Of the people, By the people, For the people
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Ruth Hodge
TUESDAY, November 10, 2020 / Vol. 6 Issue 45 / 75 cents
Chief quits after hate-filled posts
The colors of fall - The yellows and oranges of the season are at their peak. More photos, Page 16. (Photo by Warren Johnson)
County votes for alcohol sales; defeats sales tax The voters have spoken. By an almost 2-1 margin, Van Bure County received voter approval to begin alcohol sales. The vote was 4,870 for, 2,803 against. The 1/2 percent sales tax to provide funds to Ozark Health failed for the second time in eight months, 3,107 for, 4,527 against. In Fairfield Bay, Doyle Scroggins carried Council Ward 1 Position 2 with 594
votes over John Conry with 535. In Ward 2 Position 2, Doug Landry received 618 votes to Linda Duncan’s 523. City of Clinton Recorder/Treasurer Dena Malone received 968 or 100 percent of the votes; Rose Owen got 1,081 votes or 100 percent for recorder/ treasurer in Fairfield Bay. Both were incumbents. In statewide races, county voters gave U.S. Rep. French Hill (R) 5,999 votes com-
pared to 1,650 for challenger Joyce Elliott (D). U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R) received 6,062 votes to 1,496 for Ricky Harrington (D) State Rep. Stan Berry (R) defeated Lisa Hassell (D) 3,086 to 913. On the ballot issues, the results in Van Buren County were: Issue 1: For 4,064 Against 3,553 Issue 2: For 4,319 Against 3,228 Issue 3: For 2,835
Against 4,553 Issue 6: For 3,514 Against 3,661 President Donald Trump (R) was a big winner over Joe Biden (D), former U.S. vice president, in the county, 5,962 to 1,566. Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen received 53 votes. The Green Party’s Howie Hawkins got 19 votes. Kenya West received 14 votes. Voters cast 7,735 ballots; there are 10,721 registered voters.
Warrants lead to drug charges
er commonly used for marijuana in his vehicle. Ward transported Dennis to the detention center and before he took him in, Horton said he did not have anything illegal on his person, the court document states. However, a syringe was recovered at the jail, the affidavit states. Horton, 44, of Clinton has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class D felony; furnishing prohibited articles, a Class C felony; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Search finds paraphernalia
Covid-19 cases continue to rise
Deputy Ethan Ward saw a vehicle that he knew to belong to a Dennis Horton on Highway 9 near Formosa on Oct. 30. Horton has several warrants from the sheriff’s office, according to an affidavit for arrest. Ward observed the truck turn onto Buckeye Lane and when it did the rear passenger tire of the vehicle went off into the ditch. Ward stopped the vehicle and placed Horton under arrest. He noticed an odor of marijuana on Horton, the affidavit states, and discovered a grind-
During a home visit at the residence of Ralph Thornburg, officers recovered evidence consistent with the use of methamphetamine including a glass smoking device with residue, according to an affidavit. Thornburg, 62, of Clinton is a probationer. He has been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class D felony; use or possession of paraphernalia to manufacture meth/cocaine, a Class B felony; and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said on Twitter, "There are 1,038 new COVID-19 cases in Arkansas. With yet another day of over 1,000 new cases, we are likely headed for a difficult week. Let’s all be safe and take action to protect each other. Follow the guidelines.” Arkansas has set a new record for total hospitalizations, with 741 reported on Sunday afternoon. The previous record number of hospitalizations was 722 hospitalizations, on Saturday.
Marshall Police Chief Lang Holland resigned Saturday after remarks he posted on social media. On the social media site Parler, Holland made remarks calling for “death to all Democrats,” according to reports. "When you see one in public get in their face do not give them peace. Throw water on them at restaurants. Push them off sidewalks. Never let them forget they are traitors and have no right to live in this Republic after what they have done,” one post read. Marshall Mayor Kevin Elliot said Holland's remarks do not reflect the people of Marshall. "The Marshall community does not in any way support or condone bullying or threats of violence to anyone of any political persuasion! We condemn it," a statement from the mayor read. The mayor said he met with Holland, who then resigned, effective immediately. In another post, Holland threatened to shoot and kill Black Lives Matters supporters and Antifa supporters. Elliot said the job of the Marshall police force is to "serve and protect everyone." "We are a welcom-
Holland ing community that is humbly working to build a bright future for all our citizens," Elliot said. Earlier this year, Holland made news because of his position of wearing masks. He said he thinks the threat of the coronavirus has been overstated and only wears a face mask if he’s inside a business that requires them. He didn’t make his officers wear them either. Holland had been the police chief in Marshall for two years Holland was a Searcy County deputy in October 2014 when he and a state trooper were dispatched to Serenity Farms in Leslie after a report of an armed man holding hostages there. Holland ordered the man to drop the weapon and the man fired. The bullet struck Holland in the hip and he and the trooper returned fire. Holland was shot in the hip; the gunman died of his injuries.
Coronavirus By the numbers
Van Buren County - Nov. 8
Arkansas - Nov. 7
• Total Cumulative Cases: 246 • Confirmed Cases: 234 • Total Active Cases: 17 • Total Recovered Cases: 226 • Total Deaths: 3
• New cases: 1,278 • Hospitalizations: 722 • Active cases: 9,470 • Deaths: 1,890
Health officials reported 916 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state with 122 probable virus cases. There are 110,932 confirmed cases of the virus in the state. The number of patients hospital-
ized with the virus is up by 19 with 103 on a ventilator. Deaths increased by 17 to 1,907. The health department reported 9,833 active cases and that 99,179 Arkansans have recovered from the virus.
Roads to briefly close
Lonoke 48, Clinton 42
The Yellow Jackets fall short in a high-scoring game against the Jackrabbits. More football, Page 2 (Photo by Denise Geer Burgess)
Routine bridge inspections on county roads in Pope and Van Buren counties require temporary road closures, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation officials. Weather permitting, crews will close the roads leading to the bridges as detailed below: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 8:30 a.m.–Noon, Rushing Road (CR 12) bridge over Piney Creek Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1–4:30 p.m., Grif-
fin Flat Road (CR 49) bridge over Hacker Creek Wednesday, Nov. 18 a.m.–1 p.m., Sequoyah Ranch Road (CR 610) bridge over the north fork of Cadron Creek Traffic will be controlled by traffic barrels and signage. Drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through all highway work zones. Additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas. com or ARDOT.gov.