Citizen combined

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015 $1

DTaheily Citizen

TheDailyCitizen.com Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854

NEW ACTIVITIES TO BENEFIT BALD KNOB PREPARES FOR

BALD KNOB LAKE — PAGE 7A STATE TRACK — PAGE 1B

Arrest Searcy hires HR director

Who: Rhonda Denise Turn- Laws served 15 years in human resources for city of Jacksonville
er, 53, of Judsonia
BY MATT BURKS of municipal HR,” Morris said. “She had City of
For: Alleged drug crimes very respectful references by those who
Charges: Two felonies [email protected] worked previously with her, and she has Searcy
Status: Released on the ability to know how to handle various
$10,000 bail The human resources director posi- situations pertaining to personnel or hu- What: Has hired Hu-
tion has been filled for the city of Searcy, man resource issues. We are glad to have man Resources director
Judsonia Mayor David Morris said. her on board.”
woman Who: Hollie Laws of
arrested Hollie Laws accepted the position after Morris said Laws stood out the most as Jacksonville
serving 15 years in the Human Resources the right fit among the 26 candidates who
Turner faces Department in Jacksonville. Laws re- Replacing: Jay Shock,
felony drug ceives a $45,000 annual salary. Please see DIRECTOR | 7A who retired in January

charges Laws “She comes to us with a great wealth
of knowledge and experience in the field
The Daily Citizen
STUDENTS DISPLAY FIRE STATION DESIGN
A Judsonia woman was ar-
rested Tuesday during a home
visit by officers on felony drug
charges, au-
thorities said.

Rhonda
Denise Turn-
er, 53, faces
a charge of
possession
of a schedule
II controlled
substance
(marijuana), a
class D felony, Turner
and a class
D felony charge of possession
of drug paraphernalia. Central
Arkansas Drug Task Force offi-

Please see ARRESTED | 3A

Business Matt Burks/[email protected]
boomed for
Spring Sing Searcy High School Environmental
and Spatial Technology (EAST)
More than students prepare to display prelimi-
11,000 flocked nary architectural designs for the
new Searcy Fire Department sta-
to Searcy for tion No. 2, which will be construct-
annual show ed on 2.4 acres of land on Moore
Avenue, behind Unity Health-White
BY CLAIRE HEFFLEY County Medical Center, above.
Firefighters and Mayor David Mor-
Special to The Daily Citizen ris addressed concerns about the
move with residents during an open
Searcy business owners sang house meeting Tuesday at the cur-
the praises of Spring Sing when rent station No. 2 facility on East
asked recently about the eco- Market Avenue.
nomic impact of the annual
Harding University musical re- Searcy Fire Department Capt.
vue held last month. Andrew Bogan shakes hands with
3-year-old Trey Lovell of Searcy dur-
Spring Sing, which was ing an open house Tuesday, left.
themed “Famous for Fifteen” The construction of the new fire
this year, drew more than 11,000 station will be funded by the eight-
to the Benson Auditorium when year, 1-percent sales and use tax
it was performed April 2-4. approved by more than 64 percent
of voters Feb. 11, 2014. The esti-
Sam Patel, general manager of mated cost is about $1.2 million.
the M-Star Hotel, and Pete Pa-
tel, owner of the Microtel, both Hill discusses ‘specific’ issues with officials
described Spring Sing weekend
as busy and beneficial. Area politicians invited to meet with U.S. representative U.S. Rep.

Similarly, Jesse Hathcote, BY ALI WEBB according to Searcy Mayor Da- to invite. French Hill
sales manager of the Holiday vid Morris. “I suggested our mayors, our
Inn Express and Suites, said [email protected] What: Met with city, coun-
Spring Sing weekend was the White County Judge Michael Arkansas senators and our Ar- ty and state officials
business’ biggest event of the City, county and state offi- Lincoln said staff of Hill, who kansas representatives,” Lin-
year. To prepare, he increased cials discussed “specific issues represents Arkansas’ 2nd con- coln said. Why: To discuss state,
staff, supplies and food in ad- that would affect cities and gressional district, contacted county issues
vance to try to please each guest counties statewide” when they the judge’s office and asked if Lincoln said he contacted
and get them to return next year. met with U.S. Rep. French Hill he could find a location to meet state legislators Eddie Joe When: Tuesday at Searcy
at the Searcy Regional Cham- and make suggestions for who Regional Chamber of Com-
“We were full. Everybody had ber of Commerce on Tuesday, Please see OFFICIALS | 3A merce
a good time it seemed like,” Ha-
thcote said. “We don’t have very

Please see SING | 3A

Vol. 161, No. 91 Searcy Health &
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‡6EARCYHC.COM
A Compass Pointe Healthcare System Facility ...because everyone deserves great care!

The Daily Citizen Thursday, May 7, 2015 • Page 3A

NEWS Jeni’s traces listeria
to Ohio ice cream
Mayor seeks federal probe of police pint-filling machine

BY DAVID DISHNEAU “I am determined not to allow your hands and provide Associated Press
a small handful of bad actors support.”
Associated Press to tarnish the reputation of the COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jeni’s Splendid Ice
overwhelming majority of police Lynch has received the Creams says it has traced the source of listeria
BALTIMORE — Balti- officers who are acting with honor mayor’s request and is con- in its Ohio production facility to a pint-filling
more’s mayor was emphat- sidering it, Justice Depart- machine.
ic last week: She did not and distinction.” ment spokeswoman Dena
want federal oversight of Iverson said Wednesday. CEO John Lowe says in a statement
her police department. Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Wednesday that the company will never be
“I think that’s probably a sure how the bacteria got into the machine,
“Nobody wants the De- Mayor of Baltimore step in the right direction,” which filled a portion of the pints for retail
partment of Justice to Republican Gov. Larry Ho- sales. He says efforts continue to clean the Co-
come in here and take over The Democratic mayor who are acting with honor gan said. lumbus facility.
our city,” Stephanie Rawl- now says she’ll accept out- and distinction,” she wrote
ings-Blake declared as the side intervention to rebuild in a letter to the new U.S. The city’s police union Lowe says the company estimates it will
National Guard enforced a public trust in a city torn attorney general, Loretta and City Council president spend about $200,000 on changes to make
10 p.m. curfew. by riots over the death of Lynch. also welcomed the devel- sure it doesn’t happen again.
Freddie Gray, a black man opment.
But it was hard to find who suffered a fatal spinal The mayor’s announce- Jeni’s announced April 23 that it would re-
any opposition Wednesday injury in police custody. ment came the day after A key figure who didn’t call retail products and close ice cream shops
after she softened her tone her closed-door meeting at immediately respond was in six states after listeria was discovered in
and asked the U.S. Justice “I am determined not to City Hall with Lynch, who Police Commissioner An- some pints and later in the factory.
Department to launch a allow a small handful of bad pledged to improve the po- thony Batts, brought in
broad civil rights investi- actors to tarnish the repu- lice department and told from Oakland, California, The company said it would destroy 265 tons
gation that could eventu- tation of the overwhelming faith and community lead- by the mayor 21⁄2 years ago of ice cream worth more than $2.5 million.
ally force the city to make majority of police officers ers that “we’re here to hold to reform the department.
changes under the over-
sight of an outside moni- The mayor’s request
tor. could put Batts’ leadership
under a microscope.

OFFICIALS

CONTINUED FROM 1A ginson Ac- enue municipalities also were told it was a closed-door
Mayor cording that cit- addressed, such as find- meeting.
Williams (R-Cabot), Les Randall to Mor- ies and ing grants for rural water,
Eaves (R-Searcy), Jeremy Homs- ris, the states “grants for police and the “I don’t recall the term
Gillam (R-Judsonia), Jon- ley. politi- lose in difficulties of small cities closed-door be used, “Lin-
athan Dismang (R-Beebe) cians tax rev- to get funding.” coln said. “What I remem-
and Joe Farrer (R-Austin). “The dis- enue as ber is that he wanted a
con- cussed Internet According to Morris, small intimate session for
Those who attended in- gress- the sales in- the group also discussed local officials.”
cluded Williams, Eaves, man Federal crease. natural gas, crude oil and
Gillam, Morris, McRae thanked High- “I infrastructure. The Daily Morris added that he
Mayor Bob Sullivan, Brad- Hill us for Lincoln way Morris strongly Citizen was not present would have preferred for
ford Mayor Gerald “Gene” coming for the discussion because the meeting to have been
Pollard, Bald Knob Mayor and we Trust encour- Anushree Jumde, a repre- covered by the media.
Beth Hale Calhoun, Gar- went around the room and Fund and how Arkansas aged [Hill] to co-sign a sentative of Hill’s office,
ner Mayor Dorothy Han- introduced ourselves,” is considered a donor state bill that would help get to said it was a “closed-door” “Everything we talked
ner, Judsonia Mayor Ron- Morris said. “[Hill] talked because it pays more than the bottom of that prob- meeting not open to the about could be headlines
nie Schlem, Letona Mayor about his first four months it receives. Morris said he lem,” he said. Lincoln public. Morris and Lincoln tomorrow,” Morris said
Sherrill Bennett and Hig- in office.” also brought up the rev- said issues from smaller both said they were not “Everything we do is pub-
lic officials needs to be
done in the sunshine.”

SING

CONTINUED FROM 1A Bashaw said. period, it’s a great week- from Spring Sing, accord- year’s theme. He said the service with the glory be-
Alex Brackins, gen- end.” ing to Executive Producer show examined the real ing given to God,” Frye
many issues that negative- Cindee Stockstill, and nor- meaning of being famous. said.
ly affect the guests.” eral manager of Beyond Brackins said as Spring mally spends several thou- “Fame matters most when
Boundaries Outdoor and Sing marks the beginning sands more than what it we are honored for mean- However, area business-
He said the hotel has a Adventure shop, agreed of warmer weather, ham- makes in ticket sales. ingful achievement and es seemed to enjoy the fi-
“lot of recurring guests,” that the benefits do not mock and T-shirt sales nancial rewards as well.
with more returning “for a stop when the show ends. increase dramatically in But Stockstill said she
big event than we actually the shop, but the positive believes the positive ef- Searcy Cinema 8 DOLBY DIGITAL 3D
have room” and business “We market towards reviews left online by visit- fect Spring Sing has on its
doubling over the Spring college students, but a lot ing parents are like the gift participating students is 501-279-3644 • 501-305-3456 • www.searcycinema.com ALL DIGITAL
Sing weekend. of times college students that keeps on giving. priceless. ALL SCREENS
can’t pay for things like
Fot the Cookie Basket this or they do not have “For the most part we The show incorporates HELP WANTED ALL NEW WEBSITE • LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
restaurant, floor manager the money to,” Brackins get really good reviews on more than 1,000 students ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Dockery Zomant said rev- said. things like Yelp or Face- representing over 20 so-
enue increased by up to book,” he said. “It is good cial clubs and organiza- 2 PM MATINEES SAT & SUN Featuring Digital Light Projection & DTS in all Auditoriums
$1,000 each day through- “So when their parents to have the college so tions. DOLBY 3D DIGITAL LIGHT PROJECTION on 4 SCREENS
out the event. come into town, they like close, so that has helped
to bring them here and us a lot.” Executive Director Dr. Avengers: Age of Ultron 3D PG13 Furious 7 (Digital) PG13
Zomant said in addition point out things that they Steve Frye ran with the Stadium Seating Stadium Seating
to a full house of dine-in want. That being said The university does not notion of priceless re- 7:00 9:45 6:45 9:30
guests, the restaurant and when parents are in town, benefit monetarily itself wards in developing this
cookie shop sold 25 extra Avengers: Age of Ultron PG13 Get Hard (Digital) R
dozens of cookies between Stadium Seating Digital Surround Sound
Wednesday and Friday 6:45 9:30
during the Spring Sing 7:00 9:25
festivities.
The Age of Adaline (Digital) PG13 Home (Digital) PG
Other business owners, Stadium Seating Digital Surround Sound
like Deb Bashaw, pastry 6:45 9:15
chef and co-owner of Sassy 7:15
Sweets, a bakery and deli
on the Courthouse Square, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (Digital) PG The Longest Ride (Digital) PG13
saw the benefits come af- Digital Surround Sound Stadium Seating
ter the final curtain call. 7:15 9:20 9:15

“We picked up a few Unfriended (Digital) R Contact us about On Screen digital ads for your business
orders,” and several vis- Digital Surround Sound Help Wanted - Contact us at: [email protected]
iting parents of Harding
students ordered birth- 7:00 9:15
day cakes and graduation
goodies for a later date, Show Times Friday, May 1 - Thursday, May 7

ARRESTED

CONTINUED FROM 1A

cers assisted officers with
the Arkansas Community
Correction for a home visit
at Turner’s home Tuesday.

Officers then seized 1.5
grams of suspected meth-
amphetamine, approxi-
mate street value of $150,
along with drug parapher-
nalia items. Turner was
incarcerated at the White
County Detention Center
and she later bonded out
with $10,000 bail.

CADTF officers and
Pangburn police officers
also executed a search
warrant April 27 at a home
in the 100 block of Austin
Street in Pangburn. Of-
ficers reportedly seized a
pound of suspected high
grade marijuana, with an
approximate street value
of $3,000.

Pangburn residents
Dakota Cooper, 18, and
63-year-old Nancy Med-
calf were each cited with
possession of a controlled
substance. Officers said
they anticipate citing each
with a felony charge of
possession of a controlled
substance with purpose to
deliver.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015 $1

DTaheily Citizen

Serving Searcy and White County, Ark., since 1854 TheDailyCitizen.com

Centering on Center Hill

Six tornadoes have struck area since 1999

BY MATT BURKS Tornado
tracking
[email protected]
What: Six have hit Center
Six tornadoes have struck the Hill area since 1999
Center Hill area of White Coun-
ty since 1999, which is the most Years: 1999, 2003, 2005,
in Arkansas within that time 2008, 2010, and April 27,
period, according to statistics 2014
compiled by tornadohistory-
project.com. Why: National Weather
Service scientist believes ter-
“The majority of people here rain factor
know tornadoes are a fact of
life,” said Jerry Faulkner, Cen- 16 miles through Center Hill
ter Hill Volunteer Fire Depart- crossing Arkansas Highway 36,
ment chief. “They just rebuild Butler Lane, Bloodworth Road,
and keep on living. They are Durham Road, and ending just
resilient people.” past Rustic Lane. Reportedly,
two people were killed and two
Four of the tornadoes, in- other people were injured by
cluding one that hit El Paso and the EF2 tornado.
Center Hill last April 27, were
rated EF2 on the Enhanced An EF2 tornado May 16,
Fujita Scale, with two ranked 2003, touched down just west
as EF1 tornadoes. There were of Tater Hill Road and headed
two fatalities and four injured northeast for 5 miles, cross-
in all the tornadoes combined, ing Tanner Road, Bloodworth
though the amount of property Road and Morris School Road.
damage is not quantified in this There were no reported fatali-
report. White County Office of ties or injuries.
Emergency Management Di-
rector Tamara Jenkins said an Though most tornadoes
EF2 means the winds in the tor- head east through the state,
nado were strong, ranging from there was an EF2 tornado that
110-137 mph. touched down on Sept. 24,
2005, in the Emerald Lake area
Tornado activity of White County and headed
The first tornado in the 15- northwest until it tore through
year time period touched down Center Hill crossing Arkansas
Jan. 21, 1999, in the Peanut Highway 36, Bloodworth Road,
Ridge Road area of White
County and traveled alongside Please see TORNADOES | 7A
Arkansas Highway 305. The
tornado headed northeast for

City of Kensett RUNNING AT THE PARK Camp
Wyldewood
What: Issues 21 warnings
To: Property owners adding
Why: To get them to clean features
up property
Ali Webb/[email protected] Lake completed in
Kensett January; treehouse
issues 21 Volunteer Sarah Wyant gives out race results on Saturday in downtown Searcy while
cleanup runners Houston Behel, 10, of Searcy and Endy McGalliard, 8, of Searcy look on. The almost done
warnings results for the CASA 5K were generated immediately after the race. Best Times, a pro-
fessional timing service out of Memphis, was on hand to give competitive runners an BY CLAIRE HEFLEY
City wants ‘gradual accurate time. The event also included a 1-mile Fun Walk.
improvement’ from Special to The Daily Citizen

property owners A man-made lake has been added
at Camp Wyldewood in Searcy and a
BY ALI WEBB tree house should be completed soon,
according to camp counselor Garrett
[email protected] Soffray.

Kensett issued 21 warnings Soffray said construction of the lake
last week to get owners to clean began in the fall and was completed in
up their prop- January. Work on the tree house is ex-
erties, accord-
ing to Police Please see CAMP | 3A
Chief John
Pollard. Bradford passes 1st phase for health center grant

“We have Visit to site by state officials nity,” Ford said. “It will be a medical center School District
been serving next for school district on campus.
three, four, What: Passes first phase for grant
five six a day,” BY ALI WEBB “School-based health centers provide Amount: $500,000
Pollard said. basic physical, mental, dental, vision and For: School-based health center
“We are try- [email protected] other services as needed.”
ing to get with Pollard through the cracks. Most centers are also
people, ex- A community meeting was scheduled to Ford said the center would provide ser- available to the entire community.”
plaining what needs to be done. be held in Bradford on Monday night to vices “beyond the scope of the school nurse
We are not here to push every- discuss a school-based health center after practice” but is not intended to replace the According to Ford, the district has
body. We are just wanting to see the Bradford School District passed the position. formed a partnership with the Unity
a gradual improvement.” first phase for a $500,000 grant, according Health system. Unity Health will provide
to Dr. Jeanne Ford, district coordinator. “These centers provide access to care doctors, physician assistants, nurses and
Mayor Allen Edge said he for students without the barriers families
“This center will serve our children first too often face,” she said. “They provide the Please see BRADFORD | 7A
Please see CLEANUP | 3A but also be available to the whole commu- ‘caulk’ at the intersection of education and
health that prevents students from falling

WEATHER INDEX “ ”Imagination is more important
than knowledge.
Today: Showers likely. Highs NATION & STATE, 2A SYLVIA PLATH
in the lower 60s. North winds OPINIONS, 4A LIFESTYLES, 5A American poet
10 to 15 mph. CALENDAR/OBITUARIES, 6A
Tonight: Mostly cloudy. SPORTS, 1B CLASSIFIEDS, 6B
Chance of showers. Lows in
the upper 40s.

Vol. 161, No. 84 Contact us: 723 W. Beebe-Capps Expressway, Searcy, AR 72143, (Phone) 501-268-8621, (Fax) 501-268-9410
©2015 The Daily Citizen

The Daily Citizen NEWS Tuesday, April 28, 2015 • Page 3A

Missing child Sailing regatta became Lawyer pleads
race for life after storm for bomber’s life
The Searcy Police Depart- in penalty phase
ment is continuing to search Associated Press nual Dauphin Island dock under engine pow-
for 2-year-old Malik Drum- Regatta, Connor Gaston er. AP Legal Affairs Writer victed earlier this month
mond of Searcy, who has DAUPHIN ISLAND, and father Shane Gaston in the twin bombings
been missing since 5:45 Ala. — At first it seemed saw the wind yank the Others weren’t as BOSTON — Bos- that killed three specta-
p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, from like a perfect day for sail- mainsail of their 16-foot fortunate. Two people ton Marathon bomber tors and wounded more
the 700 block of West Park ing on Mobile Bay. Skies catamaran. Within sec- caught in the storm are Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s than 260 other people
Avenue, between Pleasure were partly cloudy and onds, the boat flipped dead, and four others re- lawyers pleaded with a near the marathon’s fin-
Avenue and West Beebe- rain was in the forecast, and dumped the two main missing. Another jury Monday to spare his ish line on April 15, 2013.
Capps Expressway. Malik is but there was plenty of men into the roiling, round of strong storms life, portraying him as “a He was also found guilty
3 feet tall, 40 pounds, with wind to propel a boat frothy bay. forced authorities to good kid” who was led of killing an MIT police
brown hair, brown eyes and across the murky, chop- suspend air and water down the path to terror- officer during the Tsar-
light brown skin. He was last py waters. “After that we were in searches on Monday, ism by his increasingly naev brothers’ getaway
seen wearing brown pants the water, we were hold- but officials encouraged fanatical older brother. attempt. This stage of
with stripes and a blue shirt. Then, in what seemed ing on to the boat,” said anyone who was willing the trial will determine
Anyone with information is like an instant, a yearly Connor Gaston, 26, of to walk along the shore David Bruck delivered whether he is executed,
encouraged to call 911 or regatta turned into a Helena. “The boat’s be- looking for signs of the the defense’s opening as prosecutors are de-
Searcy dispatch at (501) race for life. ing tossed around. We missing. statement in the penalty manding, or spends the
268-3531. ended up cartwheel- phase of Tsarnaev’s trial, rest of his life behind
Gray skies quickly ing around about three About 20 relatives of saying there is no pun- bars, the sentence Bruck
CAMP turned black and light- times.” the missing sought shel- ishment Tsarnaev can urged the jury to impose.
ning popped all around. ter at a state sea labora- get that would be equal
Skipper Susan Kangal Unhurt but soaked, tory on Dauphin Island, to the suffering of the “His legal case will be
said the wind spiked the Gastons eventually where aid workers set bombing victims. over for good, and no
from around 20 mph to righted their little boat up cots for them to sleep martyrdom, just years
73 mph — 1 mph short after about 30 minutes during the hunt for sur- “There is no evening and years of punish-
of hurricane force — in the water and sailed vivors. the scales,” Bruck said. ment,” the lawyer said.
and the 34-foot-long back to shore with a “There is no point in try- “All the while, society is
craft she was piloting broken mast. Once the “This very difficult, ing to hurt him as he hurt protected.”
heeled over on its side. storm passed, Kangal’s very difficult for all of because it can’t be done.”
all-female crew of three them,” said Michael
Around the same women and five teens Brown of the American Tsarnaev, 21, was con-
time, as they were head- made it back safely to Red Cross. “There is still
ed back to shore after hope.”
finishing the 57th an-

CONTINUED FROM 1A Camp July. Retreats are held in three years. will have to wear life jack- games, though.
Wyldewood the fall and winter. “It’s a huge change to ets [in the lake], so it will “More than anything
pected to be finished in the be a lot safer, and we will
upcoming weeks, he said. What: Adding man- Soffray said the lake what I grew up being ac- have more than one life- it’s another place to have
made lake, treehouse features a zip line, a tram- customed to,” Robison guard on duty.” quiet time and devos [de-
According to the Camp poline and 10-by-2-meter said. “Overall, the lake votionals] in the day or in
Wyldewood website, the Lake: Completed in inflated air bag known as will be great for the kids to Robison said she be- the dark,” Robison said.
Christian camp and re- January; will have zip a “blob.” play in, but it will also be lieves the benefits of the “I’m really excited. I never
treat center hosts events line, trampoline, air bag really beautiful.” new lake and tree house thought anything would
year-round on more than The previously used will go beyond fun and happen like this.”
300 acres of land to help Treehouse: To be chlorinated pool has been According to Robison,
campers develop relation- completed soon; will removed. The tree house the camp activities will Searcy Cinema 8 DOLBY DIGITAL 3D
ships with God and one have observation will include an observa- increase in efficiency and
another. decks, two stories tion deck and two sto- enjoyment without sacri- 501-279-3644 • 501-305-3456 • www.searcycinema.com ALL DIGITAL
ries with enough room to ficing safety. ALL SCREENS
Soffray said he believes feel like there’s a new vibe house a cabin of campers HELP WANTED
the tree house and lake going around — a lot of overnight. “The best part about it is ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS ALL NEW WEBSITE • LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
have only enhanced the excitement ... and I think that now that the lake is on Featuring Digital Light Projection & DTS in all Auditoriums
activities and environ- that will allow campers to For longtime Camp camp grounds, it will save 2 PM MATINEES SAT & SUN DOLBY 3D DIGITAL LIGHT PROJECTION on 4 SCREENS
ment Wyldewood already have an even more enjoy- Wyldewood attendees so much more time,” Ro- The Age of Adaline (Digital) PG13
has to offer. able time throughout the like Hannah Robison, the bison said. Home (Digital) PG
week, which makes camp change in scenery will re- Stadium Seating Stadium Seating
“I think all the excite- a better place overall.” quire some getting used “We used to float in the
ment is going to be good to. Robison attended the Little Red River, which is 6:45 9:15 7:15 9:15
for the camp,” Soffray Summer camps are held summer camp each year freezing cold, and getting
said. “It’s new, and it al- at Wyldewood in June and since 2003 before serving the kids to and from, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (Digital) PG Get Hard (Digital) R
ready feels different. I as a staff member the past putting in and putting out, Stadium Seating Digital Surround Sound
was miserable. All the kids
7:00 9:20 7:00 9:25

Unfriended (Digital) R Cinderella (Digital) PG
Stadium Seating Digital Surround Sound

7:00 9:15 7:15

The Longest Ride (Digital) PG13 Divergent Series: The Insurgent (Digital) PG13
Stadium Seating Digital Surround Sound

6:45 9:20 9:20
Furious 7 (Digital) PG13 Contact us about On Screen digital ads for your business
Digital Surround Sound
Help Wanted - Contact us at: [email protected]
6:45 9:30

Show Times Friday, April 24 - Thursday, April 30

CLEANUP

CONTINUED FROM 1A

asked Kensett Police De-
partment Officer David
Hubbard to issue the
warnings to property own-
ers because the city was
partici-
pating
in the
White
County
Clean-
up/
Keep
White
County
Beauti-
ful ini- Edge
tiative
held Thursday-Saturday at
the fairgrounds.

“That’s why we went and
served on the ones that
had the most junk in the
yard,” Edge said. “We gave
them a paper telling them
about the countywide
cleanup. We also gave
them a paper telling them
about the third Monday
pickup we do, so if they’ve
got any more stuff after
the countywide pickup, if
they put it out on the third
Monday, we’ll pick it up.”

Pollard said owners who
have received warnings
are cleaning up their prop-
erties. “It’s starting to look
better,” Pollard said. “It’s
a slow process with the
rain.” Edge said vacated,
run-down homes are also
a priority for the city.

“I got two that we are
trying to find owners on
now because they have
broken windows and I’m
afraid the kids are going
to get hurt,” Edge said.
“There are several of them
that we are working on.”

He said the homes that
are the most dangerous
are the ones the city will
“hammer first.”

“There are several that
we are working on and we
are hitting them when we
can,” Edge said.

Edge encouraged the
community to get involved
in the process. “If people
see anything, they need to
go to David or John, and
tell them,” Edge said.

The Daily Citizen NEWS Tuesday, June 30, 2015 • Page 7A

Kirkman hopes to expand lecture series
First female associate executive director of ASI starts Wednesday

BY CLAIRE HEFFLEY American to all thought she was the best necessarily to Christian might be a good month to
Studies three of fit. We think she’ll be an people, but reach out to try to schedule a woman,”
Special to The Daily Citizen Institute those,” extremely sound replace- the community and bring Kirkman said. “Our pro-
Reely ment for Dr. Reely.” them in and let them see a gram has the most heads
When Kim Kirkman What: New associ- said. “I part of Harding that they of state of any program
officially takes over as ate executive director think Reely said he split his may not see any other like this, which is pretty
associate executive direc- starts today we live time between teaching way,” Kirkman said. amazing. I think in our
tor of Harding Univer- so com- business courses at the community we may be
sity’s American Studies Who: Kim Kirkman fortably university and serving as The new associate ex- so used to that, but most
Institute on Wednesday, Replaces: Dr. Bob now the associate executive ecutive director hopes to Americans aren’t getting
she will become the first Reely, who’s returning that we director. Carr believes see the program expand to be in the audience of
woman to hold the posi- to classroom full time Kirkman don’t Kirkman’s full-time com- and gain statewide and heads of states. I think we
tion since the ASI was es- mitment will benefit the nationwide attention. need to keep that tradi-
tablished in 1936. Prime Minister Marga- real- program. tion.”
ret Thatcher, President ize the subtleties of the “My vision is that peo-
Kim Kirkman, who has George W. Bush, Soviet challenge, and I think the “She’ll be totally com- ple will want to come to Carr and Reely agree
resigned from her job Union President Mikhail challenge to American mitted to ASI, and we us and say, ‘Your program that the future is bright
teaching journalism at Gorbachev and former studies with [this] gen- will be trying to develop is outstanding, and I want for the American Studies
Harding Academy, was NFL quarterback Archie eration is to make them resources for the insti- to be a part of it,’” Kirk- Institute with Kirkman
named in April as the re- Manning. According to aware as much as they tute and looking for ways man said. “My aspiration on board.
placement for Dr. Bob Reely, Dr. George S. Ben- possibly can of these is- the program can make a is that we will not have
Reely, who officially steps son founded the Ameri- sues.” greater difference here at enough slots because so “She is bright and ar-
down today to return to can Studies Institute to Carr said Kirkman’s the university,” Carr said. many are interested.” ticulate and just has a
the classroom full time. promote a better under- interest and capabilities real presence about her
Kirkman will work with standing of the “Three were demonstrated when Kirkman believes her Kirkman said she hopes that I think will be felt in
Harding Senior Vice Pres- C’s” of the American she took a small group of previous experiences as a to maintain the tradition the American studies pro-
ident Dr. Jim Carr, who is way of life — capitalism, students to a weeklong teacher and in the com- of elite lecturers while gram here at Harding,”
the program’s executive Christianity and constitu- seminar at the Reagan munity have prepared her looking to incorporate Carr said.
director, and a three-per- tional government. Ranch in California in re- for the event planning du- more distinguished wom-
son staff to organize and cent years. ties of the ASI position. en. “I have been executive
orchestrate ASI events, “I think there’s some “She’s a very talent- She said she is already ea- director for 27 years, and
including the Distin- real challenges out there ed person,” Carr said. ger to announce the lec- “I noticed that there Dr. Reely has been a great
guished Lecture Series. “We interviewed several ture lineup at the begin- haven’t been very many asset through that time. I
people for the job and ning of the fall semester. female speakers, and I have every reason to be-
The program has host- did think since March is lieve Kim will be a great
ed more than 500 speak- “I think it’s a way that the international wom- asset also.”
ers, including British Harding can reach out not en’s month, I thought that

TWINS

CONTINUED FROM 1A

Searcy Sanitation Depart- Photos by Matt Burks/[email protected]
ment for 42 and eight
months. Francis Hale (left) receives a plaque from Searcy Mayor David Morris for working
for the Searcy Sanitation Department for more than 42 years. Francis Hale and
“I enjoy every day of it. his twin brother, George Hale Sr., worked a combined 77 years and nine months
I’ve done everything but for the city. Both are retiring today.
drove an overhead [front
loader garbage truck],” George Hale Sr. (right) receives a plaque from Searcy Mayor David Morris for his
Francis said. “I never 35 years of service to the Searcy Street Department.
drove one of those.”
a pair of shoes in three fun helps to relieve the in Pangburn and he nev- ville, Tenn. (the youngest, who died
Even though George months with all that walk- stress. er knew what the traffic George and Francis in 2013). All of them have
and Francis started the ing,” Francis said. would be like. Since Ar- worked for Searcy at some
same year and are retiring “You get tensed up,” kansas Highway 16 be- went to school through point.
at the same time, George The department start- Francis said. “We just like tween Searcy and Pang- eighth grade, at which
has worked for the city ed having its employees to joke around [to allevi- burn is not wide outside time their parents fell on In 1972, the broth-
fewer years because he wear uniforms around ate tension], you know. of the Searcy city limits, hard times financially and ers started at a wage of
moved to Texas before 1976, Francis said, and re- I’ve got a little saying I if there was an accident the twins quit school to $2.65 per hour, but now
returning to the same job. quired men to shave their say every morning: ‘It’s he sometimes had to take bring in funds for the fam- Francis makes $17.85 an
faces and keep their hair another lovely day in the an alternate route, which ily. They never stopped hour, while George makes
“My wife [Mary Ann] cut short. city.’” made the commute take until deciding to retire. $12.99 an hour.
wanted to go to Texas,” longer.
George said. “So we went “That was some swell The other employees “We said we was going “It was five years out
to Texas for 12, 13 years.” guys when I went to of the Sanitation Depart- George said his short- to go ahead and retire at there we didn’t get no
work,” Francis said, “but ment always refuted it, er drives allowed him 65,” Francis said. raise, no bonus, no noth-
Both brothers said they I’m the last one left of that saying days are not par- to “usually get to work ing,” Francis said of the
have seen the city grow a first bunch. I was the 47th ticularly wonderful in around 45 minutes early.” To celebrate their re- recent economic reces-
lot in population and geo- guy they hired, and I out- Searcy, he said, but it’s tirement, the city held a sion. Nevertheless, the
graphic size. lasted everybody.” more like a game than Francis said their par- party June 10. twins never did not like
real complaining. ents had something to their jobs, primarily be-
“I’ve seen this town go At the street depart- do with the two brothers “They had a barbecue cause they got to spend so
from nothing to what it is ment, George drove the “We just clown around, both prizing timeliness. with all the trimmings,” much time outside.
now,” Francis said. “This street sweeper to keep the you know,” Francis said, Francis said, “and they
place has really grown.” streets clean. “but when it’s time for “Mom and Dad would baked us a cake, or some- “I can’t stand working
work to start that’s when always say, ‘Boys, when body bought it.” in a building,” Francis
Francis said when he “I have run the street the playing stops.” you grow up and go to said. “It seems like the
started in 1972, the city sweeper for — what’s it work, don’t be late for Their mother, who will walls close in on you. I
picked up trash only as far been — 10 or 11 years,” Most of the year the work,’” Francis said. “My be 84 on July 13, was able like outside work.”
as the Western Hills sub- George said. brothers worked from 6 daughter, she likes to wait to attend, and they said
division off Skyline Drive, a.m.-2 p.m., but in the until the last minute to she is proud of them. George said he feels the
but now the city takes In the winter, George winter they worked from get to work. She’s a good same way.
trash miles past Western said he also had to keep 7 a.m.-3 p.m. “I like it girl, though.” “We’re proud of her,
Hills into the Southwind the snow and ice scraped because it gives me a too,” George said. “I never did like the in-
and Rehoboth communi- off the streets as much as lot more time do things Francis is married to side,” George said.
ties. possible, and put out salt around the house in the Patricia Louise “Pat” Also to celebrate their
to melt the compacted ice. afternoons,” George said. Hale, and has two chil- retirement, the brothers Post-retirement, the
“I mean, they got three dren: Patty Ann Waller said extended family ar- twins said they do not
garbage trucks run- “It’s never a dull day,” To show proper respect of Heber Springs, who rived from California on have a lot of big plans,
ning,” Francis said of the George said. “You always to their jobs and the city, has one son, Jake, and Friday afternoon. such as traveling or taking
way Searcy has grown. have something to do. It’s the brothers said they Michael Joe of Pangburn. up hobbies.
“Around holidays, they always interesting days.” always arrived early for George has one child, The twins came from
pull out the fourth one.” work. George Hale Jr. of Searcy, a family of five brothers: “One day at a time,”
George started out as and two stepchildren, Jimmy (the oldest, who George said of his plans.
George, who lives on a “laborer” in 1972, then “I’ve been at work an Joe Mason of Judsonia died in 2003), George “I’m not going to get in
Fuller Lane, said he and became a commercial hour and a half [early] and Cheryl Ann Young of (who is seven minutes no hurry about doing
his wife Mary Ann bought driver’s license carrier so every morning,” Francis Gainesville, Fla. His step- older than Francis), Fran- things.”
the house there because he could run the street said. “I do not believe in grandchildren are Chey- cis, Johnny and Ricky
they wanted to be outside sweeper. being late to work.” enne of Weatherford,
of the Searcy city limits. Texas, and Kyle of Clarks- Confused about life insurance?
The twins said work Francis said he had to
“We bought this place was never boring, as they leave very early for work #UMWUCDQWVſPFKPI ®
here, going to retire to- got along well with their each day because he lives options that can work
gether,” George said, “but fellow employees. for you. Agent Name
she didn’t make it.” (AR License #)
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About one month after before work and act a Agent City, State Zip
moving into their new fool,” Francis said. “It’s 4ODNALYYS! All Summer Apparel thCelo4stehd
home, George said Fuller just more like horseplay. Agent Phone
Lane was added to the Nothing serious. We don’t
Searcy city limits. get mad at each other.” We’re your ShiWelde.’rWe yeo’ruer ySohuier lSdh. eWlteer’.re your Shelter Life Insurance Company
Columbia, Missouri
“It [Searcy] has grown George said, because Shelter.
tremendous,” George operating machinery and
said. Mary Ann died driving large vehicles 111 East Center
shortly after their home can be dangerous, those Searcy, AR
was incorporated into city they’ve worked with un-
limits. derstand jokes and play 501-268-4636
should be reserved only
With the growth of for when they are not ac- www.shelterinsurance.com
the city, equipment has tually working, but the
changed as well, Fran- New Location (by McAlisters) Shelter Life Insurance Company Frank Likert
cis said. In 1972, the city 3532 E. Race St. • Searcy, Ar. 501-278-4646 Columbia, Missouri
actually had six trucks Agency
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“It seems like [Searcy
had] five flatbeds [for
lawn waste], and we had
to load the brush up by
hand,” Francis said. “We
didn’t have any boom
trucks back then.”

The Searcy Sanitation
Department workers also
used to walk behind each
house to get garbage cans,
Francis said, and by the
time they finished, it add-
ed up to a lot of walking.

“You could wear out