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TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 / Vol. 2 Issue 15 / 75 cents
Student facing charge after list surfaces A Clinton High School senior has been charged with falsely making a terrorist threat after allegations that he was keeping a list of names and had put an assault rifle on layaway. Jacob Carrigan, 18, of Shirley was
charged Thursday by Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland with the count, which is a Class B felony. Carrigan, according to a police report, also said something to a friend like, "wouldn't it be funny if I showed up to graduation and start-
ed shooting?" The friend said it would not, and Carrigan said, "true," the report stated. In an interview Monday, April 4, with School Resource Officer Steve Bradley, Carrigan acknowledged that he had created a list of
names of classmates and was taking a survey to see who thought he was rude and who did not. Asked why he was keeping such a list, the teenager told Bradley he was curious and would maybe stay away from those who thought
him rude, or maybe he would be rude back to them, according to an affidavit for arrest. Bradley asked the teenager if he told one boy he was "safe" when the boy See Carrigan on page 2
Carrigan
Growing a greener world Clinton man home safe
The Clinton High School agri classes and FFA show off their green thumbs in the new greenhouse. See story, Page 9 (Photo by Jeff Burgess)
Clinton elementary in top 5% in state State program awards school $37,876 Clinton School District's Cowsert Elementary is among 194 schools in the state to qualify for funds through the Arkansas School Recognition Program. The Arkansas Department of Education made the announcement last week. The Arkansas School Recognition Program, Ark. Code Ann. ยง 6-15-2107, was created to provide financial awards
to public schools that achieve high student performance and public schools that achieve high student academic growth, which includes high school graduation rates where applicable. Reflective of 2015 legislative updates, the program recognizes the top 10 percent of schools based on academic achievement and the top 10 percent based
on academic growth, which includes graduation rates where applicable. Cowsert Elementary will receive $37,876.17, according to the announcement. It was the only school in the county to receive the recognition. Schools receiving recognition funds must establish a committee to determine the best use of the funds. The com-
Blue Devils wrap up good season
mittee includes the principal, a teacher elected by the faculty, and a parent representative selected by the local Parent Teacher Association or another parental involvement group. Schools must use the funds for faculty and staff bonuses, educational equipment and materials, or personnel to assist with improving or maintaining student performance.
More than 24 hours after being reported missing, an elderly Clinton man was found in Decatur, Texas. Retired businessman David Ray Tomlinson, 81, of Clinton left his home in his SUV on Friday, April 8, telling family he was going to town. They became concerned when they had not heard from him hours later. Police, family and friends hit the roads searching for Tomlinson and his 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. Clinton Police asked that the Arkansas State Police issue a Silver Alert for Tomlinson. The alert was aired on Little Rock television stations and radio stations.
Tomlinson On Saturday, Texas police notified local authorities that Tomlinson was in Decatur. Some family members traveled to Texas to bring Tomlinson home. One of them reported on Facebook about 1 p.m. Sunday that they were home, "tired but happy."
Police search for suspect after 3 vehicles stolen Authorities are searching for a suspect after three vehicles were stolen Friday, April 1. The first stolen vehicle, a Chevrolet pickup, was found behind French Feed store on Highway 16 West in Clinton, according to a report by Clinton Police Inves-
tigator Jim Willoughby. He reported that a Van Buren County sheriff's deputy said that when he arrived at the scene a subject holding an assault rifle ran. After searching the area, the lawSee Theft on page 2
Shirley Blue Devils players Easton Freeman and Joe Owen were named to All State, and Jed Privitt made the All-State Tournament team. See story, Page 6.