Of the people, By the people, For the people
Home of subscribers
Dave Pace
TUESDAY, February 5, 2019 / Vol. 5 Issue 6 / 75 cents
Kiosks to feature maps of trails
The Shirley Beta Club brought home three titles.
Beta Club scores at state By Autumn Pruitt
Beta Club Sponsor
The Shirley High School Beta Club traveled to Hot Springs to compete in the State Beta Convention Jan. 25-26. After weeks of preparation, including after school practices, the Beta Club brought
home three state winning titles. Jesse James won first place in the Division II AgriScience competition; Adam Graddy, Jessica Ramer, Ariel Privitt, Layla Armstrong, and Alexis Mascio won fourth place in the Problem Solving Scenario competition with their Back to the Fu-
ture themed skit; and Savannah Newman, Ashley Green, Brannon Littell, Trista Doty, Jesse James, Reece Jones, and Graysen Berry brought home the first place win in the Living Literature competition with their scene from Peter Pan. All three of these winning titles qualify
for the National Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, June 19-22. The Shirley Beta Club would appreciate any donations to help get to Oklahoma City this summer. Contact Jeff Mannon or Autumn Pruitt at (501) 723-8192.
The Van Buren County Wellness Committee will hold a ribbon cutting hosted by city and county officials on February 12, 10:30 a.m. at Clinton Main Street Park, following the committee’s regular meeting at the VBC Library. The event celebrates the launch of a grant-funded kiosk project featuring asset mapping of community health resources. Currently, three kiosks have been installed: one at the Main Street Park playground, one at the Archey Fork Park walking trails, and one near the entrance of the Ozark Health facilities. The design offers a detailed directory of healthy activities, community resources, and assistance programs available throughout Van Buren County.
New manager at Clinton water
Leslie’s loss is Clinton’s gain. W i l l i a m Hinchey, who has been with the Leslie water department for six years, has been hired by the Clinton Water Commission to run the department. Hinchey, according to Clinton Mayor Richard McCormac, will take over the department on Feb 11. Hinchey spent time with the Clinton department last week. He will be the department’s fourth manager since 2016. Richard Hink has been acting as interim manager.
Accident slows traffic Ruger seems oblivious to the coldness of the water as he retrieves a ball last week in Alread. Last week’s freezing weather gave way to warm temperatures over the weekend. (Photo by Robert R. Gaut)
A couple of 18
The VBC Wellness Committee, founded by then-County Judge Roger Hooper in 2017, was modeled after the “Healthy Active Arkansas” program. Its goal is to create a bridge between local health resources, information, and initiatives in order to improve the health of Van Buren County residents. The commission is targeting obesity rates, tobacco use, workplace wellness, and food insecurity, as well as the need for mental health support and drug recovery programs. The committee organized several town hall meetings with area medical professionals to explore its mission. The kiosks at the park feature a scale map of the park’s walking trails and attractions.
wheelers and possibly a third vehicle were involved in an accident on Highway 9 in Shirley Friday. The accident caused traffic to back up. A witness reported that all drivers walked away from the accident. No further details were available by press time.
Pageant
The Miss Little Red River Pageant is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, in Shirley Arkansas. Admission is $5 per adult; students and children free. This pageant has divisions newborn to adult and is open to contestants statewide. All proceeds benefit the Shirley After Prom Party.
Clinton mom charged with endangerment A 27-year-old Clinton woman has been charged with endangering the welfare of a minor after her 10-month-son tested positive for methamphetamine, according to an affidavit for arrest. Shanna Denise Hodges took her son to Ozark Health Medical Center for what she thought was an earache on Jan. 21, according to the court document. A drug screening on the baby turned up positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, according to the report. He was transported to Children’s Hospital
for further treatment. The next day, Hodges told officers in an interview that she is a drug addict and had been using meth intravenously and smoking marijuana, according to the document. The baby has been breast-feeding and Hodges said she had not used drugs for two months before the incident, the report states. She was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor, a Class D felony. She was released on $1,500 bond.
In other cases: Travis
Garrett
Edwards has been charged with violating a no contact order after his former girlfriend said he used someone else’s social media account to contact her, according to court documents. Ashley D. Locke, 35, of Clinton has been charged with breaking or entering. She was accused of taking money from the cash drawer at Super 8 Motel where she was employed, according to an affidavit for arrest. The Jan. 28 incident was captured on video tape, according to the report.
Stolen - This 2001 Dodge Ram 5.9 Diesel was apparently stolen from Cowboy Dodge in Clinton, Arkansas. It was last seen at noon on Jan. 29, 2019, Anyone with knowledge of the location of this vehicle is asked to contact the Clinton Police Department at (501) 745-4997 or the sheriff’s office at (501) 745-2112.