Stories from Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Salem 8th grader Sophie Rossitto (right) won her second Fulton County Spelling Bee in a row on Jan. 13, battling it out with students from Salem, Viola and Mammoth Spring who placed in the top three of their school spelling bees. Mammoth Spring 6th grader Rachel Davis (first on left) placed second. Rossitto qualified to move on to the state spelling bee in Little Rock...

New Salem Mayor Daniel Busch attended many city council meetings after announcing his intention to run for mayor last year, but he got a very different view of things as he sat down to chair his first council session on Thursday, Jan. 22. With Treasurer Pam Bryant nearby to occasionally prompt him, Busch brought up and discussed agenda items and called for votes to be taken -- even getting into his first debate over an issue -- his budget proposal to keep funding the operation of the Salem city pool.. ...

Leaders of rural hospitals are relieved that Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson has proposed continuing to operate the private option insurance program for poor Arkansas residents through December of 2016. But the decision, announced on Thursday, Jan. 22, in Little Rock, has put some area Republican legislators, who ran on a promise to abolish the program, in a bind...

A 20-year old Izard County man was killed on Sunday, Jan. 25, in an accidental shooting. Izard County Sheriff's Deputies and Melbourne Fire Department First Responders were dispatched to a property on Jumbo Road about 10 a.m. after being notified of the shooting. They found Ethan McFall had been wounded in the back while on a hunting trip with family members. After receiving treatment on the scene, McFall was taken to the White River Medical Center in Batesville where he was pronounced dead...

Compared to last year when winds howled and snow frequently closed schools and businesses, we have had a mild winter so far, a couple of cold snaps but no big snow storms. As usual though, demand is high from people who need help paying their winter heating bills...

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and consists of representations from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Council of Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities, USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. and United Way of Americ. The Board is charged with the distribution of funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high need areas around the county...

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks have launched their annual Share a Heart campaign at 63 Ozarks' McDonald's stores, including the Thayer McDonald's. Citizens are encouraged to adopt a heart by donating $1, $5 or $20 to Ronald McDonald House Charities. ...

9th Grade Jesse Ayres, Shane Bradshaw, Patrick Cobb, Logan Griffin, Amber Howell, Karenza Hunsperger, Kennedy Irwin, Isabel Johnson, Jon Marchant, Jade Smith 10th Grade Sarah Caldwell, Jacquelyn Davis, Jessica Hammond, Brianna Hendrix, Allison Kimbrough, Logan Maffei, Jonathon Petroski, Brook Reid, Emerald Tullos, Tyler West, Dylan Wiggs, Kayla Willis...

1st Grade David Mack Buchanan*, Dylan Caldwell*, Alyzabeth Crider*, Andrew Inman*, Noah Johnson*, Abigail Lancaster*, Brylie Orsborn*, Mary Rubado*, Fiona Thompson2nd Grade Andrew Birosh, Chad Carey*, Jordan Collins, Kyler Jones, Blake McCall, Darren Richardson*, Breana Robison, Breanna Tharp, Derrik Villavicencio*...

Diners looking for a new taste of home need look no further than the Hometown Café, the newest place to eat in Alton. Opened on Jan. 19 by Lenda Morrison and her daughter Trisha Marshall, the restaurant is located at the former home of Chelsea Dale's, a popular local eatery that closed its doors last fall...

The Thayer City Council met in special session on Thursday, Jan. 22 at city hall to take up some unfinished business, including discussing the purchase of a new water truck to replace one that city employees say is unsafe. "We have some things that have come up that need to be addressed," Mayor Ken Cotham told the council and the citizens in attendance as the meeting began. ...

Thayer Police have made an arrest in connection with a Friday, Jan. 23, fire at the Little Rock Church, located at 8th and Pine Streets. The suspicious fire was quickly doused by the Thayer Fire Department, but it caused significant damage to the building, especially the basement and main floor areas...

Thursday Night Men's League at Indian Hills Bowl Jan. 22 James Oliver..........257;667 Buddy E. Smith.....200;562 Ron Sparks............212;530 Paul Rosebrook.....218;599 Darrell Williams....215;563 Tom Hurdis...........190;527 Leon Moreland......225;557...

They trailed after the first period of play, but the Cave City Cavewomen moved in front in the second and held on for a 45-41 win over Harrisburg Jan. 19 in 3-4A Conference play. The Lady Hornets led 12-10 after the first period, but Cave City stood in front 24-20 at the half and 36-27 heading into the fourth...

Enforcement officials with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are looking for a person who shot and wounded a bald eagle Monday on Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area. The juvenile eagle was quickly taken to a rehabilitator and probably will recover...

Highland tops Gosnell and Westside for productive week

Colby McGuire tossed in 12 points, Chase Martin added 11 and Blake Goodson tallied 10, helping the Highland Rebels to a 63-49 rout of the visiting Harrisburg Hornets Jan. 20 in 3-4A play at the Hutson Center. Highland (11-5, 5-3) jumped in front 21-8 after the first period and extended that cushion to 41-16 at intermission...

The Cave City Cavemen dropped a 60-38 decision to 3-4A conference leaders, the Pocahontas Redskins, Jan. 20. Jacob Patterson led Cave City with eight points. Nick Smith paced the Redskins with a game-high 19 points.

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home's (ASUMH) Performing Arts Council will present To Kill a Mockingbird by National Players at the Vada Sheid Community Development Center (The Sheid) on Friday, Feb. 13. The 7 p.m. show will be held in the Ed Coulter Performing Arts Center. ...

Social Security announces as a result of Congress' approval of the fiscal year 2015 budget, the agency will expand its hours nationwide and offices will be open to the public for an additional hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, effective March 16. A field office that is usually open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will remain open until 4 p.m. Offices will continue to close to the public at noon every Wednesday so employees have time to complete current work and reduce backlogs...

A new scholarship opportunity is now available to adult education students. The GED Walmart Scholarship will cover Official GED testing fees, in full, if the student meets the required criteria. The only criteria for the scholarship is that the candidate must be an adult education student (30 hour minimum), an Arkansas resident, and not earn more than 200 percent of the Federal poverty level. ...

The Clary Fitness Center, next to Walmart at Ash Flat, has added Tuesday classes in Baby Ballet, Jazz Dancing and Drama and Acting. The classes are being taught by Andee Evers and Shane Cummings of the Studio for the Arts in Pocahontas. For the month of January, tuition is $20. Each month after, the cost will be $40. For information, call 870-892-0030...

ICARE will host a Spaghetti Supper on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Church of Christ Fellowship Hall in Melbourne. Tickets will be $5 each, with all proceeds going to the care of homeless and abandoned animals in Izard County. Take outs will be available. Please mark your calendar and let ICARE do the cookin' for you!...

Arkansas growers set or tied state records for yields in six crops in 2014, exceeding the national average in per-acre yield in four categories. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2014 Crop Production Annual Survey, Arkansas growers set state records for yields of cotton, corn for grain, all rice and long grain rice; soybeans and sweet potatoes. Average yields for corn, cotton, long grain rice and soybeans all exceeded national averages...

Arkansas ranks eleventh in the nation when it comes to taxing the poor. The poorest Arkansans, those making under $9,600 per year, pay two times more in taxes as a percentage of their income than wealthy Arkansans who make over $209,800 per year. A new study released by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) puts Arkansas among the most unfair tax systems in the country. ...

Chef David Kugler will present his first ever "Valentine's Day Gourmet Dinner" on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Papa Dicks newly remodeled restaurant at Crown Point Resort in Horseshoe Bend. Hors d'oerves and cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m...

What better way to shake off the winter ho-hums than a lively square dance with great music and friends? Ozark Folk Center dances are free and open to the public every Tuesday night from 7 to 9 p.m. The dances will be held in the Bois d'Arc Building on Feb. 3, 10 and 17, March 10, 24 and 31 and April 7. On Feb. 24 and March 3 and 17, they will be at the Lodge Recreation Room, and the dance will move to the Large Auditorium on April 14...

The Cherokee Village Animal Clinic will host a low cost spay/neuter clinic Feb. 3 to 5. Veterinarian services will be provided by Dr. Joanna McManus of Arkansas for Animals at the Cherokee Village Animal Control facility at 1531 Highway 289 North. The cost is $55 to spay or neuter dogs up to 75 pounds, and $65 for dogs over 75 pounds. The cost to spay or neuter a cat is $30, and rabies vaccinations are $5...

The Master Gardeners and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension service will conduct basic horticulture training classes in Independence County over a period of five weeks, beginning March 5. Fee for the classes is $50, and applications can be obtained from the Independence County Cooperative Extension Service office, 1770 Myers Street, Batesville, 8 to 4:30, Monday - Friday. The application deadline is Feb. 9...

The North Central Arkansas District Fair will award the Billy Ray Nix Memorial Scholarship and the NCA District Fair scholarship to graduating seniors in the seven-county district fair area. Students in Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Sharp, Stone and Van Buren Counties who have participated in county, district or state fairs and meet the scholarship criteria are eligible to apply. ...

The Ladies of the Highland Elks will host their annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the lodge, 15 Elks Drive, Cherokee Village. All you can eat spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert, and beverage will be available for $6.50. Diners must be 21 years of age or older...

Due to recent donations made to Ozarka College, several scholarships are available for the Spring 2015 semester. These scholarships are valued at $250 each and applications are being accepted through Friday, Feb. 6. To be considered, students must be enrolled full time and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Applications are available to students when logging into their myOzarka account. Upon completing the application, a written essay will also be required...

The 21st Arkansas State University annual Agribusiness Conference will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11, focusing on the agricultural economy, commodity market outlook and farm business transition planning. On-site registration will begin at 7:45 a.m. at A-State's Fowler Center. Lunch will be served at the Convocation Center at noon; afternoon sessions will follow, ending at 4 p.m...

January is national Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Clubwomen of the GFWC Quapaw Women's Club of Cherokee Village wish to highlight some common myths and truths about human trafficking. Human trafficking and human smuggling are NOT the same. Human trafficking is the recruiting, transporting, harboring, or receiving of a person through force in order to exploit him or her for prostitution, forced labor, or slavery. ...

The Arkansas History Commission has launched a new site for the agency's online digital archives. Going to http://ahc.digital-ar.org/ will direct patrons to a variety of digitized collections of archival material. The online digital archives was relaunched last year through the Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) program, Content DM. Content DM is used by archives and libraries across the country to share digitized archival material online...

The Izard County Senior Center at Brockwell will hold its first fundraiser of the year on Monday, Feb. 9, a dance and BBQ dinner, from 3 to 6 p.m. Dinners "to go" will be available. The senior center has scheduled three of its popular vacation trips in 2015: the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, April 18 to 26; Hawaii, June 13 to 20; and a trip to Maine, Sept. 18 to 28...

The White River Medical Center (WRMC) has partnered with mental health organization, The BridgeWay, to bring an Inpatient Acute Adult Psychiatric Unit to Batesville. The BridgeWay at WRMC is in a secure space inside the hospital, offering 12-beds, a lounge area, a quiet room and community room...

Spring scholarship applications are available until Feb. 1. A student must be a resident of Izard County and the single head of household with a child under the age of 18 in the home. Applicants must be a high school or GED graduate, demonstrate evidence of financial need and plans for pursuing a career-oriented course of study. ...

Sharp County Farm Bureau members (from left) Sue Billiott, John Carter, and Betty Carter were among more than 150 Arkansans who attended the 96th Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation in San Diego, Calif. The event, Jan. 9 to 14, provided farm and ranch leaders from across the United States an opportunity to network with fellow Farm Bureau leaders, attend a trade show and learn about current agriculture issues. ...

More than 2,000 Arkansas State University students have been named to the Chancellor's and Deans' lists for fall 2014 semester. The Chancellor's List (designated as CL) includes students who earned a grade point average of 3.80 to 4.0 for fall classes. The Deans' List (DL) includes students with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.79...

Kenneth and Sandra McFarland of Highland announce the engagement of their daughter, Whitney Nishelle McFarland, to John Wesley Sullivan, son of Pete and Patti Sullivan of Hardy. A May wedding is planned.

Two Ash Flat high school students, Tristian Wiles, a sophomore at Highland High School, and Kasey Olson, a Junior at Highland High School, have been recognized for completing their first year of Lyon College's competitive Upward Bound Math-Science (UBMS) Program for 2014-2015...

Dexter and Regenia Goodman will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends on Sunday Feb., 1 at the home of Stan and Jessica Goodman. The couple was married at Saddle Baptist Church on Jan. 30, 1965. Regenia is retired from North Arkansas Electric Company and Dexter continues to raise beef cattle on the family ranch in Sharp County...

Areawide Media would like to celebrate the month of love with our readers. With the combined efforts of local businesses, we will be giving away a bouquet of flowers and dinner for two for the special holiday. Love bugs are asked to go to the Areawide Media website and register for the wonderful giveaway. While on our website, please be sure to visit our businesses who support you...

With the new year underway, many cow calf producers in the Ozarks are thinking about the approaching calving season. University of Missouri Extension livestock specialists believe 60 to 65 percent of this area's calves are born from January through April...

Charles Crass, 90, of Thayer, Mo., died on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in West Plains, Mo. Arrangements by Carter Funeral Home of Thayer, Mo. Franklin Blunt, Junior, 78, of Cherokee Village, Ark., died on Jan. 23, 2015. Arrangements by McCorkle Funeral Home of Durand, Ill...

Marvin Stanley Bates, of Ash Flat, Ark., departed this life on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 in Batesville, Ark. at the age of 53 years, 2 months and 11 days. He was born in Salem, Ark. on Nov. 8, 1961 to Claud Edward and Emma Jo Evans Bates. Stan or "Dooley", as he was known to many, worked as a farrier and carpenter. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, rodeos and trail rides...

Cecile W. Hopper, 75, of Mammoth Spring, Ark. passed away on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. He was born on Aug. 16, 1939 in Marvell, Ark. to the late Royal and Flossie Mae Hopper. He served his country for 20 years in the USAF before retiring and serving an additional 20 years in civil service. ...

Franklin Blunt, Junior, 78, of Cherokee Village, Ark., passed away on Jan. 23, 2015. He was born April 4, 1936. He is survived by his wife, Dolores; daughter, Sherri Brown of Farmington, Mo.; sons, Steven (LaRene) Blunt of Monroe, Wis. and Quintin Blunt of Spirit Lake, Iowa; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Danny) Missey of Potosi, Mo., Amanda (David) Orrick of Valles, Wis., Heather Blunt of Monroe, Wis.; 16 great grandchildren; sister, Mary Ann Loftis of Stevens Point, Wis. ...

Newly inaugurated Attorney General Leslie Rutledge reminds Arkansans that the Attorney General's Office exists to protect consumers, and a change in administration will not change that mission -- it will only enhance it. The Consumer Protection Division helps resolve thousands of complaints every year," said Attorney General Rutledge. ...

In a unique and historic vote, the Arkansas Senate approved a middle class tax cut in the opening days of the legislative session. No one can remember when the Senate has passed a signature bill so early in a session. Important fiscal legislation usually will not be considered for a final vote in the Senate until the final weeks of a session in March, because of the ramifications throughout the entire state government budget...

Our first full week in office was a busy one, but we have already done a lot: The week started with the annual Right to Life March on Sunday. I attended my first march 28 years ago when I was a newcomer to politics. And I noticed that no other candidates or officeholders were present then. ...

BLUFF STEAKHOUSE, Hardy, Ark. Bluff Steakhouse is part of a bed and breakfast operation in Hardy It is located on Bluff Road just north of Hardy in the original 1918 Biggers home. Open Thursday through Saturday, with limited hours on Sunday, it is best to call ahead for reservations...

In a bizarre case of domestic abuse, a man shot by his brother has been released from the hospital and faces charges for in a Nov. 23, 2014 incident near Cave City. Lemuel Brinkley, 53, of Jonesboro was arrested on Jan. 22 for his role in the shooting. ...

A Cave City man, charged with negligent homicide in 2013 for his role in the death of his girlfriend entered a plea on Jan. 21 in Lawrence County Circuit Court. Judge Harold Erwin sentenced Daniel Walling, 33, to 144 months in the Arkansas Department of Correction. ...

Ash Flat Mayor Larry Fowler, who took office Jan. 1, chaired the first city council meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The council discussed improvement plans to the city park, a future grant for street surfacing and promoted firefighter Adam Bates...

A huge crowd of local business owners and dignitaries made their way to The Artisan Restaurant in Highland for their 2015 Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Jan. 21. Outgoing president Kathy Austin, recognized Pat Wade for winning a chamber sponsored photo contest, to choose a photo for the cover of the 2015 Chamber Guide. Wade, who submitted a shot of a horse, received a framed cover of the guide which is produced by Areawide Media...