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Richard Collins
TUESDAY, January 24, 2017 / Vol. 3 Issue 4 / 75 cents
Quorum Court freezes hiring
Boy Scout Troop 401 from Fairfield Bay kicked off Thursday's Quorum Court meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.
What's Going On Dinner time
It's that time of year again -- the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and citizens of Van Buren County are ready to honor the county's first responders. The dinner is in its ninth year. It was created to show support and appreciation to the county's heroes and helpers after the devastating tornado of 2008. This year's school sponsor is the Shirley High School FFA Chapter. The dinner is set for 5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 4, 2017, at the Clinton High School cafeteria. There will be free chili, hamburgers, hot dogs, desserts and drinks. Everyone is welcome. In case of severe weather, the dinner will be rescheduled to Feb. 11.
City Council
The Clinton City Council held its January meeting last week, welcoming two new council members. Joining the council was Jeff Pistole and Shon Hastings. At the meeting last Tuesday, the Airport Commission got a new chairman as Jason Hayes was named to replace Pistole. That leaves one position still open on the commission to fill Hayes' seat. The airport also is still searching for a new manager to replace Will Dawson, who was tapped by Gov. Asa Hutchinson for a state position. The Police Department reported that it has a new truck. The Water Department announced that the project on U.S.
Highway 65 to move the water lines is under way. Mayor Richard McCormac said he is looking through applications for the department manager's position. He said members of the newly created water board will be announced soon. From the Zoning Department comes the news that at least four businesses are building or considering building in Clinton. Those include a new store for Dollar General, near the existing store; an eye clinic; Casey's convenience stores, a chain out of Texas; and Hibachi Express food truck.
Library numbers
The Van Buren County Library branch in Clinton reported to the Quorum Court last week that it has 47,554 items in the building, including
books, CDs, DVDs, and more. Now go check something out!
Thrifty
The Good Stuff thrift shop proprietor says she has some specials coming up at the Clinton store. Stay tuned.
New faces
Donut Palace has new owners. The couple from Oklahoma will be in town to take over in February, according to the Palace builders. We didn't catch their names yet. The Clinton branch of Simmons bank has a new president, Jason Culpepper, after the retirement of longtime president Steve Smith. Send your business news to voiceeditor@artelco.com.
After hearing concerns from the sheriff's office, the Van Buren County Quorum Court unanimously approved a countywide hiring freeze. Sheriff Scott Bradley and Jail Administrator Randy Murray told the justices of the peace that the Detention Center cannot wait until the next Quorum Court meeting to fill positions when they lose a jailer. Murray said he had two jailers turn in their notices just the day before the meeting, and reminded justices that there are state standards the jail must meet or it will be written up in its annual audit. Bradley acknowledged that it would be possible to use part-time help, but said that could quickly drain his budget. "There is nothing pleasant about a hiring freeze," said JP Dale James. He noted that the Detention Center's budget is over $1 million. Bradley said he would not take a deputy off the roads to work in the jail, and Murray warned that there could be dire consequences if the jail is understaffed and somebody gets
Woman found in stolen car A Billings, Montana, woman is being held in the Van Buren County Detention Center after she was found sleeping in a stolen car last week, according to Clinton Police. The Clinton officer reported seeing a 2000 Camaro with its lights on and running behind the Super 8 motel shortly after midnight on Jan. 20. He ran the license plate and it came back stolen out of Springfield, Missouri, according to his report. He and a deputy boxed the car in and woke up a person covered by a blanket in the driver's seat. The person identified herself first as Bambi Ross, then as Rosie Grainger, according to the report. When asked about the stolen vehicle, she responded, "How can you steal something that is stolen," according to the report.
Teen dies inA crash Shirley teenag-
Taflan After being taken to the jail, the suspect identified herself as Julie Ann Taflan. She told the officer that she and her husband took the car from the side of the road, but "we got into it and he split," according to the report. As officers tried to read Taflan her rights, she said she wanted an attorney, the report states. Taflan has been charged with felony theft by receiving, criminal impersonation and obstruction of government operations, both misdemeanors, and expired or no drivers license.
hurt. JP Gary Linn asked if the Quorum Court should form a "hiring freeze committee" that could make decisions between meetings. It was pointed out that gathering JPs for committee meetings costs several hundred dollars and wouldn't further the goal to save money. JP Todd Burgess quashed any thoughts of excluding the sheriff's office from the hiring freeze. "It's all or nothing," he said. The two jailers who have turned in their notices will be replaced by two parttime jailers. The justices decided to let the sheriff's office hire two part-timers for the jail before the freeze takes effect. James said the county currently has 113 employees. Also at the meeting, Animal Control director Reta Tharp reported that animal rescue groups from Massachusetts and Connecticut are taking all except one dog at the shelter by next month. There currently are nine cats at the facility. The facility will be turned over to a non-profit group on July 1.
Bat protection The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has accepted a grant from the Diamond Pipeline Northern Long-eared Bat Mitigation Fund for acquisition of a 240-acre tract of land bordering Scott Henderson Gulf Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Van Buren County where
the endangered species has been found. The bat was added to the threatened species list in 2015. The Diamond Pipeline will cross several rivers in Arkansas, including the Arkansas River, Illinois Bayou, White River, Saint Francis River and the Mississippi River as it carries inter-
mediate crude from Oklahoma to Valero's 195,000-barrel per day refinery in Memphis. According to Diamond engineers the pipeline poses no threat to public safety or to the water supply. The Game and Fish commission did not state the amount of the grant. (Photo from AG&FC)
er was killed in a traffic accident Saturday afternoon. Jessica Collins was in a car that wrecked Saturday on Sally Flat Road, which junctions with Highway 110 near Holley Mountain. An early report states that she was ejected from the vehicle. Two other people were believed to be in the vehicle, but not seriously injured. Jessica attended Shirley High School. She was the daughter of Patrick and Judy Collins. The Shirley School District posted the following on its Facebook page: "Shirley School is saddened at the loss of one of our students. Prayers for the Collins family. The high school rotunda will be open at 2 p.m. on Sunday for students, staff, and others. Counselors will be available." No other details were available by press time.