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Debby Prout
TUESDAY, August 18, 2020 / Vol. 6 Issue 33 / 75 cents
First readings for 2 ordinances
Clinton Recorder/Treasurer Dena Malone (left) was recognized at last week’s City Council meeting by some of her colleagues after being named Clerk of the Year. (Photo from Warren Johnson)
A couple of proposed ordinances received first readings at Thursday night’s Clinton City Council meeting. One was an ordinance on street excavations and alterations, which would require a permit of up to $2,000 with no exceptions. The second was a first reading of a rewritten nuisance ordinance aimed at eliminating inoperable vehicles. Both are expected to be given second readings at the September meeting. Also at the meeting, Police Chief John Willoughby said his department served search warrants and recovered “a bunch”
of stolen items and found some methamphetamine. He said the department worked seven accidents, a lot of property checks and wrote 61 citations. City Attorney Chad Brown noted that the department and the City Council should be aware that in case the county permits liquor sales after the November election, the city has three ordinances on the books from the 1940s about alcohol. He advised that the council consider updating the codes. From the animal shelter, officer Tim Pike said eight dogs were picked up in the city limits over the
month. He said the dog that bit a boy is no longer in the state as it was sent to a Massachusetts rescue along with nine others. The shelter currently has 25 dogs with two in foster car and 12 cats. The fire department report said the department answered one call for mutual aid and a couple of false alarms, including one at the elementary school and another at the hospital. From the Water Department, it was reported that chemical costs for the month were $9,166 or 12 cents per thousand gallons. Water loss was a total of 32.6 percent, 39.59 per-
Fire destroys home
Shirley gearing up for baseball games The Shirley City Council was told last week that the Baseball/ Softball Association had begun team practicing and will hold games in the near future. Mayor Lisa Hackett asked if the city would be liable. She stated that she was told the concession stand would not be opened and social distancing would be practiced. She stated that the governor has issued new compliance recommendations concerning community sports. Councilman David Cook stated that the city should not be held liable so long as signs listing the new guidelines were posted. These guidelines were recommendations not laws. Councilman Randall Gardner asked if the city had been reimbursed for all the its costs relating to Covid-19. Hackett stated that the city has not been reimbursed yet but she will get with the county judge to see when it might be expected. Hackett was turned down in her request for the city to purchase a new push mower for use in mowing the street right-of-ways. Council members stated that would be an unnecessary expense as this work could be done with the weed eater. The mayor reported that she had been approached by some city residents needing community service hours. She stated that she was going to have the workers paint the “bridges” between the City Stage and the Centennial Museum to match the picnic tables. Council members suggested that a water sealer/stain be put on the stage as well. The Shirley City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the community center. The meetings are open to the public.
cent at Burnt Ridge and 23.6 percent at Dennard. The zoning commissioner said he has issued several remodel permits. He also said one citation has been issued and some of the bigger nuisance problems should be cleared up soon. The council approved a resolution to pay $62,463 in a cash match to the state for new flood plain maps from FEMA. The state is picking up 75 percent of the cost. The council meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the airport meeting room. The meetings are open to the public.
A lightning struck resulted in a fire at a home on Eagle Ridge Trace last week.
Late afternoon on Aug. 11, the home at 119 Eagle Ridge Trace was apparently struck by lightning. Since there was no one home a fire developed inside the building, went unnoticed and quickly spread, according to Fairfield Bay Fire Chief Douglas Forsman. Fairfield Bay Firefighters were on the scene in less than 4 minutes after the alarm. Heavy smoke was visible. Attempts were made to make an offensive attack. However, firefighters were forced out by heavy fire and smoke. The fire grew quickly and completely destroyed the 7,000 square foot home that sits on an iconic point overlooking the lake. Fairfield Bay Firefighters were assisted by personnel and water tankers from Burnt Ridge, Shirley, Choctaw, Highway 110 and Denard Fire Departments. Medic One was on scene to assist and FFB's Emergency Management Team provided support. One firefighter was treated and released for a shoulder injury.
(Photo from Fairfield Bay Fire Department)
Ballot draw
The Election Commission will meet Monday the 24th at 10 a.m. in the Election Commission office at the Courthouse Annex to elect a chairman for the commission. The Ballot Draw for the November General Election will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the County Quorum Court Room at 1414 Highway 65S, Clinton. The new slate of commissioners are: Philip Ellis, Democrat; Dawn Williams and Verna Hicks, Republicans.
Rumble
August 21-22 Rumble on the River, a two-day motorcycle rally will be held in Archey Fork Park in Clinton. This event offers a bike show, car show, venders, poker run,
BBQ cook-off, live bands, burnout pit, hot air balloon, and food venders. For more details, contact William at 501-2534536.
Census
It's quick and easy. The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete. It's safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are protected. Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services. Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all levels of government. https:// my2020census.gov/
Coronavirus By the numbers - Aug. 16
Arkansas
Van Buren County
• 673 new cases • 52,665 total cases • 6494 active cases • 478 hospitalizations • 120 on ventilators • 45,572 recoveries • Deaths - 599
• Active positive: 4 • Total positive: 55 • Recovered: 49 • Deaths: 2
Center closes again Scotland Community Center sends word that it will be closed until further notice because the coronavirus has landed in the small area. This is a precaution to protect our seniors who have not yet been affected but others have, according to center President Doyle Scroggins. Meanwhile, prepa-
rations continue for schools to reopen next week. See your school's Facebook page or contact the superintendents for more information. Late last week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson extended his executive order decreeing a public health emergency for another 60 days.
Clinton held its black and gold game last week. For more photos, see Page 10 (Photo by Denise Burgess)