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Janet Blair
TUESDAY, April 19, 2016 / Vol. 2 Issue 16 / 75 cents
Student told to jump from moving bus, lawsuit says
Elementary enchanted
A horse and carriage visited Clinton elementary school last week as a treat for the children. The youngsters were given rides in the carriage and a few princesses also were on hand.
City's water clarifier leaks, council told The Clinton Water Department's state-mandated water improvement system is not yet in working order. The water clarifier is complete but it is not properly sealed and has lots of leaks, department manager Todd Burgers told the Clinton City Council last week. The work "is not what we would expect to see for what we paid for it," Burgess said. "I would say we are very very close to litigation." In February 2012, the Arkansas Department of Health ordered the department to clean up its water in two years or face fines. As long as the department is working to solve the problem, no fines are likely to be levied. The city received a grant to cover about half of the $3 million cost of the clarifier. Asked who's to blame, Burgess said he thinks the fault is both in the engineering and the construction. He noted that change orders to the clarifier drove up the cost, and he says and there "probably wasn't enough money
to start the project." Burgess said he does not know when the clarifier will be operational. Another problem the water department is facing is work on Kip Street where 1,900 feet of line and seven crossings need to be laid. Previously, $9,200 was earmarked for the work; Burgess said it will take about $25,000 to do it. An engineer will be required to draw up plans because more than 1,000 feet of pipe is involved, Burgess said. He said work would take about three weeks after plans are approved. It is possible to have it completed within 60 days if the work is hired out, he said. Currently, water lines, phone lines and electrical lines are buried in close proximity, which is a potentially dangerous situation. On another topic, Clinton Mayor Richard McCormac noted that there have been many complaints about Media 3, which bought out Clinton Cable last year. McCormac said
company representatives will be in town this week. He said he thinks they will be at City Hall at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, but wasn't quite sure. "We'll have a list of things for them to address," he said. Anyone interested can attend the meeting, he said. Call 745-8110 to confirm the date and time. Also Thursday, Zoning official Tim Clark said he and McCormac have visited every business in town handing out business permits. He said renewal notices will be sent out next January. He also said the city may want to look at scaling back a $400,000 50-50 grant for playground equipment because of the cost to the city. New equipment is needed, he said, but the $200,00 price tag for the city's part is a concern. Parks director Charles Wilson noted that when new equipment replaces the old and the merrygo-round is gone, "it's gone." That type of equipment is no longer allowed, he said. Councilors voted
unanimously on three readings and an emergency clause to waive residency requirements for seats on the Advertising and Promotions Commission. In question was the appointment of Wes Newland who is neither a Clinton resident nor business owner. Also at the meeting: * Councilors were told that the city's revenue is down $11,659.75 for the first quarter of 2016. * The council was told that a replacement controller for the stoplight at Volunteer Parkway and U.S. Highway 65 has been found at a cost See City Council on page 2
The Shirley School District is facing a negligence lawsuit following an incident two years ago that left a student injured. Attorneys for Deborah Widener of Clinton filed the civil complaint in Van Buren County Circuit Court on April 1, 2016. The complaint states that on March 31, 2014, Widener's minor son was riding in a school bus after a track meet in Clinton late in the evening. The bus driver, identified in the complaint as Coach Jason Cowell, told the student that the bus was running late and he did not have time to stop at his house. Cowell told the student to jump from the bus as he slowed near the boy's home, according to the complaint. The student did as he was told and when he landed in the dark, "he heard a crack and cried out in pain." The boy's injuries included avulsion fracture, left tibial tubercle, impending
FFB marks 50 years
Body found in Red River Here is the report from the Van Buren County sheriff's office detailing the case of vehicle thefts and the search for a suspect. A body found Saturday, April 9, 2016, has been identified as 21-year-old Dustin Lee. The search for a missing man ended Saturday, April 9, 2016. At approximately 10:20 a.m. Stone County Sheriff's Department contacted the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department to inform them that there had been a body discovered in the Red River in the Arlburg area. Stone County officials asked for the assis-
tance of the Arkansas State Police in the recovery. The case stems from a series of thefts of vehicles and a burglary in Clinton in the morning hours of April 1, 2016. Clinton Police Department reported a stolen vehicle, a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe, blue in color, had been stolen along with a wallet that contained $650 in cash. Subsequent investigation revealed the theft of a semi truck and another truck, all stolen earlier this same day. On April 1, 2016, at 9:26 a.m., A Van Buren County Sheriff’s deputy in the Shirley area came in con-
tact with the stolen vehicle on Shelby Road. The vehicle fled from the deputy with the deputy losing sight of the vehicle. Believing that the stolen vehicle may have turned off onto Silver Tree Road, deputies responded to the Banner Mountain area. The vehicle was not seen on Banner Mountain. Responding deputies that had driven to the Highway 110 area in case the suspect had crossed Shady Grove Road came in contact with the stolen vehicle that fled from pursuing deputies to AnSee Drown on page 2
compartment syndrome of leg and permanent scarring and disfigurement, according to the complaint. The complaint says that the Shirley School District was negligent because it had a duty to protect the student's safety at all times while transporting him on the school bus, and contends that Cowell was an agent of the school district all relevant times. The student suffered great pain and mental anguish and will continue to do so in the future, the complaint states. Widener is asking for a jury trial and requests attorney's fees and "all other proper relief to which she may be entitled." Widener's attorney is Steve Harrelson of the Harrelson Law Firm in Little Rock. The Shirley School District has 30 days to respond to the complaint, which was served on Superintendent Betty Magruder on April 7.
Hornets baseball -- Eli Leonard makes a play on the base during a conference game last week. More photos, Page 7
Family tradition -- Ten-year-old twins Anna and Jack Elliott with the family's gristmill, a tradition for generations. Story, Page 10.
Fifty years ago this month three men turned their dream for a recreational outdoor resort and retirement community into reality. On Saturday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the city will celebrate a half-century of the good life at the Conference and Visitor Center. The town's development will be on view in photos, songs and stories. There will be a champagne toast and cruises around the lake. Several state dignitaries are expected to be on hand. The men with the dream -- C. Randolph Warner, Neil Simonson and Jake Jacobus -began by purchasing 3,000 acres on Greers Ferry Lake and in January 196 they built a marina. Fairfield Bay was on its way. The city added two golf courses, recreational areas and a tennis complex. Conference Center was built in 1972, and remodeled a few years ago. Related stories, Page 10