Vol. 2, No. 21
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Henderson State University’s Historic “Captain Henderson House” Bed and Breakfast to close
Photo by Pete Tubbs
HSU’s “Captain Henderson House,” which hasn’t been allowing visitors since the month of March, will indefinitely close its doors and let go of three employees immediately. Pete Tubbs Interim Editor in Chief
An email was sent to the faculty and staff of Henderson State University that brought along with it more negative news for the institution. In moving forward with “cost saving measures,” four employees will be layed off from two different locations. The University’s Center for Economic Development and Community Engagement will remove the executive director position on June 30. The office, previously located on sixth street, would have been ending its lease this month anyways. Arkansas State University Three Rivers will inherit the classes and equipment previously housed in the sixth street office. Students of the aforementioned classes will also begin attending the courses at Three Rivers. Three positions are going to be eliminated at the historic Captain Henderson House located adjacent to the university. This announcent comes after months of intentional vacancy as guests haven’t been allowed to lodge there since March. The Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council has allotted $586,688 in grants that will be used to renovate the property over the coming months. During this down
time, according to the email sent be Acting President Elaine Kneebone, “we will utilize this time to further develop a business plan... and to enable future use of the facility.” The Captain Henderson House was built buy Charles C. Henderson in 1876 right across what was then Arkadelphia Methodist College of which Henderson was on the board of trustees. After being sold several times in the 1900’s, the house was sold to HSU in 1978. It was added to the National Register of Historic Houses on August 24, 1998. With seven guest rooms, the house has been used as a bed and breakfast for visitors to Arkadelphia for over twenty years. At the end of her address to HSU, Acting President Kneebone wrote “this news is difficult... these are difficult but necessary decisions. Our financial situation requires us to consider all options to become a more operationally efficient university.” Tina Hall, Interim Vice President of University Advancement, said that the total savings from not renewing the lease and four employee contracts is around $200,000.” This loss of employment comes after months of speculation and announcements from
the university about summer furloughs for other employees on campus.
Weeks ago, the Arkansas Legislative Council approved funds to stave
off furloughs through the month of June. It remains to be seen whether or not
employees of HSU will be furloughed starting in the month of July.
Caddo River Art Guild’s “Art in the Park” Uses Creativity to Comfort in Chaotic Times
Photo courtesy of the Caddo River Art Guild
Murder Trial Continues
The Caddo River Art Guild, not allowing COVID-19 to stifle creativity, held a special “Art in the Park” event at Central Park.
The murder case against Bryson David Deaton will go into pretrial motions on Friday, June 12 at 10:00 a.m. in the Clark County Circuit Court on Crittenden Street. The case began in June 2018, with the discovery of 19 year-old Gurdon man, Charles Alden Niederbrach, Jr.. Niederbrach was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds located in his head and arm, and after a few weeks of investigation, Deaton, who was nineteen at the time, was arrested with no
Members of the Caddo River Art Guild participated in “Art in the Park” recently at Central Park, Arkadelphia. Artists brought a variety of creations to work on in the open air – painting, basket weaving, and knitting – and stayed the day. Having abided by the stayat-home recommendations due to the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-March, it was refreshing to be in the company of other artists sharing tips and encouragement. Home to the nonprofit
Ayanna Williams Crime Reporter
set bond. Deaton is now facing charges of capital murder, and continues to have no set bond. The next trial will be held in the Clark County Courthouse on July 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Rita Earles Treasurer, Caddo River Art Guild
Caddo River Art Guild is the Arkadelphia Arts Center (Former Royal Theater built in 1932) in downtown Arkadelphia. The center was operated by the Clark County Arts and Humanities Council from the fall of 2011 to the fall of 2019 when the guild took over management. The center has had many exhibitions, receptions, workshops over the years and acts as a meeting space for arts groups. Visitor records show thousands of folks attending various events each year, bringing people to the historic downtown area of Arkadelphia. However, all of that halted
in mid-March. Scheduled upcoming events and activities at the center were cancelled including Summer Youth Art Workshop, Basket Weaving Workshop, Henderson State University Photography Exhibit, Goza Spring Art Show, E.A. Smith exhibition and reception, Kid’s National Basket Weaving event, and many art days and meetings. The fiscal and human impact of the coronavirus on the Arkadelphia Arts Center has been included in the Impact Survey by Americans for the Arts.org and the data has helped state and federal relief efforts for the arts na-
tionwide. The Arkadelphia Arts Center will continue to be closed for the near future due to the rising number of new COVID-19 cases in Arkansas. Check for updates on Facebook, Arkadelphia Arts Center and Caddo River Art Guild. In the meantime, the guild will continue to promote the arts and artists in Arkadelphia and the surrounding community. For more information on the Caddo River Art Guild visit www.CaddoRiverArtGuild. com or call 870-245-7982.
2 News
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Arkadelphia Dispatch
What’s in Store for the Post-COVID Economy Regulations and safety precautions surrounding COVID-19 had a dramatic impact on the U.S. economy. Millions of Americans lost their jobs, and Arkansan small businesses had to quickly adjust to reduced hours, curbside pickup or delivery services and a smaller workforce. Now, as states begin reopening, we are all watching to see what happens next. The good news is that May’s job numbers blew past the original estimates. According to data released June 5 from the Labor Department, U.S. employment rocketed up by 2.5 million jobs in May, and the job-
less rate fell to 13.3 percent. “Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been expecting payrolls to drop by 8.33 million and the unemployment rate to rise to 19.5 percent from April’s 14.7 percent,” CNBC reported. “If Wall Street expectations had been accurate, it would have been the worst figure since the Great Depression.” These encouraging numbers show that America is headed back to work, which will revitalize our economy. If you are one of the many people returning to your job, remember to continue following safety guidelines from public health officials, including washing your hands regularly and social distancing as much as pos-
sible. It’s also important to note that just before the May jobs report came out, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer released an updated congressional calendar for 2020, showing when members will need to be in D.C. With six months remaining in the year, the House will only be in session for 42 days of legislative business. As members of Congress, we should be leading by example, not staying home while millions of Americans return to their jobs. I hope to see additional changes to the calendar that bring Congress back to work for our constituents. .
LITTLE ROCK – We saw peaceful protests, and unfortunately, some violence and criminal behavior across Arkansas this week. Today, I’d like to talk about our duty to protect free expression and the proper response of law enforcement when there is violence or destruction of property. The death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer is a travesty and a crime. The image of him lying face down on the street as an officer pinned him there with a knee on his neck is deeply disturbing. His cries of “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.” will rightly haunt our collective conscience for a long time. I understand the anger that compelled people to take up posters and march to the state capitol and in various cities in Arkansas. We share in their sorrow and acknowledge their anger and their demand for justice. I’ve listened to members of the community. I hear their cries for change. We will continue to talk and seek solutions. As governor, I will protect your right to march and express yourself in whatever peaceful and lawful way you choose.
Ninety-five percent of the protesters in Little Rock this week marched peacefully. The police officers who were standing by were there to make sure the protesters were safe. When they blocked the interstate and put themselves and others in harm’s way, officers encouraged them to move. Each night, as the hour grew later, a few in the crowd did things that put others at risk. They poured flammable liquids on the road and set them afire. They threw fireworks. They threw rocks and bottles at police. They broke windows, beat a journalist, and destroyed property. That’s when the police responded. On Saturday, I activated the National Guard. On Tuesday, I declared a state of emergency, which directed the State Police to form a Unified Command structure so that all levels of law enforcement could work together. The Unified Command respects the chain of command from the city police departments to the state police to the National Guard. It simply created and defined a chain of command for a specific need in a troubled time in our state. Three nights in a row, police had to disperse the crowd. Many protesters
ignored the curfew that Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. had put in place. Even then, officers showed restraint. But as some in the crowd grew more aggressive and began to set fires and throw rocks through store windows, police had to act. They had to stop the lawbreakers and protect the peaceful protesters. When I saw the violence increase on Monday night, I knew we couldn’t let that happen again. The rule of law is important to us all. Tuesday night, nine agencies from all levels of government participated in the patrol, and officers quickly contained the elements of the crowd who were there only to coordinate and motivate destructive behavior. They were there to confront police and destroy property. They didn’t care that their violence might overshadow the message of the peaceful marchers. When protesters march in Arkansas to express their grief and anger, we must protect them and their right to peacefully speak their mind. When the protest turns into violence and vandalism, we must protect everyone else. That’s what we did this week.
U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)
Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Address on Last Week’s Protests
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Arkadelphia Dispatch: (870) 230-5221
Upcoming Events Arkadelphia Bands had planned to host its first-ever Mattress Sale Fundraiser from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., April 18 at AHS, 401 High School Road, but that’s been postponed to Aug. 1. The fundraising sale will feature brands such as Simmons, Beautyrest, and more, with on-site mattresses priced up to 50% below retail. >>> <<< The Third Annual Comics Studies Society Conference will be hosted by Henderson State University from Aug. 5 to Aug. 9. The conference exists to bring together “scolars, artists, and other members of the international Comics Studies community” to discuss topics within the area of comics. Matthew J. Smith from Radford University and Randy Duncan from HSU are the organizers. Those interested can register at comicssociety.org. >>> <<< Mena plans to stage its 45 Annual Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run from Aug. 28-29 as street rods and hot rods descend on the town. The twoday event features a street dance and three chances for entrants to put their cars through their paces. For more information, visit https://www. queenwilhelminarodrun.com/. >>> <<< The Spring Hazardous Household Waste event that was scheduled for last Sat. was cancelled as a result of COVID-19 precautions. The Southwest Regional Solid Waste Management District will continue with the Fall Household Hazardous Waste event on Oct. 17. The Southwest Regional Solid Waste Management District is the planning board that oversees solid waste management for Clark, Garland, and Hot Spring Counties. In previous years, the district has hosted two annual Household Hazardous Waste events to offer citizens of each county the opportunity to dispose of hazardous waste that sanitation departments cannot pick up as part of routine trash pick-up. Expect more details closer to the event. Ongoing The “Father’s Day Give Back” sale at Looking Good is happening now until June 20. The store has a 2 suits for $200 deal and will give a 10% donation to your local church. Their store is located at 632 Main St. >>> <<< City Council meets every first and third Tues. of the month at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall. >>> <<< Alcoholics Anonymous hosts two meetings a week in Arkadelphia. The meetings are open to anyone interested in AA’s program of recovery. The Arkadelphia Group meets at 7 p.m. every Tues. in the Sturgis Building at North 9 and Caddo Streets. For more information on the Arkadelphia Group Meetings, call 870-403-3001. The U-Turn Group meets at 7 p.m. every Thurs. on the front, upper level of Park Hill Baptist Church, 3163 Hollywood Road. For information on that group’s meetings, call 870-2302975 or 870-260-9277. >>> <<< Al-Anon meetings, designed to help family and friends affected by alcohol, are held three days a week in the Arkadelphia area: - Tues. at 7 p.m., Sturgis Building, corner of 9 and Caddo. 870-403-2019 - Thurs. at 6:30 p.m., Park Hill Baptist Church. 870-403-2019 - Fri. at noon, Clark County Library, 609 Caddo St., side door. 512-750-2292
Arkadelphia Dispatch
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Lee, Apatow movie releases worth getting excited about
By Pete Tubbs Interim Editor in Chief This year has been a painful and visceral reminder that when the going gets tough, the going sometimes gets tougher. One thing that 2020 has had, along with terrible event after terrible event, is an extreme lack of new art. Everything from videogames to television to comic books have been pushed back because of COVID-19, and that means that there have been huge gaps between new content being released. Streaming platforms like Netflix, though, have been the saving grace for films seeing the light of day. Two highly anticipated films are being released digitally on Fri. Judd Apatow and Spike Lee’s newest
“joints” are skipping the big screen and heading to the world wide web. First up is “Da 5 Bloods.” Spike Lee’s newest film stars Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Chadwick Boseman, and Gincarlo Esposito as four black Vietnam vets that go back to the country of war decades after the conflict to find buried treasure and the remains of their dead squad leader. Lee’s last film “Black Klansman” took the world by storm. It was nominated for six Academy Awards and made nearly one hundred million dollars on a fifteen million dollar budget. While from the outset Lee’s decision to premiere his next film after a career high on a streaming service may seem strange, there has
definitely been precedent for this sort of thing before. One of Lee’s previous films, 2015’s “Chi-Raq,” debuted on Amazon Prime. It also had a budgget of fifteen million and featured names like Wesley Snipes, Samuel L. Jackson, and Angela Bassett. Aside from Lee, Martin Scorcese’s last film “The Irishman” released on Netflix to rave reviews and ten academy award nominations. The year before that, Alfonso Cauron’s “Roma” was released on that platform with similar fanfare. Lee is making a smart move with this. It may have been difficult for a twoand-a-half hour war drama to make money at the boxoffice, but on Netflix, it can reach millions of people’s
New editor: “No less than the truth.”
By Pete Tubbs Interim Editor in Chief Hello people of Arkadelphia. You may be wondering who I am and why my name is on this paper all of the sudden. Well, my name is Wade “Pete” Tubbs, and I’m the new Interim Editor in Chief of the Arkadelphia Dispatch. First off, it’s an honor to even be considered for the position of bringing news to the great people of this great town. When I moved from Hamburg to here five years ago, I never thought I’d consider this place my home. It’s wild to think how the times have changed since then.
I’ll always have a loyalty to my home town, but the people of Arkadelphia are now my family, and I can’t wait to serve them the best I can with the words of this paper. I can’t promise you all that I will always be perfect, but I can promise to always be honest and report no less than the absolute truth. I’ve been working with
the Henderson State University Oracle for three years now, I’ve studied under the most intelligent and compassionate instructors this side of Harvard, and I’ve accrued skills and insights that won’t leave me as long as I live. As I move into not only serving HSU’s campus, but the city around it, I will bring with me the lessons I’ve learned both good and bad throughout my years as a student. If any one of you has any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. I hope that together we can continue the goodwill that our city has already gained.
eyes without them having to leave their couches. Also, as “Roma” and “The Irishman” proved before, the Academy doesn’t shy away from at least nominating auteur films from streaming platforms. As for the film itself, “Da 5 Bloods” looks like an expansive and entertaining deep-dive into the politics of the sixties and seventies, and how those politics are viewed now. If it’s anywhere near as successful as his last fillm, then we’re seeing the upturn of a legendary filmmaker who’s career had seemingly plateaud. The other film being released on the 12 is “King of Staten Island.” This film from Judd Apatow, his first since 2015’s “Trainwreck” features Pete Davidson in
his first starring turn. Judd Apatow has been one of the biggest comedy directors of the last twenty years. With hits such as “Knocked Up,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and “Funny People” in his catalog, not many comedy directors are more revered. His career, however, has taken somewhat of a backseat to his producing and raising of his children in recent years. Since 2010, Apatow has only directed two movies. In what looks to be a good-old-fashioned comeback, however, “King of Staten Island” is already getting reviews that say it’s as sensitive and funny a work Apatow has made in some time. SNL star Pete Davidson’s
News 3
starring role in the film is the driving force of the story. Davidson’s “Scott” shares a lot with the real actor. Scott likes weed, Scott is known as a slacker, and oh yeah, Scott’s dad was a firefighter that died on the job. “Staten Island” looks to put you in the shoes of a character whose actor has been through these exact things. Apatow is a master at blending comedy and drama, and Davidson is a master at making his sorrows funny, so this looks to be a paring for the ages. Co-stars include Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, and Steve Buscemi. “The King of Staten Island” will be released everywhere digital films are sold this Fri., while “Da 5 Bloods” is hitting Netflix.
From the Mayor’s Desk:
Sherry Kelley, Gurdon
I am ready for some dry weather. Tropical storm Cristobal left us with 3 inches of rain. That usually would not be a problem but with the ground already saturated we did experience flooding. We need the dry weather to tackle a sewer main repair. That should be underway later this month. The entry way to
Gurdon City Hall will be complete soon. Three framed copies of the Gurdon Times newspaper, an historical sign and a base for the printing press will be added in the next two weeks. Thank you to Anita Cabe and the Cabe Foundation. We will be working on the signage for the former Bill’s Dollar Store facade this week. Another facade
repair is in our future and several murals to complete the Ross Foundation Grant. Thank you to all of our workers at Georgia Pacific Gurdon Wood Product. There new parking area and other improvements look great. I feel that the quality of the work force keeps our mill strong!
Weekly Arkansas COVID-19 Update by Arkansas Department of Health AR. Department of Health
Acccording to the Arkansas Department of Health Administration in its COVID-19 update, a total of 155 deaths have occurred in the state as of June 8. In reference to ADH’s graph, there are a total of 9,740 cases with 2,955 active and 6,630 recovered. The counties are colored by light to dark in terms of density of cases. This information came one day before
Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced 340 new cases. Hutchinson’s announcement brings the total number of confirmed cases in Arkansas up to 10,080 confirmed with 3,444 active. The Dispatch will post an updated version of this graph weekly according to what is available from the Department of Health and state officials.
Arkadelphia Dispatch Editor: Pete Tubbs arkadelphiadispatch@gmail.com 870-230-5221 Calls will be returned. The Arkadelphia Dispatch is published weekly by Nashville Leader, Inc., 119 N. Main, Nashville, AR 71852.
4 News
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Arkadelphia Dispatch
A Guide to This Summer’s Weather and Pandemic Affected Fishing Tournaments “... the water will heat up and the fish will retreat to deeper, more protected areas. Be ready to change.”
Brian Bagwell Outdoors Columnist
Four hours. This sounds like a long time to many, but for bass anglers, the average tournament length is eight hours. On Tues. nights during the summer, many anglers are using this time to try and fill their best five-bass limit. Starting in mid-May and running through Sept., the Caddo Bend area of Degray Lake is host to Tuesday night tournaments. The entry fee is thirty-five dollars per boat, and you may fish alone or with a partner. Starting at 7 p.m., the boaters shoot out of the cove like a canon, making a run to their spot. Angry waves roll onto the shoreline from as many as thirty boats. You now have until 11 pm to fill your limit. Summer fishing at night can produce some nice fish as they feed in the cooler water. This year, fishing by the cover of the night has not produced as well as in years past. A very mild May
Photo courtesy of Brian Bagwell
Fisherman Colby Bagwell poses with one of his catches of the day during a recent fishing tournament.
Jimmy Elgas named One of NCAA’s Up-and-Coming Coaches ARKADELPHIA, Ark. After leading a five-year turnaround of the men’s basketball program at Henderson State, Reddies’ head coach Jimmy Elgas was named one of NCAA DII and NAIA’s 15 Up-And-Coming coaches by Silver Waves Media. The Up-And-Coming 15, which was comprised of only coaches who had been on the job five years or less, as well as the list of 50 impactful NCAA DII and
NAIA head coaches, was determined after months of research and consultation with athletic directors, presidents, search firms and numerous influencers in college basketball. Elgas, who took over at Henderson in 2015, saw his vision for the program come to fruition this past season when he led the Reddies to 23 wins and the 2020 Great American Conference Tournament title — the first championship for the school
in men’s basketball in 17 years. After winning nine games in his first season in Arkadelphia, Elgas’s teams have steadily improved since, winning 16 contests in 201617 and 19 in 2018-19 before breaking through this spring. He was one of just three coaches from the GAC to be honored on the UpAnd-Coming 15 or Impactful 50.
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. Henderson State head volleyball coach Phil McDaniel has announced the signing of outside hitter Violeta Mendoza Quintana to the Reddies’ roster for the 2020 fall season. “We are pleased to bring Violeta into our volleyball family here at Henderson State,” McDaniel said. “She is coming off of a very strong season for a very competitive two-year program at New Mexico Military. She is a six-rotation skilled outside
hitter who will have every opportunity to earn playing time with the Reddies. She is a smart attacker, a solid defender, very good in the weight room and has developed her shot range during her time at NMMI. We are looking forward to having her join us in August.” Quintana comes to Henderson after a productive two years at New Mexico Military Institute. She played in 69 career matches for the Lady Broncos and racked up 518 kills, 558 digs,
and 69 total blocks. She averaged 2.37 kills and 2.55 digs per set and carried a career attacking percentage of .201. Quintana registered 17 kill and dig double-doubles as a sophomore in 2019 and helped lead NMMI to a 37-5 record. The Lady Broncos were 66-14 overall in her two seasons in Roswell, NM.
Outside Hitter Violeta Mendoza Quintana Signs with HSU
coupled with fluctuating water levels has kept the surface temperature well below normal for this time of year. At a recent weighin, a group of guys had been discussing their catch and one complained about not catching anything. Brandon Davidson said “The fish don’t know it isn’t February”, as he referred to the low water temperatures. Being able to adapt quickly is key when fishing these short tournaments. What may be working for the first two hours may not
work once night falls. The run and gun technique of going from one brush pile to the next does not seem to be working just yet. Many that I have spoken to claim the fish are still in the bushes. Vary your technique and location to find what works best for you. Bag limits have been relatively small so far. Ten to twelve pounds can land you in the money. As summer draws on and Mother Nature shows her true colors, the water will heat up and the fish will retreat to deep-
er more protected areas. Be ready to change. Move quickly if what you were doing is not working. Key in on drop-offs and rocky ledges with access to deeper water. Just like other events around the country, the weigh-in scene is different as we try to practice social distancing. When approaching the scales, make sure to stand at least six feet apart from the person in front of you. Do not gather in large groups, and refrain from shaking hands or high fiving the guy next to you. Together we can keep this a safe environment. For rules and information, contact tournament director Chad Rogers before the tournament begins. Rogers will be located at the top of the ramp one hour before the tournament. Below is a schedule of some of the tournaments happening around the state this summer as provided by americanfishingcontests. com.
Fishing Tournament Dates