Vol. 2, No. 12
Thursday, March 26, 2020
`Wet’ status sought in Pike By P.J. Tracy Murfreesboro Diamond
Shaded wet counties with an underlined name still have dry areas within their borders. In wet counties, the retail sale of alcoholic beverages is legal. Even in dry counties, a private club permit may be issued.
MURFREESBORO — Petitions have begun to circulate here to add to the November election ballot a referendum on making Pike County “wet.” A group calling itself the Pike County Improvement Committee is behind the effort to obtain a spot on the ballot in the general election. With more than 5,000 registered voters in Pike County, the movement will have to get qualified signatures from 38% of that number — around the 2,000 mark. Signees must be registered voters of the county, 18 years or older, and the petitions must be certified by the Pike County clerk. Should the group get enough sup-
port in the form of signatures, the Pike County Quorum Court would pass an ordinance and place the motion on the ballot. The group reportedly plans to seek volunteers from the Delight, Kirby and Glenwood areas to distribute and collect petitions. The petitions are one-page documents, so the signee will be privy to the fact that they supported playing the measure on the ballot. More than 200 petitions have already been collected. “This is not just for Murfreesboro; it will benefit the entire county,” said group spokeswoman Jean Floyd. “The cities can then pass their own taxes. It’s all about revenue. We will have to get with the other towns
because it has to be a countywide effort.” Floyd reminded voters that Arkansas tourism is a $7.3 billion industry and especially critical to Pike County. She said there’s no point in losing revenue to other counties that can remain in Pike County. “Taxes would go to the municipalities and county general revenue funds, allowing for schools, roads and other general projects to benefit directly,” Floyd said. And while Floyd has said some people have refused to sign a petition, she still feels that it is a worthwhile exercise. “This is a positive thing and a real See Wet • Page 4
Lodge closes; great outdoors open
Perhaps more difficult to deal with is the guilt she occasionally conjures up in her mind wondering if she might have passed on the virus. “Two people have been tested because they’ve been close to me,” she said. “That’s a huge burden.” No doubt, dozens of others
Special to the Dispatch LITTLE ROCK – Four state park lodges, including that of DeGray Lake Resort State Park, have been closed to ensure the safety of guests and employees during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Initially, at least, the closure will last from Monday, March 23-Friday, April 17. Other affected lodges are at Mount Magazine State Park, Petit Jean State Park and Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, announced the closings Saturday, noting that cabins and campgrounds will remain open, and that carry-out service will remain at park restaurants. At DeGray, the lodge’s Shoreline Restaurant will be open for pickup orders from 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Takeout orders may be made by calling 501-8655866. Despite the closures, park visitors will still be able to enjoy park trails and other outdoor amenities. Lodge guests will receive cancellations by email. Any deposits to the parks will be refunded and any lodgebased fees will be waived. Questions about reservation cancellation should be made to the parks directly. Other closings, mostly until further notice, announced last week by the state Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism include: • Lobbies of the 13 welcome centers around the state, which serve the traveling public. • Division of Arkansas Heritage’s Little Rock museums, including the Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and Old State House
See Positive • Page 4
See Parks • Page 4
Dispatch photo/Bill Sutley
Salena Caldwell was on hand Wednesday night to help anyone arriving at Arkadelphia’s Baptist Medical Center as part of a 24-hour screening process aimed at detecting coronavirus early. Until about a week ago, Caldwell’s job was at the Chick-fil-A
franchise at Henderson State, where she’s a student. But her employer, food service provider Sodexo, which has contracts with the hospital and both universities, offered this as a way for her to get more work hours since Chick-fil-A is now closed.
County virus total moves to 15
By Bill Sutley Dispatch Editor
Fifteen persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Clark County as of Thursday, April 26, and it’s been just 15 days since the statewide total has risen from 2 to 335. Statewide, two COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed. Meanwhile, both Arkadelphia universities, Henderson State and Ouachia Baptist, have decided to extend online instruction to the end of the spring semester. They’re also both taking steps to limit on-campus residents. Commencement for both universities, as well as Arkadelphia High School, has been canceled. AHS has also announced the cancellation of its April prom. Dozens of Arkadelphia-area churches closed their doors to worship on Sunday, but many
improvised with sophisticated livestreaming or simple Facebook Live streaming. At Second Baptist Church, pastor Louie Heard moderated a panel discussion with three local physicians, all church members, seeking to cope with the coronavirus’ crisis among health care professionals. All three mentioned the difficulty of keeping well patients separate from those possibly ill from COVID-19. Dr. Wesley Kluck, a longtime Arkadelphia pediatrician, sees patients at his Arkadelphia Clinic for Children and Young Adults off Twin Rivers Drive and, normally, he would be splitting his time between there and a branch of the clinic at OBU, where Kluck also is university physician and vice president for student affairs. “The absence of 3,000 people in our town’s population is actually very beneficial in not over-running our health care system,” Kluck
said, referring to HSU and OBU sending most students home in mid-March. Next Sunday, SBC is hosting a similar discussion among counselors in the community. Several local churches made calls to elderly members offering to fetch groceries or run other errands. Many Sunday school classes and home groups gathered online using Zoom, Google Hangouts and other teleconferencing options. Other churches kept the youngest attendees in mind as well. Nancy Harrell, children’s minister at First Baptist, delivered customized, Bible-oriented activity packets to the church’s children in advance of Sunday. Trinity Temple Assembly of God brought its praise team in to a mostly empty worship center to help senior pastor Rick Mays lead See Virus • Page 4
Chamber VP tests positive By Bill Sutley Dispatch Editor
Shelley Loe
It’s Monday morning, and Shelley Loe has just taken advantage of the spectacular spring weather to walk the property west of Arkadelphia where she lives. After all, someone’s got to feed the fish in her pond. For the most part, she’s feeling fine — not at all how you would
expect one of Clark County’s 13 or so coronavirus victims to feel. The most visible symptom she’s coping with is a pronounced sense of fatigue and occasional body aches. “A case of the flu, for me, is 10 times worse,” says Loe, executive vice president of the Arkadelphia Alliance for Economic Development and Area Chamber of Commerce.
Magazine offers unique look at city From Dispatch Reports
The Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce recently released the newest edition of Arkadelphia Life, a 66-page magazine guide that strives to share tips on making the most of living in and around the city. “This guidebook shows the best of what we have to offer in regards to our education systems, outdoor tourism, relocation opportunities, et cetera,” said Shelley Loe, vice president of the local chamber. “We are very proud of the hometown feel that our locals share with guests. This guidebook adds to
the efforts made by the chamber to showcase what a wonderful area Arkadelphia-Clark County is.” From a dip into the city’s rich history to finding a new home, Arkadelphia Life also delves into the city’s public and higher education. The magazine is not just a resource guide for visitors, but also a roadmap for locals wishing to reconnect with the city. Designed to be a go-to resource for new and prospective residents, as well as visitors to the area, the magazine can be picked up at the local chamber office. It is filled with in-
formation on the area, including a 10 Things to Do listing, a 2020 events calendar and a detailed downtown map. Arkadelphia Life is made possible by and distributed through the Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. 26th St., and the chamber’s Diamond Lakes Regional Visitor Center in Caddo Valley. It can also be viewed online at arkadelphialife.com. For more information on Arkadelphia Life, contact Loe at 870-246-5542 or email her at shelley@arkadelphiaalliance.com.
2 News
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Arkadelphia Dispatch
The Arkansas Blood Institute will have its bloodmobile parked at Walmart, 109 W.P. Malone Drive, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Because of several blood drives being canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, donors are especially needed for this opportunity. >>> <<< Col. Kevin Moyer, left, congratulates a dozen members of the HSU-OBU joint The Percy and Donna Malone Child Safety Center will hold its ROTC cadre during a March 14 ball for achieving its Dean’s List for grades of fifth annual Duck Derby Festival Saturday, April 4 in the parking lot 3.5 or higher. Honored were Ben Adair, Harold Banuelos, Tea Burgess, Tate Hargrove, Luke Hill, Munashe Kwanisai, Trey Lamb, Leigha Lynch, Allen Mar- of Ouachita Baptist’s Cliff Harris Stadium. The 2020 Duck Waddle 5K Race kicks off the event at 9 a.m. Runners will be chip-timed. The festiterella, Lyndon Nichols, Jensen Owen and Stephany Quintero. val will also feature music, bounce houses, prizes for the many games and a chili cook-off. To eat, go to the Buy Now link at https://www. pdmcsc.org/waddle.html. A bowl of your favorite chili, cornbread and a drink go for $5, plus a 45-cent transaction fee. To avoid the fee, mail Moyer, left, congratua check into PDMCSC Development, P.O. Box 292, Arkadelphia, Ark. lates three cadets for 71923. Indicate the number you want on the memo line and make the being named Platinum check for $5 times the numbers of tickets desired. Medal Athletes for >>> <<< scoring a 300 on their Henderson State University will hold its spring 2020 Career Fair Army Physical Fitness from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7. An intern showcase will run from 3-5 Test, from left, Stephany p.m. For more information, contact career@hsu.edu. Quintero, Anthony Kennedy and Ben Adair. >>> <<< The APFT focuses on Amity Trade Days, the 54-acre outdoor market at the site of the a cadet’s performance old lumber mill in Amity, will be held April 10-12, featuring one of the in doing two minutes of state’s largest monthly outdoor vintage flea markets. The market runs, push-ups, two minutes rain or shine, in three huge open-air buildings where vendors from of sit-ups and a timed several states gather. Beyond items for sale, there’s live music on Sat2-mile run. urdays and a wide range of food on all three days.. Other dates for the market this year are May 8-10, June 5-7, July 10-12, Aug. 7-9, Sept. 11-13, Oct. 9-11, Nov. 6-8 and Dec. 11-13. >>> <<< Arkadelphia Bands will host its first-ever Mattress Sale Fundraiser from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at AHS, 401 High School Road. The fundraising sale will feature brands such as Simmons, Beautyrest and more, with on-site mattresses priced up to 50% below retail. >>> <<< Perritt Primary School, 1900 Walnut St., will host the Arkadelphia Public School District’s Kindergarten Spring Roundup from 8 a.m.-6 Three cadets — Jonathan HerDispatch photos/Bill Sutley p.m. Wednesday, April 22 at the school gym. Students entering kinderbert, Dustin Hicks and Stephen Moyer presented the Cadet Honors award Jones — were presented with garten in Arkadelphia schools next fall need to attend with their parents to two cadets, Chris Cobb and Madelyn the Cadet Scholars award for or guardians. Applications for kindergarten will be available before then Filla, who achieved a cumulative GPA beachieving a cumulative gradein the Perritt office. Parents will be assigned slots for attendance at the tween 3.20-3.49. point average of 2.90-3.19. roundup and should bring a copy of the child’s official birth certificate, Social Security card, immunization record and a record of a current well-child visit since May 1, 2019. For more information, call 870-4033583. >>> <<< Grammy Award-winner and Blues Hall of Fame honoree Bobby Rush will perform in concert on Friday, April 24 as part of the Fordyce on the Cottonbelt festival from April 19-25 in the town about an hour east of Arkadelphia. Festival details and more info on Rush’s concert will be available later at https://fordyceonthecottonbeltfestival.com. >>> <<< Glenwood's annual Caddo River Festival will be Friday-Saturday, April 24-25 this year. For more information or to sign up as a vendor, visit https://www.facebook.com/caddoriver.fest/. >>> <<< The Golden Lion Battalion MSIV of the The Golden Lion Battalion MSI of Mena plans to stage its 45th annual Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run Year, awarded to the top senior, went to the Year award, given to the top on Aug. 28-29 as 200 street rods and hot rods descend on the town. Allen Marterella, right. freshman, went to Lyndon Nicholes. The two-day event features a street dance and three chance for entrants to put their cars through their paces. For more information, visit https://www.queenwilhelminarodrun.com/. >>> Ongoing <<< Garvan Woodlands Gardens in Hot Springs remains open most days, but hours have been temporarily shortened to be from noon-6 p.m. as a result of staffing limitations related to the coronavirus pandemic. (The gardens will be closed Friday, March 27 because of a University of Arkansas holiday; Garvan is UA’s botanical garden.) Outdoor spaces, brimming with tulips, and restrooms are open, but the Chipmunk Cafe is take-out only. Payments by credit card or exact cash are requested for admissions. That’s free for members, $15 for adults (13 and up), $5 for children ages 4-12; and free for children ages 3-youngCarder Ferguson, left, of the Arer. Golf carts may be rented for $15. Parking is free. Temporarily closed kansas Chapter of the Military OrMoyer presented the Golden Lion to the public are: der of the Purple Heart, presented Battalion Cadet of the Year award • Anthony Chapel and Chapel Complex (Millsap Brides Hall, Evits annual award to Ben Adair. for outstanding performance to cadet ans Grooms Quarters) Stephany Quintero of Arkadelphia. • Welcome Center and Gift Shop • Bonsai Learning Center Golf cart tours are closed until further notice. For more information, visit garvangardens.org/ or call 501-2629300. >>> <<< Alcoholics Anonymous holds 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. Tuesdays in the Sturgis Building at North 9th and Caddo streets. For more information on the Arkadelphia Group meetings, call 870-403-3001. The U-Turn Group meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays on the front, upper level of Park Hill Baptist Church, 3163 Hollywood Road. For information on that group’s meetings, call 870-230-2975 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: • Tuesday, 7 p.m., Sturgis Building, corner of 9th and Caddo. 870-403-2019 • Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Park Hill Baptist Church. 870-230-1954 • Friday, noon, Clark County Library, 609 Caddo St., side door. 512-750-2292 >>> <<< Narcotics Anonymous’ local Recovery World group meets at 7 p.m. on Mondays at the Sturgis Building at the corner of 9th and CadThe Military Officers Association of America ROTC Medal was presented do. The meetings are open to anyone interested in recovering from an by retired Col. Terry DeWitt, now a Ouachita Baptist University professor, to Stephany Quintero. DeWitt was thanked for his efforts to support the local bat- addiction to legal and illegal drugs.
ROTC cadets recognized
talion as the MOAA leadership representative.
Arkadelphia Dispatch
News 3
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Top state court rejects local murder appeals
By Bill Sutley Dispatch Editor The Arkansas Supreme Court recently reviewed two murder cases originating in Clark County, upholding the judgments imposed by the local Circuit Court. Randall Thomas McArty of Gurdon lost the appeal of his 1993 first-degree murder conviction for the slaying of his live-in girlfriend, Teresa Chamberlain. Thernell Hundley, also formerly of Gurdon, lost the appeal of his 1987 capital murder conviction of an elderly couple north of Gurdon — a case that got a fresh jury trial in late 2019 because
Hundley had only been 17 at the time of the crime. He was convicted once again in 2019. The Supreme Court offered no details on March 9 why it wouldn’t reconsider Hundley’s appeal. McArty had been 25 years old in 1992, when Teresa Chamberlain began living with him in his Gurdon home. At about 10:30 p.m. on July 31 of that year, Clark County sheriff’s deputies responded to an emergency call and found McArty had called in to report the crime from a neighbor’s telephone. When an officer asked McArty what the problem was, he answered, ‘I shot her.
I shot her.’” Inside their home, officers found the body of Chamberlain on the kitchen floor with a gaping wound in her left chest. A butcher knife was in her right hand. In the carport was a vehicle with the lights on. A .12-gauge shotgun and a box containing one shell were in the car. One expended shell was in the gun and one was in McArty's pocket. In court, McArty contended he was defending himself when Chamberlain attacked him with a knife. They had argued earlier in the day, and when he returned at 10 p.m., the house was dark. But when he switched
on the kitchen light, Chamberlain was standing there, and the argument resumed. When she began wielding the knife, McArty testified that he raised the gun, and it went off. In McArty’s appeal, he had argued two points for reversing the first-degree murder conviction: • That it was an error to allow prosecutors to question a medical expert on matters far beyond his experience. • Evidence of McArty’s guilt was insufficient to support the verdict. He also had sought gunshot-residue testing and specific DNA tests for bul-
let casings, the knife handle and other items that McArty argued would advance his claim that he did not touch the knife or move Chamberlain’s body, as prosecutors had contended. The circuit judge overseeing McArty’s trial denied his request for scientific testing. In its Feb. 20 decision to uphold McArty’s conviction and sentence, Associate Justice Josephine L. Hart agreed with the court’s majority, except, she stated in a dissent, that she would have liked to have heard his further arguments advocating advocating for scientific testing.
Beware of scams involving stimulus Special to the Dispatch
Workers discuss an exterior facade feature last week that’s part of the Fairfield Inn and Suites, a Marriott brand, that developers expect to open here in 2021. The 82-room, three-story hotel is being built just south of the Pine Street exit off Interstate 30, on Red Hill Road, which parallels I-30 like a frontage road. Two Arkadelphians, Miles McKenzie
and Brandon Stone, are developing the hotel. They’ve enjoyed success here building and leasing apartments to students. The hotel’s external sheathing will make it possible for workers to move inside when rain interferes with future exterior work. City officials hope the hotel will serve as an anchor for neighboring commercial development.
Congressman: Unity important in COVID-19 response COVID-19 presents many unique challenges to American families, lawmakers, state and local officials, businesses and more. These are uncharted waters for all of us, and it’s important we remain united and work together to care for our friends and loved ones. I first want to give you an update on the bipartisan Families First
By U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman Coronavirus Response tion in asking the Small Act, which President Business AdministraTrump signed into law tion to swiftly approve on March 18. Among Gov. Hutchinson’s diother things, this bill saster declaration. This will enact free COVwould make additional ID-19 testing, paid sick federal resources availleave for affected Amer- able to our state’s small ican workers, more food businesses and provide programs and benefits much-needed relief. and better unemployPresident Trump ment insurance. I also has expanded Medijoined the Arkansas care telehealth covercongressional delegaage, which will ensure
necessary medical care without visiting highrisk areas in person. This means seniors can see any doctor licensed in their state and use Facetime, Skype or other audiovisual technology to talk through their symptoms and treatment options. Even if you are healthy, I urge you to continue social distancing and avoiding all unneces-
Officials’ communication efforts praised By Sherry Kelley Gurdon Mayor I hope that you and your loved ones are well. As we all do our part to flatten the coronavirus curve, I am glad to have the support of the county, other mayors and city managers. I have communicated with Clark County Judge Troy Tucker on an almost daily basis. Others I’ve talked with are Arkadelphia City Manager Gary Brinkley, Hot Springs City Manager Bill Burroughs, Whelen Springs Mayor Glen Hughes, officials from Malvern, Prescott, Gurdon City Attorney Todd Turner, plus Arkansas Municipal League staff. We are all acting in unison and adhering to Arkansas and U.S. guidelines. Stay the course, and hopefully this will be over sooner rather than later. If you have questions, call me at 870-406-1396. Despite social distancing, work in the city goes on. Past wet weather has taken a toll on our streets. Yards are wetter than ever. The viaduct on Maple Street under the railroad tracks was closed to all except for emergency vehicles for about 24 hours. The rain created a problem with erosion, and we had the section removed and replaced. The repair succeeded, and the viaduct is now open to traffic. The Tenth Street overhead water tank and the Red Springs Road water tank recently underwent scheduled cleaning -- without problems and no disruption of service to customers. Trees and yards are greening up. We are mowing and weed whacking at the cemetery. Although some areas are too wet at this time, we will continue to keep it looking good.
Speaking of looking good, I have a beautiful planter on my deck from Gwen Thomerson's stand on First Street. She now has a full array of ferns, planters, flowers and perennials. I want to thank Ross Foundation. A recent grant request that I turned in was approved. Soon I will get to work improving the facade of the former Bill's Dollar Store on Main and two more across the street. I am looking forward to the downtown facelift. The bright storefronts will look cheerful and clean. We plan to also paint a small mural. All the work will be completed with funds provided by the Ross Foundation. This project should begin in April and be completed this summer. I am working hard to complete the USDA Rural Block Development Grant application to fund the remodel and purchase of 115 Main St., to create the Gurdon Business Incubator. The deadline is March 31. If awarded, the Gurdon Business Incubator will give locals with small business ideas an environment to see if they can succeed. This will also be 100% completed with funds from the United States Department of Agriculture.
sary social gatherings and outings to slow the spread of COVID-19. It’s a simple practice that has a huge impact. Finally, I’d like to thank health care workers who are risking their own health to care for the sick. Each of you plays a vital role in defeating the virus, and I’m grateful to have so many incredible men and women caring for patients, researching cures and working long hours. Our nation is stronger because of you. The circumstances and government guidance surrounding the virus are constantly changing, so I recommend you regularly check the CDC’s website, www. coronavirus.gov, or www.healthy.arkansas.gov for updates. I will also continue posting information on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both @RepWesterman.
LITTLE ROCK — Congress has just passed the COVID-19 economic stimulus package, and con artists are already trying to devise new ways to take advantage of Arkansans concerned about the economy. These scammers impersonate government officials and reach Arkansans by phone, email or social media demanding victims’ personal and banking information to verify their eligibility for government stimulus checks. “Bad actors come out in bad situations and will do anything to make a quick buck on the backs of concerned Arkansans,” Attorney General Rutledge said. “The federal government will never reach out asking for personal and banking information to confirm your eligibility for payment.” Rutledge offered three tips to stay safe. • Only rely on official government websites (.gov) for economic relief information. • Never give out personal information over the telephone or email. • When information becomes available, the attorney general’s website will direct you to reliable sources. Arkansas residents encountering someone demanding personal information to receive federal funds or other assistance should immediately contact the Arkansas attorney general’s office by visiting ArkansasAG.gov or call 800-482-8982.
The Arkadelphia Dispatch 812 Clinton St., Suite B Arkadelphia, AR 71923 Phone: 870-617-7001 Editor: Bill Sutley email: arkadelphiadispatch@gmail.com The Arkadelphia Dispatch is published weekly by Nashville Leader, Inc., 119 N. Main, Nashville, AR 71852.
4 News
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Members of a Young Adult Sunday School at First Baptist Church gather Sunday morning, using Zoom teleconferencing technology.
Wet
Continued from page 1 opportunity for us,” Floyd said. “The revenue will only benefit the county and its cities. I think the time is now: Since 2014, every county in the state that has gotten this on the ballot has passed it. It’s a different time and day.” Arkansas Beverage Control would control the number of liquor stores based on population, according to Floyd, only allowing one or two for the entire county. Other entities would be allowed to sell beer and wine at their establishments, such as convenience and grocery stores, as well as bed and breakfasts and restaurants. Similar petition efforts to turn a “dry” county to “wet” are reportedly underway in Hot Spring, Montgomery and Sevier counties this year. In the past 20 years, three Arkansas
Parks Continued from page 1
Museum. • State Archives locations at Little Rock, Old Washington and Powhatan. • Exhibits and gift shops at state parks. (Park visitor centers are only accessible for camping and lodging check-in and trail access.) • The diamond search area at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. • Some public restrooms, per the discretion of park superintendents. • Gift shops throughout the state park system. • Playgrounds at state parks. • All interpretive programming, events and workshops. Cabins and campsites
counties have held elections that switched them from dry to wet: Clark in 2008, Saline in 2014 and Little River in 2016. Pike County petitions are currently available at Murfreesboro Hardware, The Gallery, Dino Dig, Caddo Antiques and Floyd’s Trunk of Treasures. Floyd said she has petitions to drop off at locations, should they be requested. An attorney with experience in the effort did some pro-bono work in creating the petition. Arkansas law states that knowingly printing a name or address falsely on a petition is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and one year in jail. Additionally, a person is guilty of petition fraud, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and six years in prison, if they knowingly sign someone else’s name, sign more than one petition or sign a petition they are not legally entitled to sign. remain open, but daily housekeeping will not be provided. After a stay is over, the room will be cleaned and sanitized for the next guest, using Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Groups with lodge reservations should contact each park directly. Group size, meeting location, etc., will affect the ability for events to proceed. Museum parks with trails restricted to trail access only. Museum parks without trails will provide limited access to exhibits. Gift shops are closed. Marinas and boat ramps remain open with the availability of rental equipment that will be sanitized following each use. Golf courses remain open. Pro Shops will be open to accept golf fees only. Gift shop and club rentals are closed. Cart rentals continue and are cleaned and sanitized between rentals.
Banks CPA, PLLC Stephanie M. Banks, CPA 204 North 27th Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923-5309 Phone: (870) 245-3975 Fax: (870) 246-7149
Arkadelphia Dispatch
Terrie Stone of Delight, left, picks up her call-in order at Burger Barn on Pine Street from Jana Chandler, who oversees takeout for the restaurant that’s still doing a brisk pickup business although state officials no longer allow restaurants to open for regular dining per recommendations by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Virus Continued from page 1
Sunday morning services. Henderson State announced last Wednesday that it would continue
Positive Continued from page 1
wracked their brains after Loe posted news of her diagnosis on Friday, March 20 on Facebook. Her job puts her in contact with many people almost daily. “If you have had personal contact with me since Sunday, March 8 you should self-quarantine through the weekend,” she wrote on Facebook. “If you are symptomatic during this time, seek medical care Monday. If you have no symptoms on Monday, you should be fine.” As if Loe needed more convincing she’s fortunate to have missed out on some of the worst COVID-19 symptoms, all she has to do is talk to her friend, Margaret Ashcraft, who’s also tested positive for COVID-19. Ashcraft has been forced to deal with horrific bouts of nausea and diarrhea but, fortunately, no fever. Loe and Ashcraft are among more than 100 music-lovers who attended a live Trinity Temple Assembly of God concert by Sandi Patty, a veteran Christian artist. That was on Saturday, March 7, the night before Patty took to Facebook to announce to her fans that she had tested positive for COVID-19. “I was shocked,” Ashcraft said. “I mean, I wasn’t even around that lady.” No, Loe and Ashcraft were not among the many fans who talked one-on-one with Patty that night. In fact, they sat on the back pew of the church for the concert. Since then, they’ve learned of concert-goers who “hugged her neck” who have tested negative for the coronavirus. “I just went because I was raised listening to her music,” Loe said. From the stage, Patty told local fans that she and her husband had been dealing with “the sniffles,” most likely the result of allergies stirred by the pollen-filled transition from winter to spring. And that’s exactly what Loe felt like she was dealing with as well —
to keep residence halls, campus apartments and the dining hall open throughout Spring Break. Henderson also announced that it would allow students to carry over to the fall the “declining cash balances” they paid for to eat campus meals. Usually students use it or lose it. Ouachita students were asked to
begin moving out of their dorms and apartments starting Monday. Most Clark County Courthouse offices shut down this week, but officials invited residents to use online resources or call to meet someone at the courthouse as needed. For more information, visit clarkcountyarkansas.com.
until a friend in health care intervened. Loe said she and Margaret and about a half-dozen other women had become involved with a Bible study group that had several face-toface meetings but, more than anything, kept up with each other daily through group texts. One of the women in the text chain is Cassie Gonzales, a nurse practitioner who operates Compass Healthcare LLC, an urgent care provider on Pine Street — next door to Loe’s office at the Chamber of Commerce. Aware of Patty’s diagnosis and that Loe and Ashcraft had attended the concert, Gonzales insisted the women be tested. They were actually able to be swabbed for a coronavirus test while they remained in their cars, and health care workers dressed head to toe in personal protective garb did their work. “Looking back, I thought Cassie Gonzales was very smart,” Loe said. Gonzales immediately put the women into self-imposed quarantine until the test results came back and confirmed her fears. Before she was tested, though, Ashcraft returned to her job in admissions support for Arkadelphia’s Baptist Medical Center —a decision she came to regret later. Her office is away from the main hospital, near the offices of ambulance personnel about 20 yards south of the hospital. “The bad thing is that there are six of us in the office,” she said. “We’re not right on top of each other, but still it’s tight.” Since then, three of her coworkers have also tested positive for COVID-19. Like Loe and others, they’ve gotten the word out to friends by telling them on Facebook. “I’m sorry if I infected anyone,” Ashcraft said. “They all three have run fever, but I don’t know if they’ve had the stomach issues I’ve had. Feeling stronger Thursday, Ashcraft said she and her quarantined co-workers have been able to work from home in recent days. Both Loe and Ashcraft agree that the virus has sapped their strength and their appetites significantly
“It kind of comes and goes,” Ashcraft said. “I try to be upbeat and positive.” Loe described one incident that offered a darker side of people’s attitudes toward those who are, at least temporarily, potential transmitters of the disease. Last Friday, the day when Loe’s family was awaiting the test results, her college-age daughter reported that a former friend had sent her a text asking the cruelest of questions: “How does it feel to have a mama who could kill people?” That same day, as Loe’s family waited for final word on her tests, a friend “texted me that the rumor was out there.” Loe was still too upset about the text her daughter had received. “I was still, as a mama, very protective,” she said. That was when Loe decided that, no matter what the results were, she would share them with the public. Both Loe and Ashcraft agree that one of the best things about their situation has been the daily calls they’ve received from state Health Department professionals, inquiring about how they’re doing. “I’m a statistic now,” she says with a laugh. “I just love that they want to learn how to treat others by talking to us.” Loe has also been encouraged by support from friends. “I’ve had friends bring soup, Lysol, wipes, wine and Diet Coke,” she said. And it’s also reminded her of her strong network of family that’s developed from having grown up here —here also including nearby communities. “I did not realize how much I take these people for granted,” she said. “I know that these people who I don’t always pay attention to would do anything for me.” Ashcraft said she and other participants in their text Bible study group see COVID-19 as a wake-up call. “I can tell you this has brought people down a notch or two,” she said. “There’s a lot more praying and Bible reading going on. Sometimes the Lord has to shake us up a bit.”
Arkadelphia Dispatch
Thursday, March 26, 2020
News 5
Free fishing continues through Sunday
Special to the Dispatch
With all state Game and Fish Commission offices closed by the coronavirus, one of the agency’s final pronouncements was to allow “free fishing” through Sunday, March 29. The commission has waived fishing license and trout permit requirements through midnight Sunday. Despite some park lodge closings, most camping areas and public waterways remain open. (Story, Page 1.) The commission also sought to remind the public that fishing rods are 6-7 feet long, making them good social distance measuring sticks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came up with the 6-foot social distance recommendation since sneezing and coughing are major ways to transmit the coronavirus. Lake Catherine in Hot Springs and the Ouachita River are among the commission’s recommendations to try during the week ahead. Spring walleye runs are at their peak now on
Anglers will find walleye worth fishing for -- even at night -- during their spawning run.
Lake Catherine, and you won’t find a better time to catch these tasty fish concentrated in the upstream arms of some of Arkansas’ larger reservoirs. The area just below Carpenter Dam is a perfect location to catch a few of these nighttime predators during their spawning run. The dam
Academic Continued from page 6
Among women’s cross country teams throughout the GAC, Ouachita led with eight runners making the team. Beyond that, with OBU’s total coming from two more sports than at HSU, Ouachita’s Tigers also had 11 from the football team, seven from both men’s soccer and women’s soccer, and five from women’s volleyball. Oklahoma Baptist saw 52 of its student-athletes earn GAC Academic All-Conference, best among the 12 league institutions. The Bison produced a league-high 22 AllAcademic selections in football, and their GAC champion men’s cross country team led the conference with eight All-Academic honorees.
Current and back issues of Dispatch tch hiaDispa lp e d a k r m/A Issuu.co
Southern Nazarene, with 51 recipients, finished second in fall All-Academic picks. The Crimson Storm ranked second in the conference in AllAcademic selections in both volleyball and women’s cross country. “I commend all of these student-athletes for finding balance between their work in the classroom and on the field of play,” GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said. “We continue to see records set with this honor. I applaud all of the administrators and coaches at our institutions as they continue to raise the GAC’s standard of excellence.” Football studentathletes garnered the most All-Academic
selections, 149, followed by 63 from both men’s and women’s soccer. Rogers State, the GAC Men’s Soccer Champions, had a league-leading 11 AllAcademic selections. East Central’s 13 AllAcademic honorees in women’s soccer led that respective sport. For the GAC to recognize studentathletes on the Academic AllConference team, they must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing — true freshmen and redshirt freshmen are ineligible — and must have completed at least one full academic year at the nominating institution. In addition, their grade-point average must be a minimum of 3.30 based on the 4.0 system. The GPAs are cumulative for each athlete's collegiate career.
prevents fish from going further upstream, so many will congregate along the rocks just below it to conduct their spawning ritual. While walleye are a major target for northern and midwestern anglers, they really never have taken off except as a temporary target in
southern waterways. To cash in on the walleye run, anglers should try fishing in the early morning and late evening -- even at night. Walleye have a special reflective membrane in their eyes that allow them to see better than bass or crappie in low light. As a result, some of the best feeding times for these fish are just after the sun goes down. Anglers should cast stickbaits like Smithwick Rattling Rogues, Storm Thundersticks and the Original Floating Rapala along the rock face. Pay attention to any water releases and practice some common sense if you see the water begin to rise. Carpenter Dam isn’t the only place to find a walleye run. Practically any dam on the Ouachita River will hold a few just below it as the walleye try to move upstream. Other recommendations include Lake Hamilton, below Blakely Mountain Dam, and below Remmel Dam at the south end of Lake Catherine.
6 Sports
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Arkadelphia Dispatch
Badgers earn post-season recognition
Ryan Harris, sophomore 4A-7 All-Conference
Lavarrious Hughes,senior Sam Smith, senior 4A-7 All-Conference 4A-7 All-Conference
All-Star game nominee
Antoine Palmer, soph. 4A-7 Honorable Mention All-Conference
38 at OBU, 30 at HSU win GAC academic honors From Dispatch Reports RUSSELLVILLE – The Great American Conference office announced Thursday that 414 fall student-athletes earned Academic All-Conference honors, including 38 from Ouachita Baptist University and 30 from Henderson State OBU’s total was the third highest among all 12 GAC schools. Throughout the conference, the 414 total — 43 more than the previous high — included athletes
playing football, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s cross country during fall 2019. Henderson’s Reddie football team had 17 players earn GAC AllAcademic distinction — third-most among football programs in the league — while women’s volleyball had seven recognized and women’s cross country had six. See Academic • Page 5
2019-2020 Fall All-Academic Team Football
Charles DeWoody (Sr.) Wesley Geigley (Sr.) Darion Gray (Gr.) Jacob Greenfield (Jr.) James Jackson (Sr.) Roderick Jackson (Gr.) Preston Jefferis (Jr.) Gabriel Jones (Sr.) Patrick Jones (Jr.) Ethan Lazarek (Sr.) Jacquez Neilson (Sr.) Zacchaeus Newbell (Sr.) Michael Orantes (Sr.) Anthony Tademy (Sr.) Quinton Thornton (Jr.) Colby Turner (Sr.) Kody Whitaker (Sr.)
Criminal Justice English Sport Administration Recreation Sport Management Sport Management MBA Management Health and Human Performance Management Management Social Science Education Sport Management Sport Management Management Elementary Education Health and Human Performance Finance
Abby Blackburn (Sr.) Adrianna Hartmann (Sr.) Mollie Johnson (Jr.) Tyasia McGruder (Jr.) Alexis Morton (Gr.) Makenzie Thoman (Jr.) Alexandra Tyler (Jr.)
Longview, Texas Hempstead, Texas Huffman, Texas Tallahassee, Fla. Wesley Chapel, Fla. Monroe, La. Aledo, Texas Maumelle Mesquite, Texas Santa Clarita, Calif. Oxford, Miss. Houston, Texas Chino, Calif. Arkadelphia Gillham South Hutchinson, Kan. Redlands, Calif.
Women’s Volleyball Biology Health and Human Performance Psychology Psychology MBA Entrepreneurship Vocal Education
Leawood, Kan. Fredericksburg, Texas Austin 3.74 Phoenix, Ariz. Princeton, Texas O’Fallon, Mo. The Woodlands, Texas
Women’s Cross Country
Jaci Ammons (Jr.) Mikayla Braun (Sr.) Ashley Gore (Sr.) Martha Mosqueda (Sr.) Rebecca Niedzwiedz (Sr.) Kaylie Wheeless (Jr.)
Pre-Physical Therapy Biology Mid Level Education Health and Physical Education Mid Level Education Recreation Sport Management Biology
ArkadelphiaDispatch@gmail.com
Wake Village, Texas Midlothian, Texas Cabot De Queen North Little Rock Cedar Hill, Texas
3.65 3.35 3.81 3.70 3.94 3.73
Steven Benson (Jr.) Brayden Brazeal (So.) Brockton Brown (Sr.) Allie Freeman (Sr.) Anthony Freeman (So.) Rico Gonzalez (Jr.) Jonathan Harris (Jr.) Hayden Lassiter (Jr.) Michael Neathery (Jr.) Jack Pillow (Jr.) Hunter Swoboda (So)
Jakob Cuellar (Sr.) Noa Cuellar (Sr.) Matthew Day (So.) Hector Duron (Sr.) Ryan Wilson (Jr.) Katie Camp (Sr.) Rileigh Fielder (So.) Shannon Hogan (Jr.) Tabatha Huckabee (Sr.) Julianna Mack (Jr.)
Jorie Beaumont (Jr.) Taryn Bewley (So.) Kristen Holeyfield (Jr.) Grace Loftin (So.) Kyndal Moyer (So.) Eden Putterill (Sr.) Alyssa Reece (Jr.) Blanca Rodriguez (Sr.) Jaymee Dotson (So.)
3.85 3.73 3.61 3.69 3.35 4.00
All-State Honorable Mention
Hailey Nix, junior 4A-7 All-Conference
2019-2020 Fall All-Academic Team
Ben Blocker (So.) Jasper Capaciete (Jr.)
3.30 4.00 3.45 3.37 3.60 3.38 3.38 3.31 3.49 3.47 3.36 3.39 3.43 4.00 3.34 3.75 3.54
Kyla Elgas, junior 4A-7 All-Conference
Madelyn Filla (So.) Alyssa Hardan (Sr.) Ashlyn Heckman (Jr.) Asha Samson (So.) Carmen Scott (Jr.) Erin Webster (Sr.)
Football
Finance Kinesiology/Leisure Pre-Professional Studies Biology Fitness Kinesiology/Leisure Pre-Professional Studies Physics Finance Finance Biology Finance Political Sci./Business Administration
Men’s Soccer
Physics Kinesiology/Leisure Pre-Professional Studies Biology Biology Business Administration Sports Management Business Administration/Marketing Kinesiology/Exercise Science
Mountain Pine England
3.79 3.55
Sheridan Little Rock Monroe, La.
3.54 3.59 3.39
Springhill, La. Pine Bluff Hermitage San Antonio, Texas Conway Bentonville
3.30 3.44 3.69 4.00 3.48 3.41
Little Rock Fort Worth, Texas
3.92 3.37
Frisco, Texas Frisco, Texas Texarkana, Ark.
3.67 3.53 3.39
Frisco, Texas Rowlett, Texas
3.72 3.94
Women’s Volleyball Accounting/Finance Business Administration Entrepreneurship Business Administration Marketing Nutrition Kinesiology/Leisure Pre-Professional Studies
Plano, Texas Little Rock
Plano, Texas 3.80 N. Richland Hills, Texas 3.40 Little Rock 4.00
Women’s Cross Country Nutrition Political Science/Psychology Biology/Psychology/Kinesiology Kinesiology/Leisure Pre-Professional Studies Finance and Accounting Christian Studies/Mass Communication Nutrition Nutrition
Women’s Soccer
Kinesiology/Leisure Pre-Professional Studies Psychology/Sociology Political Science Business Administration/Management Kinesiology/Exercise Science Christian Studies/Church Theology Elementary Education
4.00 4.00
Lockport, Ill. Conway Searcy Shreveport, La.
3.80 4.00 3.73 3.81
Lampasas, Texas Harare, Zimbabwe Paragould Arkadelphia
3.94 3.49 3.76 3.44
Princeton, Texas
3.74
Flint, Texas Austin, Texas Frisco, Texas Austin, Texas Garland, Texas Alvin, Texas
3.37 3.67 3.49 3.94 3.63 3.57