Of the people, By the people, For the people
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Beth Bradford
TUESDAY, March 6, 2018 / Vol. 4 Issue 10 / 75 cents
Jackson leaving South Side
Clinton Police Lt. Eric Koonce and Deputy Tim Adam pose with a World War II veteran Saturday at a flag-changing ceremony at Lefler Estates in Clinton. The new flag was donated by Christian Motorcycle Association. Photos by Robert R. Gaut
Clinton isn’t the only school district in Van Buren County that is losing a superintendent. Long-serving Superintendent Billy Jackson has resigned from South Side-Bee Branch. Jackson resigned in February and the district is looking for a new one. There is no word on who is seeking to replace Jackson as e-mail and phone messages were not returned to The Voice Friday afternoon. Billy Jackson resigned in February and the School Board met Feb. 27 to discuss applications. As far as Clinton’s search to replace Andrew Vining goes, the school board met last week to discuss applicants. A representative of the administration office said applications will be accepted until a decision is made. So far, 19 people have applied. Their names and hometowns are listed right:
• Bradley Rahe Mulvane, Kansas • Paul Dee Human Mountain Home, AR • Joe Fisher Russellville, AR • James Carroll Purtle Jerusalem, AR • George Kennedy Foreman, AR • Andrew Curry Hot Springs, AR • Thomas Graves Abingdon, VA • John Parrish Charleston, AR • Tyrene Gardner Shirley, AR • Jacob Smith Jacksonville, AR • James Kevin Hancock Hermitage, AR • Stefanie Smithey Osceola, AR • Marc Sherrell Lonoke, AR • Tyler Broyles Bryant, AR • Tim Smith Greenbrier, AR • Allen Blackwell Gurdon, AR • Brian Cossey Greenbrier, AR • Tracy Webb North Little Rock, AR • Suzanne Bailey Beebe, AR
Man faces porn charges A 51-year-old Damascus man faces 20 counts of viewing child pornography. Homeland Security Investigations in Fort Smith, conducting a peer-to-peer investigation, tracked a computer to an RV park at 17442 Highway S. Damascus on Oct. 31, 2017, according to an affidavit for arrests. There investiga-
tors from Homeland Security and the Van Buren County sheriff’s office found Juan Carlos Jorge who, according to court documents, gave consent for his RV and computer to be searched. Jorge told investigators he had viewed pornography but not child pornography, the report states. He said he was the on-
No pot for county The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission named the five winning bidders Tuesday to operate the state’s first medical marijuana cultivation facilities. The winning bidders are: -Natural State Medicinals Cultivation of Jefferson County -Bold Team LLC (Woodruff County) -Natural State Wellness Enterprises (Jefferson and Jackson counties) -Osage Creek
Cultivation (Carroll County) -Delta Medical Cannabis Company Inc. (Jackson County) Each group can only operate one growing center, so Natural State Wellness Enterprises will have to choose between its two winning proposals. Two companies spoke to the Quorum Court last year asking for an endorsement. The justices of the peace and county judge supported the proposal.
ly one who used the computer and that he had not downloaded anything from a peerto-peer network. The computer was seized and a search applied for. On Dec. 14, a forensic exam report was received by the Homeland Security investigator, which stated that the laptop had 10,452 pictures and 36 videos of child
pornography on it. Jorge has been charged with 20 counts of distributing/ possessing or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, a Class C felony for first offense. The case was filed Feb. 28, 2018. Jorge is being held in the Van Buren County Detention Center. In another child
pornography case, Michael Edward Floyd, 36, of Bee Branch also has been charged. According to the criminal information filed Feb. 28, 2018, Floyd is facing one count of pander/possess material depicting sexually explicit conducting involving a child, a Class C felony. The crime occurred around Oct. 6,
Jorge 2017, the document states.
Barnes to be speaker
Who’s got your vote?
The featured speaker at the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce banquet on March 13 will be veteran newsman Steve Barnes, it was announced Friday. Barnes began his career in 1968. He has worked at all three local affiliates, spending several years as anchor at KATV. He currently hosts AETN’s “Arkansas Week.’ The banquet will be held at the Clinton High School caf-
The filing date has passed and it’s all over but the voting. The Voice has a question for you - if today was Election Day, who would you vote for in the sheriff’s race? Call us at 745-8040, come by the office at 328 Main Street, Clinton, or e-mail voiceeditor@artelco.com. Voting ends Tuesday, March 13. The candidates, in alphabetical order, are: Kenny Dunham (R)
Barnes eteria. For more information contact the chamber at 7456500.
Lucas Emberton (R) Eric Koonce (D) Paul Rice (I) Allen Roberson (R) Max Young (R)