Molly's portfolio by Jacob Brower

75¢

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The

Daily Citizen

TheDailyCitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

Riverview to build bus stop building

The Riverview school district has accepted a bid from a Cabot company to build a bus shop building — Page 3A

Bulldogs pursue home playoff game Bald Knob looks to take over second place with a win over Rivercrest Friday. — Page 1B

Purchase of OEM building in works Quorum Court must vote 3 times in favor of amendment for passage

By Marisa Lytle mlytle@thedailycitizen.com A motion to transfer $590,000 for purchase of a new building passed its first round of votes Tuesday night in Quorum Court. It must be passed twice more to be officially approved. This amendment to appropriations ordinance 2010-40 calls for the

Quorum Court

n Regular session of Quorum Court met Tuesday. n Differing opinions voiced on purchase of new OEM building in Searcy

transfer of $590,000 from fund 014699 for the purchase of a building on East Line Road. This building would be used to house the Office of Emergency Management. Justice of the Peace Bobby Quattlebaum spoke before the court

on specific features of the building. He said it contains approximately 7,500 square feet and sits on 2.89 acres of land. It was built around 1976, but has received $107,000 worth of outdoor improvements by Brock Landscaping and $77,000 worth of indoor improvements. He added that the building has a kitchen, central heating and air, and a paved parking area, the rest of the land being fenced in and covered with gravel. In addition, the building

is on a rural septic system and is heated by gas. “The building is listed for $660,000,” Quattlebaum said. “We have negotiated the price down to $590,000. We have also been told the building is ready to move into at any time.” When the floor was opened for questions, Justice Ed Land asked if the building has been appraised and if it is on the city septic system. Continued on Page 3A

Monarch butterflies heading south for winter

Who: Former Arkansas Medicaid director hired in 2009. What: Resigned from post. Why: To take a job with the state of Massachusetts to be closer to his family.

State Medicaid director Gene Gessow resigns

The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas' Medicaid director has resigned from his post as the state develops a proposal to change the way the program pays for services, the Department of Human Services announced Tuesday. Department of Human Services Spokeswoman Amy Webb said Gene Gessow resigned his post Monday and his last day will be in November. Gessow was director of the Division of Medical Services in the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Marilyn Strickland, the division's chief operating officer, will serve as interim director, Webb said. Webb said Gessow is taking a job with the state of Massachusetts to be closer to his family. Gessow was hired in 2009 and had

previously served as Iowa's Medicaid chief. Gessow oversaw the development of a proposal Arkansas has made to switch from a fee-for-service model Medicaid uses. Webb said the state will continue working on that proposal, despite Gessow's departure. "We asked Gene to bring big ideas to Arkansas, and he did," DHS Director John Selig said in a statement released by the department. "Gene has helped us launch significant change that will transform the state's healthcare system. While I hate to see him go, I know family comes first. We have teams in place that will ensure we continue to make progress on these initiatives." The state in May was given initial approval to move forward with developing plans to switch from a fee-for-service model that Medicaid uses.

WEATHER

Today: Mostly sunny. Breezy. Highs in the upper 50s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Berryhill Park, Searcy What to expect: Silent Witness display, children’s activities

Hope Cottage event is Saturday Domestic violence education highlight of day

Monarch butterflies are in the process of heading south for the winter, and one stopped in Searcy on Monday evening for a bite to eat. State entymologist Gus Laurens, who oversees integrated pest management, said many of the monarchs will end up in Mexico or as far as South America once they’ve passed through Arkansas from northern states. He said the monarchs could be in the state for at least a couple more weeks, but their stay depends on the weather. Molly M. Fleming/mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

Gene Gessow

Awareness event

By Molly M. Fleming mfleming@thedailycitizen.com By the time one finishes reading this sentence, someone will have filed a report of domestic violence, as a report is filed every nine seconds. And in Arkansas, White County has the sixth highest number of reported incidences. Volunteers with Hope Cottage, a non-profit shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence, want to bring more awareness of the epidemic to residents of White County. On Saturday, the volunteers will host an event at Berryhill Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that will help educate residents about the frequency of domestic violence. At the event, 23 cutouts of women will be set up, each with a name of a woman from Arkansas who died in 2010 from domestic violence. Four of those women are from White County, said Kate Martin, a volunteer who is helping to organize the event. “Twenty-two women from Arkansas died last year because of domestic violence, Continued on Page 3A

UALR students anxious after body found

By Jeannie Nuss The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK — In a university classroom, students studying Spanish watched a film about the horrific murders of young women in Mexico. As the credits rolled, there was a knock at the door. A police officer wanted to know: Where was Patricia Guardado? Guardado With the violent images from the movie still hanging in their minds, some of those in the class at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock feared the worst about the bright college sophomore. Their worries were confirmed Monday when police said Guardado's body had been found in a pond outside Little Rock. Her death has been ruled a homicide, but so far, police haven't named any suspects or released details about how the 20-year-old was killed, or even how she disappeared. Authorities wouldn't discuss whether she'd been assaulted, nor what evidence, if any, had turned up in the waters where her body was found Sunday. Police haven't ruled out the possibility that a stranger was involved, and that has some students on the urban campus anxious about another attack. Some students said Tuesday they're looking over their shoulders as they hurry to and

from class. University police say more students have been asking authorities to escort them to their cars. Kaitlin Barger, one of the students in Guardado's Spanish class, said she was more cautious than usual after her night class Monday. "I looked behind me. I looked on both sides of me," she said. "I had my keys in my hand, ready to stab" any potential attacker. Guardado was last seen Wednesday morning as she left home to head to a 9 a.m. calculus class. The car she was driving was found in a parking lot behind a fast-food restaurant across from the school. Students often park there and in other private lots. Not all of them have surveillance cameras. University police chief Brad King said there's free parking on campus, about a 10-minute walk at most to the center of campus. But some students, in

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

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a rush to get to class, opt to park in lots like the one Guardado used. "Half of us park across the street," said Barger, who has also left her car where Guardado's was found. On Tuesday, when their Spanish class met again, students stared at the desk where Guardado used to sit. Barger wiped tears and makeup from her eyes with a crumpled tissue as students talked about the act of violence that seemed to have jumped from the movie to real life. "The likelihood of it happening on campus lessens because of security," Barbara Hoover said. Another student disagreed. "Who's to say this couldn't have happened on campus?" Holly Ajanel asked. She tapped the desk next to her — the one where Guardado often sat. "It doesn't matter where she was. It doesn't matter if it happened here on campus..." Ajanel said, her voice breaking. "Someone who is 20 years old is not here with us today." Guardado wasn't a particularly gregarious student, her classmates said. She was smart and determined to succeed, but she didn't call attention to herself. "She didn't dress up a lot," Ajanel said. "But she was dressed up on Tuesday and I didn't say anything to her. I thought she looked really cute and I feel guilty now for not saying anything."

Punctuality is one of the cardinal business virtues. Always insist on it in your subordinates. Don Marquis Poet, 1878-1937

”

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

75¢

The

Daily Citizen

TheDailyCitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

CENTRAL BOARD APPROVES MASTER PLAN SEARCY BASKETBALL PLAYERS GIVE BACK CK The White County Central School board approved the facilities master plan during a recent meeting. — PAGE 3A

Searcy’s varsity boys basketball players took a trip rip down memory lane Friday afternoon. — PAGE 1B

Searcy special meeting today Panel will consider resolution for public hearing for vacating streets BY MOLLY M. FLEMING mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

Walmart

Neighborhood

Market will soon be in Searcy; but before that can happen, the city of Searcy has to make way for the new building. The Searcy City Council will have to approve the vacation of streets in the area where the building will be located. Before that can happen, the council must allow the public to comment on the possible vacation

of the streets. The council will hold a special meeting today at City Hall at 9 a.m. to discuss a resolution to set a public hearing about the vacation of some of Financial Drive and First State Plaza, which will be the location of the new Walmart Neighborhood Market. The council will not be dis-

Bridge work

cussing the actual vacating of the streets. The meeting is being held to set a date for a public hearing in January. In other Walmart market news, during the planning and growth committee meeting on Wednesday, City Engineer Mark Lane told the committee Please see MEETING | 2A

SANTA CLAUS GREETS LOCAL CHILDREN

Where: Highway 305 Bid: $890,587.40 Expected completion: Late 2012

Pangburn bridge to be replaced

Construction bid accepted for $890K

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas State Highway Commission has opened bids for improvements to a roadway in White County, according to Commissioner John Burkhalter. The purpose of the project is to replace a bridge on Highway 305. Franks Construction Inc. of Mountain View was awarded the contract at $890,587.40. “This project will build a new bridge over Brier Creek, which is located southeast of Pangburn,” Burkhalter said. Burkhalter said work could begin on the project in two to four weeks, weather permitting. Completion is expected in 2012.

Rose Bud School Board

Molly M. Fleming/mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

Peyton Tucker, 3, of Searcy gives Santa Claus a warm hug on Friday afternoon at the Santa Hut outside of the White County Courthouse. Santa will be there today from 1-3 p.m., then again on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Rose Bud board approves master plan

“We’ll be back discussing the same issues in a couple of months, but from our point of view, we think the keystone pipeline is a very important job-creating measure in the private sector that doesn’t cost the government a penny.” Sen. Mitch McConnell Senate Republican leader

Senate leaders reach last-minute accord BY ALAN FRAM AND DAVID ESPO Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Senate leaders agreed on compromise legislation Friday night to extend Social Security payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits for two months while requiring President Barack Obama to accept Republican demands for a swift decision on the fate of an oil pipeline that promises thousands of jobs. A vote is expected Saturday on the measure, the last in a highly contentious year of divided government. House passage is also required before the measure can reach Obama’s desk. In a statement, White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer indicated Obama would sign the measure, saying it had met his test of “preventing a tax increase on 160

million hardworking Americans” and avoiding damage to the economy recovery. The statement made no mention of the pipeline. One senior administration official said the president would almost certainly refuse to grant a permit. The official was not authorized to speak publicly. Racing to adjourn for the year, lawmakers moved quickly to clear separate spending legislation avoiding a partial government shutdown threatened for midnight. The developments came a few hours after the White House publicly backed away from Obama’s threat to veto any bill that linked the payroll tax cut extension with a Republican demand for a speedy decision on the 1,700-mile Keystone XL oil pipeline proposed from Canada to Texas. Obama recently announced

he was postponing a decision until after the 2012 elections on the much-studied proposal. Environmentalists oppose the project, but several unions support it, and the legislation puts the president in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between customary political allies. Republican senators leaving a closed-door meeting put the price tag of the two-month package at between $30 billion and $40 billion said the cost would be covered by raising fees on new mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The legislation would also provide a 60-day reprieve from a scheduled 27 percent cut in the fees paid to doctors who treat Medicare patients. Several officials said it would require a decision within 60 days on the pipeline, with the

Next meeting: 7 p.m. Jan. 23 Location: Rose Bud Schools Administration Building

District approves personnel changes

president required to authorize construction unless he determined that would not be in the national interest. Senators in both parties hastened to claim credit for the deal. Sen. Richard Lugar issued a statement that said the compromise included legislation he authored “that forces President Obama to make a decision” on the pipeline. The Indiana Republican faces a strong primary challenge next year from a tea party-backed rival. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said he had “brokered a final deal by bringing lawmakers from both parties together to support jobs.” Not all Democrats were as upbeat. “Look, this was tough. Harry (Reid) had to negotiate

ROSE BUD — The Rose Bud School board approved its sixyear master plan at a recent meeting. Superintendent Curtis Spann presented the board with a sixyear master plan resolution and attached narrative. According to Spann, Hugh Burge had aided in drafting the document and the narrative contained the district’s new project. “We are required by law to have this six-year master plan,”

Please see CONGRESS | 2A

Please see ROSE BUD | 2A

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

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BY M. A. WEBB Special to The Daily Citizen

Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. H.L. MENCKEN 19th Century American journalist

”

75¢

Thursday, September 15, 2011

The

Daily Citizen TheDailyCitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

Beebe going for victory No. 2 at home School board elections are Tuesday Coming off its first victory, the Badgers are upbeat and ready to face Vilonia at home Friday. — Page 1B

neighborhood market

n In talks to build off BeebeCapps Expressway in Searcy n Looked at several other locations n Walmart officials have yet to confirm

Walmart market eying Searcy

Company yet to confirm report

Early voting is already under way with county school board elections to take place next week. — Page 3A

State agency still wants bypass Local leaders unsure of funding

Next step

n Local leaders deciding how to build bypass n Highway department wants to pursue bypass n Public meeting scheduled for Tuesday

By Molly M. Fleming mfleming@thedailycitizen.com The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department still has interest in building the highway to connect Arkansas 36 to Arkansas 67 on the north side of Searcy, according to David Nilles with the highway and transportation department. “Even though the tax did not pass, the project is still on our books,” Nilles said. “We still think there is a need for

this project. It may take longer for it to get under way, but it is still a project we are going to keep on our books.” The highway department will be in Searcy on Tuesday to hear from residents about the possibility of building the bypass. The public involvement Continued on Page 3A

Lincoln blames lack of ‘clear message’

By Molly M. Fleming mfleming@thedailycitizen.com White County Judge Michael Lincoln on Wednesday blamed lack of a clear message to the recent failure of the Highway 36-67 Connector tax issue. “I still think Lincoln it was a fair tax,” Lincoln said. “It stays local and

it improves locally. It would have improved not just one part of the county, but there would have been improvements in all 16 cities. We just didn’t get a clear message out there and I take responsibility for that.” Searcy Mayor David Morris cited the low voter turnout for the failure of the tax. However, the turnout was actually 13 ballots higher than the last county-wide sales tax election. Continued on Page 3A

White County FFAs compete in tug-of-war

By Molly M. Fleming mfleming@thedailycitizen.com Searcy could be the home to another Walmart-owned store, though company officials remain mum. Justin Lawson, Searcy Market President for Centennial Bank, said Walmart has looked at property near the Centennial Bank on Beebe-Capps Expressway as a possible future location for a Walmart Neighborhood Market. The property is owned by Centennial Bank and two other landowners, but Lawson said all three parties are interested in having the store on the property. “[Walmart] has had surveyors come out and look at the property and they are interested in the area,” Lawson said. “I think their intention is to come over and build behind [Centennial Bank], but they are still in a due diligence period. Continued on Page 3A

Next meeting

Who: Beebe City Council Next meeting: 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at City Hall

FEMA to help with root ball removal

Beebe still waiting for damage refund By Erica Sirratt Special to The Daily Citizen BEEBE — FEMA has agreed to help Beebe pay for the root balls leftover from April’s tornado. In August, the city placed an ad in the newspaper giving citizens a three week window to request the removal of root balls on their property. The city received 48 applications with a total of 54 root balls and FEMA has agreed to pay 75 percent of the $9,699.80 bid provided by Hartley Tree Service out of Batesville. City Secretary/Treasurer Carol Crump-Westergren said that the state will pay 12.5 percent of the cost, leaving Beebe to cover the rest. Continued on Page 3A

Above: The Beebe tug-of-war team pulls with all of its might in the championship competition on Wednesday, held at the end of the FFA and FCCLA Days at the White County Fair. The tug-of-war was one of several events held during the day, which included students from Rose Bud, Searcy, Bradford, Beebe, White County Central and Harding Academy. Beebe won the pull and was named the champions of this year’s competition. Right: The Rose Bud tug-of-war team faces another White County school for a place in the championship pull held during the annual FFA and FCCLA Days at the White County Fair on Wednesday. Rose Bud took second place after being defeated by the Beebe team. Molly M. Fleming/mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

Beebe man pleads guilty to possession of a firearm Arrests

What: Beebe Police Department made two recent arrests and one recent conviction Who: Jimmy H. Vincent, Christon L. Powell and Leshawn Maurice Baskin

WEATHER

Man sentenced to 36 months probation

A man from Beebe pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, a class D felony. Leshawn Maurice Baskin, 39, of Beebe entered a guilty plea in Circuit Court on Aug. 3. On Aug. 20, 2010, Baskin was stopped for a traffic violation by officer Jean Stark and found to be in possession of a firearm. Baskin was sentenced

Today: Partly sunny. Cooler. Highs around 70. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

to 36 months active probation with 80 hours community service, a fine of $1,000 and $150 in court costs. Beebe Police Chief Wayne Ballew also released the following information concerning recent felony arrests and convictions. Jimmy H. Vincent, 47, of Beebe was arrested on Sept. 12 after a bench warrant was issued through the White County Circuit Court charging

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

him with domestic battery in the third degree, a subsequent offense and class D felony. "Vincent had a previous conviction for domestic battery on record which made the second offense a felony,” Ballew said. The battery took place on Aug. 16 at the home of Vincent and the victim, identified as Cassandra D. Cobble, 38, located on Green Acres Drive in Beebe. Captain

“

Eddie Cullum investigated the incident and prepared the felony affidavit. Vincent was incarcerated in the White County Detention Center in Searcy and held in lieu of a $7,500 bond. Christon L. Powell, 20, of Beebe was arrested on Aug. 31 by C.I.D. Investigator Jeremy Weeks and charged with felony counts regarding residential burglary and theft of Continued on Page 3A

The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases. Carl Jung

Psychologist, 1875-1961

”

75¢

Saturday, September 17, 2011

The

Daily Citizen

TheDailyCitizen.com

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

Music acts set for Get Down Downtown Week 3 of local football in the books

An Elvis impersonator along with several bands are slated to play at Get Down Downtown. — Page 3A

Grant awarded

What: A federal Drug Free Communities grant To whom: W.I.S.E. Amount: $125,000 for one year, to be renewed each year for five years

Group receives federal grant

Turn to sports to find out how White County’s high school teams fared Friday night. — Page 1B

CERT offers emergency training

Free courses available for local residents

By Molly M. Fleming mfleming@thedailycitizen.com In the last few years, the U.S. has seen its share of natural disasters, from a record-setting hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast, to tornadoes tearing apart Midwestern towns, to most recently, wild fires destroying hundreds of acres in Texas.

CERT

n Community Emergency Response Team n Free training available n Call (501) 279-6277 for more information

Arkansas has seen its own share of disasters, including tornadoes and extensive flooding. When Mother Nature shows her wrath, there isn’t always enough emergency respond-

ers to assist those in need. That’s where Community Emergency Response Teams come to help. The first CERT program was organized in 1987 by the Los Angeles City Fire Department as a way to train community members to meet their immediate needs in times of disasters, such as earthquakes. Eventually, the program went national and is now available in 28 states, including Arkansas. The White County CERT team has been active since 2004, though

some of those years the activity was kind of low. Office of Emergency Management Deputy Director Andy Mariani oversees the program and wants to see the program reach its full potential within the county. Mariani said there are around 20 people in the program currently, but he wants more; and he especially wants those who have not been trained as a first responder. Continued on Page 2A

Local students visit fairgrounds, see the animals

W.I.S.E. earns $125K this year to prevent drug abuse By Marisa Lytle mlytle@thedailycitizen.com A White County coalition recently received a nationally-funded grant in the amount of $125,000 per year for five years. The members of White County Invested in Substance Abuse Eradication (W.I.S.E.) were notified at the first of this month that their coalition had been awarded a Drug Free Communities (DFC) Mentoring Program grant funded by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDPC). The coalition will receive $125,00 per year and will be required to have a 100 percent in-kind and cash match from the community, according to Pam Hambrick, former director of W.I.S.E. “This is a huge deal,” Hambrick said. “The coalition will have to write a continuation application each year, but they should receive the grant for five years, which Continued on Page 3A

Bear Pride volunteers honored

Hispanic student population rising

By Pat Hambrick Special to The Daily Citizen JUDSONIA — Recognition of the positives seemed to be the theme for WCC's school board meeting Thursday night. Jackwyln Underwood, high school principal, praised the new yearbooks, senior and youth FFA members for placing third in the White County Fair, and congratulated the band on taking third place in the White County Fair parade. Sandra Hurst, elementary and middle school principal, announced the school would have special recognition for her students who placed in the fair at their next assembly and said parent/teacher conferences will be held Sept. 22. Allison Baird, elementary library/media, thanked the board for the fresh paint, new carpet, and the repaired roof and discussed her various Continued on Page 3A

Above: Dominic Yingling, a fifth grader from White County Central School District, gently pets a miniature horse at the White County Fair on Friday morning. He was visiting the fair with Lisa Bontempo’s fifth grade class. Right: Hunter Jackson, left, and Jim Hale stare down a turkey, which won Best of Show at the White County Fair. Jackson and Hale were visiting the fairgrounds with the rest of Lisa Bontempo’s fifth grade class from the White County Central School District Friday. Molly M. Fleming/ mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

Calif. Rep. Loretta Sanchez to LR crowd: Deficit solution ‘difficult’ The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK — A California Congresswoman and Blue Dog Democrat predicted Friday that it would be very difficult for Congress' deficit "supercommittee" to reach a solution that finds more than $1 trillion in savings. Rep. Loretta sanchez Sanchez spoke Friday at the Clinton School of

WEATHER

Today: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Rain possible. Lows in the lower 60s.

Public Service in Little Rock. She told the audience she didn't think President Barack Obama's $447 billion proposal to create jobs could pass the Republican-controlled House, and she wouldn't commit to voting for the package. If Obama's proposal came to a vote, Sanchez said it was "more likely" she would support it. She said she and other Blue Dogs have discussed offering their own jobs plan, but she didn't expect the group of conservative Democrats

to do so. Asked if she wanted more savings than the deficit committee's goal of $1.2 trillion or more, Sanchez said she just hopes the group will meet that target. "It's going to be very difficult to have a solution," she said. Sanchez has represented Orange County, Calif., since 1997. She appeared in Little Rock on Friday to discuss America's economy. Sanchez called on Congress to protect immigration as a way to attract people with new ideas

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

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for businesses and growth. She also said federal investments were needed in clean energy, education and health care. "There are new things happening every day that we as taxpayers have invested in," she said. She argued that government was still needed to help the economy grow and protect the middle class. "If we wait for the private sector, none of us will see our kids having a middle-class existence," she said.

All my life I have tried to ... plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind. Abraham lincoln

American President, 1809-1865

”

The Daily Citizen

Thursday, December 1, 2011 • Page 3A

FROM PAGE ONE PLAY: Dinner buffet opens at 6:30 p.m. for ‘Over The River and Through the Woods’; Dec. 18 show has lunch CONTINUED FROM 1A

18. Ann Nieto, who is co-directing the play with Angie Cantu, said she believes the audience will enjoy the show. “When a director gets a script,” she said, “I think it’s vital the director loves the script. If the director hates the script or is neutral about it, he or she won’t do a very good job with it. When Caleb gave me the script, I read it in one sitting. I laughed, and I cried; I fell in love with it. “I’m also really pleased with my cast. It’s a twoway road: You must have a good script and also actors who relate to the script. When you have that, the audience will enjoy the play, and that’s the purpose of theater.”

Marisa Lytle/mlytle@thedailycitizen.com

Sally Paine practices her Caleb Keese (left) plays an elderly Italian-American role as Italian-American man named Nunzio Cristano, whose wife, Emma, is grandmother Aida Gianelli played by Hilary Polston (right) in “Over the River and at a Tuesday evening rehearsal. Through the Woods.” Marisa Lytle/mlytle@thedailycitizen.com

According to Nieto, the play has funny characters and a funny plot line that, nonetheless, will pull on audiences’ heartstrings. “It’s been fun to bring

those elements out,” she said. Sally Paine, who plays Aida, said she has enjoyed becoming her character during rehearsals as a way

to escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life. “Aida is a person who loves you by feeding you good food,” she said. “If

she gets upset, she gets busy doing things, especially in the kitchen. It has been fun to play someone who is quite different from the way I am and to think about women who take care of others by feeding them.” “The play is very funny but very sweet,” she added. “It has a lot to say about how you love each other and how you let people be who they are. Not everyone is going to be just like you, and that’s OK.” Premier sponsor for the show is ASU-Beebe, presenting sponsor is the DeVore Team Re/MAX Advantage Realty and associate sponsor is Liles Animal Clinic. Performances of “Over the River and Through the Woods” will be Dec. 2-3, 8-10 and 15-18.

Molly M. Fleming/mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

The doors open at 6:15 p.m., with the dinner buffet opening at 6:30 p.m. and curtains at 7:30 p.m. The Pizza Playhouse will be Thursday, Dec. 8. The Sunday, Dec. 18 performance will be a matinee with lunch at 12:30 p.m. and curtain at 1:30 p.m. Admission prices are $27 for dinner and the show and $24 for seniors. Pizza Playhouse is $18 per person. For the Sunday matinee, admission is $24 for dinner and the show and $21 for seniors. Show only tickets are $13.50 for the general public, $10 for senior citizens and $10 with a student ID. Reservations for dinner are required 24 hours in advance of the show and can be made online at www. centeronthesquare.org or by calling (501) 368-0111.

Molly M. Fleming/mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

Albert Yarnell, a member of the second generation to More than 200 people crowded into the Cabinet Shop on the Yarnell’s property to make a bid during the aucoperate the Yarnell’s facility, keeps track of the items tion. The auction lasted from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., though the final sale of the property didn’t conclude until purchased during the auction on Wednesday morning. around 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

SOLD: Trustee felt original going price was too low during morning auction; Schulze & Burch buy property CONTINUED FROM 1A

was happy with how it turned out. “(The chamber) is pleased with what happened today,” Layne said. “Just the idea of a company coming back in and producing ice cream will be wonderful thing for the city of Searcy. We look forward to getting people back to work.” Before Schulze & Burch made the purchase, all of the real and intellectual property was put on the auction block Wednesday morning and sold for $1.4 million; but that offer was later rejected because the trustee felt it was too low. The intellectual property, including the Yarnell’s trademark, were all sold during the auction on Wednesday morning; but by the end of the day, Schulze & Burch would own all of it. The Yarnell’s recipes were first purchased for $2,400 by David Davison of Marshall, who is a heating and air conditioning contractor. “I’m one of those guys that if I can make a profit, then I’ll try to do that,” Davison said. “I like to pick up on some bargains and I think I got a bargain today.” Davison said the only flavor he had tried of the Yarnell’s brand was vanilla. “I bought the recipes

Molly M. Fleming/mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

Yarnell's freezers sit in the back of the cabinet shop waiting to be removed after being purchased on Wednesday during the auction.

Searcy Cinema 8 Molly M. Fleming/mfleming@thedailycitizen.com

One of the last items on the auction block was some company memorabilia. for the financial aspect of it,” Davison said. “I didn’t come here today because I like Yarnell’s so much that I wanted to buy their recipes.” The Yarnell’s trademark was purchased by Rogers Yarnell for $18,500, but it would later be included in the purchase of the property by Schulze & Burch. Jeff Holtz with Creamery Concept, LLC. purchased the trademark and recipes to the “Guilt Free” Yarnell’s line for a combined $14,500. Holtz worked for Yarnell’s for 22 years and said he helped develop the Guilt Free line. After Holtz purchased

the Guilt Free trademarks and recipes, he said he did plan on having “some product made” under the Guilt Free line. “I think the line has a lot of viability in Arkansas and outside of the state,” Holtz said. The Yarnell’s property sold for less in the late afternoon because all of the miscellaneous items had sold during the day. More than 200 buyers showed at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning to purchase a piece of Arkansas history, and there were plenty of pieces to go around. The complete auction catalog listed 491 separate items. Everything was sold,

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from the freezers with the Yarnell’s logo to a tool belt in the cabinet shop. All of it had to go during the bankruptcy auction. The buyers started clearing their purchases out on Wednesday and will continue to clear the property today.

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