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Art Bryant
TUESDAY, November 28, 2017 / Vol. 3 Issue 48 / 75 cents
Crash on U.S. 65 leaves 2 dead Two young men were killed Saturday, Nov. 25, in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 65 near Damascus in Van Buren County. Adam Lee Morris, 32, of Bee Branch was a passenger in a 1999 International heading north about 4:30 p.m. It was being driven by his dad, Donny Morris, owner of Morris Mobile Homes in Clinton, and they were hauling a mobile home to Sugar Loaf, according to someone at the scene who spoke to the elder Morris. Heading south in a 2014 Nissan Altima was Dillan Brockmeier, 24, of Greenbrier. According to a report by Arkansas State Trooper Evan Stobaugh, Brockmeier’s Altima crossed the center line and collided with the front of the International. Adam Morris was ejected from the truck. Both he and Brockmeier died at the scene. Donny Morris was injured.
Adam Morris raised game fowl. Photo from Facebook Weather conditions were clear and road conditions were dry, according to the report. The mobile home blocked the busy highway for several hours Saturday as first responders, fire departments and police worked to clean up the wreck. Brockmeier worked at the
Sonic in Clinton, and Sunday the drive-in had a sign on its reader board saying Brockmeier was loved and would be missed. Friends of the 24-year-old say he was a father, brother, son, a friend, a soon to be husband, and the general manager of the Clinton Sonic. They say he had just stepped in to the management role after a year of training and had no insurance yet. They have set up a Go Fund Me account for his family to pay funeral expenses. He leaves behind his fiancée Jessica and a 4-year-old daughter, Tristyn. Adam Morris worked with his dad installing mobile homes. He enjoyed chickens and raised game fowl. He leaves behind his father, his mother Brenda Morris, three siblings and many nieces, nephews and relatives. His funeral is 11 a.m. Tuesday at Trace Ridge Church.
Dillan Brockmeier with his daughter, Tristyn.
3 businesses burglarized A string of burglaries down U.S. Highway 65 may be connected. The first of the burglaries was at Sonic Drive-in in Clinton around 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21. According to Clinton Police Lt. Eric Koonce, the burglary was what is called a “smash and grab” in that the thieves smashed in a side door, grabbed some cash and fled. Nearby surveillance cameras picked up some of the action. Next along Highway 65 was a burglary at Los Amigos restaurant in Damascus. That one occurred about 1 a.m. and cash also was taken there.
The third place to be burglarized about 20 minutes later was a gas station/convenience store in Springhill. Koonce says a camera at the Damascus restaurant picked up the image of two men wearing hoodies. He believes the three occurrences are connected. In an earlier burglary in Clinton, The Pottery Shop was broken into. The owner reported the burglary on Nov. 11. He said the thief took cash and a new welder. If you have any information about the burglaries, contact the Clinton Police Department at 7454997.
Established
Clinton Mayor Richard McCormac has filled the last seat on his newly established water commission. The five-member commission is: Richard Hink, current Water Department manager; Darrell Allen, who retired from the department; Matt Stewart, a banker; Mickey Parish, an insurance executive; and final appointee, Danny Newland, a rodeo announcer.
Vote official Season ends – Clinton standout Sky Davidson picks up some hard-earned yards Friday night. The Junction City Dragons were too much for the Jackets, but what a season it was! More on the Yellow Jackets, Pages 8-9.
Christmas season kicks off Thanksgiving is behind us and the Christmas Parade and Toy Run have been held – it’s officially the Christmas season in Van Buren County. There are lots of holiday events coming up. Shirley Mayor Lisa Hackett reminds us that, “Traditions and memories, are what make us such a special community.” Hackett says this Saturday, Dec. 2, is the annual Christmas Party. The party starts at 6 p.m. at the Shirley Community Center. There is a potluck of finger foods so bring a dish and watch as the town lights up. Santa will be handing out
toys to the kids. Everything is free. Call 723-4848 or 7238290 for more information. Fairfield Bay also is planning to Light Up the Bay on Dec. 1 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It’s at the Fairfield Bay Conference Center. Dinner at the center is $8 but you can see the trees for free. Clinton will be switching on the lights at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Archey Park. Come see the big, beautiful tree in the park shine. The Clinton Parks Department has been working hard and it’s a free event. Earlier Sunday, Christmas In Clinton is set to promote shopping locally. Par-
Photo from Facebook
ticipating businesses will be open for special hours offering discounts, refreshments, giveaways and sales throughout retails stores. Shopping hours are 12:305 p.m. For more information, call Chrystal at King-Sullivan Radio, 745-4474. On Dec. 2, Scotland is holding Christmas in Pig Eye. There will be wagon rides, hot chocolate, gingerbread contest, cookie-decorating contest, and children from the Scotland churches will be singing carols. And there will be the annual Scotland Community Christmas Dinner with Santa making an appearance.
It should be certified by now – Clinton voters rejected a quarter-cent sales tax by 19 votes on Nov. 14. Only 299 people came out to vote; 159 voted against the tax while 140 voted for it.
He’s gone
Randy Murray has left the job of jail administrator with the Van Buren County sheriff’s office to become an investigator with the Arkansas Bail Bonds Association.
Japanese holiday
Parading through the streets – Santa Claus and his elf, Corky, take part in Saturday’s Christmas Parade and Toy Run in Clinton to usher in the holiday season. The weather was perfect and the event was a huge success.
Democrat editor Alex Kienlen sent us an e-mail telling us how it came to be that Japan celebrates Thanksgiving. Good to know. We wonder if he’s been doing some research or just shared an in-house memo from the Democrat’s parent company, Softbank Group Corp. of Tokyo, Japan.