The Voice of Van Buren County - March 9, 2021

Of the people, By the people, For the people

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Pamela Ott

TUESDAY, March 9, 2021 / Vol. 7 Issue 10 / 75 cents

City alcohol taxes prove contentious

by Adam Kuipers

The sale of alcohol in Van Buren County has created the potential for a new stream of revenue for local restaurants and retailers and the local government.

Following the passage of the local option for alcohol sales, some municipalities within the County started considering ways to maximize tax rates on alcohol sales.

Fairfield Bay

At its regular meeting on December 14, 2020, the City of Fairfield Bay read an ordinance that would levy permitting fees and a 10% tax on all alcohol sales within the City. The proposed ordinance exacted the 10% tax on alcohol sales for both on-premises (restaurant) and off-premises (retailers, package sales) consumption.

According to Fairfield Bay Mayor Linda Duncan, the City handed out the ordinance to everyone involved, including local business-

es. During a special meeting of the Fairfield Bay City Council on December 31, 2020, the City adopted the ordinance.

Following the enactment of the ordinance, some businesses within Fairfield Bay approached the City with concerns about its taxes. A Special Meeting was held on January 20, 2021, during which many local businesses and individuals expressed their concerns with the new tax and the negative impact it would have upon the local businesses and economy. Following a spirited discussion, the Fairfield Bay City Council voted unanimously to amend the ordinance to eliminate the Supplemental Beverage Sales Tax and orally agreed to reexamine the issue at the end of 2021.

Clinton

At its regular January meeting, the Clinton City Council gave first reading to an ordinance that would levy fees and a 5%

Supplemental Beverage Tax upon alcoholic drinks. Unlike the ordinance previously adopted by Fairfield Bay, the proposal in Clinton addressed only those beverages sold for on-premises consumption. Prior to the second reading of the ordinance at its February meeting, the Clinton City Council voted unanimously to double the proposed tax to 10%, the State of Arkansas's maximum.

The ordinance awaits its third and final reading at the March 11 meeting.

Councilman Jeff Pistole sponsored the ordinance. Pistole also sponsored a resolution unanimously adopted by the City Council in October of 2020 wherein the council supported the passage of the wet/dry issue and expressed its desire to "relieve property owners of the burdensome property taxes that are currently being collected within the city on an annual basis." The council resolved to "conduct a

study of sales tax revenue" and "develop a plan to decrease the property tax millage," but only if the passage of the wet/dry issue resulted "in the addition of at least one package store being located within the City of Clinton."

While the language in the resolution was explicit, Councilman Pistole was emphatic that his intent when sponsoring this ordinance was that the revenues generated thereby would be used to fulfill the resolution to reduce or eliminate City property taxes. "When we're sitting here at this time next year, I plan on saying we don't have any City property tax," Pistole stated at the February Council meeting.

"I'm not passing this to say we got more money, I want to say we got more money from this thing that people don't have to have, and now we're not going to tax on this thing that people have to have--their property." "To me, and I'm the one that spon-

sored this ordinance, it's not about more and more money; it's about more money so we can give people a break over here."

However, there did not appear to be a clear consensus on this point among the council during their discussion. "This is an opportunity for us to make money," commented Councilwoman Gayla Bradley during the discussion. "This is a way we could benefit a lot of our community; maybe we could get a pool. I mean, the sky's the limit!" Councilman Tim Barnes concurred with Bradley, "I don't think we know the limit." "I look at the numbers, and numbers don't lie." "I'm hoping to see what the numbers show us when we start actually collecting the tax revenue and if we need to earmark it, like we said if it comes down and we can't do this, but we can do that, and it benefits the City, that's what we need to do."

The Tale of

Two Cities

Unlike Fairfield Bay, Clinton currently has only one restaurant that sells alcoholic beverages. Private club alcohol sales in Fairfield Bay have been comparatively prolific in recent years. While Fairfield Bay originally exacted a permitting fee and taxes upon both open container and package sales of alcohol, Clinton has proposed no additional local fees or taxes upon retailers such as Wal-Mart, convenience stores, or grocers. Finally, unlike Fairfield Bay, which distributed its ordinance to local businesses for review and input, Clinton did not reach out to the one stakeholder in the City that would be affected by this ordinance.

The Human Element

Genevieve LaFargue is the manager of L'Attitude Bistro, currently the only restaurant in the City of ClinSee Alcohol on page 3

Local sales tax revenues up despite pandemic

by Adam Kuipers

Justices Holt and Philips listen to presentation by Gaya Franks.

Commission discusses new Lease Agreement with Main Street Kidz

by Warren Johnson

A structure in the Clinton Industrial park, constructed with grant money to be a child care facility, was the topic at a Van Buren County Building Committee meeting on Thursday evening.

The building, which has served as a daycare for most of its

existence, was built during County Judge Robert Bogie Bramlett's term.

Main Street Kidz, which operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, leased the county-owned building for one dollar per year, with the county responsible for maintaining much of the exterior of the building. Discussion

about lease renewal dominated the meeting.

Committee Chair Dell Holt stated it is not forbidden for 501(c)(3) organizations to do business with the county, but it must be done correctly. County Judge Dale James comSee Lease on page 4

According to data reviewed from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, sales tax revenues distributed to Van Buren County and its three incorporated municipalities mostly increased in 2020.

The cities of Clinton and Fairfield Bay saw significant year-overyear increases.

Van Buren County received $4,359,201 from its sales tax in 2020. While the Van Buren County sales tax rate was decreased by 25% in October of 2020, the county only saw revenues fall by less than 3/10% from 2019.

The City of Clinton received $1,248,715 from its 1% sales tax in 2020, an approximately 8.5% increase in revenue from 2019.

Grace Crawford Has Broken Rebound Record

Grace Crawford of Bee Branch broke the rebounds record! The Lady Royals made another milestone by having their third consecutive week in the Top-10, which is the longest stint of any Ecclesia basketball program.

Grace Crawford of Southside-Bee Branch is attending classes at Ecclesia College in Springdale, Arkansas.

Grace and Madison Bailey from Greers Ferry have been recruited this season for the women's basketball team, the Royals.

Last year the team ranked two and twenty-two. This year the team had the best

start in school history for women's basketball, winning the Regionals, and are headed to the Nationals in Indiana!

Grace has broken the rebounds record in a game with eighteen. The Lady Royals made another milestone by having their third consecutive week in the Top-10, which is the longest stint of any Ecclesia basketball program.

Comparatively, Clinton only saw a 6.1% yearover-year increase in revenue in 2019.

The City of Fairfield Bay received $480,893 from its 2% sales tax in 2020, representing an increase of more than 20% over 2019 revenues.

Fairfield Bay only saw a ½% increase in revenues from 2018 to 2019.

The City of Shirley was the only municipality that did not see year-over-year growth in revenue in 2020 that was larger than the previous period. Shirley received $37,656 from its 1% sales tax in 2020, a little more than 5% over 2019 revenues. Shirley experienced an increase in revenues of slightly over 6% from 2018 to 2019.

The Van Buren County sales tax rate

decreased from 2% to 1.5% in 2020. In October, a 1% sales tax earmarked for construction at the county's hospital expired, and a ½% tax approved by voters in March for county Volunteer Fire Departments and the Rescue Squad was enacted.

Van Buren County voters approved an issue in the November General Election that allows alcohol sale in previously "dry" Van Buren County. Proponents of the issue touted a new product's economic benefit to generate additional tax revenues for the county and its municipalities without increasing any existing rates. Opponents claimed that increased law enforcement costs would outpace whatever economic gains might be realized.

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 2

March 9, 2021

THAT

BANNER MOUNTAIN GIRL

by Freeda Baker Nichols

Dolls, A Birthday and Daylight Savings Time On Sunday, March 14th, at 2:00 AM, Daylight Savings Time begins for this year. Some people will like the new time, and others will not like the change at all. An hour is lost. If you forget to set your clocks forward, you will arrive at church or other important meetings when they are being dismissed.

The month of March eases winter into spring. So, when we change the time, we say “Spring forward”, meaning that we set our clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Savings Time.

During this month, the wind is often mentioned. A proverb says that if March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion. Or vice versa. I think this year, it came in like a lamb.

The breeze seemed gentle.

In March of the year that my sister, Yvonne, was born, I was twoand one-half years old.

Yvonne was born on March 19th. Because I was so young, I don’t recall seeing her for the first time. But thinking back to our childhood, it seems that she was always there and that we were always

together. We had lots of fun playing, mostly outdoors. We had playhouses where we outlined our house blueprint with rocks. We made little animals out of clay. We made mud pies. Once, we even made chocolate mud pies using molded cocoa our mama had discarded.

Once Daddy brought us each a doll.

The dolls looked identical. Their eyes opened and closed. One had blue eyes; the other had brown eyes. Yvonne picked one up but put it down and picked up the other one to claim for her own. She chose the doll with blue eyes.

The other doll, my doll, had brown eyes, and I was happy as I could be with it. I don’t remember what Yvonne named her doll. But I called mine Phillip but gave it the full name of Walter Kelley Phillip Dean. That’s for my dad, a brother-in-law and my brother. Apparently, I didn’t know anything about gender back then. The dolls wore white dresses, pink coats, and caps.

But they were baby dolls. Back in those days, baby boys wore little dresses or gowns

Yvonne and Freeda Baker, ages about 5 and 7 years, at their homeplace on Banner Mountain. just like baby girls did.

Babies were babies.

Baby dolls were baby dolls. We loved ours.

We must have rocked them to sleep, time and again.

We had rag dolls, too. Our rag dolls were named Susie and Sally.

They were handmade, and we loved them, too. I wish I knew who had sewn them for us.

But I don’t know. Mama might have made them, or even one of our older sisters could have made them. Or Santa might have brought them, and, if so, I’m sure we never questioned the brand name. Santa was just the best thing ever in our childhood.

We loved Santa just like we loved our dol-

lies.

Time moves on, and kids grow up. My sister and I live far apart now. She’s in California, and I live not far from our Banner Mountain homeplace. A few years ago, Gene and I visited Yvonne and her husband, Bill Hall. We enjoyed so much touring the beautiful San Juan Capistrano Mission where the swallows migrate from in the fall and return to in the spring. The return of the swallows happens every March on the 19th––Yvonne’s birthday. I think that’s awesome!

And here, locally, we shall move our clocks forward and wait to see if March goes out like a lion.

Harriet woman attacked by dogs A Searcy County woman received serious injuries on Monday afternoon, March 1, 2021, after being attacked by a pack of dogs while walking.

When deputies responded at Shore View Road near Harriet, they found the victim aged sixty-four in severe

conditions after eight dogs had mauled and dragged down the road.

Her attackers were still in the area, and authorities took them to the Van Buren County SNYP shelter, where they are in custody.

The hospital staff is treating her at Cox Medical Center in Spring-

field, Missouri. Significant loss of blood and broken bones resulted in her being med flight by helicopter.

Searcy County Chief Deputy Dewayne Pierce stated in over thirty years in law enforcement, this is one of the worst cases of this nature that he has ever

seen.

The incident is still under investigation by the Sheriff's Office, the Arkansas State Police Criminal Division, and the Arkansas Department of Health.

We will update on this story as more information becomes available.

Becky Wood is the church advocate at South Side Baptist Church. South Side is at the forefront of ministering with The CALL to serve children and youth in foster care in Van Buren County.

The CALL Seeks Local Church Advocates

by Kristen Tucker for almost ten years

The CALL in Van Buren County is looking for local church contacts. These "Church Advocates" would serve a vital role in the ministry of The CALL. "We recently learned that Van Buren County was one of the four fastest-growing rural counties for The CALL in Arkansas.

Last year as we more than doubled the number of children in the care of our foster families," said County Coordinator James Tucker. "The CALL alone isn't the answer to this growing need. We believe the local church is the answer."

Indeed, The CALL's mission is to educate, equip, and encourage the Christian community to provide a future and hope for children in foster care in Arkansas. Their vision is no waiting children in foster care.

Local volunteer Becky Wood has served as the Church Advocate for Southside Baptist Church for several years, keeping Southside Baptist on the forefront of ministering to local kids in foster care. "Being a volunteer for The CALL

has been an indescribable blessing to me," said Wood. "I believe strongly that every child deserves a safe, loving home. I hope others will consider supporting The CALL in this way.

Together, we can help!"

Church Advocates help fulfill the model outlined in the New Testament.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 The CALL hopes to have at least one Church Advocate in every congregation of any size in Van Buren County. Ideally, this person would be someone other than the Pastor and would be able to communicate through phone, email, text, and Facebook. The Church Advocate would encourage any foster families within their congregations. They would promote events and information meetings organized by the CALL, and they would serve as a resource about The CALL to their church members.

The VOICE of Van Buren County

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The Voice of Van Buren County

March 9, 2021

Thelma Murray

ing forward to having a smooth bridge, but I concluded that the holes are all still there but not as deep.

Travis Johnson, of Camden, filled the pulpit at Shady Grove, Sunday.

Thursday, I visited Sue Jones of Scotland and my sister Patsy Ward of Formosa.

Shirley

Visiting Stanley and Pam Murray over the weekend were Pm's dad Dennis and Shirley Goddard of Dupo Illinois, her brother Jeffery Goddard and his son Austin of Waterloo, Illinois; Michial Goddard and his friend Josh Morgan of Clarksville, Tennessee and Pam's niece Mckenzie Goddard of Red Bud, Illinois, Cameron, and Joni Murray and their daughters Claire and Carlee of Conway, and Jennie Bittle of Conway.

The Highway Department has worked some on the Shirley bridge, and I was look-

Jeffry Burgess Crabtree

On Thursday, 1:30 p.m., EHC meets at the Alread FUN Park. Bring a chair and wear a mask.

If the temperature is below 60 degrees, a Zoom meeting will be held. For an invitation, contact

think of, but they would Alcohol still spend hours on end from page 1 waiting only to receive two or three orders in an ton that has a Private entire day. A point was Club permit allowing it to finally reached where sell alcohol for on-prem- a decision had to be ises consumption. She's made. "We sat togetha single mother of two er with all of the lights that lives in Van Buren off, and everyone was County with her 8-year- very sad, but we realold daughter Audrey. ized it didn't make sense Most of the women em- to stay open. We had to ployed by The Bistro are shut the doors." single mothers.

"When you close a "Restaurants are al- restaurant, you have to ways an ebb and flow think about all the stock business, but over the that you're left with." Mapast year with Covid, ny of the product sold at we pretty much came to a restaurant like L'Attia grinding halt. It start- tude Bistro is perishable ed when we had to go to food for which they have takeout only service. We already paid. "We tried did everything we could to be smart. We modiinitially to stay open, fied our menu and kept which required laying cutting it back. We tried off everyone except my- to sell everything that we self and one other girl. had, but in the end, we We were running the told employees to take place by ourselves. We what they wanted, and were trying to maintain we had to dispose of as much normalcy as the rest." Despite havpossible while limited ing a Private Club liquor to takeout only, keeping license, when the State the same hours and a full eased restrictions to almenu. Myself, one oth- low home delivery of aler girl, and my daughter cohol, dry counties were Audrey were doing all of exempt from the new it." They tried every pro- rules. "We had thoumotional idea they could sands of dollars invest-

Estate Auction Saturday, March 13 , 2021 10AM Adele Hartig Estate 365 Grand Isle Dr. Fairfield Bay, Ar. 72088

Turn off Hwy 16 at Fairfield Bay Indian Hills Entrance onto Snead Dr. Follow Morgan Auction Signs to sale site.

Very nice clean auction.

Household items including, but not limited to household furniture, 3 Bedroom sets, oak dining table, oak china cabinet , serving table, sofa, love seats, patio furniture, nice kitchen items, hall tree, around the world dolls, jewelry Armoire, some jewelry, For terms and complete listing go to auctionzip.

Many more items too numerous to mention.

Morgan Auctions

Willie Morgan AALB 69 Billy Morgan AALB 1045 Ph 501-362-8734, 501-691-2687

Burtie at burtie@artelco. com.

Saturday, the New Moon is official at 4:21 a.m.

Saturday is Recycling Day, 8-10 a.m., at the Alread Cafeteria. ACCDA meets in the cafeteria at 9 a.m.

Sunday, Daylight Savings Time begins.

Set your clock forward by one hour.

Next Wednesday, the Bookmobile visit to Tilly and Zion Hill has been cancelled.

The 2021 Van Buren County Fair dates have been set for Sept.

6-11. 4-H enrollment is required to participate in any 4-H activity. Inactive members cannot participate, so sign up in their new system at: https://4h.uaex.edu.

A big bobcat crossed the road in front of me last week, late afternoon, on Sawmill Road.

He didn’t seem in a hurry and briefly ran down the road before cutting into the woods. I got a good look at his hindquarters and famous tail. It’s always a thrill.

The day after writing here last week about the green tree frogs in my pond, the spring peepers also started their annual mating ritual chorus. I went and sat at the pond‘s edge, which

quieted them. But soon, with a peep here and there, and a few peeps from me, the army of frogs was back in full chorus. And as I departed, with my ears ringing, I’ve decided spring peepers are the loudest.

If you have info about the greater Crabtree and west Hwy. 16 community, call or text Jeffry Burgess, 745-1249.

ed in beer and wine inventory just sitting here that we couldn't sell."

Four to six weeks after The Bistro decided to close, the State allowed restaurants to open for in-house dining again, but only at 33% capacity. "For us, that's about 33 people.

We went from being able to seat over 100 down to 33 people." The Bistro was able to obtain a PPP loan, but even that created complications.

"With that loan, you are required to bring back employees and provide hours, but we still didn't have customers." Despite the uncertainty surrounding the State mandates on restaurants, a kitchen has to be stocked before reopening. That's thousands of dollars invested in foodstuffs that may have to be discarded again if the State were to decide to close restaurants the next week.

Upon reopening, the restaurant industry faced an entirely new environment. "For restaurants, everything had to be different. It wasn't like we could just open back up. We were here with measuring tapes making sure our seats were six feet apart; we had to buy sanitizing stations, we had to provide free masks out front, even our menus had to be different. We had to print paper menus at an additional cost of hundreds of dollars each month that get thrown away after being used."

To further compound the financial strain, along with significantly increased expenses due to the new operating en-

vironment and discarded food, year-over-year revenues are down approximately 40%. "Food costs went through the roof. Beef prices doubled and tripled. We couldn't pass that cost onto our customer because you can't make someone pay $15 for a hamburger in Clinton."

This bleak picture is shared by restaurants generally throughout Arkansas. These are the reasons why Clinton has fewer restaurants today than it did a year ago.

In comments to THV11, Steuart Walton, head of Arkansas' Economic Recovery Task Force, said the restaurant and hospitality industry had taken the State's biggest hit. "Restaurants, they're trailing last year's revenue at about 35 percent below where they were." While restaurants have seen an average 1/3 decrease in sales, sales tax revenues have significantly increased over the previous year in many cities, including Clinton, as reported elsewhere in The Voice.

Things are still not back to normal, but the team at L'Attitude Bistro is trying to stay optimistic, putting one foot ahead of the other, and hoping that the market will begin to stabilize soon. They appreciate every customer that walks in the door. Their story is not yet over, unlike many in the industry.

In such a volatile environment, however, otherwise minor setbacks can present exaggerated problems.

A smiling Audrey, intently listening to one of our conversations, chimes in, "make sure you tell everyone to eat at L'Attitude and that we have the best food in town!" "I'll try to work it in," I responded.

Patsy Ward Formosa

David and Pinyan Story returned home to Rocky Mount, Virginia, after spending ten days with his Mom, Delane Story. They had a good visit.

They went to Heber Springs one day and had lunch at Aggies Restaurant. DeLane said they had a good meal.

Donna and Richard Sherrod went to Searcy on Wednesday and visited with their granddaughter, Brandi Crossin, and her daugh-

Pricing Structure

Sales taxes on alcohol are passed to the consumer differently than many other taxed items through-

Page 3 ter, Charleigh. It was Charleigh's two-week birthday. Donna said they were taking pictures, but Charleigh wasn't having any part of it!

On Thursday, They went to Evening Shade to check on their house and found some broken water pipes. I know that wasn't any fun!

Donna, Ann, and I went to play Skip-Bo with Sammie this week.

We played a game of singles, which Sammie won! Then we played partners and Me, and Ann won that one!

We all had a good time and enjoyed the visit with Sammie.

Thelma Murray and I went to Conway on Friday and shopped and shopped. We got home at 7:00 pm, and we were definitely dragging!

All in all, it's been a pretty good week.

Condolences go out to all who have lost loved ones.

God bless and stay safe.

James & Joyce Burns Scotland

This has been a great week. James had a checkup on his foot, and the doctors are very pleased with the way his foot is healing. They said

out the hospitality industry. When you purchase a hamburger at a restaurant, you pay the advertised price, and the sales tax rate is charged on top of that item. This is even true for non-alcoholic drinks. But when it comes to alcoholic beverages, the taxes are built into the face price.

If beer is advertised for $3, that price includes all applicable taxes in many cases throughout the industry.

For a restaurant, alcohol sales taxes operate more like a cost of goods than a tax, which means they affect the sale's bottom line. Even though the consumer technically pays the tax, if the tax becomes excessive, it does not add to the drink's retail price.

It subtracts from the business's bottom line.

"We can barely sell alcohol as it is. At a 33% tax, we will not sell alcohol."

In addition to the pricing issue, the remittance of a tax directly to the City creates additional impediments for a business. All sales taxes currently collected for the City of Clinton can be remitted by businesses online each month through the Department of Finance and Administration website.

Local taxes are then distributed to the respective counties and municipalities by the State.

Under the proposed ordinance, instead of filing one form and paying one agency each month, impacted businesses will be required to file an additional form directly with the City of Clinton each month and remit payment directly to it. This increases paperwork and man-hours for both the businesses and the City.

Taking it to the Limit

"The sky's the limit."

"We don't know the limit." "I look at the numbers." "…Next year, I plan on saying we don't have any City property tax." While these were

he could begin to put a little pressure on his foot.

He has to go slow, and it will be a while before he can walk. He is so delighted as he has not put any weight on it since his surgery in November. God has truly blessed us.

We still have water problems at the Scotland School. We hope that that fixed soon.

Thanks to all that help us with our water problems, as well as the school.

It is nice to see the Community Center open for lunch again. They serve a $4.00 lunch at 11:45 Monday thru Thursday.

You can eat in or take it home. The menu is on the Scotland Community page each morning on Facebook.

It looks like gas is going up. It was $2.34 in Clinton, and when we went to the doctor, we needed gas before we got home. When I filled up at Walmart in Conway, it was $2.49. I was glad to see that it was still $2.34 when we got back to Clinton. Good things happen at home.

Have a great week, and stay safe. If you have Scotland news and want it in the paper, call 592-3935, and we will get it there for you.

the declarations from members of the Clinton City Council, not one of them had visited with the one existing possible source of revenue from the proposed tax at the time of our interview.

A brief look at the hard numbers presents a very different picture.

The State of Arkansas exacts two taxes on alcohol sales for on-premises consumption. One of these taxes is 10%, which is identical to the supplemental rate proposed by the City of Clinton. The amount remitted to the State, therefore, provides a convenient reference point. Over the past six months, The Bistro has remitted on average $170 per month to the State for its 10% alcohol tax. The maximum amount that they remitted over that period within a month was $210, and the minimum was $135. This time frame includes Labor Day Weekend and the Chuckwagon Race crowd that descends upon Clinton and the Bar OF Ranch annually, the busiest time of the year for the local hospitality industry.

City officials estimate revenue generated

by Clinton property taxes each year to be upwards of $170,000. By annualizing the available data, Clinton would need over 83 restaurants selling amounts of alcohol similar to L'Attitude Bistro to produce enough revenue from this tax to replace the revenue currently generated by property tax.

The monthly maintenance expenses alone on a public swimming pool would exponentially exceed $170, which doesn't even consider the construction costs.

The Clinton City Council is scheduled to give the ordinance its final reading prior to enactment at its regular meeting at 6:30 PM on Thursday, March 11, 2021.

Page 4

Obituaries

Clark Stevenson

Clark Stevenson, 78, of Guy, Arkansas, went to his heavenly home on March 4, 2021. He was born June 26, 1942, in Damascus, Arkansas, to the late Harvey Monroe and Bronnie (Trawick) Stevenson. He was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

Clark was a superintendent for Nabholz Construction for 37 years. He was admired for his integrity, strong work ethic and devotion to the company. Clark served on the Apprenticeship Equipment and Top Gun Committees.

He received several safety awards. When he retired, he left a legacy of hard work, faithfulness, and perseverance that enriched the lives of the men that worked under his supervision.

Clark was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard after serving 12 years as a cook. Clark was an avid sportsman; he loved playing softball, baseball, golf, scuba div-

ing, hunting, and fishing. His greatest passion was Quail hunting. Clark was a judge and a clown at rodeos.

He was an umpire of baseball games, including High School, Babe Ruth, and American Legion. He coached and played for "Guy Grocery" men's softball team for several years, with one outstanding year of 75 wins and 13 losses. He delighted in supporting hometown basketball games; Clark was an encourager.

Clark was not a frivolous man but lived simply. He was a proud and honest man who earned the respect of all who knew him. He always gave himself without expecting anything in return. He was always willing to help anyone and would give you the last dollar he had. He delighted in giving a kid five or ten dollars, saying every kid should have some pocket change.

Clark lived a life of hard work, honesty, and a strong love for his Lord, family, and friends. His handshake was his bond. He had a servant's heart and quiet spirit and stood for what was right and honest. He had a great love for gospel music, with bluegrass being his favorite.

Clark delighted that

The Voice of Van Buren County he still holds the title of the state record for catching the largest lake trout.

He spent the last several years braving Parkinson's Disease and other illnesses, but he never lost faith. He turned to the Lord in time of need and never complained. Clark was a beautiful spirit and loving soul. His greatest reward was making someone's day special, especially his loving wife, Linda. Never a day went by that he did not say "thank you" and "I Love You" for anything that was done for him. Clark was fortunate enough to have a long list of good and happy times in his life.

Still, his single most significant accomplishment was marrying his wife, Linda. She was the "Wind Beneath his Wings" who supported him in all his glory days and, more importantly, taking such loving care of him when his health was failing. Clark and Linda accepted his heath journey and wanted to bring honor and glory to God through it all.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving sister, Mardula Lee, and brother, Wayne Stevenson.

Left to cherish his memory is his "Wind Beneath his Wings" and best friend of 54 years, Linda Stevenson. His brothers, Tommy and David (Lisa) Steven-

son; a nephew, Bradley (Tara) Stevenson, who was like a son; and his pride and joy babies, Haze and Hannah, who he was devoted to; niece, Nan Bivens, who devoted her time and love to take him to all his doctor appointments; our adopted kids, Johnny (Kathy) Passmore who take care of us daily, and a host of other family and friends.

Donald Craig Watts

March 9, 2021 Craig was a wonderful man who friends and family will miss.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Melissa "Missy" Ring Watts of the home; his sons, Jesse Watts and wife Bailey of Leslie and Dalton Watts and wife Brittany of Marshall; one grandbaby, Huntley Watts and two more on the way; his parents, Donald and Lynn Watts of Marshall; one sister, Renea Sutterfield and husband Tony of Dennard; and many other extended family and friends who will also mourn his passing.

Graveside services for Craig were at 1:00 PM Friday, March 5, 2021, at Red Hill Cemetery near Marshall, Arkansas, with Brother Darin Holliman officiating. Brother Wesley Watts performed special music.

Bearers were Dalton Watts, Jesse Watts, Donald Watts, Jo Troy Lynch, Logan Sisk, and Kyle Yarbrough.

Donald Craig Watts, age 50, of Marshall, Arkansas, passed from this life on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Baptist Health in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born in Harrison, Arkansas, on July 10, 1970, to Donald Logan Watts and Patricia Lynn O'Neal Watts.

Craig loved deer hunting with his boys and his dad. He also enjoyed rabbit hunting and just being outdoors. Craig's favorite hobby was to aggravate if he could, and the opportunity was there. He Lee Roy Gates Lee Roy Gates, 65, loved his family dearly, and spending time of Plant, passed away with his granddaughter on Thursday, March 3, brought him much joy. 2021. On August 25,

Lease care business, botfrom page 1 tom line." Clark continued, "I am not only mented that due to the talking about daycare. fact that the organiza- I am referring to any tion is primarily funded other entity that takes by government grants, our tax dollars without it qualifies as a "qua- properly being adminsi-governmental" or- istered throughout the ganization. county. I believe there Gaya Franks of should be a workable Main Street Kidz pre- solution on the part of sented information to the county to dissolve the committee con- our connection with cerning the organiza- the 501(c)(3)." Chairtion's history and the man Holt questioned, impact it has had in "With any 501(c)(3)?" the community to help Clark replied, "Yes, parents who struggle with any 501(c)(3)." financially with child Following discuscare. sion, the committee No one in the room asked Franks if she questioned the facili- would be open to a "trity's benefits, but some ple net" lease agreedid not believe taxpay- ment at a rate of $300 er dollars should sus- per month, which she tain it. affirmed. The commitRoy Dale Clark re- tee recommended enquested an audience tering into a new lease with the committee. agreement with Main Mr. Clark stated that Street Kidz. Under he had been involved the new contract, the with 501(c)(3) charities Non-Profit would pay for over forty years; the county $300 per he does not believe month and assume taxpayers should be all maintenance costs Dorothy Lee will be celebrating 102 years on Monday March 8, 2021. funding them. and charges associat- Janet Stephan will be celebrating 104 years on Wednesday March 10, 2021. Happy Birthday Ladies!

Clark said, "I do ed with the building. not know where you The recommendacould rent a building tion will advance to for a dollar or two a the Van Buren County If you would like to share a year anywhere. I be- Quorum Court for disspecial birthday with Voice readers, lieve the county should cussion and a vote. email voiceeditor@artelco.com be out of the day-

News from Ozark Health Nursing Center

The staff of The Voice of Van Buren County extends sincere condolences to all who have lost loved ones.

If you wish to express your appreciation to friends, neighbors, family, church and community members with a Thank You on the obit page, call (501) 745-8040 or email voiceads@artelco.com

1955, Lee was born to Hollis M. "Junior" and Geneva Keeling Gates of Plant, Arkansas.

Lee was born in the Plant Community and made the community his home for his entire life.

He was married to his wife Teresa Cox Gates on December 18, 1984.

Lee was a graduate of Clinton High School and Petit Jean Vo-tech.

He worked as a forest ranger for the Arkansas Forestry Commission for most of his career and retired from the Arkansas Highway Department as a surveyor.

Lee spent his life caring for his family and farm and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a KCBS Master Certified Barbeque Judge and a member of the Kimberling City Elks Lodge.

His mother, Geneva, survives him; his wife, Teresa; and three children, Jason Gates, April Gates, and Abby Gates. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Jordyn Bates and Rylan Gates.

Lee was greeted in heaven by his father, an infant brother, and a grandson.

Graveside services were at 3:00 pm, Thursday, March 4, 2021, at the Plant Cemetery with Lannie Younger officiating.

Pallbearers are Bob Hensley, Johnny French, Tom Prout, Dan Prout, and Jonathan Rodgers.

Senior Menus March 9 - 15 Tuesday: Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans, Wheat Bread, Fresh Fruit, Milk We d n e s d a y : Chicken Parmigiana, Spinach, Corn, Breadsticks, Peaches, Milk Thursday: Fried Fish, Baby Bakers, Pinto beans, Hush puppies, Banana Pudding, Milk Friday: Baked Chicken Strips, Cauliflower and Cheese Sauce, Peas and Carrots, Cookie, Milk Monday: Lemon Pepper Chicken, Baked Corn Casserole, Zucchini and Tomatoes, Chocolate Pie, Milk

March 9, 2021

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 5

Katelynn Thatcher and Abigail Parks knocked it out of the park in a Softball game, with the Lady Jackets besting Shirley 10-0.

Alex Prosser, David Saavedra, and Titus Johnson will be advancing to the All-State

Photos by Clinton Schools

School News

Amelia Swartz received a positive office referral for going above and beyond the academic expectations! She extended her learning in science by creating her own STEM project at home related to her school learning and even wrote about it.

Elizabeth Lipscomb, pictured with Tracy Hastings, received a positive office referral at CES for doing a great job completing her work the last two weeks.

Sudoku Solution

CHS EAST students Alex Prosser, David Saavedra, and Titus Johnson will be advancing to the All-State Coding Competition.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Education are pleased to announce the 17 teams advancing to the Fifth Annual All-State Coding Competition on May 1, 2021.

“COVID changed almost everything, including this year’s regional coding compeBrayden Roberson, pictured with Tracy tition, which was held Hastings, received a positive office referral virtually for the first for turning in ALL of his work the first day time,” Hutchinson said. back after our virtual snow days.

“Regardless, competing for off-site did not dampen the enthusiasm of the more than 100 teams that participated. All of these students are on a path to a bright future because of the work they have put into learning to code. Congratulations to the 17 teams that are advancing to the state competition in May.” Alex Prosser, David Saavedra, and Titus Johnson from Clinton High School in Clinton The All-Region Coding Competition was a digital event that was held on February 26, 2021. More than 100 teams participated in the event Mishel Cifuentes, pictured with Tracy Hastings, and were scored by the received a positive office referral at Clinton ADE Office of ComputElementary for being helpful to car riders. er Science team using a common rubric and

School Menus March 8–12 Clinton Pre K/ Elementary

Crossword Solution

Monday Breakfast: Cereal Bar, Fruit, Juice, Milk, Lunch: Cheeseburger, French Fries, Lettuce/Tomato, Fruit, Milk Tuesday Breakfast: Pizza Boat, Fruit, Juice, Milk, Lunch: Chicken

Fajita, Lettuce/Tomato, Cheese/Salsa, Pinto Beans, Fruit, Muffin, Milk Wednesday Breakfast: Mini Pancakes, Fruit, Juice/Milk, Lunch: Chicken Patty, Creamed Potatoes/Gravy, Green Beans, Wheat Rolls, Fruit, Milk Thursday Breakfast: Muffin, Fruit, Milk, Lunch: Nacho Salad, Refried Beans, Lettuce/ Tomatoes/Salsa, Muffin, Fruit Cup/Fruit, Milk Friday Breakfast: Gogurt, Graham Cracker, Fruit, Juice, Milk, Lunch: Turkey/Cheese, Hoagie Bun, Baked

process. That process determined the top 16 teams to invite to the state-level event. The school that produced the first-place team at the state competition in 2020, the Don Tyson School of Innovation in Springdale, received an automatic invitation to send a team to the state competition.

Each member of the first-place team at the state competition will receive a $2,000 award that will be deposited into a 529 College Savings Plan.

Each member of the second-place team will receive a $1,000 award deposited into a 529 College Savings Plan.

Each member of the third-place team gets a $500 award deposited into a 529 College Savings Plan. The schools that register/sponsor the teams placing first, second and third will receive $10,000, $6,000, and $4,000, respectively, to support their computer science programs. A grant provides the prizes and competition expenses from Verizon to ARCodeKids.

Schools with teams advancing to the state competition will receive an official invitation with details by March 30, 2021.

Submit your school news to voiceeditor@ artelco.com

Chips, Carrot Stix, Let- Milk Wednesday Breaktuce/Tomato, Fruit, Milk fast: Mini Pancakes, Clinton High/Jr. High Fruit, Juice/Milk, Lunch: National School Chicken Patty, Creamed Breakfast Week Potatoes/Gravy, Green Monday Breakfast: Beans, Wheat Rolls, Frudel Strudel, Fruit, Fruit, Milk Juice/Milk, Lunch: TurThursday Breakkey On Hoagie Bun, fast: Muffin, Fruit, Milk, Mustard/Mayonnaise, Lunch: Nacho Salad, Lettuce/Tomatoes, Ca- Refried Beans, Lettuce/ nadian Cheese Soup, Tomatoes/Salsa, Muffin, Chips, Fruit Cup/Fruit, Fruit Cup/Fruit, Milk Milk Friday Breakfast: Tuesday Break- Pop Tart, Fruit, Juice/ fast: Donut, Fruit, Juice/ Milk, Lunch: Hamburger Milk, Lunch: Catfish Fi- On Bun, Mustard/Maylets, Biscuit/Tater Sauce, onnaise, Lettuce/TomaCreamy Coleslaw, Ov- toes, Pickles/Onions, en Fries/Ketchup, Fruit, Tots/Ketchup, Fruit, Milk

Get the scoop on courts and crime in the county.

Subscribe to The Voice. $35/year in county; $45/year outside of county.

745-8040

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 6

March 9, 2021

Remembering Ralph Newland Ralph Newland was born April 18, 1919, and lived most of his life on the farm his grandmother homesteaded at Dennard, Arkansas.

In his 70's he began a culvert business, Little "R" Tile, and enjoyed making deliveries all over the county. He enjoyed working with cattle, horse racing, boxing, rodeos, and fishing.

Ralph was best known as one of our community's leading

Aerial view of Ralph Newland's farm at Dennard in 1990.

auctioneers, and he sold everything from large farm and estate auctions to chickens and odds and ends at noon time at the feed store.

Ralph never met a stranger and always had a story or joke to tell. Most of all, he enjoyed making a "trade" or a deal.

He left us on December 24, 2010, and is missed by anyone who ever spent a moment visiting with him.

The iconic Smith Citgo in Leslie P hotos by Jeff Stansbery

Wade's is the newest edition to the intersection of 65 and 66.

All in the Family: Smith's Citgo

By Jeff Stansbery ties. Gates was a ma- grew up, just as he did,

Generational family businesses are becoming a thing of the past, but that doesn't mean there aren't any around our area. Three generations have operated Smith's Citgo in Leslie, spanning sixty-five years.

Jesse Smith began Cities Service Station as a full-service garage with attendants who provided personal attention to their customers. As they pumped the gas, they washed the windows and checked the oil and radiator. They filled the tires with air and checked the tread for excessive wear. These services were always free.

Wesley's interest in his Dad's business began when he was about three years old. He was underfoot most of the time as he ran around the station to watch the men work. As he grew up, his Dad taught him the ropes, and Wesley learned a great deal by eleven years old. By age twelve, he would run from school to the station at lunchtime, drive the family car into town to get his Dad's lunch, and bring it to him before running back to school.

Wesley's father replaced many fan belts in vehicles in the six-

jor supplier and guaranteed their products.

They would compensate the customer approximately five dollars if one of their fan belts proved defective. One day a lady pulled into the station, and Wesley inspected her car. He informed her she had a defective belt and it needed to be replaced.

Coincidently, she was a representative of the Gates company and rewarded him with five silver dollars!

There was a time when choosing your filling station was decided by a fraction of a cent.

Why select a station that sells gas at 27.9 cents when the man across the street can price it at 27.8? The difference could cause one station to prosper as the other struggled. One day a competitor moved in across the street and started a gas war. Wesley's distributors gave him a discounted rate that ended the competition in two days to stay in business.

One of the gas tanker delivery drivers was Winston Tucker. Winston was Anita Tucker's father, the late editor, and general manager of the Voice of Van Buren County. Wesley recalled the two enjoyed many visits together.

Wesley's son Wade

underfoot at the gas station. Wade eventually worked as a stock boy at their other store in Oxley before leaving for college. After one semester, although he excelled, he decided he preferred to work alongside his father. He took over the operation in 1990 when he and his wife Debbie married.

In the 1930s, it was said the notorious gangster; Pretty Boy Floyd was on the loose. The story goes, Floyd was just down the road, around the bend from the current location of Smith Citgo.

The local boys set up a trap to bushwack the gangster; when they received a tip, he might be coming their way.

Generations of families have traded with the Smith family at the little hometown station on the corner.

Recently, Wade and his uncle Jerry Passmore built a convenience store across the road from the historic service station on U.S. Highway 65 and state highway 66. The family now has two businesses on the corner.

The customers have helped; the modern facility to be very successful. And we wish the Smith family the best for their businesses for another 65 years.

"March 1, 2021, marked the Citgo service station in Leslie being in the same family for SIXTY-FIVE years. Jesse, Wesley, and Wade. That little corner of the world has made a living for a large family. We appreciate your business for all these years. We have several original customers still buying gas and many original customers' kids and grandkids who trade with us."

Wesley and Wade

Where to find the Voice Austin

of Van Buren County

• The Austin Store (Inside sales)

(501) 745-8040

Bee Branch • Snappy's (Outside Rack sales)

Choctaw • Alon Gas Station (outside rack sales) • PEH Supply (inside sales)

Clinton • • • • • • • • • •

Courthouse Annex (outside sales) Goode's CashSaver (outside rack sales) Doublebee's Exxon (outside rack sales) Flash Market-Citgo (inside sales) Huddle House: (outside rack sales L'Attitude Bistro: (inside sales) McDonald's (outside rack sales) Doctor's Building (outside rack sales) The Voice of Van Buren County (inside sales, outside rack sales) Western Sizzlin (inside sales)

Damascus • Goode's CashSaver (outside rack sales)

Fairfield Bay • Craven's - Dollar General Shopping Mall (outside rack sales) • Jack's (inside sales)

Leslie • Misty's Conoco & Convenience (outside rack sales) • Smith's Citgo (inside sales)

Scotland • Lowder General Store (inside sales)

Shirley • First Service Bank (outside rack sales) • Reaves Food Store, Hwy 330 S (outside rack sales)

www.voiceofvbc.com

The Voice of Van Buren County

March 9, 2021

March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April Milsap March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April Williams March 9 . . . . . . . . Arline L. Freeman Bonds March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley Thomas March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edith McKnight March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Issac Zeke Keeling March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joyce Kleedorfer March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth Brown March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenny Lemings March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Harris March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Acton March 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sally Loven March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arlene Banfield March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cecil Bramlett March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles Wilson March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cindy Brundin March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clayton Miley March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gayle Garrett March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gayle Garrett March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janet Stephan March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Hutchcraft March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judy Wood March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Betz March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pam Ringgold March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Russ Phillips March 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tyler Kirkendoll March 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anita James March 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bonnie Chadwick March 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Linville

Make us your Birthday Headquarters!

Main Street Florist & Gifts Happy Birthday Wishes Tammie Williams, owner 374 Main Street Clinton, AR • (501)745-3569 We deliver same day.

Teleflora & FTD Wire Services Available

www.mainstreetfloristclinton.com

March 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danna Lawrence March 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Ben Wilson March 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Travas Rushing March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April Martin March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Becky Bradley March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Belinda Johnson March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Davis March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Maxwell March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clay Grant March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Darrell Clifton March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debbie French March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gene Miller March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Margirita Dory March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nara Linn March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Osceola Gatliff March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Henson March 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sam Boswell March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Rolen March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alice Lovell March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Huie March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Singleton March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Partee Stevens March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cletis Witt March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crystal Hillenburg March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Knight March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabie Jones March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joel Ford March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joyce Parish March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . Lora Lasater Hinchey

Page 7

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marian Coppee March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Ring March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Presley Roberts March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skylar Applewhite March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tiffany Myrick March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Nickloas March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alma Sue Brown March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annette Warrwick March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cathy Brannon March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Mauldin March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwyndola Gray March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Carlton March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jo Ann Isom March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Feuer March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron D. Sikes March 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winston Dodd March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Lasater March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glenn Roddell March 15 . . . . . . . . Lance Reagan Freeman March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martha Goldman March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary McCool March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Sluder March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Holley March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Molly Herndon March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheila Brown March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sonja Walden March 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Twila Guerrieri

We will have a Monthly Drawing from the Birthday names for a gift from one of the Birthday Page Sponsors!

Simply stop by our office and add your family and friends to our birthday list or email names and dates to us at thevoice@artelco.com or call us (501) 745-8040.

Sign up once and you are done.

Happy Birthday Wishes

Clinton - 179 Elm Street - 501-745-2441 Fairfield Bay - 121 Lost Creek Pkwy - 501-884-3384 www.regions.com Member FDIC

from

Susie Allen’s Salon Please call for appointments

501-745-4247 for you and your family.

P.E.H. Supply Inc. Plumbing, Electrical, Hardware, Industrial.

Happy Birthday Wishes to You! Cletes "Bill" Blantz, owner MMC (SW) U.S. Navy (Ret.) 4319 Highway 65 South Clinton, Arkansas 72031 Phone: 501-745-6222 Fax: 501-745-2102

Happyhday birthes! wis RadioShack®

Northside Shopping Center 117 Bone St

501-745-4988

The Voice of Van Buren County

Fun & Games

1 Man who built the arc 2 S.A. Indian 3 Stare 4 Drink made by fermenting malt 5 humorous poem that has five lines 6 Persia 7 Entice 8 Small island 9 Female spirit in Irish folklore 10 Some 11 Go at it alone 12 Movie star 13 Allow to borrow 21 Quill 23 Revolutions per minute 26 Advertisements 28 Dreary 29 Infant illness 30 Got up 31 Move the body in a rhythmic sequence 32 Organic compound 33 Color of emeralds 34 Doorway 35 Mischievous humanlike creature 37 Directory (abbr.)

39 Francisco 41 Extremely sharp 43 Baby plant 46 Dabbed 48 Pressure unit 51 Sight organ 53 Possessive pronoun 56 Take off the surface 57 Sheet of glass 58 Adjoin 60 Blow gently 61 Capital of Western Samoa 62 Cast metal 64 Stumble 65 European monetary unit 66 Compass point 68 Lode yield 70 Repose

March 9, 2021

Puzzle solutions on page #

Sudoku Sudoku: The objective is to fill a 9x9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes (also called blocks

or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9.

A cell is the smallest block in the game. A row, column and region consists of 9 cells and the whole game consists of 81 cells.

Where in the county is this?

Music Trivia Who Sang It? In 1976 they said Don't fear the Reaper.

In 1986 they Just Died in Your Arms Tonight.

In 2003 he noted Keep Me in Your Heart for a while.

In 2009 they asked, Why? In 2010 she proclaimed Heaven Was needing a Hero.

Answers

Blue Oyster Cult

1 Zilch 4 Defense 9 Italian herb 14 Single 15 Italian "dollars" 16 Negative battery terminal 17 Genius 18 Electronic mail 19 Man-made fiber 20 Triangular musical instruments with 46 strings 22 Goes in a door 24 Stale 25 Serving of corn 27 Doctoral degree 29 Honest 32 Come out 35 Make a mistake 36 Abundance 38 Merits 40 Gawk 42 Makes a sweater 44 Second letter of the greek alphabet 45 Melts together 47 Crawl 49 Gray sea eagle 50 Small person 52 Sticky 54 No 55 Telegraphic signal 56 Resort hotel 59 Lament 63 Thick soup 67 Stick food 69 Month 71 Regret 72 Habituate 73 Female given name 74 Internal Revenue Service 75 Allotted 76 Tart 77 Deep round container

Cutting Crew

DOWN

Solve the Word Find or Where In the County Is This? for your chance to win a one-year subscription to The Voice.

Puzzle entries may not be a photocopy; originals from newspaper only. A drawing from correct entries will be held each month and the winning name will receive a one-year subscription to The Voice. There will be one winner each month.

To enter, mail your puzzles to The Voice/P.O. Box 1396/Clinton AR 72031 or drop them by our downtown office, 328 Main St., Clinton. You can also call 745-8040 to tell us where the week's picture was taken.

Deadline to enter is March 1, 2021 at 2 p.m. The drawing will be at 4 p.m.

Warren Zevon

Across

Rules

Rascal Flats

Weekly Crossword

Jo Dee Messina

Page 8

Where in Van Buren County can you see this? Tell us for a chance to win a one-year subscription to The Voice. Rules on this page. ( Last week’s “Where in the County...” was Lefler Estates, 813 Hwy. 65 S., Clinton. )

Dollar Challenge

dollar, the glass will move, and if they pull

by John Allbright hard, the glass will tip over.

A good trick for all Solution: age groups 1.

If you are Place a dollar bill on a table with half of the right-handed, hold the bill on the table and the end of the dollar tight other half hanging off. between your left thumb Place a glass of water and forefinger.

2. Raise your right on the part of the bill on hand about 8 or 10 inchthe table.

Challenge a friend to es over the dollar.

3. Extend your right remove the dollar without touching the glass or forefinger and bring it causing it to move and down fast on top of the without spilling the wa- dollar. The dollar will slip out from under the glass. ter.

The glass won't It can't be done unless your friend knows move, and the water how. If they pull on the won't spill.

The Voice of Van Buren County

March 9, 2021

Page 9

CHURCH PAGE

Photo by EuGene Smith

Thanks to those of you who called and correctly identified last week's featured church as Pleasant Valley General Baptist #1, If you can identify this week's Church call 745-8040. (Remember to give me a contact for the history of your Church. We want to print the history of every Church in Van Buren County. With your help, we will!)

Antioch General Baptist Church 1608 Highway 9, Fox (870)363-4509 Archey Valley Community Church Highway 254, Chimes Bee Branch Baptist 11509 Hwy 65 South, Bee Branch 654-2630 Bethel Community Church 17904 Highway 95 W, Cleveland Botkinburg Baptist Church 9297 Highway 65 N, Botkinburg 757-2069 Botkinburg Community Foursquare Church 7054 Highway 65 N, Botkinburg 745-2311 Burnt Ridge Community Church 5846 Burnt Ridge Road, Clinton 745-6737 Calvary Missionary Baptist Church ABA 144 Nickie Ave., Clinton 745-3245 Choctaw Baptist Church 208 Highway 330 E, Clinton 745-7370 Choctaw Christian Center 4157 Highway 65 S, Choctaw 745-8264 Choctaw Church of Christ 233 Highway 330 E, Choctaw 745-8264 Christian Fellowship Church 674 Highway 658, Clinton Church of Christ 20452 Highway 16 W, Alread 745-5498 Church of the Nazarene 1664 Highway 65 S, Clinton Clinton Church of Christ 184 Third Street, Clinton 745-4252 Clinton Seventh-day Adventist Church 125 Skyhill Drive, Clinton 745-4532 Clinton United Methodist Church 636 Joe Bowling Road, Clinton 745-5181 Colony Church of Christ Hwy 92 E, Bee Branch Corinth Baptist Church 5158 Holley Mountain Road, Clinton Cornerstone Evangelical Church 3351 Highway 330 S, Fairfield Bay 884-6657 Crabtree Foursquare Church 11301 Highway 16 W, Crabtree 745-2894 Culpepper Community Church 6055 Highway 336 W, Culpepper Culpepper Mountain Church of Christ 118 South Essie Road, Culpepper Damascus United Methodist Church 17194 Highway 65 S, Damascus Eagle Heights Baptist Church Independent Fundamental VBC Fairgrounds, Clinton 757-0013

Eglantine Church of Christ 3796 Highway 330 S, Shirley 884-6880 Fairbanks Community Church 4753 Arkansas 356 E, Bee Branch Fairfield Bay Baptist Church 481 Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay 884-3371 Fairfield Bay United Methodist Church 765 Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay 884-3373 Faith Christian 10839 Edgemont Road, Edgemont 723-8109 Faith Church Highway 65 N & Harper Mountain Lane, Dennard, AR 72629 Faith Lutheran Church 310 Snead Drive, Fairfield Bay 884-3375 First Assembly of God Church 2466 Highway 65 N, Clinton 745-2285 First Baptist Church of Clinton 211 First Baptist Road, Clinton 745-6113 First Baptist Church of Damascus 43 Oak Tree Road, Damascus 335-7440 First Baptist Church of Sugarloaf 557 Arkansas 337, Higden 654-2354 First General Baptist Church 664 Highway 16 E, Clinton 745-4043 First Pentecostal Church of Clinton Highway 65 S at 1128 Lyn Road, Choctaw Formosa Baptist Church 630 Highway 9 W, Clinton 745-7709 Formosa Church of Christ 6603 Highway 9 West Clinton AR. 745-4446 Friendship Baptist Church 1321 Third St., Clinton 745-7177 Full Gospel Tabernacle 128 Catland Lane, Shirley 723-4500 Grace Church 3793 Highway 65 S, Clinton 472-7462 Half Moon Baptist Church 1031 Half Moon Road, Clinton 745-2273 Harmony Mountain Church of Christ Quattlebaum and Harmony Mtn Roads 745-2059 Hope Community Church 905 Damascus Road, Quitman Immanuel Baptist Church 498 Highway 16 E, Clinton 745-8528 Kaley Hill Missionary Baptist 6505 Highway 356, Bee Branch Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses 3624 Highway 65 S, Clinton 745-8781

Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church 250 Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay 884-3304 Lexington Baptist Church 9525 Highway 110, Clinton 723-4787 Liberty Missionary Baptist Church 2712 Highway 254 W, Chimes Community Low Gap Community Chapel 4320 Low Gap Road, Alread Lute Mountain Community Church Lute Mountain Road, off Highway 16, Shirley 723-8299 Main Line Full Gospel 114 Mariposa Loop, Bee Branch 253-1005 Maranatha Assembly of God 11929 Highway 16 E, Shirley 723-8181 Mount Zion Church of Christ 1202 Highway 16 W, Clinton 745-2572 Mount Zion General Baptist 2333 Mount Zion Road, Bee Branch 362-3807 New Beginning Church 12200 Highway 254 E, Dennard New Hope Baptist Church 4198 Highway 65 N, Clinton 757-2332 New Liberty Church of Christ 4815 Highway 95, Cleveland 669-2575 New Life Apostolic Church of Clinton 198 Richard Road, Clinton 745-6411 Peace Lutheran Church of Edgemont 10849 Edgemont Road, Edgemont 723-4726 Pee Dee Baptist Church 2744 Highway 16 E, Clinton 745-4115 Pine Grove General Baptist Church 102 Silvertree Road, Shirley Pine Mountain General Baptist Church Gravesville Cutoff Road, South of Bee Branch Plant Baptist Church 4897 Highway 110, Clinton 745-6887 Pleasant Grove Friendship Church 22210 Highway 16 W, Alread 745-8450 Pleasant Valley Baptist Church 5092 Banner Mtn Road, Shirley 723-4737 Pleasant Valley General Baptist No. 1 5153 Highway 92 W, Bee Branch Point Remove Baptist Church 10954 Highway 336 W, Formosa Rabbit Ridge Church of Christ 215 Rabbit Ridge Road, Bee Branch 745-4634

Red River of Life Church of God 10839 Edgemont Road, Edgemont 723-8109 Rupert Baptist Church 21434 Highway 16 W, Clinton 745-8593 Salem Primitive Baptist Church Gravesville Cutoff Road, Bee Branch Sand Springs Missionary Baptist Church Highway 124 E, Damascus 335-8003 Sardis Freewill Baptist 4141 Highway 124, Gravesville 335-8027 Scotland Baptist Church 278 Postal Lane, Scotland 592-3787 Scotland Church of Christ 297 Scotland-Formosa Road, Scotland Scotland Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church 1476 Scotland-Formosa Road, Scotland 592-3311 Settlement Baptist Church 10277 Highway 16 E, Shirley 501-215-1595 Shady Grove Baptist Church 5448 Shady Grove Road, Shirley 723-4273 Shady Grove Chapel 4790 Highway 254 E, Dennard Shirley Church of Christ 10509 Highway 16 E, Shirley 723-8101 Shirley Community Church/First United Methodist 784 Matthew Clark Memorial Drive, Shirley 723-4387 South Side Baptist Highway 65 N, Damascus 335-7423 St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 250 Woodlawn Drive, Fairfield Bay 884-3349 St. Jude Catholic Church 3178 Hwy 65 S, Clinton 745-5716 Tabernacle of Praise 159 Boston Fern Road, Shirley 723-8280 The Gathering Ministry Outreach 80746 Highway 16 W, Rupert 745-3883 The Zoo Church 12174 Highway 65 N, Dennard 514-8535 The Power House (non-denominational) 159 Mt. Zion Road, Bee Branch, AR 253-2385 Trace Ridge Bible Church Highway 254 W at Morris Road, Chimes Walnut Grove Church 6940 Highway 95 W, Clinton 745-3445 Zion Hill Missionary Baptist ABA 29129 Highway 16 W, Jerusalem 745-4467

Last Week's Featured Church

Pleasant Valley General Baptist #1, 5153 Hwy 92 West Bee Branch, AR 72013 (5 miles west of Bee Branch)

Pawn • Shooting Sports

VAN BUREN COUNTY PROUD 794 Highway 65B Clinton, Arkansas

Tournament Fishing Tackle

(501) 745-2581

OPEN TIL 6:00pm MON-SAT (501) 745-6991

1863 Hwy 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031

195 Highway 16 E, Clinton, AR 72031 www.garypack.com GaryPackLumber

Deb's Fashions

Fashions

OPEN M-F 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

SAT 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

debsfashionsonline.com

501.745.3901

314 Ingram St behind EXXON off Hwy 65 in Clinton

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 10

March 9, 2021

Classifieds • Legal RESEARCH

EMPLOYMENT

REAL ESTATE

LEGAL

LEGAL

NOTICE OF FILING APPLICATION FOR RETAIL BEER OFF PREMISES, GROCERY STORE WINE & SMALL FARM WINE -RETAIL PERMITS

CITY OF CLINTON Financial Statement January 1, 2020 December 31, 2020

REAL ESTATE

Reflect A Moment He said, “Let your light shine... in the sight of men....”

For Sale

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has filed applications with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State of Arkansas for permits to sell wines produced at Small Farm Wineries, Grocery store wine and beer at retail to be carried out and not consumed on the premises described as: 2051 Hwy 65S Street Address

MISC. FOR SALE

For Sale:

For Rent

37acres +/-.

Wooded, on county road, has power available. Nice views and wildlife.

2 BR, 1Bath Apt near School and Down Town ***************** Trash removal and Water Furnished

Chimes community, Searcy County.

Call: 745-8644 or 253-0664

$74,000 501-745-8484

Clinton City/Town Van Buren County Said application was filed on January 4, 2021. The undersigned states that he/she is a resident of Arkansas, of good moral character that he/she has never been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; that no license to sell alcoholic beverages by the undersigned has been revoked within five (5) years last past; and that the undersigned has never been convicted of violating the laws of this State, or any other State, relative to the sale of controlled beverages.

Whitney Boudreaux Name of Applicant Casey's Name of business Sworn before me this 22nd day of February 2021

FOR RENT Apartments and mobile homes in Bee Branch area. $450-$650/month.

Deposit required.

/s/ Lori Jones Lori Jones Notary Public My Commission Expires 08/28/2024 Commission # 12401058

Call for availability (501) 581-8640

**********

Shop Booth 94 at Howard's Antiques for crocheted items, knickknacks, dishes and jewelry.

Big yard Good for single or couple **********

DUPLEXES FOR RENT Nice 1000 sqft 2-bedroom Duplexes with appliances. No Pets. No Smoking. $600-$650/month plus deposit.

Call: 501-745-5858 or 501-412-7682

LEGAL EMPLOYMENT

NOTICE OF FILING APPLICATIONS FOR RETAIL LIQUOR AND OFF PREMISES PERMITS

is looking to hire a full time small engine mechanic.

Applicants must have their own tools.

Reliability, cleanliness and the ability to meet deadlines are necessary for this position.

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has filed applications with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State of Arkansas for permits to sell spirituous, vinous, and malt liquor, and beer at retail to be carried out and not consumed on the licensed premises described as:

************ Applications may be picked up at 160 Park Street, Clinton AR 72031

4511 Highway 65 South Street Address Clinton, AR City/Town Van Buren County

FOR SALE OR LEASE 20x40 Office with 8x40 Covered Porch and 3 Green Houses on 1 acre on Highway 65 South, Clinton, AR

Call 501-940-5448

Said application was filed on March 1, 2021. The undersigned states that he/she is a resident of Arkansas, of good moral character that he/she has never been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; that no license to sell alcoholic beverages by the undersigned has been revoked within five (5) years last past; and that the undersigned has never been convicted of violating the laws of this State, or any other State, relative to the sale of controlled beverages.

Darrin L. Webb Name of Applicant Clinton Beverage Supply L.LC. Name of business Sworn before me this 2nd day of March, 2021

For Rent

Balance Water and Sewer Fund December 31, 2020: $ 2,465,051 INDEBTEDNESS Type of Debt Amount Date Last Payment Due Short Term Financing Obligations $ 197,713 15, April, 2037 Water Revenue Bond $ 3,507,302 Total: $ 3,705,014 Date Free of Debt 15, April, 2037 All Financial Records of the Water and Sewer Department of the City of Clinton are public records and are open for public inspection during regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Water Department in Clinton, AR. If the record is in active use or in storage and, therefore, not available at the time a citizen asks to examine it, the custodian shall certify this fact in writing to the applicant and set a date and hour within three (3) days at which time the record will be available for inspection and copying. /s/ Jackie William Hinchey Jr. Jackie William Hinchey Jr., Manager

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION

$24,000 negotiable call (501) 757-1617

FL Davis Cash Lumber

Expenditures Personal Services: $ 822,874 Supplies: $ 167,207 Other Services & Charges: $ 934,156 Capital Outlay: $ 1,221,420 Debt Service: $ (497,944) Total Expenditures: $ 2,647,713

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION BEN C. MATTOCKS PETITIONER VS. NO. 71CV-20-134 CHEE-CHIEH T. JAN, and any unknown spouse or heirs; JOSE S. PEREZ and GLADYS A. PEREZ, husband and wife, AND The following lands in Van Buren County, Arkansas: LOT 110 BLOCK 19 LAKEWOOD ADDITION, FAIRFIELD BAY, AR RESPONDENTS NOTICE OF QUIET TITLE ACTION As required by A.C.A. § 26-38-203, et seq., notice is hereby given that a Petition has been filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Van Buren, Arkansas, to quiet and confirm title in the surface rights of the following described property in Van Buren County, Arkansas which was sold under the authority of Act 626 of 1983, as amended, at a public sale of tax delinquent lands after the property remained unredeemed following the expiration of the time required by law, and by Limited Warranty Deed from the Commissioner of State Lands of the State of Arkansas to Ben C. Mattocks to: LOT 110, BLOCK 19, SECTION 9-T11N-12W, LAKEWOOD ADDITION. All persons, firms, corporations, or improvement districts that can set up any right to the property so conveyed and forfeited must appear and show cause why the title to the surface of the real property should not be confirmed, quieted, and vested in the Petitioner in fee simple on or before 30 days from the first publication of this notice and assert his/her title or interest in said property and to demonstrate why title to this property should not be quieted and confirmed in Petitioner.

If no one has so appeared within the time allowed by law, then the Petition shall be taken as confessed and the Court shall render a final decree confirming said sale.

WITNESS my hand and seal of the Court this 7th day of December, 2020.

First Published: 01-05-2021 /s/ Debbie Gray DEBBIE GRAY VAN BUREN COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK

Small 2BR, 1BA in Leslie.

Corner of 5th and Elm close to school close to Buffalo River

WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENTS Balance January 1, 2020: $ 1,852,021 Cash Receipts Water Payments: $ 2,475,514 Sewer Payments: $ 450,821 Other: $ 334,408 Bond Proceeds: $ Total Receipts: $ 3,260,743 Total Funds Available: $ 5,112,764

LEGAL

/s/ Shawna Weiss Shawna Weiss Notary Public Commision # 12710277 Expires: March 6, 2030

/s/ Olivia Gilmore

BY Olivia Gilmore D.C.

VENABLE PROPERTIES, LLC PETITIONER VS. NO. 71CV-20-136 CARL D. BUSBY and ELGIE BUSBY, husband and RESPONDENTS Wife; JIMMY MCENTIRE and NELLIE MCENTIRE, husband and wife; and MANUELL RODRIGUEZ LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY and any other interested parties, unknown spouses, heirs, successors, or assigns of the named parties herein;

NOTICE OF FILING APPLICATIONS FOR RETAIL LIQUOR AND OFF PREMISES PERMITS

AND

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has filed applications with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State of Arkansas for permits to sell spirituous, vinous, and malt liquor, and beer at retail to be carried out and not consumed on the licensed premises described as:

The following lands in Van Buren County, Arkansas:

101 Hwy 9 West Street Address

LOT 12; LEWIS SUGARLOAF; FAIRFIELD BAY, ARKANSAS

Shirley City/Town

NOTICE OF QUIET TITLE ACTION

Van Buren County

As required by A.C.A. § 26-38-203, et seq., notice is hereby given that a Petition has been filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Van Buren, Arkansas, to quiet and confirm title in the surface rights of the following described property in Van Buren County, Arkansas which was sold under the authority of Act 626 of 1983, as amended, at a public sale of tax delinquent lands after the property remained unredeemed following the expiration of the time required by law, and by Limited Warranty Deed from the Commissioner of State Lands of the State of Arkansas to Venable Properties, LLC to: LOT 12; LEWIS SUGARLOAF; FAIRFIELD BAY, ARKANSAS. All persons, firms, corporations, or improvement districts that can set up any right to the property so conveyed and forfeited must appear and show cause why the title to the surface of the real property should not be confirmed, quieted, and vested in the Petitioner in fee simple on or before 30 days from the first publication of this notice and assert his/her title or interest in said property and to demonstrate why title to this property should not be quieted and confirmed in Petitioner.

If no one has so appeared within the time allowed by law, then the Petition shall be taken as confessed and the Court shall render a final decree confirming said sale.

Said application was filed on February 25, 2021. The undersigned states that he/she is a resident of Arkansas, of good moral character that he/she has never been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; that no license to sell alcoholic beverages by the undersigned has been revoked within five (5) years last past; and that the undersigned has never been convicted of violating the laws of this State, or any other State, relative to the sale of controlled beverages.

Joseph J. Linn Name of Applicant RAGIN' Name of business Sworn before me this 26th day of February 2021 /s/ Landon Ray Bagley Landon Ray Bagley Notary Public

WITNESS my hand and seal of the Court this 15th day of December, 2020. /s/ Debbie Gray DEBBIE GRAY VAN BUREN COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK /s/ Olivia Gilmore

BY Olivia Gilmore D.C. Prepared by: Melanie Beltran Attorney at Law Sprott, Golden & Bardwell PO Box 1155 184 Griggs St. Clinton, AR 72031 (501) 745-3111 office melanie@arkansaslawpartners.com

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING There will be a Public Hearing on April 1, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. in the Jim Burnett Memorial Terminal, Airport Road, to hear a request to rezone 346 Memory Ln, Clinton AR from R-2 residential to C-1 commercial.

The regular meeting of the Zoning Commission will immediately follow the public hearing at the same location.

For more information, please contact Tim Clark at City Hall (501)745-8110, or c(501)253-1003.

Prepared by: Melanie Beltran Attorney at Law Sprott, Golden & Bardwell PO Box 1155 184 Griggs St. Clinton, AR 72031 (501) 745-3111 office melanie@arkansaslawpartners.com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION ROGER WILEY AND TINA WILEY PLAINTIFFS VS. No. 71CV-21-11 CHRISTOPHER RAND, EQUITY TRUST COMPANY AS CUSTODIAN FBO CHRISTOPHER RAND SEPIRA, ALL PERSONS CLAIMING ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RIGHT, TITLE, ESTATE, LIEN, OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT ADVERSE TO PLAINTIFF’S TITLE, OR ANY CLOUD ON PLAINTIFF’S TITLE THERETO: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED LANDS: LOT 38, ISLAND AT CHOCTAW BAY SUBDIVISION VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS, AS SHOWN REVISED PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 7, PAGE 91 THROUGH 98, RECORDS OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS DEFENDANTS NOTICE OF QUIET TITLE ACTION AND CONFIRMATION Notice is hereby given that a Petition has been filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Van Buren County, Arkansas, to quiet and confirm title in and to the following described property in Van Buren County, Arkansas: LOT 38, ISLAND AT CHOCTAW BAY SUBDIVISION VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS, AS SHOWN REVISED PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 7, PAGE 91 THROUGH 98, RECORDS OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS Any person claiming any title or interest of any kind to said property is hereby notified to appear on or before 30 days from the first publication of this notice to assert his/her title or interest in said property and to demonstrate why title to this property should not be quieted and confirmed in Plaintiffs.

WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court this 15th day of February, 2021.

VAN BUREN COUNTY CLERK BY _____________________________ DC

March 9, 2021

The Voice of Van Buren County

Fishing Report now 24/7 self-serve.

Lake Maumelle

Central Arkansas

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir

Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said Wednesday morning that the lake is still slightly muddy after the weather hit recently, which kept the lake still frozen in some spots last week. The water level is average. Bream reports have been good; however, use crickets or redworms.

Crappie reports have been fair; go with minnows and jigs. Bass are biting for anglers dropping jigs. Catfish numbers have been good, with stinkbait and nightcrawlers working best.

Little Red River

schedule will be posted Friday afternoon for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Check this schedule before planning your trip to the river and use care during this higher water and increased flow.

"With the high water, streamer fishing or fishing deep with heavy flies (large weighted nymphs or micro jigs) will be the best choice."

Greers Ferry Lake

The Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 462.08 feet MSL (standard conservation pool: 462.04 feet MSL).

Fish' N Stuff (501834-5733) in Sherwood says the lake is average and transparent.

Bass is pretty good on cloudy days using Alabama rigs and jerk baits in 10-15 feet of water. On sunny days they are right on crankbaits, Rock Crawlers, and Wiggle Warts in any crawfish color.

Crappie is hit-and-miss these days, with popsicle color and Bobby Garland Jigs in monkey milk fished in 25 feet of water.

Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips. com (501-690-9166) said, "The river is clearing after the last rain with two generators running about 12-13 hours per day starting at 6 a.m. This means high water and about 6,000 cfs flow during most of the day. The last report I had from the Corps of Engineers was for this to continue Harris Brake Lake Harris Brake Lake probably through Saturday or Sunday. The Resort (501-889-2745) proposed generation says the lake looks

muddy but has returned to an average water level. Crappie fishing remains good. Crappie is still in the deeper areas, and anglers are catching them with minnows and jigs. They're also being caught on trotlines baited with minnows. Bream are inadequate, as are bass. Catfishing is also poor.

Lake Overcup

Randy DeHart at Lakeview Landing (501354-5309) said the now-thawed Overcup is a little murky still, and the water level is high by 1-1.5 feet. The only real successful fishing now is for crappie.

They're being caught in fair numbers on minnows and jigs. Poor reports for bass, bream, and catfish.

Brewer Lake

David Hall at Dad's Bait Shop (501-9770303) said the lake is clear and at an average level. Crappie fishing is good. The crappie is being found 15 feet deep. Minnows and Bobby Garland-style jigs are working best along with "live stuff," he said. Focus on the brush piles. Crappie was all that was reported. David adds that the bait shop is

WestRock Landing in Roland (501-6585598) reports that Lake Maumelle's water temperature is in the low 40s. The largemouth bass bite is slow. Some can be found outside of the grass at around 8-12 feet, biting a variety of lures. Try using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits and swimbaits. Kentucky bass (or spotted bass) is also slow. Some reports of them being found in 1015 feet of water outside the grass line. They can also be found in 18-22 feet off drops and rocky banks. White bass also is slow. There have been reports of them being found still mixed in with the crappie and are in transition. White bass is staging to make their annual run, which could happen any day.

Try using Rooster Tails, rattle-style baits, and jerk baits.

Crappie is excellent.

Some reports have surfaced this week of the crappie being found in the lake's deeper part, around 45-50 feet. Try using jigs and minnows.

No reports of any bream caught this week, but try using crickets and worms. Catfishing is fair. Chicken liver, worms, and crayfish will work best now.

Little Maumelle River

Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501517-1250) says clarity is stained while the water level and current are average. Best reports have come from crappie anglers, who report a fair bite on minnows and jigs. Catfishing also appears to be fair.

Bream and black bass reports have been lacking over the past week.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)

On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam was 48,708 CFS.

Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)

On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam was 53,498,465 CFS. Flow at the Terry Lock and Dam was 55,691 CFS. Fish' N' Stuff (501834-5733) said the river is at an average level with 50,000 CFS flow on Wednesday morning. The clarity is muddy. Bass is hit or miss, with best results coming on black/blue Chatterbait in the backwaters. Also, try white/ chartreuse spinnerbaits, black/blue jigs, and red Rat-L-Traps for success. Crappie has been good for anglers throwing orange/chartreuse, blue/chartreuse, and black/chartreuse crappie jigs. They're focusing on 10-15 feet depth of water behind the jetties—no other reports.

Clear Lake (off Arkansas RiverLittle Rock Pool)

McSwain Sports Center (501-9452471) said the lake has thawed, but the water level is high. The clarity is clear. There were no reports on any catches.

North Arkansas

White River

Sportsman's White River Resort (870-4532424) reported Wednesday that fishing is fair.

Anglers aren't catching a lot of brown trout, but they are reeling in rainbows. The clarity of the river is clear. The Corps

Page 11

of Engineers is running six generators.

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said earlier this week that they had about one and a quarter inches of rain during the past week, warmer temperatures, including moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals rose 1.6 feet to rest at a seasonal power pool of 659 feet MSL. This is 36 feet below the top of the flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock fell 0.8 feet to rest at 1.2 feet below the seasonal power pool and 17.2 feet above the top of the flood pool. Beaver Lake rose 0.5 feet to rest at 0.7 feet below the seasonal power pool and 10.3 feet below the flood pool's top. The White had abundant wadable water. Norfork Lake rose 1.1 feet to rest at 0.3 feet above the seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet MSL and 26 feet below the flood pool's top. The Norfork tailwater had wadable water. All of the lakes in the White River system are below or near the power pool. With the severe weather past us, expect lower levels of generation.

On the lower flows, the White has waded well. The hot spot has been Rim Shoals.

The hot flies were olive Woolly Buggers (sizes 8, 10), Y2Ks (sizes 14, 12), prince nymphs (size 14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead sizes 16, 18), pheasant tails (size 14), ruby midges (size 18), root beer midges (size 18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (size 10), and sowbugs (size 16).

Jackson's Farm Service Water Well Drilling & Pump In-

Business Directory Put Your Business in this Directory

stallation & Well Services 501-253-4318

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The VOICE (501) 745-8040

VBC TRANSFER STATION & RECYCLING CENTER OPEN: Mon-Fri 7am-3:15pm & the 1st SAT of each month 8am-noon 745-6996

Got a story, a history or an event to share?

Send it to: thevoice@artelco.com

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 12

March 9, 2021

UCA Announces Fall 2020 Graduates

Over twenty-five responders attended training class

First responders spend Saturday training

Extricating training on Saturday.

Photos by Cody Bagley

On Saturday, March 6, the Van Buren County Rescue Squad and Dennard Fire & Rescue hosted an Auto Extrication class.

Students learned the basics of size up, stabilization, safety, extrication techniques, and patient care. Over twenty-five responders from Botkinburg, Dennard, Alread, Highway 110, Choctaw and

Culpepper Fire Departments, and Rescue Squad members were in attendance.

Justin's Towing and Collision supplied the cars and a location for the practical portion of the course.

The students used the Family Life Center at the Clinton First Baptist Church for classroom training

Melanie K. Crider of Damascus - Educational Specialist Melissa A. Dunham of Clinton Educational Specialist Morgan James Harrison of Clinton - Master of Arts Ashley R. Luningham of Shirley Bachelor of Arts Emily Marie Moses of Bee Branch - Bachelor of Science in Education Jedidiah Linn Privitt of Shirley Bachelor of Business Administration Tony Cade Sawyer of Bee Branch - Bachelor of Science in Education Celeste Smith of Clinton - Bachelor of Science Micah Timothy Walsh of Damascus - Bachelor of Science in Education

This beautiful shot of the Pottery Shop truck is the work of Robbie Watts.

Cathy's Baked Beans

by Cathy Miles

Ingredients

• Two pounds ground chuck • - I sometimes use one pound ground chuck and one pound sausage • One large onion, chopped • Three cans of pork & beans ( 12 oz each) • One jar chili sauce (12 oz) • One can crushed pineapple ( 8 oz, drained) • One cup firmly packed brown sugar • One tablespoon dry mustard • One tablespoon Worchester sauce • Six slices bacon, cooked & crumbled • Brown meat & onion until crumbly and no longer pink..... Drain

Directions

• Combine beef mixture and pork & beans in remaining ingredients in a four-quart slow cooker, stirring well.

• Cover and cook on High for 3 1/2 hours • YIELD: 10 servings

Send your favorite food recipe Email

voiceeditor@artelco.com