Thursday, December 1, 2011
Road closure in Hot Springs
Beginning Monday, December 5 and continuing for approximately two weeks, the 2300 block of Higdon Ferry Road to Lake Hamilton Drive will be closed for utility relocation. This closure includes overnight hours. Only area residents will be able to travel through to their residences. All other traffic will need to seek an alternate route. Signs and flashing lights will be posted, and residents are asked to use caution when traveling in the construction area.
Hot Springs board work session scheduled
The Hot Springs board of directors will hold a budget work session from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, December 5 in the City Hall Board Chambers at 133 Convention Boulevard. Following the work session, some board members will participate in the annual Hot Springs Christmas Parade.
Bogus water service line insurance
Hot Springs Municipal Utilities has recently received more than 50 phone calls and walk-in inquiries regarding the legitimacy of a mailed solicitation for water service line insurance coverage by an independent company called HomeServe. The company is not affiliated with or sanctioned by the City of Hot Springs, and the insurance they offer is not required by law. A number of Hot Springs area seniors have received HomeServe’s letter, offering insurance to cover the water line from their water meter to their house.
According to a news report issued yesterday by KHTV-Channel 11 in Little Rock, the area’s Better Business Bureau has received more than 200 complaints during the last year from Garland County to Batesville regarding the company’s offer. Mike Rohrer, BBB Communications Director, contacted the City of Hot Springs on Monday, relating concerns regarding potentially deceptive advertising with too many exclusions in fine print. Those contacting the BBB have been advised to check their existing homeowners’ insurance and to inquire about an optional rider.
According to a news report issued yesterday by KHTV-Channel 11 in Little Rock, the area’s Better Business Bureau has received more than 200 complaints during the last year from Garland County to Batesville regarding the company’s offer. Mike Rohrer, BBB Communications Director, contacted the City of Hot Springs on Monday, relating concerns regarding potentially deceptive advertising with too many exclusions in fine print. Those contacting the BBB have been advised to check their existing homeowners’ insurance and to inquire about an optional rider.
Santa and Mrs. Claus make an early stop in Rogers the weekend of December 9-10. Join the holiday couple on the caboose in downtown Rogers and tell them what you would like for Christmas. Admission is free. 301 W. Chestnut, Rogers Phone: 479-936-5487 E-mail: rbezjian@rogersark.org
Pryor takes up Luke's fight
U.S. Senator Mark Pryor is fighting on behalf of an Arkansas Guardsman’s family who lost a dad and husband during a military training weekend at the Fort Chaffee Training Center in northwest Arkansas. He is working to include an amendment to the defense authorization bill that is currently being considered in the Senate to enable this family and others in similar situations to collect death benefits.
Pryor said Captain Samson Luke, 33-years-old of Greenwood, Arkansas, was a committed and decorated active-duty officer who deployed for combat in Iraq twice and continued to serve as an Arkansas Army National Guardsmen. During a required training weekend, Luke was authorized to spend Saturday night with his family at home, twelve miles away from base, and return to the training site the next morning. He passed away that evening, January 10, 2010, leaving behind his wife, Miranda, and four young children. The Army decided that because Captain Luke passed away at home, not on base or at a local hotel, the family is not eligible for the $100,000 death gratuity or funeral expense benefits they would otherwise receive.
“Captain Luke had many options in life. He made a decision to serve his country, and he did so with distinction. In fact, he was awarded the Bronze Star for exemplary service in Iraq. After returning from Iraq, he stayed on to serve in the Guard. And that’s when his country let him down,” Pryor said. “We can do better for our soldiers. We can do better for their families, including Miranda, Miller, Macklin, Larkin and Landis Luke. My measure will not bring back their dad, but it will bring this family the benefits they are entitled to because of their loved one’s service.”
The law states death benefits are allocated if a soldier dies while remaining overnight at or “in the vicinity of the site of the inactive-duty training.” Pryor is seeking to clarify Congress’ intent of the law so service members who live in the area, or “vicinity,” of their training site can return to their home in the evening without losing death benefits. The Arkansas Army National Guard has been supportive in trying to help the Luke family, but the decision is out of their hands. Pryor is hopeful his amendment will be accepted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, legislation which is currently being debated in the Senate.
“I’ve spent over a year now working with the Army and Department of Defense to help this family. We are at a standstill over the interpretation of vicinity and whether it applies to the family’s home just twelve miles away. Had Captain Luke stayed on base or a hotel at taxpayer expense, or been traveling to or from training, the family would have received the benefits,” Pryor said. “What it comes down to, I believe, is a bean counter in Washington trying to save the Army money at the expense of this family’s well-being.”
Pryor said Captain Samson Luke, 33-years-old of Greenwood, Arkansas, was a committed and decorated active-duty officer who deployed for combat in Iraq twice and continued to serve as an Arkansas Army National Guardsmen. During a required training weekend, Luke was authorized to spend Saturday night with his family at home, twelve miles away from base, and return to the training site the next morning. He passed away that evening, January 10, 2010, leaving behind his wife, Miranda, and four young children. The Army decided that because Captain Luke passed away at home, not on base or at a local hotel, the family is not eligible for the $100,000 death gratuity or funeral expense benefits they would otherwise receive.
“Captain Luke had many options in life. He made a decision to serve his country, and he did so with distinction. In fact, he was awarded the Bronze Star for exemplary service in Iraq. After returning from Iraq, he stayed on to serve in the Guard. And that’s when his country let him down,” Pryor said. “We can do better for our soldiers. We can do better for their families, including Miranda, Miller, Macklin, Larkin and Landis Luke. My measure will not bring back their dad, but it will bring this family the benefits they are entitled to because of their loved one’s service.”
The law states death benefits are allocated if a soldier dies while remaining overnight at or “in the vicinity of the site of the inactive-duty training.” Pryor is seeking to clarify Congress’ intent of the law so service members who live in the area, or “vicinity,” of their training site can return to their home in the evening without losing death benefits. The Arkansas Army National Guard has been supportive in trying to help the Luke family, but the decision is out of their hands. Pryor is hopeful his amendment will be accepted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, legislation which is currently being debated in the Senate.
“I’ve spent over a year now working with the Army and Department of Defense to help this family. We are at a standstill over the interpretation of vicinity and whether it applies to the family’s home just twelve miles away. Had Captain Luke stayed on base or a hotel at taxpayer expense, or been traveling to or from training, the family would have received the benefits,” Pryor said. “What it comes down to, I believe, is a bean counter in Washington trying to save the Army money at the expense of this family’s well-being.”
Heifer invitation
Heifer Village invites families to a day full of family fun, crafts, and true generosity
What: Heifer Village invites the public to discover the real meaning of the season with a fun-filled day at Heifer Village in Little Rock, complete with real animals. Kids can learn about Heifer International’s mission of ending hunger by playing games and petting animals from Heifer Ranch in Perryville. There are arts-and-crafts, and opportunities to give a Heifer animal gift to a loved one and send them a handsome honor card.
When: December 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Heifer Village, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR
Who: Open to the public, no cost
Why: The Celebration of Living Gifts is a great chance to teach children about people and animals all over the world, and about the real meaning of the holidays: caring for others.
Heifer Village
Heifer Village, a key component of Heifer International’s education programming, introduces visitors to the possibility of a world free of hunger and poverty. After experiencing the root causes of hunger and poverty as well as some real solutions, visitors learn about individual actions they can take in their own communities, resources they can utilize to learn more about specific topics and groups they can join that are already engaged.
About Heifer International
Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 50 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant.
What: Heifer Village invites the public to discover the real meaning of the season with a fun-filled day at Heifer Village in Little Rock, complete with real animals. Kids can learn about Heifer International’s mission of ending hunger by playing games and petting animals from Heifer Ranch in Perryville. There are arts-and-crafts, and opportunities to give a Heifer animal gift to a loved one and send them a handsome honor card.
When: December 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Heifer Village, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR
Who: Open to the public, no cost
Why: The Celebration of Living Gifts is a great chance to teach children about people and animals all over the world, and about the real meaning of the holidays: caring for others.
Heifer Village
Heifer Village, a key component of Heifer International’s education programming, introduces visitors to the possibility of a world free of hunger and poverty. After experiencing the root causes of hunger and poverty as well as some real solutions, visitors learn about individual actions they can take in their own communities, resources they can utilize to learn more about specific topics and groups they can join that are already engaged.
About Heifer International
Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 50 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant.
Join Historic Washington State Park in celebrating the 25th Annual Christmas and Candlelight on December 3rd and December 10th. Music, luminaries, decorations and so much more. For more information please call 870-983-2684. Inviting your family to join our family and ring in the Christmas season together!Historic Washington State Park, a restoration village preserving one of Arkansas’s most prominent 19th-Century towns, is located on US 278 nine miles north of Hope and can be reached by taking Exit 30 off Interstate 30. For more information visit www.HistoricWashingonStatePark.com or call (870) 983-2684.
Garvan Woodland Gardens members only concert tonight
There is a members only concert tonight featuring garden director Bob Byers at Garvan Woodland Garden's Anthony Chapel, December 1, 6 p.m.Garden Director Bob Byers will accompany several featured soloists on the piano in salute to the festive holiday season.
Reservations and $5 pre-payment required. Advance reservations and pre-payment required. Call the Gardens at 501-262-9300/800-366-4664 to reserve a seat. A $5 member fee will be charged.
Latest little earthquake in Arkansas
2.6 M - ARKANSAS
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
2.6 M
Date-Time
29 Nov 2011 08:43:05 UTC
29 Nov 2011 02:43:05 near epicenter
29 Nov 2011 02:43:05 standard time in your timezone
Location
36.387N 91.556W
Depth
5 km
Distances
10 km (6 miles) NW (318 degrees) of Hardy, AR
11 km (6 miles) N (8 degrees) of Cherokee Village, AR
12 km (7 miles) S (185 degrees) of Mammoth Spring, AR
178 km (111 miles) ESE (120 degrees) of Springfield, MO
275 km (171 miles) SSW (205 degrees) of St. Louis, MO
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 6.4 km; Vertical 3.1 km
Parameters
Nph = 29; Dmin = 50.1 km; Rmss = 1.10
seconds; Gp = 64°M-type = M; Version = 4
Event ID
US c0006ze6
Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude
2.6 M
Date-Time
29 Nov 2011 08:43:05 UTC
29 Nov 2011 02:43:05 near epicenter
29 Nov 2011 02:43:05 standard time in your timezone
Location
36.387N 91.556W
Depth
5 km
Distances
10 km (6 miles) NW (318 degrees) of Hardy, AR
11 km (6 miles) N (8 degrees) of Cherokee Village, AR
12 km (7 miles) S (185 degrees) of Mammoth Spring, AR
178 km (111 miles) ESE (120 degrees) of Springfield, MO
275 km (171 miles) SSW (205 degrees) of St. Louis, MO
Location Uncertainty
Horizontal: 6.4 km; Vertical 3.1 km
Parameters
Nph = 29; Dmin = 50.1 km; Rmss = 1.10
seconds; Gp = 64°M-type = M; Version = 4
Event ID
US c0006ze6
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
