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Wednesday, august 18, 2010
The
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Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854
cuBa traveL restrictions discussed
President Obama’s administration discussed easing travel restrictions to Cuba on Tuesday. — page 2a
Public tutoring proposed
The Searcy High School football team focused on special teams during Tuesday’s practice. — page 1B
$4.50 A&P tax refund requested
tutoring proposaL
Format: Classes, snack, physical activity Space used: 2 classrooms, gymnasium at Carmichael Center Proposed time: Between Labor Day and Thanksgiving
Lions work on speciaL teams pLay
only 1 application filed, according to treasurer
of $4.50. Refunds began July 23 after a months-long debate over the technicalities of the refund process. An ordinance allowing the refunds passed its third and final reading at the Searcy City Council during MeAds a special council meeting called for that purpose June 22. The lone applicant — whose
By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com Searcy Clerk/Treasurer Margaret “Peggy” Meads is processing all the requests for refunds from the Searcy Advertising and Tourism Promotions (A&P) tax: All one of them. And if approved as submitted, the request will result in a refund
classes would use carmichael center
By Luke Jones ljones@thedailycitizen.com Todd Gentry of Harding University and College Church of Christ’s campus ministries proposed a new tutoring program Tuesday. Gentry brought his ideas before the Searcy Parks and Recreation board. He said he had the idea after teaching aborigine children in Australia, then traveling back to Searcy and seeing the need the town had for such a program. He said he already conducted some tutoring with residents of Meadowlake and The Ridge apartments. His program would utilize several classrooms and the gymnasium at the Carmichael Community Center. After tutoring, students would receive a snack and then would take part in a physical activity in the gym. Gentry said his staff would be composed of himself, his wife and a number of retired teachers and administrators, many of who have already volunteered. The classes would begin after Labor Day and continue until Thanksgiving. “I think it’s a very feasible time to do it in,” he said. If the first season worked out, Gentry would begin the next when college students arrived back from Christmas break and continue on until Spring break. Gentry also hopes the tutoring program might evolve into a Boys and Girls Club for the town. He noted that Boys and Girls Clubs are so beloved that during some notable riots, the clubs were left untouched. Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith said he approves of the proposal, CoNTiNuED oN PAgE 3A
Began: July 23 Ends: January Total requested so far: $4.50
name is not public information, according to Meads — submitted 53 receipts, but Meads was not able to give a quick refund because she is charged with verifying each receipt. “The reason I am studying it
completely is in case his receipts do not comply with our ordinance,” Meads said, noting some receipts do not list the tax separately. “In my estimate, rules are rules and the council gave me rules to follow and I’m going to follow them. I’ll give refunds to those that comply and not give refunds those who don’t.” The council voted that refunds will be given to taxpayers who fill out official forms and bring original CoNTiNuED oN PAgE 3A
AttoRney GeneRAl lAuds ARkAnsAs educAtion
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, left, addresses the Searcy district-wide teacher inservice Tuesday while superintendent Diane Barrett, right, listens. McDaniel spoke of some of his experiences and goals as attorney general, and praised Arkansas for its improving levels of education. Luke Jones/ljones@thedailycitizen.com
McDaniel speaks at Searcy High School
A
By Luke Jones ljones@thedailycitizen.com rkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel praised the state of education in Arkansas while speaking at Searcy High School for a district-wide teacher inservice meeting Tuesday. In his address, McDaniel spoke of how pleased he was
Rotary speaker
dustin mcdanieL
55th Ark. Attorney general Assumed office: Jan. 9, 2007 Preceded by: Mike Beebe Party: Democratic
that Arkansas is now 10th in the nation in overall education. “All of my life it was, ‘Thank God for Mississippi,’” McDaniel
Fire Chief Bill Baldridge presented the program at Searcy Rotary Club Tuesday. He discussed the recent converted ISO rating of No. 1. Searcy is the only city in Arkansas with this rating. The fire department is now rated the best in the state under the certification ratings. There are only eight other cities in the U.S. that have both of these ratings. Herb Bacon/Special to The Daily Citizen
WEATHER
Vol. 156, No. 197 ©2010 The Daily Citizen
a&p refunds
Today: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 90s. Northeast winds 5 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers. Lows in the lower 70s. East winds 5 mph.
said, referring to the improvements the state has made since. “It’s all — all — because of the new pre-K system. Our teachers are no longer dead last.” “Arkansas is going up,” he said. “All the surrounding states are swimming in debt. We’re not.” He noted that the state spends $60 million a year on the
Pulaski school district. “I am the first attorney general to admit it,” he said. “We did of course discriminate against African Americans, but after 25 years of litigation, billions of dollars of state money and micro-management, we have done our part. It is time to let patronage control those districts.”
U.S. News ranks Harding among south’s best schools for 17th year
Harding University has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best universities in the South for the 17th consecutive year. The rankings are in the magazine’s 2011 America’s Best Colleges issue, which hits newsstands Aug. 31. The University ranked
INDEX NATION & STATE, 2A OPINIONS, 4A LIFESTYLES, 5A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 4B
20th this year, up six spots from the 2010 ranking. Harding was the only Arkansas institution included among the top 40 regional universities in the South behind such notable schools as Rollins College, Stetson University and James Madison University. The report also ranked
“
Harding at No. 5 — up from No. 9 last year — on its “Great Schools, Great Prices” list as a best value among schools in the South. In addition, Harding was named an “A-Plus School for B Students.” Harding is included in the Best Regional Universities category, which comprises schools that offer a full range of undergraduate- and CoNTiNuED oN PAgE 3A
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. Saint thomaS aquinaS Theologian, 1225-1274
Contact us: 3000 E. Race, Searcy, AR 72143, (Phone) 501-268-8621, (Fax) 501-268-6277
”
The Daily Citizen
From Page one
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 • Page 3A
Students hope to get driver’s licenses
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Wal-Mart 2Q profit rises 3.6 percent on cost-cutting
By Anne D’Innocenzio The Associated Press NEW YORK — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported a 3.6 percent increase in second-quarter net income and raised its earnings guidance for the full year as it benefits from cost-cutting and robust global growth in China, Brazil and Mexico. But a closely watched measure of revenue fell for the fifth consecutive quarter, dragged down by its U.S. WalMart division, as its main customers have felt the biggest impact of the economy's woes. Nevertheless, an upbeat profit picture lifted Wal-Mart shares by almost 2 percent, or 86 cents, to $51.27. The discounter said Tuesday it had net income of $3.59 billion, or 97 cents per share, for the period ended July 31. That compares with $3.47 billion, or 89 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue rose almost 3 percent to $103.7 billion. Revenue at stores open at least a year fell 1.4 percent, worse than the 0.26 percent expected by Thomson Reuters. At Wal-Mart's name-
The results: Wal-mart's net income was $3.59 billion, or 97 cents per share. that compares with $3.47 billion, or 89 cents per share, a year ago. revenue rose almost 3 percent to $103.7 billion. Behind the numbers: Cost-cutting and global sales helped push Wal-mart's profits, but it's facing weak business at u.S. Wal-mart stores amid a tough economy. merchandising problems have also hurt business. Outlook: the company raised its annual earnings forecast.
sake stores, that measure fell 1.8 percent while at Sam's Clubs, the measure was up 1 percent. The measure is a key indicator of a retailer's health. Shares rose 61 cents, or 1.2 percent, to close at $51.02 Tuesday. Analysts had expected earnings per share of 96 cents on revenue of $105.3 billion. "We continue to focus on our priorities of growth, leverage and return," said Mike Duke, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s
Harding: School honored Continued from PAge 1A
master’s-level programs, but few, if any, doctoral programs. Nearly 575 universities were ranked in this category against their peer groups in one of four geographic regions — North, South, Midwest and West. The 12 states included in the magazine’s southern region include colleges from West Virginia to Florida and from Arkansas to the East Coast. Harding is the highest-ranked Arkansas school in this category. “Harding is continually ranked among the South’s most prestigious colleges,� said Dr. David B. Burks, president of the University. “We are pleased that U.S. News & World Report has once again recognized the quality of the Harding experience for the 17th consecutive year.�
To determine the rankings, the magazine evaluated universities across the nation in areas such as graduation rate, peer assessment, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving rate. For the first time, U.S. News also included the opinions of high school counselors who have firsthand knowledge of the academic reputation of colleges nationwide. Harding was first ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 1994 when enrollment stood at just over 4,000. Last year the University welcomed more than 6,600 students and expects another record enrollment for the 2010-11 academic year.
Board: Classes proposed
Continued from PAge 1A
though no action was taken at the meeting. “I think it’s an excellent idea, especially in the neighborhood,� he said. The board discussed other matters Tuesday. New playground equipment will be installed soon at the sports complex. According to Smith, the equipment will measure 50 feet by 24 feet. Two new prefabricated pavilions will be ordered, one for Berryhill Park and another for Yancey Park.
president and CEO, said in a statement. "The slow economic recovery will continue to affect our customers, and we expect they will remain cautious about spending." As a testament to customers' tepid spending, shoppers are buying back-toschool items closer to the school year's start, officials said during a prerecorded conference call. Customers continue to have a hard time stretching their dollars to the next payday, and food-stamp use continues to rise, particularly in areas with the highest unemployment, the company said. During a conference call with journalists Tuesday, Tom Schoewe, chief financial officer, said that even the steep discounts on thousands of products — $1 ketchup bottles and sub-$4 cases of Coke — failed to lift sales as much as forecast because people remain frugal. In July, the discounter went back emphasizing "everyday low prices," rather than such loss leaders designed to get people in the store in hopes they'll buy other, profitable items.
2Q RESULTS
A new fence has been installed at Berryhill Park. The previous fence was 20 years old and rotting, Smith said. He also noted the bike trails had been clean and interest in town is high. “A lot of people are talking about them,� he said. “They are always asking, ‘Can we get extensions?’� Mayor Belinda LaForce noted that if a source of funding shows up, the trails may see those extensions one day.
receipts that separately show the A&P tax. The portion of the $454,102.06 left in the fund after the 180day refund period will be
given to the Searcy Parks and Recreation Department for its use. Meads was charged with overseeing the refunds.
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