News news 2008-03-21 Andanh.com

Slam some dunks Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:35:16 -0600
...Or whatever. We're anticipating a slow night around here, particularly after 8:30, and seems like everybody who could left work early today, so might as well get our open line started early too. May your brackets fare well.

Raise your hand if you like muddy water Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:20:57 -0600

Tetra Tech, the firm hired by Central Arkansas Water to make recommendations on how to keep Lake Maumelle and our drinking water clean, says that provisions in Pulaski County's draft ordinance on watershed protection will expose the lake to "substantially higher risks" than CAW's own plan.

A public hearing on the county ordinance is set for 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 24 at the UA Cooperative Extension Service Auditorium at 2301 S. University, just north of UALR. People interested in having clean water to drink should attend.

The Pulaski County Planning Board will have review the proposed ordinance at 3 p.m. March 25 at 501 W. Markham. They can vote on the ordinances at this meeting or postpone until a later meeting. The ordinance is not currently on the agenda of the Quorum Court, which meets at 7 p.m. that day.

The heat is on ... Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:57:51 -0600
... and Obama supporters are saying outloud that Hillary is untrustworthy.

Of course they do Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:53:31 -0600
All that hype about Wal-Mart going green? Forget it. A candid CEO Lee Scott says earnings come first.

Money talking Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:10:57 -0600
Alltel Corp.'s loss of $525 million for the fourth quarter last year on expenses related to the sale of the company was reported this morning. Roby Brock's talkbusiness.net reports on some interesting compensation facts from the company's 10K filing: CEO Scott Ford received $127 million in salary, stock awards and other compensation, a good portion of which was related to the sale of the company to Goldman Sachs and TPG capitol. See the website for other paychecks to top Alltel people.

Obama's passport files breached Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:56:19 -0600

Only Bush and henchmen have a right to privacy. CNN is reporting that contract employees in the State Department have been snooping through Barack Obama's passport files. Condi Rice has apologized.

State is characterizing the snooping as "imprudent curiosity" on the part of low-level personnel who help the department maintain records.

Obama's campaign is demanding a complete investigation. Rice has said she's "very sorry" and will stay on top of the inquiry. From Obama spokesman Bill Burton called the incident "an outrageous breach of security and privacy, even from an administration that has shown little regard for either over the last eight years."

UPDATE: McCain's and Clinton's have been breached as well.

Block 2 shooting now a homicide Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:28:32 -0600
One of the two men shot early Tuesday morning at an apartment in the Block 2 lofts died yesterday, making him the 10th homicide victim in Little Rock this year. Steve Gennuso, 50, had been shot in the head and was found in the doorway of the apartment. Another man, Paul Nicholas, 26, was shot in the arm and was found inside the apartment. No suspects at this point "that we're talking about," police spokesman Lt. Terry Hastings said, and no firm idea of why the two were shot.

Special Session Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:21:31 -0600
Roby Brock's Talk Business blog is reporting that Governor Beebe has called a special session on the gas severance tax:

BEEBE CALLS SPECIAL SESSION FOR SEVERANCE TAX
At a mid-morning press conference, Governor Mike Beebe announced plans to call a special session to raise Arkansas' severance tax on natural gas. Beebe says that he wants to start the session on March 31st.

The Governor has stated previously and publicly that he would not call for an extraordinary session until he was certain that he had the necessary three-fourths majority vote from both legislative chambers to approve a tax hike. Raising the severance tax will require the approval of 27 State Senators and 75 State Representatives.

Beebe has proposed a 5% severance tax rate tied to the market value of natural gas with limited exemptions for certain types of drilling. Gas industry representatives have signed onto the agreement. The estimated tens of millions in new tax revenues would be largely dedicated to road improvements at the state and local level.

For more information, visit www.talkbusiness.net.

4-3 vote taps Watson for LRSD Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:07:29 -0600
It had been clear for awhile that the four-member majority on the Little Rock School Board had no real intention of conducting a national search for a new superintendent, and last night they made it official. Interim Superintendent Linda Watson, on the job since Roy Brooks was ousted last year by the same four board members -- Micheal Daugherty, Katherine Mitchell, Charles Armstrong and Dianne Curry -- was offered a three-year contract. The three no votes -- Melanie Fox, Baker Kurrus and Larry Berkley -- all said they were objecting to the process, not Watson.
That's a valid objection. Watson seems to have done a good job so far -- she has the support of the teachers' union, and district employees say she's raised morale. She may very well be the best choice for the job. But because of the way the board majority chose to hire her, she'll always face questions on that score. (Not that a national search and more open process made much difference for Roy Brooks.)
The board majority is making the same mistake they say Brooks did: Believing they can ignore a significant part of the LRSD community. Just check the application numbers at the e-STEM charter school if you don't think there's a price to pay for that.

We're No. 3! Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:30:28 -0600
In a front-page article chronicling how the housing collapse is affecting small-to-medium-sized banks across the nation, this morning's Wall Street Journal carries a chart that lists Arkansas as No. 3 in mortgage delinquency rates in the fourth quarter of 2007.

We trail only Michigan and Ohio in the Journal's listing.

AP: Richardson endoring Obama Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:57:18 -0600
The Associated Press says New Mexico's Bill Richardson is endoring Barack Obama.

Still tickets Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:39:04 -0600
The good folks at Alltel just delivered this release:

There are still a limited number of tickets available for the 1st session tomorrow.

11:30am (10) St. Mary's vs. (7) Miami
30 min after game No. 1 (15) Austin Peay vs. (2) Texas

There are also a limited number of tickets available for the 2nd session that just became available.

6:25pm (9) Oregon vs. (8) Mississippi State
30 min after game No. 3 (16) Texas-Arlington vs. (1) Memphis

Tickets are available at the Alltel Arena Box Office ONLY. (Please go to the ticket office at the main entrance of the arena)

Ticket Price is $52.66.

The Box Office will remain open until the last practice today at 7:20pm.
If any tickets are left tomorrow morning, the box office will open at 9am. (Please go to the ticket office at the main entrance of the arena)

Water, water everywhere, but ... Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:06:24 -0600

Flooding has damaged water supply the cities of Leslie (Searcy County) and Newark (Independence), and the Arkansas National Guard has been called in to supply 5,000 gallon tanks of water to the communities.

Gov. Beebe declared 26 counties (Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Crawford, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Newton, Randolph, Scott, Searcy, Sharp, Stone and Washington) disaster areas earlier today.

Floodwaters are still rising in some areas and the governor's office said more counties may be added to the list.

The Guard said one of the main water lines in Leslie collapsed and Newark's water plant had flooded. Photos of flooding are posted on the Batesville Guard website.

Petitioners: Hendrix must go Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:08:46 -0600

A group trying to oust City Director Erma Hendrix has announced it will submit a petition asking a recall election to City Hall at 3:30 p.m. today. The group, the Ward One We Care Citizens for Progress Committee, says it has 2,400 voter signatures, several hundred in excess of the number need.

Public questioning about whether Hendrix' performance started last August. The committee, co-chaired by Ojima Robinson and Kathy Wells, list several complaints in their media release: Hendrix interrupted a constituent during public comment time at the City Board, demanding cameras be turned off so broadcast viewers couldn't see or hear the speaker, her attempt to remove a traffic light, her early departure from a meeting of the board and more.

The full press release is on the jump.

'Black Magic' Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:56:13 -0600

One of the last things Max did before shipping out for vacation in China was to recommend a new documentary now appearing on ESPN. "Black Magic," a four-hour two-parter, features the history of the Jim Crow Era and Civil Rights Movement as seen through the lens of coaches and players attending historically black colleges. Full of tales of forgotten legends and their struggles to be accepted not as black players but simply as players, the film — Max swears — is enough to make you cry. No Arkie angle we can ascertain, but it's surely worth a look.

There are two opportunities to catch "Black Magic" coming up: 7 p.m. March 20-21 on ESPN Classic, and a late-nite encore at 12:30 a.m. March 25-26 on ESPN 2.

—David Koon

Beebe Visits Flood Areas Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:55:18 CDT
LITTLE ROCK - Residents of Georgetown, the tiny prairie community along the White River, made their way to safer ground Friday after forecasters said a backwater slough would cut off access by late evening and leave the them stranded well into next week.

Beebe Calls March 31 Special Session Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:00:07 CDT
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe summoned legislators Friday for a special session March 31 to consider raising Arkansas' severance tax on natural gas extraction.

Bella Vista Groups Sell Plants Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:55:10 CDT
The Bella Vista Property Owners Association's Village Pride Committee is taking orders for double knock-out roses and endless summer hydrangeas through May 11. The 3-gallon plants are $29 each.

Rescue Teams Suspend Search For Missing Man Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:55:12 CDT
WEST FORK - Rescue teams suspended search efforts to find a missing West Fork man on Friday.

Yard Waste Pickup Program Begins Next Week Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:55:12 CDT
BENTONVILLE - Allied Waste will begin its yard waste pickup program in Bentonville and Bella Vista on April 1. Residents must subscribe and pay a fee for the service.

Carroll County Officials Find Missing Boy Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:55:15 CDT
A 4-year-old boy and his dog spent 20 hours in the Carroll County woods before Carroll County Sheriff's Deputies and volunteers found him just after noon Friday.

Rogers Street Construction Continues Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:55:15 CDT
• Weather delays have slowed work on First Street between New Hope Road and Olrich Street. The street is closed to southbound traffic although northbound traffic is allowed.

Bentonville Downtown Detours Change Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:55:16 CDT
BENTONVILLE - Bentonville on Friday closed streets around the downtown square to continue underground utility improvements.

Elkins Sets Easter Celebration Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:55:18 CDT
The Bunch Park Committee and Elkins Community Center is sponsoring a pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt today from 8 to 10 a.m.

Public Meetings Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:55:13 CDT
Monday 4 p.m. Springdale Water and Sewer Commission - Water Utilities Building, 526 Oak Ave.

Fans Follow Hogs To Dance Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:07:28 CDT
RALEIGH, N.C. - Logan Carney, a University of Arkansas alum living in Raleigh, N.C., bought a ticket three weeks ago to this city's NCAA Tournament regional. He figured he'd just "go to see some good basketball."

Water Receding To Ideal Float Levels Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:31:48 CDT
FAYETTEVILLE - When the boats shoot down the Buffalo River this weekend, Ben Milburn will remember his Tuesday fight up the flooded waterway.

Region Drying Out Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:31:47 CDT
A West Fork man is still missing more than two days after he apparently fell in a flood-swollen creek.

Prairie Grove Man Arrested In Connection With Child Pornography Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:23:38 CDT
FAYETTEVILLE - Police say a Prairie Grove man arrived at a prearranged Fayetteville location to have sex with a 13-year-old child but was arrested instead.

County Judge Apologizes To Residents For Forgotten Inmate Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:46:25 CDT
FAYETTEVILLE - Washington County Judge Jerry Hunton said Thursday he regretted the story of Adriana Torres-Flores' four days in a holding cell made national news.

Convicted Rapist Afforded New Trial Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:31:37 CDT
ROGERS - The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a new trial for a man convicted in the 2002 rape of a 4-year-old Rogers girl, saying his lawyers made a mistake by not acting to have his confession suppressed.

Group Gets Permission To Question National Archives Over Clinton Phone logs Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:32:02 CDT
WASHINGTON - A battle over Hillary Rodham Clinton's record as first lady broke out on two fronts Thursday, as a federal judge stepped into a dispute over the handling of still-unreleased Clinton phone logs and Barack Obama's campaign challenged her record on trade.

City Anticipates 10-Acre Donation Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:32:10 CDT
BENTONVILLE - Carroll Electric Cooperative plans to donate 10 acres of parkland to Bentonville.

University Forms Panel To Study Crisis Planning Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:31:41 CDT
LITTLE ROCK - University of Arkansas at Little Rock Chancellor Joel Anderson has appointed a six-person panel to study the campus' safety issues.

Renters Can Use Amenities, Board Decides Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:31:42 CDT
BELLA VISTA - Renters in Bella Vista will gain access to amenities such as swimming pools, lakes and golf courses by purchasing identification cards, the Bella Vista Property Owners Association Board decided Thursday.

Anhydrous Ammonia Methamphetamine Labs On The Rise Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:31:46 CDT
ROGERS - Manufacturers of methamphetamine have figured a way to bypass laws monitoring the sale of crucial items needed to produce the illegal substance, officials said.

Five Women Arrested In Prostitution Sting Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:31:53 CDT
An undercover investigation resulted in the arrest of five women on prostitution charges.

Elkins Gets Results Of Water, Sewer Impact Fee Study Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:31:54 CDT
ELKINS - An impact fee for water and sewer for a single-family home would cost $7,200 if both Elkins and Fayetteville approve the maximum fees, according to a recently complete study.

Counties Declared Disaster Because Of Flooding Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:31:56 CDT
LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas storms and flooding that forced hundreds from their homes and businesses didn't spare a north Arkansas construction company that makes precast tornado shelters.

Suit Filed Over County Data Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:32:01 CDT
An Oklahoma company that successfully sued Benton County for access to public real estate data kept by a private company filed a suit Thursday seeking similar data from other counties.

Public Comment Meeting On High School Set For Next Week Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:32:16 CDT
FAYETTEVILLE - A public input meeting on the future location of Fayetteville High School is planned Wednesday at Ramay Junior High School, 401 S. Sang Ave.

Law Enforcement Officer Completes Program Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:23:32 CDT
FAYETTEVILLE - A Fayetteville Police officer graduated from a FBI National Program last week.

Pryor Calls For Fiscal Oversight Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:23:42 CDT
FAYETTEVILLE - Once Congress returns from its Spring break, legislators should get back to work on the economy, Sen. Mark Pryor told a Fayetteville crowd on Thursday.

World War II Veteran Decorated 60 Years Later Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:23:55 CDT
LAKE CITY - Remember the bridge at Remagen? Raymond Clark does.

Water Authority Set For Expansion Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:23:41 CDT
The Benton-Washington Regional Public Water Authority got the green light Wednesday to expand its water treatment plant.

Bentonville Detours Change Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:23:45 CDT
BENTONVILLE - Detour signs will be placed in new spots around the Bentonville downtown square starting this weekend.

Briefs Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:23:46 CDT
Easter Egg Hunt Planned Saturday BENTONVILLE - Children can hunt for eggs filled with prizes and other treats during an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday.

Camera Added To Cell Where Woman Was Left For Four Days Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:23:54 CDT
FAYETTEVILLE - Washington County officials have installed a camera in the courthouse holding cell where a woman was mistakenly left without food, water or access to a restroom for four days.

Beebe Near Supermajority Needed For Severance Tax Increase Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:32:00 CDT
LITTLE ROCK - The House and Senate leaders said Thursday that Gov. Mike Beebe likely has the three-fourths majority votes he needs in both chambers to raise the state severance tax on natural gas.

Governor Announces Appointments Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:23:53 CDT
LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Beebe made several appointments to state courts, boards and commissions Wednesday, including Northwest Arkansans from Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville and Berryville.

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