McDaniel statement regarding Carpenter's death

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued the following statement today on the death of Scott County Sheriff Cody Carpenter:

 

"Sheriff Carpenter was a personal friend to me and other law enforcement agents on my staff. We are deeply saddened by his death. The sheriff demonstrated his professionalism, courtesy and dedication to the people of Scott County every day. I will always be grateful for his heroism, service and extraordinary sense of duty to his fellow man. By their actions, the sheriff and Officer Joel Campora served as examples of what law enforcement officers should be.

 

"It is my earnest hope for a safe rescue of Officer Campora and other victims of this tragedy. My prayers are with the families of those killed or injured by the flooding."

Tornadoes

Although severe weather was expected yesterday, it was predicted for the northwest area of the state with lesser chances for the western and central areas of Arkansas. Once again Mother Nature had other plans.

The new safe rooms in both Fountain Lake and Jessieville Schools were opened for county residents during the tornado outbreak.

Possible tornadoes caused damage in the 900 block of Sunshine in Hot Springs, Brady Mountain Cutoff and Brady Mountain Road. There are a lot of trees down and localized flooding with road washouts.

At least a dozen possible tornadoes plagued the state. A twister danced east of Wickes and north-northwest of Paron. Another hit Oden. One touched down in Amity. Possible tornadoes hit Lake Ouachita State Park, Bonnerdale, Meyers, Cove, and the Brady Mountain Recreation Area. The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department reported flooding and heavy damage to Arkansas 28 near Parks.

Scott County Sheriff Cody Carpenter is among those confirmed dead from overnight flooding.

Arkansas State Police said there are “confirmed fatalities” in western Arkansas where Carpenter and a game warden disappeared in floodwaters overnight. The two were checking on a home in the Y City area when river floodwaters rose quickly.

First Electric Cooperative has a few outages in the following areas, Little Rock, Jacksonville, Heber Springs and DeWitt. Power is expected to be restored today.

Entergy customers in Garland County and state-wide fared far worse. Twenty four thousand are without power, including in Garland County from Jessieville down to and through Hot Springs. Hot Springs Village is the anomaly with full power. The outages may be restored by Sunday, June 2 at 2 p.m. with the caveat that tomorrow’s storms may hinder repairs and may add more outages.

The Relay for Life scheduled to take place tonight at Oaklawn in Hot Springs has been re-scheduled for June 14. The Dress Barn in Cornerstone Mall was set to take part in the bake sale for Relay for Life and has set up a tent next to the business today offering over 500 baked goods for sale to benefit the American Cancer Society. The baked goods can not be saved for the 14^th.

The 2013 Hook-a-Heart Bass Tournament in Little Rock has been postponed due to unsafe conditions on the Arkansas River. The flow of the Arkansas River is expected to top 100,000. The Civitan Services tournament committee said they would not knowingly put any of the tournament participants in danger. A new date will be decided next week.

The Garland County courthouse is closed today, no power. The Garland County Sheriff’s Department and the Roads Department are still open. Judge Cook and Judge Wright held court today.

Water production in Hot Springs has been temporarily slowed, customers are asked to voluntarily conserve water. Customers are asked to avoid using irrigation systems and to postpone other non-essential water-consuming activities.

A second round of storms is possible late this afternoon. Severe weather is a certainty for tomorrow.

DeSoto pool closed today

The DeSoto Pool will be closed today, Friday, May 31, due to inclement weather. Staff will determine weekend weather-related closings later today.

For more information, call 922-0322.

Village under tornado watch until 9 p.m.

Tornado Watch for Garland County, AR

until 9:00 PM CDT, Thu., May 30, 2013

Other affected areas:
BAXTER, AR; BOONE, AR; CLARK, AR; CLEBURNE, AR; CONWAY, AR; FAULKNER, AR; FULTON, AR; GARLAND, AR; HOT SPRING, AR; IZARD, AR; JOHNSON, AR; LOGAN, AR; MARION, AR; MONTGOMERY, AR; NEWTON, AR; PERRY, AR; PIKE, AR; POLK, AR; POPE, AR; PULASKI, AR; SALINE, AR; SCOTT, AR; SEARCY, AR; STONE, AR; VAN BUREN, AR; YELL, AR

Issued by The National Weather Service
Little Rock, AR
Thu, May 30, 2013, 1:21 PM CDT

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 253 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN ARKANSAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 26 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL ARKANSAS

CONWAY FAULKNER GARLAND PERRY POPE PULASKI SALINE YELL

IN NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS

BAXTER BOONE CLEBURNE FULTON IZARD MARION NEWTON SEARCY STONE VAN BUREN

IN SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

CLARK HOT SPRING PIKE

IN WESTERN ARKANSAS

JOHNSON LOGAN MONTGOMERY POLK SCOTT

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF... ARKADELPHIA... BENTON... BOONEVILLE... BRYANT... BULL SHOALS... CALICO ROCK... CLARKSVILLE... CLINTON... CONWAY... DANVILLE... DARDANELLE... FAIRFIELD BAY... FLIPPIN... GLENWOOD... HARRISON... HEBER SPRINGS... HORSESHOE BEND... HOT SPRINGS... JASPER... LESLIE... LITTLE ROCK... MALVERN... MAMMOTH SPRING... MARSHALL... MELBOURNE... MENA... MORRILTON... MOUNT IDA... MOUNTAIN HOME... MOUNTAIN VIEW... MURFREESBORO... NORMAN... NORTH LITTLE ROCK... OLA... OXFORD... PARIS... PERRYVILLE... RUSSELLVILLE... SUMMIT... VIOLA... WALDRON... WESTERN GROVE AND YELLVILLE.

Dr. Craig Hamilton named to board of directors of the Association of Concert Bands

Craig V. Hamilton, Ph.D., Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Hot Springs Concert Band was elected to serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Association of Concert Bands (ACB) and Dr. Hamilton was instilled on April 3, at its annual national convention in San Ramon, California.

The Association of Concert Bands is an international organization with approximately 1,300 members from 500 community bands in 48 states, two Canadian provinces and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The work of the ACB is actively supported by 75 music industry organizations in the US and Canada, and indirectly supported by the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) around the world. The purpose of the ACB is to encourage and foster adult concert, community, municipal and civic bands, ensuring that every instrumentalist who wishes to perform has that opportunity.

Dr. Hamilton is The Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music, Chairman of the Music Education department, Director of Bands and Coordinator of Instrumental Studies at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The Hot Springs Concert Band has been a proud member of the ACB since 1998.

Press Release by Tom Kleinsorge, Publicity Chair, HSCB

Free fishing tournaments for children

Children will soon be out of school for the summer and many families are looking for ways to have fun in the sun together. The Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests are co-sponsoring several fishing derbies on Ranger Districts across Arkansas and Oklahoma.

“We work closely with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to ensure all the derby sites are well-stocked with catfish or trout for the event,” said Richard Standage, Ouachita National Forest Fisheries Biologist.

“The derbies are free to the public,” said Keith Whalen, Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Fisheries Biologist. “Each child must be registered before casting a line. The registration consists of name, age, address, phone number, and the signature of a parent or guardian.” Anyone interested can contact their local district office, or sign up during registration time the day of the derby.

Although some artificial catfish and trout bait will be available, participants are encouraged to bring their favorite bait. Each angler must have his or her own fishing pole and tackle. Children must have a parent or guardian with them during the event.
 
Following is a list of site specific information for each event.

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Sylamore Ranger District, Mountain View, Arkansas
Location: Mirror Lake, Blanchard Springs Recreation Area
Date of Derby: June 8

Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.

Time Fishing Starts: 9 a.m.Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: Ages 4 - 12 (Children must be accompanied by an adult)
Restroom Availability: Yes (recreation site)
Handicap Access: Yes
Drinking Water Available: No
Contact Person: Jessica Wakefield
Contact Phone Number: 870-269-3228 ext. 3233
Other Information: Weigh in will begin at 11:00 a.m. Trophies will be given for largest fish in three age categories: 4-6 years old, 7-8 years old, and 9-12. There will be a general raffle for prizes for other registered participants. There is a three trout limit. Participants should be old enough to hold the pole themselves and are limited to one pole each. Trout bait will be provided.


Boston Mountain Ranger District, Ozark, Arkansas
Location: Shores Lake
Date of Derby: Sept. 7
Time Registration Starts: 7:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10 a.m.
Age Group: 12 and under
Restroom Availability: Yes 
Handicap Access: Yes
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person: Rhea Whalen
Contact Phone Number: 479-667-2191 
Other Information: This event will also be a JAKES event. Age groups will be broken into 1-4 years of age, 5-9 years of age and 10-12 years of age. Weigh in will begin at 9:30. Prizes will be given for largest fish for first, second and third place in each age group. Some bait available. The fishing derby is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Crawford County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, merchants from Ozark, Mulberry and Alma.


Mt. Magazine and Fourche Ranger Districts, Paris and Danville, Arkansas
Location: Spring Lake, Boat Ramp (West)
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: Participants highly recommended to preregister; registration at the event from 7 – 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 9:30 a.m.
Age Group: 4 to 10
Restroom Availability: Yes 
Drinking Water Available: No
Contact Person(s): Joy Serrano and/or Kurt Radcliff
Contact Phone Numbers: 479-963-3076 or 479-495-2844 (Fourche Ranger District)
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 9:30 a.m. There is a 3 fish limit. Awards will be presented for the heaviest 3 fish (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age class: 4-6, 7-8 and 9-10), overall smallest fish (1 prize), tagged fish (1 prize) and numerous random prizes. This is a joint event between the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests.


Mt. Magazine Ranger District, Paris, Arkansas
Location: Cove Lake, Campground Loop A.
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: Participants must be pre-registered.
Time Fishing Starts: 8:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10 a.m.
Age Group: 2 to 9
Restroom Availability: Yes (at the campground) 
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person(s): Mindi Lawson or Carla Pfeiffer
Contact Phone Number: 479-963-3076
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 10:00 a.m. There is a 2 fish limit. Awards will be presented for the heaviest 2 fish (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age class: 2 - 5, 6 - 9) and for the smallest fish and for Albino or tagged fish. There will be numerous random prizes.

Pleasant Hill Ranger District, Clarksville, ArkansasLocation: Gillian Pond
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 9 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: 12 and under
Restroom Availability: Yes (portable toilets)
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person(s): Greg Taylor or Pat Kowalewycz
Contact Phone Number: 479-754-2864
Partners: Clarksville Kiwanis Club, Clarksville Wal-Mart, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, U.S. Forest Service
Other Information: All hooks out of the water by 11:00 a.m. Awards will be presented for the heaviest fish, smallest fish, heaviest stringer, and for casting contest winners. In addition, there will be random prize drawings during the event.

Big Piney Ranger DistrictLocation: Deer Pond, Deer, AR
Date of Derby: Saturday June 8
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 9 a.m.
Time Event Ends: 12 p.m.
Age Group: 12 and under
Restroom Availability: Yes (portable toilets) 
Contact Persons: Cecille Scott, Sarah Davis, or Kirby Carlton
Contact Phone Number: 870-446-5122
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 11 a.m. Awards will be presented at 11 a.m. to the participants.

Big Piney Ranger District and Newton County Chamber of Commerce 
Location: Little Buffalo (Bradley Park), Jasper, AR
Date of Derby: Saturday, June 29, 2013
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 9 a.m.
Time Event Ends: 12 p.m.
Age Group: 12 and under
Restroom Availability: Yes 
Contact Persons: Kirby Carlton
Contact Phone Number: 870-446-5122
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 11 a.m. There is a general drawing for a canoe and the participants that catches the smallest fish, biggest fish and heaviest will win bikes. Winners will be announced at the square in downtown Jasper. Also there are random prizes given to participants.

St. Francis National Forest, Marianna, ArkansasLocation: Storm Creek Lake
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: 6 - 12
Restroom Availability: Yes 
Handicap Access: Yes
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person: Terri Malone
Contact Phone Number: 870-295-5278
Other Information: Prizes for girls 6 – 12 years old and boys 6 – 12 years old

St. Francis National Forest, Marianna, Arkansas 
Location: Ranger District Pond
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10 a.m.
Age Group: 6 - 12 
Restroom Availability: Yes (port-a-potty) 
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person: John Morrow or Terri Malone 
Contact Phone Number: John Morrow, 870-295-4040 or Terri Malone, 870-295-5278
Other Information: Prizes for girls 6 – 12 years old and boys 6 – 12 years old

Ouachita National Forest
Caddo - Womble Ranger District, Mt. Ida, Arkansas
Location: Womble Pond (Behind the US Forest Service Mt. Ida Office)
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m. 
Age Group: 12 and under
Contact Person: Dan Miller/Derek Rollins
Contact Phone Number: 870-867-2101 
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Magic Bait Company, and the US Forest Service

Caddo - Womble Ranger District, Glenwood, Arkansas
Location: Caddo Pond Date of Derby: September 14
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: 12 and under and 55 and up
Restroom Availability: Yes
Contact Person: Dan Miller or Brian Pounds
Contact Phone Number: 870-867-2101 (Dan) or 870-356-4186 (Brian) 
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Magic Bait Company, and the US Forest Service

Jessieville – Winona - Fourche Ranger Districts, Jessieville, ArkansasLocation: Jessieville Work Center Pond
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 6:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10:30 a.m.
Age Group: 15 and under
Contact Person: Sarah Thompson
Contact Phone Number: 501-984-5313, 479-495-2844
Other Information: The Jessieville Work Center Pond has an accessible pier, restrooms and drinking water. 
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Magic Baits, Hot Springs Village Anglers Club, Ouachita Bass Anglers, and the US Forest Service

Mena - Oden Ranger Districts, Oden, ArkansasLocation: Oden Rifle Range Pond (off Highway 88 on Forest Service Road 748)
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 7:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 7:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10:30 a.m.
Age Group: 16 and under
Contact Phone Number: 479-394-2382
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Oden Woods and Water Club, and US Forest Service

Oklahoma Ranger Districts, Talihina, OklahomaLocation: Talihina Veterans Center Pond
Date of Derby: June 1
Time Registration Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: Noon
Age Group: Youth 3 to 16 years old
Contact Phone Number: 918-567-2326
Partners: Talihina Lion’s Club, Magic Baits, and US Forest Service

Don't leave items in car

Sheriff Sanders asks you to be vigilant in removing items from your vehicle and locking them.

Over the holiday weekend there were 7 Breaking or Entering to vehicles in the 7 south area. Items taken included laptop's, i pods, tools, and other valuable items.

Normally, the items taken either do not have serial numbers or the serial numbers are not recorded by the owners. This, along with the fact that most criminals take measures to not leave a "signature" behind, makes it impossible for those items to ever be recovered or for a suspect to be prosecuted.

Steps that you could take to avoid being a victim and/or to help in recovering stolen items, and possible prosecution of suspects, include;

1. Record Serial Numbers of valuable items.
2. Engrave a unique number on items that do not have serial numbers (we have an engraver that we will loan you).
3. Remove valuables from your vehicle.
4. Lock your doors and roll up your windows, when away from your vehicle.
5. Keep an eye on your neighbor's property and report any suspicious persons or activity.

Pryor to co-host social media event tomorrow

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, and the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce will co-host a Small Business Social Media Town Hall this Friday, May 31st. During the event, representatives from Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Yelp will share tips on how Arkansas small businesses can leverage social media to expand their consumer base and succeed in today’s global economy.

The agenda is as follows:

8:30-9:00: Networking Coffee
9:00-9:15: Senator Pryor and Chamber Opening Remarks
9:15-9:45: Facebook Presentation and Q&A9:45-10:15: Google Presentation and Q&A
10:15-10:45: Twitter Presentation and Q&A
10:45-11:15: Yelp Presentation and Q&A
11:15-11:45: Senator Pryor Closing Remarks


The event will be held at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, located at 200 East Markham Street in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Hazardous weather outlook for Saline and Garland Counties

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

LITTLE ROCK AR 500 AM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

ARZ003>007-012>016-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-311000- ARKANSAS-BAXTER-BOONE-BRADLEY-CALHOUN-CLARK-CLEBURNE-CLEVELAND- CONWAY-DALLAS-DESHA-DREW-FAULKNER-FULTON-GARLAND-GRANT-HOT SPRING- INDEPENDENCE-IZARD-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-LINCOLN-LOGAN-LONOKE- MARION-MONROE-MONTGOMERY-NEWTON-OUACHITA-PERRY-PIKE-POLK-POPE- PRAIRIE-PULASKI-SALINE-SCOTT-SEARCY-SHARP-STONE-VAN BUREN-WHITE- WOODRUFF-YELL- 500 AM CDT THU MAY 30 2013

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR A LARGE PART OF ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A WARM AND HUMID AIR MASS REMAINS PARKED OVER THE STATE AT THIS TIME WITH DEW POINT TEMPERATURES WELL INTO THE 60S. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS MORNING WITH ANOTHER ROUND OF PRECIPITATION FIRING UP DURING THE AFTERNOON AS AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE SWINGS THROUGH. WHILE A STRONG STORM OR TWO CAN NOT BE DISCOUNTED...THE POSSIBILITY OF ORGANIZED SEVERE WEATHER WILL LIKELY BE CONFINED TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

YET ANOTHER DISTURBANCE IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE REGION ON FRIDAY AS AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE MOVES THROUGH THE NATIONS MID SECTION. ADDITIONAL SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE DURING THE DAY AND SOME OF THE STORMS COULD BE STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE...ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON HOURS. THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER THREATS WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND STRONG WINDS BUT THE TORNADO THREAT CAN NOT BE DISCOUNTED ENTIRELY.

IN ADDITION TO THE POSSIBILITY OF STRONG STORMS...THE MOISTURE LADEN AIR MASS COULD ALSO LEAD TO LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN. ROUGHLY THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE STATE IS UNDER A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER FRIDAY.

THE AFOREMENTIONED UPPER TROUGH WILL MOVE OFF TO THE NORTHEAST ON SATURDAY FINALLY ALLOWING A SLOW MOVING COLD FRONT TO ADVANCE INTO THE STATE. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG THE BOUNDARY AND SOME OF THE STORMS COULD BE STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN THE MAIN CONCERN. THE AREA OF CONCERN WILL BE ALONG THE BOUNDARY ITSELF AND WILL COVER A MUCH LARGER AREA THAN TODAY OR FRIDAY.

Book signing at Parking Library

A book signing event sponsored by Friends of the Parkin Library and the Parkin Library staff

Date: Tuesday, June 4

Time: 3 to 5 p.m.

Place: Parkin Library

Price: FREE

The Parkin Friends of the Library is hosting a book signing for an amazing new book: A Savory History of Arkansas Delta Food (The History Press) written by Dr. Cindy Grisham.  The Arkansas Delta has long contributed to the unique regional cuisine both in the food grown here and the recipes both brought and created. Come visit with the author, buy a book, and let your mouth water!

Father's Day with Habitat for Humainity

More than 8,700 hours are contributed annually to Habitat home building in Saline County, and of that total approximately 85% of those hours are contributed by men. This June Habitat for Humanity of Saline County will be honoring men, while raising awareness about poverty housing in Saline County. Habitat for Humanity will be hosting a Personalized Hammer Fundraiser, a Tool Drive, and a Build with Dad Construction Day.

On Saturday, June 8 Habitat for Humanity of Saline County is inviting fathers and sons and daughters, 16 and up, to participate in a “Build with Dad Construction Day.” Saturday, June 15 and Saturday, June 22 volunteers from Saline County including Lowe’s Heroes will participate in a Tool Drive, designed to raise awareness and eliminate poverty housing by building simple, decent, and affordable housing in Saline County. Tools will be donated to the Habitat construction site or sold in the Habitat ReStore. Throughout the month of June Habitat will be selling personalized hammers to be used on the construction site. All proceeds will go towards eradicating poverty housing in Saline County.

WHAT:           Local Habitat honors men throughout the month of June.

WHEN:           Saturday, June 8 – Build with Dad Construction Day

8:00 Construction begins

8:15 Remarks and Key photo ops, such as families raising walls and decking a house.

3:00 Construction ends

Saturday, June 15, 22 – Tool Drive

10:00 – 4:00 Tool Collection, future Habitat Homeowners raise awareness about Habitat.

WHO (INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPS):

·         Associate Director, Amy Bennett and her father, Chuck Bennett from Bossier City, Louisiana.

·         Habitat for Humanity of Saline County

·         Future Habitat homeowners Bernadine Walker, Ella Stokes, Haley Hicks, and Susan Myers

·         Rowan Phillips of Lowe’s of  Bryant

WHERE:         Saturday, June 8: Partnership Village Neighborhood

Exit I-30 on exit 117. Turn right on Market St. Go South on Market St. Cross over the railroad tracks, stay to the right as the road splits, and Partnership Village will be on the right.

                        Saturday, June 15, 22: 2330 N. Reynolds Rd, Bryant, AR

WHY:              Habitat for Humanity recruits, educates, and motivates volunteers to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable houses in their communities. Lowe’s, a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity has donated more than $1.75 million to 300 Habitat affiliates across the United States.

About Habitat for Humanity of Saline County

Habitat for Humanity of Saline County, AR is a non-profit, Christian based housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in Saline County.  Since 1999, Habitat for Humanity of Saline County has broken ground on 55 homes in Saline County for well deserving low income families. For more information on how to apply for a home, volunteer, or donate please contact the Habitat office at 501-315-5434, visit our website www.habitatsalinecountyar.org, or follow us at

www.facebook.com/pages/Habitat-for-Humanity-of-Saline-County/120237801332463 or at www.twitter.com/HabitatSalineCo or join Habitat’s blog community at www.habitatsalinecounty.blogspot.com

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education^®, has donated more than $34 million to 7,500 K-12 public schools, benefiting more than 4 million schoolchildren. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together and the American Red Cross. In 2012, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.

Lake Ouachita State Park Offers Fun for the Whole Family

Summer is here!  Are you looking for activities to keep the kids busy while finding ways to beat the heat?  If so, Lake Ouachita State Park is the place to be this summer.  Park interpreters are offering family-friendly daily programs and activities for adults and kids of all ages.  All programs are open to the general public.  These include lake cruises, kayaking tours, snorkeling and swimming excursions, guided hikes, demonstrations, crafts, games and evening programs covering a variety of nature topics.   While many are free, some do require a small fee and advanced registration.  For more information or a detailed program schedule, contact the park at (501) 767-9366.  A calendar of upcoming events can be found at www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakeouachita/.  Come experience Lake Ouachita State Park, you’ll be glad you did!

Moccasin Gap closed

Effective today, May 29, Moccasin Gap Campground, located on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, will be closed for approximately six-to-eight weeks while contractors rehabilitate the campsites. Contractors will also be working on portions of the Moccasin Gap Trail; however, the trail system is expected to remain open. 

eBay auction of unclaimed property coming up

Auditor of State Charlie Daniels will host an eBay auction of unclaimed property on Friday, May 31, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. CDT. The auction will be open for 7 days. Bidding is open to any registered user of eBay (a free service), except for the Auditor of State, his employees and their immediate families.

Beginning around 10 am CDT on the day the auction commences, interested
bidders may visit the Auditor of State's eBay page at http://myworld.ebay.com/ar.unclaimedproperty to view the items listed in this week's auction. Interested bidders are encouraged to follow the Auditor of State on Facebook for a preview of items starting Wednesday that will be offered for sale. May auction items include coins, stamps, jewelry, and watches.

Items included in the auction are abandoned safe deposit box contents reported to the Auditor of State as unclaimed property by various banks and financial institutions across the state. All items have been abandoned at least eight years prior to sale. Photos, letters and other personal memorabilia will not be included in the auction program. Every effort is made to contact the original owner of the property prior to sale.

Search our unclaimed property database to see if the Auditor of State has property belonging to you. Simply visit www.auditor.ar.gov to begin your search.

Flea market coming to an end soon

The West Gate Flea Market that attracts Hot Springs Village sellers and buyers will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Saturday, June 8. It will be the fourth monthly market of the year and the last until it reopens for two days this fall, one on September 14 and another on October 12.
First organized in 2009 by the 22 realtors of Century 21 to raise funds for families in need during the holidays, the flea market is held in parking spaces along the DeSoto Boulevard side of the Century 21 parking lot on one Saturday in each of six months. There are approximately 24 spaces available for those wishing to sell their items. A regular space is $10; there are two oversized spaces at $15 each. All proceeds from the sale of spaces go toward providing holiday meals and gifts of toys and clothing for local families identified by Jessieville and Fountain Lake School districts.
According to Villagers Judy Newby and Sherry Howle, “The flea market is a real benefit for Villagers, too. In addition to space sales helping families during the holiday season, it allows you to sell overflow or no-longer needed items without having to go to all the trouble of holding a garage sale.”
For more information or to purchase a space in the upcoming, or future, West Gate Flea Market, telephone 922-2021.

Discount not all it's cracked up to be

Consumers in the market for less expensive health insurance may be drawn to claims touting affordable health-care options, extensive discounts and no deductibles or co-pays.

 

Though the assurances from telemarketers or in advertisements may appear to offer attractive, low-cost health insurance, most instead are actually pitches for medical discount programs. These programs are not the same as health insurance, and they often charge a high price for little payoff.

 

In fact, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel won a lawsuit against one company that said it offered health insurance, but instead provided a medical discount card with few benefits. The Florida-based Consumer Health Benefits Association had enrolled hundreds of Arkansas consumers into a program that cost more than $100 a month. About 80 percent of those consumers cancelled their enrollment within six months.

 

This week, McDaniel’s office will be distributing restitution checks to about 1,000 consumers who had fallen victim to the company, which overstated the benefits that were available to consumers. CHBA has since declared bankruptcy and is under investigation by federal authorities.

 

In an effort to prevent consumers from being victimized in similar scams, McDaniel today issued this consumer alert to provide Arkansans information about the potential drawbacks to health-care discount cards.

 

“Many medical discount programs claim that they can offer big savings on doctor’s visits, dental exams or prescriptions, but they fail to make good on those claims,” McDaniel said. “Consumers should be skeptical of these kinds of promises and should ask for as much information as possible before agreeing to enroll in a discount program.”

 

McDaniel noted that consumers who purchase health discount plans are protected under Arkansas law, and they have the right to a full refund within 30 days of purchase. Health discount programs are required by law to prominently display on their cards that the product is not health insurance.

 

McDaniel offered these additional suggestions to consumers who are considering enrollment in medical discount card programs:

• Remember that discount programs are not health insurance, even if they claim to be.

• Before paying to enroll, ask for a list of medical and dental providers that participate and ask about the specific discounts and services that are offered by those providers. If few or no nearby medical providers participate, consider whether enrollment is worth the investment.

• Consider other options if the company is not forthcoming with a provider list or other information.

• Be aware of the company’s refund policy.

• Make sure that the costs of the program are less than the anticipated savings. Substantial upfront enrollment fees plus other fees and costs may total more than the plan’s actual benefits.

For more information about this or other consumer-related issues, visit the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division website, www.GotYourBackArkansas.org, or call the Consumer Protection Hotline, (800) 482-8982.

Shakespeare back in the park

The River Market and The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau are pleased to announce their second seasonal showing of “Shakespeare in the Park”, a production of a special version of the Bard’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, on Sunday, June 23rd in the East Pavilion of Ottenheimer Market Hall, home to the Farmers’ Market.

Produced and performed by Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre’s professional summer company, this production was adapted specifically for families and those less familiar with Shakespeare to enjoy together.

At just an hour in length, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre’s production of one of the most beloved of Shakespeare’s works to life, and showcases the very best of his play in a way that is enjoyable and engaging for a variety of audiences and ages. It is the perfect way for parents to introduce their children to Shakespeare, or for adults who may not be very familiar with his work, to experience one of the most extraordinary playwrights of all time in a comfortable and fun setting. “Our goal is to get people of all ages excited about Shakespeare. We use Shakespeare’s original language, but really focus on storytelling. This version of A Midsummer Night's Dream gets rid of the boring lovers and focuses on the fun parts--the bumbling wannabe actors and the fantastical fairies. It also makes use of a variety of arts to tell the story, including puppets, clowning, and song," says Rebekah Scallett, Producing Artistic Director, Arkansas Shakespeare Theater.

“We are very excited to bring another year of “Shakespeare in the Park” to The River Market. What’s great about this production

is that we’re able bring our community such a wonderful entertainment value in this event – the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre has been written about by the New York Times. Our hope is that we can continue to bring rich cultural experiences to the River Market that are appealing and affordable to all,” Diana Long, Director of River Market Operations.

Who: Presented by The River Market and The Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau

What: An accessible, condensed version of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by the Arkansas

Shakespeare Theatre, featuring AST’s professional summer company.

Where: East Pavilion of Ottenheimer Market Hall in the River Market, 400 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201

When: Sunday, June 23rd at 6p.m. Admission is $7 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under. Seating will be provided. Tickets are only available “at the door,” and NOT in advance.

Why: Incredible opportunity for both Shakespeare enthusiasts and novices of all ages to enjoy a delightful evening of “Shakespeare in the Park.”

For additional questions regarding this production, please contact Diana Long, Director of River Market Operations, at 501-320-3503, or via e-mail at dlong@littlerock.com.

About A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a play by William Shakespeare. It is believed that it was written between 1590 and 1596. It

portrays the events surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and Hippolyta. These include the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of six amateur actors, who are controlled and manipulated by the fairies who inhabit the forest in which most of the play is set. The play, categorized as a Comedy, is one of Shakespeare's most popular works for the stage and is widely performed across the world.

About Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre:

The mission of AST is to entertain, engage, and enrich the community by creating professional and accessible productions of Shakespeare and other works that promote educational opportunities, community involvement, and the highest artistic standards. In pursuing this mission, we seek to be a source of pride and an invaluable resource to our University, our community, and to greater central Arkansas.

Big shake in the middle of the night

M3.5 - ARKANSAS

Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude	3.5
Date-Time	24 May 2013 05:44:24 UTC 24 May 2013 00:44:25 near epicenter 23 May 2013 23:44:24 standard time in your timezone
Location	35.305N 92.725W
Depth	6 km
Distances	17 km (10 mi) N of Morrilton, Arkansas 35 km (21 mi) NW of Conway, Arkansas 37 km (22 mi) E of Russellville, Arkansas 56 km (34 mi) NNW of Maumelle, Arkansas 73 km (45 mi) NNW of Little Rock, Arkansas
Location Uncertainty	Horizontal: 1.2 km; Vertical 2.2 km
Parameters	Nph = 17; Dmin = 17.3 km; Rmss = 0.22 seconds; Gp = 93° Version = A
Event ID	nm 052413a

Lake Charles State Park will have programs all summer for all ages!

Summer is here and people are excited to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Arkansas State Parks offers affordable and family-friendly programs for all ages. Lake Charles offers programming, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, wildlife viewing, and self-guided kayak and canoe tours, along with a Nature Center.  If your family is looking to spend a few days, we offer camp sites, a Rental RV, and a Rental Yurt which can all be reserved in advance by calling the park office at (870) 878-6595.

Lake Charles State Park Program Schedule – May 24^th –June 9^th, 2013

Friday, May 24^th

4 p.m. – White Oak Trail Hike - Take a hike with a park interpreter on the White Oak Trail. We will follow the trail through the surrounding woods and along the lake shore to see the wildlife that call Lake Charles home.

Saturday, May 25^th

9 a.m. – Kayak Tour - Join a park interpreter for a guided lake tour via kayak. We’ll tour the lake and see wildlife that lives near the water. It should last about 1.5 hours. Seating is limited so sign up at Visitor Center. $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and under 6 is free when riding with an adult.

1:30 p.m. – Skins and Skulls – Join a park interpreter in the nature center to examine some different animal skulls and skins to discover how the shape of their head helps them feed and survive, and  we’ll look and see why the animals furs are similar yet unique for each animal’s needs.

2:30 p.m. –– Crows are the Genius of the Bird World – Join a park Interpreter in the nature center to learn more about this intelligent and interesting common bird in Lake Charles State Park.

5 p.m. - Why so Tall? – Join a park interpreter at the nature center for a wading bird program. We will take a look at some large birds you’re likely to see around the lake and what they use those long legs and necks for.

Sunday, May 26^th

8 a.m. – Bird Watching Hike – Join a park interpreter for a hike along the Mockernut Trail to do some bird watching, please bring along binoculars and bird guides if you have any, but they are not needed.

12:30 p.m. - Catch & Feed – Join a park interpreter near the Nature Center to learn how to throw a cast net. We’ll try out this bait catching technique and then feed what we catch to the animals in the nature center.

4 p.m. – Aerial Assassins – Join a park interpreter at the picnic table near the nature center to discover what makes Hawks, Eagles, and Falcons such deadly aerial predators.

Monday, May 27^th

1:30 p.m. - What is that Buzzing Sound? – Join a park interpreter in the nature center for a program examining Rattlesnakes. One of Arkansas’ least seen venomous snakes and what they use to hunt and survive.

2:30 p.m. - Little Armored Tank – Join a park interpreter in the nature center for a turtle program. We’ll discuss what makes them great survivors, such as their shell and other parts of their anatomy.

Friday, May 24^th – Monday, May 27^th 1-3 p.m.  Nature Center – Come down to the Nature Center and see the wildlife we have on display for the summer. A park interpreter will be on hand to answer any questions.

Saturday, June 1^st – Sunday, June 2^nd  1-3 p.m. – Nature Center - Come down to the Nature Center and see the wildlife we have on display for the summer. A park interpreter will be on hand to answer any questions.

Friday, June 7^th

9 a.m. –Reptile Hunt – Walk with a Park Interpreter along the Cedar Trail to see how many reptiles and amphibians we can find along the water’s edge. We will look for snakes, turtles, frogs, and lizards.

1:30 p.m. – Legless, not Heartless – Join a park interpreter in the Nature Center for a closer look at snakes and why they a feared by many people.

3:30 p.m. – Kayak Tour - Join a park interpreter for a guided lake tour via kayak. We’ll tour the lake and see wildlife that lives near the water. It should last about 1.5 hours. Seating is limited so sign up at Visitor Center. $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and under 6 is free when riding with an adult.

Saturday, June 8^th 

9 - 11 a.m. – Kids Fishing Derby - On Free Fishing Day come on out to Lake Charles State Park for a Kids Fishing Derby. Kids 12 and under are invited to come out and fish, prizes will be given out for largest, smallest, and most. There will also be door prizes given out. Registration will start June 1^st through the morning of the derby. It is free for children under 12, parents are not allowed to fish or physically help their child fish, aside from untangling lines.

1:30 p.m. – Our National Bird - Join a park interpreter in the Nature Center for a closer look at the American Bald Eagle and why it was picked to represent the United States of America.

9 p.m. – Owl Prowl – Join a Park interpreter on the White oak Trail for a night time walk through the woods to hear and maybe see some owls that call Lake Charles State park home.

Sunday, June 9^th

8 a.m. – Bird Watching Hike – Join a park interpreter for a walk on the Cedar trail to see some of the birds that live in the park. Please bring along binoculars and bird guides if you have any, but they are not needed.

Friday, June 7^th to Sunday, June 9^th 1 to 3 p.m. - Nature Center – Come down to the Nature Center and see the wildlife we have on display for the summer. A park interpreter will be on hand to answer any questions.

Lake Charles State Park is one of the 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The park offers camping, boat launch ramp, a standard pavilion, picnic sites, swim beach, nature center, playground, restrooms and 3 bathhouses on 645-acre Lake Charles. Along with the visitor center and gift shop, the park offers three nature trails and year-round interpretive programs.  For more information about park events contact the park at (870) 878-6595 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

Commissioner of State Lands John Thurston reminds you to assess your personal property by May 31st

Commissioner of State Lands John Thurston would like to remind everyone that the deadline for assessing your personal property is May 31, 2013. Assessments determine how much your property tax bill will be. “Property taxes are vital to our counties and communities, without timely assessments counties may miss out on funding,” says Commissioner Thurston. These tax revenues help fund our schools, public libraries, emergency and county services.

Please contact your county assessor’s office to assess your personal property by May 31 to avoid late penalties.

Underground Railroad Conference

The annual National Underground Railroad Conference will take place in Little Rock, Arkansas from June 19-22, 2013 bringing together scholars, archivists, community researchers, and enthusiasts from across the nation. The four-day conference will include renowned speakers, panel discussions, an exhibit hall, and tours of state and local museums and historic sites in Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Helena. This year’s theme is The War for Freedom: The Underground Railroad During the Civil War. The conference will commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, as well as the 15th Anniversary of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

As the title suggest, the 2013 National Underground Conference will focus on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War, exploring resistance to enslavement through escape and flight during this tumultuous period of the nation’s history. As the battle over whether the nation should accept or abolish slavery waged on, people continued to fight against the institution of slavery. The Underground Railroad continued to play an important role, as shown by the continual enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act during the war. It was not until the 13th Amendment eliminated “slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime” that the need for the Underground Railroad ultimately ended.

The conference will take place at the Doubletree-Downtown in Little Rock and is sponsored by the National Park Service, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program (NTF). The NTF was established by legislation passed in 1998 promotes the preservation and interpretation of resources associated with the Underground Railroad. For more information about the NTF, please visit www.nps.gov/ugrr.

Registration for the conference is available through the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) at http://www.asalh.org/ugrr.html. Register by May 31st to receive the reduced conference rate. Advertising and Exhibit/Vending opportunities are also available.

Jazz in the Park comes to Little Rock this summer

WHAT: Jazz in the Park is a new, weekly event that will be held in the River Market this summer. The event is free to attend.

WHEN: Wednesday nights in June & July 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

June 5 – Opening night: Rodney Block & The Real Music Lovers

June 12 – TwiceSax

June 19 – Adams Collins Group

June 26 – Bob Boyd Sounds

July 3 – The Johnny Burnette Group

July 10 – UA Monticello Jazz Combo

July 17 – Walter Henderson & Chris Parker

July 24 – Happy Tymes Jazz Band

July 31 – Closing Night: Dizzy7

WHERE: History Pavilion in Riverfront Park, Little Rock

Just west of the First Security Amphitheater; Closest entry point is on Ottenheimer Drive off of President Clinton Avenue

EXTRA: The event is completely free, but no coolers are allowed. Beer and wine will be available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Sculpture at the River Market. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, and there is some seating in the natural stone amphitheater at the History Pavilion.

This event is sponsored by Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bueau and the River Market, with special thanks to AR Sounds Music Festival and the Central Arkansas Library.

Hot Springs Memorial Day schedule

All city offices, except public safety and the airport, will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. Residential sanitation collection and Earth Angel will run one day behind schedule (Monday on Tuesday, Tuesday on Wednesday, etc.). Commercial collection, roll off and downtown routes will take place as scheduled. All other services will not operate and the office will be closed.

 

Intracity Transit bus and paratransit routes will not run. Paratransit cancellations can still be made by voicemail at 321-2025. The Mountain Xpress, the free summer bus service covering Hot Springs Mountain and downtown, will begin operation on Memorial Day weekend and continue weekends and holidays through Labor Day. The city’s compost facility will be closed.

Another mini-earthquake for Arkansas

M2.3 - ARKANSAS

Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude	2.3
Date-Time	22 May 2013 14:21:03 UTC 22 May 2013 09:21:03 near epicenter 22 May 2013 08:21:03 standard time in your timezone
Location	35.279N 92.680W
Depth	6 km
Distances	15 km (9 mi) NNE of Morrilton, Arkansas 30 km (18 mi) NW of Conway, Arkansas 41 km (25 mi) E of Russellville, Arkansas 52 km (32 mi) NNW of Maumelle, Arkansas 69 km (42 mi) NNW of Little Rock, Arkansas
Location Uncertainty	Horizontal: 1.3 km; Vertical 2.6 km
Parameters	Nph = 18; Dmin = 17.3 km; Rmss = 0.28 seconds; Gp = 86° Version = A
Event ID	nm 052213g

Road closure in Hot Springs

Lowery Street at the Malvern Avenue intersection in Hot Springs will be closed Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24 to perform street repairs due to a gas leak.

 

Signs will be posted and flaggers will be present. Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling in this area.

CDAC will meet tomorrow

The Community Development Advisory Committee will meet at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 in the City Hall Board Chambers, 133 Convention Boulevard. Items for discussion include revisions to the Fiscal Year 2013 Request for Release of Funding, results of the Citizen Participation Survey, term limit expirations, vacancies, and requests for applications.

Another small earthquake for Arkansas

M2.9 - ARKANSAS

Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude	2.9
Date-Time	21 May 2013 09:28:06 UTC 21 May 2013 04:28:06 near epicenter 21 May 2013 03:28:06 standard time in your timezone
Location	35.952N 91.291W
Depth	16 km
Distances	23 km (14 mi) E of Cave City, Arkansas 37 km (22 mi) ENE of Batesville, Arkansas 54 km (33 mi) WNW of Jonesboro, Arkansas 72 km (44 mi) W of Paragould, Arkansas 161 km (99 mi) NNE of Little Rock, Arkansas
Location Uncertainty	Horizontal: 1.0 km; Vertical 0.8 km
Parameters	Nph = 32; Dmin = 18.3 km; Rmss = 0.17 seconds; Gp = 72° Version = A
Event ID	nm 052113a