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Filing Period Closes in
Hempstead County for May 18th Primary
The filing
period for candidates running in the May 18th
primaries closed yesterday (Monday 3-8) at noon. A number
of contested races are set for the primaries and several
incumbents will not be running. In the county sheriff’s
race, Hempstead County Chief Deputy James Singleton will
face former deputy and business owner Curtis H. Haines.
Incumbent Sheriff Jerry Crane is not running. Incumbent
coroner Gary Aaron did not file to run. In that race former
Sheriff Don Worthy will face Deputy Coroner Ben Brazzel.
Circuit Clerk Carolyn Neel is retiring from that office and
vying to replace her is Anita Tompkins who is an
administrative assistant in the county judge’s office and
deputy circuit clerk Gail Wolfenbarger. County Treasurer
Catherine Rowe has is not running for another term. Filing
to replace her is deputy treasurer Holly Bobo and long-time
Brazzel Funeral Homes employees Judy Lee. Lee is running as
a Democrat and Bobo is running as a Republican. Three
incumbent county officials are running unopposed. They
include County Judge Wallace Martin, County Clerk Sandra
Rodgers, and County Assessor Sandra May. Three Quorum Court
positions in Hempstead County have contested races.
Long-time District 5 JP Olen Dorman is being challenged by
Nicholas Ward. Long-time District 6 JP Lynn Montgomery will
face Nita Waddell in the general election. Montgomery is a
Democrat and Waddell has filed as a Republican. Two people
have filed for the District 10 seat vacated by the recent
death of long-time JP Randy Morris of Bingen. Morris’s son
Todd Morris has filed for that position as has Jay Lathrop
(lay-throp). Unopposed JP races in Hempstead County
include Monica Johnson for district 1, Billy Rook for JP
District 2, Doris Brown for District 3, Danny Watson for
District 4, Larry Byers for District 7, Ronnie Kidd for
District 8, Jessie Henry for District 9, and Keith Steed for
District 11. Two people filed for constable’s seats. Linda
Clark filed for the De Roan Township position and Warren
Webster filed for the constable’s position in the Saline
Township. Filings were also completed for the Democratic
Central Committee and the Republican Central Committee.
Old Washington Farmer’s
Market Gears Up for Second Season
The Old
Washington Farmer’s Market is planning its 2nd
season this year and organizer Stephanie Buckley says a
meeting for farmer’s who wish to participate is set for this
month. A meeting for farmer’s who wish to participate is
set for Tuesday march 16th at 6pm at the
Washington Volunteer Fire Department. Persons who would
like to learn more about the Washington Farmer’s Market may
contact Buckley at 983-2443. The market is expected to open
in early May and all local Arkansas Producers are encouraged
to learn more about the market.
Texarkana
Police Seek Public’s Help in Locating Missing Man
Texarkana,
Arkansas Police are currently attempting to locate David
Beaty. Beaty has been reported missing by his family and has
not been seen in several days. Beaty is described as being a
w/m 6’ 160lbs dark hair and
medium complexion. He is 34 years old. Beaty was last seen
on 2/28/10 wearing a black leather
jacket, baggy cargo style jeans, a
black ball cap, and a
black and white striped shirt
in the area of N. State Line Ave. Anyone with information
on Beaty’s whereabouts or welfare should contact Inv. Les
Moody with the Texarkana, Arkansas Police department @
903-798-3154.
Nevada County Quorum Court Looks to Tighten Financial Belt
The current
state of the Nevada County budget was the main topic of
discussion Monday (03/08) night at the Nevada County Quorum
Court meeting. Judge Baker Butler says at the end of
February, the county general budget was only about $40,000
in the black. Judge Butler says the county general fund
started the year somewhere around $200,000 and went from
around $167,000 at the end of January to around $40,000 in
only one month. Butler says the county has been in the red
before, but never this early in the year. The county will
not be the only one to feel the budget crunch, Butler says
from preliminary numbers coming in, the Prescott school
district will be around $140,000 short and Nevada will be
about around $70,000 short, due primarily to a decline in
student enrollment.
Two Positions to Draw Major Voter Attention in Upcoming
Nevada County Primary
The top two elected positions in Nevada County will be a hot
topic for voters in the upcoming May 18th
primary. Three candidates, including Mark Glass, Nicky
McGuire and Todd Prewitt have filed for the position of
County Judge to replace Judge Baker Butler who is retiring
at the end of his current term, which will expire in
December. For the position of Prescott Mayor, one candidate,
Terry Oliver, has filed to challenge incumbent mayor Howard
Taylor. Several positions will run unopposed, including
Julie S. Oliver for County Clerk, Rita Reyenga for Circuit
Clerk, Pam Box for County Assessor, Karen Cobb for County
Treasurer and William Mullins for Coroner. Danny Martin will
remain in place as Nevada County Sheriff for his second term, as no one filed to
oppose him by the noon deadline on Monday, March 8th.
New Bobcat Football Coach
Discusses the Off-Season
New Head
Bobcat Football Coach Jay Turley spoke to the Hope Lions
Club on Monday. Coach Turley gave the club an update on
what’s going on during the off-season. He noted the players
are working out with weights 4 days a week and are running
one day a week. The coach also noted he runs the “spread
offense” and will be working with the players on that
approach. Coach Turley said there are 69 young men working
in off-season or in spring sports so the numbers should be
good for this fall.
11th
Annual Spring FFA Hill Rodeo this Weekend in Hope
The 11th annual Spring Hill FFA Rodeo is set for
this weekend says FFA member Wesley Barnes. The rodeo is
set for Friday March 12th and Saturday March 13th
at 6:30pm in the Fair Park Rodeo Arena. Admission is $4.
Thursday (3-11) the Friends of the Rodeo will put on a
“Ranch Rodeo” at 7pm in the Rodeo Arena. Admission is $4
and proceeds will go towards the Spring Hill FFA event.
Arkansas Education Board Approves Local School
Mergers
The Weiner and Delight school districts have
received approval from the Arkansas Education Board to merge with
neighboring districts. The districts are 200 miles apart, and last
month they asked the board to allow them to conduct a long-distance
merger of their administrations. The board denied the request but on
Monday approved more conventional plans. Weiner is to be
incorporated into the neighboring Harrisburg School District, and
Delight is to combine with Murfreesboro, to create the South Pike
County School District. Weiner and Delight both were below the
350-student state minimum and had to consolidate. The board also
approved the merger of the Wickes and Van Cove districts. A proposed
merger of Earle and Turrell was taken off the agenda.
8th
Annual Hempstead County Democratic Women’s Bean Supper
The 8th annual Hempstead County Democratic Women’s
Bean Supper is set for Thursday March 11th at the
Fair Park Community Center. Hazel Simpson says for a modest
fee you can eat all you want. Admission is $5 and you can
choose from 20 varieties of beans plus cornbread and “cracklin’”
bread. Tickets are available from any member or at the
door. You can eat in or get your beans to go.
Little Rock
Man Charged with Negligent Homicide Stemming from 2008
Traffic Fatality on I-30
On January
14th, 2010, Anthony W. Gunter of Little Rock was
convicted of Negligent Homicide and sentenced to 10 years in
the Arkansas Department of Corrections, with 5 years
suspended, following a 2008 traffic fatality near Fulton.
Arkansas State Police say that on November 28th,
Gunter and Lance Collins, also of Little Rock, were
traveling from North Little Rock to Texarkana when the
driver lost control of the vehicle at the 18.8 mile marker
and collided with a guard rail. According to the Hempstead
County Coroner’s report, Collins was pronounced dead at the
scene due to a broken neck following the collision. During
the initial investigation in 2008, Gunter stated in an
interview at ASP Headquarters that Collins was driving the
vehicle at the time of the accident. Authorities then
administered a polygraph examination to Gunter, whose
answers proved to be deceptive. Gunter was then given a post
test interview, during which he admitted to being at a party
in North Little Rock where he said he had drank a few beers
and taken some Hydrocodone pills before he and Collins left
for Texarkana. Gunter also admitted that he was driving the
vehicle at the time of the accident and that Collins had
never been behind the wheel. Gunter entered a plea of no
contest to the charge of negligent homicide as a result of
operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
14-Year-Old
Dead after Found Hanging from Front Porch
On Saturday March 6, 2010, Deputies were dispatched to the 600 block of
Hempstead 34 in Nashville in reference to a possible
hanging. Upon arrival deputies made contact with Howard
Count EMS personnel who stated that when they arrived on
scene they observed a 14 year old Hispanic male lying on the
couch in the living room area of the home. EMS personnel
stated that they were told by family members they had found
the 14 year old hanging from a rope on the porch about ten
minutes before EMS arrived. The 14 year old was transported
to Howard Memorial Hospital
where he later died. The 14 year old was pronounced dead by
Howard County Coroner John
Gray and his body was sent to the
State Crime Lab for an autopsy.
7-Year-Old
Passenger Seriously Injured in ATV Accident
At approximately 4:30 pm Sunday March 7, 2010,
Hempstead County deputies were dispatched to
Hempstead County Road 189 in reference to an ATV accident
with injuries. Deputies were advised that a 16 year old, 10
year old and a 7 year old male were riding a ATV on County
Road 189 approximately eight tenths of a mile north of U.S.
Highway 67 when the 10 year old got off the ATV and began to
run along behind and beside the ATV which was being driven
by the 16 year old with the 7 year old as a passenger. The
16 year old driver told deputies that he accelerated the ATV
it flipped and threw him and his 7 year old passenger off
the ATV causing it to land upside down in the road ditch and
the 7 year old passenger was lying in the road bleeding from
the head area. The 16 year old told deputies that he picked
up the injured 7 year old and drove back to their home where
the 7 year olds parents began to drive the injured child to
the hospital in Hope. While en route Deputies and EMS
personnel met the parents at the old weigh scales on 67
where they rendered aid until a helicopter could land and
transport the 7 year old to Children’s Hospital in Little
Rock. As of 8:00 pm Sunday night, the injured child’s
condition was listed as serious but stable.
US Rep. Mike Ross Files for Re-Election
Democratic Rep. Mike Ross is highlighting his
opposition to his party's efforts on health care and climate change
legislation as he seeks re-election. Ross filed for re-election
Friday at the state Capitol. He's the only incumbent congressman in
Arkansas running for re-election. Ross told reporters after filing
that he's opposed a proposed health care overhaul that passed the
House. He also noted his opposition to "cap and trade" climate
change legislation. Republicans Glenn Gallas and Beth Anne Rankin
filed last week for the GOP nomination to challenge Ross in the fall
election. Friday marked the fifth day of filing for state and
federal offices in Arkansas.
Annual
Black History Program Presented at Saratoga Schools
The Annual
Black History Program at Saratoga Schools was held Thursday,
March 4, 2010 in the M.H. Peebles Auditorium. The theme was,
"Don't sit down and wait for opportunities to come; you have
to get up and make them." Students presented the program in
song and skits, as well as a Black History Quiz Bowl Match,
and a modeling show. The program was capped by a
presentation of "A Tribute to Big Mamma" revolving around a
family's patriarch and the trouble in the family that
culminates in Big Mamma's death. The music part of the
program was under the direction of Gifted and Talented
Administrator Kenneth Stewart. Art Department head Christine
Green was Program Director. A number of Saratoga Alumni and
patrons volunteered in producing the program.
Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Contact Committee
Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday
There will
be a meeting for persons interested in serving on the
Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Contact Committee
on Wednesday (March 10th) at noon at the Chamber
office. Chamber president Bitsy Carter explains what the
Chamber is looking for from these volunteers is volunteering
to help with the Chamber banquet and the Watermelon
Festival. She says the biggest thrust will be a group of
volunteers to come to Coffees and Ribbon-cuttings and also
to make contact with merchants to get their thoughts on what
they need from the Chamber. All interested persons are
encouraged to attend. If you need information phone Carter
at 777-6667.
Former
Hempstead County Justice of the Peace Dead at 66
Randy Morris, 66, of Bingen, Arkansas died Friday, March 5, 2010 in
a Texarkana hospital. Morris was a Hempstead County Justice of the
Peace. Morris had represented District 10 for over thirty years. He
also served on the Bingen Volunteer Fire Department Board of
Directors, a past member of the Howard County Cattleman's
Association Board, past owner of Morris Farm and Ranch Supply,
Nashville Livestock and Clark County Livestock. Funeral services
will be at 10 am Monday at Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville with
burial in Ozan Cemetery at Bingen. Memorials may be made to Bingen
United Methodist Church.
Stamps Man Honored by the
Dallas, Texas Black Chamber of
Commerce
A Stamps
native has been honored by the Dallas, Texas
Black Chamber of Commerce at
its 26th annual "Quest for Success" awards. Terry White was
honored for his hard work, growth, and success of his
business. White owns and operates Angelic Mortuary in
Sherman, Texas.
Hope High
Lady Cats Sweep Ashdown Tournament
The Hope
High Lady Cats swept the Ashdown tournament Friday and
Saturday (3-5 and 3-6). Coach Mike Godwin says the Lady
Cats defeated Linden-Kildare Friday 10 to 1. Stephanie
Winnfield was the winning pitcher with leading hitters
including Chelsea Cornelius, Malloree Butler, Shaunte Henry,
and Stephanie Winnfield. Saturday morning the Lady Cats
defeated Arkansas High 14 to 2. The Lady Cats wrapped up
the tournament in the finals defeating Mount Pleasant, Texas
3 to 7. The Lady Cats move to 5 and 0 on the year. They
play next Thursday afternoon when they travel to Foreman to
take on the Lady Gators.
Local
Runners in Little Rock Marathon
At least
two local runners participated in Saturday’s (3-6) Little
Rock Marathon. Jay Kopecky posted a time of 5 hours, 28
minutes and 53 seconds. Brian Cox of Hope also posted the
same time. There were nearly 3,000 runners in the annual
event.
Film Maker of Local Legends
Dead at 71
The man who
scared a generation of movie goers in part with films based
on local legends has died. 71 year old Charles B. Pierce
died in a Dover, Tennessee nursing home Friday. Pierce is
best known for his movies "The
Legend of Boggy Creek" and "The
Town That Dreaded Sundown". "Boggy Creek" was based
on southern Miller County's "Fouke
Monster" legend while "Town" was based on the
Phantom Killer murders in
Texarkana in 1946. Prior to making
movies Pierce was "Mayor Chuckles" on the channel 6
kids show "The Laugh-a-Lot Club" in the late 1960's. Pierce
was a native of Indiana but grew up in Hampton, Arkansas.
He later moved to Texarkana and operated an advertising
agency. "Boggy Creek" was Pierce's first movie. Made for
about $160,000 in and around Texarkana, the movie reported
grossed $25 million dollars, an enormous amount in the early
1970's. A sequel to Boggy Creek was filmed in part at the
old Sheraton Inn motel in Hope. Pierce's later movies
included "Bootleggers", "Winterhawk",
and "Grayeagle". He attended and was honored at the 2008
Little Rock Film Festival.
Pierce died of natural causes and will be buried in
Tennessee where he had lived for the past several years.
Feds: Conway
center puts children at risk of death
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The U.S. Justice
Department is asking a federal judge to halt new admissions of
school-age children at the Conway Human Development Center, claiming
that the facility "exposes residents to death and injury." In a
court filing Tuesday, Justice Department attorneys claim that one
patient fatally overdosed because of "medication mismanagement" and
that an 8-year-old child suffered kidney damage after he received a
high dose of Lithium. The filing also says the center unnecessarily
uses straitjackets, restraint chairs and a device called a "papoose
board" — a padded board intended to immobilize someone's legs, arms
and torso. The center has more than 500 residents and is one of six
residential facilities operated by the state. The lawsuit was filed
last year under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.
DHS spokeswoman Julie Munsell declined to comment because the agency
hasn't fully reviewed Tuesday's court filings.
2 spots left open after Arkansas political
filings
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — When Arkansas' political
filing season closed, two positions failed to draw candidates. The
prosecutor's post at Stuttgart didn't attract anyone and at Mena the
only one to step forward is a potential independent candidate.
Robert Dittrich of Stuttgart said he wants to serve again but forgot
about Monday's deadline until a reporter called him. He can file
paperwork with the state to run as a write-in candidate. Prosecutor
Tim Williamson in western Arkansas said that while he has enjoyed
his job, it was time to "let someone else come to the forefront." He
has been prosecutor for 16 years. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Andrew
Riner of Hatfield has filed a notice to run as an independent
candidate. Riner must gather 255 signatures by May 1 to make the
ballot.
Ark. senate candidate says he'd oppose pay raises
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Democratic Senate
candidate Bill Halter says if elected he wouldn't accept any
cost-of-living pay raises as long as there's a federal budget
deficit. Halter on Tuesday said he would oppose any automatic pay
raises and would donate the money to charity if any were approved in
Congress. The Arkansas lieutenant governor is challenging Democratic
Sen. Blanche Lincoln in the May 18 primary. Members of the House and
Senate under current federal law receive automatic cost-of-living
raises each year, unless they pass legislation rejecting the raise.
Congress rejected a pay raise for this year. Halter also said that
if elected he'd hold town hall meetings in all 75 counties, make his
schedules available to the public online and never become a lobbyist
after serving in the Senate.
First lady to deliver 3 commencement addresses
WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Michelle Obama will
be the featured graduation speaker at three commencement ceremonies
this spring. Mrs. Obama will speak to graduates at the University of
Arkansas at Pine Bluff on May 8. The White House says the university
was the only state-supported institution of higher education for
African-Americans when it opened more than 130 years ago. On June
11, the first lady will address graduates at Anacostia Senior High
School, a Washington, D.C. public school Mrs. Obama visited last
year as part of her mentoring program for young women. And if
students at The George Washington University complete 100,000 hours
of community service before their May 16 graduation, Mrs. Obama will
speak at that commencement as well. The first lady issued the
service challenge to the student body at the beginning of the school
year.
LR museum features war photos by Jim Guy Tucker
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Long before the
Whitewater scandal ended his governorship, Jim Guy Tucker was an
officer in the Marine Corps Reserve who couldn't go to Vietnam
because he had a liver disease. So he went on his own as a civilian
correspondent, documenting the war for Asian and U.S. media outlets.
Tucker's photos from his two trips to Vietnam are featured in a new
exhibit alongside work from his Hall High School classmate, Bruce
Wesson. "Warriors: Vietnam Portraits By Two Guys From Hall," opened
Friday and runs through Aug. 8 at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas
Military History in Little Rock. Tucker says photography became a
new passion of his as he traveled throughout Vietnam. His
black-and-white photographs depict Arkansans at war — sometimes
relaxing, other times responding to attack. Tucker's former
classmate, Wesson, says he hopes the exhibit honors Vietnam veterans
and makes them proud of their service.
W. Memphis college receives federal stimulus
grant
WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (AP) — Mid-South Community
College in West Memphis has been chosen to receive a nearly $3.4
million federal grant.
The U.S. Department of Labor grant announced
Tuesday will be used to establish an aviation technology program.
The college will develop an integrated, FAA-certified training
program for airframe and powerplant technicians.
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