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Don and LaDonna Bennett
TUESDAY, July 3, 2018 / Vol. 4 Issue 27 / 75 cents NOTICE Happy Fourth
A reminder that The Voice office will be closed Wednesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Please use caution around fireworks and if you’re drinking, don’t be driving - cars or boats!
Council says no to grant application (Photo by Robert Snyder)
July Fourth Archey Fest 2018 is history. A crowd turned out for music, food, rides, a fishing derby, softball tournament, car show and, of course, fireworks. One thing you can count on for July 4th festivities in Van Buren County is the heat, but that didn’t deter many even as the thermometer climbed to 100 degrees. This year’s fireworks photo is from the celebration in Alread, where there also was live music, food and fun. For the second year, Archey Fest included a Soap Box Derby. It was a popular event this year with several entries.
The Clinton City Council has rejected a resolution to let the Water Department apply for a $1.5 million loan to install auto-read meters throughout its system. The loan would have been at a 0.5 percent interest rate and savings from the new meters would be evident in less than five years, according to Oren Nobel of CWB Engineers. “We are missing an excellent business opportunity,” Water Department Manager Richard Hink told the Voice last week. The vote was 4-11 with Councilman Jeff Pistole voting for the resolution, Timothy Barnes abstaining and Sam Ward, Jason Lynch, Shon Hastings and Gayla Bradley voting against the resolution. The loan is through the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission, which Hink and Mayor Richard McCormac say sometimes forgives loans almost as soon
as they’re made. The NRC is focusing this year on auto-read metr projects for small water departments, Hink said. McCormac said Saturday he plans to bring the issue back up to the council soon. The Water Department also is working on closing down the West Sewer Treatment plant, restoring the land and returning it to the owner. Also at the meeting, Fire Chief D.L. Webb said the department has purchased a couple of 40-foot storage containers that they plan to use for training purposes. He said a recent visit from officials about the department’s ISO pointed up the need for training facilities. The department currently has a rating of 4. Police Chief John Willoughby said the department has hired Josh Patterson who has previously been a law enforcement officer in Clinton.
Clinton man faces charges (Photo by Robert R. Gaut)
In a felony case filed in Van Buren County Circuit Court June 25, a Clinton man was charged with possessing illegl drugs. Christopher Johnson, 23, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony, and furnishing prohibited articles, a Class C felony. Johnson’s li-
cense plate returned to a green Jeep but his vehicle was white, according to the affidavit for arrest. A marijuana smoking pipe was found in the vehicle and when Johnson got to the jail, a bag containing a crystal-like substance was found in a cigarette pack, according to the report.
Clinton ranked No. 3 Children enjoyed sparklers at Alread. (Photo by Robert R. Gaut)
Hooten’s Arkansas Football magazine has ranked the Clinton Yellow Jackets No. 3 in the preseason Class 3A rankings. This is the highest preseason ranking in school h i s t o r y. . C o n f e rence coaches picked the Jackets, Melbourne and Harding Academy in the 2-3A.
Clinton finished No. 6 in the final Hooten’s poll of 2017. The Jackets are looking for their third straight conferen e title this coming season. The season opens with the Battle of the Little Red against Heber Springs on August 31 at Jim Tumlison Field.