Monday, July 31, 2006
Monday moving on up
Arkansas’ football team has suffered a major loss a month before the season starts. Darren McFadden, the Razorbacks’ All-SEC tailback, is doubtful for the Sept. 2 opener against Southern California and might miss more of the season after undergoing toe surgery Saturday for an injury resulting from a fight outside a Little Rock nightclub.
Cynthia Howell reports in the Democrat-Gazette that the federal government has approved relaxing the formula that determines which public schools end up on the improvement list, making it possible that fewer schools will be penalized this year for their students’ low achievement on state tests. Now, with the revised plan, only 40 percent of elementary math students must score at grade level to keep the school in good standing.
An attorney for former Pine Bluff police chief Daniel Moses claims in a court filing the city of Pine Bluff has violated terms of an agreement to settle Moses’ lawsuit that was worked out in June. Moses, who has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer, claims that he was denied chemotherapy last Wednesday because the City coverage for the claim.
A district court probation officer has filed a lawsuit seeking more pay for 16 months she says she was underpaid. Donya Garrett, the ex-wife of White County Sheriff Pat Garrett, says in the federal lawsuit that she received less pay than her male counterpart, Wayne Cook, although they had similar qualifications and experience. She said she was getting paid as a court clerk.
The Arkansas Racing Commission expects to approve electronic-gambling regulations when it meets Tuesday in Little Rock, bringing another wagering option a step closer to reality at the state’s two parimutuel racetracks.
First lady Janet Huckabee says she’s taken a job with the American National Red Cross to help prepare the state to respond to potential disasters. The wife of Gov. Mike Huckabee, will primarily serve as a liaison with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, the state’s primary disaster response agency.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports Wichita billionaire Phil Ruffin says his city will exercise its option to purchase the Wranglers baseball team and then sell it to a local ownership group, keeping the minor league team from moving to Springdale.
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas reports the terms of a memorandum of understanding between the city of Springdale and the baseball team expected to come to Springdale are nearly complete. Perry Webb, the president of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce who is spearheading the drive to get a stadium built in Springdale and attract a professional baseball team, said Friday the announcement could come at “any minute.”
A number of Arkansas cities are overriding a state law requiring them to install streetlights that limit the light they cast into the night sky, and Little Rock is soon expected to talk about joining them.
A Memphis woman is in stable condition at a Hot Springs hospital after she was thrown from a small roller coaster at a Hot Springs amusement park Saturday afternoon, police said. Felicia Robinson reportedly fell about 15 feet from the Magic Springs & Crystal Falls ride called Twist and Shout/
Michelle Crain, Benton County’s former planning director is not speaking publicly about her arrest. Deputies arrested Crain on a felony charge of theft of property and a misdemeanor charge of falsifying business records. The charges are connected to two “questionable” transactions within the Planning Department involving $595.
A Garfield man is facing federal charges that he touted strong religious beliefs and a close relationship with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. founder Sam Walton to dupe investors - including 11 ministries - out of $470,000. Michael Kent Zedlitzwas indicted in U.S. District Court on one count of securities fraud, one count of use of manipulative and deceptive devices, one count of wire fraud and four counts of mail fraud.
Two employees of Big Time Rental in Forrest City are suspects in the theft of more than $37,000 in cash and merchandise. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Aaron T. Jordan of Wynne, and Roy Lee Hamilton Jr. of Forrest City.
Two Jefferson County residents who failed to report for jury duty last Monday faced an angry circuit court judge Friday and were fined for their failure to appear. Judge Rob Wyatt fined the two $50 each.
About 3,200 game-show hopefuls converged Saturday on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, vying for a spot on NBC’s Deal or No Deal, which could make one of them a millionaire.
Brent Bailey, a Hollywood director and Conway native who has been involved in several big productions, used Conway's Simon Park Friday as a set in his newest music video. Caliber, a local classic rock band, is featured. Bailey is directing the video for their song, "Reptilian Lounge Club."
Cynthia Howell reports in the Democrat-Gazette that the federal government has approved relaxing the formula that determines which public schools end up on the improvement list, making it possible that fewer schools will be penalized this year for their students’ low achievement on state tests. Now, with the revised plan, only 40 percent of elementary math students must score at grade level to keep the school in good standing.
An attorney for former Pine Bluff police chief Daniel Moses claims in a court filing the city of Pine Bluff has violated terms of an agreement to settle Moses’ lawsuit that was worked out in June. Moses, who has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer, claims that he was denied chemotherapy last Wednesday because the City coverage for the claim.
A district court probation officer has filed a lawsuit seeking more pay for 16 months she says she was underpaid. Donya Garrett, the ex-wife of White County Sheriff Pat Garrett, says in the federal lawsuit that she received less pay than her male counterpart, Wayne Cook, although they had similar qualifications and experience. She said she was getting paid as a court clerk.
The Arkansas Racing Commission expects to approve electronic-gambling regulations when it meets Tuesday in Little Rock, bringing another wagering option a step closer to reality at the state’s two parimutuel racetracks.
First lady Janet Huckabee says she’s taken a job with the American National Red Cross to help prepare the state to respond to potential disasters. The wife of Gov. Mike Huckabee, will primarily serve as a liaison with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, the state’s primary disaster response agency.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports Wichita billionaire Phil Ruffin says his city will exercise its option to purchase the Wranglers baseball team and then sell it to a local ownership group, keeping the minor league team from moving to Springdale.
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas reports the terms of a memorandum of understanding between the city of Springdale and the baseball team expected to come to Springdale are nearly complete. Perry Webb, the president of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce who is spearheading the drive to get a stadium built in Springdale and attract a professional baseball team, said Friday the announcement could come at “any minute.”
A number of Arkansas cities are overriding a state law requiring them to install streetlights that limit the light they cast into the night sky, and Little Rock is soon expected to talk about joining them.
A Memphis woman is in stable condition at a Hot Springs hospital after she was thrown from a small roller coaster at a Hot Springs amusement park Saturday afternoon, police said. Felicia Robinson reportedly fell about 15 feet from the Magic Springs & Crystal Falls ride called Twist and Shout/
Michelle Crain, Benton County’s former planning director is not speaking publicly about her arrest. Deputies arrested Crain on a felony charge of theft of property and a misdemeanor charge of falsifying business records. The charges are connected to two “questionable” transactions within the Planning Department involving $595.
A Garfield man is facing federal charges that he touted strong religious beliefs and a close relationship with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. founder Sam Walton to dupe investors - including 11 ministries - out of $470,000. Michael Kent Zedlitzwas indicted in U.S. District Court on one count of securities fraud, one count of use of manipulative and deceptive devices, one count of wire fraud and four counts of mail fraud.
Two employees of Big Time Rental in Forrest City are suspects in the theft of more than $37,000 in cash and merchandise. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Aaron T. Jordan of Wynne, and Roy Lee Hamilton Jr. of Forrest City.
Two Jefferson County residents who failed to report for jury duty last Monday faced an angry circuit court judge Friday and were fined for their failure to appear. Judge Rob Wyatt fined the two $50 each.
About 3,200 game-show hopefuls converged Saturday on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, vying for a spot on NBC’s Deal or No Deal, which could make one of them a millionaire.
Brent Bailey, a Hollywood director and Conway native who has been involved in several big productions, used Conway's Simon Park Friday as a set in his newest music video. Caliber, a local classic rock band, is featured. Bailey is directing the video for their song, "Reptilian Lounge Club."
