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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
Today: Mostly sunny. Highs around 100. Southwest winds 5 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 70s. Southwest winds 5 mph. Vol. 156, No. 191 ©2010 The Daily Citizen
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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■ Wayne Keith McBride, 35, of Higginson ■ Rick Garrison, 51, of Bald Knob ■ Gary Owens, 37, of Searcy ■ Cory Quattlebaum, 26, of Judsonia ■ Dixie Brown, 31, of Wynne ■ Katie Stearns, 30, of Conway ■ 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
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A
All books are divisible into two classes, the books of the hour, and the books of all time. JOHN RUSKIN
English writer, 1819-1900
Contact us: 3000 E. Race, Searcy, AR 72143, (Phone) 501-268-8621, (Fax) 501-268-6277
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