Stories from Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Funding provided by the tobacco tax, passed during recent legislative session, along with federal funds, has allowed local school districts statewide to offer the seasonal flu shot to children, grades K-12, beginning in mid-October. Each year in the United States, over 200,000 are hospitalized and 36,000 die because of flu infection...

The Salem City Council gathered on Thursday, Aug. 27, but due to a lack of quorum, failed to hold a meeting. A new meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m., at which time the council will discuss the creation and implementation of a vicious dog ordinance for the city of Salem...

Fulton County Quorum Court awaits cost estimates for the necessary improvement to the Fulton County Jail. Fulton County administrators must make a move toward improvement of the system if they wish to continue to house inmates. On Monday, Aug. 31, Fulton County Judge Charles Willet was in the process of approval to move the quorum court meeting up to Sept. ...

The grades are in and Salem School District was recognized with an A- rating, ranked 12th highest school district in the state by the Arkansas Policy Foundation of Little Rock, Ark. "Our consistency of performing at a high level on all those exams says a lot about what we do here," said Ken Rich, superintendent for Salem Schools...

When smoke fills the air and the singe of a fire nearby is evident, caution and concern are expected. The burning of storm debris on Highway 395 South, near Elizabeth Road in Fulton County, over the weekend of Aug. 14 was a site of note. A burn permit was obtained by the Fulton County Road Department (FCRD), as the only burn site in the county...

16th Judicial Prosecuting Attorney and Drug Task Force Director Don McSpadden recently distributed monies seized from drug dealers or from the most recent Drug Task Force seizure sale. Nine law enforcement agencies in the five county district received monies. Other agencies in the district will receive equipment for safety and other law enforcement purposes from the Prosecuting Attorney's portion of the sale and seizures...

An "enforcement blitz" is being conducted across Arkansas by the Arkansas State Police, in conjunction with a national campaign entitled: "Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest." State and local law enforcement will join more than 12,000 law enforcement agencies across the country from Aug. 21 through Sept. 7 in an effort to control drinking over the Labor Day holiday and then driving, said Mike Foster, acting commander of Troop I...

Darrin Norman, 24, of Salem was arrested on Aug. 19 on body attachment. Norman was released from Fulton County Jail on Aug. 26 on judges order. Robert French, 45, of Hardy was arrested on Aug. 23 for DWI, implied consent and no seat belt. French was released from Fulton County Jail on Aug. 24 on $1,105 bond...

Aleatta R. Ezell, 22, of Birch Tree, suffered serious injuries after an accident Aug. 26 at 11:30 a.m. Ezell was driving a 2006 Honda Shadow Motorcycle south on Route T when about 1.5 miles north of State Highway 99 another vehicle traveling north traveled into the southbound lane. ...

Stacey Trawick, 32, of Cherokee Village was arrested on Aug. 14 for probation revocation and must spend weekends in jail. Robert D. Hankins, 33, of Batesville was arrested on Aug. 14 for failure to pay. Larry A. Myers, 61, of Hardy was arrested on Aug. 14 for theft of property...

Allen Kipfer, age 24 of Melbourne was arrested August 25 on a warrant charging him with Social Hosts-Criminal Liability (two counts). This law, enacted during the 2009 legislative session provides that a person who exercises control over private property shall not knowingly allow a person under the age of 21 years to consume alcohol on the private property. ...

Joseph R. Scara, 30, of Thayer, was arrested Aug. 26 for driving on a suspended license. Bond was set at $325. Alejandro Vega Soriaro, 28, of Kansas City, Mo., was cited Aug. 29 for not having a valid operators license.

Wyman Lee of Salem understands the evolution of country music through first hand experience. He observes from the vantage point of 40-years of songwriting experience in and around the Nashville scene. "I started out when I was 14, always had dreams and aspirations of making it," he said. In the late 80s, Lee stepped out independently and charted a song at 53, "Jim Beam, Jack Daniels and Me."...

The Ozarka College Foundation Board of Directors recently announced its annual benefit golf scramble will be held on Sept. 26. Coopers Hawk Golf Club in Melbourne will host the tournament this year. First National Banking Company serves as the major corporate sponsor again this year, with Liberty Bank and CenturyTel also helping sponsor the event...

Izard County's Rachel Harmon shot a 44 and earned medalist honors at The Course on Turkey Mountain Aug. 25, leading the Lady Cougars (138) over Melbourne (171). Lady Bearkat Maggie Cooper finished as runner-up to Harmon in the match. The girls played from the front men's tees in the match. Neither Mammoth Spring nor Bald Knob qualified for a team score...

The Medic Golf Tournament is slated for Sept. 19 at the South Golf Course in Cherokee Village and deadline for entries is Sept. 15. Rain day for the tournament is Sept. 20. The tournament is a two-person scramble, with entry fee $80 per team. A shotgun start is scheduled for 9 a.m...

FAYETTEVILLE -- Sometimes, the NCAA will help a kid in spite of itself. Excuse me. Not kid. "Student-athlete." "We're all about the student-athlete," yap the NCAA suits. Yeah, well you can see how "all about the student-athlete" the NCAA is regarding Mitch Petrus. Post Petrus, it seems instead of National Collegiate Athletics Association the NCAA's given name should be National Committee Against Athletes...

John and Angela Wright of Thayer are the parents of a baby boy, Zaiden Alexander. He was born at 10:26 a.m. Aug. 22, 2009 at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 21 inches long. His sibling is Jaycelyn, 1. Grandparents are Don and Doris Boyer, Pottersville and Buddy and Alice Wright, Thayer...

Four generations of family helped Charlotte Underwood celebrate her 88th birthday Aug. 19 at her home in Ash Flat. Present to honor Underwood was her husband John, daughter Carol Dunn, granddaughters Tammy Curtis, Johnnie Pflaumer and Amanda Burgess, grand- children Brittany and Austin Curtis, Dalton Pflaumer and Bailey Dunn along with her grandson-in-law Eric Burgess...

Mr. and Mrs. David Sorrell of Myrtle, Mo., will observe their 65th wedding anniversary Sept. 6, 2009. David and Geneva were married Sept. 6, 1944, at Pocahontas, Ark., with Dow and Mable Jo Sorrell as witnesses. Geneva is the daughter of the late Bascom and Grace Clark and David is the son of the late Finis and Lillie Sorrell, all of Myrtle...

Mr. and Mrs. Woody R. Jackson (Jane Wallace Gibbs) of Sevierville, Tenn., celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Nashville , Tenn., at the Wyndham Union Station  Hotel on Aug. 15, 2009. The event was celebrated with cocktails and dinner at the "Prime 108" restaurant at Union Station...

Porter Howell and Carol Stout of Viola were married on Aug. 2 at a garden wedding in Woodlake, Calif. Family and friends were present.

Dorothy A. Cochran, 90, of Cherokee Village, Ark., died Aug. 26, 2009, at Salem. Arrangements by Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland, Ark. Dorlas Edward Chronister, 88, of West Plains, died Aug. 23, 2009, at Brooke Haven Health Care. Arrangements by Robertson-Drago Funeral Home of West Plains, Mo...

Danny and Irma Thomas of Paragould, Ark., and Keith Trantham of Alton, Mo., announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Alicia Trantham to Shayne Hammons of Morrisville, Mo. The wedding will take place at Mountain Springs Trout Park, "Rainbow Run," 2549 State Highway O, Highlandville, Mo. on Sept. 19, at 4 p.m...

Photos by Steven Looney A tractor trailer rolled over in the early morning hours of Aug. 27 on Highway 63 south of Mammoth Spring. The cause of the accident and the name of the driver are unknown. The tractor trailer was hauling batteries and Haz-Mat was called to the scene to check for hazardous chemicals. Above, workers load material from the trailer onto another truck...

The waste water treatment plant project, which Thayer residents voted to pass a bond for back in April, is on schedule according to city aldermen and project engineer Charles Ray from Missouri Engineering in Rolla. Residents voted for a bond and a sales tax in conjuction with the bond for $4 million to fund the project. The Department of Natural Resources has approved the project for about $3.5 million worth of bonds sold to the city as a direct loan that will fund the project...

Since 1988 Mammoth Spring has been commemorating George D. Hay's visit to Mammoth Spring which inspired him to begin the Grand Ole Opry with Solemn Old Judge Days during Labor Day weekend. This year the event will be held Sept. 4 and 5. The first event will be Friday evening with "Reflections in the Spring." written by Martha Bennett, a resident. ...

Armed with a 25-caliber pistol, Daniel C. Neikes, 24, of Alton, was arrested for a Class D felony of unlawful use of a weapon on Aug. 21, according to Oregon County Prosecuting Attorney Fred O'Neill's office. Neikes' girlfriend, Tosha Hollis, reported the incident at 4:50 p.m., Aug. 21 to Deputy Rusty Warren at the Oregon County Sheriff's Department and related events that transpired between her and Neikes the night before...

Oregon County Sheriff's Deputy Eddie Johnson responded to a call of a shooting Aug. 22 at Beer 30, a bar on Highway E. According to Oregon County Prosecuting Attorney Fred O'Neill's office, David Adam Teague, 24, of Koshkonong, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action in the incident...

A day of fun and excitement awaits those who plan to attend Koshkonong Heritage Day on Sept. 12 at the Koshkonong City Park. Festivities will begin with the traditional veteran's salute at 10 a.m. followed by Mayor Bud Adams welcoming all those who made it to the event...

The Oregon County Ambulance District Board met Aug. 20 and voted to reduce the property tax amount collected for ambulance funding by 25 percent. The state's maximum allowance for funding of ambulance services increased, according to state law, this year from 14.06 cents in 2008 to 14.76 cents per $100 assessed property...

16th Judicial Prosecuting Attorney and Drug Task Force Director Don McSpadden recently distributed monies seized from drug dealers or from the most recent Drug Task Force seizure sale. Nine law enforcement agencies in the five county district received monies. Other agencies in the district will receive equipment for safety and other law enforcement purposes from the Prosecuting Attorney's portion of the sale and seizures...

The Thayer R-II School Board voted Aug. 13 to set the district's tax levy at the same rate as last year. The levy was set at $2.75 for operating and $0.92 for debt service per $100 of assessed valuation. Superintendent Rod Priest pointed out to the board that the district's assessed valuation was down $880,293 from the prior year and keeping the levy at last year's levels will decrease district revenues...

Fulton County Quorum Court awaits cost estimates for the necessary improvements to the Fulton County Jail. Fulton County administrators must make a move toward improvement of the system if they wish to continue to house inmates. On Monday, Aug. 31, Fulton County Judge Charles Willet was in the process of approval to move the quorum court meeting up to Sept. ...

Darrin Norman, 24, of Salem was arrested on Aug. 19 on body attachment. Norman was released from Fulton County Jail on Aug. 26 on judges order. Robert French, 45, of Hardy was arrested on Aug. 23 for DWI, implied consent and no seat belt. French was released from Fulton County Jail on Aug. 24 on $1,105 bond...

Aleatta R. Ezell, 22, of Birch Tree, suffered serious injuries after an accident Aug. 26 at 11:30 a.m. Ezell was driving a 2006 Honda Shadow Motorcycle south on Route T when about 1.5 miles north of State Highway 99 another vehicle traveling north traveled into the southbound lane. ...

Stacey Trawick, 32, of Cherokee Village was arrested on Aug. 14 for probation revocation and must spend weekends in jail. Robert D. Hankins, 33, of Batesville was arrested on Aug. 14 for failure to pay. Larry A. Myers, 61, of Hardy was arrested on Aug. 14 for theft of property...

Allen Kipfer, age 24 of Melbourne was arrested August 25 on a warrant charging him with Social Hosts-Criminal Liability (two counts). This law, enacted during the 2009 legislative session provides that a person who exercises control over private property shall not knowingly allow a person under the age of 21 years to consume alcohol on the private property. ...

Joseph R. Scara, 30, of Thayer, was arrested Aug. 26 for driving on a suspended license. Bond was set at $325. Alejandro Vega Soriaro, 28, of Kansas City, Mo., was cited Aug. 29 for not having a valid operators license.

"When I told the people in McKenzie (Tenn.), I was going to quit shoeing horses and start growing produce in Arkansas, they told me that growing produce is as hard on your back as shoeing horses. I told them that might be, but I didn't have to worry about getting kicked by the produce," laughed Vernon Borntreger...

The Ozarka College Foundation Board of Directors recently announced its annual benefit golf scramble will be held on Sept. 26. Coopers Hawk Golf Club in Melbourne will host the tournament this year. First National Banking Company serves as the major corporate sponsor again this year, with Liberty Bank and CenturyTel also helping sponsor the event...

Missourians who hope to hunt ducks or geese on wetland areas managed by the Conservation Department can now start applying for reservations. The agency will accept applications for reservations on 15 managed wetland areas from Sept. 1 through 18. Hunters can apply by calling 800-829-2956...

Huckabee, offensive line unstoppable in 35-point rout of Class 5 school

It's that time of year, full of crisp autumn days and Friday night lights at the local football stadiums. In my opinion, high school games are some of the best entertainment values around. Still, you'll have to dig a bit deeper in the pocketbook if you want to take part these days, compared to the 1940s and 50s, when I was in school...

Dove hunting is unique among Missouri's hunting seasons in several ways, some of which make safety awareness extra important, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Conservation Department statistics show that an astonishing 79.9 percent of dove hunters made only one foray for doves last year. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of dove hunting trips are made during the first few days of the season...

John and Angela Wright of Thayer are the parents of a baby boy, Zaiden Alexander. He was born at 10:26 a.m. Aug. 22, 2009 at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 21 inches long. His sibling is Jaycelyn, 1. Grandparents are Don and Doris Boyer, Pottersville and Buddy and Alice Wright, Thayer...

Four generations of family helped Charlotte Underwood celebrate her 88th birthday Aug. 19 at her home in Ash Flat. Present to honor Underwood was her husband John, daughter Carol Dunn, granddaughters Tammy Curtis, Johnnie Pflaumer and Amanda Burgess, grand- children Brittany and Austin Curtis, Dalton Pflaumer and Bailey Dunn along with her grandson-in-law Eric Burgess...

Mr. and Mrs. David Sorrell of Myrtle, Mo., will observe their 65th wedding anniversary Sept. 6, 2009. David and Geneva were married Sept. 6, 1944, at Pocahontas, Ark., with Dow and Mable Jo Sorrell as witnesses. Geneva is the daughter of the late Bascom and Grace Clark and David is the son of the late Finis and Lillie Sorrell, all of Myrtle...

Mr. and Mrs. Woody R. Jackson (Jane Wallace Gibbs) of Sevierville, Tenn., celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Nashville , Tenn., at the Wyndham Union Station  Hotel on Aug. 15, 2009. The event was celebrated with cocktails and dinner at the "Prime 108" restaurant at Union Station...

Porter Howell and Carol Stout of Viola were married on Aug. 2 at a garden wedding in Woodlake, Calif. Family and friends were present.

Danny and Irma Thomas of Paragould, Ark., and Keith Trantham of Alton, Mo., announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Alicia Trantham to Shayne Hammons of Morrisville, Mo. The wedding will take place at Mountain Springs Trout Park, "Rainbow Run," 2549 State Highway O, Highlandville, Mo. on Sept. 19, at 4 p.m...

Dorothy A. Cochran, 90, of Cherokee Village, Ark., died Aug. 26, 2009, at Salem. Arrangements by Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland, Ark. Dorlas Edward Chronister, 88, of West Plains, died Aug. 23, 2009, at Brooke Haven Health Care. Arrangements by Robertson-Drago Funeral Home of West Plains, Mo...

Photo/Tammy Curtis Cherokee Village Fire Department fought a house fire on Columbia Drive in Cherokee Village Aug. 25. The blaze was reported by a motorist on the four lane at Highland. The home of Gaylon Patterson was a total loss. This is the fourth structure fire in the area in the past two weeks. ...

The prospect of rezoning an area near the current Cherokee Village Animal Shelter, upcoming police training and the introduction of the members of A Better Cherokee Village Steering Committee were the main topics of discussion at Cherokee Village City Council's regular monthly meeting held Aug. 20 at Cherokee Village City Hall...

An extremely dangerous area on the four lane in Ash Flat was the site of a head-on motorcycle and car accident Aug. 25 that sent one man by Air Evac to Cox Medical Center in Springfield, Mo. According to the crash report obtained from the Ash Flat Police Department, the accident occurred at 2:40 p.m. ...

The 2009-10 school year is bringing a new face to the campus of Highland High School. Mike Baldwin is the school's new resource officer and will be a daily presence at the school as a deterrent against many things that are against school policy including, thefts, vandalism, drug use, fights and problems with parking...

One of best things about living in a close knit community is the hard working people who diligently strive to help others. Whether directly or indirectly, those in the Spring River area are a shining example of this generosity. One such group is the Spring River Circle of Friends for Arkansas Children's Hospital. ...

Stacey Trawick, 32, of Cherokee Village was arrested on Aug. 14 for probation revocation and must spend weekends in jail. Robert D. Hankins, 33, of Batesville was arrested on Aug. 14 for failure to pay. Larry A. Myers, 61, of Hardy was arrested on Aug. 14 for theft of property...

A wreck that occurred near the ice house in Highland injured one person. A 2003 Ford Ranger driven by Michele J. Russel was traveling eastbound in the turning lane, attempting to make a a left turn, when she failed to notice the 1999 Chrysler approaching in the west bound outside lane of traffic and collided with the Russel vehicle on the front passenger side and spinning it around in the road causing blockage to both west bound lanes...

A sixteen year old boy remains in critical condition in a Little Rock hospital following a weekend rodeo accident at Sidney, Aug. 29. According to Sharp County Sheriff Dale Weaver, Matt Melton, 16, of Pleasant Plains was seriously injured when he was stepped on after being thrown from a horse during a bareback bronc riding event...

"When I told the people in McKenzie (Tenn.), I was going to quit shoeing horses and start growing produce in Arkansas, they told me that growing produce is as hard on your back as shoeing horses. I told them that might be, but I didn't have to worry about getting kicked by the produce," laughed Vernon Borntreger...

2009 marks the 30th anniversary for the White River Area Agency on Aging Inc. of Batesville. The agency was incorporated as nonprofit organization on June 21, 1979, to serve 10 counties in North Central Arkansas when then Gov. Bill Clinton had determined that services for older adults would be extremely important in Arkansas' future. 30 years later, the agency employs 550 persons with a budget of over $15 million annually and provides services to over 9,000 older adults annually...

Aaron and Jerissa Rogers of Wesley, members of Ozarks Electric Cooperative, are the winners of an energy efficiency makeover for their 1,304-square-foot home. The value of the makeover is up to $50,000. The couple's home will receive a complete pre- and post-diagnostic energy audit, including a blower door test and infrared thermography. ...

The Highland Rebel Booster Club is urging Rebel fans, the community and local business around Rebel country to help "Paint The Town Red," as the Highland Rebels host the Mountain Home Bombers in their season-opener Sept. 4 at Rebel Memorial Field...

Led by medalist Dylan Bateman's 39, the Paragould Rams topped Highland, Izard County and Cave City in a golf match Aug. 27 at the North Course in Cherokee Village. The Rams finished with a team score of 123. Izard County came in second with a 143, followed by the Rebels (148) and Cavemen (168)...

The Medic Golf Tournament is slated for Sept. 19 at the South Golf Course in Cherokee Village and deadline for entries is Sept. 15. Rain day for the tournament is Sept. 20. The tournament is a two-person scramble, with entry fee $80 per team. A shotgun start is scheduled for 9 a.m...

Evelyn Burton recently celebrated her 97th birthday at Eaglecrest Nursing and Rehab Center with her family and friends. Her son George Wesley Hale of Liberty, Mo., and her nephew and his wife, Doug and Judy Tracey of Kansas City, Mo., were present to help her celebrate. ...

Mr. and Mrs. Woody R. Jackson (Jane Wallace Gibbs) of Sevierville, Tenn., celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Nashville , Tenn., at the Wyndham Union Station  Hotel on Aug. 15. The event was celebrated with cocktails and dinner at the "Prime 108" restaurant at Union Station...

Marcus, Brandi and Molly Cherry announce the birth of their son and brother, on Aug. 17, 2009, weighing 6 pounds, 14 ounces, 18 inches long. He was named Marcus Alan Cherry. Grandparents are LeRoy and Jane Orr, Joyce Cherry and the late Jimmie Cherry...

Dorothy A. Cochran, 90, of Cherokee Village, Ark., died Aug. 26, 2009, at Salem. Arrangements by Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland, Ark. Jesse Fred Eubanks, 86, of Ash Flat, Ark., formerly of Springdale, Ark., died Aug. 23, 2009, at Fulton County Hospital in Salem, Ark. Arrangements by Heath Funeral Home of Highland. Online registry at www.heath funeralhome.net...