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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.
“
■ 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
”
The Daily Citizen
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 • Page 3A
FROM PAGE ONE
Bradford sewer lines to be smoke tested
Rotary speaker
Officer resigns, CITY COUNCIL â– Smoke test on sewer lines is replaced â– Resignation of officer
Amy Burton, director of the Downtown Searcy organization presented a slide show of the "Get down, Downtown" from last year. The crowds from last year were approximately 15,000 for the two-day event and she said she is planning for even more this fall. Herb Bacon/Special to The Daily Citizen
By Julie Kohl Special to The Daily Citizen BRADFORD — The city council and many residents have been concerned that there could possibly be some problems, including leaks, in the towns’ sewer system. Aldermen approved a measure Monday night at their regular monthly meeting that would allow for a smoke test to be performed on sewer lines on the east side of the railroad tracks later this week or early next week. Smoke will be passed through the sewer lines alerting officials of any possible leaks in the system. There has been some problems in the city with sewer lines rapidly filling during times of moderate to heavy
Charges:
The remodeling of the old International Shoe Company factory on South Main is nearing completion, according to Searcy Code Enforcement Division Director Mike Cleveland. Pictured here on Tuesday are, from left, Calvin Myers, Lloyd Doby CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A and Pablo Ramirez, Police Department. employees of James Rick Garrison, 51, of Bald Cone Construction. Knob was arrested Aug. 3 Warren Watkins/warren@ by the CADTF, assisted by thedailycitizen.com the Arkansas Department of Community Correction, at Searcy. Garrison was found in possession of approximately 1.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine, value CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A $160, a small amount of sus- sets. We’ve been busy doing the Mabee Business Center has just been finished. pected marijuana and drug inspections.� “These figures show our at Harding University and paraphernalia. Garrison was Commercial construc- PrimeCare’s remodeling local economy is stable,� arrested for possession of a tion going on now in the of the International Shoe Cleveland said. “We’ve never controlled substance with city includes a new wing on Company building on South really slowed down like the intent to deliver and posses- Southwest Middle School, a Main Street. rest of the state and the counsion of drug paraphernalia new Chick-fil-a, Orr Nissan, A remodeling and new try. It looks to me like it’s and incarcerated in the White the Sears Dormitory and wing at Harding Academy even picking up right now.� County Detention Center on $50,000 bond. Gary Owens, 37, of Searcy was arrested Aug. 5 by the CADTF assisted the White CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A money out of government Sullivan for advice. County Sheriff’s Office after plans is being formed. Bacon, a retired First to do it,� Bomar said. “He “I called the mayor at a traffic stop at Highway 11 Sergeant with the U.S. McRae because they have a was a good guy, let me tell and Sears Roebuck Road. A search resulted in the seizure Army, was awarded the you, a really good gentle- veterans memorial,� Bomar of approximately 4.4 grams Medal of Honor for his ser- man. He was a wonderful said. “They have to form a of suspected meth valued at vice in Vietnam then went man. There’s not but about committee outside of city $440. Owens was arrested on to serve as director of 100 Medal of Honor winners government to do this.� For those who would like for possession of a con- the Arkansas Department of throughout the United States. trolled substance with intent Veterans Affairs before dying It’s the highest honor you can to donate, checks may be sent get.� to the Nick Bacon Memorial, to deliver and incarcerated in of cancer July 17. Owen said the Bacon Bomar said she has Rose Bud City Hall, P.O. Box the White County Detention memorial should be done called McRae Mayor Bill 219, Rose Bud, AR 72137. Center. Cory Quattlebaum, 26, of because of what Bacon did Judsonia was arrested Aug. 5 for the county and for the as the CADTF and the White country. Two of Bacon’s three County Sheriff’s Office exe- sons graduated from Rose cuted a search warrant at Y & Bud High School, Owen said, Y Salvage Road in Judsonia and his son James is now (JGUT BT 6QMJGUJOH BT B (SFBU #SB and seized items used in serving with the U.S. Army the manufacturing of meth. in Iraq. Perfect for girlfriends and proudly “I just think it’s the right Quattlebaum was arrested thing to do,� Owen said. “I imperfect moms everywhere. for possession of drug paratalked to his wife, Tamera, phernalia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and she would like to have a (JSMGSJFOE 5PUF and incarcerated in the White flagpole with a bronze plaque #BH County Detention Center on telling his service record.� Owen said the site of the $5,000 bond. memorial is yet to be deterDixie Brown, 31, of XJUI BOZ QVSDIBTF Wynne, and Katie Stearns, mined, but could be in the 3FHVMBSMZ
city park. 30, of Conway, were arrested Mayor Tammy Bomar, Aug. 6 by the CADTF assisted the Arkansas Department who was absent from the h7HEN YOU CARE ENOUGH TO SEND THE VERY BEST v of Community Correction meeting for personal reasons, said taxpayer funds could not at Searcy after the women were found in possession of be used to pay for the memo "2)$!, 2%')3429 s ')&43 s (/-% $%#/2 approximately 28.7 grams rial, but the city could lend % 2ACE s 3EARCY its facilities, such as the comof suspected meth valued at $2,870. Stearns was arrest- munity center, for fundraising -ON 3AT activities. ed for possession of a con "ECKY 0IERCE #ERTIFIED "RIDAL #ONSULTANT “You just can’t take trolled substance with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia and incarcerated on $50,000 bond. Brown was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia and incarcerated on $20,000 bond. Justin Ellis, of Augusta was arrested Aug. 6 by the CADTF at Searcy for delivery of a controlled substance, namely meth. Officers seized approximately one gram of suspected meth valued at $100. Ellis was incarcerated !
on $50,000 bond. ! !
Officer arrested for drugs
July: Increase in building fees seen
Veteran: Plan in works to honor man
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Jim Neely
rain and some water leakage from manholes has also been reported. By performing this smoke test the city will be able to identify problem areas and perform the necessary maintenance as quickly as possible. City council members were concerned that this smoke test will cause alarm from some of the cities residents. Because smoke will be passed through the lines it is possible that residents may see small amounts of smoke wafting out of sewer
vents in the area of the test and possibly in their homes. The council decided that city officials would pass out a flyer and spread word to residents in the area alerting them of the test and what to expect. In other business, the council accepted the resignation of officer Jim Neely from the cities police force. Officer Neely will be taking a job in private business in Newport. Misty Glaze was named as Neely’s replacement. The next meeting of the Bradford City Council is scheduled for Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. The council meets in city hall at 308 W. Walnut St. DOLBY DIGITAL
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