The Voice of Van Buren County - March 13, 2018

Of the people, By the people, For the people

Home of subscriber

Susan Heaney

TUESDAY, March 13, 2018 / Vol. 4 Issue 11 / 75 cents

Problems vex water system

They could have danced all night - South Side-Bee Branch held its Junior-Senior Prom on March 3. More photos, Page 14

Who's in there?

This deer checks out a birdhouse on Banner Mountain while her offspring waits patiently. (Photo

by Kay Weaver)

There are a lot of things going on at the Water Department, and some of them are costly.

Department head Richard Hink updated the Clinton City Council at its meeting last week on projects and news. He reported that as of March 1, 2018, Dennard water was now a part of the Clinton Water Department.

Clinton took over Dennard’s debt as well as its lines and customers.

Also, he reported, the Honey Hills project was progressing slowly because of the wet weather, and the water line in Town Branch is leaking. He said work on lines in the water is going to involve the state Health Department and the Corps of Engineers.

Also because of the weather, sewers are overflowing, and some are clogged.

Hink thinks bricks are the problem.

He asked the council to move $50,000 from the sewer depreciation account.

The sewer customers “deserve better,” HInk said. The council agreed to the move.

Mayors, county judge to talk An interlocal agreement is the way to decide who should pay what for the operation of the 911 Dispatch center in Fairfield Bay, it was decided last week at a meeting of the Public Safety committee.

In 2000 it was decided to locate the dispatch center in Fairfield Bay because the county jail was too loud and not set up to house it. The arrangement worked for several years, but now, Fairfield Bay is

Where there’s smoke - Grass fire swept through Liberty Cemetery near Cleveland last week. That was one of several fires, including a controlled burn by the Forestry Commission that had people seeing smoke from Shirley to south of Clinton.

The commission burned almost 300 acres late last week.

objecting to carrying more than its fair share of the financial load and wants Clinton and the county to ante up. Several on the committee say that based on the number of calls, the fair share would be 19 percent of the cost for Clinton, 21 percent for Fairfield Bay, and 50 percent for the county.

The mayors of Clinton and Fairfield Bay as well as the county judge will meet May 1 for further discussion.

It’s coming

Man charged with rape An 18-yearold man has been charged with rape, a Class Y felony.

Corey Ethan Key also has been charged with sexual indecency with a child, a Class D felony.

Key’s plea and arraignment are set for April 3, 2018, in Circuit Court. Bond has been set at $100,000.

The court documents have been sealed and no other

Casey’s gas station and convenience store will open Thursday, March 15, according to Clinton Zoning official Phillip Ellis.

Healthy county

Key details are available.

For more court news, see Page 2

Hink also said the Pole Yard pump station is no longer needed on a regular basis. He said it won’t be shut down because it will be needed occasionally, such as when another station will be closed for cleaning.

Also at the meeting, the council passed a resolution to pay the Municipal League $3,000 to represent the city in a lawsuit by a former police officer claiming he was not fairly compensated for his overtime. The vote was 5-0 with Councilwoman Gayla Bradley declining to vote. The lawsuit was filed by her husband.

Mayor Richard McCormac also told the council that it appeared the city's Facebook policy was covered in the employees’ handbook.

And finally, the council unanimously approved a resolution accepting state aid for the Honey Hills-Memory Lane overlay project.

The City Council meets the second Thursday of each month at the Clinton Municipal Airport.

Meeting time is 6:30 p.m.

Sky worker - Utility work continues on Highway 65 north of Clinton as old poles are replaced with bigger new ones.

(Photo by Jeff Burgess)

Not sure if it’s an actual committee, but once a month, a group of people meet over lunch at the Courthouse An-

nex and discuss ways to make Van Buren County residents healthier.

The group is made up of county officials and health officials and is under the Arkansas Department of Health. They have contests and activities for kids of all ages. Visit healthyactive.org to learn more.

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 2

Crime Report Drug charges filed

On March 1, a vehicle with a defective license plate light was spotted on Highway 9. A deputy started following the car and observed it weaving, according to an affidavit.

The deputy pulled over the car and could see an open beer can in the console, according to the report.

The deputy stated that he could small alcohol on driver William Doubleday’s breath, the report states.

A search of Doubleday and the vehicle turned up a glass smoking pipe and less than 2 grams of a white crystalline substance that field tested as methamphetamine, according to

the affidavit.

Doubleday, 69, of Shirley was charged with possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine or cocaine, less than 2 grams, a D felony, possession of drug paraphernalia, a D felony, and drinking in public, a misdemeanor.

Woman arrested

A Van Buren County deputy saw a vehicle swerving and made a traffic stop.

The deputy said he observed driver Kimberly Lynne Elliott, 52, put a plastic bag up her shorts, according to an arrest affidavit. When she got out of the vehicle, the deputy stated, a mar-

ijuana cigarette fell out of her shorts and she handed over the bag, which contained a smoking device with a small amount of residue in it, the court document states.

Elliott of Shirley has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony, possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony, and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. Her pre-trial hearing is set for March 19 in Circuit Court.

Other cases

David Keith Bratton, 52, of Russellville was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class C felony, possession of drug par-

Senior Center menus / February Clinton/Damascus

March 13 – Swiss steak, rice, fried okra, roll, apricots.

March 14 – Chicken and dumplings, green beans, stewed tomatoes, butterscotch bars.

March 15 – Lemon pepper chicken, baked corn casserole, zucchini and tomatoes, chocolate pie.

March 19 – Cheesy chicken and potato casserole, Brussels sprouts, roll, hot winter fruit.

March 20 – Meatballs/gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, roll, fruit cocktail.

March 21 – Taco soup, chips, salad, strawberries and bananas.

March 22 – Smothered pork cutlet, pickled beats, broccoli, roll, cobbler.

March 26 – Cheeseburger pie, creamed peas, herbed potatoes, pineapple chunks.

March 27 – Hashbrown/ham casserole, salad, strawberries, breadstick, angel food cake.

March 28 – Spaghetti w/meat sauce, mixed vegetables, salad, French bread, brownie muffin.

March 29 – Pinto beans w/ham, spinach-topped tomatoes, cornbread, lemonade pie.

Fairfield Bay

March 13 – Vegetable beef soup,

Oriental slaw, cornbread, fruit.

March 14 – Pork loin, pickled beets, broccoli, roll, peach cobbler.

March 15 – Swiss steak, rice, fried okra, roll, apricots.

March 16 – Ravioli/sauce, peas and carrots, salad, garlic bread, hot cinnamon applesauce.

March 20 – Chicken Paramigiana/sauce, spinach salad, corn, breadstick, spiced peaches.

March 21 – Meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, green beans, bread, fresh fruit.

March 22 – Sliced ham, blackeyed peas, greens, strawberry applesauce cake.

March 23 – Fried fish, baked potato, pinto beans, hushpuppies, banana pudding.

March 27 – Creamy chicken spaghetti, peas and carrots, mixed vegetables, breadstick, spiced peaches.

March 28 – Taco soup, chips, salad, strawberries and bananas.

March 29 – Cheesy chicken and potato casserole, Brussels sprouts, roll, winter hot fruit.

March 30 – Meatballs/gravy, carrots, mashed potatoes, bread, fruit cocktail.

Scotland

March

13

The VOICE of Van Buren County 328 Main St. / P.O. Box 1396 / Clinton, AR / 72031 tel: (501) 745-8040 / fax: (501) 745-8077 Editor / General Manager Anita Tucker - voiceeditor@artelco.com Advertising / Office Manager

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Deadline to submit news items, letters and all advertising: 4:00 p.m. Thursdays The VOICE of Van Buren County is published weekly on Tuesday by VBC Communications, LLC 328 Main Street, Clinton AR 72031 USPS Permit # 16970 effective 10-13-2015 Periodicals Postage paid at Clinton AR. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to The VOICE of Van Buren County P. O. Box 1396, Clinton, AR 72031

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Chicken Parmigiana w/sauce, spinach salad, corn, garlic bread, spiced peaches.

March 14 – Meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, green beans, bread, fresh fruit.

March 15 – Fried catfish, quick-baked potato, pinto beans, hushpuppies, banana pudding.

March 19 – Swiss Steak, rice, okra, roll, apricots.

March 20 – Vegetable beef soup, Oriental slaw, cornbread, fruit.

March 21 – Lemon pepper chicken, baked corn casserole, zucchini and tomatoes, chocolate pie.

March 22 – Pork roast, AuGratin potatoes, pickled beets, bread, apple cake.

March 26 – Hamburger, Mexicali corn, baked beans, melon and strawberries.

March 27 – Pinto beans w/ham, stewed tomatoes, cornbread, creamsicle pie.

March 28 – Cheeseburger pie, creamed peas, herbed potatoes, bread, pineapple.

March 29 – Spaghetti w/meat sauce, green beans, salad, garlic bread, brownies.

Doubleday

Elliott

aphernalia, a Class C felony, and no liability insurance, a misdemeanor after a traffic stop on March 1.

Vickie L. Whitson, 39, of Cleveland has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, also a Class D felony.

Whitson was spotted about 11:30 p.m.

March 1 by a deputy driving on Scotland-Formosa Road with one headlight out and no license plate, according to the affi-

Shirley

March 13 - Vegetable beef soup, Oriental slaw, cornbread, fruit.

March 14 – Pork loin, mashed potatoes, glazed beets, bread, apple cake.

March 15 – Chicken/dumplings, green beans, stewed tomatoes, butterscotch bars.

March 19 – Meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, California blend vegetables, bread, fruit.

March 13, 2018

Bratton

davit for arrest.

A search of her vehicle turned up a small amount of meth and a metal smoking device, the court document states.

Whitson

unit.

Nancy Jane Evans, 36, of Clinton has been charged with breaking or entering, a Class D felony, and theft of property, also a Class felony. According to an arrest affidavit, Evans called police to an address on Highway 16 West and told them she wanted to return some items she had stolen from a storage

James Dale Simpkins, 48, of Clinton has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class D felony, and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. About 2 a.m.

March 2, Simpkins called police to his house, believing three people were inside, according to the arrest affidavit. Clinton police did not find any trespassers, but did discover some marijuana and a smoking device, the court document states.

March 20 – Chicken Parmigiana/ sauce, spinach salad, corn, breadstick, spiced peaches.

March 21 – Sliced ham, black-eyed peas, greens, cornbread, applesauce.

March 22 – Fried fish, seasoned potatoes, coleslaw, hushpuppies, banana pudding.

March 26 – Chili, broccoli slaw, Mexican cornbread, fruit.

March 27 – Taco soup, chips,

salad, strawberries and bananas.

March 28 – Creamy chicken spaghetti, peas, mixed vegetables, breadstick, lemon dream cake.

March 29 – Hamburger, Mexicali corn, baked beans, puffy fruit salad.

Clinton, Shirley and Scotland centers are open Monday-Thursday.

Damascus is open Tuesday and Thursday.

Fairfield Bay is open Tuesday-Friday.

The Voice of Van Buren County

March 13, 2018

Page 3

ACCDA report

By Burtie Harder

International artist Kitty Harvill and a Lagoa landscape in progress.

Guest artist set for March 19 meeting A free art demonstration hosted by the NCA Artist League will be held on Monday, March 19, at 10 a.m. in Fairfield Bay at Bayside, the art studio on the corner of Highway 330 and Greenwood Road near the Marina Road. The public is invited to watch a free demonstration as guest artist Kitty Harvill demonstrates her magic using Inktense Watercolor pencils

and pastels. Come early at 9:30 a.m. to join in sociability, light refreshments and coffee.

Kitty Harvill lives part-time in Conway and Brazil. She has dedicated herself to nature and wildlife art since 2006. She holds Signature membership in Artists for Conservation in 2009. Her artworks have been accepted for the AFC international exhibits "The Art of Con-

servation", and she was named "Conservation Artist of the Month" for April 2013.

For three years she was the recipient of TWASI (Great Britain) The Wildlife Art Society International's International Award.

Kitty is guest artist for April at the NCA Art Gallery/Fairfield Bay Conference Center. For further information about the program, Ellen Kelly, 884-6476.

Retired teachers to meet The Van Buren Country Retired Teachers and School Employees will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Western Sizzlin in Clinton on Tuesday, March 20.

The speaker will be Harold Valentine, a retired teacher/co-

ordinator for the Work Experience Cooperative, Searcy High School, He is on the legislative affairs committee for ARTA and represents the interest of retirees at the Arkansas General Assembly, which is currently in session.

Valentine will give information on the latest legislative items that affect retired teachers.

All retired school employees are encouraged to attend.

Guests are welcome.

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ACCDA Board had its monthly meeting on March 7. Because of sickness and weather they had canceled all events in January and February and are excited to be starting out the spring with a Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. The cooking will be done by ACCDA and everyone is invited. The dinner will be on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the Alread EH Club Building.

Also in March the ACCDA will participate in the annual Alread Egg Hunt sponsored by the Alread Community Non-Profit organiza-

tions. The egg hunt begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31 at the Alread FUN Park and activities, fun and food are free for children of all ages. If you would like to help prepare for the egg hunt we will be meeting at the Alread EH Club at 2 p.m. March 30 to fill eggs.

Recycling will resume this month.

As always, recycling is at the Community Center on the second Saturday of the month from 8-10 a.m.

The next two will be March 10 and April 14. We accept everything that is accepted by VBC Recycling.

The aluminum cans are donated to the Alread Fire Works.

Plans for April include ACCDA hosting a work day at the Alread Community Center buildings and property (the former Alread School) starting a 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 13. Bring a sack lunch; bottled water will be provided. If you have ideas of what need to be worked on let the ACCDA Board know by the next meeting, April 2.

In April we will also be supporting other events happening in the area; a fundraiser for the Neal Family April 7, Earth Day Celebrations April 22, and a Candidate Forum on April 28.

If you would like to know more about events in Alread you can access the AlreadArkansas@gmail. com calendar.

Search on at South Side Here is the list of candidates seeking to replace Billy Jackson, who submitted his resignation as superintendent at South Side-Bee Branch School District on Feb. 19.

• Eric Henderson • Gary Rhinehart

• David Minnie • Stefanie Smithey • John Parrish • Tyler Broyles • Joe Fisher • Jimmy Bruce Ray • Marc Sherrell • Jeff J. Spaletta • George Kennedy • James Hancock • Charnelsa Powell

• Rebecca Price Reed • Bradley D. Rahe • Dr. Milton A. Walters • Billy R. Lee Jr. • Aaron Hosman • Tim Smith • J. Carroll Purtle • Andrew Curry • Lori McKenzie

UACCM schedules Clinton classes The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton’s Adult Education Center in Clinton will soon launch a sixweek evening class beginning Monday, April 2.

The class — which is designed to enhance basic skills, as well as prepare students for the GED exam — will meet from 4:307 p.m. each Monday through May 7 inside the UACCM Adult

Education Center at 100 Success Drive, Clinton. The minimum age for enrollment is 18, and all interested students must complete the registration process during Admissions Day on Monday, March 26 from 4:307 p.m.

All instruction at any UACCM Adult Education Center is free of charge. Each facility offers various programs, including adult basic

education, English Language Learners (ESL), college prep, and Workforce Alliance & Growth in the Economy (WAGE) — a series of stackable certifications in partnership with local businesses and industries to prepare participants for workforce careers.

For more information, contact Erica Freeman at (501) 745-6554, or at freeman@uaccm.edu.

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The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 4

Obituaries

Malta Fraser

Malta (Keith) Fraser, 80, of Clinton was born June 28, 1937 in Pineville, Kentucky to the late Bryant and Mary Ellen (Champlin) Keith and passed from this life March 7, 2018 in Clinton. She was of the Methodist faith, was a Licensed Practical Nurse and retired from Ozark Health and Rehabilitation Center in Clinton, Arkansas.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Leo Fraser, and all of her siblings.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Greg Goodin of Clinton, Arkansas; Ashley Hollandsworth (Heath) of Atlanta, Georgia; one great-granddaughter; and other relatives and friends.

Visitation was Monday, March 12, 2018 at the Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton, Arkansas. Funeral services followed there at 2 p.m. with interment at Bradley Cemetery in Clinton.

Toby Stripling

Toby John Stripling, 41, of Cleveland, Arkansas, passed away Friday, March 9, 2018. Born August 12, 1976 in Heber Springs to Richard O. and Brenda Joyce McNabb Stripling.

He was a member of the Scotland Baptist Church and enjoyed visiting with friends, family and neighbors.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents; siblings, Blake and wife Amber of Clinton, Summer Stripling of Hot Springs, Travis Snowden of New Orleans, Louisiana, Andrea and husband Heath McWilliams of Conway; grandmother, Billie Stripling of Clinton; aunt Mary McNabb of Scotland; step-mother, Mary Stripling; aunts, uncles, nieces, neph-

ews, friends at the V.B.C. Special School and other family members.

Toby is preceded in death by his grandparents, Marcus and Erma McNabb and Olen Stripling.

Arrangements by Clinton Funeral Service are pending at this time

March 13, 2018 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Greenbrier, Arkansas. Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Southside Baptist Church in Damascus. Interment will be at Rushing Cemetery in Rushing, Arkansas at 1:30 p.m.

Walter McAvaney Sr.

Walter David McAvaney Sr., 73, of Clinton passed away Sunday, March 4, 2018. He was born Friday, Oct. 27, 1944. Services pending.

Lela Daniels

Lela Mae Payne Rushing Daniels, 104, of Damascus passed away Saturday, March 10, 2018.

She was born on April 6, 1913 in Bee Branch, Arkansas to the late Jackson and Ida Payne.

She married Joseph Blake Rushing on November 1, 1930 and he died in 1988 and then later married, Lodell Daniels, who also passed away. She was also preceded in death by a son, Blake Winford Rushing; grandson, Gordon Wayne Pryor; three brothers, Raymond Payne, James Payne, and Junior Payne; and two sisters, Verlie Wood and Lily Duncan.

Lela was a homemaker. For many years she lived in Rushing, Arkansas, where she was assistant Postmaster with her husband Blake, and also helped run the Rushing General Store. She was a member of Southside Baptist Church in Damascus, Arkansas. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, quilting, and laughing.

She is survived by two daughters, Frieda Pryor (Frank) of Damascus, Arkansas and Rozell Lewis of Morton, Illinois; six grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; several s t e p - g re a t - g r a n d children; and many other friends and family.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday,

Betty Westmoreland

Betty Lee Cooper Westmoreland passed away Friday, March 2, 2018.

Betty was born at home in Greenfield, Oklahoma on June 25, 1927 to Carrie Anderson Cooper and Roy Cooper.

She was the seventh of nine children born to the Coopers.

She attended Southwestern Technical College in Weatherford, Oklahoma where she graduated with honors as a Music Education major.

She married Melvin "Buster" Westmoreland on August 14, 1948. The couple retired and moved to Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. She was a member of the Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in FFB where she served as an elder, was in the choir and was a member of Presbyterian Women.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Lilly Hanks, Eva Havlovic, Alice Wilson, Jim Cooper, and Carl Cooper.

She is survived by by her husband of almost 70 years, "Buster" Westmoreland; son Steven Westmoreland (Sherry); daughter Patti Lowrance (Wayne); siblings, Larry Cooper, Erma Jean Cooper, Sue Jones; three

March 13, 2018

grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, as well as many other family members and friends.

At her request, the family will celebrate Betty's life in a private service at the White River in Arkansas.

Dave Burnett

Clellan “Dave” Burnett was born April 4, 1940 in Cleveland, Arkansas, a son to Fred D. Burnett and Jewell Guinn Burnett. Dave passed away Friday, March 9, 2018 in Little Rock at the age of 77.

Dave was of the Baptist faith. He worked for the state as a tax auditor for many years. He enjoyed working in his flower beds.

Mr. Burnett is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by two brothers, Jimmy Burnett and wife Nancy and Weldon Burnett and wife Kay, all of Little Rock; and other relatives and many friends.

Services were 2 p.m. Monday, March 12, 2018 at Bob Neal and Sons Funeral Home. Interment was in Lost Corner Cemetery in Cleveland.

Lyall Doll

Lyall “Bud” Doll, 99, passed away at Ozark Heath Nursing Center in Clinton, Arkansas, on February 17, 2018. He was born on January 24, 1919 in Decatur, Illinois. Lyall served in the US Navy during World War II. He is preceded in death by his parents; four sisters; one brother; two grandsons; one great-grandson; and two wives.

Left to cherish his memory are one son, John R. (Joanie) Doll Sr. of Argenta, Illinois; two daughters, June Doll Willoughby, her husband Robert Kessler, and Linda Doll Willoughby widow of Howard, both of Clinton; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and many friends and family too numerous to mention. Funeral services were 2 p.m.Thursday, February 22, 2018 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Burial was at Bluffton Cemetery.

VBC Judge Roger Hooper continues his Road Show this year at the Dennard Fire Department Monday, March 19th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

There will be a slide show presentation on the present and future road improvements and the economic happenings of our county.

Sheriff Randy Gurley will also be presenting his own slide show on the Sheriff's Department.

Light refreshments will be served.

Everyone is invited.

Maverick

Shelter pets have tough beginnings About five weeks ago in Van Buren County, a couple of noteworthy things were going on in the animal world.

A beautiful husky-mix puppy was shot in the Shirley area, and miles away, an unwanted cat was giving birth to a litter of unwanted kittens.

Everyday occurrences maybe, but two of these helpless creatures got a break.

The pup’s tale first: A woman driving in the Dodd Mountain area of Shirley spotted the long-haired black and white dog along the road. She got out to check on him and found that he was pretty badly injured. She called Animal Control Deputy Tim Pike and waited with the dog for his arrival. Though the pup was in a great deal of pain, he never growled or snapped at this stranger who stopped to help.

Pike delivered the pup to Lori Treat at SNYP Arkansas animal shelter. She was advised by no less than four veterinarians to put the puppy down, his jaw was infected and he could barely open his mouth.

But Treat resisted.

There was something about this one. And, she told the vets, she believed the dog had been shot.

Long story short, a day or so later, x-rays proved Treat was right.

The pup underwent surgery and was given a round of antibiotics.

He has made a good recovery, but to say he is now a normal dog wouldn’t be the truth. He has been dubbed Maverick and he is a “special needs dog.” As he grows older, it’s possible his jaw will lock up and he will

be unable to eat. At that point, the choices will be a very expensive surgery by a specialist or euthanasia.

Maverick is a well-behaved dog, about 7 or 8 months old. He sits on command and knows how to offer his paw for a shake.

This very special dog needs a very special family.

Now for the cat story.

There is a tiny kitten at the shelter. It's multi-colored, mostly white and yellow. An absolute darling - if you look past her singed fur and the scabs on her face. She has been at the shelter for a week now after a woman brought in the little ball of fur she found along the highway. Thinking the kitten was covered with feces, Treat started to give her a bath and realized she was covered in blood.

Treat thinks the kitten was whacked in the face with something and set on fire.

For whatever reason, the flame didn’t make it to her skin.

She is too young to adopt out right now, and Treat wants to make sure she is well on her way before letting her go. So for now, the little one likes to snuggle behind a pillow on the lobby sofa and nap.

She is going to be OK. But what about her mother and siblings? Treat shakes her head, “We probably don’t even want to know.”

SNYP Arkansas needs your help to continue its work.

Please donate generously to SNYP. Call 745-SNYP or visit their Facebook page to help.

The Voice of Van Buren County

March 13, 2018

The

Music Scene

Jeff Stansbery

Rocky and Mandy Thomas with their sons, Blaze, 13, and Bryce, 8.

Rocky and Mandy Thomas have been good friends of mine for several years.

Blaze, their oldest son, would hang out with me sometimes at the arts center in Leslie, curious as to how the stage lighting was set up during events there. Now he sets up the lighting and effects and other technical support for their Rapid Fire Ministries.

He is quite a talented musician, drummer and rapper as well, taking after his parents. Their youngest, Bryce has also become involved in their music/rapping/ martial arts ministry.

So this is definitely a family ministry based out of Botkinburg, Arkansas and the Botkinburg Foursquare Church.

Recently, Rocky and I talked a bit about how he got started in this unique music ministry. Here is his story: Rocky: I am 40 years old and I work as a Program Eligibility Specialist in Marshall at the DHS office. I am also the senior pastor at Botkinburg Foursquare Church and minister through music, drama, martial arts, hip hop dance, and preaching with my family as Rapid Fire.

My beautiful wife Mandy, who I have been happily married to 18 years this month, is a fourthgrade math teacher

at Leslie Intermediate School in Leslie. I was youth pastor for 18 years before becoming senior pastor almost two years ago. We have two amazing sons, Blaze (13) and Bryce (8)."

When asked about his testimony regarding his faith, Rocky said, "We can't talk about the past and our faith without telling the story of our 13-year-old son Blaze who had major heart surgery in 2015. The doctors said he had a vascular ring around his esophagus and trachea, and they were going to have to clip a ligament and replant an entire artery; and there was constriction from the aorta on the trachea, but they would not touch the aorta as it was too risky. After surgery, they did a scan right before we went home, and they couldn't figure out why there was no constriction and the aorta was back where it should be even though the surgeon didn't touch the aorta.

We believe God put the aorta back where it belonged and truly worked a miracle in this situation.

Q. How did you become interested in music?

Rocky: I grew up listening to '80's music and then when rap came out, I was interested in the style, but did not care for the message. We start-

ed rapping about Jesus around the same time as DC Talk, and then we started choreographing hip hop dance routines and putting shows together.

When asked how he got the idea to incorporate rap into his music ministry, Rocky said, "It all started in Conway, Arkansas in the late '80's when I was asked to do a rap for a youth choir program, and from there I started writing raps with gospel lyrics and scriptures."

Q. How long have you and Mandy been doing your music ministry and how did you get started in it?

Rocky: I met Mandy in the late '90's in Leslie, and she joined our group Freedom Force and then we started dating, and got married in March of 2000. We have been singing together for almost 20 years.

Expounding about the various ministries he and his family have been involved in, Rocky replied: "As far as ministries go, I started out in B.C.C. (Brothers in Christ Coalition), which later became Freedom Force and we went to over 80 schools with a drugfree program and ministered the Gospel to the schools each night of the drug-free program. I was also a part of G-DUB and Soldiers of the Cross, and I also led a martial arts demo team called Warriors of the Light. Currently I am ministering with my family as Rapid Fire and this includes my wife, Mandy, and my two sons, Blaze and Bryce."

Q. Would you talk a little about the tornado that went through Botkingburg and the results?

Rocky: In 2013, we had a tornado come through Botkinburg and it destroyed our church and damaged our home as well as several other homes in the area. It was a very tough time, but our friends and

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family came through and really helped us in our time of need.

The day it happened, we had so many people helping us get our things loaded into a trailer to save some of our items. The next day, we had so many people who showed up with chainsaws, including several churches, and they did what we couldn't even do in months in a few hours. We will never forget the help we were given during this time. We now have a beautiful new church and new home and are very thankful that God brought good out of this situation.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish with your music ministry and what other plans do you have?

Rocky: As far as what we hope to accomplish with our music ministry in the future, I would say just keep spreading the Gospel to the youth in new, creative ways. We would love to be able to do our music ministry and church ministry full time, and we look forward to each and every opportunity the Lord gives us to share our story and bring Him the glory!

Q. Are there any other insights that perhaps not many people know about you?

Rocky: I am a licensed published poet, and have written over 300 songs.

I have a children's book called "The Adventures of Blaze and Mr. Owl" and also write theme songs for sports teams and other organizations such as the Arkansas Razorbacks for football, basketball and baseball, which they have played at their games in the past few years. In 2010 we received an "Excellence in Ministry" award from the Holy Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta and ministered several years at the awards show. We have three songs that were selected to be on "Taking the Gospel to the Streets: Vol 5

Page 5 and Vol 15" that were distributed worldwide

by EMI Gospel.

Rocky shared some insight as to his abilities that brought him some national exposure as well.

"I am a Third-Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, and incorporate some of that into our Rapid Fire show. One year after the tornado, I was blessed to be on 'American Ninja Warrior' on NBC and they did a three-minute feature of our story and got to share about the faithfulness of God and share our ministry. It is something I will never forget."

"I'm excited about the future of our church and our ministry. Our kids have really been blessed with gifts of ministry," Rocky continues. "Bryce is a great singer, rapper and amazing hiphop dancer. Blaze is a great singer and rapper; and he is also a Ham operator, trained weather spotter, and licensed Apple developer; and he takes

Sudoku Solution

Crossword Solution

care of our ministry websites, designed our church app, and runs our network and live-stream. He also DJ's for our online radio station streaming on Facebook called Rapid Fire Radio."

Rocky continues, "I will continue to do gospel rap as I want to give an alternative to those that listen to rap, and show them positive encouraging lyrics and point them to the answer to every question, which is Jesus Christ. If we can encourage someone, and put them on the right path to freedom in Christ, then it's all worth it. We have seen over 5,000 make decisions for Christ through the various ministries, and we are so thankful for that! God has been so good to us, and there are many more stories we could tell about His faithfulness to our family."

For more information, visit www.botkinburgfoursquarechurch.com or e-mail trock900@yahoo. com.

Page 6

The Voice of Van Buren County

March 13, 2018

Hitting their targets - Southside elementary and junior high competed March 2 in archery at state in Hot Springs under the instruction of Arkansas Game and Fish. The elementary archery team will be going to nationals in Kentucky in May. Coaches are Lance Hulse and Bart Bradford. Pictured are the elementary and junior high teams.

CHS baseball The Yellow Jackets had a good run last week, defeating Atkins 12-2 March 6 in their first Conference game, and winning three games in the Dover Tournament. Clinton defeated Booneville 10-0, Ozark 13-1 and Heber Springs 11-1.

Photos by Robert R. Gaut

Clinton Coach Robert Prince

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The Voice of Van Buren County

March 13, 2018

Page 7

Our Van Buren County Family Album

By Shay Belonie

Plant talk - Jeff Burgess talks about organic gardening at the Master Gardeners’ March meeting. President Maud Huber says joining the group is a great way to develop friendships with people who have a common interest in plants. For more info about the Master Gardeners Program call the Extension Office, 745-7117. (Photo by Kathy Mulder)

Jeff Burgess Crabtree

Tuesday is busy with voting for Primary Run-off for Senate District 16 beginning at 6:30 a.m. and continuing until 6:30 p.m.

ACRDC Board meeting is at 5:30 p.m. in the Alread EH Clubhouse. And at 6 p.m. it’s Prayer Night in the Crabtree Foursquare Church.

“The Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Meal Fundraiser,” sponsored by ACCDA, is Saturday, 4-6 p.m., in EH Clubhouse, Alread. Tickets available in advance or at the door.

“A Meet & Greet the Candidates” is being held March 24 at the Crabtree Foursquare Church. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. with a “Soup & Chili Cook-off Fundraiser.” Anyone can enter the competition. A “Smack Your Lips” Pie Auction follows.

Talked to Virgil Dean Lemings on Friday. He was in a very good mood but lamented about his homely face. I assured him it wasn’t all that bad but he remained unconvinced.

Maybe someone else can cheer him up on this subject.

Spring Equinox is Tuesday, March 20, at 11:15 a.m. and marks

the first day of spring, astronomically, in the Northern Hemisphere. It also marks the beginning of the 16 West Beautification Project-Spring Edition. We will be on the lookout for beautiful flowers and planting in yards and gardens along 16 West and announce the winners in June.

Some say crocus blooming is the cue to plant radishes, parsnips and spinach. They are blooming so go-go-go.

And while frost possibilities continue into April there are many other possible cool weather seeds to be planted and transplants are available at stores. Yippee, the garden season begins!

And finally, the March full moon is sometimes called “The Full Worm Moon” since this month earthworms begin to emerge from the earth. “Now where are my fishing poles?” Enjoy it!

If you have info about the greater Crabtree and 16 West community call Jeff Burgess, 745-1249.

James & Joyce Burns

ment for our family, so please keep us in your prayers too.

Kay Weaver Gates open at 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Wild Game Dinner begins at 6 in the cafeteria.

There is supposed to be a pie auction after the wild Game dinner on Saturday night.

Proceeds will go to Scotland Community Corporation.

A lot of work was done on the gym last week, let's all keep our eyes open and help keep the vandalism down and keep the gym nice so it can be enjoyed by the community.

Our condolence to the family of Toby Stripling who died from burns he received several weeks ago.

If anyone has Scotland News and want James to put it in the paper, call him at 593-3935. Have a great week and be safe.

Scotland

Wonderful to be so warm even if it’s windy. It feels like spring. I hope you remembered to move your clock forward on Sunday. It is time to spring forward.

Next Saturday, March 17, will be a great time in Scotland and you are all invited to attend. Outdoor Expo on Saturday at the Scotland School.

Thelma Murray Shirley

Calla Linn and Glenda Keenihan were the volunteers at the Shirley Museum on Saturday and they had five visitors.

Beverly Trimble of Florida spent three nights with her aunt Joan Allen. Jim-

my and Carolyn Mahaney of Little Rock spent one day with his aunt Joan Allen last week.

Doyle Edwards had his 85th birthday on March 2 and his daughter Vickey Werner of Greers Ferry and his son Glenn Edwards of Benton visited him on Saturday.

Bruce and Alicia Blair are looking forward to their first grandchild, a boy, around September 1.

Parents are Keith and Ashley Blair of Clinton.

Fred Murray of Fox had birthday number 79 on March 4. Visiting him were his sons Eric Murray of Cabot and Marlin Murray of Little Rock, his granddaughter Erica and John Ruelle of Beebe, who brought his great-granddaughters Ella and Emma Ruelle, who now weigh 8 pounds each; grandson Evan Murray visited Fred also.

Visiting Johnny and Rhonda Carlton Sunday was their daughter Donna and Greg McCabe of Fairfield Bay. It was Donna's 51st birthday.

Susan and Steffaine Howard, Penny Little and sons Nash, Hogan, Lex, Lea Ann and Steve Jones and son Hayden, Michael and Paula Bramlett, James and Lovena Hutto all came to see Erica and John Ruelle of Beebe,

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Phone (501)745-4749 TDD 1-800-285-1131 This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer

son Evan and their twins daughters Ella and Emma, who are Johnny and Rhonda's great-granddaughters.

Amanda Berger Highway 110

This week Larry Holley celebrated his 29th birthday! Hope it was a blessed day.

Progress is being made on Annie Holley’s home. The roof is off and they are beginning to place the new on.

The Highway 110 Fire Department is hosting a community Easter service and egg hunt on Easter Sunday, April 1. Resurrection service will start at 10 a.m. and the egg hunt will follow directly after at 11 a.m.

Dan and Deb Prout celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary last week.

Congratulations to them, and many more blessed years to come!

Tom Fletcher had surgery this week.

The surgery team got all the cancer removed. Keep him and Christine in your prayers as he recovers.

My husband James starts his new job this week. It is going to be a big adjust-

Senior Centers

Bill Bonds and Ferrell Weaver were the Tuesday pool winners last week in Clinton. Bill Roberson reported. Way to go guys. If you have never watched these guys play pool, you need to make a trip to the center. They play like the real pros and take it so seriously.

Dana (Davenport) Ruff celebrated her birthday last week at the Clinton center.

She is a very interesting lady.

Gerry Bridges keeps the flower table decorated with beautiful blooms. We appreciate you sharing.

The fish dinner Thursday at Clinton was really good. Different, but good. The cooks are dedicated and talented.

There will be a big car show in Clinton on May 5. They will have 18 classes with trophies. All proceeds go to the VBC Aging Program.

I appreciate your support and comments, good and bad.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but a clove of garlic keeps everyone away!

Clubs

The Idle Hour Bridge Club met Thursday at the home of Gay Whillock.

Winners for the evening were: high, Rita Bintliff; second, Billie Fendley; traveling, Emma Hink; and bingo, Mary Edwards.

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The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 8

an amazing life and still don’t believe in Jesus can be blinded. Satan can go either way. Make your life a complete mess or he can give you everything just to keep

by Amanda Berger you from thinking you need Jesus. My husband and I have been through both journeys in our life. Don’t feel somewhat over- be fooled. I am a witwhelmed. God spoke ness to being reborn to my heart this morn- from having years of ing that He is doing a depression. You want new thing in our lives. a rebirth in your life, Lamentations 3:23 call upon Jesus with I feel He is going to your whole heart and take us deeper in our believe! You will be faith than we have ev- made new. You will er gone before spiri- be reborn and free tually. Right now I feel from your sins belike we are at the top cause of what Jeof the hill, but soon sus did on the cross we will have trou- for you. Easter is bles again. Everyone quickly approaching, has tribulation that I encourage you all to comes during one’s revisit the true meanlife. Are you spiritu- ing of Easter. Talk ally prepared? Are about a rebirth! Jesus you at the bottom was resurrected! God of the pit with the li- is doing a new thing ons and are ready for in our lives. Spring is a rebirth in your life? a great reminder of First off, do you be- rebirth. After all the lieve in Jesus? If you leaves have died on don’t and your life is the trees for the wintotally wrecked don’t ter months, now they you think it’s time to are being reborn for run to Him? Don’t be the warmer months. fooled, even those of Take a moment and you who are having ponder on that.

The Young Christian Homemaker

A time for rebirth As I was driving home this morning I couldn’t help but notice all the green grass and blooming daffodils. Even though it was still cold outside I felt a sense of warmth in my soul. Spring is on its way to us here in Clinton, Arkansas. I had a word spoken to my heart “rebirth”.

There is a time for everything in this world, and one of the most important ones is rebirth. There have been a lot of changes within our family the past couple of weeks. Job changes, a death in the family, and the beginnings of starting a new business. So many blessings and opportunities have come our way this month that I have started to

March 13, 2018

Ron’s

chicken soup

I’ll bet you didn’t know this…

Recently, Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, stated that gambling does not affect the integrity of the NFL. Of course, you know why he said that, he just bought a stake in DraftKings, an online wagering company. Well, Mr. Jones, let me tell you what gambling does damage - the health of the American people.

I don’t get it. He believes that kneeling during the National Anthem is very, very bad, but gambling is good. I happen to agree with the

kneeling thing, but Mr. Jones, let me let you in on a few things about gambling.

Eighty percent of Americans bet on something every year, and manage to lose about 119 billion dollars. That is about the combined wealth of both Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.

That’s more money than movies, sports, theme parks, cruise ships and the recording industry make put together. The average American loses $400 a year in gambling. At the same time, children are doing with-

out food, clothing and medicine. You are right, it doesn’t damage the NFL, just innocent children.

About 3 percent of Americans are addicted to gambling.

Gambling is one of the most addictive behaviors in the world. Seventy-five percent of the 6 million Americans trying to quit gambling, will start again before the year is out. Fifty percent of spouses married to a gaming addict will be abused.

Sixty-four percent of these addicts will commit a crime to support their addiction.

Mr. Jones, I don’t care about the integrity of the NFL, I care about people, and there are very few, if any, things that are more harmful than gambling.

- Ron Henson, BSRN

Where to find The Voice

of Van Buren County Austin • The Austin Store (Inside sales)

Bee Branch • Snappy's (Outside Rack sales)

Choctaw Pet of the week This is Nibbles, a tiny chihuahua, about 2 years old. She is already spayed and waiting for her own home. Beware Nibbles likes to kiss, and she may need a refresher course in potty training. To meet Nibbles, call Gary at 745-7346.

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Clinton......................Call 745-4411 Fairfield Bay.............Call 723-4141 Dr. Ben Mays Dr. Jill Baird

• Elite Automotive (Inside sales) • Gasoline Alley (Outside Rack sales) • PEH Supply (Inside sales)

• Backyard Antiques (Inside sales) Clinton • Assessor's Office (Inside sales) • CashSaver (Outside Rack sales) • Clinton Drug (inside sales) • Exxon ~ Doublebee’s (Outside Rack sales) • Flash Market ~ Citgo (Inside sales) • Huddle House (Outside Rack sales) • June's Cafe (Inside sales) • L'Attitude Bistro (Inside sales) • McDonald's (Outside Rack sales) • Petit Jean Electric (Outside Rack sales) • Ozark Health (Outside Rack sales) • The Voice of Van Buren County (Inside sales) • The Voice of Van Buren County (Outside Rack sales) • Western Sizzlin (Inside Rack sales)

Damascus • CashSaver (Outside Rack Sales)

Fairfield Bay • Jack's (Inside sales) • Craven’s Grocery ~ Dollar General (Outside Rack sales)

Leslie • Misty's Conoco & Convenience (Outside Rack sales) • Smith's Citgo (Inside sales)

Oxley • Oxley Country Market (Inside sales)

Scotland • Lowder General Store (Inside sales)

Shirley • First Service Bank (Outside Rack sales) • Reaves Food Store, Hwy 330 S (Outside Rack sales)

www.voiceofvbc.com

March 13, 2018

The Voice of Van Buren County

Fun & Games

Weekly Crossword

Page 9

Sudoku Sudoku: The objective is to fill a 9x9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes (also called blocks or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9. A cell is the smallest block in the game.

A row, column and region consists of 9 cells and the whole game consists of 81 cells.

(Solution is on Page 5)

Rules

By EuGene Smith

Here at The Voice of Van Buren County, we love puzzles and games, contests and prizes. And we want you to play along with us.

Solve our Word Find puzzle and enter for a chance to win a prize. Puzzle entry may not be a photocopy, originals from newspaper only. Let us know “Where In the County Is This?” and you become eligible for our drawing for a one-year subscription to The Voice. There will be one winner for each contest every month. To enter, mail your puzzles to The Voice / P.O. Box 1396 / Clinton, AR 72031 or drop them by our downtown office, 328 Main St., Clinton. You can also call us at 7458040 to tell us where the week’s picture was taken. Deadline to enter is 2 p.m. Friday, March. 30, 2018.

Drawing will be at 4 p.m. Friday, March.

30.

Where In the County Is This?

Where can you find this building in Van Buren County? Tell us for your chance to win a one-year subscription to the Voice. See Rules at left.

Contest winners Congratulations to our February contest winners, Donna Treat for Word Find and Dale Breedlove for Where In the County. Please come by or call the Voice office at 745-8040 to claim your prize. Who's going to win in March?

Van Buren County Trivia The county seat was moved to Clinton in 1842, and a one-room courthouse was built. Several years later, a two-story white frame columned courthouse replaced the log structure.

(Solution is on Page 5)

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 10

March 13, 2018

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . Skilar Applewhite

March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Twila Guerrieri

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty Clark

March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Holley

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marian Coppee

March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Lasater

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joel Ford March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glenn Roddell March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Huie

March 15 . . . . . . . . . . Mary Nance Sluder

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabie Jones

March 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Candy Day

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joyce Parish

March 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Harness

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Partridge

March 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regina Holley

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Ring

March 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Gray

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Singleton

March 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danise Harper

March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . Alma Sue Brown

March 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . Rosetta Sanders

March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Feuer

March 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara Ware

March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwyndola Gray

March 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . Ranger Williams

March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joanne Isom

March 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helon Jones

March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Mauldin

March 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwen Skowron

March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ronny Sikes March 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kali Wright March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheila Brown

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We will have a Monthly Drawing from the Birthday names for a gift from one of the Birthday Page Sponsors!

Simply stop by our office and add your family and friends to our birthday list or email names and dates to us at thevoice@artelco.com or call us (501) 745-8040.

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March 13, 2018

The Voice of Van Buren County

Fishing Report

State lakes are still running high from the past weeks of heavy rain, and some are mostly inaccessible with ramp areas flooded.

Central Arkansas

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir

(updated 3-72018) Bates Field and Stream (501470-1846) reported the water is still high and the clarity is stained. Surface water temperature is 52 degrees. Bream are biting fair on worms and crickets. Look for bream about 10 feet from the shore. Crappie, meanwhile, are in 6-8 feet depth around brush piles. The bite is good. Use minnows or jigs. Bassreports have been excellent. Anglers are using white spinnerbaits and plastic lizards and finding great reactions near the shoreline. Catfishing also is excellent. Try worms or large minnows for your yo-yos.

Greers Ferry Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 470.06 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.04 feet msl Oct. 1-April 30;

Page 11

463.04 feet msl May 1-June 1; 462.54 feet msl June 1-Sept. 30). (updated 3-72018) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-9401318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 470.11 feet msl as of Tuesday at 8:26 p.m. That is 8.07 feet above normal pool of 462.04 feet msl and is dropping with some generation, and when the generation tops it is going back up 6 more inches or so.

With the expected rain coming it should get to 471 feet msl, I presume, so it should hang around 9 feet high for a while. Every day the crappieare on the move to more shallow water.

Find the warmest water for the best action associated with the bushes, and dip minnows and jigs around until you run across a fish or so, then really soak your bait in the area for best results. Or you can fancast a small grub or crappie sin around the outside edges of the old brush line.

The bream are starting to move shallow-

er as well and can be caught in the old brush line tight-lining crickets and crawlers. The bite is slow.

The black bass are eating all over the lake in their prespawn phase, up real shallow eating jigs and spinnerbaits. In the guts of pockets, slow-roll a spinnerbait. Out in the deeper pockets jerk a jerkbait around in open water over 40-60 feet for suspended fish.

A Right Bite tube will work fished vertical in the old brush line, and the deeper fish on the bottom can still be caught on football heads and C-rigs. No report on catfish. The walleye bite is starting to turn good all over with a lot of males eating up the rivers and females eating at night. Since the water has gotten more stable, some fish still headed upriver and the lake fish are moving shallower by the day. Use crankbaits, grubs and minnows on dropshot rigs for the river fish as well as minnows on jigheads; the lake fish will

eat the same baits.

The hybrid and white bass are eating well and moving some on various days in the mouths of rivers, upriver and major creeks. Look for them schooled up.

They will eat spoons, inline spinners and grubs. The lake fish will eat the same. In most cases, fish vertical. Some shallow fish are showing up to eat horizontal cast baits, so stay around the shad.

Lake Overcup

(updated 3-72018) Johnny “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-3549007) said the water level is high by about 3 feet. Clarity is muddy but improving. Bass are doing well around brushtops and structure.

Use topwater baits and plastic worms.

Bream are slow but should start picking up. Catfish are being caught on jugs and yo-yos with bass minnows and shad. Crappie are doing good on yoyos at night with No. 4 and No. 6 minnows in 4-6 feet of water. Still a little early on the spawn, water temperatures are 53 to 55 degrees.

Lake Maumelle

(updated 3-72018) Jolly Rogers Marina (501-8685558) said that as of Tuesday the lake has dropped 2 feet this week and has a little color from all the rain prior to the week. It is starting to clear up. Water tempera-

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ture from the marina is 50 degrees and about 56 degrees at the west end. Black bass are good. With water temperature in the mid-50s and on the rise, the bass are starting to move into pre-spawn areas.

Crankbaits and jerkbaits are working well in 6-10 feet of water.

A few can also be caught in shallow water on spinnerbaits or chatterbaits. In a Fire Fighter Tournament held Monday, the first place team caught five bass weighing 16.38 pounds, second place was 14.3 pounds and third was 12.4 pounds, so there are some big largemouths available. Kentucky bass are good. For the most part, spots are still a little deeper than the largemouth.

Try the main lake and rocky banks or points with a crankbait or jig for best results. White bass have slowed.

Fewer reports are coming in on white the past couple of weeks. Still, give them a shot with Rooster Tails, CC Spoons, deep-diving Bandits, and Bombers. Crappie reports are poor. The high muddy water is making for a tough crappie bite. Once the water settles down they will start heading shallower due to the warming weather.

More reports coming in of them being found scattered in different depths anywhere from 5 to 20 feet. No reports on bream. No reports on catfish.

Saline River Access in Benton

(updated 3-72018) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-7786944) said the good news is, it’s going back down but it was still muddy earlier this week. One of Lisa’s customers who has been going on the river said they caught a few catfish off of No. 12 bass minnows. All the rain and it getting muddy has made it no good for the walleye, unfortunately. Lisa’s husband, she says, likes to catch the river slowly dropping down and clearing up when he goes walleye fishing after a lot of flooding. Other than that, she says, “hopefully next week I can give a good report on it.”

Lisa also says, as for hot areas around the region that her customers have noted: “Had a guy get 10 dozen size 6 crappie minnows going back to Millwood Lake.

Says he was tearing up the crappie. He said it was up but he was still doing well.

And another customer came back a second time for size 6 crappie minnows going back to Harris Brake. He too has been doing well on the crappie! Hopefully as we get over all this rain and people get into the fishing fever, then they can report more back to me so I can relay more fishing reports!”

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The VOICE (501) 745-8040

VBC TRANSFER STATION & RECYCLING CENTER OPEN: Mon-Fri 7am-3:15pm & the 1st SAT of each month 8am-noon 745-6996

Got a story, a history or an event to share?

Send it to: thevoice@artelco.com

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 12

March 13, 2018

CHURCH PAGE

Photo by EuGene Smith

Thanks to all of you who called and correctly identified last week's featured church as First Pentecostal Church of Clinton. If you can identify this Church call 745-8040.

(Remember to give me a contact for the history of your Church. We want to print the history of every Church in Van Buren County. With your help, we will!)

Antioch General Baptist Church 1608 Highway 9, Fox (870)363-4509 Archey Valley Community Church Highway 254, Chimes Bee Branch Baptist 11509 Hwy 65 South, Bee Branch 654-2630 Bethel Community Church 17904 Highway 95 W, Cleveland Botkinburg Baptist Church 9297 Highway 65 N, Botkinburg 745-3530 Botkinburg Community Foursquare Church 7054 Highway 65 N, Botkinburg 745-2311 Burnt Ridge Community Church 5846 Burnt Ridge Road, Clinton 745-6737 Calvary Missionary Baptist Church ABA 144 Nickie Ave., Clinton 745-3245 Choctaw Baptist Church 208 Highway 330 E, Clinton 745-7370 Choctaw Christian Center 4157 Highway 65 S, Choctaw 745-8264 Choctaw Church of Christ 233 Highway 330 E, Choctaw 745-8264 Christian Fellowship Church 674 Highway 658, Clinton Church of Christ 20452 Highway 16 W, Alread 745-5498 Church of the Nazarene 1664 Highway 65 S, Clinton Clinton Church of Christ 184 Third Street, Clinton 745-4252 Clinton Seventh-day Adventist Church 125 Skyhill Drive, Clinton 745-4532 Clinton United Methodist Church 636 Joe Bowling Road, Clinton 745-5181 Colony Church of Christ Hwy 92 E, Bee Branch Corinth Baptist Church 5158 Holley Mountain Road, Clinton Cornerstone Evangelical Church 3351 Highway 330 S, Fairfield Bay 884-6657 Crabtree Foursquare Church 11301 Highway 16 W, Crabtree 745-2894 Culpepper Community Church 6055 Highway 336 W, Culpepper Culpepper Mountain Church of Christ 118 South Essie Road, Culpepper Damascus United Methodist Church 17194 Highway 65 S, Damascus Eagle Heights Baptist Church Independent Fundamental VBC Fairgrounds, Clinton 757-0013

Eglantine Church of Christ 3796 Highway 330 S, Shirley 884-6880 Fairbanks Community Church 4753 Arkansas 356 E, Bee Branch Fairfield Bay Baptist Church 481 Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay 884-3371 Fairfield Bay United Methodist Church 765 Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay 884-3373 Faith Christian 10839 Edgemont Road, Edgemont 723-8109 Faith Lutheran Church 310 Snead Drive, Fairfield Bay 884-3375 First Assembly of God Church 2466 Highway 65 N, Clinton 745-2285 First Baptist Church of Clinton 211 First Baptist Road, Clinton 745-6113 First Baptist Church of Damascus 43 Oak Tree Road, Damascus 335-7440 First Baptist Church of Sugarloaf 557 Arkansas 337, Higden 654-2354 First General Baptist Church 664 Highway 16 E, Clinton 745-4043 First Pentecostal Church of Clinton Highway 65 S at 1128 Lyn Road, Choctaw Formosa Baptist Church 630 Highway 9 W, Clinton 745-7709 Formosa Church of Christ 6603 Highway 9 West Clinton AR. 745-4446 Friendship Baptist Church 1321 Third St., Clinton 745-7177 Full Gospel Tabernacle 128 Catland Lane, Shirley 723-4500 Grace Church 3793 Highway 65 S, Clinton 472-7462 Half Moon Baptist Church 1031 Half Moon Road, Clinton 745-2273 Harmony Mountain Church of Christ Quattlebaum and Harmony Mtn Roads 745-2059 Hope Community Church 905 Damascus Road, Quitman Immanuel Baptist Church 498 Highway 16 E, Clinton 745-8528 Kaley Hill Missionary Baptist 6505 Highway 356, Bee Branch Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses 3624 Highway 65 S, Clinton 745-8781

Kingdoms Gate Ministries 10973 Hwy 16E PO Box 335 Shirley, AR. 72153 Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church 250 Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay 884-3304 Landmark Missionary Baptist Church ABA 229 Third St., Clinton Lexington Baptist Church 9525 Highway 110, Shirley 723-4787 Liberty Missionary Baptist Church 2712 Highway 254 W, Chimes Community Low Gap Community Chapel 4320 Low Gap Road, Alread Lute Mountain Community Church Victory Lane near Highway 16, Shirley 723-8299 Main Line Full Gospel 114 Mariposa Loop, Bee Branch 253-1005 Maranatha Assembly of God 11929 Highway 16 E, Shirley 723-8181 Mount Zion Church of Christ 1202 Highway 16 W, Clinton 745-2572 Mount Zion General Baptist 2333 Mount Zion Road, Bee Branch 362-3807 New Beginning Church 12200 Highway 254 E, Dennard New Hope Baptist Church 4198 Highway 65 N, Clinton 757-2332 New Liberty Church of Christ 4815 Highway 95, Cleveland 669-2575 New Life Apostolic Church of Clinton 198 Richard Road, Clinton 745-6411 Peace Lutheran Church of Edgemont 10849 Edgemont Road, Edgemont 723-4726 Pee Dee Baptist Church 2744 Highway 16 E, Clinton 745-4115 Pine Grove General Baptist Church 102 Silvertree Road, Shirley Pine Mountain General Baptist Church Gravesville Cutoff Road, South of Bee Branch Plant Baptist Church 4897 Highway 110, Clinton 745-6887 Pleasant Grove Friendship Church 22210 Highway 16 W, Alread 745-8450 Pleasant Valley Baptist Church 5092 Banner Mtn Road, Shirley 723-4737

Pleasant Valley General Baptist No. 1 5153 Highway 92 W, Bee Branch Point Remove Baptist Church 10954 Highway 336 W, Formosa Rabbit Ridge Church of Christ 215 Rabbit Ridge Road, Bee Branch 745-4634 Red River of Life Church of God 10839 Edgemont Road, Edgemont 723-8109 Rupert Baptist Church 21434 Highway 16 W, Clinton 745-8593 Salem Primitive Baptist Church Gravesville Cutoff Road, Bee Branch Sand Springs Missionary Baptist Church Highway 124 E, Damascus 335-8003 Sardis Freewill Baptist 4141 Highway 124, Gravesville 335-8027 Scotland Baptist Church 278 Postal Lane, Scotland 592-3787 Scotland Church of Christ 297 Scotland-Formosa Road, Scotland Scotland Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church 1476 Scotland-Formosa Road, Scotland 592-3311 Settlement Baptist Church 10277 Highway 16 E, Shirley 723-8171 Shady Grove Baptist Church 5448 Shady Grove Road, Shirley 723-4273 Shady Grove Chapel 4790 Highway 254 E, Dennard Shirley Church of Christ 10509 Highway 16 E, Shirley 723-8101 Shirley Community Church/First United Methodist 784 Matthew Clark Memorial Drive, Shirley 723-4387 South Side Baptist Highway 65 N, Damascus 335-7423 St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 250 Woodlawn Drive, Fairfield Bay 884-3349 St. Jude Catholic Church 3178 Hwy 65 S, Clinton 745-5716 Tabernacle of Praise 159 Boston Fern Road, Shirley 723-8280 The Gathering Ministry Outreach 80746 Highway 16 W, Rupert 745-3883 The Zoo Church 12174 Highway 65 N, Dennard 514-8535 The Power House (non-denominational) 159 Mt. Zion Road, Bee Branch, AR 253-2385 Trace Ridge Bible Church Highway 254 W at Morris Road, Chimes Walnut Grove Church 6940 Highway 95 W, Clinton 745-3445 Zion Hill Missionary Baptist ABA 29129 Highway 16 W, Jerusalem 745-4467

Last Week's Featured Church

First Pentecostal Church of Clinton Highway 65 S at 1128 Lyn Road Choctaw, AR 72028

Pawn • Shooting Sports

VAN BUREN COUNTY PROUD 794 Highway 65B Clinton, Arkansas

(501) 745-2581 Tournament Fishing Tackle

OPEN TIL 6:00pm MON-SAT (501) 745-6991

1863 Hwy 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031

Deb's Fashions

Fashions

OPEN M-F 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

SAT 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

debsfashionsonline.com

501.745.3901

314 Ingram St behind EXXON off Hwy 65 in Clinton

March 13, 2018

PERSONALS Readers, use these Personal Spots to say Happy Birthday, Wish someone Good Luck, Contact old friends, make new friends.

Shout out that you are alive and well in Van Buren County.

All kinds of things.

The cost is $5.00 for 25 words.

WANTED

Horse drawn wagon or wagon parts in good condition.

Call Tom 501-745-4378

RESEARCH

Reflect A Moment He said, "I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls."

ANNOUNCEMENTS The last day for early voting is March 12th at the County Clerk's Voter Registration office in the Courthouse Annex.

Election Day March 13th at your designated polling site for Senate District 16.

We invite you!

We welcome you!

The Voice of Van Buren County

Classifieds • Legal MISC. FOR SALE

Shop Booth 75 at Howard's Antiques

for crocheted items, knickknacks, dishes and jewelry.

EMPLOYMENT

ONE CARETAKER NEEDED For 2 rural development properties in Clinton and Marshall, AR (total 69 units).

Duties will include but not limited to: Janitorial of buildings common area, Light maintenance (experience required), Painting/ cleaning of units upon vacancy and common areas as needed, various other tasks as assigned

by Manager.

Competitive Full Time Monthly Salary Including Free One Bedroom Apartment with Utilities Paid in Clinton, Arkansas Please forward resume to FAX: 501-362-0662 or Email to: tlakedev@ suddenlinkmail.com

Tuesdays, 6:30pm, Clinton Methodist Church.

Free and open to the public.

or Mail to: Timberlake P.O. Box 1135 Heber Springs, AR. 72543 Equal Opportunity Employer

MISC. FOR SALE REAL ESTATE For Rent

FOR SALE Registered Black Angus Cows. Open, Bred and Bred Pairs.

Call (501) 592-3930.

Email gpshelton@artelco.com.

SHELTON ANGUS RANCH

2002 24 ft. Towlite slant load. Four ft. tack area withsaddle racks and harness hooks. Comes with a divider gate for hauling cattle and a ramp for loading your 4 wheelers.

Excellent condition. $10,800.00.

501-745-4378

REAL ESTATE

FOR LEASE

The friends and families of problem drinkers share their experience, strength and hope,

HORSE TRAILER

Page 13

DUPLEXES FOR RENT Nice 1000 sqft 2-bedroom Duplexes with appliances. No Pets. No Smoking. $600-$650/month plus deposit.

Call: 501-745-5858 or 501-412-7682

2500 sqft COMMERCIAL OFFICE OR RENTAL SPACE next to CashSaver in NORTHSIDE SHOPPING CENTER Call (501) 253-0924

FOR RENT Apartments and mobile homes in Bee Branch area. $400-$650/month.

Deposit required.

Call for availability (501) 581-8640 After 2:00 pm

Office Space

FOR RENT 3000 sq.ft. in Shopping Center on Hwy 65 next to City Park

REAL ESTATE

LEGALS

For Sale

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION

Older 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home completely remodeled.

New central heat & air. Large lot in Clinton city limits. No bank qualifying, simple Owner Finance.

Down as low as $2,500 based on your employment, rental and payment history. Monthly $670 or less with higher down.

3 Bedroom/ 2 Bath • Completely remodeled • New hard wood floors • New appliances • New roof • Jacuzza Tub • Shop • 2 car garage with garage door opener 1/3 acre completely fenced $105,000.00 Call: (501)253-8208

1231 Highway 16 East.

(901) 488-4005

Pets allowed with additional deposit.

Call: (501) 733-6631 leave message

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BILL O. BEVERAGE, deceased NO. P-2018-11 NOTICE TO CREDITORS LAST KNOWN ADDRESS OF DECEDENT: 11617 Cottonwood Circle Northport, AL DATE OF DEATH: June 22, 2017 The undersigned was appointed Administrator of the estate of the above-named decedent on February 26, 2018. A contest of the probate can be effected only by filing a petition within the time provided by law.

All persons having claims against the estate must exhibit them, duly verified, to the undersigned within six (6) months from the date of the first publication of this notice, or they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefit in the estate.

Provided, that claims for injury or death caused by the negligence of the decedent shall be filed within six (6) months from the date of the first publication of the notice, or they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefit in such estate.

THIS NOTICE first published this 6th day of March, 2018.

BILL M. BEVERAGE By: /s/ Nathan S. Morgan NATHAN S. MORGAN, Bar No. 2009269 MORGAN LAW FIRM, P.A. Attorney for Estate 148 Court Street Clinton, AR 72031 (501) 745-4044

(501)253-0924

Beautiful view in the country. Small home, two bedroom, one bath. $400/month, $400 deposit.

LEGAL

Call 745-8040 to place an ad in the classifieds

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION CASE NO: 71CV-2014-45 FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION PLAINTIFFS VS: CLARENCE LEROY DAVIS AND IMOGENE DAVIS, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS TRUSTEES OF THE CLARENCE LEROY DAVIS AND IMOGENE DAVIS REVOCABLE FAMILY TRUST DATED APRIL 26, 2013; FIRST SERVICE BANK; PATTY DIESING; and BANK OF THE WEST DEFENDANTS NOTICE OF COMMISSIONER’S SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in pursuance of the authority and directions contained in the decretal order of the Circuit Court of Van Buren County made and entered on the 22nd day of January, 2018, in a certain cause, No. 71CV2014-45, then pending therein between Plaintiff, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Defendants, Imogene Davis, Individually and as Trustees of The Clarence Leroy Davis And Imogene Davis Revocable Family Trust Dated April 26, 2013, First Service Bank, Patty Diesing and Bank Of The West, the undersigned, as Commissioner of said Court, will offer for sale at public venue to the highest bidder, at the County Courthouse, in which said Court is held, in the County of Van Buren, within the hours prescribed by law for judicial sales, on the 14th day of March, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., the following described real estate, situated in Van Buren County, Arkansas, to-wit: SOUTH HALF OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (S1/2 NE1/4 SE1/4) SECTION FOUR (4), TOWNSHIP TWELVE (12) NORTH, RANGE FIFTEEN (15) WEST, VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS, CONTAINING 20 ACRES, MORE OR LESS TERMS OF SALE: On a credit of three months, the purchaser being required to execute a surety bond as required by law and the order and decree of said Court in said cause, with approved surety, bearing interest at the rate of ten percent per annum from date of sale until paid, and a lien being retained on the premises sold to secure the payment of the purchase money.

Given under my hand this 22nd day of February, 2018. /s/ Debbie Gray .

Commissioner of Circuit

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The Voice of Van Buren County

March 13, 2018

South Side Prom / March 3, 2018

Prom King Carson Bush and Queen Maddy Pennington

After Prom South Side Senior and Junior classes had their After Prom at Urban Air Trampoline Park in Conway.