Of the people,
Home of subscriber Geri Cabana
By the people, For the people
TUESDAY, December 8, 2015 / Vol. 1 Issue 9 / 75 cents
Fairfield Bay looks ahead
to 50th anniversary By Anita Tucker
Fairfield Bay couldn't ask for a more positive ambassador for their city than Mayor Paul Wellenberger. The mayor last week turned a challenge from this reporter into a guided two-hour tour of his city. Starting with the Fairfield Bay Historical Complex and ending up back at the mayor's office looking through budgets
and plans for 2016, it was an educational and interesting visit. As the city of about 2,400 prepares for its 50th anniversary next year, a couple of volunteer groups are working on plans and ideas for additions and improvements. As the tour stopped at the Hippe Recycling Center, a place that has won many well-deserved honors, Wellenberger pointed out all the things that volun-
teers contributed to the center. He talked about the volunteers at the art gallery and the volunteers at the parks and the trails, and the volunteers at the museum. The city is volunteer-driven and the mayor is quick with praise and thanks for them. Though always mindful that it is a resort/retirement city, Fairfield Bay is rolling out the welcome mat for residents of Van Buren County as well, and looking for ways
to bring in younger visitors. One enticement to residents is a two-day $5 pass to the city's three swimming pools, including the new Cool Pool, which features an indoor "Big Ass Fan," which the mayor swears is a brand (I looked it up, he's telling the truth). The mechanics of the fan intrigue Wellenberger, a retired engineer from See FFB on Page 2
Former Jacket shines at Harding
New York, New York
"The best word to describe Park is competitor"
South Side's Maddy Pennington won a trip to New York as a reward for her hard work as a Muttigree ambassador. Story, Page 16.
Crashes keep police hopping Clinton Police have been busy working traffic accidents in the past month, including one in which a driver was cited for DWI, according to reports. On Nov. 24, a car driven by Dr. Ben Mays was stopped on Highway 16 West to make a left turn when it was struck by a second vehicle, according to a report. That driver, Bryan Alan Blanchard, 37, of Greenbrier, left the scene of the accident, according to the report. He headed west on Highway 16 and was stopped by Van Buren County deputies and an Arkansas State Police trooper. Blanchard was arrested on site and cited for driving while intoxicated and miscellaneous traffic charges, according to the report. Contact was made with Mays, 65, of Clinton at his veterinarian practice
where he declined medical treatment for an injury to his nose, police said. Mays' 2009 Jeep sustained damage in the crash. In a Nov. 23 accident, a 2005 Chevy Malibu driven by Kelsey Appleby, 24, of Shirley was making a left turn from Highway 16 East onto Burnt Ridge Road when her car was hit from behind, according to a police report. Adilene Lopez, 22, of Shirley told police she was on her way home from work and did not see the car in front of her making a turn, the report states. Her 2001 Ford Mustang sustained damage, as did Appleby's Malibu, the report states. No one was injured, the report states. Appleby was cited for no vehicle license, and Lopez was cited for no proof of insurance, the report states.
"He's going to find a way to win" Bisons quarterback Park Parish signs the cast for a young fan. (Photos courtesy of Susan and Mickey Parish) Hard work and patience paid off for a Clinton native this year.
Park Parish, a 2012 graduate of Clinton High School, was given the chance
to start at quarterback for the Harding Bisons after three seasons of watching
and waiting, and he See Park on Page 2
Christmas in Clinton
The KHPQ Jambulance makes a stop during its Christmas in Clinton tour Sunday. The crowds not only followed Sid King around town, but often arrived before him to ensure a parking space. More than two dozen stores took part in the holiday shopping event and some in the crowd already were talking about next year's event.