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Myrtle Wahl
TUESDAY, November 1, 2016 / Vol. 2 Issue 41 / 75 cents
'Bridge Brigade' gets lake project finished Story & photos from Arkansas Fish & Game
The Corps of Engineers and Game and Fish work on enhancing the lake for fish last month.
Accused killer with county ties caught Some people in Van Buren County were on edge last week after the sheriff said an accused killer might be heading this way. Daniel Campbell, accused of killing one man and severely wounding another in Texas County, Missouri, Tuesday, Oct. 25, was sought in both Missouri and Arkansas. Campbell's family told authorities he might be heading for Arkansas. They said he had a “score to settle” with someone in Van Buren County, Sheriff Scott Bradley told a Little Rock TV station.
Notes Concert set
The Van Buren County Community Band and the choirs of Clinton High School, directed by Dell Holt and Suzanne McMurry, will perform at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7, 2016, at the Clinton High School auditorium. There will be a special presentation for veterans Quilts of Honor by the Van Buren County Piecemakers Quiltmakers Guild.
Scam reported
Marion Smith of Choctaw called The
Bradley set up patrols across the county and posted notices on the sheriff’s office website and social media. For two days, authorities searched for a black Ford Ranger on a lift kit with green detailing. Campbell allegedly stole it from one of his victims. Then Thursday, someone reported that they thought they spotted Campbell in northern Arkansas. Bradley said his office was working to keep the person who had been threatened safe. See Caught on page 10
Voice last week to tell us about an attempt to bilk her out of money. She said a caller identifying himself as a representative of Publishers Clearinghouse said she had won a Mercedes convertible and $3.5 million. All she had to do, he said, was wire money to pay the taxes on the car, which would then be delivered to her. Not fooled for a minute, Marion told the caller to hold the taxes out of her $3.5 million winnings and send the car and the rest of the money to her. She was told that because of IRS
A fleet of habitat barges and support boats led a cooperative effort between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers to place a literal "ton" of new habitat in Greers Ferry Lake earlier this month. Five of the AGFC's habitat barges, one habitat barge from the Corps, backhoes, skidders, excavators and support boats all converged on Choctaw Recreation Area to create and place extra-large brush piles in the west end of the lake. The brush piles were constructed of large cedars removed from the campground at Choctaw as part of a wildlife enhancement project. In all, 300 cedars were removed, bundled and placed in key points of the lake to serve as fish attractors and
Something in the air
See Enhance on page 19
Cuts loom at animal shelter
Fall advances along the banks of Archey Fork at Bluffton Preserve last week. The weather lately has not been very fall-like with temperatures reaching into the mid-80s over the weekend and Monday, but as November begins, cool weather is not far off. (Photo by Jeff Burgess)
rules, it could not be done that way. After several more minutes of discussion, Marion told the caller her husband worked for the IRS and she knew better than what was being said, at which point the caller cursed her and hung up. Marion called the Arkansas Attorney General’s office with the story and said they were happy to hear from her because she had gotten more details than usual in a scam report. She was told the call originated in Jamaica. Marion didn’t fall for the caller’s lies but it’s a
aquatic habitat. "We were able to enhance 18 sites," said Tom Bly, AGFC fisheries supervisor in Mayflower. "Six were existing fish attractors that were freshened up, but 12 were entirely new places where we sank these large piles of cedars. All were within 3 miles of Choctaw Recreation Area." Most brush piles were placed in 20 to 25 feet of water, where they can be the most benefit to fish and anglers on a year-round basis. While the attractors make it easier for anglers to locate fish, they're also important additions to the lake for fish. "Any fish that relates to natural shoreline cover can use these attractors," Bly said. The structures will be coated with algae, which attracts small insects and
Van Buren County is taking a hard look at the animal control facility, apparently eyeing major cuts in its 2017 budget or even shutting it down. If the facility closes, Justice of the Peace Dale James places the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Clinton City Council, saying it refuses to pay its share. Under the original 2003 agreement when the shelter was opened, the city of Clinton and the county each paid equal amounts of the See Budget on page 10
good reminder that you should never give out personal information or send money to anyone you don’t know. Report all suspected scams to the Attorney General’s office at (800) 4828985.
Vote
Go vote! Early voting continues through Monday, Nov. 7. The General Election is Nov. 8, at which time you will need to go to your polling place to cast your vote. Either way, don’t neglect your civic duty. See more about early voting on Page 5.
Won’t you come in -- This young visitor to the Haunted House in Choctaw seems to be rethinking his decision to enter. The scares were put on by the Van Buren County Rescue Squad and friends. More photos, Page 15. (Photo by Joel French/for The Voice)