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Linda Fisher
TUESDAY, April 26, 2016 / Vol. 2 Issue 17 / 75 cents
Pursuit ends in crash, drug charge One man was arrested and a second suspect is being sought after a car pursuit and crash last week. On the evening of Tuesday, April 19, 2016, Van Buren County sheriffs deputies observed a vehicle driving erratically on Highway 65 south of Choctaw, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver would not stop and accelerated to speeds in excess of 90 mph, ac-
cording to the news release. As deputies began to pursue the vehicle they noticed the occupants of the vehicle throwing items from the window, the report states. Clinton Police officers aided in the pursuit, trying to slow the vehicle down by getting in front of it. The pursuit continued to State Highway 16 East toward Shirley. Deputies reported the occupants continued throwing items from the vehicle, the report states. Deputies reported the suspects' ve-
hicle wrecked at the S curves just before entering downtown Shirley. Deputies secured the scene and got medical attention for one of the occupants, the report states. The second occupant fled the scene and was not captured. Deputies recovered several bags containing approximately 15 ounces of suspected methamphetamine with an approximate street value of $43,000. The occupant still at the scene was identified as 34-yearold Jeremiah Turman
of Viola, the news release states. He has been charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, a Class Y felony, and tampering with physical evidence, a Class D felony. Bond for Turman is set at $35,000. His plea and arraignment is set for May 23. The second occupant was identified as Jason Krunsick, 44, of Mountain Home. As of press time, he was still being sought. Assisting in the investigation were the 20th Judicial Drug Task Force and Arkansas State Police.
Turman
Krunsick
Officials say this recovered meth has a street value of more than $43,000. (Photos from Van Buren County sheriff's office)
Handbook draws discussion before Quorum Court approval
Jazzing things up
South Side-Bee Branch band members joined a professional jazz band from Dallas on stage Friday. Story, Page 6.
The meeting last Thursday of the Van Buren County Quorum Court ran into a couple of points of contention before gaining approval at the end. Justice of the Peace James Kirkendoll had a few problems with a new county employee handbook. He did not like that it states the county is an "at-will" employer and workers can be fired without cause or notice. "There ought to be a reason to fire somebody," he said. County Attorney Chad Brown said that is just a restatement of law in Arkansas, which is an "atwill" work state. He said Van Buren County was one of "maybe three counties that had 'permanent' employment." Brown said terminated employees are allowed to have a hearing challenging the action but the burden of proof is now on them to prove there was no cause instead of on the county to show there was reason. Kirkendoll also noted that the new handbook allows offices to be closed from noon-1 p.m. if the supervisor so chooses. He said it seemed unfair that road crews were given 30 min-
utes for lunch while others might be able to take an hour. JP Dell Holt, who chaired the committee that revised the handbook, said that is a decision up to the supervisors. Kirkendoll then moved to sick leave policy and challenged limiting accumulated leave to 192 hours before the hours are moved to a "sick leave bank" that employees share. He said a serious illness could require more leave than that. The changes also make clear that any employee who takes time off they have not yet earned will find the money deducted from their paychecks. Holt admitted to being "a little torqued" that the committee got no input from other JPs beforehand, noting the work had taken five months. He said the handbook is not perfect and will need to change down the road. Despite his misgivings, Kirkendoll joined the Quorum Court for a unanimous vote on the ordinance. It was given three readings and will take affect May 1, 2016. The other issue at the April 21 meeting that spurred some emotion was an ordinance requested by
County Judge Roger Hooper to enact weight limits on county roads. Hooper said trucks are taking a toll on Lo-Gap Road. He said despite being asked several times not to travel it anymore one particular driver refuses to stop, telling him and deputies that the road is not posted. Some JPs voiced concern that there would be no way to enforce the law short of the county purchasing its own scales. Hooper shot back that the roadwork on Lo-Gap had cost the county half a million dollars. The county, apparently, is willing to buy scales and train a deputy to use them. The exact cost for the scales is unknown, though one JP said he thinks they cost around $3,200. Sheriff Scott Bradley said deputies could "put a little pressure" on truckers, but he did not think the State Highway Patrol would be a help on a county road. The county's fines can only be up to $1,000. Brown noted that he had seen Highway Police fines go as high as $6,000. "They can jack them up," he said. The ordinance, 2016-20, was passed unanimously.
County loses businessmen, Clinton school history-maker Businessman, enjoyed giving
Clinton's first black graduate
From dropout Teacher, coach to success story insurance agent
The long-time owner of Clinton's Chevrolet dealership, Joe Edwin Lee Sr., passed away on April 17. In an outpouring of sympathy and heartfelt words on social media, he was remembered as a man who enjoyed helping others and took pleasure in making homemade jelly to give away. Lee was a master of the deal and always found a way to make a trade.
It was the mid-1960s, the world was changing and so was Clinton. In 1966, Clinton High School graduated its first black student. John Isaiah Washington was born on October 12, 1948, to Albert Washington and Cleophas Martin. Washington is remembered as a man who found Christ at an early age. He leaves behind many loved ones in the Clinton area.
J.W. “Dub� Treece was the oldest of 11 children. In the eighth-grade he had to drop out of school to help support the family. But that didn't hold Treece back. He later joined the Army and built a successful construction and concrete business in Clinton. He is remembered as a hard-working man who adored his family.
Read more about Joe Lee on Page 4.
Read more about his life on Page 4.
Read more about Dub Treece on Page 4.
Anyone who has listened to local radio stations in the past decade is bound to know the name "Toppy" Owens. His laugh and spirit could fill the room, and this man who loved to be the life of the party had an uplifting presence, friends recall. Read more about him on Page 4.