Of the people, By the people, For the people
Home of subscriber
Thelma Jenkins
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 / Vol. 6 Issue 10 / 75 cents
March 3 vote tallies (unofficial)
Fire departments to get funding
VAN BUREN COUNTY PRIMARY ELECTION MARCH 03, 2020 RUN DATE: 03/03 STATISTICS TOTAL % ED VOTES PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 22) 22 100.00 REGISTERED VOTER TOTAL 10,098 BALLOTS CAST - TOTAL 3,410 1,659 BALLOTS CAST - DEMOCRAT 1,120 32.84 524 BALLOTS CAST - REPUBLICAN 2,112 61.94 1,053 BALLOTS CAST- NON-PARTISAN JUDICIA 178 5.22 82 BALLOTS CAST - BLANK 0 0 VOTER TURNOUT - TOTAL 33.77 VOTER TURNOUT - BLANK
March 3 was a confusing end to a complex situation as it appeared voters had rejected a 16-year sales tax extension. However, shortly after the vote, County Judge Dale James announced that the county’s volunteer fire departments had been funded after all. “Question 5 was free standing. The 1/2 cent sales tax for the fire departments will begin the quarter after the hospital is paid off,” James states. “The true will of the people triumphed. It is just as the people voted.” He noted that the issue could be legally challenged, which would possibly delay or halt funding. Question 5, on approving 1/2 cent for fire departments, was approved by Van Buren County residents by a vote of 1,829 (54.37 percent) to 1,535 (45.63 percent).
SUMMARY REYPT -GROUP DETAIL
***UNOFFICIAL RESULTS*** REPORT-EL45A ABS EV
87 40 47 0 0
1,664 556 1,012 96 0
DEMOCRAT
United States President (VOTE FOR) 1 Tulsi Gabbard 12 Pete Buttigieg 43 Joseph R. Biden 418 Julian Castro 1 Elizabeth Warren 120 Joe Sestak 3 Andrew Yang 1 Bernie Sanders 198 Amy Klobuchar 55 John K. Delaney 1 Cory Booker 2 Kamala Harris 1 Marianne Williamson 3 Tom Steyer 21 Michael Bennet 3 Mosie Boyd 1 Michael R. Bloomberg 217 Steve Bullock 5 UNOPPOSED DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES (VOTE FOR) 1 FOR 890 Joyce Elliot 0 Lisa L. Hassell 0 J.P. James Dell Holt Jr 0 Gary Linn 0 Glenn Griggs 0
1.09 3.89 37.83 .09 10.86 .27 .09 17.92 4.98 .09 .18 .09 .27 1.90 .27 .09 19.64 .45
6 6 246 1 60 1 1 93 2 1 2 0 1 2 1 1 92 2
0 2 13 0 4 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 11 0
6 35 159 0 56 2 0 100 52 0 0 1 2 18 2 0 114 3
100.00
406 0 0 0 0 0
31 0 0 0 0 0
4531 0 0 0 0 0
REPUBLICAN
United States President (VOTE FOR) 1 Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente 9 Donald J. Trump 2,061 Bill Weld 26 UNOPPOSED REPUBLICAN CANDIDDATES (VOTE FOR) 1 FOR 1,745 Tom Cotton 0 French Hill 0 Breanne Davis 0 Josh Miller 0 Stan Berry 0 Sarah N. Brown 0 Mary L. Philips 0 John L. Bradford 0 Virgil Lemings 0 Will Fosse 0 Dennis Bowlin 0 Brian Merryman 0 Calton Mitchell 0 Allen Dale Roberson 0 Thomas B. Turcol III 0
All other questions - on funds for the hospital and library - failed to win voter approval. This was the first election since polling sites in the county were reduced to four from 21. There were reports of long lines and some confusion as new voting equipment was put into use. There are 10,098 registered voters in the county; 3,410 voted March 3. Some residents in parts of the county that lost their polling site faced a 40-minute drive to cast a ballot on Election Day. One Scotland observer noted that a reason cited by an Election Commissioner earlier this year supporting the polling place reduction was that it was difficult to find competent people to man the polls. After reports of long lines and coding problems, he noted it sounded like “the pot calling the
kettle black.” Election Commissioner Bobbye Bennett, the Democratic representative, said she was unaware of any major problems and that the voting went smoothly. Her two colleagues on the commission - Johnny K. Rhoda, the chairman, and George Silva, the Republican representative - have resigned their positions. The two admitted recently to cutting the locks on a trailer owned by the Boy Scouts that was parked at the Courthouse Annex. They said they needed a trailer to haul the new voting equipment and that nobody knew who owned that one. The county judge disputed that, saying the men were told who owned the trailer. The Clinton Police report has been turned over to the 20th Judicial Prosecuting Attorney’s office for review.
Long-time publisher Jackson dies By Anita Tucker/Voice editor
sold to the first of many corporations that would own it for the next 20 years. In 2003, the Jacksons moved to Rogers to be closer to family. They would return to Clinton often, and while Patsy Jackson would have her hair done and keep up with society ties, Jay Jackson would make his rounds. As editor of the Democrat in the late 2000s, I was lucky enough to be included on those rounds upon occasion. Jackson would sit in the office that used to be his and talk about his role in the Arkansas Press Association, and about Van Buren County’s history and its people. He didn’t offer much advice, but when he did, I was listening. The best advice was this: If it didn’t happen in Van Buren County or to people from Van Buren County, it wasn’t news here. Though offered
.43 98.33 1.24
6 1,028 14
0 44 0
3 989 12
100.00
862 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
840 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
851 741
48 29
837 743
1.070 502
56 23
1,101 483
297 357
16 214
498 560
175 151
4 5
77 93
315 261
24 13
185 186
K9 to get donation of body armor
17 14
0 0
6 16
778 863
37 48
795 853
779 846
29 51
789 852
719 908
31 50
734 896
791 854
35 48
818 829
Van Buren County sheriff’s office K9 Endy will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Endy’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Gabo, Jonesboro, AR EOW 1/16/20”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, Massachusetts. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law en-
NON-PARTISAN JUDICIA Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 4 (VOTE FOR) 1 Morgan "Chip" Welch 1,736 53.43 Barbara Womack Webb 1,513 46.57 Arkansas District Court District 9, Division I (VOTE FOR) 1 Chris Carnahan 2,227 68.84 Lorie Mason Jordan 1,008 31.16 CLINTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #1 - MILL 36.8 MILL (VOTE FOR) 1 For 811 46.37 Against 938 53.63 SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT #2 - MILL 38.6 Mill (VOTE FOR) 1 For 256 50.69 Against 249 49.31 SHIRLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT #3 - MILL 35.5 Mill (VOTE FOR) 1 For 524 53.25 Against 460 46.75 SEARCY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT - MILL 36.55 Mill (VOTE FOR) 1 For 23 43.40 Against 30 56.60 Sales and Use Tax and Bond Issuance - Q1 (VOTE FOR) 1 For 1,610 47.72 Against 1,764 52.25 Sales Use Tax Bond Issuance - Q2 For 1,597 47.73 Against 1,749 52.27 Sales Use Tax Bond Issuance - Q3 (VOTE FOR) 1 For 1,484 44.46 Against 1,854 55.54 Sales Use Tax Bond Issuance - Q4 (VOTE FOR) 1 For 1,644 48.71 Against 1,731 51.29 Sales Use Tax Bond Issuance - Q5 (VOTE FOR) 1 For 1,829 54.37 Against 1,535 45.63 Sales Use Tax Bond Issuance - Q6 (VOTE FOR) 1 For 1,539 45.74 Against 1,826 54.26
911 726
40 43
878 766
745 891
31 52
763 883
Van Buren County lost an icon on Friday. Jay W. Jackson served on the Clinton City Council for 30 years. He served terms as president of the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and the Choctaw Shrine Club, and was on more boards than you could shake a stick at over the years. But his best known role was as owner/ publisher of the Van Buren County Democrat for 47 years. After a stint in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Jackson came to Clinton in 1951 to become editor of the Democrat. He married Patsy Patton on May 21, 1953. The paper continued to publish even when downtown Clinton was underwater in the flood of 1982. Together, the Jacksons guided the newspaper into the late 1990s when it was
forcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,700 U.S. made, custom fitted, NIJ certified protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $6.9 million dollars. The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s
Jay W. Jackson was Van Buren County’s best-known newsman for many years. when I was the Democrat editor, those are the words that are the heart and soul of The Voice of Van Buren County. When we started The Voice in 2015, Jay and Patsy Jackson were among our earliest subscribers. Every year when their renewal comes in, it feels like a nod of approval. Jay Jackson was laid to rest in Clinton Cemetery on Monday, March 9. He was 94.
Armor is heading this way for Endy. (Photo from Facebook)
with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
The Voice of Van Buren County
Page 2
Guest editorial
By Adam Kuipers/Clinton
Like many of you, I was concerned by the discussion that took place at the January 2020 Clinton City Council meeting surrounding the Municipal Code and its modification. On January 27, I sent the letter which appears below to all six members of the Council. Because I wrote prior to the February Council meeting, all references in this letter to the “Ordinance” and “Code” refer to those laws which were in effect until the February 28 City Council meeting. “Dear Lady and Gentlemen, Though I intend to share my concerns with the broader community, I wanted to share them with you first since you are the only people in town with the power to actually do anything about this. I appreciate your consideration of the following. Tim Clark, the new Zoning officer, made some concerning statements at his first City Council meeting. I think everyone in the city should be aware of them and the things on which he and City Attorney Chad Brown are working. Throughout this letter I have referenced the relevant section of the Clinton Municipal Code in parentheses. Mr. Clark states to the City Council at the 27:35 mark of the meeting video available on Warren Johnson's YouTube channel: "We have probably several places that are in desperate need of being cleaned up. We've had ordinances on the books for 20 years, and I'm working with Chad on this. Some of them, they've gotta be tightened up a little bit. The best example I can give you is the way the ordinance reads now, you know, if somebody's grass is ten feet tall, and they won't cut it, well, then I've gotta come to the City Council to get permission to go ahead and go further with, you know, a citation or something with
them." This is incorrect. The ordinance states that whenever the Clinton Zoning Official determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a violation, he shall give notice of such alleged violation to the person responsible therefore in writing. (5.04.03; 5.04.03 a) The official has the authority to issue a notice of alleged violation without having to seek permission from the council. This is the first step of the due process currently in place to prevent unwarranted violation of private property by the city government. After issuing a written notice, the officer has to allow up to 30 days for performance of the specified remedial action by the affected party. If the situation involves a dangerous structure, the officer can require the structure be vacated until repairs are completed. (5.04.03 c) Mr. Clark continued in the meeting, "You know, right now our ordinance doesn't have any teeth to it. The biggest thing we've got now is 'I'll put a lien on your property.' Well, 90% of them rent it. 'I don't care go ahead and put a lien on the property, great!' [Mimicking a tenant] And if everything's gotta go before the City Council, it may be three weeks before the City Council meets again and y'all go 'Well heck yeah, we gotta clean that up.'" The idea that the existing ordinance "doesn't have any teeth" is also incorrect. Under the current ordinance, if the remedial actions are not completed within the time defined in the written notice, then the city may demolish the structure, or otherwise abate the nuisance after declaring the property to be a nuisance by resolution. (5.04.03 c) Admittedly, prior to considering the resolution declaring a nuisance, a public hearing must be held allowing the presentation of evidence from both
sides. (5.04.05) But if the City Council passes the resolution, it may take whatever steps are necessary to correct or eliminate the nuisance, including demolition of a structure, and charge the cost thereof to the responsible party. (5.04.06; 5.04.06 a) Chapter 5.20 appears to expand the authority of the city over nuisance buildings and structures and impose additional penalties and fines based upon a 2013 ordinance. A lien is only to be had against a property that the city has already had to remediate. The lien is strictly for recouping losses incurred while cleaning up the property. It can be enforced by court action or by filing the debt as delinquent tax with the county Tax Collector. (5.04.06 a; 5.04.06 a) 1) A), B) The City can also auction off salvageable materials from a nuisance property to defray the costs of remediation and impose fines. (5.04.07; 5.20.07; 5.20.08; 5.20.10) A property lien is demonstrably not "the biggest thing we've got now." With all of these enforcement mechanisms currently available to the city, I am curious: How many written notices of violation have been issued by Zoning Officials over the last 5 years? How many resolutions declaring a property to be a nuisance have been presented to the City Council in the last 5 years? How many public hearings have been held about nuisance properties in the last 5 years? How many nuisance property resolutions have been passed in the last 5 years? How many properties have been remediated or demolished by the city in the last 5 years? How many fines have been levied for nuisance properties in the last 5 years? How can one know that the procedures in place are insufficient to accomplish the task at hand if they are not implemented? If we utilize the minimum necessary
force, we might be surprised how little is actually required! Mr. Clark concluded his comments at the January Council meeting by saying, "Me and Chad are working on that, or he's working on it more than I am, to get those ordinances tightened up, you know, GET A LITTLE TEETH TO THEM. So we can, you know, get some things cleaned up. There's some pretty low hanging fruit out there right now. It is just, you know, beyond. It should have been cleaned up a long time ago, and hey, I'll bear some of the responsibility from when I was here before. It's time to really start getting serious about that and getting that cleaned up. Lot's of places. Between now and then we'll be working on those ordinances so we can bring them in February, get that straightened out, and hopefully get some places fixed." If the nuisance properties in the city are so abundant, it would be more helpful for Mr. Clark to issue notices prior to the February meeting rather than write legislation. It is not obvious to me why Mr. Clark's concerns require additional legislation for correction. By his own admission, some of the alleged violations Mr. Clark has noticed date back to his previous tenure in this position years ago. This suggests that no one followed the existing ordinance at that time or any time since. Yes, it takes a little time, but it doesn't take years if the official follows the process. It only takes a few months at most. It is good that the City Council has to vote on a resolution before private property is touched by the city. It is good that a public hearing has to be conducted prior to that vote. It is good that the government has to go through a painstaking process to violate the property rights of its citizens. The citizens have no direct recourse against the bureaucrat that is autho-
March 10, 2020 rized to issue these notices. Elected officials, like councilpersons directly responsible to the citizens at election time, should ultimately be making the decision to demolish or otherwise violate private property. The existing ordinance appropriately preserves this arrangement and the proper balance of power between citizens and their government. Private property rights, as enshrined in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th amendments to the US Constitution, are a fundamental principle of the society created by the founders of this nation, and we violate that principle to our own peril. This has been demonstrated historically and currently in societies where private property protections are weak or non-existent. Please preserve the due process protections currently in place to prevent the excessive violation of private property rights. I appreciate your attention. Sincerely, Adam Kuipers”
I did not receive any response to this letter until February 29, when Councilor Barnes, who was not present at the February 28 council meeting, kindly responded to me and shared some of my concerns. As previously reported in The Voice, at the February Council meeting the 5 councilors present unanimously voted to adopt a new ordinance after reading it one time by title only. They also voted to declare the ordinance an emergency, causing it to take immediate effect. The Voice has outlined some of the particulars of the new ordinance. Normal behavior of many citizens of the City of Clinton has been criminalized. Additional enforcement authority has been invested in the Office of Zoning and Code Enforcement. At the February meeting none of the city officials present had an
answer to any of the simple questions asked in my letter. Nobody knew, or if they did, nobody would tell. I believe these facts are relevant to the argument that the failure was not in the existing law, but in the administration of that law. If the existing law was not being enforced, then its modification was superfluous. After hearing input from several concerned members of the community requesting that they rethink this, or at least follow the due process and give the ordinance one public reading, the Council proceeded to adopt the ordinance. They manufactured the teeth they so desperately wanted. A number of people have contacted me since I have voiced my concerns about this issue. People who wanted actual nuisance properties cleaned up have told me, “We asked them to go an inch and they took a mile.” Others have told me they are afraid to speak out against this overreach because they know that they can be found in violation and they fear they will be targeted by the city. Others have told me that they hope they receive a citation because they look forward to the opportunity to take the city to court. Many have noted that the city of Clinton itself has and continues to maintain nuisance properties in violation of its own code! Ask yourself a question: Could you find a way to clean up destroyed structures and massive accumulations of trash in the city without criminalizing normal behavior? If you could do it, why can’t the Clinton City Council? Clinton can do better. Clinton deserves better. But only if the community makes it known to the Council that it expects better. The Clinton City Council regularly meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Airport. The meetings are open to the public.
Ozark Health was named Clinton business of the year last week at the 2020 Chamber of Commerce banquet. CEO David Deaton (right) accepts the honor from Chamber director Jason Hayes.
Dr. Keith Coward (right) receives the volunteer of the year award from Trey Wilkins at Tuesday evening's Chamber of Commerce banquet held at the Clinton High School cafeteria.
(Photos by Warren Johnson)
The VOICE of Van Buren County
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The Voice of Van Buren County
March 10, 2020
Senior Citizen Centers Lunch Menus Clinton, Damascus, Scotland
March 10 - Meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, green beans, wheat bread, fresh fruit. March 11 - Chicken Parmesan, spinach salad, corn, breadstick, spiced peaches. March 12 - Fried fish, baked potato, pinto beans, hushpuppies, banana pudding. March 16 - Taco soup, chips, salad, strawberries and bananas. March 17 - Cheesy chicken and potato casserole, Brussels sprouts, roll, hot win-
ter fruit. March 18 - Smothered pork cutlet, pickled beets, broccoli, roll, fruit cobbler. March 19 - Meatballs/gravy, carrots, mashed potatoes, wheat bread, fruit cocktail. March 23 Cheeseburger pie, creamed peas, herbed potatoes, wheat bread, pineapple. March 24 - Spaghetti w/meat sauce, Italian mixed vegetables, salad, French bread, pumpkin spice cake. March 25 - Pinto beans w/ham, spinach-topped tomatoes, corn bread, lemonade pie. March 26 - Sliced turkey and gravy, sweet
March 19 - Meatpotatoes, cream-style carcorn, roll, apple crisp. balls/gravy, rots, mashed potaFairfield Bay, Shirley toes, wheat bread, fruit March 10 - Chili, cocktail. broccoli slaw, Mexican March 20 - Cheese cornbread, fruit. ravioli w/meat sauce, March 11 - Spa- peas and carrots, salghetti w/meat sauce, ad, garlic bread, hot Italian mixed vege- cinnamon applesauce. tables, salad, French March 24 - Baked bread, brownie muffin. chicken strips, cauliMarch 12 - Baked flower/cheese sauce, fish, sweet potato fries, peas and carrots, green beans, wheat cookie. bread, pears. March 25 - MeatMarch 13 - Ham- loaf, herbed potatoes, burger, Mexicali corn, green beans, wheat baked beans, melon/ bread, fresh fruit. strawberries. March 26 - ChickMarch 17 - Ta- en Parmigiana w/ co soup, chips, salad, sauce, spinach salad, strawberries and ba- corn, spiced peaches. nanas. March 27 - Fried March 18 - Smoth- fish, baked potatoes, ered beef cutlet, pick- pinto beans, hushpupled beets, broccoli, roll, pies, banana pudding. fruit cobbler.
Page 3
Events Senior center events in Fairfield Bay include Bingo on Tuesday, Pinochle on Monday, Scrabble on Wednesday
and Thursday, Mahjong lessons on Wednesday. At Clinton, events include Bingo on Monday and Wednesday, live music on Tuesday and Thursday.
Page 4
The Voice of Van Buren County
Obituaries
Jay Jackson
Jay William Jackson of Rogers died Friday, March 6, 2020. He was born January 25, 1926 in Atkins, Arkansas. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Rogers. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Vera Reynolds Jackson, sisters Martha Marks and Willa Jackson. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patsy Patton Jackson; his daughters, Janan Jackson Fos-
ter and Susan Jackson Keller; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Bobbie McGoogan (Bill) of North Little Rock. During WWII, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was a nose gunner on a B-24. He attended Hendrix College in Conway two years and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1950 with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. Jay came to Clinton in 1951 to become editor of the Van Buren County Democrat. He married Patsy Patton on May 21, 1953. They were publisher and co-publisher for 47 years. Jackson served on the board of directors of the Arkansas Press Association for six years and was president of the association in 1968. He served as state chairman of the National Newspaper Association several years. Jay
Searcy County
March 6, 2020 at McMahan Cemetery in Snowball.
Virgil Dean House, 63, of Marshall, Arkansas passed away Friday, March 6, 2020. Services will be private.
Emily Fay Patten, 85 of Harrisonville, Missouri, formerly of Marshall, Arkansas passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020. Funeral services were Monday, March 9, 2020 at Roller-Coffman Funeral Home in Marshall, Arkansas. Burial was in Kuykendall Cemetery.
Tilmon Wayne Griffin, 65, of Snowball, Arkansas passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020. Graveside services were Friday,
was a member of a group of U.S. publishers to make the last KOB, Know Ontario Better tour in 1965. He made other tours of Canada as chairman of the International Relations Committee of NNA. Jay represented NNA at an annual convention of the Canadian Press Association at Halifax, Nova Scotia as state chairman. He spent a week in Cairo, Egypt in 1995 on a tour sponsored by the Egyptian-American Cooperation Association. In Clinton, he was president of the Chamber of Commerce for four years; secretary and president of the Clinton Lions Club; and secretary and president of Choctaw Shrine Club, a unit of Scimitar Shrine Temple of Little Rock. Jay served more than 20 years on the board of trustees of Van Buren County Library and as a member of Clinton City Council from 1971 through 2001. He was a retired member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department and served on the board of directors of Clinton State Bank from 1986 until 2000. Jay received a distinguished service award from Arkansas Press Association in February 1998. The Jacksons moved to Rogers in 2003 to be closer to their family. Visitation was Monday, March 6, 2020 at the Clinton United Methodist Church. Services were 2 p.m. with Rev. George O'Dell officiating. Burial was in Clinton Cemetery.
Patsy Ward Formosa
Marva and RG Ward went to Greenwood to visit Frankie and Erica and boys, Rylan and Landon. On Saturday, they went to Rylan’s trapshoot, then Landon’s baseball practice. From there Senior Centers - Pool tournament winners last they went to the Uniweek at the Scotland Seniors Center were (from versity of Arkansas Fort left) first place James Foreman and second place Smith and watched a Glendale Rogers. (Photo by Doyle Scroggins) baseball game. After the games, they went
March 10, 2020 and friends. Visitation was Friday March 6, 2020 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton with funeral services following at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Pee Dee Cemetery in Clinton.
Albia Williams
Albia Pauline Williams, 97, of Clinton, Arkansas went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. She was born December 27, 1922 in Arlberg, Arkansas to the late Sidney and Mary (Moody) Martin. Albia married Benjamin Williams on June 6, 1942 in Lexington, Arkansas, and they were happily married for 70-plus years. She devoted her whole life to her family. Albia always made sure that everyone had plenty to eat, including countless meals she prepared for those who were sick. She was a member of the Gideons International Ladies Auxiliary. Albia and Ben served faithfully in the Gideons ministry for many years. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers Garland Martin, Glen Martin, Afton Martin; sisters Vesta Farris and Odell Guffey. Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Roger (Shirley) Williams, Boyd (Latricia) Williams; daughter, Karen (Jerry) Kirk; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; many other relatives
out for pizza. Marva said it was very good and they had a great salad bar. They also went shopping while they were in Fort Smith. Erica made biscuits and gravy with bacon and sausage for their breakfast on Sunday morning. I hear she’s a great cook. Good wishes go out to Teresa Ward, she had a stint put in on Thursday. Prayers that she will be feeling better real soon. Ruth Webb had a phone visit with an old friend in Smackover. She said they talked for one hour and 20 minutes, so she caught up with lots of her friends from there. She also got a call from her great-granddaughter, Payton Webb of Houston. She was calling to thank her for her birthday present. Happy belated birthday, Payton. Donna Sherrod has been working in her yard and doing spring cleaning this week. I’ve had a good week. My nephew, Stanley Murray, came by for a visit on Monday, then came back on Wednesday and helped me get the 86 Chevy started. He cut some brush and trimmed the lower limbs off some trees so they don’t drag on my head when
Clifford Pruitt
Eldon ''Clifford'' Pruitt, 77, of Scotland, Arkansas was born on November 4, 1942 in Dabney, Arkansas to the late Coy and Norma Pack Pruitt, and passed from this life on March 7, 2020 in Clinton. He is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 46 years, Loveta Pruitt; and one sister, Emma Jane Pruitt Freeman. Left to cherish his memory are one son, Clifton Pruitt of Alread; one daughter, Anita Pruitt of Scotland; eight grandchildren; one greatgreat-grandchild; two sisters, Sharon Millsaps, Lorraine Millsaps; other relatives and many friends. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at Zion Hill Cemetery near Jerusalem, Arkansas.
I mow. He came back on Thursday and loaded all the brush on his trailer and hauled it off. That sure was a blessing for me. I went to Conway on Thursday with Glenda and Ariel Collins. We went to practice bowling. We didn’t do too good, but it was fun. We also had lunch at Mulan’s. It was very good. That’s about it for now. God bless and have a great week!
Thelma Murray Shirley
Jimmy Carroll of Greenbrier and Amy Smith of Clinton had lunch Sunday with Lottie Carroll and other family members. Visiting Ruth Hodge Sunday was Rhonda Carlton and Ruth's niece Karen Johnson. Kathy Garrigus prepared a birthday dinner for her grandson Carter. Around 12 fam-
ily members attended. Carter is 15 years old. Spring has sprung and that doesn't mean we won't have any more ice or snow , it means if it does, it won't last long. Our fruit trees are blooming and the pollen is getting more plentiful each day. The water in the river that runs through Shirley was a beautiful pale green today as I drove over the bridge. On March 18 and 19 there will be a youth group from Oklahoma visiting in the Shirley area. I hope everyone will give them a Shirley, Arkansas, welcome so they will have good memories. The group will be holding a onenight revival at the Settlement Baptist Church on Thursday night. Everyone is welcome to come to the worship service. See Neighbors on page 6
Clubs
The Idle Hour Bridge Club met at the home of Billie Fendley. High - Emma Hink; second - Danna Hensley; bingo - Gay Whillock; traveling - Billie Fendley.
The staff of The Voice of Van Buren County extends sincere condolences to all who have lost loved ones. If you wish to express your appreciation to friends, neighbors, family, church and community members with a Thank You on the obit page, call (501) 745-8040 or email voiceads@artelco.com
The Voice of Van Buren County
March 10, 2020
For the record/ February Marriages
Jeff Hignite III, 48, Clarksville and Melinda Meek, 52, Greenbrier Robert Waller, 39, Leslie and Shara Harris, 28, Leslie Jerry Taylor Jr., 49, Fairfield Bay and Cameo Johnson, 43, Fairfield Bay John Wisner, 19, Clinton and Ashley Milam, 17, Clinton Roy Zachary, 68, Clinton and Brenda Stark, 70, Clinton Tommy Anderson, 74, Clinton and Sandra Chidester, 56, Malvern Tyler Garganeous, 25, Clinton and Makenzie Mosley, 21, Clinton
Divorces
Dean Rushton vs Lera Ruthton Jeremy Nelson vs Kasey Nelson Lucas Treat vs Darlene Reynolds-Treat Aris Valliantos vs Dongsheng Ma Vallianatos Regina McMains vs Brian Boone Haley Haney vs Andrew Haney Kenneth Abbott vs Leann Abbott
Meetings All meetings open to the public
are
Van Buren County Quorum Court, 6 p.m., third Thursday of the month at the Courthouse Annex, Highway 65, Clinton. Clinton City Council, 6:30 p.m., second Thursday of the month at the Clinton Municipal Airport off Highway 16 East. Damascus City Council, 6 p.m., second Tuesday of the month at City Hall on Highway 65. Fairfield Bay City Council, 7 p.m., second Monday of each month at 130 Village Place, Suite 2F in the conference room. Shirley City Council, 7 p.m., second Monday of the month at the Shir-
ley Community Center. Clinton Advertising and Promotion Commission, 6 p.m., third Tuesday of the month at the Clinton Municipal Airport on Highway 16 East. Shirley School Board, 6:30 p.m., fourth Monday of the month at the PD Room, Administration Building. South Side-Bee Branch School Board, 5:30 p.m., third Monday of each month in the Linda Pennington Conference Room. Clinton School Board, 5:30 p.m., third Monday of each month at the Administrative offices building. Van Buren County Library board of directors meetings are held at 4 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the library meeting room.
Contact information for Van Buren County justices of the peace: District 1 - Dell Holt, (501) 253-3999, holtdell29@gmail.com District 2 - Nickie Brown, (501) 253-8819, nickie@cjbrownattorney.com District 3 - Sarah Brown, (501) 940-8159, sarahbrown8159@gmail.com District 4 - Mary Philips, (501) 253-1447, maryphilips@artelco.com District 5 - Gary G. Linn, (501) 654-4000, glinn@windstream.net District 6 - John Bradford, (501) 514-3736, johnlbradford@yahoo.com District 7 - Brian Tatum, (501) 253-6630, btatum@rescue3@yahoo.com District 8 - Virgil Lemings, (501) 745-3213, Lemingsvirgil@gmail.com District 9 - Ester Bass, (501) 723-8111, ebass50@icloud.com
Page 5
Felony cases Felony cases filed in Van Buren County Circuit Court in February 2020. All suspects are presumed innocent until proved guilty. Shannon Cates, 41, Morrilton, possession of controlled substance; Class D, possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D. Amanda Grace Zeth, 45, Clinton, domestic battering-second degree, Class C; terroristic threatening, Class D. Lesley Briana Dowell, 26, Marshall, forgery, Class C. Brandon Hubbard, 39, Center Ridge, theft by receiving, Class D; fleeing, Class D; criminal mischief, Class D. Joseph Milam, 33, Quitman, possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D. Alexander Dalton Gaddy, 18, Clinton, hindering apprehension or prosecution, Class D; breaking or entering, Class D. Triston Coffman, 18, Conway, sexual assault, Class B. Dennis Michael Dearen, 49, Shirley, possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D. Shelly Whitehouse, 44, Yellville, posses-
Get the scoop on courts and crime in the county.
sion of controlled substance, Class D; possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D. Terry Elaine Tice, 20, Springfield, possession of controlled substance, Class D; possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D. Derek Gates, 39, Clinton, residential burglary, Class B. Noah Taylor, 42, Hattieville, possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D. Jeffery Beckham, 44, Greenbrier, possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D. Gregory Balch, 29, Little Rock, possession of controlled substance, Class D; possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D. Joshua Brock, 26, Holland, residential burglary, two counts, Class B. Charles Dewitt Hicks, 50, Clinton, terroristic threatening, Class A. Michael Kuster, 43, Cleveland, fleeing, Class D; aggravated assault, Class D.
Brooke Layton, 26, Ward, possession of a controlled substance, Class D; possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B. Jeremy Walker Shaw, 25, Siloam Springs, possession of a controlled substance, Class D; possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B. Lauren Marie Fuller, 32, Clinton, possession of a controlled substance, Class D. Eric James Dill, 36, Hensley, possession of a controlled substance, Class D. Arizona Widmier, 27, Western Grove, possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D. Angela Hurst, 40, Valley Springs, possession of a controlled substance, Class D. Belinda Bradford, 36, driving while intoxicated-fourth offense, unclassified felony. Kimberly Starne, 36, Morrilton, possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D.
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The Voice of Van Buren County
Page 6
March 10, 2020
Gardeners Flag retirement acknowledge ceremony set 2 lawns Boy Scout Troop 152 in Clinton spends several hours hanging then collecting and storing flags throughout the town on each “Flag Holiday,” according to their leader. There are 19 such occasions each year, David Calkin stated in a news release. The Scouts, and Cub Scout Pack 152, also place flags on graves at the Huie and Hunter Hill cemeteries each year for Memorial Day. “This has become an annual event we look forward to participating in,” Calkin said. On Saturday, April
11, there will be a flag retirement ceremony at Clinton City Park at 2 p.m. Calkin urged residents to bring any flags they have that may need to be retired and share what “American Patriotism” means to them. For those with flags who are unable to attend, there are dropoff points at City Hall in Damascus, Shirley and Clinton. Drop-off for Fairfield Bay is at the Department of Public Safety. At the Courthouse Annex, drop-off is in the hallway. For more information, contact Calkin at 253-4895.
Calendar
Tools will be provided but bring gloves and other personal items. For more information, From 9:30 a.m. contact leah.beek@ to 4 p.m. March 14 is tnc.org. the Bluffton Preserve Plans are underTrail Build Party. Join the Nature Conser- way for the 8th Anvancy and Afford- nual Hunger Run on able Trail Solutions March 28. The 5K for a trail work party, Run/Walk begins at 9 lunch, and after work a.m. The goal of this gathering at the Bluff- event is to unite the ton Preserve north of community to raise Clinton. Participants awareness and funds will break ground on to support the Van the new multi-use Buren County Food bluff line trail over- Bank. This fun, famlooking the Archey ily-friendly event enFork River. Volun- courages participateers will get a sneak tion from all ages. peak at Phase 1 of the Visit http://www.clinBluffton trail system. tonhungerrun.com
bloom. The buds on See Neighbors some trees and bushes on page 6 have started to swell. The changing of the seasons can be glorious. Don’t miss it. If you have info regarding the greater Crabtree and west 16 community, call or text Jeff Burgess, 7451249.
Jeff Burgess Crabtree
The monthly EHC meeting is Thursday, 1:30 p.m., at their building in Rupert. It’s Recycling Day in Alread, Saturday, 8 to 10 a.m. At the same time, a benefit breakfast is being held in the cafeteria, by ACCDA. The y-Normid meteor shower peaks Saturday night, with up to 6 per hour. Look to the south. Before first light, next Wednesday, the moon pairs with Mars, then Jupiter. After sunset that night, the moon pairs with Saturn. There is still time to plant cool weather transplants in the garden, and warm weather plant seed can still be started indoors. The warming weather has the Peepers singing their annual mating song. I’ve noticed their gelatinous egg masses in my pond. Various fruit trees have started to
Gregory S. Alexander Fairfield Bay
Our Jacki Carlo received a “We Noticed” award last month from The Van Buren Master Gardeners. She has a big yard with her waterfall and garden pond. Tuesday, March 3, Bogie’s had a “Take me
The Van Buren County Master Gardeners have recognized two yards in their “We noticed” program for March. Tim and Stephanie O’Sullivan of Eglantine were recognized for their immaculate yard. Lovely garden spaces bursting with daffodils and helabores are in full bloom. The large yard had a perfect lawn with these flower gardens placed throughout. They work diligently to maintain this perfection. In Clinton, Bradley Mohr's yard was a work
of love that he planned and worked in with his wife. It was a wonderful design full of rhodos, azaleas and Japanese maples. They have a gazebo in the back where they used to sit and enjoy their hard work, while sipping a cola. His Tim and Stephanie O’Sullivan get recognition wife passed away about for their yard. eight years ago, and Mohr's son now takes care of the yard. Look around your neighborhood and see Winnie the Pooh if there is someone "Some people say nothing is impossible, that you could nombut I do nothing every day." inate. Nominations can be sent to Bertha Christensen at birdies_ nest2004@yahoo.com. Sudoku Solution
Cryptogram Solution
for more information of 6U, 8U, 10U and or to register. 12U. Contact Chad Brown at chad@ March 28 is the cjbrownattorney.com next date for Park or call 501-253-8919 Fest, a daylong event to register a team. held in Archey Fork The event is a fundPark the last Satur- raiser for the VBC Litday of each month. eracy Council's Adult Local vendors, fund- Learning Center. raisers, and comThe Shop with munity activity organizers can set up for a Cop Charity Bass free at this event. For Tournament is schedmore information on uled for April 4 on this event call 501- Greers Ferry Lake. For fees and more 253-1003. information, conThe 4th Annu- tact Shawn Brewer al Literacy Classic 501-253-2262 or DeYouth Baseball Tour- bi Cooley 501-757nament is set for 2330. All proceeds March 28. This tour- to to the Shop with a nament is for teams Cop program.
out to the ballgame” dinner to allow the 12u softball team of Shirley to wait tables. They received a total of $1.000 in tips that night. The money will go toward uniforms. It’s time to begin our season here in the Bay, to start it off March 18, let’s all go to Woodland Mead Park for Food Trucks and Fire Pits from 6-9 p.m. Chow Hall BBQ and Kingdom Made Treats will be there. Try out our new Fire Pit by making s'mores with the family. Mini golf will be available from 6-9 p.m. Believe it or not,
Crossword Solution
The public works began building the new parking lot at the Indian Hills Complex after a long delay due to rain. They are trying to get a head start with more rain forecast. Stay tuned for updates. The new parking lot will have four handicapped spots, four regular spots and room for all of the new golf carts. Our own public works department is doing the work to save as much money as possible. And it’s that time of the year - our marina is now open six days a week from 9-5, closed Sundays.
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March 10, 2020
The Voice of Van Buren County
Page 7
School and Youth
State competition - The Clinton High School FCCLA recently attended the state conference and competitions. Competing in the STAR events were: Savannah Calhoun, Carleigh Henderson, Bailey Gottsponer, Shelby Dawson, Kailyn Reamon, Kaylei King, Hannah Robinson-bronze in entrepreneurship, and Maygen Calhoun-silver in leadership. Shelby, Savannah and Maygen will advance to the national competition in Washington this summer. FCCLA advisor is Valerie Lawson.
Carleigh Henderson and Bailey Gottsponer received silver in Sports Nutrition.
Savannah Calhoun received gold in Fashion Construction.
Eighth-grader Daniel Prince placed second in the Behavioral Science Category with a project of testing reactions times for sight or sound and was nominated for BROADCOM Master with a chance to win a trip to Washington, DC.
Science Fair - 22 Clinton Junior High students competed in the Central Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair on the campus of UALR. Placing second in the Junior Academy of Science with her scientific paper on a natural Seventh-grader Kristen Berry placed third in food replacement for red dye, was eighth-grad- Animal Science with a project of comparing rice er Gracee Linville. brans for deer hunting.
Holocaust survivor speaks - Clinton eighth-graders traveled to Morrilton on March 4 to hear the story of Holocaust survivor Nat Schiffer who spent two years in a ghetto taking care of his mom and sisters at only 7 years old after his father went to a concentration camp. He lost 33 family members at AuschwitzBirkenau.
Table arrives - Shirley Agriculture Department received its new plasma cutting table last week.
The Voice of Van Buren County
Page 8
March 10, 2020
101st birthday - Dorothy Brown Lee celebrated her 101st birthday March 8, 2020. She was born to Alma and Malcolm Brown in 1919. She lived many years on Wolverton Mountain with her husband, Vern. They had three children. County Judge Dale James proclaimed March 8, 2020, as Dorothy Brown Lee Day in Van Buren County. (Photo courtesy of Warren Johnson)
Where to find The Voice
of Van Buren County Austin • The Austin Store (Inside sales)
Bee Branch • Snappy's (Outside Rack sales)
Choctaw Shirley Senior Boys - The 1958-1959 Shirley High Senior Boys Basketball Team: (Top row from left) Coach Hane A. Barnum, Jerry Bradley, Dale Johnson, Gale Smith, Leon Myers, Donald Ward, (second row) Dois Rolen, Charles Brown, Alvin Bradford, Sam Evans, (third row) Sam Brown, Donnie Thompson, Ernie Sowell, Butch Bradford, Tommy Beckham, Gerald Widener.
• Elite Automotive (Inside sales) • Gasoline Alley (Outside Rack sales) • PEH Supply (Inside sales)
• Backyard Antiques (Inside sales) Clinton
Arkansas ranks low as best place to retire Arkansas is the 10th worst state for retirement, according to Blacktower Financial Management. It has a high crime rate and the fifth-lowest life expectancy on the list, the report states. On average, people can expect to live up to 75.4 in the state, while the
best retirement states have life expectancies into the 80s on average. The top nine states not recommended for retirement are New Mexico, Alabama, Nevada, Tennessee, Louisiana, Maryland, California, Hawaii and Alaska. The report named
the best states for retirement as North Dakota, Florida, New Hampshire, Maine, Idaho, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Vermont, Minnesota and at No. 1 - Iowa. The report factored in cost of living, crime, age of population, property prices, and life expectancy.
• 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
The Voice of Van Buren County
March 10, 2020
March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arlene Bandfield March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cecil Bramlett March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cindy Brundin March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Hutchcraft March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janet Stephan March 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bonnie Chadwick March 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olivea Gilmore March 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anita James March 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danna Lawrence March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sam Boswell March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Becky Bradley March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Red Bradley March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Margarita Dory March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clay Grant March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Henson March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Belinda Johnson March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nora Linn March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April Martin March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skilar Applewhite March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty Clark March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marian Coppee March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joel Ford March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Huie March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabie Jones March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alice Lovell
Make us your Birthday Headquarters!
Main Street Florist & Gifts Happy Birthday Wishes Tammie Williams, owner 374 Main Street Clinton, AR • (501)745-3569 We deliver same day. Teleflora & FTD Wire Services Available
www.mainstreetfloristclinton.com
Page 9
March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joyce Parish March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Partridge March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Ring March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Singleton March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cletis Witt March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alma Sue Brown March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Feuer March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwyndola Gray March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joanne Isom March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Mauldin March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ronny Sikes March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheila Brown March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martha Goldman March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Twila Guerrieri March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Holley March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Lasater March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glenn Roddell March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Sluder March 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loeta Acton March 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Cleaver March 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Candy Day March 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Harness March 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regina Holley March 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joey Weaver
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.
Sign up once and you are done. Happy Birthday Wishes
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Happy Birthday Wishes to You! Cletes "Bill" Blantz, owner MMC (SW) U.S. Navy (Ret.) 4319 Highway 65 South Clinton, Arkansas 72031 Phone: 501-745-6222 Fax: 501-745-2102
Happyhday birthes! wis RadioShack®
Northside Shopping Center 117 Bone St
501-745-4988
Page 10
The Voice of Van Buren County
Fun & Games
Puzzle solutions on Page 6
Weekly Crossword
March 10, 2020
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.
Where In the County Is This?
Where can you see this in Van Buren County? Tell us for a chance to win a one-year subscription to The Voice. See Rules at left.
Rules
Cryptogram: Winnie the Pooh
Solve the Word Find or Where In the County Is This? for your chance to win a one-year subscription to The Voice. Puzzle entries may not be a photocopy; originals from newspaper only. A drawing from correct entries will be held each month and the winning name will receive a oneyear subscription to The Voice. There will
be one winner each 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 745-8040 to tell us where the week's picture was taken. Deadline to enter is April 3, 2020 at 2 p.m. The drawing will be at 4 p.m.
March 10, 2020
The Voice of Van Buren County
Fishing Report and grubs are working.
North Arkansas
White River
Guide Jon Conklin, a regular weekly contributor to the Fishing Report, landed this walleye in the Neills Bluff area of Beaver Lake. It measured 29 inches and 9.75 pounds. He says the walleye bite is starting to turn on with 50-degree water temps. Conklin was using a Smithwick Rogue.
Central Arkansas
Little Red River
(updated 3-4-2020) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service (501-230-0730) said the Little Red River is receiving 18-20 hours of daily of generation. The Greers Ferry Lake level is above normal seasonal pool due to recent rains, so longer periods of generation to lower the lake level are expected. If you choose to fish these conditions, you will want to use long leaders and weight. Key for both fly-fishing and Trout Magnet fishing during heavy generation is the ability to get and maintain a good presentation of the fly or Trout Magnet. Working shoreline with streamers is also an effective fly-fishing method during high-water conditions. For fly-fishing, Lowell recommends San Juan worms, micro-jigs, egg patterns and streamers during high-water conditions. Hot pink, cotton candy and white bodies on chartreuse jigheads
are recommended for Trout Magnet spin fishing. Be safe while enjoying the river. Always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information.
Greers Ferry Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 465.07 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.04 feet msl Oct. 1-April 30; 463.04 feet msl May 1-June 1; 462.54 feet msl June 1-Sept. 30). (updated 3-42020) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-9401318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 465.13 feet msl, 3.09 feet above normal pool of 462.04 feet msl. As long as they are generating, it’s staying about the same; when they stop it starts rising, as there is a lot of water in the ground. The water temp varies and this
time of year just a degree or 2 will make a big difference in catching or just fishing. Bream up the rivers are shallow and eating not so much in lake; use crawlers, beetle spins or small crankbaits. Some crappie are in the bushes, while some are not and are out still floating around in deep water; try a jig or jigs with minnows. Catfish are eating as there is word of a 60-pound fish being caught; even people trolling for other species have caught some cats. Walleye are eating upriver on some days, males mostly. The lake walleye are not doing much as a lot of fish are still traveling at present. Up the rivers, try live bait, crankbaits, Rogues, Flukes and jighead worms. Black bass catching is all over water column, changing every hour according to weather. Use a variety of baits. Hybrid and white bass are upriver shallow and some in the lake deep – pick your poison as live bait, spoons, swimbaits, inline spinners
(updated 3-4-2020) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “Whether we're experiencing a false spring or a full-blown early, here-to-stay spring season, let's take advantage of it. Cotter, 18 river miles from Bull Shoals Dam, is enjoying mild daytime temperatures, a week with no rain in the forecast! And still cool – but not cold – nights. Get on the river and catch some trout in an abundant fishery managed so generously by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission folks.” The recent ample brown trout bite has proven once again that February and March are great months to visit the White River, and the rainbows aren't ignoring the bait, either, they report. Minnows and sculpins are the preferred meal for a hungry brown and egg patterns (light yellow peach colored with an orange leading bead), or lemon lime-colored PowerBait drifted mid-depth “will keep you cranking that reel and bringing in trout. Keep an eye on the Buffalo National River; the smallmouth bass over there should soon be waking up. The White River watershed is still full to brimming, so the Corps of Engineers continues to release large amounts of water to decrease the overfull lakes and prevent spring floods. Just remember this: Fish love water. Keep anglin' and we'll see you at the river.”
Page 11
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 661.87 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 659.00 feet msl). (updated 3-42020) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said the lake is clear and is 4 feet above normal level. The surface temperature Tuesday afternoon was 47 degrees. Black bass are fair and found in 10-20 feet of water. Jerkbaits, jigs and swimbaits all were working. White bass are moving to spawn. The catch is fair now. Use white jigs, spinners, Rooster Tails or Alabama rigs. Walleye are actively feeding in the evening on jerkbaits fished on the long, shallow points by the bushes. No reports on crappie, bream or catfish.
Norfork Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 558.17 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 552.00 feet msl; April-Sept., 555.75 feet msl). (updated 3-42020) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said, “The weather for Norfork Lake has finally changed for the better and has been stable for the last several days. The longrange forecast is for continued spring like temperatures and if it holds true the fish should get energized. The warmer weather has dramatically increased the surface water temperature to almost 50 degrees at daybreak and warmer during the daylight
hours. I can definitely see a change occurring in some of our fish species. “I have mainly been striped bass hunting and fishing for the last several days. The last 2 days has been outstanding. The bait is still predominately back in the creeks or some of the larger coves. Yesterday (March 2) I found large balls of shad in 30 to 40 feet of water halfway back in a major creek and on every bait ball there were at least 2, if not more big fish following. The bait that I have been finding has been anywhere from the surface down to 20 feet and sometimes to the bottom. Since the fish have been scattered I have started trolling a couple Berkley’s Flicker Minnow crankbaits, size 7. “My best colors have been the slick pearl silver (shad color) and the other is the racy shad pattern. These baits dive to about 15 feet. I’ve had several fish hammer the bait and peel out drag then come off. I’ve noticed a few birds feeding heavily. When I reached them my graph lit up with fish. It was a huge school of hybrids. My first fish came on the shad colored Flicker Minnow, then I switched to casting a Kastmaster (blade type bait) and landed several others. By around 9 a.m. the bait and fish both disappeared. This was the first large school of hybrid/striped bass I have found in some time, telling me that the start of the spring bite is not far off.
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The Voice of Van Buren County
Page 12
March 10, 2020
CHURCH PAGE
Photo by EuGene Smith
Thanks to those of you who called and correctly identified last week's featured church as Pleasant Valley General Baptist #1, If you can identify this week's 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 757-2069 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 Church Highway 65 N & Harper Mountain Lane, Dennard, AR 72629 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
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, Clinton 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 Lute Mountain Road, off 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 501-215-1595 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
Pleasant Valley General Baptist #1, 5153 Hwy 92 West Bee Branch, AR 72013 (5 miles west of Bee Branch)
Pawn • Shooting Sports
VAN BUREN COUNTY PROUD 794 Highway 65B Clinton, Arkansas
Tournament Fishing Tackle
(501) 745-2581
OPEN TIL 6:00pm MON-SAT (501) 745-6991
1863 Hwy 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031
195 Highway 16 E, Clinton, AR 72031 www.garypack.com GaryPackLumber
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
The Voice of Van Buren County
March 10, 2020
Page 13
Classifieds • Legal ANNOUNCEMENTS
PERSONALS
REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
For Sale
CEDAR YARD in CENTER RIDGE is NOW OPEN! ********** MON thru FRI 8:00 am - 5:00 pm SAT 8 am-1 pm ********** SELLING: cedar post, split-rail & fire wood
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 an well in Van Buren County. The cost is $5.00 for 25 words or less.
**********
PROPERTY FOR SALE 5 acres located off Town Branch Road at end of McEntire Road
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
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**********
*********
WANTED
Horse drawn wagon or wagon parts in good condition. Call Tom 501-745-4378
Price : $25,000 Call: (501) 592-3386
MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, BLUE SWAN INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, and any person, entity, or organization, Claiming any right, title, or interest in and to: Lot Three Hundred Fifty-One (351), Block Three (3), Lakewood, Fairfield Bay, Shown by Plat Book 2, Page 7, Van Buren County, Arkansas.
Apartments and mobile homes in Bee Branch area. $425-$650/month. Deposit required.
LOT THREE HUNDRED FIFTYONE (351), BLOCK THREE (3), LAKEWOOD, FAIRFIELD BAY, SHOWN BY PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 7, VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS. Any person claiming any title or interest of any kind to said property is hereby notified to appear on or before 30 days from the first publication of this notice to assert his/her title or interest in said property and to demonstrate why title to this property should not be quieted and confirmed in Plaintiffs. WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court this 11th day of February, 2020.
/s/ Debbie Gray VAN BUREN COUNTY CLERK
MISC. FOR SALE
WE BUY LAND
Bake Sale
FOR CASH
•••••••••••••
••••••••••••••
Saturday, March 28 10am-2pm in the Northside Shopping Center Clinton
VS.
THIS NOTICE first published this 18th day of February, 2020
“The Spring Garden Timely Tips”
Early Plant and
FOR RENT
Call for availability (501) 581-8640 After 2:00 pm
EHC L.O.V.E. Club presents
FAIRFIELD BAY COMMUNITY CLUB, INC. PLAINTIFF
Notice is hereby given that a Petition has been filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Van Buren County, Arkansas, to quiet and confirm title in and to the following described property in Van Buren County, Arkansas:
*********
(501)581-3780 (501)317-6331
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS Circuit DIVISION NO. CIV-2020-19
NOTICE OF QUIET TITLE ACTION AND CONFIRMATION
BUYING: cedar logs Utilities are at edge of property: Water, Phone, and Electric meter is set.
LEGAL
DEFENDANTS
Town Branch Creek runs thru property
3654 Highway 92 Center Ridge
LEGAL
TOW DOLLY Demco KarKaddy with new tires plus spare and new wiring.
Bar E Investment, Tom Elliott Assoc. Broker Ark. Mtn.Real Estate
501-745-4378
BY
/s/ Olivia I. GilmoreDC
Share your nature photos. Send them to voiceeditor@artelco.com
••••••••••• Ready to go $1300.00 Call: 501-884-7278
Lalla Ostergren’s books “My Road Home” $15.00 and "12 Months of Gardening" $10.00 at The Voice 328 Main Street Clinton
RESEARCH
FOR SALE OR LEASE Towlite 3 horse slant trailer
20x40 Office with 8x40 Covered Porch and 3 Green Houses on 1 acre on Highway 65 South, Clinton, AR
Call 501-940-5448
Excellent condition with extras. Priced below market.
$3,900.00.
Call 745-8040 to place an ad in the classifieds
For Rent
Call: 745-4378
The Voice is available online
Reflect A Moment He said, "The things which I have told you are spiritual and are life."
SUBSCRIBE
TODAY
PERSONALS
PUN OF THE WEEK ....................
Why was the cookie sad? Because his mom was a wafer long!
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Shop Booth 75 at Howard's Antiques for crocheted items, knickknacks, dishes and jewelry.
•••• Office or Retail Sites for lease 2000 to 2500 sq ft •••• NORTHSIDE SHOPPING CENTER Call: 501-253-0924
voiceofvbc.com
No waiting for the Post Office to deliver The Voice weekly... Current issues of The Voice will be available to online subscribers on Mondays! All past issues of The Voice are archived and available to online subscribers. Online subscribers can search for obituaries, marriage announcements, birth announcements, social pages, local sports action, advertisements, news articles, and more in our newspaper archive.
VOICEOFVBC.COM
Page 14
The Voice of Van Buren County
March 10, 2020
Clinton Softball
Photos by Robert R. Gaut
The Clinton Lady Yellow Jackets varsity softball team for 2020 is pictured above.
The Clinton Lady Yellow Jackets defeated Marshall in their season opener March 5. The final score was 23-5.
Are you proud of your Hornets and Blue Devils? The Voice welcomes photographs of sporting events from local schools. To share, email voiceeditor@ artelco.com
March 10 th through 14 th All the clothing, shoes and purses you can fit into one of our bags for only $1 per bag!
New Spring Releases starting March 18th Open Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (501) 884-3300 - 2491 Hwy. 330 South, Fairfield Bay
Lady Jackets lost to Dover at Clinton on March 6.