Friday, July 07, 2006
Friday top stuff
Stephens Media Group reports that a legislative panel completed its review of rules governing a statewide ban on smoking in the workplace, but not before criticizing some restrictions in the proposed guidelines. The anti-smoking law, approved in a April special session, takes effect July 21. It prohibits smoking in most public places, including restaurants.
Entergy Arkansas’ top official, Hugh McDonald, says there are no guarantees that customers won’t foot part of the bill for a “Grand Gulf II” or other out-of-state plant projects under its “system agreement” with other Entergy utilities.
Governor Mike Huckabee will take his presidential campaign back to Iowa over the weekend and through Monday.
Gov. Mike Huckabee says that a new book he's writing -- due in bookstores next year -- may help him gauge how much support he has for a possible 2008 presidential bid. Huckabee said the book would be a broad prospective on policy and its effects on people.
The state Republican Party raised more than $70,000 last night during a fundraiser in Little Rock with Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
An Oklahoma doctor once fined by the State Medical Board over allegations dealing with prescribing pain medication was arrested Thursday in a confrontation with a state trooper after the physician showed up at the board's office with a crowd of supporters. Arkansas State Police arrested Robert Kale and charged the Muldrow, Okla., doctor with disorderly conduct. Kale reportedly admits calling the arresting officer “an idiot.”
The Democrat-Gazette reports that the Arkansas Racing Commission failed to ratify regulations for “electronic games of skill” at racetracks in Hot Springs and West Memphis. Commission Manager Shelby McCook said commissioners wanted to make some changes to the section pertaining to “powers and oversight.” However, he said they were “real close” on finalizing the 138-page draft.
Mayor Ray Baker rallied hundreds of people gathered near the site of a proposed downtown riverfront casino Thursday evening to join him in fighting the planned $131 million project.
Former Pine Bluff Alderman Jack Foster will serve his threeyear sentence on one count of aiding and abetting an attempted extortion at the Federal Detention Center in Houston.
FOX 16 reports more than 50 dogs were euthanized after authorities busted an edlerly animal horder. Animal abuse investigators found more than 50 dogs living in horrible conditions after the owner was taken to the hospital. Eleven of those dogs are recovering at the Pulaski County Humane Society. The exact location of the incident has not been reported because the investigation is ongoing. The suspect will receive a mental evaluation.
A College Station man will be 110 years old before becoming eligible for parole after receiving his third child molestation conviction Thursday. Kenneth Ray Pitts must 1 serve 62 /2 years of his 75-year sentence before he is eligible for parole. He was convicted of second-degree sexual assault and sexual indecency with a child. Jurors took about 12 minutes to determine his guilt and deliberated on his sentence for 26.
Two women who formerly were inmates of the Franklin County Detention Center have filed a federal lawsuit alleging they were subjected to numerous sexual offenses at the jail, including being raped by a jailer. All levels of jail officials, including the sheriff, were involved in inappropriate and illegal activity, they allege.
A judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against the manufacturer and seller of a school bus involved in a 2003 fatal crash in Siloam Springs, saying Arkansas determined years ago that seat belts weren't required on large school buses.
The Jonesboro Sun reports that Marmaduke School District has raised over $60,000 to help students since the April tornadoes. Now school officials have issued each student whose home was damaged a $100 Wal Mart gift card and A $400 card for each student whose home was destroyed.
The Divinity project will go forward following a 5-3 vote of approval Thursday night by the Fayetteville City Council. The Divinity Hotel & Condos is a mixed-use building on Dickson Street, between Church and Block avenues.
After years of planning, construction and budgeting, Forrest City residents can now look forward to using the multi-purpose facility located at the Forrest City Municipal Sports Complex. The Grand Opening is expected to happen Monday.
Entergy Arkansas’ top official, Hugh McDonald, says there are no guarantees that customers won’t foot part of the bill for a “Grand Gulf II” or other out-of-state plant projects under its “system agreement” with other Entergy utilities.
Governor Mike Huckabee will take his presidential campaign back to Iowa over the weekend and through Monday.
Gov. Mike Huckabee says that a new book he's writing -- due in bookstores next year -- may help him gauge how much support he has for a possible 2008 presidential bid. Huckabee said the book would be a broad prospective on policy and its effects on people.
The state Republican Party raised more than $70,000 last night during a fundraiser in Little Rock with Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
An Oklahoma doctor once fined by the State Medical Board over allegations dealing with prescribing pain medication was arrested Thursday in a confrontation with a state trooper after the physician showed up at the board's office with a crowd of supporters. Arkansas State Police arrested Robert Kale and charged the Muldrow, Okla., doctor with disorderly conduct. Kale reportedly admits calling the arresting officer “an idiot.”
The Democrat-Gazette reports that the Arkansas Racing Commission failed to ratify regulations for “electronic games of skill” at racetracks in Hot Springs and West Memphis. Commission Manager Shelby McCook said commissioners wanted to make some changes to the section pertaining to “powers and oversight.” However, he said they were “real close” on finalizing the 138-page draft.
Mayor Ray Baker rallied hundreds of people gathered near the site of a proposed downtown riverfront casino Thursday evening to join him in fighting the planned $131 million project.
Former Pine Bluff Alderman Jack Foster will serve his threeyear sentence on one count of aiding and abetting an attempted extortion at the Federal Detention Center in Houston.
FOX 16 reports more than 50 dogs were euthanized after authorities busted an edlerly animal horder. Animal abuse investigators found more than 50 dogs living in horrible conditions after the owner was taken to the hospital. Eleven of those dogs are recovering at the Pulaski County Humane Society. The exact location of the incident has not been reported because the investigation is ongoing. The suspect will receive a mental evaluation.
A College Station man will be 110 years old before becoming eligible for parole after receiving his third child molestation conviction Thursday. Kenneth Ray Pitts must 1 serve 62 /2 years of his 75-year sentence before he is eligible for parole. He was convicted of second-degree sexual assault and sexual indecency with a child. Jurors took about 12 minutes to determine his guilt and deliberated on his sentence for 26.
Two women who formerly were inmates of the Franklin County Detention Center have filed a federal lawsuit alleging they were subjected to numerous sexual offenses at the jail, including being raped by a jailer. All levels of jail officials, including the sheriff, were involved in inappropriate and illegal activity, they allege.
A judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against the manufacturer and seller of a school bus involved in a 2003 fatal crash in Siloam Springs, saying Arkansas determined years ago that seat belts weren't required on large school buses.
The Jonesboro Sun reports that Marmaduke School District has raised over $60,000 to help students since the April tornadoes. Now school officials have issued each student whose home was damaged a $100 Wal Mart gift card and A $400 card for each student whose home was destroyed.
The Divinity project will go forward following a 5-3 vote of approval Thursday night by the Fayetteville City Council. The Divinity Hotel & Condos is a mixed-use building on Dickson Street, between Church and Block avenues.
After years of planning, construction and budgeting, Forrest City residents can now look forward to using the multi-purpose facility located at the Forrest City Municipal Sports Complex. The Grand Opening is expected to happen Monday.
