUNTY AND TWO  IN CARROLL COUNTY. DISTRICT 16 INVOLVES ALL OF POPE AND NEWTON COUNTIES, AND A PORTION OF VAN BUREN, BOONE AND CARROLL COUNTY ARE SERVED BY DISTRICT 16.  NO DEMOCRATS FILED FOR THE SEAT.

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CLARKSVILLE'S FORMER LONG TIME POLICE CHEIF SAYS HE WILL APPEAL HIS RECENT FIRING BY NEW CITY MAYOR MARK SIMPSON.  GREG DONALDSON, POLICE CHEIF FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS AND A 27-YEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT VETERAN, WAS DISMISSED BY MAYOR SIMPSON ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT.  DONALDSON SAYS HE WASN'T GIVEN A REASON FOR THE ACTION TAKEN BY THE MAYOR, AND FILED AN APPEAL ON THURSDAY, REQUESTING A HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL.  INDICATIONS ARE THAT COULD OCCUR AS SOON AS MONDAY.  KEVIN WEATHERS, A MEMBER OF THE CLARKSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS INTERIM CHEIF, ACCORDING TO CITY OFFICIALS. 

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CLARKSVILLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS HAVE APPROVED THE PURCHACE OF JUST LESS THAN 3-ACRES OF LAND ON CLARK ROAD, TO BE USED AS THE NEW HOME FOR THE DISTRICT'S MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT. DURING A CALLED SESSION OF THE BOARD ON THURSDAY, ITS MEMBERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZING A 305,705-DOLLAR LEASE PURCHACE AGREEMENT, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES FUNDING FOR BUILDING REMODELING AND RENOVATIONS OF AN ON-SITE STRUCTURE.  THAT TRACT OF PROPERTY IS 2.83 ACRES AND INCLUDES A 5-THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT METAL BUILDING.  PURCHACE PRICE FOR THE PROPERTY ALONE WAS 130-THOUSAND DOLLARS. DISTRICT ADMINSTRATORS SAY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT'S BUS DEPOT AND NOW HOUSED IN THE SAME FACILITY. 

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ATKINS, POTTSVILLE AND PEA RIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE DISPATCHED TO A STRUCTURE FIRE IN THE STARK ROAD AREA.  UNITS WERE RESPONDED ABOUT 10:30 P/M THURSDAY, WITH FLAMES SHOWING UPON THEIR ARRIVAL.  AUTHORITIES SAY THE STRUCTURE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, BUT. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES RESULTED.  FIREFIGHTERS REMAINED ON SCENE FOR JUST OVER AN HOUR AND A HALF.

 

RUSSELLVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED TO REPORTED FIRE AT A RESIDENCE IN THE SOUTH JOPLIN LOOP AREA ABOUT 2 A/M FRIDAY MORNING.  INDICATIONS ARE THE INCIDENT INVOLVED SMOKE IN A HEATING UNIT. NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED.

 

IN YELL COUNTY, BELLEVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED TO A FARM EQUIPMENT FIRE.  THE INCIDENT, JUST AFTER 2:30 P/M THURSDAY AFTERNOON, WAS LOCATED ON OLD BOONEVILLE ROAD.  UNITS WERE ON SCENE FOR JUST OVER 30-MINUTES.  NO INDICATION IS AVAILABLE AS TO THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE, BUT, AUTHORITIES SAY NO INJURIES OCCURRED.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0202-15

TWO DAYS ARE SET ASIDE FOR THE TRIAL OF A POPE COUNTY MAN, ARRESTED BY AUTHORITIES LAST YEAR ON ONE COUNT OF RAPE AND TWO COUNTS OF SEXUAL INDECENCY WITH A CHILD.  5th DISTRICT PROSECUTOR'S OFFICIALS SAY JURY SELECTION WILL BEGIN TUESDAY IN THE TRIAL OF JIMMY McMULLIN. THAT SUSPECT REMAINS IN THE POPE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER ON 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND.  THAT TRIAL WILL BE HELD IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

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A capital murder charge has been filed against the man accused in the shooting death of a Perryville man last week.  Perry County Sheriff Scott Montgomery says formal charge were filed against 18-year-old Dalton Goodman on Friday.  31-year-old William Bates, died from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest during an incident this past Wednesday, at a Perry County residence.  The sheriff says 25-year-old Connell Goodman was also at the residence at the time of the incident and has been charged with a felon in possession of a firearm. Both individuals are being held at the Perry County Detention center.

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BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 20-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 37-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY ATKINS POLICE DEPARTMENT ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS JAMES NUNNELLY, APPEARED ON FRIDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A MARCH 2nd PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.  CHARGES OF DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ARE PENDING IN THIS CASE.

 

BOND WAS ALSO SET AT 20-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 38-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED BY AUTHORITIES AS DAVID MULLINS, ALSO HAS A MARCH CIRCUIT COURT DATE.

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YELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S AUTHORITIES ARE SEEKING THE ASSISTANCE OF THE PUBLIC, IN LOCATING A SUSPECT WANTED ON FELONY THEFT OF PROPERTY CHARGES.  AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED THE SUSPECT AS 47-YEAR OLD PAUL WOODALL.  WOODALL IS ALSO THE SUBJECT OF ADDITIONAL OUTSTANDING CHARGES IN MONTGOMERY, SCOTT, GARLAND, AND POPE COUNTY.  THE SUSPECT'S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS WAS IN THE LAMAR AREA OF JOHNSON COUNTY.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT PAUL WOODALL IS ASK TO CONTACT THE YELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT 495-9563. ALL INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.

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TODAY'S (MON.) MEETING AGENDA INCLUDE... A 6:30 SESSION OF THE LAMAR CITY COUNCIL, IN THEIR CITY HALL.  SEVERAL AGENDA ITEMS WILL BE ADDRESSED BY THE DARDANELLE CITY COUNCIL DURING AT 7 P/M MEETING.  BOTH THESE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0123-15

EAST PARKWAY AVENUE WAS CLOSED FOR ABOUT 30-MINUTES ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON, AFTER A CENTERPOINT GAS LINE WAS CUT AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE.  THE CUT, AT THE SITE OF THE NEW STEAK AND SHAKE, AT 2200 EAST PARKWAY, WAS QUICKLY CORDONED OFF, WITH RUSSELLVILLE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDING TO THE SCENE, ALONG WITH CENTERPOINT ENERGY CREWS.  UTILITY TECHNICIANS QUICKLY REPAIRED THE LINE CUT, AND THE STREET WAS RE-OPENED, WITHOUT INCIDENT.

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BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 10-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 25-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON ROBBERY AND ASSAULT CHARGES.  THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS DAVID HENRY, APPEARED IS WEEK BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A MARCH 2nd PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT. 

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DARDANELLE POLICE ARE CONTINUING THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO ALLIGATION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, INVOLVING SEVERAL MINOR CHILDREN.  AUTHORITIES SAY A 39-YEAR OLD HISPANIC MALE, WHO'S NAME IS BEING WITHHELD PENDING THE FILING OF FORMAL CHARGES, WAS RECENTLY TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.  POLICE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE MOTHER OF THE CHILDREN, AND THE WIFE OF THE SUSPECT, TOLD INVESTIGATORS SHE BELIEVED HER HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED.  ARKANSAS STATE POLICE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PERSONNEL ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION.

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RUSSELLVILLE'S BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FOR JANUARY ARE SCHEDULED FOR NEXT MONDAY, JANUARY 26th.  A PUBLIC HEARING ON TWO VARIANCE MATTERS WILL BE ADDRESSED DURING THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT SESSION, SET FOR 5 P/M.  DURING THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, REZONING OF PROPERTY IN THE 300 BLOCK OF WEST 10th STREET, A REQUEST TO VACATE AN ALLEYWAY, OFF WEST K STREET AND PLAT DISCUSSION FOR A PLANNED URBAN DEVELOPMENT ARE TO BE ADDRESSED.  THAT MEETING IS SET FOR 5:30, BOTH WILL BE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0122-15

TODAY'S (THURS.) MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES...

 

RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL MEET THIS (THURS.) AFTERNOON AT 5:30, JUST PRIOR TO THE REGULAR JANUARY SESSION, SET FOR 6 P/M, THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL.  SEVERAL ITEMS WILL ALSO BE ADDRESSED BY THE POTTSVILLE SCHOOL BOARD DURING A 7 P/M MEETING.

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RUSSELLVILLE'S EVALUATION PANEL WILL BE HOSTING SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS BY SELECT3ED ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS, IN REFERENCE TO CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CENTRAL FIRE STATION.  THE SHORTLIST OF FOUR FIRMS WERE SELECTED FROM A TOTAL OF ELEVEN FIRMS THAT SUBMITTED PROPOSALS, IN ACCORDINACE WITH THE CITY'S REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS.  INCLUDED WILL BE THE RENAISSANCE GROUP, HOEFER-WYSOKI ARCHITECTURE, JACKSON BROWN PALCULICT ARCHITECTS AND GUEST REDDICK ARCHITECTS. THE PRESENTATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 29th, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF RUSSELLVILLE CITY HALL.

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A STUDENT FROM THE RUSSELLVILLE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOLERS WILL BE HEADED TO STATE COMPETITION, AFTER WINNING THE POPE COUNTY SPELLING BEE THIS WEEK.  ST. JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL HOSTED THE 2015 EDITION, HELD TUESDAY AT RUSSELLVILLE'S CENTER OF THE ARTS.  PRINCIPAL MARK TYLER RECOGNIZED JULIAN LILLEY, THE SON OF RAYMOND AND KELLY LILLEY WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE ARKANSAS STATE SPELLING BEE TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, IN THE REYNOLDS PERFORMANCE HALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS.

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SATURDAY'S THE DATE FOR THE 3rd ANNUAL "RUSS-VEGAS COACHES KAROKE" EVENT IN THE RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT.  THE EFFORT, A FUN FUND RAISER FOR THE DISTRICT'S ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, FEATURES A BUSY SILENT AUCTION, WITH SOME UNIQUE ITEMS, AND LOTS OF ENTERTAINMENT.  ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JOHNNY JOHNSON SAYS THE SILENT AUCTION BEGINS AT 6 P/M, AND THE ENTERTAINMENT STARTS AT 7 P/M. TICKETS ARE 5-DOLLARS EACH, ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CENTER OF THE ARTS BOX OFFICE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

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THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS REPORTING INFLUENZA IS STILL WIDESPREAD IN ARKANSAS WITH AN ADDITIONAL 15-HUNDRED CASES REPORTED LAST WEEK, BRINGING THE TOTAL SINCE SEPTEMBER TO 11-THOUSAND-500 IN ARKANSAS.  THE DEPARTMENT SAYS 23 PEOPLE IN ARKANSAS HAVE DIED FROM THE FLU THIS SEASON. 

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0121-15

RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS APPROVED AN EXTENSION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT, DURING THEIR JANUARY SESSION LAST (TUES.) EVENING.  RANDALL WILLIAMS HAS SERVED THE RUSSELVILLE DISTRICT IN THAT CAPASITY SINCE 2006.  IN OTHER MATTERS, THE BOARD ALSO AUTHORIZED A SECOND LIEN CONSTRUCTION BOND SERIES FOR 2015, IN THE AMOUNT OF 6.5-MILLION DOLLARS.  SEVERAL CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ARE PLANNED, AS A RESULT.  A REPRESENTATIVE OF STEVENS, INCORPORATED, ON HAND TO REVIEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE MATTER, ALSO INFORMED THE BOARD THAT A 2010 BOND ISSUE BY THE DISTRICT COULD BE REFUNDED THIS YEAR, AND IN DOING SO, COULD SAVE THE DISTRICT SOME 850-THOUSAND DOLLARS. 

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RUSSELLVILLE CITY CORPORATION AND CITY COUNCIL OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO WORK ON A PROPOSAL TO SIGNIFICANTLY UPDATE AN AGING WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE.  DURING A TUESDAY SESSION, CORPORATION MANAGER STEVE MALLETT OUTLINED THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE SYSTEM, AND THE NECESSITY OF REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CITY.  AN ESTIMATED COST??? IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 71-MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS.  MALLETT SAID THEIR PROPOSAL WOULD NET A MAJORITY OF IMPROVEMENTS FUNDS FROM BOND ISSUANCES, BUT, AN INCREASE IN WATER AND SEWER RATE STRUCTURE WOULD MOST LIKELY BE NECESSARY. THE EXTENT OF HOW THE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE MADE, AND HOW FUNDING WOULD BE STRUCTURED WERE OUTLINED IN A MORE THAN 2 HOUR MEETING.  FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE MATTER IS EXPECTED DURING THE UPCOMING JANUARY SESSION OF THE RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING.

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THE CITY OF MORRILTON'S NEW MAYOR SAYS HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE WILL LIKELY BE A "REBUILDING" YEAR FOR THE CITY.  ALLEN LIPSMEYER DOESN'T ANTICIPATE ENGAGING IN ANY MAJOR PROJECTS THAT MIGHT DRAIN THE CITY'S FINANCES.  HE SAYS LEADERS WILL TRY TO "TAME BACK" ANY EXCESS SPENDING AND LOOK FOR UNIQUE WAYS TO INCREASE REVENUE. MAYOR LIPSMEYER SAYS THE CITY HAS MANAGED TO STAY IN GOOD FINANCIAL STANDING, DESPITE A SLIGHT DECREASE IN SALES TAX COLLECTIONS IN 2014.

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DURING A PLANNED THURSDAY SESSION OF THE POTTSVILLE SCHOOL BOARD, THE JANUARY SESSION WILL INVOLVE A DISCUSSION OF THE GOOGLE CHROME-BOOK PROGRAM AND DISTRICT'S POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT, FINANCE, BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS AND POLICY UPDATES, AND RECOGNIZITION THEIR STUDENTS OF THE MONTH.  CONSIDERATION OF A VEHICLE PURCHACE IS ALSO INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA.  A STUDENT DISCIPLINE HEARING WILL BE HELD AT 6:30, WITH THE FULL BOARD TO MEET AT 7 P/M, IN THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0120-15

TUESDAY'S MEETING AGENDA INCLUDES... THE FIRST 2015 SESSION OF THE RUSSELLVILLE CITY CORPORATION BOARD.  SEVERAL MATTERS TO ADDRESSED DURING AT 3 P/M MEETING, IN THE UTILITY HEADQUARTERS ON WEST 3rd STREET.  RUSSELLVILLE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CORPORATION WILL HAVE A JOINT MEETING AT 4 P/M, IN THE CITY HALL FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM.  COORDINATORS SAY THE PURPOSE OF THAT MEETING WILL BE TO DISCUSS FINANCING OPTIONS FOR REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF WATER AND SEWER LINES. RUSSELLVILLE SCHOOL BOARD WILL ALSO MEETING THIS (TUES.) EVENING, WITH BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, BUDGET AND POLICY COMMITTEES SESSIONS AT 6:15 P/M.   A MEETING OF THE FULL BOARD IS SET FOR 7 P/M, IN THE DISTRICT'S ADMINSTRATION BUILDING.

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JANUARY IS NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH, A TIME TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION AND TO THANK YOUR COMMUNITY'S SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS.  SOUTH CONWAY COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT SHAWN HALBROOK COMMENDED THE MEMBERS OF THEIR BOARD OF EDUCATIOIN EARLIER THIS MONTH FOR ACHIEVING MASTER SCHOOL BOARD STATUS. SUE SPIVEY AND BUCK JOYNER ARE THE LATEST TO BECOME MASTER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

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MORE THAN 200 PARTICIPANTS MARCHED MONDAY, IN AN EVENT ON THE ARKANSAS TECH CAMPUS AS A PART OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING BIRTHDAY. THE UNITY MARCH, WHICH BEGAN AT THE DOC BRYAN STUDENT SERVICES CENTER ENDED AT THE W.O. YOUNG BUILDING, AT WHICH POINT PARTICIPANTS WERE INVITED INTO THE YOUNG BALLROOM FOR A RECEPTION. SPEAKERS INCLUDED RAHK LASH, RESIDENT DIRECTOR AT BROWN RESIDENCE HALL AND KATIE FRAZIER, A SENIOR FROM DANVILLE AND PRESIDENT OF THE ARKANSAS TECH STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA). KING ACTIVITIES CONTINUE TODAY (TUES.), WITH AN OPEN MIC NIGHT AT BASWELL TECHIONERY BEGINNING AT 9 P.M. AND ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21, WITH A GALLERY WALK AT YOUNG BALLROOM FROM 10 A.M.-10 P.M.

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AUTHORITIES SAY NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF A MID-MORNING GRASS FIRE IN THE JONES MOUNTAIN ROAD AREA OF YELL COUNTY ON MONDAY. CHICKALAH FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE JUST AFTER 10 A/M, REMAINING THERE FOR LESS THAN 30-MINUTES, EXTENGUISHING THE BLAZE.  NO CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS YET BEEN RELEASED.

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IT'LL BE A SHORT WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL, BUT A BUSY ONE, AS LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNOR ASA HUTCHINSON RETURN TODAY (TUES.) FOR THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.  HUTCHINSON IS SCHEDULED TO RELEASE HIS BUDGET FOR THE 2015-16 FISCAL YEAR EARLY IN THE WEEK, HAVE HIS TAX CUT PROPOSAL HEAD TO A STATE SENATE COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY AND DELIVER A KEY SPEECH ON THE PRIVATE OPTION AND HEALTH CARE REFORM ON THURSDAY.  THE SENATE REVENUE AND TAXATION COMMITTEE COULD DISCUSS THE HUTCHINSON TAX CUT PROPOSAL WEDNESDAY MORNING. 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0119-15

DOVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ITS MANY COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS TOOK TIME ON SATURDAY TO HONOR NOT ONE, BUT, TWO "CITIZENS OF THE YEAR", DURING THEIR ANNUAL BANQUET. CHAMBER MEMBER KATIE VILLALOBOS INTRODUCED THE FIRST OF THOSE, ANN HOGREFE.

THE CHAMBER'S SECOND CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2015, IS SCOTT VAN HORN.  VAN HORN THANKED THE CHAMBER FOR THE HONOR, SAYING THAT "GETTING INVOLVED" IN MAKING THE COMMUNITY BETTER, HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FAMILY AFFAIR. OTHER AWARDS INCLUDED... BRADLEY NELSON BEING HONORED AS "CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR" AND DOVER HIGH SCHOOL'S EAST LAB AND COORDINATOR SHARLA HARTZELL RECEIVING THE "COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD".

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ON THE ARKANSAS TECH CAMPUS, THOSE INTERESTED CAN CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF DR. KING WITH A SERIES OF EVENTS. MONDAY, A CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP IS PLANNED, BEGINNING AT THE HINDSMAN TOWER AT 9 A.M.  A CAMPUS MARCH IS SET FOR 2 P/M, IN FRONT OF THE DOC BRYAN STUDENT SERVICES CENTER. ACTIVITIES WILL CONTINUE ON TUESDAY, WITH AN OPEN MICROPHONE NIGHT IN BASWELL TECHIONERY AT 9 P.M. AND ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21, WITH A GALLERY WALK FROM 10 A.M.-10 P.M. IN THE YOUNG BALLROOM. THE SERIES IS SPONSORED BY THE ARKANSAS TECH AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION (AASA), ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, SPECTRUM AND STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

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A VARIETY OF OBSERVANCES, MARKING THE BIRTHDAY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING WERE HELD OVER THE WEEKEND.  RUSSELLVILLE'S PROGRESSIVE MEN'S CLUB HELD THEIR 27th ANNUAL "KING DAY" EVENT AT THE HUGHES COMMUNITY CENTER ON SATURDAY.  DR. RUBY BURGESS SERVED AS GUEST SPEAKER FOR THIS YEAR'S EFFORT, AND REFLECTED ON SOME OF KING'S OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATE OF HUMAN NATURE, AND HOW HE SAW ITS CHANGE COULD EFFECT OUR FUTURE.  REPRESENTATIVES FROM NEW PROSPECT BAPTIST CHURCH, UNITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, MT. ZION CHURCH OF MORRILTON AND THE ARKANSAS TECH CHOIR ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM.

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MANY LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, JANUARY 19th, IN OBSERVANCE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY AND ROBERT E. LEE'S BIRTHDAY. OFFICES WILL RE-OPEN FOR REGULAR BUSINESS ON TUESDAY.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0117-15

ONE ARREST AND ONE INJURY RESULTED FROM A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT, FRIDAY MORNING IN RUSSELLVILLE.  AUTHORITIES SAY THE INCIDENT, NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF 4th AND KNOXVILLE, OCCURRED ABOUT 1:30 A/M.  RUSSELLVILLE POLICE, FIRE AND POPE COUNTY AMBULANCE PERSONNEL WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE.  ONR VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO ST. MARY'S REGIONAL MED-CENTER FOR TREATMENT OF UNDETERMINED INJURIES.

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THE SUBJECT OF A DOWNTOWN RUSSELLVILLE PARKING DECK CONTINUES TO BE REVIEWED.  MEMBERS OF THE PARKING DECK COMMITTEE DISCUSSED THE CURRENT STATUS OF THAT PROPOSAL, AND POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES DURING A THURSDAY SESSION. WHILE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, COMMITTEE MEMBERS AGREED FINDING A HAPPY MEDIUM ON COST AND AVAILABLE PARKING SURFACE, IS A KEY OVERALL GOAL, AND ONE THAT WILL BE FURTHER EXPLORED, AS THE COMMITTEE EVALUATES THEIR OPTIONS IN 2015.

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LAMAR SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL SOON BEGIN THEIR SEARCH FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT, AFTER ROY HESTER INDICATED HE'D BE RESIGNING FROM THAT POST, EFFECTIVE WITH THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.  HESTER, WHO'S SERVED THE DISTRICT FOR SIX YEARS, WILL BE TAKING THE DIRECTOR'S POST FOR THE WESTERN ARKANSAS EDUCATION COOPERATIVE. LAMAR SCHOOL BOARD ACCEPTED HESTER'S RESIGNATION DURING THEIR JANUARY MEETING THIS WEEK.

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FINAL PREPERATIONS ARE UNDERWAY FOR THE 2015 POPE COUNTY SPELLING BEE, SET FOR NEXT TUESDAY.  RUSSELLVILLE HIGH SCHOOL'S CENTER OF THE ARTS WILL AGAIN BE THE LOCATION FOR THE EVENT, WITH ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC THE HOST SCHOOL THIS YEAR.  A 6 P/M START TIME FOR THE EVENT IS PLANNED.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0116-15

ONE ARREST AND ONE INJURY RESULTED FROM A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT, EARLY THIS (FRI.) MORNING IN RUSSELLVILLE.  AUTHORITIES SAY THE INCIDENT, NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF 4th AND KNOXVILLE, OCCURRED ABOUT 1:30 A/M.  RUSSELLVILLE POLICE, FIRE AND POPE COUNTY AMBULANCE PERSONNEL WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE.  ONR VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO ST. MARY'S REGIONAL MED-CENTER FOR TREATMENT OF UNDETERMINED INJURIES.

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NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OR INJURIES OCCURRED, DURING A MID-THURSDAY AFTERNOON GRASS FIRE IN THE OAK GROVE ROAD AREA OF YELL COUNTY.  AUTHORITIES SAY DARDANELLE RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED ABOUT 1:46 P/M, REMAINING THERE UNTIL ABOUT 2:30 P/M, EXTENGUISHING THE BLAZE.  CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

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THE SUBJECT OF A DOWNTOWN RUSSELLVILLE PARKING DECK CONTINUES TO BE REVIEWED.  MEMBERS OF THE PARKING DECK COMMITTEE DISCUSSED THE CURRENT STATUS OF THAT PROPOSAL, AND POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES DURING A THURSDAY SESSION. WHILE NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, COMMITTEE MEMBERS AGREED FINDING A HAPPY MEDIUM ON COST AND AVAILABLE PARKING SURFACE, IS A KEY OVERALL GOAL, AND ONE THAT WILL BE FURTHER EXPLORED, AS THE COMMITTEE EVALUATES THEIR OPTIONS IN 2015.

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LAMAR SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL SOON BEGIN THEIR SEARCH FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT, AFTER ROY HESTER INDICATED HE'D BE RESIGNING FROM THAT POST, EFFECTIVE WITH THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.  HESTER, WHO'S SERVED THE DISTRICT FOR SIX YEARS, WILL BE TAKING THE DIRECTOR'S POST FOR THE WESTERN ARKANSAS EDUCATION COOPERATIVE. LAMAR SCHOOL BOARD ACCEPTED HESTER'S RESIGNATION DURING THEIR JANUARY MEETING THIS WEEK.

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A DANVILLE SCHOOL SYSTEM STUDENT IS THIS YEAR'S YELL COUNTY SPELLING BEE WINNER.  ETHAN ELLIS SPELLED HIS WAY TO VICTORY DURING WEDNESDAY'S ANNUAL EVENT, HOSTED THIS YEAR BY TWO RIVERS SCHOOL.  ANOTHER DANVILLE STUDENT, KALYB PHOMSITHI, CLAIMED SECOND PLACE HONORS.  RILEY DUNMAN OF TWO RIVERS WAS THIRD AND NATHANIEL GRIFFITHS OF DARDANELLE-FOURTH.  ELLIS, THE SON OF J.B. AND NANCY ELLIS, WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE ARKANSAS STATE SPELLING BEE TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, IN THE REYNOLDS PERFORMANCE HALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS.

 

FINAL PREPERATIONS ARE UNDERWAY FOR THE 2015 POPE COUNTY SPELLING BEE, SET FOR NEXT TUESDAY.  RUSSELLVILLE HIGH SCHOOL'S CENTER OF THE ARTS WILL AGAIN BE THE LOCATION FOR THE EVENT, WITH ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC THE HOST SCHOOL THIS YEAR.  A 6 P/M START TIME FOR THE EVENT IS PLANNED.

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0115-15

ON THURSDAY'S MEETING AGENDA... THE ARKANSAS TECH BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WITH A 1 P/M SESSION AT THE PENDERGRAPH LIBRARY. RUSSELLVILLE ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION AT 1 P/M, IN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE ROOM. DOVER SCHOOL BOARD WILL MEET AT 6 P/M IN THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY, DANVILLE CITY COUNCIL AT 6:30 AND POTTSVILLE AND TWO RIVERS BOARDS OF EDUCATION MEETING AT 7 P/M, IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS.

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BOND HAS BEEN SET AT 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A 34-YEAR OLD WHILE FEMALE SUSPECT, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES.   THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS STEPHANIE MONELEONE, APPEARED ON WEDNESDAY BEFORE POPE COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE DON BOURNE.  JUDGE BOURNE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE TO HOLD THE SUSPECT OVER FOR A MARCH 2nd PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING IN POPE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.  CHARGES OF POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITH INTENT TO DELIVER ARE BEING FILED IN THIS CASE. 

 

BOND WAS SET AT 75-HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A 42-YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE AND 5-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR AN 18-YEAR OLD WHITE MALE, ARRESTED BY RUSSELLVILLE POLICE ON THEFT OF PROPERTY CHARGES.  THE TWO, IDENTIFIED AS MICHELLE DOWDELL AND JOSEPH COOK, WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ATTEMPTED THEFT OF A TELEVISION AND OTHER ITEMS FROM A LOCAL RETAILER.  A MARCH PLEA AND ARRAIGNMENT HEARING HAS ALSO BEEN SCHEDULED FOR BOTH THESE SUSPECTS.

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MANY LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICES, WITH THE ACCEPTION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, JANUARY 19th, IN OBSERVANCE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY AND ROBERT E. LEE'S BIRTHDAY. OFFICES WILL RE-OPEN FOR REGULAR BUSINESS ON TUESDAY.

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ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY WILL CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. THIS MONTH WITH A SERIES OF EVENTS COLLECTIVELY ENTITLED "GIVING VOICE: BUILDING BRIDGES AND BREAKING BARRIERS." MONDAY, JAN. 19, THOSE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, CAN TAKE PART IN A CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP. CHECK IN AT HINDSMAN TOWER BEGINNING AT 9 A.M. THEN, AT 2 P.M., A CAMPUS MARCH IS PLANNED, BEGINNING IN FRONT OF THE DOC BRYAN STUDENT SERVICES CENTER. ACTIVITIES WILL CONTINUE ON TUESDAY, JAN. 20, WITH AN OPEN MICROPHONE NIGHT IN BASWELL TECHIONERY AT 9 P.M. AND ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21, WITH A GALLERY WALK FROM 10 A.M.-10 P.M. IN THE YOUNG BALLROOM. THE SERIES IS SPONSORED BY THE ARKANSAS TECH AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION (AASA), ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, SPECTRUM AND STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

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NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0103-15

Here is the latest Arkansas news…

 

As of early Saturday morning, more than 38-hundred Entergy customers in the Dardanelle area remain without power, after an overnight outage. Entergy technicians report some 725 homes powerless West of Dardanelle, between the city and Delaware. Approximately 12-hundred customers in downtown Dardanelle, and more than 18-hundred without power, South of Dardanelle, along Highway 7 toward Ola. Utility officials say crews are working to restore service, and hope to have a majority of it back on before noon. Cause of the outage was not readily available from Entergy.

 

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas poet Miller Williams, who read a poem at President Bill Clinton's 1997 inauguration, has died. He was 84. Williams died New Year's night at Washington County Regional Medical Center of complications from Alzheimer's disease, family friend Linda Sheets said Friday.

     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Little Jimmy Dickens, a diminutive singer-songwriter who was the oldest cast member of the Grand Ole Opry, has died. He was 94. An Opry spokeswoman says Dickens died Friday at a Nashville-area hospital of cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke on Christmas Day. Dickens, who stood 4-foot-11, had performed on the Opry almost continuously since 1948. His last performance was December 20th.

     FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - Federal and state officials say the city of Fort Smith will spend more than $200 million over the next 12 years on upgrades to its sewer collection and treatment. Under a settlement filed yesterday in U.S. District Court, Fort Smith will also pay a $300,000 civil penalty and spend $400,000 on a program to help qualified low-income residential property owners to repair or replace defective private sewer lines.

     LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - An official says changes in state leadership will likely affect the original design of a proposed large garden park near Greers Ferry Lake. The Democrat-Gazette reports the University of Arkansas Community Design Center was awarded a federal grant last year to revive 50-year-old plans to build the 300-acre park about 60 miles north of Little Rock.

 

NEWS HEADLINES FOR 0102-15

THE CITY OF RUSSELLVILLE BEGINS THE NEW YEAR WITH A NEW MAYOR, A NEW BUDGET AND TWO NEW ALDERMEN.  MAYOR RANDY HORTON TOOK OFFICE OFFICIALS ON WEDNESDAY, SWORN IN WITH NEW ALDERMEN BILL EATON AND LARRY BROWN.  EATON, WHO OPTED NOT TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION AS MAYOR, RAN FOR THE WARD 2/POSITION ONE SEAT, WHILE LARRY BROWN RAN UNOPPOSED FOR WARD 4/POSITION ONE.  RETURNING ALDERMEN INCLUDE ROBERT WILEY, FREDDIE HARRIS, MARK TRIPP, RICHARD HARRIS AND GARLAND STEUBER.  WITH THE NEW YEAR, MAYOR HORTON AND THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE A BUDGET WITH APPROXIMATELY 12.7-MILLION DOLLARS IN GENERAL FUND EXPENDATURES, 5.8-MILLION IN CITY STREET MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP AND 1.8-MILLION IN PUBLIC WORKS FUNDING.  ANOTHER BUDGET RELATED ISSUE THAT REMAINS UNCERTAIN FOR 2015, WILL BE THE SPECIAL FUNDS BUDGET, INCLUDING THE CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING.  COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL BE REVIEWING THAT FURTHER THIS MONTH.

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POPE, YELL, JOHNSON AND CONWAY COUNTY OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS OTHERS ACROSS THE STATE, HELD SIMILAR SWEARING IN CEREMONIES ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW YEAR. WHILE SEVERAL HELD THEIR FIRST ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS FOR 2015, OTHERS HAVE DELAYED THOSE UNTIL  THEIR REGULAR SESSIONS THIS MONTH.

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POPE COUNTY QUORUM COURT'S ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING IS SET FOR JANUARY 8th.  NEXT THURSDAY SESSION, WILL BE HELD AT 5 P/M IN THE COURT CHAMBERS OF THE POPE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.  A JANUARY BUDGET MEETING AND QUORUM COURT SESSION WILL THEN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW. 

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