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Arrest Reports: 05/01
CHARLES BARTLETT OF PRAIRIE GROVE AS AN ARKANSAS STATE PRISON TRUSTEE
TIM COOPER OF EUREKA SPRINGS FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT
BENJAMIN MEIER OF EUREKA SPRINGS FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT AND FAILURE TO APPEAR
ARTURO RIOS OF EUREKA SPRINGS FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT
News for Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Green Forest Schools announces new superintendentGREEN FOREST – The Green Forest Schools announced on Tuesday who will lead thedistrict beginning with the 2024-25 school year.Green Forest Schools announced that David Gilmore will officially begin his new role assuperintendent beginning July 1. Gilmore is currently the high school principal and federalprograms coordinator for the Eureka Springs School District. He has also served in variousadministrative positions within the Berryville School District.Gilmore will replace Matt Summers, who announced his resignation earlier this year.Summers, who took over the role of Green Forest superintendent in 2012, will take overthe same position this summer for the school district in Hurley, Mo.---Holiday Island Spring Cleanup is this SaturdayCARROLL COUNTY – The Carroll County Solid Waste District will host its annualHoliday Island Spring Cleanup this Saturday, May 4.This service is provided free of charge only to customers of the Carroll County SolidWaste District.Organizers ask residents to stack the material they wish to dispose of into two separatepiles: one pile for bulky waste such as furniture, mattresses, toilets and dimensional lumberunder three feet; and a second pile for metal items such as water heaters, washers, dryers,cookstoves and baremetal.Items that will not be picked up during the cleanup event include household trash,hazardous waste, tires, roofing material, freon-containing appliances and electronics.---Jazz event in HI this weekendsHOLIDAY ISLAND – The Holiday Island Swingers will present “Jazz It Up In… Swing’sthe Thing” this Sunday, May 5.The event kicks off at 4 p.m. in the Holiday Island Country Club Ballroom. Admission is$10 at the door while children 12-years-old and under get in for free.---Former Missouri healthcare officials sentenced in Arkansas for bribery,embezzlementFAYETTEVILLE – The husband and wife executives behind a charity based inSpringfield, Mo. Were sentenced on Monday for what authorities described as a schemeinvolving Arkansas public officials and millions of dollars in embezzlement and bribes.According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bontiea BernedetteGoss, 65, was sentenced on April 29 to three years in prison. Her husband, Tommy “Tom”Ray Goss, 68, was sentenced to six years on April 26. They were also ordered to pay $4.35million in forfeiture and restitution.Court documents showed Bontiea and Tom Goss were the former chief operating officerand chief financial officer at Preferred Family Healthcare Inc., a charity that provided avariety of services to individuals in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Illinois.Some of the services the charity offered included substance abuse treatment andcounseling, employment assistance, aid to individuals with developmental disabilities,mental and behavioral health treatment and counseling, and medical services, according tothe release.Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay bribes and kickbacks to elected officials inArkansas in September 2022. Tom also pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy byembezzling funds from the charity and one count of aiding and assisting in the preparationand presentation of a false tax return.The charity agreed to pay more than $8 million in forfeiture and restitution in 2022 to thefederal government and the state of Arkansas under the terms of a nonprosecutionagreement.The DOJ says the cases were investigated by IRS-CI, FBI, and the Offices of theInspectors General from the Departments of Justice and Departments of Labor, and FDIC.
News for Monday, April 29, 2024
Area escapes major damage after tornado confirmed Sunday nightBERRYVILLE – Authorities say Carroll County and the surrounding region escaped anymajor damage after a tornado was confirmed Sunday night.The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning around 10:30 Sunday night after atornado was confirmed around five miles northeast of Carrollton. The warning wascanceled around 30 minutes later.The Carroll County Office of Emergency Management announced early Monday morningthat first responders had surveyed the area and found no signs of any tornado-relateddamage.Anyone with damage to their property or sees signs of tornado damage is asked to contactthe Carroll County Office of Emergency Management so that information can be passed onto the National Weather Service. The office can be reached by calling (870) 423-9144 orvia email at carrollcountyDEM@carrollcounty.us.The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office stated no damage was found after surveying thealerted area.The severe weather threat is over, although another storm system is expected to enter theregion later this week and possibly continue through the weekend. According to aHazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service Monday morning, thissystem could bring more widespread thunder potential, breezy conditions and areas ofheavy rain. Cooler and drier weather will move in behind this system, but additional rainwill likely occur by next weekend.Spring is severe weather season in Arkansas and one of the peak seasons for tornadoes (theother is fall).This is when warm and cold air masses collide most often, but that collision can occuralmost any time of the year.Some tips to always remember in the event of a tornado:1: If you are driving avoid taking shelter under a highway overpass. Rotating windssurrounding a tornado can hit you with a lot of debris, and blow you out from beneath thebridge.2: Know the difference between a watch and a warning. The National Weather Serviceissues a Tornado Watch when tornadoes are possible. A Tornado Warning is issued when atornado has been indicated on radar or has been sighted.3: Know where you are. Counties and cities are mentioned in Tornado Warnings. If you arenew to an area, keep a map handy for reference.4: Have a reliable way to receive weather information, such as an emergency radio that canbe operated in the event of power loss.5: If you are going to be at a large gathering, such as at a school, stadium, or place ofworship, make sure that someone is keeping an eye on the weather.6: A tornado shelter, tornado cellar, or a safe room is the safest place to be, but these arenot found in most homes. The next safest place is a basement, but these are not common inArkansas. If you do not have any of these, go to an interior room on the lowest floor of ahouse or building. Put as many walls between you and the outdoors as possible and stayaway from windows.---Final showing of Guys and Dolls at ES Schools is TuesdayEUREKA SPRINGS – The Eureka Springs High School Choir and Drama Clubs willpresent a final performance of Guys and Dolls this Tuesday, April 30. The performancewill begin 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium.Tickets are available at a reduced cost of $10 for adults and $2.50 for students if purchasedonline here. Cost is $15 for adults and $5 for students if purchased at the door.For questions or more information, call or text (870) 480-6464.This 90 minute version of the iconic Broadway musical comedy is an accuratecondensation of the smash hit movie that starred Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, JeanSimmons and Vivian Blaine. The ESHS Drama/Choir will bring the guys and dolls to lifeon the high school auditorium stage. Organizers say this is a performance you don't want tomiss.---Berryville High School earns high ranking in U.S. News studyBERRYVILLE – Berryville High School has earned a high national ranking in the list of2024 Best High Schools in the United States.U.S. News recently released the study and informed Berryville High School administratorsof the achievement. The school ranked in the top 40 percent of around 18,000 public highschools nationwide, based on multiple sources of objective data.U.S. News provides rankings based on indicators such as enrollment, student bodydemographics, location, school type and results of state assessments, as well as AdvancedPlacement (AP). AP data come directly from the College Board while other data is pulledfrom the state system.---State Capitol Week in ReviewBy Senator Bryan KingSooner rather than later the state of Arkansas needs to gain control over the alarminggrowth of crypto mines and data centers. Our quality of life is at stake.Unfortunately, the Senate only kicked the can down the road when it passed two bills toregulate this new industry. While we’re wasting time, foreign owners of crypto mines arequickly taking advantage of the state’s cowardice.Senate Bill 78 passed with 26 votes. I voted against it and spoke against it because it iswindow dressing sponsored by the same lawmaker who sponsored Act 851 of 2023. That’sthe law that opened the door to crypto mines by restricting local governments’ authority toregulate crypto mines.Passing SB 78 basically told the crypto mining industry it could police itself. The Senatehanded the fox a key to the henhouse.I held my nose and voted for the second bill, SB 79, in spite of the fact that industrylobbyists managed to water it down significantly.It may solve some of the problems caused by crypto mines, but a lot depends on howeffectively it is enforced.Crypto mines have popped up in rural areas only recently and more are being planned.They consume massive quantities of electricity and water. Nearby residents have beenespecially vocal about the noise they generate every day, all day.SB 79 requires crypto mines to install equipment to reduce noise levels. Originally, the billhad noise limits with specific decibel levels that could not be exceeded. However,lobbyists convinced legislators to remove that language, and the result is a much weakerbill.Neighbors who live within 2,000 feet of a digital asset mining business will have standingto file lawsuits in circuit court. If this language stands it can be helpful, but crypto mineswill challenge it with lawsuits. They prefer to fight their legal battles in federal court,where they have a huge advantage in money and lawyers.Under SB 79 the state Oil and Gas Commission will issue permits to crypto mines. Beforethe governor even signs the bill, lobbyists for foreign companies will be spending moneyto influence members of the Commission.One of my chief concerns about crypto mines is that their ownership cannot be verified, sowe have no way to evaluate how much of a threat they pose to our national security.Ownership by Chinese military agencies is a particular concern.SB 79 prohibits ownership of a crypto mine by organizations or foreign countries thatsponsor terrorism and that traffic weapons in violation of international law. The prohibitionbecomes effective in a year if the state Attorney General is aggressive, but that is notcertain because the Attorney General has been oddly silent on this issue.The Attorney General will probably run into many obstacles trying to verify ownership ofcrypto mines. The Chinese military is not going to just put their name on the propertydeed.Finding out who truly owns crypto mines will require identifying holding companies andoffshore accounts, and deciphering a mountain of fake names and addresses. The ownersof crypto mines have been deceptive in the past, so don’t expect them to change theirtactics.That’s why I will take advantage of every opportunity to ask questions of state officials andmy colleagues in the legislature, as well as the Attorney General and the governor’s officeand representatives of crypto mines. We must enforce SB 79 to the letter, and let cryptomines know that we intend to hold their feet to the fire. We’re fighting for the quality oflife in our great and beautiful state.
News for Friday, April 26, 2024
Severe weather possible today, throughout weekendBERRYVILLE – The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlookfor the region ahead of some possible severe weather in the coming days.Forecasters expect severe weather chances to return to the region today and continue intothe weekend. Impacted areas include Carroll and surrounding counties as well as NortheastOklahoma.Thunderstorms are ongoing early this afternoon across southeast Oklahoma northeastwardinto northwest Arkansas. Thunderstorm coverage is expected to increase in this samevicinity through the afternoon, with a medium chance for severe thunderstorms into earlyevening. In addition, a low to medium chance for isolated severe thunderstormdevelopment exists mid to late afternoon along the dryline across northeast and east centralOklahoma.Instability and shear favor potential for large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoeswith both dryline storms and with storms in southeast Oklahoma and into westernArkansas. Heavy rain has already been seen earlier today in southeast Oklahoma andwestern Arkansas and additional rains in these same areas today could lead to localizedflash flooding.Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may be ongoing across parts of southeast Oklahomaand into western Arkansas Saturday morning. Additional storms are forecast to developearly to mid afternoon on Saturday, which would pose an increased severe weather threatthrough the afternoon and into the evening. Areas along and west of Highway 75 shouldsee the highest afternoon coverage, with more isolated to scattered activity east of there.All severe weather hazards could occur Saturday afternoon and evening, includingpotential for strong tornadoes. Into Saturday night, an increasing flooding threat willdevelop, with the potential for high end severe weather likely to diminish. The floodingthreat should continue into Sunday morning. Yet another round of severe weather isexpected Sunday afternoon and evening.The active weather pattern will persist into next week, with dailythunderstorm chances and potential for heavy rain.---ASP graduates 18 new troopersLITTLE ROCK - Eighteen recruits became Arkansas State Troopers during a graduationceremony in the rotunda of the State Capitol Thursday night.After being tested and interviewed, this class of new Troopers was chosen from a pool of230 applicants. They began their training program on Feb. 18 at the State Police TrainingAcademy in Little Rock. During the 10-week program, the recruits underwent acomprehensive and challenging curriculum designed to prepare them for the realities ofbeing an Arkansas State Trooper. The program included approximately 710 hours ofspecialized instruction and practical training including criminal law, traffic control,accident investigation, firearms training, and defensive tactics.The graduates were sworn under oath as Arkansas State Troopers by Governor SarahHuckabee Sanders, who served as the keynote speaker. Colonel Mike Hagar, Secretary ofthe Arkansas Department of Public Safety, Major Roby Rhoads, Sergeant Chad Staley andCorporal Keon Thompson addressed the class during the ceremony. ASP senior commandstaff, troop and company commanders, the training section cadre, ASP Commissioners,and ASP Foundation members were among the audience.One graduate has been assigned to Troop L, which serves Carroll, Boone, Madison andWashington Counties: James Jones of Frierson, La.The new Troopers will be placed with a certified departmental Field Training Officer(FTO) upon reporting for duty at their respective troop headquarters. Each graduate willwork in tandem with their respective FTO for a transitional period before being released totheir assignment.
News for Thursday, April 25, 2024
No charges against officer in March fatal shooting of suspect in ESEUREKA SPRINGS – The fatal officer-involved shooting of a suspect in Eureka Springslast month has been determined to be fully justified.This week, the Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office ruled that the March 1 fatalshooting of 36-year-old Christopher Vanschoick by officers with the Eureka Springs PoliceDepartment was reasonable given the circumstances of the incident.According to the Arkansas State Police, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office DispatchCenter received a 911 call from the Rowdy Beaver Den in Eureka Springs, advising thatVanschoick had brandished a handgun during a disturbance.Two Eureka Springs Police Department (ESPD) officers arrived at the location andobserved Vanschoick sitting in his vehicle on the street near the Rowdy Beaver Den. Theofficers confronted Vanschoick, and a struggle ensued.Vanschoick allegedly produced a handgun, and one of the officers fired his weapon,striking Vanschoick. Vanschoick was pronounced dead by the Carroll County coroner’soffice.His body was transferred to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory (ASCL) to determine thecause and manner of death.This week, the Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office ruled that the use of deadlyforce by the officer was justified and that no criminal charges would be filed against theofficer involved.---GF native makes history as Bentonville’s first female K9 handlerBENTONVILLE – A Green Forest native recently became the first female K9 handler inthe history of the Bentonville Police Department.Kodee Powell and K9 “Hugo” graduated this month following four weeks of extensivetraining. Both are now on patrol in service of the residents of Bentonville.Powell is the first female K9 handler in the department’s history and was also recognizedas the 2023 Officer of the Year. Together, they join the department’s five other K9 teams.Powell joined the Bentonville Police Department in 2021. She is a graduate of John BrownUniversity with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology and a Master’s of Science in SportsManagement. Officials have described her as a very proactive and responsible member ofthe department who carries a great attitude and work ethic.------Regional qualifiers for Youth Shooting Sports begin FridayJACKSONVILLE — Qualifying for 64-team state tournaments in both senior and juniordivisions in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Youth Shooting Sportschampionships begins this week with the first of four regional tournaments at the ArkansasGame and Fish Foundation/Jacksonville Shooting Sports Complex on Graham Road.Junior age trap shooters (grades 5-8) from the South Region will compete beginning at 9a.m. Friday. Senior division shooters (grades 9-12) compete Saturday starting at 9 a.m.Regional tournaments will be conducted at the complex the following three weekends:East Region, May 3-4; North Region, May 10-11; and West Region, May 17-18. Eachday’s competition begins at 9 a.m. The top 16 teams from each region in each divisionadvance to fill a 64-team state tournament bracket, which will be contested here May 31-June 1.“They’ve been shooting and practicing since January and February and we’re finallycoming into regional tournament time,” Jimmy Self, YSS coordinator for the AGFC and itsRecreational Shooting Division, said. “Everybody is coming into their regionaltournaments ready to compete and wanting to qualify for state.”Self said the program has registered nearly 5,500 male and female shooters for 2024 in its18th season. That number is up about 100 shooters from last year. Each regional drawsdozens of teams; Saturday’s action typically will run as late as 3:30 p.m. during regionalcompetition with so many teams trying to qualify for the top 16.Northwest Arkansas is sending potent squads to the West Region on a yearly basis now andcontending for state honors; Shiloh Christian recently won a statewide Arkansas Game andFish Foundation event here.Junior shooters during regional tournaments shoot at 25 clay targets, while seniors have 50shots. A team is made up of five shooters (clubs and schools can enter several teams). Ateam’s score is made up of all five shooters’ totals. Ties in the team placement are decidedby “card-off” of the most shots made by one individual, moving to the next shooter ifneeded to break the tie. Also, individuals who shoot a perfect qualifying round in junior orsenior divisions advance to a Champion of Champions round, held during the statetournament.In both divisions, the shooters rotate through five stations at a trap stand (the Jacksonvillecomplex has 14 separate shooting areas) and set up 16 yards from the throwing house. Thetrap-throwing machine sends out clay targets at various isolated patterns. Shooterstypically are using 12- or 20-gauge shotguns.All teams in the state were eligible for their particular region if they got in five practicessince J January.For the parents, families and spectators, as well as shooters who have completed theirturns, the complex will have a fishing station set up at a pond on the east end of thecomplex, as well as a nearby archery setup. “We’ll try to add a few more things for state,”Self said. Concession vendors will also be on hand. The city of Jacksonville is in charge ofselling merchandise such as T-shirts. There is no admission charge.“This is our first tournament since the new (Recreational Shooting) division was created atthe AGFC,” Self noted. Previously, shooting sports fell under the purview of the AGFC’sEducation Division. Recreational Shooting Sports is led by new chief Jose Jimenez.“The Game and Fish is standing behind recreational shooting enough to put it inside itsown division,” Self said. “We have a new chief, he’s only a month and a half in, and wehave goals and we’re working to create more recreational shooting disciplines. We’relooking at partnerships with new ranges around the state.”Self also serves as the central Arkansas director of the Arkansas State Trap ShootingFederation. He sees how much impact the AGFC’s YSS program has on buildingrecreational shooters of all ages.“We have colleges shooting all the time now. You can shoot this sport at any age, there area lot of (styles) to shoot out there,” he said. “You can shoot in those tournaments in anyage bracket. We see, as they move on, we’re retaining those shooters at older ages now.“YSS is a beginner program, that’s where they first can travel and get into recreationalshooting. We have all-Americans who have participated in the program, an Olympian(Kayle Browning) who participated in the program, kids who have come through ourprogram and have made it their careers.
News for WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2024
ESHS Choir, Drama to present Guys and Dolls this weekendsEUREKA SPRINGS – Get ready for a great rendition of a famous Broadway productionwith Guys and Dolls this weekend at Eureka Springs High School.The Eureka Springs High School Choir and Drama Clubs will present the iconic musicalcomedy April 26-27 and for a final showing on April 30. The April 26 and April 30performances will begin at 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. April 27 will includetwo performances, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., also in the high school auditorium.Tickets are available at a reduced cost of $10 for adults and $2.50 for students if purchasedonline here. Cost is $15 for adults and $5 for students if purchased at the door. Tickets arereusable for all performances.For questions or more information, call or text (870) 480-6464.This 90 minute version of Guys and Dolls is an accurate condensation of the smash hitmovie that starred Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons and Vivian Blaine. TheESHS Drama/Choir will bring the guys and dolls to life on the high school auditoriumstage. Organizers say this is a performance you don't want to miss!---Aspen Mena named Eureka Springs Rotary Student of the MonthAspen Pena, the daughter of Ashley and Milo Johnson, has been selected as EurekaSprings Rotary Student of the Month for March, 2024.Ashley, a senior at Eureka Springs High School, is a member of Christians in Action, Golfand EAST. She has been class historian. Aspen enjoys helping out with fundraisers for theschool and bank parking lot. She has been selected as the Colleen for the Eureka SpringsSt Patrick’s Day Parade.Aspen is employed at Escape Room 13. She loves playing golf, painting and just hangingout with friends and family. After graduation, Aspen plans to attend John BrownUniversity and major in Psychology.---Application process opens for Summer EBT programmingLITTLE ROCK - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the Arkansas Department of HumanServices (DHS) and the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) announced on April 22that the state of Arkansas has formally launched the application process for the newSummer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program.The new grocery benefits program provides families $120 for each eligible school-agedchild to buy groceries when school is out for the summer break.Many eligible families will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need toapply. Children are automatically eligible and don’t need to apply if their householdparticipates in SNAP or TEA, or if they individually applied for and were approved forfree meals through the National School Lunch Program.\The new program is in addition to free meals that kids of all ages can get at summer mealsites in their communities.The $120 benefit will be provided on pre-loaded EBT cards similar to ones used for theSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cards, which will be sentseparately to each eligible child in a family, can be used by families to purchase groceries.The cards are expected to be mailed out by the beginning of July.For more information about Summer EBT and to find out if you automatically qualify orneed to apply, visit ar.gov/SummerEBT.---Saturday is Arkansas Drug Take Back DayBERRYVILLE - Local and state law enforcement agencies are teaming up this weekend toencourage Arkansans to clean out their medicine cabinets in an effort to make their homesand communities safer. These agencies are organizing more than 300 drop-off locationsthroughout Arkansas for this year’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day.The annual effort will be held this Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at locationsacross the state. At these events Arkansans are encouraged to bring any unused or expiredmedications and drop them off, no questions asked.A permanent drop-off location is available at the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, located at205 Hailey Road in Berryville. The Green Forest Police Department also hosts apermanent collection site at its station on 203 S. Springfield Avenue, while the HolidayIsland Fire Department also maintains a year-round drop-off location.The Boone, Newton and Madison County Sheriff’s Office also offer permanent collectionsites.State health experts say that cleaning out medicine cabinets and turning the expired,unused medications over to law enforcement during a Drug Take Back event can go a longways towards saving lives. Overdoses are on the rise and the figures have been staggering,especially during the pandemic. Law enforcement agencies say it’s more important thanever to properly dispose of these prescription drugs.Other events and more information on Drug Take Back Day in Arkansas can be foundat ARTakeBack.org. Since the program began, nearly 290 tons of medication have beencollected in Arkansas.---Tickets on-sale Friday for Pitbull Party After Dark Tour at Thunder RidgeGlobal superstar Pitbull has announced his Party After Dark Tour will take over ThunderRidge Nature Arena on Saturday, Sept. 21with special guest T-Pain and openersSiriusXM Globalization DJ’S.Following numerous successful solo touring runs and a recent triple headlining one-of-akind multigenerational arena run The Trilogy Tour– with Enrique Iglesias and RickyMartin, Mr. Worldwide is set to deliver another incredibly dynamic tour with anelectrifying mix of his biggest career-spanning hits of instantly recognizable smashes andsurprises.Pitbull’s recent musical releases include Trackhouse and Trackhouse: Daytona 500 Edition.The album titles are inspired by the NASCAR Cup Series team Trackhouse Racing, whichhe has been a co-owner of since 2021.The tracks feature special guests Dolly Parton, TimMcGraw, Nile Rodgers, T-Pain, Omar Courtz, and more. Pitbull, with the support of fansworldwide, continues to spotlight the transformative work of SLAM! charter schools–leveraging music as a universal language to unite and inspire, turning negatives intopositives.TICKETS: Tickets go on sale beginning Friday, April 26th at 10 AM local time at: ticketmaster.com
News for TUESDAY, April 23, 2024
Tournaments, testing and more at Berryville SchoolsBERRYVILLE – The 2023-24 school year is quickly coming to an end, but there’s lotsstill going on in the Berryville School District.Some events to keep on the calendar:The senior high conference track meet is scheduled for April 23. Field events begin at 10a.m. with running events scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. The soccer conference tournamentis also April 23 with the Lady Bobcats heading to Farmington at 5 p.m. The boys will takeon Huntsville April 25 with the game scheduled for 5 p.m.Camp War Eagle is coming to Berryville July 22-26 to host a five day program for kidscurrently in a K-5 classroom. The camp will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.Spots for both Day Camp and Overnight camp on Beaver Lake are currently available.Cost begins at just $20. Apply at www.campwareagle.orgYear-end diagnostic testing will take place between April 23-24 at Berryville Elementary.Testing will begin at 8:30 a.m. both days. Teachers encourage parents and guardians tomake sure their students are on time, well-rested and have working headphones.The Berryville School District will host the community and student-led BaccalaureateService on May 15. The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the Bobcat Sports Complex.---Green Forest bands wrap up amazing weekGREEN FOREST – It’s been a busy week for performing bands at Green Forest Schools,which wrapped up to concerts for the community and earned top awards at a recentcompetition.A total of 16 Green Forest band members earned medals for their first and second placeperformances at the Solo and Ensemble competition. This raises the total number ofmedals won by the Tigers to 34 for band performance.Four members have also earned positions to compete at the State Level Solo and EnsembleCompetition: Henry Aguilar, Briana Bustamante, Lyndsy Enriquez and Alyson Tegley areheaded to state for their solo performances on clarinet, oboe and clarinet, alto saxophoneand flute, respectively. Three of these students will also be performing at the State level fortheir clarinet, flute, and oboe trio.---Carroll County 4-H to host summer fundraiserCARROLL COUNTY - During the month of May, Carroll County 4-H members will behosting a "Pick a Date to Donate" fundraiser. Anyone interested in helping out CarrollCounty 4-H’ers is invited to get in contact with one to donate.Residents may also stop by the office to drop off their donation.The money that Carroll County 4-H members raise will go towards their countywideevents. This will help pay for the group’s camps, workshops, trips and contest entries.Organizers said proceeds will help cover the rising cost of hosting these events andactivities. Money will be used to offset the costs of those activities for families.For more information or for questions, call the Carroll County Extension Office at (870)423-2958.---Kindergarten registration is April 26 at Berryville ElementaryBERRYVILLE – Berryville Elementary School has announced that kindergartenregistration will take place Friday, April 26.The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Bobcat Arena for children enteringkindergarten for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. Parents/guardians are asked to bringtheir child’s birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency, guardian photo ID,physical and immunization records.Eligible students must be five-years-old on or before Aug. 1. For more information, call(870) 480-4640.
News for Friday, April 19, 2024
Washington County accident claims three livesFARMINGTON - A three-vehicle accident in Washington County claimed the lives ofthree people Thursday morning, authorities reported.According to the Arkansas State Police, 40-year-old Stephen J. Kaufmann of Fayettevillewas traveling south on Broyles Street when his 2016 Acura crossed into oncoming trafficand struck a 2017 Chevrolet in the opposite lane. Investigators said Kaufmann wasattempting to pass another vehicle when the accident occured. That vehicle was alsodamaged in the accident.The crash occurred around 7:15 a.m. on April 18.Kaufmann was killed in the accident. A passenger, identified as a minor, was also killed. Inaddition, 44-year-old Jennifer Kelley of Farmington, who was in the Chevrolet, died frominjuries sustained in the accident. A minor in her vehicle was injured and transported to amedical facility for treatment.The investigating state trooper reported road conditions as clear at the time of the accident.---ASP earns awards for 2023 drug interdiction effortsBILOXI, Miss. – Arkansas State Police’s Interstate Criminal Patrol (ICP) once againdominated the annual Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area awards held earlierthis week in Biloxi, Miss., winning three individual awards, Team of the Year and Officerof the Year.ASP’s outstanding performance in 2023 was recognized for collectively seizing illegaldrugs with a total street value of $27.7 million, 45 vehicles, and $1.26 million in currency.Trooper Ana Escamilla was recognized as 2023 Officer of the Year for 28 drug seizures,with a total street value of $5,678,326 and 7 currency seizures, totaling $610,755.Individual winners:-- Sergeant Derek Nietert, largest marijuana seizure, 939 pounds-- Trooper Cody Martin, largest cocaine seizure, 145 pounds-- Trooper Escamilla, largest “other dangerous drugs” seizure, 420 bottles of Promethazine(street value $100,800)During 2023, ASP seized over 10,386 pounds of marijuana, 353 pounds of cocaine, 56pounds of methamphetamine, 46 pounds of fentanyl and 21 illegal weapons.Seized drugs are sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis and then stored duringprosecution. After cases are adjudicated, the drugs are transported to an incinerator fordisposal. Seized weapons are destroyed, later used by law enforcement, or sold at publicauction.Seized cash that is determined to be forfeited goes to prosecuting attorney in thejurisdiction where it was initially seized. Prosecuting attorneys decide how the money isdistributed.---Arkansas Ag Dept restricts imports into state after bird flue detected in cattleLITTLE ROCK — As highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, isdetected in cattle in a growing number of states, the Arkansas Department of Agriculturehas issued an order restricting livestock exhibiting symptoms or testing positive for thevirus from entering the state.Dustan Clark, extension poultry health veterinarian for the University of Arkansas SystemDivision of Agriculture, said Arkansas has seen no reports of cattle infected with the viruswithin its borders. Additionally, there have been no reports of bird flu in Arkansascommercial poultry production facilities or backyard “hobby flocks” since December2023.“So far, we’re doing quite well,” Clark said. “I won’t say we’re safe. We need everyone tomaintain good biosecurity practices.”Clark is also the associate director of the Division of Agriculture’s Poultry Center.Per an April 5 letter from Arkansas State Veterinarian John Nilz: No dairy cattle exhibiting symptoms of or testing positive for HPAI shall beallowed to move into Arkansas. No dairy cattle from states with impacted herds shall be allowed to move intoArkansas. Livestock moving into Arkansas found to be in non-compliance with this ordershall be quarantined to the nearest facility until all requirements are met on saidanimals to meet specifications.“This is still an unfolding issue,” Clark said. As of April 15, USDA’s Animal and PlantInspection Service reported confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle in eight states, includingIdaho, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina.All of the reported cases have been in dairy milking cattle.Clark said that since February 2022, more than 90 million birds in the United States havebeen affected by the H5N1 strain of bird flu.“It’s been detected in about 480 commercial flocks and 645 hobby flocks,” Clark said.According to an April 16 U.S. Department of Agriculture report, more than 8.5 millionbirds had been affected within the previous 30 days. While HPAI has been detected in 48states over the last two years, it has only been reported in eight states — Michigan,Florida, New Mexico, Minnesota, Kansas, Texas, North Carolina and Maine — during that30-day period.“Two of the largest of those were table egg flocks in Michigan,” Clark said. “One withmore than 2 million birds, the other slightly less than 2 million birds. Then there was acommercial table egg flock in Texas that was more than 1.8 million birds. Those were thebiggest in the last 30 days.”Clark said that while USDA and the state veterinarian outlined clear biosecurity guidelinesforthe transportation of poultry for both commercial producers and backyard hobbyists, onefactor that can’t be controlled is the presence of wild birds.“Don’t expose your hobby flock birds to wild waterfowl,” Clark said. “Keep them pennedup at this point in time, while the migration is still going on. Don’t let them range and keepthem away from water sources that may have had wild waterfowl on them, such as a pond.“If you go somewhere such as a park and there’s a pond there, stay away from it,” he said.“When you go home, clean and disinfect your shoes and change clothes before you visityour own poultry.”Many public resources are available to help individuals establish good biosecuritymeasures and assess the possibility of an infected herd or flock, including theUSDA’s HPAI biosecurity factsheet, the Division of Agriculture’s biosecurity resourcespage and the Arkansas Department of Health’s HPAI page. Individuals who think they mayhave an infected bird should consult their veterinarian or call the Arkansas Department ofAgriculture at 501-823-1746.---State Capitol Week in ReviewBy Sen. Bryan KingThe state Education Department has written new rules for troubled schools to enter“transformation contracts” with outside entities, such as charter school operators.The Department will accept public comments until May 15 on the eight pages of proposedrules. They will implement a provision in the LEARNS Act that was passed by thelegislature last year. The act was the centerpiece of the governor’s legislative agenda.An Education Department official said that transformation contracts offer a dramatic wayto improve districts that are in academic distress.Schools are eligible to enter the contracts if they have a D or an F rating or if they areclassified as needing Level 5 intensive support by the Board of Education.A strong incentive to enter transformation contracts is that for two years after the contractis signed, the state will not impose any sanctions or take any actions against the school forfailing to satisfy academic performance standards.The proposed rules allow the state to provide financial incentives to support thetransformation campus, but the proposals do not specify any details about those incentives.Under the proposed rules, any property owned by a school district when the contract issigned shall remain in the school’s possession.The organization that contracts to take over most of the school’s administration is referredto as the transformation campus operator. Their intent must be to return management to theschool after “accelerated, meaningful, and sustainable increases in student achievementhave been achieved.”One school district in the state is already being operated under a transformation contractthat was signed soon after the LEARNS Act took effect last year. It is the Marvell-ElaineSchool District in east Arkansas, which is under state control.Under the three-year transformation contract signed last year, Marvell-Elaine schools arebeing operated by the Friendship Education Foundation that sponsors open-enrollmentcharter schools in Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pine Bluff.The proposed rules would allow school districts that are not under state control to entertransformation contracts. If the district falls under state control during contract period, thecontract would become void on the date the state takes over control.Community Service RequirementAnother provision in the LEARNS Act will require high school students to perform 75hours of community service in order to graduate. The first seniors who will have to complywill be the class of 2027, who are now in ninth grade.This class has about 39,000 students, so they will contribute almost three million hours ofcommunity service in Arkansas over the next four years.The Education Department has written four pages of proposed rules to implement thecommunity service provisions and will take public comments until April 24.Local school boards may grant a waiver to a graduating student for extenuatingcircumstances, on a case-by-case basis. For example, waivers may be granted to studentswho are medically fragile, or students going through a serious illness or who has a familymember who is seriously ill.Also, students with jobs who contribute significantly to the family’s income may get awaiver.