Click
here for your latest Super Country News
Prescott Safety
Checkpoints
The Prescott City
Police Department in cooperation with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office
and the Arkansas State Police Troop G, will be conducting a series of
safety check points in and around the City of Prescott on the night of
Friday, May 24, 2013. These agencies have unified their efforts in an
attempt to discourage alcohol related incidents in general, but
especially underage drinkers. With school coming to an end and seniors
graduating, we would like to commend them for a job well done, and to
remind them to take advantage of sponsored events for graduating
students such as Project Graduation. Even though these are very happy
and exiting times, it can be darkened by one event. Please be safe and
act responsibly.
Meth Lab Arrest
The photo of
the plastic bottle attached to this release is the actual lab that was
in the Process of cooking the Methamphetamine, The cook at this stage is
Extremely
Volatile, Should citizens
happen up on something like this Do not touch and NEVER try to open the
Bottle call 911 ASAP. The last three Photos are of the Truck If anyone
has observed this vehicle in your area please call the Hempstead County
Sheriff's Office and Ask for Inv. Dorman or Inv. Crane, 870-777-6727
An abandoned pick-up
has led to two arrests in connection with the production of
methamphetamine. Deputy Micheal Braddock of the Hempstead County
Sheriff’s office was called to a pasture on Highway 29 North near county
road 251 in reference to a Ford pick-up stuck in Thomas Burke’s
pasture. Later, Deputy Braddock found a man had contacted a near-by
neighbor and asked for help getting the truck out. When the neighbor
and Burke came to help the man was gone. While checking a barn near the
truck for the man the deputy found 3 bags of women’s clothing and a
clear 32 ounce plastic bottle that was identified as a methamphetamine
lab in production. The lab and the truck were seized. Further
investigation from Investigator Gary Dorman discover 58 year old Barry
Leon Richardson had been in possession of the truck. Richard has had
multiple convictions in Texas for possession and manufacture of
methamphetamine and was also wanted in Texas on a failure to appear
warrant. When deputies returned to the area Wednesday (5-22-13) they
discovered a man and woman in the area and when they learned the man was
Richardson he and the woman were taken into custody. Richardson was
armed with a handgun that was seized. The woman was identified as 46
year old Ursula Schlemmer of Rockdale, Texas. Both were
transported
to the Hempstead County Detention Center on charges of manufacturing
methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felon in
possession of a firearm. Deputies also obtained a search warrant for
the pickup which had been towed. Upon searching they found several
other containers with lab components and drug paraphernalia. Several
items were also discovered in the truck which had been reported stolen
in both Hempstead and Nevada County. Richardson and Schlemmer are both
facing additional charges of residential burglary and theft of
property. Deputies believe the two could also have been involved in
other thefts in Hempstead County.
Arrest Made For Two Counts of Negligent Homicide
On
5/21/13 at approximately 10:00 am, Andrew Whitaker, 24, of Nashville,
Arkansas was arrested by the Nashville Police Department, at the request
of Hope Police Department Investigators. Whitaker was transported to the
Hempstead County Detention Facility where he was charged with two counts
of Negligent Homicide and held for a first court appearance. Whitaker’s
arrest comes as the result of an ongoing investigation of an accident
that occurred on December 15, 2012 on North Hervey Street in Hope,
Arkansas. The accident resulted in the deaths of Mary and Cecil Harris,
both of Nashville.
Pafford
Hosts Chamber Coffee
Pafford Medical Services hosted the Hope/Hempstead County
Chamber of Commerce Community Coffee on Wednesday May 22nd
in honor of EMS week. Pictured is Jamie Pafford Gresham,
Whitney Bright, Clint Cox, Josh Whisenunt, Justin Stephens,
and Gary Hardin. A good crowd turned out to visit, enjoy
refreshments from Town & Country Catering, and express their
thanks for the great services offered by Pafford.
Pete
Penney Named Trooper of the Year
Colonel Stan Witt (L),
Trooper Pete Penney and Governor Mike Beebe
Arkansas State
Trooper (Corporal) Pete Penney, 38, of Nashville was presented with the
Arkansas State Trooper of the Year Award Tuesday (5/21/13) during the
department's annual awards ceremony in Little Rock. Corporal Penney was
also presented the department's Medal of Valor. The recognition of
Corporal Penney stems from a March 23, 2012 traffic stop involving a
suspected drunk driver along U.S. Highway 278, north of Ozan. Following
a field sobriety test, Corporal Penney attempted to arrest the suspect
who resisted and began to fight. After several minutes of attempting to
gain control of the suspect Corporal Penney radioed for assistance at
which time the suspect returned to his car. As Penney approached the
car, the suspect reached out holding a white plastic bag which contained
a revolver and fired into the trooper's abdomen. Corporal Penney was
able to return fire from his service weapon, wounding the suspect.
Penney is a nine-year veteran of the department and continues to serve
in the Highway Patrol Division. Distinguished Service Awards were
presented to Deputy Travis Turner of the Howard County Sheriff's
Department and Patrolman Justin Thornton of the Nashville Police
Department who "left their respective patrol assignments to respond to
Trooper Penney's radio call for help." The State Police said "both
officers exhibited bravery and a readiness to render aid to Trooper
Penney who had taken cover after exchanging gunfire with the suspect.
Neither officer was aware of the location of the armed suspect and
disregarded their own safety to take control of the scene, begin
applying first aid to Trooper Penney and taking the suspect into
custody." Receiving State Police Departmental Commendations and
recognized by the Arkansas State Police Commission were Telecom Operator
Chanda Martin of the Troop G Highway Patrol Division in Hope, and
Special Agents Scott Clark, Hays McWhirter, Scotty Dodd, David Rider,
Shannon Shepherd, Corwin Battle and Louis Imler, all with the Criminal
Investigation Division, Company C in Hope.
Bobcat Band
Departs Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
The Hope High School
Marching Bobcat Band departs for Washington, D.C. Thursday, May 23, at
6:00 p.m. Family, friends, and supporters are encouraged to see the band
off as they depart from the 18th Street Hope High parking lot on
Thursday evening. While in
Washington, D.C., the band students will enjoy a rigorous sightseeing
scheduling which will include trips to Ford’s Theater; the Lincoln,
Korean, Vietnam, and National World War II Memorials; several museums;
the Washington Monument; the Smithsonian; the U.S. Capitol Building; and
a special event at Arlington National Cemetery where they will
participate in the a Military Wreathe Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the
Unknown Solider in the name of Hope High School. They will also be
guests at the “National Memorial Day Concert” on the West Lawn of the US
Capitol on Sunday evening.
Last week, the Bobcats learned that they had been selected to
participate in the parade’s televised opening number as flag bearers.
This ceremony, and the entire parade, will be shown live Monday, May 27,
at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time (1:00 Central) on the America Forces Network
and The Pentagon Channel and will steam live on Military.com and
nationalmemorialdayparade.com.
Keep up with the Hope High School Marching
Bobcat Band while they are in Washington, D.C. for the National Memorial
Day Parade.
Follow us on Twitter as Band Mom Jennifer
Methvin captures the action @HHS_Parade_Mom.
Or for Band Moms Shirley Potts and Tammy
Watlington’s posts, like us on Facebook. Search for Hope High School
Band and look for the Bobcat Bandwagon DC Bound profile pictures. The
Bobcat Band would like to thank all its supporters and donors who made
the trip possible. We’ll march proudly in honor of our nation’s fallen
veterans because of your support. Summit Field or Constitution Avenue?
The Hope High School Marching Bobcat Band proudly prepares to honor our
nation’s fallen veterans during their final week of rehearsals for the
National Memorial Day Parade.
UACCH
Early Childhood Education Awards 100th Child Development
Credential
UACCH has
awarded the 100th Child Development Credential (CDA). Sandra
Champion, UACCH Early Childhood Education Instructor, is
pleased to report that April Winfrey has been awarded a CDA
Credential. Ms. Winfrey is the 100 UACCH student to receive
her CDA. At the 2012 NAEYC Conference, CEO of the Council
for Professional Recognition, Valora Washington, awarded the
Council's 300,000th CDA credential. As of the conference
date, UACCH had proudly contributed 97 Credentials to the
Council’s record numbers. April Winfrey’s Credential brings
UACCH’s total contribution to 100th credentials. The Early
Childhood program at UACCH offers the courses necessary to
apply for a CDA Credential from the Council for Early
Childhood Recognition, Washington D.C. These courses are
then recognized as college credit towards an Early Childhood
Education Associates of Applied Science Degree (AAS ECE).
For more information regarding CDA course work and the AAS
ECE Degree, please contact Sandra Champion at 870-722-8208.
UACCH Career Pathways Program holds retirement celebration for Dr.
Claudia Griffin
The University of Arkansas Community College at
Hope Career Pathways Program recently held a retirement celebration
for program director,- Dr. Claudia Griffin. Dr. Griffin has been at
the helm of the program since its creation in 2007 and has assisted
over 1561 students over the past 6 years. The Career Pathway’s
Program is for parents with children under the age of 21 in the
home. At UACCH, the program has provided qualifying students with
over 10,000 books and equipment such as calculators, tape recorders,
dissecting kits, and label makers to share and use. Dr. Claudia
Griffin’s leadership is credited for the concept of buying books and
equipment, loaning them out over and over- and thereby allowing
grant funds to provide more opportunities to more students. The
program has become a model across the state. Dr. Griffin is looking
forward to traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Hope City Board Holds 2nd May Meeting
Stormy weather Tuesday (5-21-13) did not keep the Hope City Board from
holding their 2nd meeting of May. The board looked at potential streets
for milling, overlay, crack sealing, and ditching. The city manager has
asked for the street committee to meet prior to June 4th. Some of the
suggested streets which need attention include east 18th, Center,
Hickory, North Gunter, North Hammond, Betts, Dairy, McFerrin, and
others. Anyone with a suggestion can call City Hall. The board accepted
a bid from a Mr. Collins for $4,150 to thin some timber at the landfill.
The board passed an ordinance that updates the city's purchasing policy.
The new ordinance details that items up to $ 1,000 can be purchased with
department head's approval, items $1,000 to $5,000 require 3 phone bids,
items $5,000 to $10,000 require written quotes,and items over $10,000
require sealed bids. The board looked at a request from F. F. A. that
the city develop and implement an airport grant oversight policy. A
draft agreement was considered and approved by the board. City Manager
Catherine Cook addressed a citizen who had asked two weeks ago about
mobile homes in her neighborhood. Cook explained mobile homes are
allowed on one side of the street but not on the other. The resident
lives at 7th and Edgewood. The board looked at a letter from AMTRAK
President Joseph Boardman which will be hung at the depot. Cook noted
the city's new website at hopearkansas.net is nearing completion. The
board looked at two quotes on a proposed pole barn at the landfill. The
board indicated they wanted the barn bid. The quotes were for $12,750
and $13,500. Board member Don Still mentioned there were a couple of
dead trees on Main Street that need to be taken down and possibly the
property owners might be contacted. The board voted to elect Don Still
to the vacancy on the Tourism Commission.
Hope Police Chief Speaks To Kiwanis
Hope Police Chief J. R. Wilson
spoke to the Hope Kiwanis Club on Tuesday May 21st. Chief
Wilson spoke on training and education for police officers.
Hope School Board Holds May
Meeting
The Hope
School Board convened Monday (5-20-13) for their May
meeting? Following approval of the minutes and financial
reports Superintendent Bobby Hart noted Amy Davis, a senior
who graduated Friday, had been named a National Merit
Finalist, the first from Hope in several years. Hart also
went through some dates and details including that the final
two days of school, May 28th and 29th school will dismiss at
2pm. Hart also noted the office will operate on a four day
week starting June 2nd. The board voted to raise school
breakfasts costs to $1.25 and raise lunch costs to $1.50.
The board also voted to purchase a 2010 Ford van from Hope
Auto for $18,000. This van will be used by the food service
program. The board heard a report on the construction at
Hope High from Assistant Superintendent Steve Bradshaw. The
board also heard from UACCH vice -chancellor Jennifer
Methvin about the concurrent credit program Hope High
students can get through UACCH. She noted 26 students took
advantage of the program this semester but are expecting 4
times that number next year. Methvin also talked about
working with all seniors to complete the UACCH application,
both as a learning exercise and to assist students who
decide late in the summer to attend UACCH. The board
approved the audit report and also went over accreditation
reports for the district. Hart noted the courts have signed
off on the district rezoning plan and the decision to cut
the board from 8 members to 7. The board discussed moving
the 9th grade academy to the Garland facility. This would
involve about 170 students, Such a move would free up 9
classrooms and the auditorium. This would offset the space
being utilized on the first floor of the high school for the
New Tech Academy. Board member Viney Johnson said she
believed the board had indicated 20 years ago when Clinton
Primary was built that they then hoped to not utilize
Garland for children any more than they had to? No one could
comment as no one else currently on the board was on the
board 20 years ago. Vice -Principal Pam Kessell asked the
board to do such a project right or not at all. Board member
Willie Buck suggested the GED/WAGE program would need to
move if the 9th grade academy comes to Garland. Board
President Joe Short suggested the administrators come back
with a plan. Personnel matters closed out the meeting. The
board approved a facilities request for the Yerger gym for a
summer basketball program.
Super Country 105 at the
AMTRAK Dedication
Thousands gathered in downtown Hope Saturday
(5-18) to celebrate “Train Day” and the official dedication
of the AMTRAK stop in Hope. Vice-Mayor Steve Montgomery
presided over the event noting the strong attachment Hope
has to the railroad. He noted Hope was founded due to the
railroad coming through the area. He noted the first
passenger train came to Hope February 1st, 1872
and continued until 1971. Other speakers included State
Senator Larry Teague, former U.S. Congressman Mike Ross,
Interim Southwest Arkansas Arts Council Director Jeff Cook,
and Todd Stennis of AMTRAK. Following the 30 minute
ceremony the crowd moved to the breezeway of the depot where
Paul Henley cut the ribbon for the stop. A tail-gating food
contest was held and the Civitan held drawings for AMTRAK
trips. Tyler Brelin won the St. Louis trip and Craig
Robinson won the Chicago trip. Paul Henley noted over 1,700
people toured the AMTRAK exhibit train at the event.
The
AMTRAK dedication ceremony concluded
with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting. Paul Henley cut the ribbon
and afterwards noted he always expected AMTRAK to come to Hope. He
credited City Manager Catherine Cook and John Ed Watkins with being
instrumental in working to bring AMTRAK to Hope. Henley says now that
he has the project finished he hopes to take some train trips. He and
his wife Dolly spent many weekends traveling to meetings with the Texas
Eagle Marketing and Promotional Organization working to secure the
stop. Since the train began stopping April 4th there have
been quite a few passengers getting on and off in Hope.
Bluegrass Festival At
Historic Washington
The always
popular Hartley Family performs Saturday at the Hope
/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Bluegrass Festival
held at Historic Washington State Park.
Kenneth
Clements of Fordyce, Glenn Woodruff of Hope, Stan D'Aubin of
Springdale, and and Charlie Webb of Hope have a "jam "
session Saturday at the Hope /Hempstead County Chamber of
Commerce Bluegrass Festival at Historic Washington State
Park.
