Searcy super turnover by Jacob Brower

50¢

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The

Daily Citizen www.thedailycitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

Gulf south conference to seParate? Gun laws likely to be challenGed Six Arkansas schools, including Harding University, are looking to form a new conference. — PaGe 1b

A Supreme Court decision made Monday will likely strike down several state and local gun laws. — PaGe 3a

Harding cancels fireworks display

By luke Jones ljones@thedailycitizen.com Harding University’s largescale Independence Day fireworks demonstration will not take place this year, according to public relations director David Crouch. “I just got the word of the deci-

sion last Friday,” Crouch said. Reasons for the decision are financially based. “We take care of all of the arrangements and a hefty portion of the bill, then we ask local businesses to help, and they have been,” Crouch said. “But prices

went up significantly this year. We couldn’t find the support and couldn’t absorb all of the cost ourselves.” The show typically costs thousands of dollars and often features extra attractions like carnivals, bike parades and craft fairs.

Harding has been sponsoring the event for the past several years and it attracted at least 5,000 visitors annually. The University said that if enough community support can be garnered, they may be able to hold a firework show next year.

Today is lasT day for school adminisTraTors

MissinG Man

Name: Eugene Young Reported missing: Since June 23 Body found: June 26

missing la. man found dead

officials find body in White county

Retiring Searcy assistant superintendent Earl Walton talks to the district’s new Instructional Technical Specialist Patty Kitts Tuesday. Walton, Superintendent Tony Wood and assistant superintendent Calvin Estes are all retiring today. Warren Watkins/warren@thedailycitizen.com

Leadership team sees complete turnover

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com oday is the last day for the top three administrators at the Searcy School District and two of their replacements have already been named. Superintendent Tony Wood announced his retirement first, sparking a months-long search lead by McPherson & Jacobsen Executive Recruitment and Development, a nationallyknown consulting firm, and involving 16 of applicants. Wood had led the district since 1992. On April 5, Diane Barrett of West Fork was selected by the Searcy school board as the new superintendent from a field of three finalists in a special board meeting. The board voted to increase the superintendent’s salary to $150,000 a year upon Barrett’s arrival. With about 4,000 students, the Searcy

searcy school district leadershiP Out with the old (retiring): n Tony Wood, superintendent n Earl Walton, asst. superintendent n Calvin Estes, asst. superintendent

School District has Searcy High School educating grades nine through 12, Ahlf Junior High School grades seven and eight, Southwest Middle School grades five and six and the three elementary schools, kindergarten through fourth grade. A new fourth-grade wing is under construction at Southwest, leading to a change to K-3 for the elementary schools in the 20112012 school year. Also retiring is Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Earl Walton, 64, who will be replaced by Dr. Sheena

U.W. Mullins, outgoing Searcy Rotary Club president, was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship by Irene Gray, executive secretary, during a club meeting at the Searcy Country Club Tuesday afternoon. The fellowship is the highest honor given by Rotary, Gray said. Jacob Brower/jbrower@thedailycitizen.com

CONTiNuED ON PAgE 2A

Burglar nabbed red-handed

high rotary honor

WEATHER

Williamson, currently the principal of Beebe High School. Williamson was hired by the board May 20. Walton spent 39 years in education. Born in Memphis, Walton graduated Whitehaven High School in 1964 but his college career at Mississippi State University was interrupted by a draft notice, prompting his enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps, in which he served a year of active duty and six years in the reserves. Walton returned to his hometown and graduated from Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) in 1970 and began teaching in an inner city junior high school. After five years teaching, Walton spent a year as a roofer, then returned to teaching at Paragould, where he taught in the middle school and coached football and basketball. From there Walton moved to Newport where

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com A man missing in Louisiana has been found dead 270 miles north in Arkansas. On Saturday, an officer with the Arkansas Game and Fish did a check on a vehicle parked near Bradford. The vehicle was a 1996 red Ford Ranger with a small single axle trailer attached to the bumper hitch. When the officer ran a check on the vehicle license plate it returned as a missing person hit out of Delhi, La. The driver of the vehicle, Eugene Young, was confirmed missing and had not been seen by family members since June 23 at 12:30 p.m. It had been reported to law enforcement in Delhi by family members that Young had been suffering from dementia. The officer requested assistance from the White County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies arrived at the location of the truck and searched the area for several hours. Due to darkness and the extreme terrain in the area, it was determined it would be better to begin the search again at first light. Deputies arrived the next morning to resume the search. A search party was formed and a search was conducted and at approximately 7:55 a.m. Detectives with the White County Sheriff’s Department, located Young’s body about a half-mile north of where his truck had been found. Young’s body was turned over to White County Coroner David Powell and was then sent to the state crime lab. No foul play is suspected, according to White County

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com Quick thinking by a local citizen and a timely response by police officers resulted in the capture of a man while committing a burglary, police say. After a brief struggle, Bernal Johnson, 36, JoHnson of Searcy was arrested for commercial burglary at 5:32 a.m. Monday by two Searcy police officers. A passerby had seen Johnson breaking into Edward Jones Investments at 1315 E. Race

INDEX NATION & STATE, 3A OPINIONS, 4A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 5A LIFESTYLES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 5B

and called 911, police said. Sergeant Steve Hacker and Officer Lynn Smith responded to a burglary in progress and arrived while Johnson was still inside the building. The two entered the building through the broken window and located Johnson, who then ran towards the officers, according to police. Johnson was taken to the White County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $20,000 bond. Other burglaries have been reported in the same neighborhood with the same method of operation by the burglar or burglars, police say. At 8:37 a.m. Friday, the Searcy Police Department

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busted burGlar

Charged: Bernal Johnson, 36 Caught by: n Sgt. Steve Hacker n Officer Lynn Smith

Hacker

smitH

responded to Modern Woodman of America, 500 W. Race, regarding a commercial burglary. Complainant Mickey Gentry reported one CONTiNuED ON PAgE 2A

Life doesn't imitate art, it imitates bad television. Woody Allen

American comedian, 1935

”

Page 2A • Wednesday, June 30, 2010

From Page one

New Rotary officers

The Daily Citizen

Beebe streets patched, not paved

Drop in revenue strains budget

Several Rotarians were installed as officers during a club meeting at the Searcy Country Club Tuesday afternoon. Pictured, l-r: Tyonia Beard, director; Charles Green, treasurer; Larry Nokes, president-elect; Irene Gray, executive secretary; John Baker, director and Kirk Manor, director. Not pictured: Paul Ford, president; Winston Collier, secretary; and Brenda Engle and Teresa Holden, board members. Jacob Brower/jbrower@thedailycitizen.com

Utah family of inmate killed files suit

By Jennifer Dobner The Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY — The parents of a Utah inmate killed in a southern Arkansas van rollover in 2008 have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a private company that contracts with law enforcement to transport prisoners across the country. Court papers filed in Salt Lake City's U.S. District Court Friday claimed U.S. Extradition Services of Stockton, Calif., was negligent in the June 27, 2008,

accident that killed Shawn Robert Talbot. The lawsuit filed by Robert and Linda Talbot contended the driver fell asleep at the wheel before the van drifted into oncoming traffic on U.S. 167. Another employee grabbed the wheel of the van and overcorrected. The van then hit a culvert and went airborne before rolling twice and coming to a stop, an Arkansas State Police officer told a newspaper at the time. Court papers said Talbot, 29, was handcuffed and

shackled, but not wearing a seat belt. He died at the scene. Seven inmates and two guards were in the van, which was headed to Little Rock, the state police said. One other inmate was killed, and four were injured. A telephone message left at U.S. Extradition's corporate office was not immediately returned Tuesday. David Morgan, a Utah attorney for Talbot's parents, told The Associated Press he believes U.S. Extradition

employees were not properly trained. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Named as defendants in the lawsuit are company President and Operations Director Gordon Brooks and employee Gregory Reed. A company Web site said U.S. Extradition has offices nationwide, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas.

By Theresa Komor Special to the Daily Citizen BEEBE — During the first two quarters of 2010 the city received roughly half the amount of money in county sales tax and turnback revenue, a drop in income that puts a strain on the ability RobeRtson of the city to maintain its streets. According to Mayor Mike Robertson, during last year the county sale and use tax revenue income averaged $70,000 per month. For the first half of this year, that amount dropped to $35,000. “This left us with about enough to pay salaries for our road crew, and that's about it,” said Robertson. “Until sales tax revenues pick up, we can only do patch and repairs. There will be no street overlays.” With the revenue decrease, positions that have come open have been left open. Several part time police officers have left over the past few months. However, the city is not in the red. Robertson said that there are still excess revenues for a cushion, and that the budget is closely monitored. Last month, the county sales tax revenue jumped back up to $72,000, but it's too soon to tell if it

will remain at that level. City clerk/treasurer Carol Westergren said that the rates for Municipal Health Benefit Insurance are going up. Family coverage is going up to $819 from $748 a month, and individual up to $369 from $335.50. For those hired after 2005, the city pays the coverage for each employee and if an employee requests family coverage, the difference in rates between the two plans is deducted from their pay. “Revenues may be going back up, but it's going right back out,” Westergren said. “We may need to think about a cap.” In other city council business, Robertson requested the go-ahead to form a parks commission to oversee the operations, maintenance, schedule and supervision of all city parks. The council passed the final ordinances for the employee paid holiday schedule, prohibiting the sale of drug paraphernalia and prohibiting the sale of K-2 within the city limits. The resolution to extend the franchise contract with Charter Communications for one year and the resolution to accept the final 2009 budget were also passed. The Independence Day celebration on July 3 with begin at 7:30 p.m. with entertainment and fireworks around 9 p.m. The next city council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on July 26.

Son of Ashdown mayor drowns in lake Found: Man found dead

The Associated Press ASHDOWN — Authorities in Little River County say the son of Ashdown's mayor has drowned in a southeastern Oklahoma lake. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says

24-year-old Aaron Kyle Reed drowned Sunday in the Mountain Fork River near Broken Bow. Little River County Sheriff Danny Russell confirms Reed is the son of Ashdown Mayor Wayne Reed.

An OHP report says Aaron Reed was alone in a canoe when he became separated from the group he was canoeing with. His body was found in 7 feet of water near the U.S. Highway 70 bridge.

ConTInuED from PagE 1a

Chief Deputy Jeremy Clark. The initial complaint was made to the Delhi Police Department and the case was then turned over to the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office in Rayville, La. Chief Deputy Terry Thompson was asked if Young had been to Bradford p.m. Friday and the time of before. the call someone had broken into the business.

nabbed: Police officers catch burglar red-handed

ConTInuED from PagE 1a

stolen from the business. At 8:30 p.m. Monday, the

Searcy Police Department responded to Riley Realty, 1302 E. Race on a report of

a burglary. The complainant told officers that between 5:30

school: Today is last day for several administrators ConTInuED from PagE 1a

he was a junior high and high school principal for three years, then moved to the Arkansas Department of Education for three years. Walton served as junior high principal at Beebe for three years, then assistant superintendent there, before beginning his 18-year stint as assistant superintendent in Searcy. Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Calvin Estes, 60, also retires after today, and his replacement has yet to be decided. With 40 years in education, Estes’ had a career that began as a boys bas-

ketball coach Purdy, Mo., and included work as a girls basketball coach in McRae and Rose Bud before moving into administration as a principal and superintendent at McRae. Estes joined the Searcy administrative team in 1994. A 1967 graduate of McRae High School, Estes earned a bachelor’s in education degree from Arkansas State University in 1971. Walton said, although the modern era of accountability in education has been very good, a challenge for school districts today is finding a way to assess students who

are not challenged enough to require special education but who are not in the top percentiles in learning proficiency. “It’s an all-or-nothing thing,” Walton said. “There needs to be a third ladder in the testing.” The standard in the No Child Left Behind emphasis on mastery of content has risen to about 80 percent, Walton noted, yet about 15

to 25 percent of students fall into that category in the Searcy district.

“Not to our knowledge,” Thompson said “We haven’t ascertained that. We don’t think he had been. I think he just possibly got on the roadway and was disoriented and kept driving.” Thompson said Young possibly died of exposure and dehydration that lead to a heart attack.

CorreCtions

The Daily Citizen corrects factual errors promptly and courteously. If you have a correction or clarification, please call Editor Jacob Brower at (501) 268-8621 or e-mail him at jbrower@thedailycitizen.com.

Early Deadline Schedule EDITION

DEADLINE

Wednesday - 6/30

Noon - Mon. 6/28

Thursday - 7/1

Noon - Mon. 6/28

Friday - 7/2

Noon - Tue. 6/29

Saturday - 7/3 Sunday - 7/4 Shoppers - 7/7

Noon - Wed. 6/30 Noon - Wed. 6/30 Noon - Wed. 6/30

Tuesday - 7/6

Noon - Thur. 7/1

Wednesday - 7/7

Noon - Fri. 7/2

The Daily Citizen offices will be closed on Monday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day.

50¢

Friday, July 2, 2010

The

Daily Citizen www.thedailycitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

searcy legion baseball action

The Crain Automotive team completed a 2- game sweep against Blytheville in Searcy. — Page 1b

Fireworks shows

n Bald Knob: Saturday, Horton’s Produce Stand, 6 p.m. n Judsonia: Saturday, Friendly acres Park, after dark n Beebe: Saturday, City hall, 7:30 p.m. n Higginson: Sunday, City Park, 6 p.m.

July 4 activities planned

By luke Jones ljones@thedailycitizen.com The Fourth of July is an important time for families to celebrate their country’s independence, and White County joins the rest of America in hosting community events. Specific events in White County towns are as follows: Searcy: As previously reported, Harding University’s fireworks display is canceled this year due to lack of funds. Bald Knob: An old-fashioned Fourth of July party will be held Saturday at Horton’s Produce Stand starting at 7 p.m. with music by The After Hours Band beginning at 6 p.m. Fireworks will begin after dark; participants

Firm issues statement on burglary

The Edward Jones office in Searcy issued a statement concerning a burglary earlier this week. — Page 2a

Superintendent has busy first day Construction meeting, search for new assistant on diane Barrett's mind

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com It was the first day on the job for new Searcy School Superintendent Diane Barrett Thursday, and one word summed up her first morning: Busy. Barrett, who replaced retired superintendent Tony Wood, was formerly the superintendent of the West

Diane barrett

Position: New Searcy School District Superintendent Age: 56 Previous position: Superintendent, West Fork School District Barrett uofa at Monticello graduate: 1976 and 1993

Fork School District and has been meeting with Wood in the days leading up to the transition. “I had people coming in, not

only staff members but people from the business community, welcoming me,” Barrett said. “I met with my assistant superintendent, Dr. Williamson, and we tried to do a little bit of planning.” Also on her first day on the job, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Sheena Williamson replaced retired assistant superintendent Earl Walton and was formerly the principal of Beebe High School. “I also attended a construction meeting at Southwest Middle

School,” Barrett said. The new fourth-grade wing will be under construction Barrett’s entire first year of service in Searcy and is due to open for the 2011-2012 school year. Elementary schools in the district will become K-3 and Southwest will begin serving grades 4-6, sharing a cafeteria. Barrett was asked what her first challenge would be and what she was looking forward to the most. “Just trying to become familiar with the inner workings of the CoNTiNuED oN PaGE 2a

‘There'S Been a loT of waTer under The Bridge’

CoNTiNuED oN PaGE 2a

animal shelter

Bald Knob animal Shelter Capacity: 15 dogs Current population: 15-20 dogs Needed: Volunteers, food, toys, donations

animal shelter sees hard times Bald Knob facility needs donations, volunteers

By luke Jones ljones@thedailycitizen.com BALD KNOB — Although Bald Knob’s animal shelter has seen growth in the past couple years, the fledgling facility still needs help from the surrounding community so it can treat its dogs with the best care. Larry White of Bald Knob’s police force is the main handler of the shelter. He picks up two to three dogs on a weekly basis. But many residents are not even aware of the shelter. Of the approximately 3,000 residents in Bald Knob, “probably 2,500 don’t know about the shelter,” White said. “I’d like to have a big facility out here, an indoor no-kill shelter. I’d love that.” White only recently got signs for the facility, which lies on the outskirts of Bald Knob along an old sewage pond. The shelter is designed to hold 15 dogs, and has space outside the kennels for dogs to run around and stretch, as well as a water trough, fans and heat lamps. CoNTiNuED oN PaGE 2a

Bubbles Choate pets one of his longhorn cattle on his ranch on the banks of the Little Red River. Choate is known for his catfish house, which has been closed since the early 1990s. Warren Watkins/warren@thedailycitizen.com

Bubbles Choate still entertains with fish — and alligator — tales H By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com e’s one of White County’s most colorful characters, and today Robert “Bubbles” Choate spends his days amidst a thousand memories on the bank of the Little Red River near Searcy. Choate, 73, lives just outside of Choate Searcy not far from his sister, Melba, and their brother, Lloyd “Mokey” Choate. “There’s been a lot of water under the bridge,” Bubbles said. Perhaps best known for Bubbles Choate’s Catfish and Cajun Restaurant, Bubbles has been many things in his life, including a carnival worker, a painter of radio towers, a shrimp boat owner, a Longhorn cattle rancher and an antique car trader. The restaurant building, dilapidated and overgrown, still stands near the Highway 367 bridge over the river.

WEATHER

Today: Sunny. Highs in the lower 90s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

array oF careers Bubbles Choate’s careers included: n Carnival worker n Tower painter n Catfish restaurant owner n Shrimp boat owner n Longhorn rancher n antique car trader

“My parents were carnival owners, and settled in Judsonia,” Bubbles said. Perhaps for the first time, Bubbles admitted to a journalist the origin of his name, given to him by Melba after an incident. “We lived in little trailers,” Bubbles said. “I bought a whole case of bubble gum and, about a month later, the ants carried us all off, trailer and all.” Bubbles graduated from Judsonia High School in 1952 and, not choosing a carnival career, began painting tall radio towers, an endeavor that took him all over the country and even to Cuba. In 1960 a wreck in a brandnew Cadillac — the accelerator stuck under the floormat — near

“If I tell you the truth, my life is dull and I don’t have anything to say to you ... If I told you the truth you wouldn’t be hanging onto the edge of your seat.” roBert “BuBBles” choAte Searcy resident

the “Y” where Race Street crosses Hwy. 367, broke every bone in Bubbles body, Mokey said, and his brother’s survival was near miraculous. Then in 1967, Bubbles married his wife, Brenda, bought a former truck stop that had fronted a beer joint years before and opened a fish market, buying pond-raised catfish and keeping the stock fresh with a system of pipes and tanks fed from the Little Red River only yards away. The next year, according to Bubbles, he “invented” the catfish buffet, charging $2.50 for all you can eat, claiming their flavor was enhanced by their short stay in the river water before they were cleaned, rolled in corn meal, fried and placed in heaping platters next

INDEX NATION & STATE, 3A OPINIONS, 4A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 5A LIFESTYLES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 4B

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to French fries and hush puppies. Also on the menu was alligator and Cajun specialties. Bubbles was known to hook up a small train to entertain the children from time to time, pulling them around the farm as before and after meals, visitors would make their way back to a pond behind the restaurant. “I put the little ones in my ponds,” Bubbles said of the catfish. Before long, Bubbles also had alligators in those ponds, which is yet another Bubbles Choate story. “They got here from Louisiana in the back of my brand new Cadillac,” Bubbles said. “We brought five alligators from Louisiana in the floorboard.” CoNTiNuED oN PaGE 2a

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. Berthold AuerBAch German author, 1812-1882

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Page 2A • Friday, June 2, 2010

From Page one

Entertaining: Bubba Choates is still telling tales

Continued from Page 1a

Putting one of the alligators in the seat of a state trooper’s car, Bubbles had some fun, he said. “That gator rared back and opened his mouth right on cue,” Bubbles said. “The trooper drew his .45 and was about to shoot and we made him stop. I wasn’t worried about him shooting the gator, I just didn’t want him to shoot a hole in his police car.” Feeding his flock of ducks one day from a convertible, Bubbles and some friends lead the flying ducks all the way This barn, long since gone, was a landmark between Little Rock and St. to the White County Courthouse and Louis, advertising Bubbles Choate’s Farms, which contained his catfish back, he said. In the restaurant, Bubbles entertained house. The barn was the subject of a four-year, $40,000 legal battle with the state of Arkansas, Choate said. Contributed photo customers with his stories. tle and won, he said. Today the barn is points to an electric keyboard, saying it “Like the time I told a group that gone and three crosses stand at the site. once belonged to Elvis Presley. my plane wouldn’t go in forward gear In 1981 Bubbles closed the restaurant “Sometimes I get involved in telling once so I had to fly to Little Rock backand despite a brief reprise of a few years something and they eat it up,” Bubbles wards,” Bubbles said. in the early ‘90s it remains closed today. said of his story telling. “You know, While filming “White Lightning,” In a two-story metal building on his like when old men used to tell little kids Bubbles said, Burt Reynolds became a ranch are numerous classic cars includthings and get ‘em all wide-eyed.” fan of his catfish, bringing his crew to ing a 1902 Oldsmobile, a Mercedes that Most of all, Bubbles said, his stories Searcy. Bubbles even had some small he says once belonged to Elvis Presley’s are to entertain himself. roles in the film, he claims. “If I tell you the truth, my life is dull The best-known advertisement for the mother, Choate’s “personal” Cadillac stretch limousine. and I don’t have anything to say to you,” catfish house was a barn on his property Pictures of Bubbles with the Beverly Bubbles said. “If I told you the truth you seen easily from Highway 67/167. When Hillbillies and a 15-year-old Winthrop wouldn’t be hanging onto the edge of state officials ordered the sign removed, your seat.” Bubbles fought a four-year, $40,000 bat- Rockefeller adorn Bubbles’ den and he Larry White, left, oversees the dogs at Bald Knob’s animal shelter with Tonyia Brady, right. The shelter has grown in the Continued from Page 1a past year, but are encouraged to bring lawn still is in need chairs. Judsonia: The Friendly of donations to Acres Park will hold a fish- better suit its ing derby Saturday for ages animals. The four to 12. Registration will shelter currentbegin at 8 a.m.; hot dogs and ly holds 15-20 drinks will be on sale. The dogs and one Little Red River Band will rooster. Luke perform. Fireworks will be Jones/ljones@thedailycitizen.com held after dark. Beebe: A Saturday celebration will be held at city hall beginning at 7:30 p.m., featuring music and free Continued from Page 1a food. Fireworks commence The shelter is currently designed for dogs, although five of the current populaat dark. home to 15-20 dogs, and the a rooster recently joined tion have been spayed or Higginson: A Community city ordnance declares that the fray. A snake problem neutered. Freedom Celebration will be dogs can be held for 10-15 was solved when it turned But the shelter is still held Sunday at the Higginson days before being put down. out the rooster was fighting greatly in need of help. White City Park starting at 6 p.m. “We try to hold them as long them off. It eats dog food and said they always need volunLook for food, games, music as we can,” White said. “As helps keep the bugs away, teers, as well as foster ownand more, with fireworks long as it’s not too full. We’re White said. ers, food, toys, doghouses beginning at 9 p.m. The event very good dog lovers.” Brady sees dogs of all and little things like bleach is sponsored by Higginson White works with Tonyia kinds pass through the shel- and Pepto-Bismol. churches, city hall and the Brady in taking care of the ter. White said donations fire department. animals. Brady takes time “We’ve had some pure- can be dropped off at Bald

Shows:

Cities plan activities

Bald Knob: Animal shelter in need

naming each dog. She recently purchased some stuffed toys for the dogs to play with, but she stressed For residents of Searcy, that donations of new toys the city reminds revelers that are always needed. it is unlawful to explode any The facility is only type of fireworks within the city limits. Mayor Belinda LaForce notes that the law has been in Continued from Page 1a place since 1963. “I just want people to be School District,” Barrett mindful of the heat condi- said, “getting to know the tions and of the dry grass staff and visiting the schools. and brush,” she said. “Just I’ll be assessing the educaas a reminder. Sometimes tional program and seeing it people do not realize that we at work.” have this law in place, and it One of Barrett’s tasks will is a law.” LaForce reminds be to find a new assistant citizens that failing or simply superintendent for support forgetting to cooperate could services, replacing Calvin land violators with a ticket. Estes, who also retired this Assistant Fire Chief Doug Baker of Searcy’s fire department stresses monitoring children, especially making sure they do not hold lit fireworks. “That’s how children usually end up getting burns,” Baker said. “Always have adult supervision.” He also cautions fireworks use in general due to the lack of recent rains and extremely dry grass.

City issues fireworks ordinance reminder

breds,” she said. “We get all kinds.” She remembers seeing whippets, golden retrievers and German shepherds. Between 30-40 of the dogs have gone home with new owners, she said. About

Knob’s police department. They can be made anonymously, but he likes to get the donors’ names in the newspaper. “We’re not asking for much in this little old town,” he said.

week. “I’m assessing the situation and considering the options,” Barrett said. Barrett said the transition was smooth and she did not have any urgencies or emergencies to consider. “I’ve come into a school system that has been administered very effectively,”

Barrett said. “The outgoing administration has taken care of business right up to the last moment so I could step into a situation that should make the district operate very smoothly. Mr. Wood has been extremely helpful and tried to bring me up to date on various issues within the district.”

Busy: Superintendent shares first day

The Daily Citizen

Investment firm discusses burglary

The Daily Citizen The Edward Jones office in Searcy, the victim of a Monday morning burglary in which a man was caught in the building and charged, issued the following statement concerning the incident. “It is our wish to first reassure our clients and the general public that our staff were not present during the break-in and everyone in our branch were completely safe. Also, all of our records and information on all client files are kept confidentially in an electronic system that can only be accessed through a highly secure and confidential computer system that no one has the ability to access unless they have security clearance through our home office in St. Louis, Mo.” “In addition, Edward Jones branches across the firm do not hold any cash or securities in their branches. Therefore, this individual would not have been successful in his endeavor of any such petty crime. It is our wish to make a statement that will not give the individual any attention for his bad decisions or choices to attempt to violate the rights of our staff, our community, our branch or our firm. Our wishes are

to focus on thanking the individual or individuals that were kind enough to alert the City of Searcy Police Department. Their choice to become involved in stopping this crime saved our firm thousands of dollars in damage to our physical office and increased our feeling of safety as we go forward. We will never know who they are to thank them personally.” “In addition, we would like to thank the immediate response of The Searcy City Police Department for their quick response to the scene and the ability to apprehend the individual while committing the crime. It is comforting to be reassured by these acts of courage that we live in a city that is being protected 24 hours per day and seven days per week. We can not express enough gratitude to the brave citizen(s) of Searcy and our brave police department for their efforts and success of stopping this individual.” “Our office is ‘business as usual’ and this individual will not get the satisfaction of affecting our daily lives. We feel very blessed that we have the opportunity to continue to serve our clients and our community with a strong and optimistic attitude.”

CorreCtions

the daily Citizen corrects factual errors promptly and courteously. if you have a correction or clarification, please call editor Jacob Brower at (501) 268-8621 or e-mail him at jbrower@thedailycitizen.com.

50¢

Wednesday, august 11, 2010

The

Daily Citizen www.thedailycitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

Wildcats’ QB Back From injury

Seth Keese is back to full health after suffering a torn ACL in last season’s final game. — Page 1B

Former sen. stevens killed in crash

Authorities say a plane carrying former Sen. Stevens crashed in Alaska, killing the senator. — Page 2a

July sees building fees increase Numbers show stable economy, director says

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com A significant jump in fees collected for commercial building permits shows a stable local economy, according to Searcy Code Enforcement Department Director Mike Cleveland. “We have averaged an income this year for our fees and permits $22,000 a month,” Cleveland

commercial Building Average: $22,000 July: $30,348

said. “Last month, our fees were $30,348.” Cleveland said that the $22,000 average is substantially more than the average amount collected for commercial building permit fees last year, and that one large permit is not even reflected in the July report, having been collected in August.

“Our commercial work is still going good and we have one permit that’s not on our report for Orr Nissan,” Cleveland said. “It’s going in across from Flash Market on the end of Beebe-Capps Expressway on Taylor Road, near the freeway.” Cleveland said the residential building permit fees for the last two of months has been slower, but the commercial fees are staying good. “I do think the residential has

really slowed down in Searcy because some of our subdivisions for smaller homes are about full,” Cleveland said. “There’s a new one about to open up, Sunset Point off of West Arch Street, in the next few weeks. I understand there’s several lots already spoken for, people who want to start houses in there. I think the building industry in Searcy is staying up overall. It seems like when the residential goes down commercial goes up, so it offsets. We’ve CONTiNUED ON PAGE 3A

Getting ready for the big day

memorial

For whom: U.S. Army First Sergeant Retired Nick Bacon Distinction: Awarded Medal of Honor Served: Director, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs Died: July 17 Plans: Discussion stage

Plans to honor veteran in works Rose Bud may honor Medal of Honor winner

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com ROSE BUD — Former longtime resident Nick Bacon may be memorialized with a monument and/or flagpole if a plan that is just now in the discussion phase is com- Bacon pleted. Alderman Holly Owen brought the idea before the city council at the regular monthly meeting Monday night and was told that while it was an idea many support, state law requires that city funds could not be used for the effort. A citizens’ group CONTiNUED ON PAGE 3A

drug arrests Chelsey Sherwood poses for photographer Gayle Hunt of Images By Gayle Tuesday in the lobby of the American Heritage Building at Harding University. The photo shoot was in preparation for Sherwood’s wedding, which will be Aug. 28 at the Agora Center in Conway. Warren Watkins/warren@thedailycitizen.com

Retired educator hired by state department of education

Tony Wood led Searcy School District

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com Tony Wood, retired superintendent of the Searcy School District, has been hired as the deputy commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education. Wood will report directly to the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Tom W. Kimbrell, who was appointed by Gov. Mike Beebe

tony Wood

Retired from Searcy School District: June 30 First day at Ark. Department of Education: Aug. 4 New salary: $142,846.91

Wood

in 2009. Wood started work Wednesday after the announcement of his hiring was made Tuesday at the Arkansas Association of

Educational Administrators in Little Rock. Wood, who announced his retirement in December and whose last day was June 30, began his career in education as a teacher for Beedeville Public Schools from 1973-1976, then spent a year teaching in Judsonia before moving up to the principal's position (19771983), then the superintendent (1983-1991), in the former Kensett School District. Wood became a deputy superintendent with the

Little Rock School District for a year, then was recruited to Searcy in 1992. Wood earned his Bachelors of Science Degree from Harding University in 1973 and his Masters Degree, also from Harding, in 1975 before earning his Administrator's Certificate from the University of Arkansas in 1977. Wood’s new salary will be $142,846.91, according to Julie Thompson, spokeswoman for the department of education.

Beebe man charged, other man injured in stabbing incident staBBing incident

Where: 6184 Highway 367 South, Beebe Victim: Dennis R. Starkey, 37, of Beebe Arrested: Norman G. Newsom, 43, of Beebe Charge: Felony battery

The Daily Citizen BEEBE — One man was injured and another arrested after a stabbing incident Monday. Police Chief Wayne Ballew reported that at 3:41 p.m. the Beebe Police Department received a 911 call from Dave’s Core, Inc., at 6184 Highway 367 South in Beebe. The caller advised that a fight was taking place on the property and that a man had been stabbed with a knife.

WEATHER

Investigator Mark Jones responded to the location arriving at 3:44 p.m., police said, and an investigation revealed that an altercation had taken place between two men, one of which had fled the scene. The investigation revealed that Dennis R. Starkey, 37, of Beebe was involved in the fight and that he had been stabbed once in the chest with what witnesses said was a knife, police said. According to police, Norman G. Newsom, 43, of

Austin Loop Road, Beebe, had fled the scene and was accompanied by a woman in a green Mitsubishi sedan. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene to find that Starkey was suffering from a puncture wound to the chest. Additional information was developed and, 65 minutes later, Newsom was taken into custody at his residence without incident by Jones. Newsom was transported to the Beebe Police Department

INDEX NATION & STATE, 2A OPINIONS, 4A LIFESTYLES, 5A CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 6A SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 5B

where he was processed and charged with battery in the first degree, a felony. Newsom was then transported to the White County Detention Center in Searcy and was held on a $20,000 bond. Starkey was transported via ambulance to the White County Medical Center in Searcy for emergency treatment of his wound. Ballew said that the altercation took place regarding a disagreement over a vehicle.

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n Wayne Keith McBride, 35, of Higginson n Rick Garrison, 51, of Bald Knob n Gary Owens, 37, of Searcy n Cory Quattlebaum, 26, of Judsonia n Dixie Brown, 31, of Wynne n Katie Stearns, 30, of Conway n Justin Ellis, of Augusta

Officer on list of those arrested on drug charges

By Warren Watkins warren@thedailycitizen.com A Kensett police officer is among seven people arrested by the Central Arkansas Drug Task Force (CADTF), according to police. Wa y n e K e i t h McBride, 35, McBride of Higginson, was arrested Friday at Kensett, for possession of hydrocodone, while McBride was on duty as a Kensett police officer. McBride was incarcerated in the White County Detention Center and held on $15,000 bond. The investigation was in cooperation with the Kensett

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All books are divisible into two classes, the books of the hour, and the books of all time. John Ruskin

English writer, 1819-1900

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