BY JOAN MCCOY
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Candidates running for mayor of the second fastest-growing city in Arkansas share their ideas on how to support additional residents and their needs.
Conventional wisdom holds that a city that doesn’t grow becomes stagnant, which is just a step above dying, so growth is good.
If that’s the case, Cabot is in good shape since the latest annual estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau say Cabot is the second-fastest growing city in Arkansas among cities with populations above 10,000.
But with that growth comes the problems of traffic congestion, water and sewer systems that are stretched to the limit and crime – just the sort of problems that come to the forefront in an election year. And here’s what the candidates for mayor say about how they would deal with those problems.
Alderman David Polantz:
“I’ve never lived anywhere that people wanted to live where traffic wasn’t a problem…where the demand wasn’t bigger than the resources. “There’s no simple solution. You’ve got to have a council willing to deal with the complex problems. There’s no fairy dust. Nothing changes over night. You’ve got to have focus, determination, vision and heart,” he said.
Cabot is growing not just because of the good school district; it also is growing because people want to live where they feel safe. Since he has been on the council, he has always pushed for money for fire and police, he said.
Improving the traffic flow is a major issue, he said. The city is working on traffic congestion and it is a little better since the light in front of city hall was taken down and the timing on others was adjusted.
But before any of the $2 million in bond money that is now available for roads is spent, the city needs to decide priorities with a traffic study like the one Metroplan is doing for the city, he said.
Former Alderman Eddie Joe Williams:
“Cabot is growing because of the proximity to Little Rock and the access to Little Rock,” Williams said. “It has a lot to offer that we benefit from. And people love neighborhood schools.”
“But it does present problems and that’s why it’s imperative that we elect a manager. The growth is inevitable because it’s just part of our culture to want to get away from the hustle and bustle. “The solution to growth problems is to plan five or 10 years ahead,” he said, adding that he believes much of the existing traffic problems that have the city in gridlock during rush hour are intersection problems that could be managed better.
Management is the key, he said. With a growing city like Cabot, nothing is stagnant.
“We’ve got to continually manage the problems,” he said.
There’s little doubt that the growth will continue, he said, but if everyone works together it should be possible to retain those qualities that are attracting new residents now.
“If we make up our minds to work together – the city, the chamber of commerce, the schools – we will continue to be a great town,” he said.
Former Lonoke County Justice of the Peace Kenny Ridgeway:
“Growth is not good unless it is under control,” Ridgeway said. “People want a safe and wholesome place to raise their children and grandchildren. “At the top of the ladder is traffic, traffic, traffic, but sidewalks also are an issue and so are water and sewer. “If you’re going to be mayor of Cabot, you’ve got to have a comprehensive plan.”
The city should bear some of the cost of growth, but some should come from the private sector through “reasonable impact fees,” he said.
“A lot of the new homes will be bought by young families. You’ve got to have a plan that covers parks.
“You’ve got to have a plan for keeping costs down. Look at the growth of employees. Is it out of control? You’ve got to keep insurance rates down by working to keep employees healthy
.
“The county and the city must start to work together in long-range planning,” he said. “And the mayor needs to be someone with a short learning curve so he can start to work as soon as possible.”
Alderman James Glenn was not available for comment at press time.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
OBITUARIES >> 06-28-06
James McLean
James Dewey McLean, 38, of Cabot, went to be with the Lord on June 24. He was born Jan. 28, 1968 in Little Rock to Dewey and Barbara McLean.
He was preceded in death by his father Dewey “Sonny” McLean; grandparents, Henry McLean and Gertrude McLean Henderson and Antone Valentine.
He is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Traci Gills McLean and one son, Devin McLean, both of the home; his mother, Barbara Mc-Lean; one sister, Barbara and husband David Wilson, all of Cabot; one brother, Brian and wife Melinda McLean of Jacksonville; his godparents, Paul and Peggy Fulford of North Little Rock; his father-in-law James Gills, sister-in-law, Kristi and husband Greg Gibson all of Cabot; brother-in-law, Michael and wife Jill Gills of Utah; nieces and nephews, Brandon and Kristi Wilson, Page, Jared and Emily Gibson and Lyra Gills; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved friends.
Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Old Austin Baptist Church on Hwy. 38 in Cabot.
Arrangements are by Thomas Funeral Service in Cabot.
Olga Stroud
Olga Stroud of Beebe went home to be with the Lord on June 25 at the age of 74.
Stroud, who loved her Lord first and her family second, was born Feb. 10, 1932, at Turtle Creek, Penn., to Louis and Anna Vranich. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her husband, Robbie Stroud; two sons, John Stroud and his wife Connie, and Robbie Stroud and his wife Denise; and two grandchildren, Riley Stroud and Heather Stroud, all of Beebe.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today at Westbrook Funeral Home. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.
Lillian Jessome
Lillian Elizabeth Burley Jessome, 84, of Beebe, went to be with the Lord on June 26. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank A. Jessome and more recently, by her mother, Katie Mae Burley, 101 years old, who was lovingly cared for by Lillian until her death. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Koch and Lucille Webb, both of Little Rock.
She is survived by one loving daughter, Cheryl Jean Maack, who accompanied her mother, aunt, and uncle on many trips to Orange Beach, Ala., and Estes Park, Colo., where they loved sightseeing and just being together. She is also survived by twin grandsons, Robert Allen Maack and wife Autumn, of Cabot, and John Michael Maack and wife Kara, of Sherwood; three beautiful great-grandchildren, Ash-lynne Kate, Abigail Marie, and Carter Joseph; two sisters, Naomi Kemp of Beebe, and Jeanette and husband Ernie Wild, of Hot Springs; one brother, Fred and wife Dolores Burley of Oklahoma; special daughter Vanda Gatlin John-son; a host of loving nieces and ne-phews; and many loving friends and neighbors.
She had many friends and enjoyed being a member of The Ageless Divas chapter of the Red Hat Club for the past three years.
She was born in Ozark and moved to Little Rock when she was 8 years old. She worked for the telephone company until retirement after 27 years. She was a member of Beebe First United Methodist Church and formerly a long-time member of Lifeline Baptist Church in Little Rock. Although Lillian’s family and friends mourn her death and will miss her greatly, they celebrate the life she lived and the Christian example she set.
Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Beebe First United Methodist Church.
Graveside service and entombment will be held at 2:30 p.m.. Thursday at Pinecrest Cemetery, Little Rock by Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 901 North University, Little Rock, Ark., 72207 or First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 247, Beebe, Ark., 72012.
Katie Dean
Katie Mae Dean, 93, of Cabot died June 20 in Searcy. She was born April 20, 1913, in Cabot to the late Louis Harper Baker and Genettia Isadora Baker. She was a homemaker and the oldest living member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar David Dean; three children, infant twins, infant daughter, Paulette Dean; a grandson, David Stutzman; two brothers, George W. Baker, Mon-roe Baker, and two sisters, Sa-vanna Dillard and Nettie Mize.
She is survived by eight children, Bobbie Stanley and Cora Guess, both of Cabot, Leland Da-vidson of Austin, Marcine Stutz-man of Ward, Dale Dean of Chino Hills, Calif., Phyllis Dean of Cabot, Michael Dean of Norwalk, Calif., and Sharon Studler of Cabot.
She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and countless nieces, ne-phews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were June 23 at Mountain Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Donnie Hines and Dr. J. Roland Spears officiating. Burial followed at Mountain Springs Cemetery under the direction of Cabot Funeral Home.
Charles Gernold
Charles Kirwan Gernold passed away on June 23 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born May 7, 1937, in Helena, Mont., to Charles and Marie Kirwan Gernold.
When he was 4-years-old, the family moved to Seattle, Wash. He was raised in the Catholic faith, and attended Catholic schools thru the eighth grade.
In 1953 the family moved to Los Angeles, and he graduated from University High School and received an associate degree in business from Santa Monica Junior College.
He was a driver for UPS for 13 years after which he worked several jobs.
He met his wife of 28 years, Pat Wingate Leigh in Arkansas in July 1977. In July 1978, they moved to the San Francisco area for Pat’s job with the VA.
The next year they relocated to the Miami area, and after 16 months, moved to Los Angeles.
He retired from the Simi Valley, Calif., School District in March 1995.
In early 1995 they moved to Arkansas to be close to Deborah Blackiston and her family. He shared many good times with the three grandsons attending school and sport activities. He loved all sports.
He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Pat and Ethel Wingate and stepson Avery Leigh.
He is survived by his wife, Pat; stepdaughter, Deborah and husband, Robert Blackiston and their three sons, Josh, John and Matt.
He has one sister, Kaye Perram and two nieces of Los Angeles; one aunt, Dorothy Gernold Traver of San Francisco, and a special cousin, Kittie Ann Taaler of Sidney, Neb.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Kidney Foun-dation of Arkansas, P.O. Box 453, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1023, Cabot, Ark. 72023.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Cabot Funeral Home with arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home.
James Dewey McLean, 38, of Cabot, went to be with the Lord on June 24. He was born Jan. 28, 1968 in Little Rock to Dewey and Barbara McLean.
He was preceded in death by his father Dewey “Sonny” McLean; grandparents, Henry McLean and Gertrude McLean Henderson and Antone Valentine.
He is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Traci Gills McLean and one son, Devin McLean, both of the home; his mother, Barbara Mc-Lean; one sister, Barbara and husband David Wilson, all of Cabot; one brother, Brian and wife Melinda McLean of Jacksonville; his godparents, Paul and Peggy Fulford of North Little Rock; his father-in-law James Gills, sister-in-law, Kristi and husband Greg Gibson all of Cabot; brother-in-law, Michael and wife Jill Gills of Utah; nieces and nephews, Brandon and Kristi Wilson, Page, Jared and Emily Gibson and Lyra Gills; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved friends.
Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Old Austin Baptist Church on Hwy. 38 in Cabot.
Arrangements are by Thomas Funeral Service in Cabot.
Olga Stroud
Olga Stroud of Beebe went home to be with the Lord on June 25 at the age of 74.
Stroud, who loved her Lord first and her family second, was born Feb. 10, 1932, at Turtle Creek, Penn., to Louis and Anna Vranich. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her husband, Robbie Stroud; two sons, John Stroud and his wife Connie, and Robbie Stroud and his wife Denise; and two grandchildren, Riley Stroud and Heather Stroud, all of Beebe.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today at Westbrook Funeral Home. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.
Lillian Jessome
Lillian Elizabeth Burley Jessome, 84, of Beebe, went to be with the Lord on June 26. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank A. Jessome and more recently, by her mother, Katie Mae Burley, 101 years old, who was lovingly cared for by Lillian until her death. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Koch and Lucille Webb, both of Little Rock.
She is survived by one loving daughter, Cheryl Jean Maack, who accompanied her mother, aunt, and uncle on many trips to Orange Beach, Ala., and Estes Park, Colo., where they loved sightseeing and just being together. She is also survived by twin grandsons, Robert Allen Maack and wife Autumn, of Cabot, and John Michael Maack and wife Kara, of Sherwood; three beautiful great-grandchildren, Ash-lynne Kate, Abigail Marie, and Carter Joseph; two sisters, Naomi Kemp of Beebe, and Jeanette and husband Ernie Wild, of Hot Springs; one brother, Fred and wife Dolores Burley of Oklahoma; special daughter Vanda Gatlin John-son; a host of loving nieces and ne-phews; and many loving friends and neighbors.
She had many friends and enjoyed being a member of The Ageless Divas chapter of the Red Hat Club for the past three years.
She was born in Ozark and moved to Little Rock when she was 8 years old. She worked for the telephone company until retirement after 27 years. She was a member of Beebe First United Methodist Church and formerly a long-time member of Lifeline Baptist Church in Little Rock. Although Lillian’s family and friends mourn her death and will miss her greatly, they celebrate the life she lived and the Christian example she set.
Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Beebe First United Methodist Church.
Graveside service and entombment will be held at 2:30 p.m.. Thursday at Pinecrest Cemetery, Little Rock by Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 901 North University, Little Rock, Ark., 72207 or First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 247, Beebe, Ark., 72012.
Katie Dean
Katie Mae Dean, 93, of Cabot died June 20 in Searcy. She was born April 20, 1913, in Cabot to the late Louis Harper Baker and Genettia Isadora Baker. She was a homemaker and the oldest living member of Mountain Springs Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar David Dean; three children, infant twins, infant daughter, Paulette Dean; a grandson, David Stutzman; two brothers, George W. Baker, Mon-roe Baker, and two sisters, Sa-vanna Dillard and Nettie Mize.
She is survived by eight children, Bobbie Stanley and Cora Guess, both of Cabot, Leland Da-vidson of Austin, Marcine Stutz-man of Ward, Dale Dean of Chino Hills, Calif., Phyllis Dean of Cabot, Michael Dean of Norwalk, Calif., and Sharon Studler of Cabot.
She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and countless nieces, ne-phews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were June 23 at Mountain Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Donnie Hines and Dr. J. Roland Spears officiating. Burial followed at Mountain Springs Cemetery under the direction of Cabot Funeral Home.
Charles Gernold
Charles Kirwan Gernold passed away on June 23 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born May 7, 1937, in Helena, Mont., to Charles and Marie Kirwan Gernold.
When he was 4-years-old, the family moved to Seattle, Wash. He was raised in the Catholic faith, and attended Catholic schools thru the eighth grade.
In 1953 the family moved to Los Angeles, and he graduated from University High School and received an associate degree in business from Santa Monica Junior College.
He was a driver for UPS for 13 years after which he worked several jobs.
He met his wife of 28 years, Pat Wingate Leigh in Arkansas in July 1977. In July 1978, they moved to the San Francisco area for Pat’s job with the VA.
The next year they relocated to the Miami area, and after 16 months, moved to Los Angeles.
He retired from the Simi Valley, Calif., School District in March 1995.
In early 1995 they moved to Arkansas to be close to Deborah Blackiston and her family. He shared many good times with the three grandsons attending school and sport activities. He loved all sports.
He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Pat and Ethel Wingate and stepson Avery Leigh.
He is survived by his wife, Pat; stepdaughter, Deborah and husband, Robert Blackiston and their three sons, Josh, John and Matt.
He has one sister, Kaye Perram and two nieces of Los Angeles; one aunt, Dorothy Gernold Traver of San Francisco, and a special cousin, Kittie Ann Taaler of Sidney, Neb.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Kidney Foun-dation of Arkansas, P.O. Box 453, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1023, Cabot, Ark. 72023.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Cabot Funeral Home with arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home.
SPORTS >> Gwatney wins three of four
BY RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
IN SHORT: The Jacksonville AAA team beat Morrilton 6-3 Monday night for its third win in its last four games. They will host the annual 4th of July Classic this weekend before beginning the final stretch of the regular season.
Jacksonville’s AAA baseball team is on a nice upswing after struggling through the first half of the American Legion baseball season. After going 2-1 in the Sheridan Wooden Bat Classic, with wins over Little Rock Red, 17-0, and Conway, 5-1, and an 8-0 loss to Conway, the Chevy boys came from behind to defeat Morrilton 6-3 Monday night at Dupree Park.
The three wins in the last four games lift Jacksonville’s season record to 7-9 as they head into hosting the annual Gwatney Chevrolet 4th of July Classic that begins Thursday.
“They are starting to play a little better,” Jacksonville coach Bob Hicking-botham said. “We had a bad, bad game against Benton down there in Sheridan, but we’ve had three or four pretty solid games other than that one.”
In Monday’s game, Morrilton grabbed a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning by add-ing two runs to the one it scored in the first, but that’s as many as the Cogswell Motors team would get off starting pitcher Casey Winstead.
Winstead settled in, and the Jacksonville bats came alive, starting in the bottom of the third inning.
Leadoff hitter Josh Mansfield singled to start things off. He moved to third on a sacrifice by Neil Hatcher, and scored on an RBI single by Trey Smith. Kyle West then walked, and a pair of pitches got by the catcher to allow Smith to score and cut Jackson-ville’s deficit to one run.
The Gwatney team tied it in the fourth inning. Randy Peeples led off with a bloop single in the infield. Three batters later, and with two outs, Peeples stole second base and scored on a single to right field by Hatcher.
Jacksonville tallied another single run in the bottom of the fifth inning after Winstead sat Morrilton down in order in the top half of the frame.
Kyle West led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice by Tim Payne. Zach James doubled to right field, but West had to hold up at second to see if the ball would be caught. He only managed third base on the shot to the wall.
Peeples then struck out, but the catcher dropped the ball. Peeples outran the catcher down the first base line, and instead of throwing to first for the out, the catcher turned and tried to pick West off at third. The throw was off, leaving everyone safe and the bases juiced with one out.
Tyler Uptergrove then hit a hard grounder to third base that could have been an easy force at home, but the Morrilton third baseman threw to first, allowing West to score and giving Jacksonville its first lead of the game.
Trey Smith took the mound in relief of Winstead in the sixth inning, and fanned the side in order, bringing Jacksonville back to the plate where it posted the final two runs of the contest.
With two outs and nobody on, West again walked, his third walk of the game with the final two coming on eight combined pitches. Payne was then hit with the first pitch of his at bat, and the two runners advanced into scoring position on a passed ball.
James then hit a high pop fly to shallow right field. West and Payne were running throughout the flight of the ball, and when the Morrilton second baseman dropped the ball, both runners had already crossed the plate for the 6-3 lead.
Smith got his fourth straight K to start the seventh, gave up a walk and drew two fly outs to secure the save and the Jacks-onville victory.
Smith and Hatcher led the team with two hits apiece. Winstead got the win, throwing five innings, while giving up five hits and two earned runs. He struck out six Morrilton batters.
The Jacksonville A team also beat Morrilton Monday, taking a 4-0 lead in the first inning and holding on for a 10-9 victory.
Morrilton pitching hit Jack-sonville’s first four batters in the first inning, and all four scored to give the Gwatney team the early cushion.
The A team also hosted a doubleheader against Benton last night after Leader deadlines.
Look for details of these games, and early round details of the 4th of July Classic in Saturday’s edition of The Leader.
Leader sports editor
IN SHORT: The Jacksonville AAA team beat Morrilton 6-3 Monday night for its third win in its last four games. They will host the annual 4th of July Classic this weekend before beginning the final stretch of the regular season.
Jacksonville’s AAA baseball team is on a nice upswing after struggling through the first half of the American Legion baseball season. After going 2-1 in the Sheridan Wooden Bat Classic, with wins over Little Rock Red, 17-0, and Conway, 5-1, and an 8-0 loss to Conway, the Chevy boys came from behind to defeat Morrilton 6-3 Monday night at Dupree Park.
The three wins in the last four games lift Jacksonville’s season record to 7-9 as they head into hosting the annual Gwatney Chevrolet 4th of July Classic that begins Thursday.
“They are starting to play a little better,” Jacksonville coach Bob Hicking-botham said. “We had a bad, bad game against Benton down there in Sheridan, but we’ve had three or four pretty solid games other than that one.”
In Monday’s game, Morrilton grabbed a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning by add-ing two runs to the one it scored in the first, but that’s as many as the Cogswell Motors team would get off starting pitcher Casey Winstead.
Winstead settled in, and the Jacksonville bats came alive, starting in the bottom of the third inning.
Leadoff hitter Josh Mansfield singled to start things off. He moved to third on a sacrifice by Neil Hatcher, and scored on an RBI single by Trey Smith. Kyle West then walked, and a pair of pitches got by the catcher to allow Smith to score and cut Jackson-ville’s deficit to one run.
The Gwatney team tied it in the fourth inning. Randy Peeples led off with a bloop single in the infield. Three batters later, and with two outs, Peeples stole second base and scored on a single to right field by Hatcher.
Jacksonville tallied another single run in the bottom of the fifth inning after Winstead sat Morrilton down in order in the top half of the frame.
Kyle West led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice by Tim Payne. Zach James doubled to right field, but West had to hold up at second to see if the ball would be caught. He only managed third base on the shot to the wall.
Peeples then struck out, but the catcher dropped the ball. Peeples outran the catcher down the first base line, and instead of throwing to first for the out, the catcher turned and tried to pick West off at third. The throw was off, leaving everyone safe and the bases juiced with one out.
Tyler Uptergrove then hit a hard grounder to third base that could have been an easy force at home, but the Morrilton third baseman threw to first, allowing West to score and giving Jacksonville its first lead of the game.
Trey Smith took the mound in relief of Winstead in the sixth inning, and fanned the side in order, bringing Jacksonville back to the plate where it posted the final two runs of the contest.
With two outs and nobody on, West again walked, his third walk of the game with the final two coming on eight combined pitches. Payne was then hit with the first pitch of his at bat, and the two runners advanced into scoring position on a passed ball.
James then hit a high pop fly to shallow right field. West and Payne were running throughout the flight of the ball, and when the Morrilton second baseman dropped the ball, both runners had already crossed the plate for the 6-3 lead.
Smith got his fourth straight K to start the seventh, gave up a walk and drew two fly outs to secure the save and the Jacks-onville victory.
Smith and Hatcher led the team with two hits apiece. Winstead got the win, throwing five innings, while giving up five hits and two earned runs. He struck out six Morrilton batters.
The Jacksonville A team also beat Morrilton Monday, taking a 4-0 lead in the first inning and holding on for a 10-9 victory.
Morrilton pitching hit Jack-sonville’s first four batters in the first inning, and all four scored to give the Gwatney team the early cushion.
The A team also hosted a doubleheader against Benton last night after Leader deadlines.
Look for details of these games, and early round details of the 4th of July Classic in Saturday’s edition of The Leader.
SPORTS >> Ex-Red Devil, Rebel transferring to UALR
BY RAY BENTON
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Former Jacksonville Red Devil basketball standout and Ole Miss Rebel Mike Smith is transferring to UALR. He and Ole Miss teammate Brandon Patterson (Altheimer) will sit out this season and begin play in 2007.
LITTLE ROCK – It’s been a whirlwind of a post high school basketball career for former Jacksonville Red Devil Mike Smith. The latest move for the 6-foot-7 forward will be back towards home.
UALR head coach Steve Shields announced today that Smith and Brandon Patterson (Altheimer) are transferring to UALR from Ole Mississippi, where each player just completed their freshmen seasons.
The duo will begin taking classes at UALR this summer and will join the Trojans for the 2007-08 season after sitting out the upcoming year to abide by the NCAA transfer rules. Patterson, a 6-6 guard, will have two years of eligibility remaining, while Smith, a 6-7 forward, will have three years left beginning in 2007-08.
Smith signed with Arkansas St. in high school, but was academically ineligible to play Division I basketball. He enrolled at Laurinburg Prep Academy for one year before signing with Ole Miss.
“I’m excited to have Brandon and Mike return to their home state and join our program,” said Shields. “I think both guys will be high-impact contributors for our team after sitting out the upcoming year.”
Smith played in 29 games as a true freshman at Ole Miss, averaging 2.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game while shooting .479 from the field (23-of-48). He posted career-bests of nine points and a game-high 11 boards against Alcorn State. He matched his career high with nine points against Tennessee and added seven rebounds, both of which were personal highs in SEC play.
The 6-7 forward was a 2004 All-Arkansas selection at Jack-sonville High School and averaged a double-double in leading the Red Devils in points and rebounds his senior year.
After high school, Smith attended Laurinburg Prep and averaged 10.2 points, five rebounds and three assists in helping lead Laurinburg Aca-demy to a 40-0 record and the 2004-05 prep school national championship.
“Mike is a strong post player who can step out and shoot the ball from the three-point line,” said Shields. “I’m very excited about his ability to stretch opposing defenses.”
Patterson was a two-time All-Arkansas selection at Altheimer, as well as the 2004 Southeast Arkansas Player of the Year. He led Altheimer to back-to-back 2A state titles as a junior and senior, earning state tournament most valuable player honors both years.
Altheimer went a combined 63-3 during its two title runs, with Patterson averaging 24.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 4.3 blocks per game as a senior en route to earning First Team All-State accolades.
At Ole Miss, Patterson averaged 5.1 points and 2.0 rebounds per game as a freshman, and ranked second on the team with 36 made three pointers.
He scored a career-high 19 points against Tennessee Tech that year, thanks in part to a 5-of-8 effort from three-point range. As a sophomore, Patterson played in all 30 games with 11 starts, and averaged 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.
“I remember watching Brandon play a lot at the high school level. He brings a great knowledge of the game to our basketball team,” said Shields. “He is highly skilled and brings some flexibility from the standpoint of being able to play a couple of positions.”
The addition of Patterson and Smith, and the departure of forward Chris Thornton, gives UALR 14 scholarship players for the upcoming season, one more than the NCAA maximum. The Trojans return seven letter winners (including three starters) and three redshirt players from last year’s squad, which ended the year with a 14-15 record.
The University of Arkansas-Little Rock sports information department contributed to this story.
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Former Jacksonville Red Devil basketball standout and Ole Miss Rebel Mike Smith is transferring to UALR. He and Ole Miss teammate Brandon Patterson (Altheimer) will sit out this season and begin play in 2007.
LITTLE ROCK – It’s been a whirlwind of a post high school basketball career for former Jacksonville Red Devil Mike Smith. The latest move for the 6-foot-7 forward will be back towards home.
UALR head coach Steve Shields announced today that Smith and Brandon Patterson (Altheimer) are transferring to UALR from Ole Mississippi, where each player just completed their freshmen seasons.
The duo will begin taking classes at UALR this summer and will join the Trojans for the 2007-08 season after sitting out the upcoming year to abide by the NCAA transfer rules. Patterson, a 6-6 guard, will have two years of eligibility remaining, while Smith, a 6-7 forward, will have three years left beginning in 2007-08.
Smith signed with Arkansas St. in high school, but was academically ineligible to play Division I basketball. He enrolled at Laurinburg Prep Academy for one year before signing with Ole Miss.
“I’m excited to have Brandon and Mike return to their home state and join our program,” said Shields. “I think both guys will be high-impact contributors for our team after sitting out the upcoming year.”
Smith played in 29 games as a true freshman at Ole Miss, averaging 2.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game while shooting .479 from the field (23-of-48). He posted career-bests of nine points and a game-high 11 boards against Alcorn State. He matched his career high with nine points against Tennessee and added seven rebounds, both of which were personal highs in SEC play.
The 6-7 forward was a 2004 All-Arkansas selection at Jack-sonville High School and averaged a double-double in leading the Red Devils in points and rebounds his senior year.
After high school, Smith attended Laurinburg Prep and averaged 10.2 points, five rebounds and three assists in helping lead Laurinburg Aca-demy to a 40-0 record and the 2004-05 prep school national championship.
“Mike is a strong post player who can step out and shoot the ball from the three-point line,” said Shields. “I’m very excited about his ability to stretch opposing defenses.”
Patterson was a two-time All-Arkansas selection at Altheimer, as well as the 2004 Southeast Arkansas Player of the Year. He led Altheimer to back-to-back 2A state titles as a junior and senior, earning state tournament most valuable player honors both years.
Altheimer went a combined 63-3 during its two title runs, with Patterson averaging 24.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 4.3 blocks per game as a senior en route to earning First Team All-State accolades.
At Ole Miss, Patterson averaged 5.1 points and 2.0 rebounds per game as a freshman, and ranked second on the team with 36 made three pointers.
He scored a career-high 19 points against Tennessee Tech that year, thanks in part to a 5-of-8 effort from three-point range. As a sophomore, Patterson played in all 30 games with 11 starts, and averaged 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.
“I remember watching Brandon play a lot at the high school level. He brings a great knowledge of the game to our basketball team,” said Shields. “He is highly skilled and brings some flexibility from the standpoint of being able to play a couple of positions.”
The addition of Patterson and Smith, and the departure of forward Chris Thornton, gives UALR 14 scholarship players for the upcoming season, one more than the NCAA maximum. The Trojans return seven letter winners (including three starters) and three redshirt players from last year’s squad, which ended the year with a 14-15 record.
The University of Arkansas-Little Rock sports information department contributed to this story.
SPORTS >> Former head Hog gives talk in Cabot
BY JASON KING
Leader sports writer
IN SHORT: The winningest football coach in University of Arkansas history appeared before an enthusiastic crowd at the Cabot Rotary Club’s June meeting Monday.
Former Arkansas Razorback football coach Ken Hatfield was the guest speaker at the annual Rotary Club banquet in Cabot Monday night. Hatfield was coach of the Razorbacks from 1984 to 1989, and was also a player on the historic 1964 team.
Just prior to Hatfield’s speech, outgoing Rotary president Sandy Huckabee showed a brief film clip of Hatfield’s historic punt return in the ’64 game against Texas. Hatfield said seeing the footage always brings back gre-at memories, and revealed that it was the center who actually made the game-saving play when he snapped the ball early on fourth down after noticing that there were 12 Texas defenders on the field.
The former head Hog told a number of jokes and humorous stories in his brief speech. He also praised the work of the Rotary Club, comparing them to the center on a football team.
“Real success is giving,” Hatfield told the audience. “When you can take your talents and use them to benefit others, you will make the world a better place.”
After Hatfield’s speech, Huckabea announced Jeff Spann as the new Rotary Club president. Spann spoke briefly to close out the evening, announcing the goals of the club for the coming year.
A number of people lined up to get Hatfield’s autograph afterward. Not surprisingly, the coach was still ready to talk football.
“For me, it was good to coach where I grew up,” Hatfield said. “It was very special, and I feel like the most blessed guy in America to be able to coach at my Alma-mater.
Hatfield also told The Leader about the advantages of coaching in the old Southwest Conference versus the SEC of today.
“When we played in the Southwest Conference, there was a lot of tradition to call on. You could get the players fired up telling them about a game that happened 25 years ago. It was all the same teams for all those years, so you had a lot of ways to relate to the players. There’s not as long of a tradition in the SEC, which makes it a little harder.”
Hatfield was also complimentary of the Rotary Club, and its members.
“I really enjoy banquets like this,” Hatfield said. “It’s a chance for the members to tell their spouses ‘thank you for sacrificing your time.’ The understanding of the members’ spouses is important to the success of this club, and that’s what these banquets are all about.”
Leader sports writer
IN SHORT: The winningest football coach in University of Arkansas history appeared before an enthusiastic crowd at the Cabot Rotary Club’s June meeting Monday.
Former Arkansas Razorback football coach Ken Hatfield was the guest speaker at the annual Rotary Club banquet in Cabot Monday night. Hatfield was coach of the Razorbacks from 1984 to 1989, and was also a player on the historic 1964 team.
Just prior to Hatfield’s speech, outgoing Rotary president Sandy Huckabee showed a brief film clip of Hatfield’s historic punt return in the ’64 game against Texas. Hatfield said seeing the footage always brings back gre-at memories, and revealed that it was the center who actually made the game-saving play when he snapped the ball early on fourth down after noticing that there were 12 Texas defenders on the field.
The former head Hog told a number of jokes and humorous stories in his brief speech. He also praised the work of the Rotary Club, comparing them to the center on a football team.
“Real success is giving,” Hatfield told the audience. “When you can take your talents and use them to benefit others, you will make the world a better place.”
After Hatfield’s speech, Huckabea announced Jeff Spann as the new Rotary Club president. Spann spoke briefly to close out the evening, announcing the goals of the club for the coming year.
A number of people lined up to get Hatfield’s autograph afterward. Not surprisingly, the coach was still ready to talk football.
“For me, it was good to coach where I grew up,” Hatfield said. “It was very special, and I feel like the most blessed guy in America to be able to coach at my Alma-mater.
Hatfield also told The Leader about the advantages of coaching in the old Southwest Conference versus the SEC of today.
“When we played in the Southwest Conference, there was a lot of tradition to call on. You could get the players fired up telling them about a game that happened 25 years ago. It was all the same teams for all those years, so you had a lot of ways to relate to the players. There’s not as long of a tradition in the SEC, which makes it a little harder.”
Hatfield was also complimentary of the Rotary Club, and its members.
“I really enjoy banquets like this,” Hatfield said. “It’s a chance for the members to tell their spouses ‘thank you for sacrificing your time.’ The understanding of the members’ spouses is important to the success of this club, and that’s what these banquets are all about.”
OPINION >> Searcy’s Dacus coming on strong for Hogs
BY NATE ALLEn
Leader sports columnist
FAYETTEVILLE — Sometimes last spring it seemed Reggie Herring shorted the Razorbacks a scholarship.
The Arkansas defensive coordinator/linebacker coach would expound after the early spring practices about the Razorbacks having all walkons behind linebackers Freddie Fairchild, Desmond Sims and Sam Olajubutu until the freshman cavalry officially rides in come August.
“Uh, coach, Weston Dacus is on scholarship, too.”
Nobody makes that omission now. None have since mid-spring. The junior two-year letterman from Searcy really came on with a rush, Herring and head coach Houston Nutt both remarked.
“He cut loose,” Nutt said last week. “It’s like suddenly he stopped thinking and just started playing and making plays. I was really proud of Weston Dacus.”
He was proud, and relieved, too. Relieved because if the Razorbacks opened the season against Southern California tomorrow instead of Sept. 2, the once-forgotten man would be a one-man second-team. He’d be the backup both for Sims in the middle and Olajubutu and Fairchild on either side.
The Razorbacks have promising freshman linebacking help on the way with scholarship signees Adrian Davis, Rosenberg, Texas; Wendel Davis, Sweeny, Texas; Chip Gregory, Allen, Texas; Ryan Powers, Athens, Ala. and Van Stumon, North Little Rock, in the fold. But counting early on freshmen is like betting your future on a roulette wheel’s spin.
The odds are not stacked in your favor.
Just go back to last year with Freddie Fairchild. Fairchild became a good player as last season went on, and Herring and Nutt firmly believe he will become a great one.
But when the former Little Rock Central star, with an extra year of prep school seasoning at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy, debuted as a starter in Los Angeles three games into the season against Southern California, he looked more lost in L.A. than the Beverly Hillbillies first driving into town. Not that Fairchild was the Lone Ranger looking lost in the 70-17 debacle against Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Lendale White and Co., but the Trojans certainly exploited him as good teams do against a rookie.
By the season’s end, Fairchild was doing plenty of exploiting with 59 tackles, including two sacks, and a pass deflection and three quarterback hurries. He may perch on stardom now.
“Freddie Fairchild put on 18 pounds of muscle since last year.” Nutt said. “He got better each day.”
So did Dacus once he turned it around starting the second week of spring drills.”
That’s huge news for Arkansas needing a seasoned linebacking hand in reserve.
Dacus’ 2005 campaign tends to get overlooked because he opened the season as a starter but was quickly replaced in the middle by Pierre Brown and Clarke Moore and also stymied on the depth chart by Fairchild’s development.
However, Dacus’ 2005 was not in vain. Appearing in all 11 games, he had 26 tackles, including one and a half sacks, broke up a pass, was credited with two quarterback hurries and forced a fumble. Dacus was a mainstay in the kicking game.
“He was our leading tackler on special teams,” Nutt said.
So the forgotten man perhaps never was all that forgotten. Mark it down. The Razorback coaches know they return four scholarship linebackers from 2005 to 2006.
Leader sports columnist
FAYETTEVILLE — Sometimes last spring it seemed Reggie Herring shorted the Razorbacks a scholarship.
The Arkansas defensive coordinator/linebacker coach would expound after the early spring practices about the Razorbacks having all walkons behind linebackers Freddie Fairchild, Desmond Sims and Sam Olajubutu until the freshman cavalry officially rides in come August.
“Uh, coach, Weston Dacus is on scholarship, too.”
Nobody makes that omission now. None have since mid-spring. The junior two-year letterman from Searcy really came on with a rush, Herring and head coach Houston Nutt both remarked.
“He cut loose,” Nutt said last week. “It’s like suddenly he stopped thinking and just started playing and making plays. I was really proud of Weston Dacus.”
He was proud, and relieved, too. Relieved because if the Razorbacks opened the season against Southern California tomorrow instead of Sept. 2, the once-forgotten man would be a one-man second-team. He’d be the backup both for Sims in the middle and Olajubutu and Fairchild on either side.
The Razorbacks have promising freshman linebacking help on the way with scholarship signees Adrian Davis, Rosenberg, Texas; Wendel Davis, Sweeny, Texas; Chip Gregory, Allen, Texas; Ryan Powers, Athens, Ala. and Van Stumon, North Little Rock, in the fold. But counting early on freshmen is like betting your future on a roulette wheel’s spin.
The odds are not stacked in your favor.
Just go back to last year with Freddie Fairchild. Fairchild became a good player as last season went on, and Herring and Nutt firmly believe he will become a great one.
But when the former Little Rock Central star, with an extra year of prep school seasoning at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy, debuted as a starter in Los Angeles three games into the season against Southern California, he looked more lost in L.A. than the Beverly Hillbillies first driving into town. Not that Fairchild was the Lone Ranger looking lost in the 70-17 debacle against Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Lendale White and Co., but the Trojans certainly exploited him as good teams do against a rookie.
By the season’s end, Fairchild was doing plenty of exploiting with 59 tackles, including two sacks, and a pass deflection and three quarterback hurries. He may perch on stardom now.
“Freddie Fairchild put on 18 pounds of muscle since last year.” Nutt said. “He got better each day.”
So did Dacus once he turned it around starting the second week of spring drills.”
That’s huge news for Arkansas needing a seasoned linebacking hand in reserve.
Dacus’ 2005 campaign tends to get overlooked because he opened the season as a starter but was quickly replaced in the middle by Pierre Brown and Clarke Moore and also stymied on the depth chart by Fairchild’s development.
However, Dacus’ 2005 was not in vain. Appearing in all 11 games, he had 26 tackles, including one and a half sacks, broke up a pass, was credited with two quarterback hurries and forced a fumble. Dacus was a mainstay in the kicking game.
“He was our leading tackler on special teams,” Nutt said.
So the forgotten man perhaps never was all that forgotten. Mark it down. The Razorback coaches know they return four scholarship linebackers from 2005 to 2006.
SPORTS >> All Stars relish experience
BY RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
IN SHORT: Sylvan Hills duo Raefe Jenkins and T.J. Fenton excel during the annual football classic in Razorback Stadium.
What was supposed to be five local players battling for the East squad in the 2006 All-Star football game last Friday turned into just three, and one of those got in on one play. Searcy place kicker Tanner Gibbs scored the East’s only points with a field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
Sylvan Hills Bears Raefe Jenkins and T.J. Fenton started and played almost the entire game for the East team. Jenkins played tight end and carried every other play into the huddle from the sideline, working closely with legendary coach Frank McClellan, who was coaching his final game after a storied career that included five consecutive state championships in the 80s and 90s, and a national record 65-consecutive victories.
Fenton started at inside linebacker, and played every defensive series except those in the second quarter when the substitutes took the field.
Also invited to the game were Harding Academy quarterback Zach Tribble, and Jacksonville wide receiver Lavar Neely.
Tribble suffered a minor injury during practice on Wednesday, and sat out of the game for precautionary reasons.
Neely left Fayetteville for undisclosed reasons during Tuesday’s practice.
The East struggled to move the ball and suffered a 20-3 loss, but Jenkins and Fenton were still ecstatic after the game.
“This whole week has been awesome,” Jenkins said. “It’s truly been a blessing. God’s blessed me with this opportunity to play here, and make a few new friends and give me an experience that I’ll never forget.”
“It’s been a real good week,” Fenton said. “Coach McClellan, it’s an honor to get to play for him. Being up here with all these D1 prospects, in a big stadium with a hall of fame coach, it’s been great.”
Jenkins was also excited and honored to play for McClellan. Being one of the two signal carriers, Jenkins got closer to the legend than most others at the camp, and was inspired.
“I loved playing for him,” Jenkins said. “His leadership and motivation was awesome. He’s an amazing coach. I wish I could have played for him for him in high school. I just lived too far away.”
Jenkins is headed to North Texas where he’ll continue his football career, while Fenton will play for Southwest Baptist in Missouri.
Leader sports editor
IN SHORT: Sylvan Hills duo Raefe Jenkins and T.J. Fenton excel during the annual football classic in Razorback Stadium.
What was supposed to be five local players battling for the East squad in the 2006 All-Star football game last Friday turned into just three, and one of those got in on one play. Searcy place kicker Tanner Gibbs scored the East’s only points with a field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
Sylvan Hills Bears Raefe Jenkins and T.J. Fenton started and played almost the entire game for the East team. Jenkins played tight end and carried every other play into the huddle from the sideline, working closely with legendary coach Frank McClellan, who was coaching his final game after a storied career that included five consecutive state championships in the 80s and 90s, and a national record 65-consecutive victories.
Fenton started at inside linebacker, and played every defensive series except those in the second quarter when the substitutes took the field.
Also invited to the game were Harding Academy quarterback Zach Tribble, and Jacksonville wide receiver Lavar Neely.
Tribble suffered a minor injury during practice on Wednesday, and sat out of the game for precautionary reasons.
Neely left Fayetteville for undisclosed reasons during Tuesday’s practice.
The East struggled to move the ball and suffered a 20-3 loss, but Jenkins and Fenton were still ecstatic after the game.
“This whole week has been awesome,” Jenkins said. “It’s truly been a blessing. God’s blessed me with this opportunity to play here, and make a few new friends and give me an experience that I’ll never forget.”
“It’s been a real good week,” Fenton said. “Coach McClellan, it’s an honor to get to play for him. Being up here with all these D1 prospects, in a big stadium with a hall of fame coach, it’s been great.”
Jenkins was also excited and honored to play for McClellan. Being one of the two signal carriers, Jenkins got closer to the legend than most others at the camp, and was inspired.
“I loved playing for him,” Jenkins said. “His leadership and motivation was awesome. He’s an amazing coach. I wish I could have played for him for him in high school. I just lived too far away.”
Jenkins is headed to North Texas where he’ll continue his football career, while Fenton will play for Southwest Baptist in Missouri.
Friday, June 23, 2006
SPORTS >> Local ballers help East win
BY RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
IN SHORT: Searcy’s Chris Brown, Riverview’s Cory Cooperwood and former Falcon Steven Moore helped the East to a 111-90 win.
FAYETTEVILLE -- The three local players turned in very good performances in the 2006 men’s All-Star basketball games.
Leading the way was Steven Moore, a Jacksonville resident who played two years at North Pulaski High before transferring to Mills for his senior season. Moore was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for his role at point guard for the East in their 111-90 victory over the West squad.
Two scoring records fell in the game. The East squad’s 111 points topped the 1976 West team’s 110, and the most-combined-points mark was also beat by one point.
In the boys game, the East first team, which Moore led at the point, stormed out to a 26-8 lead in the five-period format. The West didn’t score until two free throws made it 17-2 with 2:13 left in the quarter.
Ten new players took the court for the duration of the second quarter, and the West began a strong comeback. Dollarway’s Bobby Miller hit a three to open the second period and gave the East a 29-8 lead. From there, the West outscored the East 40-19 to tie the game with 2:02 left in the third quarter.
The West briefly took the lead with 1:21 remaining when a free throw gave it a 51-50 advantage.
Two Cooperwood free throws seconds later gave the East the lead for good.
The final two quarters were played with each team substituting freely, and the East re established its dominance. Moore started things off with a layup in traffic after penetrating the West man defense.
Brown got a putback and a big blocked shot, and Cooperwood began to be involved in every play.
Over the last 2:40 of the fourth period, Cooperwood hit two free throws, grabbed two rebounds, got two blocks and dished out an assist in helping his team turn a 59-55 lead into an 83-63 edge.
The fifth quarter belonged to Brown. Brown had missed six of his first seven field-goal attempts, but was the dominant player in the final stanza.
After the West closed the gap again from 83-63 to 87-75 with 5:45 to go, Brown got hot and put the West away for good. Over a span of one minute and three seconds, Brown scored nine points, including a beautiful reverse layup in traffic and adding a subsequent free throw.
He added two more rebounds and a dunk to his total before game’s end.
He finished with 13 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.
Moore turned in 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and took a charge, while Cooperwood added six points, four boards, two steals, two assists and two blocked shots.
After the game, East head coach David Hixson, who coached against Moore at Blytheville, had nothing but praise for his MVP.
“He’s the first guy we picked,” Hixson said of the coaches’ selection of the All-Star team. “We knew he was a great talent and a great young man, and we knew what he could bring to this team. I’m not surprised at all he got that award.”
As much as the coach praised the game’s best performer, he lauded his outstanding camper even more.
“Cory is just a phenomenal young man,” Hixson said. “That award goes, not just to a guy with great talent, and Cory certainly has that, but also to the man with great work ethic, and great character. Cory is the definition of what the outstanding camper is supposed to be. It was a hard decision because this is the best group we’ve had in the four years I’ve been a part of this, but Cory is very deserving, just a phenomenal young man.”
Leader sports editor
IN SHORT: Searcy’s Chris Brown, Riverview’s Cory Cooperwood and former Falcon Steven Moore helped the East to a 111-90 win.
FAYETTEVILLE -- The three local players turned in very good performances in the 2006 men’s All-Star basketball games.
Leading the way was Steven Moore, a Jacksonville resident who played two years at North Pulaski High before transferring to Mills for his senior season. Moore was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for his role at point guard for the East in their 111-90 victory over the West squad.
Two scoring records fell in the game. The East squad’s 111 points topped the 1976 West team’s 110, and the most-combined-points mark was also beat by one point.
In the boys game, the East first team, which Moore led at the point, stormed out to a 26-8 lead in the five-period format. The West didn’t score until two free throws made it 17-2 with 2:13 left in the quarter.
Ten new players took the court for the duration of the second quarter, and the West began a strong comeback. Dollarway’s Bobby Miller hit a three to open the second period and gave the East a 29-8 lead. From there, the West outscored the East 40-19 to tie the game with 2:02 left in the third quarter.
The West briefly took the lead with 1:21 remaining when a free throw gave it a 51-50 advantage.
Two Cooperwood free throws seconds later gave the East the lead for good.
The final two quarters were played with each team substituting freely, and the East re established its dominance. Moore started things off with a layup in traffic after penetrating the West man defense.
Brown got a putback and a big blocked shot, and Cooperwood began to be involved in every play.
Over the last 2:40 of the fourth period, Cooperwood hit two free throws, grabbed two rebounds, got two blocks and dished out an assist in helping his team turn a 59-55 lead into an 83-63 edge.
The fifth quarter belonged to Brown. Brown had missed six of his first seven field-goal attempts, but was the dominant player in the final stanza.
After the West closed the gap again from 83-63 to 87-75 with 5:45 to go, Brown got hot and put the West away for good. Over a span of one minute and three seconds, Brown scored nine points, including a beautiful reverse layup in traffic and adding a subsequent free throw.
He added two more rebounds and a dunk to his total before game’s end.
He finished with 13 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.
Moore turned in 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and took a charge, while Cooperwood added six points, four boards, two steals, two assists and two blocked shots.
After the game, East head coach David Hixson, who coached against Moore at Blytheville, had nothing but praise for his MVP.
“He’s the first guy we picked,” Hixson said of the coaches’ selection of the All-Star team. “We knew he was a great talent and a great young man, and we knew what he could bring to this team. I’m not surprised at all he got that award.”
As much as the coach praised the game’s best performer, he lauded his outstanding camper even more.
“Cory is just a phenomenal young man,” Hixson said. “That award goes, not just to a guy with great talent, and Cory certainly has that, but also to the man with great work ethic, and great character. Cory is the definition of what the outstanding camper is supposed to be. It was a hard decision because this is the best group we’ve had in the four years I’ve been a part of this, but Cory is very deserving, just a phenomenal young man.”
SPORTS >> Bruins beat Stuttgart in five innings
BY JASON KING
Leader sports writer
IN SHORT: A big fourth inning for Sylvan Hills turned a close game into a big shutout during the opening round of the Tall Timber Wood Bat Classic at Sheridan Thursday against Stuttgart Ricemen with the help of several errors.
SHERIDAN -- Sylvan Hills got a solid start in the opening round of the Wood Bat Classic on Thursday. The Bruins run-ruled the Ricemen 8-0 in five innings to take the first-round win.
Tony Pavan took the win at the mound for Sylvan Hills, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three batters. Pavan went all five innings, with a slight slip in the top of the fifth inning that allowed three of Stuttgart’s four total hits.
The game was closely contested until the bottom of the fourth, when the Ricemen’s defense suffered a tremendous meltdown. The Bruins scored five runs in the fourth, followed by two more in the bottom of the fifth to end the contest early under the run-rule.
Pavan sent Stuttgart three-and-out to start the game, getting the third out with a strikeout on Jett Jones. Lead-off SH batter Shawn Bybee started the Bruins’ turn with a double to left field. Bybee made it to third to put a score in position, but Stuttgart pitcher Jones struck out two of the last three batters in the inning to leave him on.
Sylvan Hills continued the solid defense in the second inning, with Pavan ending the Ricemens’ turn on a strikeout to send them four-up and three-down.
The first run of the contest came in the bottom of the second inning for Sylvan Hills. Taylor Roark reached with a walk, and was driven in with an RBI double to deep left from Jarrett Boles. Jones struck out the final two Bruins batters in the inning to stop the scoring after only one run.
Stuttgart posed a serious threat to score in the top of the third inning. With runners at first and third with only one out, Pavan forced pop-ups from Joseph Lockwood and Jones to leave both runners on at the end of the Ricemens’ turn.
The next inning-and-a-half was fairly uneventful, and the bottom of the fourth looked as if it would be as well. Pop ups from Hayden Miller and Roark gave the Bruins two outs to start out the turn, and Boles was struck out by Jones. Catcher Sam Dardeine let the third strike get away from him, and Boles quickly scrambled to first on the passed ball.
An E6 allowed David Simpson to first, and a passed ball during Bybee’s turn allowed both runners to advance.
The frustration for the Ricemen began to show at that point, when catcher Dardeine yelled for the basemen to “Shut up” after third baseman Chris Hooker questioned Dardeine for not making the throw to third after retrieving the ball.
The hard times for Stuttgart only escalated from there. A walk for Bybee loaded the bases, and another passed ball scored Boles. The bases were loaded once again with another walk, this time it was Austin Gwatney that received the free trip to first.
The third walk of the inning scored Simpson for a 3-0 Sylvan Hills’ lead. The only actual hit of the inning came from following batter Chase Elder, a double to deep center that scored three runs to give the Bruins a 6-0 advantage.
Pavan had his worst inning in the top of the fifth, allowing three consecutive hits to load the bases for the Ricemen with only one out.
The strong right-hander showed his maturity on the mound from there, regaining his focus to strikeout Jones for the second out and forcing a pop to third from Brad Holt to leave all three runners on.
Sylvan Hills did not get any hits in the bottom of the fifth, but a series of walks and hit-by-pitches scored the final two runs.
With the bases loaded, relief pitcher Alex Smith walked Grant Garlington to score Roark for the eighth and final run of the contest.
Elder was 1 for 2 with a double and three RBIs. Boles was one for three with a double and a RBI. The Bruins finished with eight runs, four hits and two errors.
Sylvan Hills faced Lakeside yesterday after Leader deadlines, and will play Little Rock Red today at 5 p.m.
Leader sports writer
IN SHORT: A big fourth inning for Sylvan Hills turned a close game into a big shutout during the opening round of the Tall Timber Wood Bat Classic at Sheridan Thursday against Stuttgart Ricemen with the help of several errors.
SHERIDAN -- Sylvan Hills got a solid start in the opening round of the Wood Bat Classic on Thursday. The Bruins run-ruled the Ricemen 8-0 in five innings to take the first-round win.
Tony Pavan took the win at the mound for Sylvan Hills, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three batters. Pavan went all five innings, with a slight slip in the top of the fifth inning that allowed three of Stuttgart’s four total hits.
The game was closely contested until the bottom of the fourth, when the Ricemen’s defense suffered a tremendous meltdown. The Bruins scored five runs in the fourth, followed by two more in the bottom of the fifth to end the contest early under the run-rule.
Pavan sent Stuttgart three-and-out to start the game, getting the third out with a strikeout on Jett Jones. Lead-off SH batter Shawn Bybee started the Bruins’ turn with a double to left field. Bybee made it to third to put a score in position, but Stuttgart pitcher Jones struck out two of the last three batters in the inning to leave him on.
Sylvan Hills continued the solid defense in the second inning, with Pavan ending the Ricemens’ turn on a strikeout to send them four-up and three-down.
The first run of the contest came in the bottom of the second inning for Sylvan Hills. Taylor Roark reached with a walk, and was driven in with an RBI double to deep left from Jarrett Boles. Jones struck out the final two Bruins batters in the inning to stop the scoring after only one run.
Stuttgart posed a serious threat to score in the top of the third inning. With runners at first and third with only one out, Pavan forced pop-ups from Joseph Lockwood and Jones to leave both runners on at the end of the Ricemens’ turn.
The next inning-and-a-half was fairly uneventful, and the bottom of the fourth looked as if it would be as well. Pop ups from Hayden Miller and Roark gave the Bruins two outs to start out the turn, and Boles was struck out by Jones. Catcher Sam Dardeine let the third strike get away from him, and Boles quickly scrambled to first on the passed ball.
An E6 allowed David Simpson to first, and a passed ball during Bybee’s turn allowed both runners to advance.
The frustration for the Ricemen began to show at that point, when catcher Dardeine yelled for the basemen to “Shut up” after third baseman Chris Hooker questioned Dardeine for not making the throw to third after retrieving the ball.
The hard times for Stuttgart only escalated from there. A walk for Bybee loaded the bases, and another passed ball scored Boles. The bases were loaded once again with another walk, this time it was Austin Gwatney that received the free trip to first.
The third walk of the inning scored Simpson for a 3-0 Sylvan Hills’ lead. The only actual hit of the inning came from following batter Chase Elder, a double to deep center that scored three runs to give the Bruins a 6-0 advantage.
Pavan had his worst inning in the top of the fifth, allowing three consecutive hits to load the bases for the Ricemen with only one out.
The strong right-hander showed his maturity on the mound from there, regaining his focus to strikeout Jones for the second out and forcing a pop to third from Brad Holt to leave all three runners on.
Sylvan Hills did not get any hits in the bottom of the fifth, but a series of walks and hit-by-pitches scored the final two runs.
With the bases loaded, relief pitcher Alex Smith walked Grant Garlington to score Roark for the eighth and final run of the contest.
Elder was 1 for 2 with a double and three RBIs. Boles was one for three with a double and a RBI. The Bruins finished with eight runs, four hits and two errors.
Sylvan Hills faced Lakeside yesterday after Leader deadlines, and will play Little Rock Red today at 5 p.m.
SPORTS >> Falcons kick it at meet of all-stars
BY RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
IN SHORT: Michael Buzzitta and Rachel Hamilton represented North Pulaski at the all-star soccer game.
FAYETTEVILLE — Two North Pulaski Falcons made good showings for the East squad at the all-star soccer game Tuesday evening at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Michael Buzzitta and Rachel Hamilton were on hand for the festivities, and helped the East squad play a solid ball-control style.
Unfortunately for the boys, the quick-strike ability for the West squad got the left half of the state a 3-2 win in this year’s soccer match.
Hamilton was on the winning side in the girls’ match, as two goals in the last three minutes lifted the East to a 2-1 win.
The NPHS duo played well, even if things became uncomfortable at times.
Buzzitta was forced to play an unfamiliar position. He played most of the season as a mid-fielder or defender, but was asked to play forward for the East squad since he was one of only two players on the team that had any experience at the position.
“There weren’t any forwards on the team, and the coaches liked the way I played there, so that’s where they put me,” Buzzitta said. “I still had a good time. I went up there and gave it my all.”
The East boys dominated time of possession and shots on goal, but couldn’t score.
The West team was faster, and got loose for a breakaway goal to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. That lead stretched to 3-0 before the East scored two goals in the last few minutes to make it interesting at the end.
All Star players report to the UofA on Sunday, so the soccer teams had little time to prepare.
Buzzitta still felt he had a productive few days in Fayetteville.
“I learned a lot,” Buzzitta said. “We only got to practice three times, but the coaches were really good. It was fun playing with all the upper-level players in the state. It was a learning experience and I had a lot of fun.”
Hamilton turned in a solid performance, but would have liked a little more time on the hill.
“It went by so fast,” Hamilton said. “I wish we had at least one more day so I could get used to it. The level of play was very high. They had a lot more skills than most of the players in a regular high school game. Everybody was so talented.”
Hamilton felt a bit out of place. Her senior year was just her second to play soccer, while the other players on both teams have been playing competitively since grade school.
“It was actually a little intimidating,” Hamilton admitted. “They all knew each other and I didn’t know anyone, and they had all played for so long. It’s still an honor to be selected to play with those girls since I’ve only played for two years. It felt really good that I got to go.”
Leader sports editor
IN SHORT: Michael Buzzitta and Rachel Hamilton represented North Pulaski at the all-star soccer game.
FAYETTEVILLE — Two North Pulaski Falcons made good showings for the East squad at the all-star soccer game Tuesday evening at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Michael Buzzitta and Rachel Hamilton were on hand for the festivities, and helped the East squad play a solid ball-control style.
Unfortunately for the boys, the quick-strike ability for the West squad got the left half of the state a 3-2 win in this year’s soccer match.
Hamilton was on the winning side in the girls’ match, as two goals in the last three minutes lifted the East to a 2-1 win.
The NPHS duo played well, even if things became uncomfortable at times.
Buzzitta was forced to play an unfamiliar position. He played most of the season as a mid-fielder or defender, but was asked to play forward for the East squad since he was one of only two players on the team that had any experience at the position.
“There weren’t any forwards on the team, and the coaches liked the way I played there, so that’s where they put me,” Buzzitta said. “I still had a good time. I went up there and gave it my all.”
The East boys dominated time of possession and shots on goal, but couldn’t score.
The West team was faster, and got loose for a breakaway goal to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. That lead stretched to 3-0 before the East scored two goals in the last few minutes to make it interesting at the end.
All Star players report to the UofA on Sunday, so the soccer teams had little time to prepare.
Buzzitta still felt he had a productive few days in Fayetteville.
“I learned a lot,” Buzzitta said. “We only got to practice three times, but the coaches were really good. It was fun playing with all the upper-level players in the state. It was a learning experience and I had a lot of fun.”
Hamilton turned in a solid performance, but would have liked a little more time on the hill.
“It went by so fast,” Hamilton said. “I wish we had at least one more day so I could get used to it. The level of play was very high. They had a lot more skills than most of the players in a regular high school game. Everybody was so talented.”
Hamilton felt a bit out of place. Her senior year was just her second to play soccer, while the other players on both teams have been playing competitively since grade school.
“It was actually a little intimidating,” Hamilton admitted. “They all knew each other and I didn’t know anyone, and they had all played for so long. It’s still an honor to be selected to play with those girls since I’ve only played for two years. It felt really good that I got to go.”
SPORTS >> Chevy boys dominate again over Little Rock
BY JASON KING
Leader sports writer
IN SHORT: Gwatney Chevrolet struck quickly during its opening game against Little Rock Red at the Wood Bat Classic in Sheridan on Thursday.
SHERIDAN — Gwatney repeated its opening-round success again this year in the Peoples Bank Tall Timber Wood Bat Classic in Sheridan. Last year, the Chevy boys routed Little Rock Red 12-0 in three-innings. This year’s game was even uglier, as Jacksonville handed the post-one AA team a devastating 17-0 loss in two-and-a-half innings.
Gwatney only batted for two innings, but managed to go through its entire lineup twice in the bottom of the first inning. Jacksonville racked up 12 runs off of eight hits and two Little Rock errors in the opening frame, adding five more runs in the bottom of the second to secure the runaway win.
Jacksonville sent Red four-up and three-down to start out the contest, with an error at first base allowing the only runner on. Matt De Salvo tried to advance runner Bradley Silfies with a bunt, but starting Gwatney pitcher Casey Winstead made an excellent play on the ball, scooping it up to make the quick throw to first baseman Kyle West for the third out.
Leadoff Jacksonville batter Josh Mansfield hit into a 6-3 for the first out in the bottom of the second inning. It would be the last Jacksonville out for the next 15 batters.
A single from Neil Hatcher and an E6 for Trey Smith put runners at first and second. A shot to right field from West put Hatcher across the plate for the first run.
Another error scored Smith, and a double for DH Tim Payne brought in West and Zach James for a 4-0 Gwatney lead.
Randy Peeples came away with the biggest hit of the game, a triple to deep right field that drove in Payne. Peeples scored one batter later when Brian Thurman singled to right, making the score 6-0 Jacksonville.
A single from Tyler Uptergrove and a walk for Mansfield loaded the bases and started Gwatney’s second round through the batting lineup. Hatcher followed that with a double that scored two runs for an 8-0 lead.
A change in pitchers for Little Rock did nothing to slow the Chevy boys down. Michael Wenneker relieved Luke Osborn, but Wenneker gave up three walks and two hits during his stint at the mound. A walk for West automatically scored run number nine, and Red made its second pitcher change of the inning, putting starting first baseman Hayden Blair on the mound.
Blair started off by walking Payne to load the bases once again, then walking Peeples to score West. That run gave Jacksonville a commanding 12-0 lead. Blair finally ended the bleeding for Red with a strikeout on Thurman and a pop-up from Uptergrove.
Little Rock got two runners on base in the top of the second, but both were tagged out while trying to steal second. The other out came on a strikeout on Phillip Lay, sending Gwatney back to the plate.
The first three batters were starters; the next four were subs for Jacksonville in the bottom of the second. By the time Mansfield popped out at shortstop to end the inning, Gwatney had scored five more runs off of two hits and one error, and Red made its third pitcher change of the game.
Little Rock needed a miracle in the top of the third to allow the game to continue, a miracle that didn’t come to pass. Red put two runners on with two outs, but catcher Uptergrove snagged a pop-up from Scott Charlene, ending the game under the tourney’s 12-after-three run-rule.
Hatcher was 2 for 2 with a double and two RBIs. Thurman was 2 for 3 with and RBI, and Upter-grove was 2 for 3 three with a double and two RBIs.
Winstead got the win, allowing no hits or walks. Little Rock’s only hit of the game came in the top of the third off of relief pitcher Shane Graham.
Jacksonville faced off against Benton in the second round on Friday, and will play Conway in the third round tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Leader sports writer
IN SHORT: Gwatney Chevrolet struck quickly during its opening game against Little Rock Red at the Wood Bat Classic in Sheridan on Thursday.
SHERIDAN — Gwatney repeated its opening-round success again this year in the Peoples Bank Tall Timber Wood Bat Classic in Sheridan. Last year, the Chevy boys routed Little Rock Red 12-0 in three-innings. This year’s game was even uglier, as Jacksonville handed the post-one AA team a devastating 17-0 loss in two-and-a-half innings.
Gwatney only batted for two innings, but managed to go through its entire lineup twice in the bottom of the first inning. Jacksonville racked up 12 runs off of eight hits and two Little Rock errors in the opening frame, adding five more runs in the bottom of the second to secure the runaway win.
Jacksonville sent Red four-up and three-down to start out the contest, with an error at first base allowing the only runner on. Matt De Salvo tried to advance runner Bradley Silfies with a bunt, but starting Gwatney pitcher Casey Winstead made an excellent play on the ball, scooping it up to make the quick throw to first baseman Kyle West for the third out.
Leadoff Jacksonville batter Josh Mansfield hit into a 6-3 for the first out in the bottom of the second inning. It would be the last Jacksonville out for the next 15 batters.
A single from Neil Hatcher and an E6 for Trey Smith put runners at first and second. A shot to right field from West put Hatcher across the plate for the first run.
Another error scored Smith, and a double for DH Tim Payne brought in West and Zach James for a 4-0 Gwatney lead.
Randy Peeples came away with the biggest hit of the game, a triple to deep right field that drove in Payne. Peeples scored one batter later when Brian Thurman singled to right, making the score 6-0 Jacksonville.
A single from Tyler Uptergrove and a walk for Mansfield loaded the bases and started Gwatney’s second round through the batting lineup. Hatcher followed that with a double that scored two runs for an 8-0 lead.
A change in pitchers for Little Rock did nothing to slow the Chevy boys down. Michael Wenneker relieved Luke Osborn, but Wenneker gave up three walks and two hits during his stint at the mound. A walk for West automatically scored run number nine, and Red made its second pitcher change of the inning, putting starting first baseman Hayden Blair on the mound.
Blair started off by walking Payne to load the bases once again, then walking Peeples to score West. That run gave Jacksonville a commanding 12-0 lead. Blair finally ended the bleeding for Red with a strikeout on Thurman and a pop-up from Uptergrove.
Little Rock got two runners on base in the top of the second, but both were tagged out while trying to steal second. The other out came on a strikeout on Phillip Lay, sending Gwatney back to the plate.
The first three batters were starters; the next four were subs for Jacksonville in the bottom of the second. By the time Mansfield popped out at shortstop to end the inning, Gwatney had scored five more runs off of two hits and one error, and Red made its third pitcher change of the game.
Little Rock needed a miracle in the top of the third to allow the game to continue, a miracle that didn’t come to pass. Red put two runners on with two outs, but catcher Uptergrove snagged a pop-up from Scott Charlene, ending the game under the tourney’s 12-after-three run-rule.
Hatcher was 2 for 2 with a double and two RBIs. Thurman was 2 for 3 with and RBI, and Upter-grove was 2 for 3 three with a double and two RBIs.
Winstead got the win, allowing no hits or walks. Little Rock’s only hit of the game came in the top of the third off of relief pitcher Shane Graham.
Jacksonville faced off against Benton in the second round on Friday, and will play Conway in the third round tonight at 7:30 p.m.
SPORTS >> East takes 71-55 victory over West
BY RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
IN SHORT: Kim Sitzmann of Cabot and Meaghan Kellybrew of Lonoke both played great basketball at this week’s University of Arkansas All-Star Classic.
FAYETTEVILLE — Kim Sitzmann of Cabot and Meaghan Kelleybrew of Lonoke turned in excellent performances for the East girls All-Star team Thursday night. The duo helped lead the East squad to a 71-55 victory and break a three-year streak of West wins in the summertime All-Star Classic.
Sitzmann was named the East Outstanding Player for her 17 points as the East ladies ended a three-year drought and beat the West 71-55.
Kelleybrew got on the board with 4:40 left in the period. She soared high for an offensive rebound, and was fouled on the putback attempt. She hit both shots for her first two points of the game.
She got a block, a steal and two more rebounds before the period was over. She also hit a lay-in at the buzzer that was waived off by the official, who ruled that the shot had not been released before the buzzer.
Sitzmann was the first East player to score in the third period when she hit a shot from the middle of the lane with 6:44 on the clock.
She got a steal and turned it into a layup with 2:30 left that tied the game at 29 apiece.
With the score still tied, she hit one of two free throws with 1:53 remaining before intermission that gave the East squad the lead the rest of the way.
She added another steal and layup combo, and found teammate Amanda Morris under the basket for a layup at the buzzer that gave the East squad a 38-33 advantage.
Sitzmann didn’t start the fourth period, likely due to picking up three fouls in the third, and got on the board again with 1:42 on the clock.
That shot gave the East a commanding 55-36 lead.
After the West scored, Sitzmann made it a 19-point lead again with a bucket just four seconds before the end of the frame.
The West started the final period with a short run that cut the East lead to 12, but Kelleybrew put an end to the West charge by knocking down a three pointer with 6:53 left in the game.
Sitzmann got loose downcourt after a Kelleybrew steal, and hit a wide open layup, and the UALR- bound forward added another rebound and bucket on a putback with 5:36 left in the game.
Sitzmann led the team in scoring with 13 points, and in steals with three.
She also added two rebounds and two assists to her totals.
Kelleybrew, who is heading to UCA later this summer to begin her freshmen season, finished with seven points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.
The Lonoke graduate said after the game, that she was not surprised that this group ended the recent West dominance in the girls All-Star game.
“This team bonded well and came together on day one,” Kelleybrew said.
“We got along really well, and we competed hard every day. Every day a different team would win, and we knew we could win this game.”
As for the experience of All-Star Week, Kelleybrew was ecstatic.
“It’s a great feeling. I never dreamed I’d be here, and I had a great time.”
Sitzmann also had a wonderful experience.
“We worked a lot and practices were extremely competitive, but I had a blast through all of it,” Sitzmann said.
“This team’s chemistry was so great. I’ve never been on a team with this kind of chemistry. Coming from Cabot, where we’ve had some pretty good teams, so that’s really saying something.”
Leader sports editor
IN SHORT: Kim Sitzmann of Cabot and Meaghan Kellybrew of Lonoke both played great basketball at this week’s University of Arkansas All-Star Classic.
FAYETTEVILLE — Kim Sitzmann of Cabot and Meaghan Kelleybrew of Lonoke turned in excellent performances for the East girls All-Star team Thursday night. The duo helped lead the East squad to a 71-55 victory and break a three-year streak of West wins in the summertime All-Star Classic.
Sitzmann was named the East Outstanding Player for her 17 points as the East ladies ended a three-year drought and beat the West 71-55.
Kelleybrew got on the board with 4:40 left in the period. She soared high for an offensive rebound, and was fouled on the putback attempt. She hit both shots for her first two points of the game.
She got a block, a steal and two more rebounds before the period was over. She also hit a lay-in at the buzzer that was waived off by the official, who ruled that the shot had not been released before the buzzer.
Sitzmann was the first East player to score in the third period when she hit a shot from the middle of the lane with 6:44 on the clock.
She got a steal and turned it into a layup with 2:30 left that tied the game at 29 apiece.
With the score still tied, she hit one of two free throws with 1:53 remaining before intermission that gave the East squad the lead the rest of the way.
She added another steal and layup combo, and found teammate Amanda Morris under the basket for a layup at the buzzer that gave the East squad a 38-33 advantage.
Sitzmann didn’t start the fourth period, likely due to picking up three fouls in the third, and got on the board again with 1:42 on the clock.
That shot gave the East a commanding 55-36 lead.
After the West scored, Sitzmann made it a 19-point lead again with a bucket just four seconds before the end of the frame.
The West started the final period with a short run that cut the East lead to 12, but Kelleybrew put an end to the West charge by knocking down a three pointer with 6:53 left in the game.
Sitzmann got loose downcourt after a Kelleybrew steal, and hit a wide open layup, and the UALR- bound forward added another rebound and bucket on a putback with 5:36 left in the game.
Sitzmann led the team in scoring with 13 points, and in steals with three.
She also added two rebounds and two assists to her totals.
Kelleybrew, who is heading to UCA later this summer to begin her freshmen season, finished with seven points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.
The Lonoke graduate said after the game, that she was not surprised that this group ended the recent West dominance in the girls All-Star game.
“This team bonded well and came together on day one,” Kelleybrew said.
“We got along really well, and we competed hard every day. Every day a different team would win, and we knew we could win this game.”
As for the experience of All-Star Week, Kelleybrew was ecstatic.
“It’s a great feeling. I never dreamed I’d be here, and I had a great time.”
Sitzmann also had a wonderful experience.
“We worked a lot and practices were extremely competitive, but I had a blast through all of it,” Sitzmann said.
“This team’s chemistry was so great. I’ve never been on a team with this kind of chemistry. Coming from Cabot, where we’ve had some pretty good teams, so that’s really saying something.”
TOP STORY >> Federal agents raid Arthur’s Beauty College
BY PEG KENYON
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: The Inspector General’s Office of the U.S. Department of Education receives assistance from Jacksonville police during search for documents.
Federal agents Thursday morning raided Arthur’s Beauty College in Jacksonville and shut the beauty school down for a while, although it had reopened for business on Friday.
The agents, who were assisted by Jacksonville police, won’t comment on the reasons the search warrant was executed at the school, which is located at 2600 John Harden Drive near the air base exit.
Three other campuses associated with Arthur’s Beauty College in Conway, Pine Bluff and Fort Smith were also raided.
The Jacksonville Police Department assisted the Inspector General’s Office of the U.S. Department of Education. Mary Mitchelson, who is affiliated with the federal agency, declined comment when asked about a possible investigation.
“We don’t confirm or deny anything,” Mitchelson told The Leader.
At about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, an Inspector General’s official at the scene also declined comment, but she said the beauty college was closed to the public.
Mitchelson did explain that her office investigates audits pertaining to funding for educational institutions that receive federal student loans. The public can view an audit when it is completed.
According to its Web site, the Inspector General’s Office conducts audits, investigations, and inspections of education programs and operations. School personnel are responsible for reporting fraud, waste or other abuse to the office. The type of information that an institution must refer pertains to applicants’ eligibility for Title IV, Higher Education Act program assistance or the amount of assistance.
Examples of these abuses include false claims of independent-student status, false claims of citizenship, the use of false identities, false statements about income and forgeries of signatures or certifications.
Jacksonville Police Chief Robert Baker confirmed that the raid involved a federal search warrant but the Jacksonville Police Depart-ment made no arrests in connection with the incident.
On Friday morning, it was business as usual for Arthur’s Beauty College in Jacksonville.
Chris Strawn of Plummerville, who owns the school along with her husband Eddie, did not return calls from The Leader.
The couple has owned the schools since 1999.
According to its Web site, Arthur’s Beauty College provides education and practical training needed to become a licensed professional in the fields of cosmetology, cosmetology instructor, esthetics and manicuring.
According to the Web site JobBankUSA.com, Arthur’s Beau-ty College has financial aid programs available. Those who qualify could receive Pell grants and other federal aid such as Direct Loans and loan consolidation for existing loans.
Arthur’s Beauty College is licensed by the Arkansas Board of Cosmetology and accredited by National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences in Alexandria, Va.
The school is a member of Ark-ansas Beauty Schools Association, American Association of Cosmetology Schools, Arkansas Beauti-cians Association, Better Business Bureau, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce and Conway Chamber of Commerce.
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: The Inspector General’s Office of the U.S. Department of Education receives assistance from Jacksonville police during search for documents.
Federal agents Thursday morning raided Arthur’s Beauty College in Jacksonville and shut the beauty school down for a while, although it had reopened for business on Friday.
The agents, who were assisted by Jacksonville police, won’t comment on the reasons the search warrant was executed at the school, which is located at 2600 John Harden Drive near the air base exit.
Three other campuses associated with Arthur’s Beauty College in Conway, Pine Bluff and Fort Smith were also raided.
The Jacksonville Police Department assisted the Inspector General’s Office of the U.S. Department of Education. Mary Mitchelson, who is affiliated with the federal agency, declined comment when asked about a possible investigation.
“We don’t confirm or deny anything,” Mitchelson told The Leader.
At about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, an Inspector General’s official at the scene also declined comment, but she said the beauty college was closed to the public.
Mitchelson did explain that her office investigates audits pertaining to funding for educational institutions that receive federal student loans. The public can view an audit when it is completed.
According to its Web site, the Inspector General’s Office conducts audits, investigations, and inspections of education programs and operations. School personnel are responsible for reporting fraud, waste or other abuse to the office. The type of information that an institution must refer pertains to applicants’ eligibility for Title IV, Higher Education Act program assistance or the amount of assistance.
Examples of these abuses include false claims of independent-student status, false claims of citizenship, the use of false identities, false statements about income and forgeries of signatures or certifications.
Jacksonville Police Chief Robert Baker confirmed that the raid involved a federal search warrant but the Jacksonville Police Depart-ment made no arrests in connection with the incident.
On Friday morning, it was business as usual for Arthur’s Beauty College in Jacksonville.
Chris Strawn of Plummerville, who owns the school along with her husband Eddie, did not return calls from The Leader.
The couple has owned the schools since 1999.
According to its Web site, Arthur’s Beauty College provides education and practical training needed to become a licensed professional in the fields of cosmetology, cosmetology instructor, esthetics and manicuring.
According to the Web site JobBankUSA.com, Arthur’s Beau-ty College has financial aid programs available. Those who qualify could receive Pell grants and other federal aid such as Direct Loans and loan consolidation for existing loans.
Arthur’s Beauty College is licensed by the Arkansas Board of Cosmetology and accredited by National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences in Alexandria, Va.
The school is a member of Ark-ansas Beauty Schools Association, American Association of Cosmetology Schools, Arkansas Beauti-cians Association, Better Business Bureau, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce and Conway Chamber of Commerce.
TOP STORY: Vandals strike cemeteries, school
BY PEG KENYON
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Vandals toppled gravestones at Bayou Meto Cemetery and damaged property at the nearby Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home cemetery as well as more damage to Jacksonville High School.
Vandals this week attacked two Jacksonville cemeteries and Jacksonville High School. For the school, this was the second attack in less than two weeks.
At historic Bayou Meto Cemetery, about 200 gravestones were damaged by hooligans, who turned them over randomly throughout the cemetery, particularly in the northeastern section. Flowers and vases were strewn about.
The cemetery dates back to 1845, according to cemetery historian David Brannon.
“A woman comes out here every morning to visit her family’s markers, and she notified the police,” said Vestel Johnson of the Bayou Meto Cemetery board. The police report was filed Friday morning.
“Some of these tall markers weigh 700 pounds. It would take a strong person to knock them over,” Johnson said.
“I don’t know if we’ll have an emergency meeting of the cemetery board or not,” Johnson said. “If you put up a fence all the way around it, you have to have somebody to come open the gate.”
“These white markers, there’s no way to fix that. Nobody makes them anymore,” he added.
“We counted about 200 gravestones damaged that will probably cost about $100 each to repair,” said Brannon, who is also a board member. Upkeep is through donations and volunteer labor.
“We had an eight-plot tract there since my parents worked at the ordnance plant,” said Linda Tucker Ford of Jacksonville. “I’m just hurt more than anything that they would do that,” Ford said, adding it will probably take $2,000 to restore the damaged headstones.
An effort is underway to have the part of the cemetery with graves older than 100 years placed on the National Register of Historic Sites.
The oldest tombstone in the cemetery is dated 1864, although Brannon maintains that there are older graves there, probably from about 1851-1852 near the area by the entrance where the old oak once stood.
At 8:20 a.m. Wednesday, Larry Ward, cemetery manager for Moore’s Funeral Home in Jacksonville, reported an act of vandalism at the mausoleum near the funeral home’s parking lot. A vandal had used a pole as a prying device and broke a piece off the corner section of a large granite block. Large sandstone vases were also damaged during the incident. Damages there were estimated at $4,000.
Vandals struck for the second time in two weeks at Jacksonville High School causing several thousand dollars in damages to school vehicles.
“We seek prosecution and restitution,” said Gerald Tatum, who works security for Pulaski County Special School District.
Near 10 a.m. Tuesday, Shawn Poindexter, a shop teacher at JHS, reported a fence to the vehicle storage yard had been cut. The storage yard is located behind the high school near the shop building.
Vandals smashed all the windows on a 1973 Chevrolet Nova and a Pontiac 6000SE. A 1996 Plymouth Voyager had its windshield broken. Estimated damages to the vehicles were set at $2,300. The fence had about $200 in damage.
School is out, but Tatum said he is not surprised by the acts of vandalism. He said this type of vandalism has previously happened to schools within the district during the summer break.
“You never know in the summertime what kids might be into,” Tatum said.
He declined comment about any possible suspects. “The Jacksonville Police Department is investigating it and as of right now, I can’t say,” Tatum said.
He said surveillance cameras were in use.
On June 17, Jacksonville High School coach Rick Russell reported the chain securing the gate at the football stadium had been cut and a vehicle had driven around on the football field.
Outside the front entrance of the school building, “Go Panthers” had been painted onto the sidewalk and more graffiti was scribbled on exterior walls of an athletic building outside the high school’s football stadium.
Asked if the two incidents could be related, Capt. Charley Jenkins, public information officer for the Jacksonville Police Department, said, “It’s hard to say…sometimes if they (the incidents) come close together, it kind of leads you to believe the same people are involved.”
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Vandals toppled gravestones at Bayou Meto Cemetery and damaged property at the nearby Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home cemetery as well as more damage to Jacksonville High School.
Vandals this week attacked two Jacksonville cemeteries and Jacksonville High School. For the school, this was the second attack in less than two weeks.
At historic Bayou Meto Cemetery, about 200 gravestones were damaged by hooligans, who turned them over randomly throughout the cemetery, particularly in the northeastern section. Flowers and vases were strewn about.
The cemetery dates back to 1845, according to cemetery historian David Brannon.
“A woman comes out here every morning to visit her family’s markers, and she notified the police,” said Vestel Johnson of the Bayou Meto Cemetery board. The police report was filed Friday morning.
“Some of these tall markers weigh 700 pounds. It would take a strong person to knock them over,” Johnson said.
“I don’t know if we’ll have an emergency meeting of the cemetery board or not,” Johnson said. “If you put up a fence all the way around it, you have to have somebody to come open the gate.”
“These white markers, there’s no way to fix that. Nobody makes them anymore,” he added.
“We counted about 200 gravestones damaged that will probably cost about $100 each to repair,” said Brannon, who is also a board member. Upkeep is through donations and volunteer labor.
“We had an eight-plot tract there since my parents worked at the ordnance plant,” said Linda Tucker Ford of Jacksonville. “I’m just hurt more than anything that they would do that,” Ford said, adding it will probably take $2,000 to restore the damaged headstones.
An effort is underway to have the part of the cemetery with graves older than 100 years placed on the National Register of Historic Sites.
The oldest tombstone in the cemetery is dated 1864, although Brannon maintains that there are older graves there, probably from about 1851-1852 near the area by the entrance where the old oak once stood.
At 8:20 a.m. Wednesday, Larry Ward, cemetery manager for Moore’s Funeral Home in Jacksonville, reported an act of vandalism at the mausoleum near the funeral home’s parking lot. A vandal had used a pole as a prying device and broke a piece off the corner section of a large granite block. Large sandstone vases were also damaged during the incident. Damages there were estimated at $4,000.
Vandals struck for the second time in two weeks at Jacksonville High School causing several thousand dollars in damages to school vehicles.
“We seek prosecution and restitution,” said Gerald Tatum, who works security for Pulaski County Special School District.
Near 10 a.m. Tuesday, Shawn Poindexter, a shop teacher at JHS, reported a fence to the vehicle storage yard had been cut. The storage yard is located behind the high school near the shop building.
Vandals smashed all the windows on a 1973 Chevrolet Nova and a Pontiac 6000SE. A 1996 Plymouth Voyager had its windshield broken. Estimated damages to the vehicles were set at $2,300. The fence had about $200 in damage.
School is out, but Tatum said he is not surprised by the acts of vandalism. He said this type of vandalism has previously happened to schools within the district during the summer break.
“You never know in the summertime what kids might be into,” Tatum said.
He declined comment about any possible suspects. “The Jacksonville Police Department is investigating it and as of right now, I can’t say,” Tatum said.
He said surveillance cameras were in use.
On June 17, Jacksonville High School coach Rick Russell reported the chain securing the gate at the football stadium had been cut and a vehicle had driven around on the football field.
Outside the front entrance of the school building, “Go Panthers” had been painted onto the sidewalk and more graffiti was scribbled on exterior walls of an athletic building outside the high school’s football stadium.
Asked if the two incidents could be related, Capt. Charley Jenkins, public information officer for the Jacksonville Police Department, said, “It’s hard to say…sometimes if they (the incidents) come close together, it kind of leads you to believe the same people are involved.”
TOP STORY >> Cabot growth second in state
BY JOAN MCCOY
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Latest census figures show the city has gained more than 1,400 people between 2004 and 2005, ahead of all cities in central Arkansas, but Jacksonville, which once grew faster than any city in Arkansas, is trying to move forward once again after several years of limited growth.
The U.S. Census Bureau released its annual population estimates Wednesday, and Cabot still holds the position of second-fastest growing city in the state among cities with populations above 10,000.
The estimated population of Cabot, which has built about 400 new homes every year for several years, is 21,039 for 2005, up from 19,590 in 2004. The estimates are arrived at by adding data such as building permits to the numbers for the 2000 census.
In the lead is Bentonville, with an estimated population of 29,538, up from 27,799. Holding positions 3-10 in order are Maumelle, Bryant, Springdale, Siloam Springs, Rogers, Conway, Fayetteville and Benton.
Jacksonville, Cabot’s neighbor to the south, was a little smaller in 2005 than it was in 2004, if the numbers are to be believed. The population fell from 30,513 to 30,367.
Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Swaim says the numbers are just estimates. His city has built about 200 houses each year for two years, so the numbers could be higher. The city is recovering, he said, from a decline caused by bad publicity surrounding the Vertac chemical plant, which was cleaned up eight years ago.
Now the growth is steady, but not so fast that it strains the city’s coffers. “Good steady growth is to be desired,” Swaim said. “We were the fastest growing city in the mid ‘80s and it took a long time for our infrastructure to catch up. We’re in great shape now.”
Sherwood is a little larger with an estimated population of 23,149, up from 22,528. Cabot’s neighbors to the north along U.S. Highway 67-167, Austin and Ward, also in Lonoke County, and Beebe in White County are also growing.
The Census Bureau estimates the population of Austin has increased from 644 to 687, Ward from 3,022 to 3,271 and Beebe from 5,473 to 5,623.
Lonoke city gained 50 new residents between 2004 and 2005. Its population is estimated at 4,552.
Keeping up with the growth is a problem for Cabot which has raised water rates to finance a long-term water supply and extended a sales tax to pay for a new sewer plant. Now the council is considering an impact fee on new homes to help pay for some of the infrastructure.
Also in the works is a special census that will cost about $220,000 but could bring in an additional $375,000 a year in state tax revenue.
The actual population from the 2000 census was 15,261.
If the new estimates are correct, Cabot’s population has increased 5,778 in less than six years and the state pays $64.92 for each person.
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Latest census figures show the city has gained more than 1,400 people between 2004 and 2005, ahead of all cities in central Arkansas, but Jacksonville, which once grew faster than any city in Arkansas, is trying to move forward once again after several years of limited growth.
The U.S. Census Bureau released its annual population estimates Wednesday, and Cabot still holds the position of second-fastest growing city in the state among cities with populations above 10,000.
The estimated population of Cabot, which has built about 400 new homes every year for several years, is 21,039 for 2005, up from 19,590 in 2004. The estimates are arrived at by adding data such as building permits to the numbers for the 2000 census.
In the lead is Bentonville, with an estimated population of 29,538, up from 27,799. Holding positions 3-10 in order are Maumelle, Bryant, Springdale, Siloam Springs, Rogers, Conway, Fayetteville and Benton.
Jacksonville, Cabot’s neighbor to the south, was a little smaller in 2005 than it was in 2004, if the numbers are to be believed. The population fell from 30,513 to 30,367.
Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Swaim says the numbers are just estimates. His city has built about 200 houses each year for two years, so the numbers could be higher. The city is recovering, he said, from a decline caused by bad publicity surrounding the Vertac chemical plant, which was cleaned up eight years ago.
Now the growth is steady, but not so fast that it strains the city’s coffers. “Good steady growth is to be desired,” Swaim said. “We were the fastest growing city in the mid ‘80s and it took a long time for our infrastructure to catch up. We’re in great shape now.”
Sherwood is a little larger with an estimated population of 23,149, up from 22,528. Cabot’s neighbors to the north along U.S. Highway 67-167, Austin and Ward, also in Lonoke County, and Beebe in White County are also growing.
The Census Bureau estimates the population of Austin has increased from 644 to 687, Ward from 3,022 to 3,271 and Beebe from 5,473 to 5,623.
Lonoke city gained 50 new residents between 2004 and 2005. Its population is estimated at 4,552.
Keeping up with the growth is a problem for Cabot which has raised water rates to finance a long-term water supply and extended a sales tax to pay for a new sewer plant. Now the council is considering an impact fee on new homes to help pay for some of the infrastructure.
Also in the works is a special census that will cost about $220,000 but could bring in an additional $375,000 a year in state tax revenue.
The actual population from the 2000 census was 15,261.
If the new estimates are correct, Cabot’s population has increased 5,778 in less than six years and the state pays $64.92 for each person.
TOP STORY >> Group eyes sales tax to pay for jail
BY PAUL PETERSON
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Pulaski County Public Safety Task Force postpones recommendation to quorum court until after Monday’s meeting.
Instead of finalizing proposals for financing and operating the county’s overcrowded detention center, the Pulaski County Public Safety Task Force decided Thursday night to schedule a split-group meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday to narrow its focus on how to finance the jail, if and when to hold a special election and how much to expand the center’s bed count.
The pressing issue for the task force to determine at the Monday meeting is whether to propose a one-quarter or one-eighth of a cent sales-tax increase to the quorum court. If a tax is recommended, the quorum court will decide whether or not to call for a special election in August or September or place it on the general election ballot in November. The meeting will be held in the Pulaski County Administration Building’s Quorum Court Room, 201 S. Broadway in Little Rock.
County Judge Buddy Villines emphasized that the detention center is in dire need of emergency funding. “If we go through Septem-ber without any relief, we’ll be forced to cut another 80 beds from the 880 we’re working with now,” he said.
Villines also stressed the importance of holding a special election as soon as possible in order to avoid muddling the issue with the general elections in November.
“The later we push it, the closer we come to the general election. We don’t want voters confused.
“This is an entirely separate issue from the general election. Voters deserve a special election. We need time to get information to them,” the judge said.
Villines acknowledged that the original capacity when the detention center opened in 1994 wasn’t enough to sustain projected inmate increases. “By the time we opened 800, we needed 1,300 to 1,400 beds,” he said. “We’ve been 10 years on the slide and have hit the wall.”
At previous meetings, the task force discussed consolidating patrol divisions of the sheriff’s office with Little Rock and North Little Rock police departments.
Shirley Simpson, president of County Jail Reform Now, previously defined what the group believes to be the most important problems facing task force members regarding the county lockup.
In a letter dated April 15 to Villines, Simpson said that the jail was built without consideration for “fixed or dedicated funding,” and existing communication problems between city and county officials concerning the jail also have hindered progress. Not making public safety a priority, assigning blame, overlooking planned strategies, as well as financial management and jail maintenance are among the group’s major concerns.
Among the group’s recommendations are to reopen the warehouse work center, utilize private firms to house medium- and low-risk in-mates, generate revenue by assessments such as those added to county services, create a plea-bargain arrangement to “move prisoners through the system” faster and lobby the state to increase county funding for housing inmates until they are transferred to prison.
Regarding the strong possibility of a tax proposal, Simpson said that other means should be explored before raising taxes, considering previous rejection by voters in a November 1997 special election, and the 2002 general election. Should a tax increase prevail, revenue should not be placed within general operating funds and earmarked strictly as a jail fund, a stipulation agreed upon by the 22 present among the 24-member panel. Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Swaim and Wrightsville Mayor Lorraine Smith were absent.
“If taxpayers are to trust the quorum court with an additional tax, it must be handled properly and (used) for what was promised them when they voted for it,” Simpson said.
“The increase should not be a replacement of current funds, rather, an enhancement of the jail account for the sole purpose of the construction, repair, maintenance and operation of the Pulaski County Regional Jail system.”
Simpson also said that an independent audit of jail funds should be conducted annually “to enhance and rebuild the public trust that has so greatly diminished over the past two years.”
Tom Brooks, president and CEO of Cinergi Contractors in Sherwood, said he wants law enforcement experts to decide whether or not to reopen the workforce center.
“Let the elected law enforcement officials micromanage their offices,” Brooks said.
Brooks agreed, however, with Simpson on the safekeeping of any tax revenue. “That tax has to be earmarked and not touched,” he said. “It won’t pass without a guarantee that it’ll be used specifically the way we need it to be.”
Task force member Rev. Benny Johnson, founder and president of Stop the Violence, surmised the situation bluntly. “We don’t have a lot of time,” he said. “We’ve got to find a way to keep these habitual offenders off the streets.”
Jim Lynch, president of Coalition of Little Rock Neighborhoods, said, “The overall question is, how much do we want to spend?” Then he explained four phases of the task force’s proposal.
“Restoring the work release center, which was shut down in October 2005, will help,” he said. “With an additional $2.5 million, we could open it tomorrow with 250 beds. We could build 192 new barracks with the cost to build and operate it, and repairing the old jail, a cellblock in disrepair.
“With $1.5 or $1.6 million, we could get 160 hardcore cellblocks tomorrow and would cost $2.5 million annually to operate. These three lines don’t give me heartburn at all. The last line gives me heartburn. We’re proposing spending $17 million to build a new cellblock, at $6 million a year to run. The current jail costs $18.9 million, and with work release beds, another $1 million. We’ve got an operating budget of $19 million. A proposal to increase the operating budget to $32.2 million seems like the most expensive alternative to solve a very serious problem. Taxpayers have a bottom to their wallets, too.”
Task force member and Twin City Bank president Bob Birch said that informing the public is crucial and that he or the task force wasn’t prepared to make quorum court recommendations based on the amount of new information presented at the meeting.
He also didn’t want to rush into a special election before all the facts and figures could be thoroughly examined by fellow members.
“Much of the public has no clue as to the severity of this problem,” he said. “I’m opposed to an August or September election. There’s a great deal of ignorance on this. We’ve spent a lot of time asking people what they know about this.”
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Pulaski County Public Safety Task Force postpones recommendation to quorum court until after Monday’s meeting.
Instead of finalizing proposals for financing and operating the county’s overcrowded detention center, the Pulaski County Public Safety Task Force decided Thursday night to schedule a split-group meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday to narrow its focus on how to finance the jail, if and when to hold a special election and how much to expand the center’s bed count.
The pressing issue for the task force to determine at the Monday meeting is whether to propose a one-quarter or one-eighth of a cent sales-tax increase to the quorum court. If a tax is recommended, the quorum court will decide whether or not to call for a special election in August or September or place it on the general election ballot in November. The meeting will be held in the Pulaski County Administration Building’s Quorum Court Room, 201 S. Broadway in Little Rock.
County Judge Buddy Villines emphasized that the detention center is in dire need of emergency funding. “If we go through Septem-ber without any relief, we’ll be forced to cut another 80 beds from the 880 we’re working with now,” he said.
Villines also stressed the importance of holding a special election as soon as possible in order to avoid muddling the issue with the general elections in November.
“The later we push it, the closer we come to the general election. We don’t want voters confused.
“This is an entirely separate issue from the general election. Voters deserve a special election. We need time to get information to them,” the judge said.
Villines acknowledged that the original capacity when the detention center opened in 1994 wasn’t enough to sustain projected inmate increases. “By the time we opened 800, we needed 1,300 to 1,400 beds,” he said. “We’ve been 10 years on the slide and have hit the wall.”
At previous meetings, the task force discussed consolidating patrol divisions of the sheriff’s office with Little Rock and North Little Rock police departments.
Shirley Simpson, president of County Jail Reform Now, previously defined what the group believes to be the most important problems facing task force members regarding the county lockup.
In a letter dated April 15 to Villines, Simpson said that the jail was built without consideration for “fixed or dedicated funding,” and existing communication problems between city and county officials concerning the jail also have hindered progress. Not making public safety a priority, assigning blame, overlooking planned strategies, as well as financial management and jail maintenance are among the group’s major concerns.
Among the group’s recommendations are to reopen the warehouse work center, utilize private firms to house medium- and low-risk in-mates, generate revenue by assessments such as those added to county services, create a plea-bargain arrangement to “move prisoners through the system” faster and lobby the state to increase county funding for housing inmates until they are transferred to prison.
Regarding the strong possibility of a tax proposal, Simpson said that other means should be explored before raising taxes, considering previous rejection by voters in a November 1997 special election, and the 2002 general election. Should a tax increase prevail, revenue should not be placed within general operating funds and earmarked strictly as a jail fund, a stipulation agreed upon by the 22 present among the 24-member panel. Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Swaim and Wrightsville Mayor Lorraine Smith were absent.
“If taxpayers are to trust the quorum court with an additional tax, it must be handled properly and (used) for what was promised them when they voted for it,” Simpson said.
“The increase should not be a replacement of current funds, rather, an enhancement of the jail account for the sole purpose of the construction, repair, maintenance and operation of the Pulaski County Regional Jail system.”
Simpson also said that an independent audit of jail funds should be conducted annually “to enhance and rebuild the public trust that has so greatly diminished over the past two years.”
Tom Brooks, president and CEO of Cinergi Contractors in Sherwood, said he wants law enforcement experts to decide whether or not to reopen the workforce center.
“Let the elected law enforcement officials micromanage their offices,” Brooks said.
Brooks agreed, however, with Simpson on the safekeeping of any tax revenue. “That tax has to be earmarked and not touched,” he said. “It won’t pass without a guarantee that it’ll be used specifically the way we need it to be.”
Task force member Rev. Benny Johnson, founder and president of Stop the Violence, surmised the situation bluntly. “We don’t have a lot of time,” he said. “We’ve got to find a way to keep these habitual offenders off the streets.”
Jim Lynch, president of Coalition of Little Rock Neighborhoods, said, “The overall question is, how much do we want to spend?” Then he explained four phases of the task force’s proposal.
“Restoring the work release center, which was shut down in October 2005, will help,” he said. “With an additional $2.5 million, we could open it tomorrow with 250 beds. We could build 192 new barracks with the cost to build and operate it, and repairing the old jail, a cellblock in disrepair.
“With $1.5 or $1.6 million, we could get 160 hardcore cellblocks tomorrow and would cost $2.5 million annually to operate. These three lines don’t give me heartburn at all. The last line gives me heartburn. We’re proposing spending $17 million to build a new cellblock, at $6 million a year to run. The current jail costs $18.9 million, and with work release beds, another $1 million. We’ve got an operating budget of $19 million. A proposal to increase the operating budget to $32.2 million seems like the most expensive alternative to solve a very serious problem. Taxpayers have a bottom to their wallets, too.”
Task force member and Twin City Bank president Bob Birch said that informing the public is crucial and that he or the task force wasn’t prepared to make quorum court recommendations based on the amount of new information presented at the meeting.
He also didn’t want to rush into a special election before all the facts and figures could be thoroughly examined by fellow members.
“Much of the public has no clue as to the severity of this problem,” he said. “I’m opposed to an August or September election. There’s a great deal of ignorance on this. We’ve spent a lot of time asking people what they know about this.”
TOP STORY > Absent teachers costing money
BY SARA GREENE
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Cabot School Board grapples with money matters, including payout for absent teachers and a loan for $650,000 in improvements to the football stadium.
Last year, on any given school day, an average of 50 teachers were absent from the Cabot School District, costing the district nearly $500,000 and a total of 9,500 missed days of instruction.
“That’s ridiculous. I just don’t understand why we have such a high rate of teacher absenteeism,” said Brooks Nash, board member.
Cabot School Board members Thursday discussed the possibility of giving $100 per semester to teachers with good at-tendance.
Similar policies implemented at other districts have mixed results, according to Superintendent Frank Holman. District administrators are now asking for more details when teachers fill out their absence paperwork.
“We’re paying out a lot of money for absenteeism,” Holman said, adding the district is working to help teachers get their required 60 hours of professional development outside of the school year.
In other business, the board plans to take out a low or no-interest five year loan to finance $650,000 for artificial turf at the high school football field. A 501(C) 3 non-profit foundation is being formed to raise money to pay the loan back.
Maintenance of the natural grass surface that currently exists costs about $10,000 a year, meaning the new surface, which lasts 10 to 15 years, may never pay for itself.
Several board members ex-pressed concern at taking out such a large loan.
“The public might see it as a crapshoot,” said board member Wendel Msall.
The board expects to award a contract for the work by July 8 in order to get the field finished by Sept. 1 for football season.
The board unanimously ap-proved paying $35,000 for the city to build a sidewalk from Kerr Station Road to Campground Road for students who walk to and from classes at Cabot Junior High South.
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Cabot School Board grapples with money matters, including payout for absent teachers and a loan for $650,000 in improvements to the football stadium.
Last year, on any given school day, an average of 50 teachers were absent from the Cabot School District, costing the district nearly $500,000 and a total of 9,500 missed days of instruction.
“That’s ridiculous. I just don’t understand why we have such a high rate of teacher absenteeism,” said Brooks Nash, board member.
Cabot School Board members Thursday discussed the possibility of giving $100 per semester to teachers with good at-tendance.
Similar policies implemented at other districts have mixed results, according to Superintendent Frank Holman. District administrators are now asking for more details when teachers fill out their absence paperwork.
“We’re paying out a lot of money for absenteeism,” Holman said, adding the district is working to help teachers get their required 60 hours of professional development outside of the school year.
In other business, the board plans to take out a low or no-interest five year loan to finance $650,000 for artificial turf at the high school football field. A 501(C) 3 non-profit foundation is being formed to raise money to pay the loan back.
Maintenance of the natural grass surface that currently exists costs about $10,000 a year, meaning the new surface, which lasts 10 to 15 years, may never pay for itself.
Several board members ex-pressed concern at taking out such a large loan.
“The public might see it as a crapshoot,” said board member Wendel Msall.
The board expects to award a contract for the work by July 8 in order to get the field finished by Sept. 1 for football season.
The board unanimously ap-proved paying $35,000 for the city to build a sidewalk from Kerr Station Road to Campground Road for students who walk to and from classes at Cabot Junior High South.
EDITORIAL >> Aiming at Pryor
Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor finds himself in the crosshairs in the epochal battle over the estate tax and facing perhaps the biggest test of his young career. Depending upon his vote, in two years he can have some of the most determined money and power in the country arrayed against him.
Pryor jumped into the middle of the partisan standoff over filibustering judicial nominees last year and came out of it all right, a hero some would say.
Let us hope that he can navigate these waters with equal aplomb and hold on to his principles, too. All of us — the state and the country — have an even larger stake than he in what he does.
Two weeks ago, Pryor refused to vote to end debate on the estate tax, which blocked a final vote on repeal.
With a solid majority in both houses and the support of a few Democrats who had been targeted by the billionaire lobbies — notably Blanche Lincoln — the Republicans had the votes to pass the bill and end the 90-year-old tax on rich estates in 2010.
Pryor thought there might be some people who were inconvenienced by the estate tax, but he worried about adding a trillion dollars to the national debt in the next decade, which would be the principal effect of ending the tax on giant inheritances.
This week, Republicans changed their strategy. Needing three votes for cloture on debate in the Senate, they decided not to completely repeal the tax but to almost repeal it. Previously, they had insisted that not one heir of a huge estate — not Paris Hilton, not the richest Walton, Mars, Buffett or Gates — should ever have to owe a penny of tax on inheritances, even on the untaxed profits of stocks and other capital assets.
The House of Represen-tatives rushed through a bill Thursday that would raise the amount of estates exempt from taxation from the current $2 million ($4 million for a couple) to $5 million for an individual and $10 million for couples. Some increase in the exemption is justifiable. The bill also slashes the tax rate for big estates.
The effect would be that the national debt between 2011 and 2021 would not grow $1 trillion but only $760 billion, counting the expanded accumulated interest on the debt. That is supposed to make us feel better?
But here is where they get Pryor and perhaps also Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Oregon’s two Democratic senators, all of whom voted for fiscal sanity two weeks ago. The House included in the estate tax bill a provision slashing the corporate tax rate on profits from the sale of timber from 35 percent to about 14 percent.
The timber industry wants the tax break, and Pryor and the other timber-state senators had sponsored legislation to do that. That is smart politics in a state where Weyerhaeuser, Georgia Pacific, International Paper Co., Anthony Products and Deltic Timber are political and economic heavy hitters. Of course, the timber tax break would add still another $900 million to the deficits over the first three years.
So what does Pryor do when the Senate brings up the bill, sometime before the Fourth of July, and the cloture motion is made?
Take the hosannas from the timber giants and the rich folks’ lobby that has been targeting him and Sen. Lincoln and hand our children and us a $760 billion debt?
Or vote again for fiscal sanity? That course will bring him some ugly consequences in the 2008 election when they are passing out campaign checks but very little praise because only a few people will understand what he did and the courage that it took to do it.
Pryor jumped into the middle of the partisan standoff over filibustering judicial nominees last year and came out of it all right, a hero some would say.
Let us hope that he can navigate these waters with equal aplomb and hold on to his principles, too. All of us — the state and the country — have an even larger stake than he in what he does.
Two weeks ago, Pryor refused to vote to end debate on the estate tax, which blocked a final vote on repeal.
With a solid majority in both houses and the support of a few Democrats who had been targeted by the billionaire lobbies — notably Blanche Lincoln — the Republicans had the votes to pass the bill and end the 90-year-old tax on rich estates in 2010.
Pryor thought there might be some people who were inconvenienced by the estate tax, but he worried about adding a trillion dollars to the national debt in the next decade, which would be the principal effect of ending the tax on giant inheritances.
This week, Republicans changed their strategy. Needing three votes for cloture on debate in the Senate, they decided not to completely repeal the tax but to almost repeal it. Previously, they had insisted that not one heir of a huge estate — not Paris Hilton, not the richest Walton, Mars, Buffett or Gates — should ever have to owe a penny of tax on inheritances, even on the untaxed profits of stocks and other capital assets.
The House of Represen-tatives rushed through a bill Thursday that would raise the amount of estates exempt from taxation from the current $2 million ($4 million for a couple) to $5 million for an individual and $10 million for couples. Some increase in the exemption is justifiable. The bill also slashes the tax rate for big estates.
The effect would be that the national debt between 2011 and 2021 would not grow $1 trillion but only $760 billion, counting the expanded accumulated interest on the debt. That is supposed to make us feel better?
But here is where they get Pryor and perhaps also Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Oregon’s two Democratic senators, all of whom voted for fiscal sanity two weeks ago. The House included in the estate tax bill a provision slashing the corporate tax rate on profits from the sale of timber from 35 percent to about 14 percent.
The timber industry wants the tax break, and Pryor and the other timber-state senators had sponsored legislation to do that. That is smart politics in a state where Weyerhaeuser, Georgia Pacific, International Paper Co., Anthony Products and Deltic Timber are political and economic heavy hitters. Of course, the timber tax break would add still another $900 million to the deficits over the first three years.
So what does Pryor do when the Senate brings up the bill, sometime before the Fourth of July, and the cloture motion is made?
Take the hosannas from the timber giants and the rich folks’ lobby that has been targeting him and Sen. Lincoln and hand our children and us a $760 billion debt?
Or vote again for fiscal sanity? That course will bring him some ugly consequences in the 2008 election when they are passing out campaign checks but very little praise because only a few people will understand what he did and the courage that it took to do it.
EDITORIAL >> Oustanding appointment
Dare we compliment President Bush on an appointment? Last week he nominated former Sen. David Pryor to the board of directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the nonprofit corporation that parcels some $400 million a year of federal funds among public broadcasting entities.
It is not the Supreme Court, the cabinet or even one of the scores of deputy secretaries who administer programs that serve us well or ill. But it is a spot where David Pryor’s special blend of skills and compassion are sorely needed. The appointment comes at a good time for public broadcasting, which has been under attack by the right wing and at times by the president’s own people.
We do not know what motivated the president. He was required by law to appoint a Democrat to the vacancy, and perhaps Mr. Bush viewed the former Arkansas senator as the least confrontational one he could find. In the Senate, Pryor had more friends among Republicans than did the Republican leader. Maybe the president thought nominating the father would co-opt the son, Sen. Mark Pryor, on key votes, like repealing the estate tax. Who knows? Whatever the reason, thank you, Mr. President.
Perhaps it represents a true change of heart. Mr. Bush’s biggest appointment to the board was Kenneth Tomlinson, who resigned as chairman nine months ago after the agency’s inspector general criticized his behind-the-scenes maneuvering to shape broadcast programs to fit his own biases and what he presumed were the administration’s. Without his board’s knowledge, Tomlinson hired a little-known Indiana consultant to investigate the political leanings of people who appeared on public radio and television shows and used federal funds to hire lobbyists to shape the corporation’s board. He held a particular enmity for Bill Moyers, the brainy, phlegmatic host of many thoughtful shows for a quarter-century. (Moyers is back this summer on “faith and reason.” Check local listings.) And imagine this: Tomlinson hired the co-chairman of the Republican National Committee to be the corporation’s nonpartisan chief executive.
David Pryor is a modest and agreeable gentleman who looks for compromise whenever there is contention, but we know David Pryor. He will not countenance such nonsense.
“I will be trying to protect it against the many slings and arrows,” Pryor said in appropriate Shakespearean form. Public broadcasting is an oasis in the wasteland of broadcasting, and Pryor said he intended to make it even better. Until we hear differently, let us assume that is exactly why Mr. Bush nominated him.
It is not the Supreme Court, the cabinet or even one of the scores of deputy secretaries who administer programs that serve us well or ill. But it is a spot where David Pryor’s special blend of skills and compassion are sorely needed. The appointment comes at a good time for public broadcasting, which has been under attack by the right wing and at times by the president’s own people.
We do not know what motivated the president. He was required by law to appoint a Democrat to the vacancy, and perhaps Mr. Bush viewed the former Arkansas senator as the least confrontational one he could find. In the Senate, Pryor had more friends among Republicans than did the Republican leader. Maybe the president thought nominating the father would co-opt the son, Sen. Mark Pryor, on key votes, like repealing the estate tax. Who knows? Whatever the reason, thank you, Mr. President.
Perhaps it represents a true change of heart. Mr. Bush’s biggest appointment to the board was Kenneth Tomlinson, who resigned as chairman nine months ago after the agency’s inspector general criticized his behind-the-scenes maneuvering to shape broadcast programs to fit his own biases and what he presumed were the administration’s. Without his board’s knowledge, Tomlinson hired a little-known Indiana consultant to investigate the political leanings of people who appeared on public radio and television shows and used federal funds to hire lobbyists to shape the corporation’s board. He held a particular enmity for Bill Moyers, the brainy, phlegmatic host of many thoughtful shows for a quarter-century. (Moyers is back this summer on “faith and reason.” Check local listings.) And imagine this: Tomlinson hired the co-chairman of the Republican National Committee to be the corporation’s nonpartisan chief executive.
David Pryor is a modest and agreeable gentleman who looks for compromise whenever there is contention, but we know David Pryor. He will not countenance such nonsense.
“I will be trying to protect it against the many slings and arrows,” Pryor said in appropriate Shakespearean form. Public broadcasting is an oasis in the wasteland of broadcasting, and Pryor said he intended to make it even better. Until we hear differently, let us assume that is exactly why Mr. Bush nominated him.
FROM THE PUBLISHER >> A relative looks back on funeral
We turn today’s column over to Jaynie McClain of Lonoke, whose cousin, Army Specialist Bobby West of Beebe, was killed on May 30 in Baghdad.
Six and a half years ago, in January 2000, you wrote a column in tribute to your precious parents and the rest of the Greatest Generation of World War II. I wrote you the same week telling you how much your column meant to me and that I was also impressed by the Greatest Generation.
I wrote about my mom, who worked in the Jacksonville Ordnance Plant, and my dad, who landed on Normandy a few days after the D-Day invasion. I also wrote about a maternal uncle who had served in Patton’s tank battalion as a tank commander who had earned several medals, including the Bronze Star in France, and commendations for his brave service. He was a quiet kind of man who had passed away a few years prior to your column. You may recall my letter, as you printed it in your column the following week almost in its entirety.
Well, after reading your column in the Saturday, June 10 edition and the report on the funeral in Beebe of Bobby West, I wanted to again write to you. You see, Spec. Bobby Russell West was my cousin, and the grandson of the uncle that I spoke of. My uncle, Troy “Pete” West, served his country honorably and returned home to his family to live to the age of 77. Unfortunately, Bobby returned home to his family in a flag-draped casket.
Just as their grandfather, and their father who served his country in the National Guard during the 70s, Bobby and his older brother Patrick also decided to serve their country. They first joined the National Guard and later switched to the regular army after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 cemented in their minds that they wanted to defend the greatest nation in the world.
Bobby and Patrick were both on their second tours of duty in Iraq when, while Bobby was out on foot patrol on Tuesday, May 30, an IED cut short his life and ended his service to our country. Patrick was only a few miles away from his brother that day in Baghdad serving in the 101st Airborne, where he will return to in a few days.
On Wednesday, June 7, our family saw the best and the worst of this nation.
We arrived in Beebe and passed the gathered motorcycles of the Patriot Guard Riders who were assembled at the traffic light on the old highway. On the other side of the overpass as we turned in at the church I saw the little huddle of protestors noting that there were only five or six from my glance as we drove by. I was thankful to God that there were so few of them.
I was outside of the church as the rumble of the Patriot Guard Riders started coming down Highway 64 and began to come up the gravel road at the north of the church. I called to my husband and another cousin and we stood on a little rise as the State Police led the first mourners’ cars and the motorcycles into the lot. Old Glory fluttered from almost every motorcycle in some form or fashion and from many of the cars.
I began taking photos of these proud Americans (mostly veterans) riding motorcycles in a long line that never seemed to end as one after another, they continued to come down the highway. My husband joined me, and together we waved at the bike riding angels.
I would say, “Thank you” and touch my heart to let them know that we so appreciated them being there.
These men and women acknowledged us returning our waves, by saluting, by the removal of hats, and putting their hands over their hearts. My husband and I stood on that hill for the half-hour it took for all of the Patriot Guards to enter the parking area. My vision was blurred by the tears that were running down my cheeks. I have never, ever felt prouder to be an American. My husband is a veteran of Vietnam and to see these proud Americans roaring past us choked him up as well.
Bikes were parked three-wide in the church driveways and into the parking lot.
According the Pete Waddell, the commander of the Patriot Guards, their numbers were down as he had short notice and there was another funeral for a veteran in Little Rock at the same time. Otherwise, according to him, he could have had double the riders at Bobby’s funeral.
The parents of Bobby and other family members came out and greeted a few of the Patriot Guard Riders thanking them for their coming. More than one told us that it was an honor for them to come and thank Bobby for his service. As I said, most of these men are veterans of Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Iraq or Afghanistan. More than once, I heard a catch in the voice of one of these men as they told us that they were honored to be here.
As the guardians of liberty, they stood out in front of the church in the heat from 1 o’clock until the service ended at about 3 o’clock.
As we left the church driving down the gravel road, two young soldiers stood at their car in the parking lot at attention, holding a salute until the hearse and family car had passed them. Then we turned south onto the highway to a line of police officers saluting. As we made our slow progress out to the cemetery, down Dewitt Henry Drive, my husband and I were both overcome at the numbers of people coming out of businesses, gathering at the side of the road holding flags. Many held their hands over their hearts as they held the flags with the other hand.
Several of the people we passed stood there in a military salute until we passed. Even though they were in civilian clothing, you just knew that they had served their country as well.
At the cemetery, as we gathered under the canopy for the final part of the service, I looked out over the hedgerow as it suddenly began to bristle with the tips of flag poles. The tips kept coming up and then you could see the blue ensign and white stars of the flags as the Patriot Guard Riders once again silently joined us.
There were more and more flags coming up the hill from the road. The warm breeze made them flutter out as the flag bearers soon had fanned out from one end of the hedgerow to the other. They quietly formed their wall of protection for us as Bobby was laid to rest.
Under the canopy, after the presentation of the folded flags and medals to Bobby’s parents, people came up to them to express their condolences. Among the group that came through were several Army personnel.
Several of the servicemen that came through there who had been on the flag detail were also crying. You may think these guys are super-tough, but when you see a service person in uniform crying, that’s when you realize that these guys are human, too.
A big “thank you” goes to the city of Beebe, which had plenty of law enforcement available to keep from there being any sort of problem.
A special “thank you” goes to all the members of the Patriot Guard Riders, some of whom came from other states, taking time off from work to honor our cousin.
I would like to extend another large “thank you” to the citizens of Beebe who came out to the road as we passed and paid their respects. To see the groups patiently waiting out in the Arkansas heat to show their support for us and for the cause Bobby died for was so touching.
My husband is not a weeper (like me), but he was crying too.
Next: Shame on the protesters.
Six and a half years ago, in January 2000, you wrote a column in tribute to your precious parents and the rest of the Greatest Generation of World War II. I wrote you the same week telling you how much your column meant to me and that I was also impressed by the Greatest Generation.
I wrote about my mom, who worked in the Jacksonville Ordnance Plant, and my dad, who landed on Normandy a few days after the D-Day invasion. I also wrote about a maternal uncle who had served in Patton’s tank battalion as a tank commander who had earned several medals, including the Bronze Star in France, and commendations for his brave service. He was a quiet kind of man who had passed away a few years prior to your column. You may recall my letter, as you printed it in your column the following week almost in its entirety.
Well, after reading your column in the Saturday, June 10 edition and the report on the funeral in Beebe of Bobby West, I wanted to again write to you. You see, Spec. Bobby Russell West was my cousin, and the grandson of the uncle that I spoke of. My uncle, Troy “Pete” West, served his country honorably and returned home to his family to live to the age of 77. Unfortunately, Bobby returned home to his family in a flag-draped casket.
Just as their grandfather, and their father who served his country in the National Guard during the 70s, Bobby and his older brother Patrick also decided to serve their country. They first joined the National Guard and later switched to the regular army after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 cemented in their minds that they wanted to defend the greatest nation in the world.
Bobby and Patrick were both on their second tours of duty in Iraq when, while Bobby was out on foot patrol on Tuesday, May 30, an IED cut short his life and ended his service to our country. Patrick was only a few miles away from his brother that day in Baghdad serving in the 101st Airborne, where he will return to in a few days.
On Wednesday, June 7, our family saw the best and the worst of this nation.
We arrived in Beebe and passed the gathered motorcycles of the Patriot Guard Riders who were assembled at the traffic light on the old highway. On the other side of the overpass as we turned in at the church I saw the little huddle of protestors noting that there were only five or six from my glance as we drove by. I was thankful to God that there were so few of them.
I was outside of the church as the rumble of the Patriot Guard Riders started coming down Highway 64 and began to come up the gravel road at the north of the church. I called to my husband and another cousin and we stood on a little rise as the State Police led the first mourners’ cars and the motorcycles into the lot. Old Glory fluttered from almost every motorcycle in some form or fashion and from many of the cars.
I began taking photos of these proud Americans (mostly veterans) riding motorcycles in a long line that never seemed to end as one after another, they continued to come down the highway. My husband joined me, and together we waved at the bike riding angels.
I would say, “Thank you” and touch my heart to let them know that we so appreciated them being there.
These men and women acknowledged us returning our waves, by saluting, by the removal of hats, and putting their hands over their hearts. My husband and I stood on that hill for the half-hour it took for all of the Patriot Guards to enter the parking area. My vision was blurred by the tears that were running down my cheeks. I have never, ever felt prouder to be an American. My husband is a veteran of Vietnam and to see these proud Americans roaring past us choked him up as well.
Bikes were parked three-wide in the church driveways and into the parking lot.
According the Pete Waddell, the commander of the Patriot Guards, their numbers were down as he had short notice and there was another funeral for a veteran in Little Rock at the same time. Otherwise, according to him, he could have had double the riders at Bobby’s funeral.
The parents of Bobby and other family members came out and greeted a few of the Patriot Guard Riders thanking them for their coming. More than one told us that it was an honor for them to come and thank Bobby for his service. As I said, most of these men are veterans of Vietnam, the Gulf War, and Iraq or Afghanistan. More than once, I heard a catch in the voice of one of these men as they told us that they were honored to be here.
As the guardians of liberty, they stood out in front of the church in the heat from 1 o’clock until the service ended at about 3 o’clock.
As we left the church driving down the gravel road, two young soldiers stood at their car in the parking lot at attention, holding a salute until the hearse and family car had passed them. Then we turned south onto the highway to a line of police officers saluting. As we made our slow progress out to the cemetery, down Dewitt Henry Drive, my husband and I were both overcome at the numbers of people coming out of businesses, gathering at the side of the road holding flags. Many held their hands over their hearts as they held the flags with the other hand.
Several of the people we passed stood there in a military salute until we passed. Even though they were in civilian clothing, you just knew that they had served their country as well.
At the cemetery, as we gathered under the canopy for the final part of the service, I looked out over the hedgerow as it suddenly began to bristle with the tips of flag poles. The tips kept coming up and then you could see the blue ensign and white stars of the flags as the Patriot Guard Riders once again silently joined us.
There were more and more flags coming up the hill from the road. The warm breeze made them flutter out as the flag bearers soon had fanned out from one end of the hedgerow to the other. They quietly formed their wall of protection for us as Bobby was laid to rest.
Under the canopy, after the presentation of the folded flags and medals to Bobby’s parents, people came up to them to express their condolences. Among the group that came through were several Army personnel.
Several of the servicemen that came through there who had been on the flag detail were also crying. You may think these guys are super-tough, but when you see a service person in uniform crying, that’s when you realize that these guys are human, too.
A big “thank you” goes to the city of Beebe, which had plenty of law enforcement available to keep from there being any sort of problem.
A special “thank you” goes to all the members of the Patriot Guard Riders, some of whom came from other states, taking time off from work to honor our cousin.
I would like to extend another large “thank you” to the citizens of Beebe who came out to the road as we passed and paid their respects. To see the groups patiently waiting out in the Arkansas heat to show their support for us and for the cause Bobby died for was so touching.
My husband is not a weeper (like me), but he was crying too.
Next: Shame on the protesters.
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