April 23, Section A by Roy Ockert

BIG MESS IN GULF: Rig hit by explosion topples, spewing oil into Gulf of Mexico. A3

VOL. 107 No. 113 28 Pages

TROUBLEMAKER: ASU center fielder causes problems for other teams. B1

50 CENTS

S E R V I N G

J O N E S B O R O

A N D

N O RT H E A S T

A R K A N S A S

FEMA officials get a frosty reception Floodplain maps called ‘nothing but a scam’ BY RAY WHITESIDE SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — Residents and officials called provisional floodplain maps “nothing but a scam” at a meeting with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials Thursday night at the Huntington Building in Jonesboro. Rob Rash, chief engineer for the St. Francis Levee District, was possibly the most outspoken. “While in Washington [D.C.], I was told by FEMA officials that the only way to make money to fix their

debt is through flood insurance,” Rash said. “And they’re about $20 billion in debt.” The maps, which are distributed to communities nationwide, show areas that FEMA officials believe are susceptible to flooding. In turn, the maps are used by insurance agencies to determine insurance rates for homeowners in the flood-prone areas. Particularly in question in Craighead County is the eastern levee of the St. Francis River. The levee was recently decertified, not because levee crite-

ria have changed — as previously thought — but because FEMA does not have proper paperwork proving that the levee is certified, said Diane Calhoun, project manager for engineering firm Michael Baker Jr. Inc. in Denton, Texas. “We don’t have documentation that says the levee is certifiable,” she said. For all practical purposes, if a flood occurred tomorrow, people east of the St. Francis River would be protected, officials said; however, the new FEMA maps reflect a

Ray Whiteside | The Sun

Diane Calhoun speaks on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Thursday night in the Huntington Building at Jonesboro. levee-less district east of the river. “Are you really protected? Yes,” Calhoun said. “But it’s the lending institutes that say you have to have flood insurance.” Other than the eastern side of the St. Francis Riv-

er, the new maps are practically unchanged from the 1991 maps, which were the last distributed by FEMA. “The maps are saying, or creating, a risk that does not exist,” Rash said. “It’s a knee-jerk reaction.

PLEASE SEE FEMA, A2

Tame candidates audition for job of Berry successor

NEA traffic continues to expand

BY ROB MORITZ STEPHENS MEDIA GROUP

BY RAY WHITESIDE SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — Northeast Arkansas’ population continues to grow, bringing new businesses, educational institutes, recreational opportunities and federal and state funding. But with the good comes the bad. Traffic has also increased in the area, particularly in Jonesboro, as the city has become the hub for commerce in the region. “Common sense tells you, yes, that with more people comes more traffic,” said Engineer Walter McMillan with District 10 of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Stadium Boulevard has likely seen the largest increase in traffic in recent years. The addition of The Mall at Turtle Creek, restaurants such as Olive Garden, Chili’s and Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet and other smaller businesses have compounded traffic problems in the area. The growth of Arkansas State University, which reached a record enrollment of about 12,000 students this year, also contributes to traffic on Stadium Boulevard, officials said. About 33,000 vehicles cross the Stadium Boulevard-Highland Drive intersection every day, according to 2009 figures from the

I’ve heard ‘warning of the risks’ so many times I could vomit.” FEMA officials will send notification to area newspapers, including The Sun, as to when a 90-

LONOKE — Eight candidates vying to replace retiring Democrat Marion Berry of Gillett as 1st District congressman auditioned before a crowd of about 100 people Thursday. With less than a month to go before the May 18 primaries, the six Democrats and two Republicans spent more time presenting their credentials for the job than challenging anyone else’s stand on the issues during a non-contentious forum billed as a debate put on by a group of area business leaders taking part in the annual Lonoke County leadership training program. The top two Democratic vote getters will meet in a June runoff if none of the Democrats get more than 50 percent of the votes.

Job creation a priority

James Byard | The Sun

Motorists travel through Downtown Jonesboro on Main Street on Thursday afternoon. highway department. In 2008 the intersection averaged 29,000 vehicles per day. The busiest intersection, however, is at Stadium Boulevard

and Nettleton Avenue, which sees about 36,000 vehicles a day. According to figures, Stadium PLEASE SEE TRAFFIC, A2

Candidates from both parties said creating jobs was paramount to economic growth in the vast 26-county district that arches across northern and eastern Arkansas

from Mountain Home to Star City. They also pledged to work for farmers in the region and said they would support a federal balanced budge amendment. “This country is at a crossroads,” said Democrat Chad Causey of Jonesboro, noting the high debt, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the struggling economy. “While most folks in Washington are bickering and fighting ... Arkansans are tired of it,” said Berry’s former top aide. Republican Rick Crawford, also of Jonesboro, said deficit spending by the federal government was out of control. “I would tell you they are spending money like a drunk sailor, but drunk sailors spend their own money,” he said. “They are spending our money.” Along with Causey, others seeking the Democratic nomination are state Sen. Steve Bryles of Blytheville, state Rep. David Cook of Williford, orthopedic surgeon Terry Green of Mountain PLEASE SEE CANDIDATES, A2

244 booths greet attendees at chamber’s annual expo BY CURT HODGES SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — Conservation and the Roaring 20s were among the big themes at the 2010 Business Expo on Thursday. “This is a great evennt, and we’re very pleased with the participation,” said Steve Meridith, chairman of the Business Network Committee of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce. He said the 2010 Expo had 244 booths ranging from food to medical care to cleaning equipment. “We had about 50 new businesses participate in the Expo,” Meridith said. “It has been awesome, and we’ve had an awesome turnout.” Meridith was upbeat about the Roaring 20s theme, saying that a special theme each year not only creates ex-

citement, but also fosters creativity in booth decoration and staffers’ costumes. “This is a fun atmosphere with a businesslike purpose,” he said. “It works.” Each year a booth winner is announced, and the benefits include bragging rights and free booth rental in the next year’s expo. This year’s Best of the Expo is Presidential Conversions, the company that converts minivans and other vehicles to benefit disabled people. Special entertainment for the Expo fell right in with the Roaring 20s theme. The Nettleton High School Jazz Band presented several concerts, as did the ASU Jazz Ensemble. The beauty of the Expo, Meridith

TODAY: A 50% chance of showers and T’storms. Highs in the upper 70s. Tonight: Thunderstorms likely. Lows in the mid-60s.

PLEASE SEE EXPO, A2

Slain student honored

James Byard | The Sun

Angella Gilmore (left), sister of Michael Gilmore, listens as Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Dr. Rick Stripling speaks during a ceremony in remembrance of Michael Gilmore, who died Saturday from gunshot wounds suffered on Friday.

ON SATURDAY:

INFO:

Farm Bureau to host forum at the Craighead fairgrounds for candidates in primary.

CALL US . .(870) 935-5525 CIRCULATION . . . . Ext. 226 ADVERTISING . . . . Ext. 272 NEWS. . . . . . . . . . Ext. 207

ALMANAC . . . . . . . . . . . .A13 ARKANSAS . . . . . . . . . . . .A5 BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . .B6 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . .B10 COMICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B5 COMMUNITY. . . . . . . . . .A10

ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . . . .B8 FIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A14 NEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A8 OPINION. . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 RECORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A6 SPORTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1

THE JONESBORO SUN

NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

www.jonesborosun.com

Dunn jury hears more from Jones BY MARY KINCY PAXTON NEWS BUREAU

Saundra Sovick | The Sun

Arkansas State University Jazz Band members perform at the ASU Convocation Center’s booth at the 2010 Business Expo on Thursday at Jonesboro. Dana Haggard (bottom right), a marketing intern for the ASU Convo-

cation Center, designed the booth’s 1920s speakeasy theme. The band members include Michael Newson, saxophone; Mauricio Dixon, piano; Evan Barwick, bass; and Bryan Elder, drums.

EXPO: Lottery director says college scholarships will help residents FROM PAGE A1 said, is that it provides equal opportunity to all businesses. “Every one, from the smallest to the largest, have the same opportunity to display their services and wares at the same booth cost of $275,” the chairman said. For one business operator, the Expo provides an opportunity to give back to the community. Kathy Cardwell of Loretta’s Catering spent much of the day Thursday serving pulled pork sandwiches and pimento cheese snacks that she had prepared for the event. “The main thing for me is that Jonesboro is such a great community, I want to do this to show my appreciation,” she said. “This also gives us an opportunity to see so many people we would not otherwise be able to see.” There was food of all kinds available throughout the Expo, including popcorn, soft drinks and ice cream. Every booth had unique eyecatchers, including Ritter Communications’ demonstration of fiber optic splicing. Many forms of electronic communications and data are handled by fiber optics, and when a cable is cut, splices are made and service restored as quickly as possible, a Ritter spokesman said. Area schools also had booths

displaying their mascots and their uniqueness. One school spokesman said the Expo lets area schools, both private and public, make new friends and tell others about their systems. Chamber Chairman Paul Waits said that at the end of the Expo, many businesses reserve their booths for the following year. “It took over 200 volunteers 10 months to plan and stage this event,” Waits said at the annual Expo luncheon.

Lottery talk The luncheon speaker was Ernie Passailaigue, director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. Passailaigue was hired away from the South Carolina lottery in June to get the Arkansas lottery up and running. “It’s been a tremendous honor and privilege to have been associated with this odyssey,” he said. “Arkansas and South Carolina have a lot of the same aspects — hospitality, warmth and friendliness.” Passailaigue said that while he recognizes the downside of the lottery — the potential for irresponsible purchases — the lottery commission hopes that the funding of higher education scholarships in the state will produce a net positive effect. “We didn’t come to Arkansas to

try and solve one problem by exacerbating another problem,” he said. Because of the potential downside, Passailaigue said the framers of the lottery established that no credit cards, debit cards or checks will be accepted to purchase lottery tickets. “You have to play it with cash, and we hope that will temper the possible element of mischievous behavior that people have,” he said. The lottery director noted that the program had the support of 63 percent of voters, and that Arkansas money was formerly being spent to support lotteries in surrounding states. Every state that touches Arkansas has a lottery, except for Mississippi, which has casino gambling. He said that in 2009, $52 billion was spent on lotteries in the United States. Now that Arkansas has a lottery, there is potential for economic gain with a better-educated population; Passailaigue said officials estimate that 28,000 scholarships can be funded by the lottery next year. “I’m not saying the lottery is a panacea,” Passailaigue said. “But I will say that it will affect every Arkansas family in some way.” curth@jonesborosun.com

TRAFFIC: Officials looking at counts on roadways FROM PAGE A1 Boulevard averages more traffic than U.S. 63, which sees about 30,000 vehicles each day at its busiest spot in the city — between Caraway Road and Southwest Drive. “Stadium was only designed, I believe, for about 30,000 cars at the most, but I think the latest figures show about 36,000 cars now,” Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin said.

Increases in traffic likely

Officials are planning for the continued growth of the area, both on state and local levels. Jonesboro will likely create a transportation management board within the next few weeks to address traffic and roadway construction inside the city. “The board will help us establish a 3- or 5-year plan,” City Engineer Craig Light said. “In long-range planning we’re a little behind, but the board should help fix that.” The first step for the board will likely be to establish traffic counts for city streets, Perrin said.

The overall goal will be to redesign secondary streets to handle more traffic and ease congestion among popular roadways. “We’re seeing what used to be side streets becoming major thoroughfares,” he said. “But they aren’t built to handle that.” On example would be making Rains Street a 3-lane road from Matthews Avenue to Highland Drive. The mayor also would like to see Caraway and Harrisburg roads south of U.S. 63 be converted to at least three lanes. “It all takes money, and that’s why we need to establish this plan so we can be fighting for every federal and state dollar we can get,” the mayor said. Signal synchronization is also in the works. Stoplights may soon be reprogrammed and aided by cameras to help traffic flow, Perrin said. “Right now if you hit the lights right, you’ll be OK, but if you don’t, you might get stopped at every single one,” he said. “We want to fix that.” New stoplights are planned at the intersec-

tions of Stadium Boulevard and Fox Meadow Lane and University Loop and Johnson Avenue, the mayor said.

Arkansas 226 Outside Jonesboro, Arkansas 226 has seen a significant increase in traffic. In 2008 about 1,400 vehicles crossed the Cache River bridge daily, but in 2009 an average of 3,100 vehicles reportedly travel over the bridge each day. “It’s almost doubled in some areas of 226,” McMillan said. A new section of U.S. 67 from Newport to the 226 exit near Cash officially opened in October. Since then traffic on the 2-lane state road has increased dramatically. Crews will soon begin widening Arkansas 226 from two to five lanes between U.S. 67 and Cash. The overall plan calls for a 4-lane roadway from U.S. 67 to U.S. 49 south of Jonesboro, which is already being widened to four lanes. rwhiteside@jonesborosun.com

The Little Shop With The Big Tone UNDER D R NEW OWNERSH O OWNERSHIP RS H HIP IP

CLARKSVILLE — Computer components seized from a clinic showed Gary Dunn’s mother spent more than $80 for veterinary services the day before Nona Dirksmeyer died in 2005, a state Crime Laboratory expert testified here at the Johnson County Courthouse. Attorneys have repeatedly drawn jurors’ attention to the beauty queen’s love of animals during the nine days of proceedings in the capital murder trial of Dunn, who faces the death penalty over allegations he killed Dirksmeyer during a sexually motivated attack. An unopened bag of cat food found on the floor of Dirksmeyer’s kitchen after her death has also drawn attention. “It seemed out of place, like something had occurred there,” Mark Frost testified earlier this week about the bag and the area surrounding it. Frost was the Russellville police detective who conducted the investigation into the murder that led to the arrest, trial and 2007 acquittal of Dirksmeyer’s boyfriend, Kevin Jones, in the crime. The office visit that preceded the bill recovered from the computer — and its presumed link to Dirksmeyer — were not explored Thursday, as Dunn again faded into the background amid defense allegations Jones was the real killer.

DNA evidence With the exception of DNA matched to Dunn discovered on a condom wrapper found just feet from Dirksmeyer’s body, prosecutors have yet to present solid evidence linking Dunn to the death. Stacie Rhoads, a state police investigator who led the inquiry into Dirksmeyer’s homicide leading to Dunn’s arrest, has yet to testify but is expected

THE SUN – (USPS 582960) Periodicals postage paid at Jonesboro, AR and published daily at 518 Carson St. Jonesboro, AR

Suspicious of Jones

Carol Dipert’s husband, Duane Dipert, testified Thursday as well, but his testimony focused largely on Jones’ demeanor in the days following the homicide. He grew suspicious of Jones after the then19-year-old twice volunteered the information that he could account for his whereabouts the day of the murder, Duane Dipert said. At one point, Duane Dipert testified, he told Dirksmeyer’s uncle, John Michael Rome, “Gosh, wouldn’t it be funny if it was the boyfriend after all this?” Prosecutors sought to explain Jones’ statements by suggesting he proffered them after he realized he was suspected in the murder. The Diperts found keys — later traced to Jones — in their home days after Dirksmeyer’s death, both testified.

CANDIDATES: 1st District hopefuls make cases FROM PAGE A1 Home, businessman Ben Ponder, also of Mountain Home, and former state Sen. Tim Wooldridge of Paragould. Along with Crawford, the other Republican seeking the office is Princella Smith of Wynne, a GOP loyalist who has worked for Mike Huckabee, Newt

Gingrich and others. Causey stressed his ties to eastern Arkansas and his 10 years working for Berry. “For the last decade, I’ve been working hard for each and everyone of you,” Causey said. Energy independence and creating a strong economic environment for small businesses are key, he said.

FEMA: Residents told to document information FROM PAGE A1 day inquiry period will begin. To remove property from FEMA flood zones, residents can submit documentation to FEMA contesting the organization’s findings. Officials said technical data should be submitted, not letters simply stating “I don’t want to be in a flood zone.” “You have no idea. We get all kinds of letters, but we need actual data,” Calhoun said. “We have to have technical data that proves typographically or otherwise information from engineers that your property is not prone to flooding.” Documents must be sent to FEMA’s regional office. The address is FRC 800 North Loop 288, Denton, Texas 76209-3698. The office phone number is (940) 898-5399. Calhoun recommended first sending the information to local floodplain departments.

The new maps will not take effect until approved by local governing bodies, such as city councils or county quorum courts. The 1991 maps will still be effective for at least another year. “We recommend if you think your property will be in a flood zone that you go ahead now and buy flood insurance so you can be grandfathered in and not have to pay a higher rate,” Calhoun said. If cities or counties do not approve the floodmaps, residents can not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Therefore, if a flooding disaster strikes, residents will not be eligible for federal aid. For more information, call Craighead County Floodplain Department Director George Johnson at 933-7725 or Jonesboro City Engineer Craig Light at 932-0820. rwhiteside@jonesborosun.com

BLE

NOW AVAILA

FURNITURE

Hand made amps by Orange + 65 Acoustic & Electrics. Strings, Straps, Picks and Pedals etc. Now Scheduling Guitar & Bass Lessons St. lint F 3 123

to talk about an orange bottle of carpet cleaner left uncapped in Dirksmeyer’s kitchen the day of the murder. It was not mentioned during Jones’ trial, leading to speculation it may be part of the case against Dunn. Carol Dipert, Dirksmeyer’s mother, testified Thursday she took the cleaner from a previous apartment at which her daughter lived in Russellville to the South Inglewood Avenue residence but saw no evidence Dirksmeyer, whose apartment photos show was in a state of disarray, ever used it when she visited the home two days prior to the murder. The condom wrapper was not on the counter at the time, Dipert testified. The cleaner, however, was still at the Dipert home on Skyline Drive in 2008, when Rhoads recovered it from items Dirksmeyer’s family took from her apartment after the death.

870.972.8242 Because you deserve it!

25% OFF ALL IN STOCK GUITARS

BASIC HOME DELIVERED RATES Daily & Sunday: EZ-PAY 4 weeks $14.80 Billed 4 weeks $15.30 Weekends (Fri. Sat. Sun.) $9.40 four weeks Single copies: 50¢ Daily, $1.50 Sunday

1819 Cain Street Jonesboro (870) 932-0923 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS Inside Craighead County: Inside Arkansas: Out of State:

$198.00 a year $232.40 a year $260.00 a year

Mail Subscriptions are payable in advance

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE JONESBORO SUN P.O. Box 1249 Jonesboro, AR 72403

Next Door to Budget Mini-Storage • Interest Free • Easy Financing • Layaway Available

You’re Gonna Love Our Prices!

Next Door To Budget Mini Storage

YOUR CARRIER:

Your carrier is an independent contractor. All advance payments must be made to The Sun. Tips for good service are encouraged and will be passed along to your carrier with your information.

USE IT AND SAVE!

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

NEWS

THE JONESBORO SUN

www.jonesborosun.com

Irish bishop resigns, says he didn’t challenge abuse BY NICOLE WINFIELD ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

U.S. Coast Guard | AP

Response boats work to clean up oil where the Deepwater Horizon oil rig sank Thursday in the Gulf of Mexcio.

Burning oil rig sinks; stage set for big spill BY KEVIN MCGILL AND HOLBROOK MOHR ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITERS

Water shot onto rig

Action promised by Benedict On Wednesday, Benedict had promised unspecified “church action” to confront the scandal, and the Vatican has said it would do everything in its power to bring justice to abusive priests and to protect children. No details — other than the resignations — have been offered. Moriarty, 73, offered to step down in December after admitting he didn’t challenge the Dublin Archdiocese’s past practice of concealing child-abuse complaints from police. He served as an auxiliary Dublin bishop from 1991 to 2002. “The truth is that the long struggle of survivors to be heard and respected by church authorities has revealed a

Julien Behal | AP

Bishop James Moriarty of Kildare, Ireland, is shown on Jan. 22.

COMFORT DAYS “Fusion” oxford Brown, black, 8-13M.

LIMITED TIME

150

“Coast Tarifa” thong Brown, cork, 8-13M.

9999

“Helsinki” slip-on Black, rust, 8-13M.

Receive a $15 Dillard’s Gift Card

13999

with any regular-price ladies’ or men’s Ecco footwear purchase.

Experience True Comfort

“Yarrah”

“Yucatan”

White, 37-42.

Bison, ice, 36-42.

6999

130

True Comfort in footwear is not an accident. What drives Ecco is a passion for creating the ultimate pleasure in walking. At Ecco Comfort Days, our sales associates will help you ﬁnd your perfect ﬁt and style.

“Groove” gladiator

“Passion” thong

Ginger, 36-42.

White, 36-42.

Change a little.

130

110

SAVE A LOT.

This Earth Day, you can save time & trees when you sign up for paperless statements. ENROLL NOW AND RECEIVE A BONUS $20 REWARD CERTIFICATE* as a special thank you, April 17 - 25, 2010.

Visit Dillards.com/earthday to sign up!

WOMEN’S

A fleet of supply vessels had shot water into the rig to try to control the fire enough to keep it afloat and keep oil out of the water. Officials had previously said the environmental damage appeared minimal, but new challenges have arisen now that the platform has sunk. The well could be spilling up to 336,000 gallons of crude oil a day, Coast Guard Petty Officer Katherine McNamara said. She said she didn’t know whether the crude oil was spilling into the gulf. The rig also carried 700,000 gallons of diesel fuel, but that would likely evaporate if the fire didn’t consume it. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mary Landry said crews saw a 1-mile-by-5-mile sheen of what appeared to be a crude oil mix on the surface of the water. She said there wasn’t any evidence crude oil was coming out after the rig sank, but officials also aren’t sure what’s going on underwater. They have dispatched a vessel to check. The oil will do much less damage at sea than it would if it hits the shore, said Cynthia Sarthou, executive director of the Gulf Restoration Network. “If it gets landward, it could be a disaster in the making,” Sarthou said. Doug Helton, incident operations coordinator for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s office of response and restoration, said the spill is not expected to come onshore in the next three to four days. “But if the winds were to change, it could come ashore more rapidly,” he said. At the worst-case figure of 336,000 gallons a day,

barrels of oil a day from the surface. Crews searching for the missing workers, meanwhile, have covered the 1,940-square-mile search area by air 12 times and by boat five times. The boats searched all night. The family of Dewey Revette, a 48-year-old from southeast Mississippi, said he was also among the missing. He worked as a driller on the rig and had been with the company for 29 years. “We’re all just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring and hoping for good news. And praying about it,” said Revette’s 23-year-old daughter, Andrea Cochran.

MEN’S

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A deepwater oil platform that burned for more than a day after a massive explosion sank into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, creating the potential for a major spill as it underscored the slim chances that the 11 workers still missing survived. The sinking of the Deepwater Horizon, which burned violently until the gulf itself extinguished the fire, could unleash more than 300,000 of gallons of crude into the water every day. The environmental hazards would be greatest if the spill were to reach the Louisiana coast, some 50 miles away. Crews searched by air and water for the missing workers, hoping they had managed to reach a lifeboat, but one relative said family members have been told it’s unlikely any of the missing survived Tuesday night’s blast. More than 100 workers escaped the explosion and fire; four were critically injured. Carolyn Kemp of Monterey, La., said her grandson, Roy Wyatt Kemp, 27, was among the missing. She said he would have been on the drilling platform when it exploded. “They’re assuming all those men who were on the platform are dead,” Kemp said. “That’s the last we’ve heard.”

it would take more than a month for the amount of crude oil spilled to equal the 11 million gallons spilled from the Exxon Valdez in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. The well will need to be capped underwater. Coast Guard Petty Officer Ashley Butler said crews were prepared for the platform to sink and had the equipment at the site to limit the environmental damage. Oil giant BP, which contracted the rig, said it has mobilized four aircraft that can spread chemicals to break up the oil and 32 vessels, including a big storage barge, that can suck more than 171,000

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday accepted the resignation of an Irish bishop who admitted he didn’t challenge the Dublin church’s policy of covering up the sexual abuse of children by priests. Bishop James Moriarty of Kildare is the third Irish bishop to resign in four months as a result of the Irish sex abuse scandal. Another two have offered to go, as the Vatican comes under increasing pressure to get rid of the bishops who covered up for priests who sodomized and molested children for decades unchecked. Hundreds of people have come forward in recent months, including in Benedict’s native Germany, accusing priests of raping and abusing them while bishops and church higher-ups turned a blind eye. Moriarty said Thursday he was stepping down because he realized that “renewal must begin with accepting responsibility for the past.”

culture within the Church that many would simply describe as unchristian,” Moriarty said in a statement Thursday. “This has been profoundly dispiriting for all who care about the church.” Two auxiliary Dublin bishops, Eamonn Walsh and Ray Field, have offered to resign as well. All three bishops were identified last year in an Irish government-ordered investigation into decades of cover-ups of child-abusing clergy in the Dublin Archdiocese. The report found that all bishops until 1996 colluded to protect scores of pedophile priests from criminal prosecution. The November report did not directly criticize Moriarty. But the bishop offered his resignation after accepting he should have taken personal responsibility for challenging the bishops’ practice of keeping abuse complaints within the church.

*You will earn a $20 Reward Certificate when you go to Dillards.com/earthday and enroll in paperless statements between April 17 - 25, 2010. $20 Reward Certificate will be e-mailed to you within 1-2 billing cycles. Cardholders currently not receiving paper statements are not eligible to receive this offer. Employees, officers and directors of Dillard’s, Inc. are not eligible. See your Rewards Program Terms for additional details.

The Dillard’s American Express® Card is issued and administered by GE Money Bank. American Express is a federally registered service mark of American Express and is used by GE Money Bank pursuant to a license.

N OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 10 A.M. - 9 P.M. N OPEN SUNDAY 12 NOON-6 P.M. N THE MALL at TURTLE CREEK 932-6300 N USE YOUR DILLARD’S CHARGE. WE ALSO WELCOME VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DINER’S CLUB & DISCOVER CARD.

FRIDAY APRIL 23, 2010

Editor Roy Ockert Jr. (870) 935-5525

OPINION

The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States: ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.’ THE JONESBORO SUN

EDITORIAL |

Corruption hurts border security S

aying the United States should close off its borders and stop illegal immigrants and illicit drugs is easy for our political leaders and would-be political leaders. Making it happen has proven quite difficult and frustrating. Building walls takes time, and once the walls are built, you must have lot of people trained to watch them and take action when someone tries to breach the walls. Otherwise, you’ve just spent a lot of money for nothing. Hiring competent, honest border agents isn’t as easy as it sounds. Even if the pay scale can be made attractive enough, it’s a job most of us wouldn’t like to have. For one thing, like any law enforcement position, it can be dangerous. If our only challenge was stopping illegal immigration, we might be able to deal with the problem more effectively. But we are also battling Mexican drug cartels that are smuggling billions and billions of dollars’ worth of illegal drugs into the country. They can afford to carry the battle to us. Lawmakers are finding that the cartels are infiltrating and corrupting U.S. law enforcement officers along the border at an alarming rate. “We cannot win this war at our borders unless we keep up with the evolving tactics employed by drug cartels,” said Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark. “That means understanding the scope of their corruption efforts and taking significant steps to prevent U.S. law enforcement from being further infiltrated.” Pryor said he is particularly concerned about problems within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is growing fast as we try to get more agents into border protection. Along with growth, though, comes the potential for more corruption. In 2009 there were 576 allegations of corruption in the CBP, 164 in Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 64 in the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and 25 in the Transportation Se-

curity Administration. During a hearing in March Pryor voiced concern that the CBP is not adequately screening job applicants. One internal affairs witness testified that only about 15 percent of applicants receive a polygraph test during the hiring process but that 60 percent of those are found to be unsuitable. That could mean about half of the others may also be unsuitable, but they evade detection. CBP employees are required to undergo a background check every five years, but the process is currently backlogged by 10,000 cases. Other witnesses cited cases of corruption, including one border inspector who pleaded guilty to smuggling more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana in the United States and receiving more than $5 million in bribe payments. Quite a salary supplement, huh? Two CBP agents were caught in Brownsville, Texas, assisting an illegal immigrant and narcotics smuggling organization. A TSA supervisor was accused of participating in the smuggling of narcotics through a checkpoint at a major U.S. airport. As a result of the hearing and other information he gathered, Pryor this week introduced legislation aimed at preventing corruption of border agents. The proposed bill would require a more vigorous hiring process and regular background checks. Of course, that’s going to take more money. Pryor also joined with several other senators in sending a letter to Janet Napolitano, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, demanding immediate action to address the problem. “My message to DHS is clear: Either fix your problems voluntarily, or I will make sure you do it by law,” Pryor said. “The stakes are too high to let these problems mount. Drugs smuggled in today could be dirty bombs tomorrow. I refuse to wait for a tragedy to strike before we take action.” Surely, that’s a message that can gain bipartisan support. —Roy Ockert Jr.

Fear not; they’re probably cowards People are worrying that Blanche Lincoln and Bill Halter will hurl smears, slurs, lies and absurdities at each other tonight in the televised debate in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. They fear this will reflect poorly on Arkansas because the debate, staged by television station KATV in Little Rock, will be broadcast nationally on C-SPAN. A crew from the PBS Newshour also is coming. John This national exposure Brummett | stems from the fact that this race is of much greater interest to Democratic factional combatants outside Arkansas than to actual voters in the state. It’s a war for the modern Democratic soul waged by national liberals through a pawn like Halter against corporate centrists as represented historically, if not lately on derivatives, by a knight or bishop like Lincoln. I don’t think people ought to worry about embarrassment, for five reasons: One is that these two politicians, like most others, are, deep down, cowardly. They prefer to attack each other from hiding and to do so with other people’s money through television ads somebody else produces and with allegations they don’t really believe and in tones they personally eschew. Day to day these candidates call each other names — Bailout Blanche, Dollar Bill, Show Horse — in tiresome press releases quoting paid surrogates serving as hatchet men, as if to absolve the candidates themselves. I’ve asked to be taken off the Lincoln campaign’s e-mail list because I have no interest in anything her paid campaign operative, Steve Patterson, has to say about Halter. On the other hand, if Patterson wants to release the questions that he insists on keeping secret on poll findings he presumes to release publicly as if they’re credible, then we might have something relevant to talk about. The second reason is that both candidates will be keenly aware of the political risk of looking mean. So they’ll probably want to make nice in hopes that people will separate

them personally from the horrid and nonsensical attacks already aired and mailed and yet to come. Third, KATV’s format for the debate will get in the insulating way of spontaneous or sustained hostility. This will be an hour event. Twelve minutes will be wasted right off the top allowing the three candidates (I’ll provide a reminder about that third candidate in a second) two minutes each for both opening and closing statements, which will be the usual blather. Respondents will get only a minute to answer questions from panelists. Then, without follow-up or rebuttal, they’ll move on to another fresh question from another panelist that will jerk the dialogue in an entirely new direction. The only way any real fighting can occur is if Lincoln or Halter gets so mad about a previous answer by the other, a sucker punch, perhaps, that he or she blows off the new question and uses the new minute to go back. It could happen, most likely with Halter calling Lincoln a tool of Wall Street and Lincoln calling Halter a tool of out-of-state extremists. Fourth, there is that third candidate — a wholly unknown guy named D.C. Morrison, who sounds like a Tea Party back-bencher — who will be on stage getting the same amount of time as the credible contenders. Any chance Lincoln and Halter will come to blows will be limited by their having to reach around this dude, literally, since he drew the podium between them. Finally, none of this will reflect poorly on Arkansas. Lincoln and Halter reflect poorly only on themselves. Their kind of ugliness is not unique to us. Quite the contrary, Lincoln and Halter put us in the very dreaded vanguard of national political behavior. Potentially more interesting will be a second debate at noon Saturday at the Doubletree Hotel in Little Rock before a few dozen newspaper members of the state Associated Press Managing Editors in their annual meeting. On this one, there’ll be 2-minute answers and a moderator who can decide if rebuttal is called for. jbrummett@arkansas news.com

Patience has limits, can’t solve world problems by itself WASHINGTON — Recently I wrote a column commending President Obama for his long-range vision and for the patience to wait, beyond his own term if necessary, for the rewards to appear. The column really irritated a reader in Maryland. He unloaded on Washington Post ombudsman Andy Alexander, who sent the complaint on to me. David S. “Andy,” the reader Broder | wrote, “one way for us to gain more insights into the minds of Post news section reporters is to read the columns of former news section reporters. I found today’s column by David Broder to be very revealing. Broder is excited about how patient our president is, and how this will be good for the future. “A more skeptical mind might see how this ‘patience’ is emboldening Iran to build a highly destabilizing nuclear threat that will be bad for the future of our country and bad for our world. A more skeptical mind might see how piling debt on debt on debt by the federal government is not a victory for patience, but rather will lead to a massive burden for the next generation and declines in our standard of living. But

dmosesso@jonesborosun.com

“A more skeptical mind might see how this ‘patience’ is emboldening Iran to build a highly destabilizing nuclear threat that will be bad for the future of our country and bad for our world.” An irritated reader and various other problems created by government controls will bring our system down to a much lower quality and long waits for mediocre care. But at least more people will have health-care insurance. “If these are goals to be applauded,” he concluded, “then I understand where Broder and his fellow travelers are coming from.”

Aside from the “fellow travelers” phrase in the last paragraph, which struck me as a cheap shot redolent of 1950s-style anti-communism, I really admired the letter and thought the writer was making valid and important points. I do not agree with him that healthcare reform will inevitably have the bad effects he suggests, but I think it’s fortunate that before it becomes operational in 2014, two Congresses will have time to strengthen its cost-cutting provisions. We are far more in agreement about the threat of debt than my critic wants to acknowledge. I have written so often, to the point that some readers probably resent it, about our calamitous deficits and the inevitability of entitlement cuts and revenue increases. But unlike the Maryland man, I’m prepared to acknowledge Obama’s argument that it makes no sense to raise taxes overall while the economy is still struggling to recover from the worst recession in more than 60 years. As for Iran, the letter coincided with the report in The New York Times that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, a remarkable truth-teller, had sent the president a memo raising an alarm at the absence of a clear U.S. strategy to deal with the mullahs’ drive for nuclear arms. Gates was reported to have raised

Editorials represent the voice of The Jonesboro Sun. Editorial columns, letters to the editor and other Roger Brumley, production manager Lorri Householder, circulation director articles that appear on this page and the opposite page represent rbrumley@jonesborosun.com larkless@jonesborosun.com the opinions of the writers, and The Perry Tidwell, pressroom manager Larry Earnhart, mailroom manager Sun may or may not agree.

Roy Ockert Jr., editor royo@jonesborosun.com

David R. Mosesso, publisher

at least the USA will be less exceptional compared to the rest of the world. “Patience is not going to lead to better health care for our people. Rather, a virtually inevitable doctor shortage

Jeremy Erling, controller jerling@jonesborosun.com

Lisa A. Lynn, advertising director llynn@jonesborosun.com

directly with Obama the risk that has been much discussed — that foot-dragging by China and Russia will weaken and delay any sanction regime imposed through the United Nations and leave the United States and its allies with a dreadful choice between armed conflict or acceptance of a nuclear-armed Iran. The administration and Gates himself promptly tried to walk the story back, but it’s clear there was such a memo and the interpretation of its undisclosed language was not far from the meaning the Times attached. In truth, I had heard another senior administration official, dining with a small group of reporters two weeks ago, say that in his judgment, within a year to 18 months, after the diplomats have played out their hands at the United Nations, we will face a showdown with Iran. What then of the patience for which I praised Obama? The only answer can be: It has its limits. Patience is not sufficient in itself to solve problems. It can only contribute to making policy a success by fitting it to the right timing. In neither of these crucial issues do I see an advantage for Obama rushing the action, let alone reversing it, as the Marylander seems to suggest on health care. But patience alone is not enough. © 2010, Washington Post Writers Group

SATURDAY Steve Barnes: Arkansas gets plenty of earmarks.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

ARKANSAS

THE JONESBORO SUN

www.jonesborosun.com

Bush: College is a commitment

Forecasters expect severe weather

Danny Johnston | AP

Former President George W. Bush speaks with David Wood (left), Murphy Oil president and CEO, at El Dorado High School as Mayor Mike Dumas looks on Thursday. rado Promise scholarships, and 89 percent are expected to attend college, according to the district. The El Dorado School District had been in “20 years of decline” before the scholarship program was announced three years ago, Murphy Oil President and CEO David Wood said. Since then, enrollment has risen each year. The district says people have moved from numerous other states and foreign countries to take advantage of the program. “You are not an average

... every day American high school class,” Wood told the seniors.

How scholarships work Students who start in the district in kindergarten and stay through high school graduation receive scholarships that would cover the highest tuition charged in Arkansas, although they can use the scholarships anywhere in the United States. Students who spend less time in the district receive smaller scholarships. Bush, who wore a dark

suit, blue tie and an American flag pin on his left lapel, was obviously relaxed. He made eye contact with students and pointed and waved. The former president was greeted warmly by the students and parents, though judging by bumper stickers in the parking lot not everyone supported him politically. Senior Jaynish Amin, a scholarship recipient, said administrators told students the event was about education, not politics. Amin said he wasn’t surprised there were no outbursts.

Beebe aide to head Delta Authority BY TOM PARSONS ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — A top aide to Gov. Mike Beebe was nominated Thursday by President Barack Obama to head the Delta Regional Authority, a federal agency that works to enhance the economy of the impoverished Mississippi Delta region in eight states. Chris Masingill, Beebe’s director of intergovernmental affairs, was chosen to become the authority’s federal co-chair, essentially its top administrator. He currently serves

as the governor’s alternate to the agency. If he is approved by the U.S. Senate, Masingill will take over the full-time post and report directly to the White House. He will replace Pete Johnson, who was appointed by President George W. Bush. “I look very much forward to serving the Obama administration,” Masingill said in a telephone interview Thursday. Created by Congress in 2000, the agency provides economic development programs in 252 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illi-

nois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Masingill declined to discuss any specific plans he might have for the agency, since he must still be confirmed by the Senate. The agency received about $12 million in federal funding for the most recent fiscal year, he said. Masingill, 37, was born in Morrilton, an area adjacent to Arkansas counties that are in the Delta region. Masingill said he “spent a large part of my time in the Delta region” while

Clinton promotes green energy in LR BY ANDREW DEMILLO ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton said Thursday that supporters of environmentally friendly technology need to highlight its economic benefits for businesses. Speaking to the Downtown Little Rock Partnership’s annual meeting, Clinton said he wouldn’t promote the idea of green jobs if he didn’t believe that companies could make money from the practice. One of the missions of Clinton’s nonprofit foundation is addressing climate change. “We have to prove that it’s good economics to change the way we produce and consume energy

County judge charged with five counts BENTONVILLE (AP) — The Benton County judge said he won’t quit, even though he was arrested on five misdemeanor charges. County Judge Dave Bisbee also told reporters Thursday that he plans to seek re-election. Bisbee didn’t take any questions during the short news conference. The 63-year-old former state legislator surrendered just after 5 p.m. Wednesday on several misdemeanor counts and was later released after being given a June 7 court date. The charges relate to Bisbee’s decision to hire his company — Valley Homes — to perform work for the county in December and the manner in which he awarded bids for the ice storm cleanup in January 2009.

BY CHUCK BARTELS ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

EL DORADO (AP) — Former President George W. Bush told El Dorado High School’s graduating seniors Thursday that they are a special group who should consider going to college a great obligation, especially those benefiting from the school’s unique scholarships. The $50 million El Dorado Promise scholarship program funded by El Dorado-based Murphy Oil Corp. pays for college tuition and fees for students who spend their high school years or longer in the El Dorado School District. About 450 seniors sat at tables on the floor of the school gym and, with their parents looking on from the bleachers, signed letters of intent to continue their education. “Some people sign contracts, and it doesn’t mean anything to them,” Bush said. “It’s not just a piece of paper; it’s a commitment.” Bush noted that 20 percent of the students before him would be the first in their families to attend college. “You’ve got a chance to make it,” Bush said. “Seize this moment.” More than half of the class qualified for El Do-

AROUND THE STATE |

in this country,” Clinton said. Clinton’s presidential library, located in downtown Little Rock, has earned the “platinum” rating under the Leadership Energy Environmental Design, the benchmark for green building. And the Clinton School of Public Service on the library’s campus is retrofitting the renovated train station in which it’s housed to make it more energy efficient. Clinton cited both projects as ways to promote environmentally friendly practices while revitalizing urban areas. He also touted a partnership between his foundation and the state of Arkansas to retrofit state buildings to make them more

energy efficient. “We can brand this part of our state as a place that both preserves its heritage and looks toward the future. That’s the message, and that’s what everybody’s looking for,” Clinton said. The foundation also is looking forward to transforming the 111-year-old Rock Island Railroad bridge into a pedestrian walkway spanning the Arkansas River, the former president said. A $2.6 million federal grant recently awarded provided the final funding for the project. “To me, this bridge is not the end of my commitment to the downtown area,” Clinton said. “It’s just another step along the way.”

STORE

CLO SING

SALE

working for Beebe as well as U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln and U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, both Arkansas Democrats. “That knowledge has grown even more during my term serving on the board,” he said. The Delta Caucus, a private group of Delta-region public officials and civic leaders who work with the federal agency, praised Masingill’s nomination.

LITTLE ROCK — Forecasters are warning that portions of Arkansas and northern Louisiana may see significant severe weather today and that a tornado outbreak is possible in the region tonight and Saturday morning. The national Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said Thursday there was a moderate risk of severe weather today, including storms that could produce tornadoes. It said a tornado outbreak was possible late tonight and early Saturday from the Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas borders to the lower Mississippi River valley. Forecasters said large hail and wind damage are also possible with any supercell storms that may develop. They say wind profiles of the atmosphere suggest the bad weather could begin late this afternoon. On the Net: Storm Prediction Center, www.spc.noaa.gov

PB man found not guilty of murder PINE BLUFF (AP) — A Jefferson County jury has acquitted a Pine Bluff man in the beating deaths of a couple — but convicted him of setting their home on fire and of burglary. The jury found Jeremy Gipson, 21, not guilty of capital murder in the August 2008 deaths of 79year-old Cleophas and 76-year-old Minnie Boyd. Juror Chester Stricklin said prosecutors failed to prove Gipson was inside the Boyd’s home when they were killed. And juror Lori Stone said Gipson used police phrases such as he “exited the vehicle” in a taped confession. Gipson testified that detectives encouraged him to confess.

Teacher accused of sex with student STAR CITY (AP) — A Former Star City High School teacher has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a student. Brandi Lynn Mullikin, 29, of Star City is charged with second-degree sexual assault. A police report said Mullikin admitted having sex with the student but initially said it was outside school and after the boy turned 18. Police said she later admitted the relationship began when the boy was 17 and that she knew his age.

Open House

Saturday, April 24 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Window World NASCAR on display!

Join Us Saturday for an All-American Celebration!

189 installed options extra

Series 4000 White Double Hung Double Pane Any size 4’ wide x 6’ tall.

The Original $189 Guys are America’s Largest Window Replacement Company. We are locally owned, operated and proud to sell “Simply the Best for Less”. We also offer Exterior Doors, Shutters and Siding to complement your window upgrade. Now is the time to ask Window World about the $1,500 TAX CREDIT and Industry Leading Financing. Visit our showroom, 2805 Stadium Square, Jonesboro We can show you windows that QUALIFY ~ call for FREE in-home demonstration.

870-910-0189

www.windowworldarkansas.com

*Call for details on 30u windows that meet government guidelines.

Greater Markdowns

up to Delivery Available For a Fee

% OFF y

a d t s la

Thursday, April 29th Credit Cards Accepted

MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

456 Southwest Drive • 870-972-6560

12-5

THE JONESBORO SUN

RECORD

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

www.jonesborosun.com

OBITUARIES |

Marie Brown

JONESBORO — Marie Brown, 81, of Jonesboro passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at St. Bernards Medical Center. She was born June 4, 1928, at Egypt, Ark. She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Andrew Brown, and her parents, Arthor and Lillian Bartouch Cullens. Mrs. Brown is survived by two sons, Billy Joe Brown of Jonesboro and Virgil Lee Brown of Alexander; a daughter, Mary Jane Davenport of Alexander; nine grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; a brother, Cicle Cullen; and two sisters, Dorthy Smithee and Christine Hudson. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday in Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home. Graveside services and burial will follow at noon Saturday in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Online registry: www .rollerfuneralhomes.com

Staci Lynn Caldwell

BRADY, Texas — Staci Lynn Caldwell, 26, of Brady passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at Brady. Mrs. Caldwell was preceded in death by her beloved Papaw, Jacob Turner Sr., and Grandma Wolf. Survivors are her husband, Jason Caldwell of Brady; brother, Joshua Turner of Wynne; parents, Jacob Turner Jr. and wife Leigh of Wynne and Tamara Kendall and husband Larry of Spring, Texas; sisters, Beth Chambers-Pankey of Wynne; grandmother, Maxine James of Wynne; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Private graveside services will be held today in Jacob H. Turner Family Cemetery at Vanndale. Online registry: www.kernodlefh.com

Elsie Mae Cooley

MALVERN — Elsie Mae Cooley, 84, of Malvern, formerly of Wynne, departed this life Wednesday, April 21. She was born Sept. 3, 1925, at Hickory Ridge to Charles and Anna Drum.

AROUND NEA | Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Otis; five brothers; two sisters; and one grandson. Survivors include her daughters, Margaret, June and Elaine; sister, Anna West; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-greatgrandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today in Thompson-Wilson Wynne Funeral Home with interment in Fisher Cemetery. Visitation will be today from noon until service time. Online registry: www .thompsonwilsonfh.com

Betty Fielder RECTOR — Betty Fielder, 80, of Rector passed away Tuesday, April 20, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Dec. 29, 1929, to the late Isaac Gurney and Minnie Ola Lack Herrin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Fielder; daughters, Sandra Jean Head, Patricia Ann Murrell, Regina Faye Mitchell and Lexie Yvonne Mitchell; son, Rocky Fielder; brothers, Willis Steve Herrin and Isaac Erman Herrin; and sisters, Mary Lee Herrin and Wanda Nadene Herrin. Survivors are a daughter and son-in-law, Terricia and David Mosesso of Jonesboro; two sons, Gaylon Mitchell and Gary Mitchell, both of St. Louis; eight grandchildren, Beth Ann Anderson, Eric Mitchell, Joshua Mitchell, Misty Hall, Heather Priggel, Tracy Leonard, Trey Jones and Paul Dougan; eight greatgrandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. today, April 23, with funeral services at 11 a.m. in Irby Funeral Home Chapel with Jerry Jolly officiating. Interment will be in Woodland Heights Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. You may sign the online guest book at www.irby funeralhome.com.

Michael Murphy JONESBORO — Michael George Murphy, 41, of Jonesboro passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at St. Bernards Medical Center. He was born Feb. 1, 1969, in Jonesboro into the family of James H. Murphy and Georgia Roth Murphy Light. Michael had worked at Hytrol for years and was presently working at Tim’s Auto Body and Glass Co. He loved duck hunting, fishing and horsMurphy es. He was a member of Unity Baptist, where he served as a deacon. Survivors include his wife, Angie Murphy of the home; his mother and stepfather, Georgia Murphy Light and Bill Light of Jonesboro; one son, Tanner Murphy of the home; one daughter, Gabby Murphy, also of the home; his father-inlaw and mother-in-law, Tim and Margaret Tyler; nieces, Haley Tyler, Hanna Tyler, Jessica Murphy, Havyn Tyler, Samantha Coley and Sarah Coley; nephews, Timothy Tyler, Toby Tyler, Josh Tyler, Austin Murphy and Cole Allred; one brother, James Murphy of Bono; and one sister, Jamae Allred of Bono. He was preceded in death by his father, James H. Murphy. Honorary pallbearers will include Chris Riggs, Joe Borden, Quinton Spurlock, Dale Thompson, John Ollis, Roger Petit, Chuck Bell, Chuck Goodson, Jerry Roth, Terry Roth, Jason Murphy, Clint Murphy and Curt Murphy. Visitation will be from noon-2 p.m. Saturday in Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. Saturday in Roller-Farmers Union Chapel with Danny Elrod and Danny Murphy officiating. The family requests that any memorials be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis 38105. Online registry: www .rollerfuneralhomes.com

March for Babies moved indoors

INDEX | Brown, Marie Caldwell, Staci Lynn Cooley, Elsie Mae Fielder, Betty Murphy, Michael

Myatt, Peggy Parrish, George Ramey, Annabelle Vaughn, Helen

Peggy Myatt CASH — Peggy Myatt, 57, of Cash died Thursday morning at St. Bernards Medical Center. Survivors include her husband, Alvin Myatt. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Emerson Funeral Home. Online registry: www .emersonfuneralhome.com

George Allen Parrish LABADIE, Mo. — George Allen Parrish was born June 17, 1944, at Blytheville, the son of the late George Edward and Eliza Mae Swain Parrish. He passed away Monday, April 19, 2010, at Sullivan, Mo., at the age of 65 years. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Vicki Bauer on Jan. 1, 1966, at Osceola, where the couple made their home. They settled in Labadie in 1987. Allen worked as a parts manager for Ford dealerships for more than 40 years, retiring in 2008. He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Eureka, Mo. He was preceded in death by one brother, Connie Wayne Parrish. Survivors include his wife, Vicki Parrish of Labadie; four daughters, Melissa Shelden and husband Mark of Devil’s Elbow, Mo., Sheri Davis and husband Tim of Eureka, Amy Quertermous and husband Jason of Union, Mo., and Nicole Winistoerfer and husband Rob of Villa Ridge, Mo.; nine grandchildren; one sister, Marlyn Yates of Jonesboro; one brother, Don Parrish and wife Brenda of Osceola; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were Thursday in Oltmann Funeral Home at Union with burial in Old Bethel Cemetery at Labadie. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Siteman Cancer Center.

Online registry: www .oltmannfuneralhome.com

Annabelle Ramey HARRISBURG — Annabelle Willard Ramey, infant, of Harrisburg became an angel Friday, April 16, 2010, at Little Rock. She was born April 16, 2010, at Little Rock to Dana Willard and Samuel Ramey. She is survived by her parents; brothers, Garret and Dillon Willard, sister, Xadie Willard Ramey; grandparents, Brenda and Ray Martin, Wayne Willard, Brenda and Richard Harbin, four great-grandparents; and two aunts. Memorial services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 24, in Thompson-Wilson Wynne Funeral Home. Visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time in the funeral home. Online registry: www .thompsonwilsonfh.com

Helen Vaughn ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Helen Vaughn, 87, of Zanesville, formerly of Piggott, passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at her home in Zanesville. Survivors include her daughters, Janice Filice of California and Cherie LaFollette of Zanesville; two sons, Wesley Vaughn of Mississippi and John W. Vaughn of Zanesville; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and three sisters. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today in Gravel Hill Cemetery at St. Francis with Trent Grimes officiating. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott is in charge of arrangements. Online registry: www .hoggardfuneralhome.com Obituary archives dating to June 17, 2002, are available online at jonesborosun.com

JONESBORO — The March for Babies scheduled for Saturday is being moved from Craighead Forest Park to St. Bernards Auditorium, 505 East Washington Ave., due to the threat of inclement weather. The event will begin at 9 a.m., and activities for the whole family are planned.

Rummage sale planned Saturday

JONESBORO — Eastside Baptist Church, 2821 Forest Home Road, will hold a rummage sale from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday. Proceeds will go toward the church building fund. Items for sale will include office desks, padded chairs, wooden folding chairs, folding tables and children’s toys.

Trauma system training slated PARAGOULD — The Air Evac Lifeteam will host a trauma symposium May 15 at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould to educate emergency medical professionals about the new statewide trauma system that is being implemented. Judy Dyke, the regional director of base operations, said prehospital and emergency medical professionals at all levels will be educated in a standard course about the care and management of trauma patients. Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m., and the event will continue until 5:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. For more information about Air Evac Lifeteam services, call 1-800-793-0010 or visit www.lifeteam.net. For more information about the trauma symposiums or to register, call Sedley Tomlinson at (417) 274-6099 or email tomlinsonsedley@ air-evac.com.

POLICE, COURTS |

Suspect in police chase finally arrested

of a person walking onto the lot from a field west of the dealership and driving away in the vehicle. A woman who matched the description of person seen WALNUT RIDGE — A Melbourne man was arrested on the video test-drove the truck earlier, Casey told Tuesday after allegedly leading police officers from Patrolman Morshaydrick Racy. Craighead, Lawrence and Greene counties on a high• Kathryn Persfull, 3306 Dorton Road — theft of speed chase the day before. Mathew Hawkins, 31, is being held in the Lawrence gaming systems, a camera, chainsaw and backpack worth a combined $3,000 from her residence. County Jail in lieu of a $20,000 bond. Authorities are • Rose Lee Childress, 504 Melrose St., Apt. D — seeking to charge him with aggravated assault, fleetheft of a 32-inch TV and four DVDs in a residential ing, criminal mischief, reckless driving and driving burglary. on a suspended license. • Cynthia Leigh Thompson, 3705 Wood Duck Cove Jonesboro police tried to stop Hawkins for unau— someone used her name to fraudulently buy a $305 thorized use of a vehicle, but he fled into Greene set of golf clubs. County, according to a report released by the Law• Kerry E. Bowman, 1706 West Matthews Ave. — rence County Sheriff’s Department. During the chase theft of a tool box containing more than $500 in tools in Greene County, Hawkins attempted to hit several from his carport. patrol cars pursuing him, Lawrence County Sheriff’s • Susan T. Cathcart, 3500 Big Creek Cove — theft of Department Capt. Jody Dotson said. an undisclosed amount of cash from her residence. Hawkins eluded police and drove into Lawrence • Seth A. Koster, 636 Blackwell Den Road, Warm County, police said. He lost control of his vehicle after Springs — theft of a wallet containing $225 cash, a striking a deputy’s car, Dotson said. camera and two cigarette lighters from his vehicle Despite damage to the vehicle, Hawkins was still after it was repossessed. able to drive. Hawkins eventually ran through a gate • Anthony Edward King, 2118 Sun Circle — theft of near Black Rock and fled on foot, Dotson said. a checkbook from his locked vehicle. Tracking dogs, a helicopter and a plane were • Patricia N. White, 603 Melrose St., Apt. D — somebrought in to assist in the search, but officers were one has been stealing and tampering with her mail. unable to locate Hawkins, the report states. • Sears, 1901 South Caraway Road — detained for Hawkins showed up at a residence near Denton at police a 28-year-old Jonesboro man accused of steal11 that night, and police were notified, Dotson said. ing $15 in jewelry. Hawkins was arrested without incident, he said. Police also arrested a 26-year-old woman and a 25The Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Game and year-old man on suspicion of public sexual indecency Fish, Walnut Ridge Police Department, Hoxie Police Department, Black Rock Police Department, Bono Po- and public intoxication after an officer observed lice Department and Greene County Sheriff’s Depart- them engaging in sexual intercourse in a vehicle parked at 1404 Links Circle on Wednesday night with ment all assisted in the attempted apprehension. Hawkins is slated to appear in Circuit Court May 19. a door open, making their activity clearly visible. Nei—George Jared ther person lived at the apartment complex. —Keith Inman

Video surveillance captures truck thief

JONESBORO — A local car dealership reported Wednesday that someone stole a white 1995 Chevrolet extended cab CK 3500 pickup from its lot. Brian Casey, general manager of Central BuickGMC, told police surveillance video captured images

Attack on mother brings 30 days in jail JONESBORO — A Jonesboro woman was sentenced to 30 days in the Craighead County Detention Center on Tuesday after she was found guilty of third-degree domestic battery.

Filet Mignon for TWO $1799

ink-credible prices on Toner & Ink! © Jonesboro Sun

w/baked potato, garden salad

Friday and Monday Saturday Night night! ONLY “Nothing Fancy, Just Good Food!” 932-0710 • 5323 E. Nettleton • Hours: M-S 5am-9pm

Kary A. Kyger, 20, 132 North Bridge St., received the sentence in Craighead County District Court. She was arrested Sunday after she allegedly attacked her mother. Special Judge Ray Spruell, substituting for District Judge Keith Blackman, also handed down sentences against the following: • Pricilla Logan, 26, 113 North Gosnell St., Apt. A, Blytheville, communicating a false alarm, domestic assault, no seat belts and two counts of failure to appear in court — a total of 10 days in jail, six months’ probation and $1,085 in fines and court costs. • Robert S. Peel, 55, Maumelle, public intoxication — two days in jail. • Craig A. Rose, 19, 2519 Forest Home Road, Apt. 19, Jonesboro — second-degree domestic assault, no driver’s license, no liability insurance, improper equipment, obstruction of governmental operations, no registration certificate and failure to appear — a total of 10 days in jail, six months’ probation and $1,155 in fines and court costs. • Ervin E. Ross, 35, 820 West Huntington Ave., Jonesboro, hazardous driving, expired license tags and no seat belts — credit for time already served in jail and $135 in fines and court costs. On Wednesday Spruell sentenced Tonya Renee Allen Campbell, 39, 2352 Craighead Road 333, Bono, to 60 days in jail and $180 in fines and court costs for theft of property and possessing an instrument of crime. Edy Jonathan Cervantes, 21, 4709 Highland Park Circle, Jonesboro, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and $725 in fines and court costs for possession of a controlled substance. He also must attend an anti-drug class. In the county division of District Court, Franklin M. Barnett III, 23, 6333 Craighead Road 333, Jonesboro, was sentenced to three days in jail, placed on six months’ probation, ordered to attend a class and pay $400 in fines, plus court costs for possession of a controlled substance. Deejona Dixon, 21, 213 Cedar St., Jonesboro, was ordered to perform 40 hours of public service, attend an anti-alcohol class and pay $805 in fines and court costs for driving while intoxicated. —Keith Inman

Canon • Dell • HP • Lexmark • Brother • Epson • Many Others

Black Ink Reﬁll starting at

Reﬁll

995 with your empty

Recycle & Save Some Green

CARTRIDGE EXPRESS 870-932-3ink 3465 100 INK & TONER

Satisfaction

3524 E. Nettleton (Airport Center) Email: inkreﬁll@suddenlink.net

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

RECORD

THE JONESBORO SUN

www.jonesborosun.com

Probation, jail sentences imposed in Circuit Court

JONESBORO — Twelve people were placed on probation after entering negotiated guilty pleas Thursday in Craighead County Circuit Court. While none were sentenced to prison time in the Arkansas Department of Correction, each will be required to submit to police searches at any time, must abstain from the use of alcohol or illegal narcotics, report periodically to a probation officer and pay $25 per month probation fees on top of any restitution, fines or in court costs. The sentences imposed by Judge Victor Hill: • Nathan N. Wells, 18, 608 South Smith St., Trumann, possession of cocaine — five years’ suspended sentence, $631 in court costs. • Sergio Mera-Galindo, 20, 619 West Huntington Ave., Apt. C, Jonesboro, felony charge reduced to misdemeanor possession of an instrument of crime — 1-year probation, $256 in court costs. • Ledena S. Beasley, 43, 150 Greene 767 Road, Paragould, possession of cocaine — three years’ probation, $881 in court costs. • Stanley L. Porter, 20, Raleigh, N.C., felony charge reduced to misdemeanor possession of marijuana — $500 fine, $631 in court costs. • Tikesha Taylor, 24, 1149 Walker Place, Apt. 6, Jonesboro, felony charge reduced to misdemeanor criminal mischief — 1-year suspended sentence, $506 in court costs. • Julie Bari, 27, 1211 Vine St., Jonesboro, five forgeries reduced to misdemeanor theft — $506 in court costs. • Tony B. Kidd, 39, Columbus, Miss., possession of marijuana with intent to deliver — five years’ probation, $631 in court costs. • Lori Loggins, 32, 711 Vine St., Apt. 4, Jonesboro, criminal attempt to manufacture methamphetamine — five years’ probation, $631 in court costs. • David Alan Johnson, 48, 1405 Magnolia Road, Jonesboro, first-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree criminal mischief — ordered to pay $327.40 in restitution, $256 in court costs. • Taris D. Randolph, 25, 117 North Bridge St., Jonesboro, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of cocaine, two counts of driving while intoxicated — 14 days in the county jail with credit for nine days served, five years’ probation, $1,000 in fines, $1,152 in court costs. • Morgan Sable Barker, 21, 203 East Griffin St., Harrisburg, fraud to obtain drugs — three years’ probation, complete drug rehabilitation, $756 in court costs. • McKinley L. Hill Jr., 19, 3103 Fairview Drive, Jonesboro, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver — five years’ probation, $881 in court costs. Also, Blake Anderson White, 21, 7377 Arkansas 351, Goobertown, pleaded guilty to residential burglary and two counts each of theft and criminal mischief Thursday, but his sentencing was deferred to May 10. —Keith Inman

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS | South Rainbow Farm Corporation to Harold L. Fitts and Tammy K. Fitts, Lot 4 of Woodland Hills 7th Addn. BOBP Inc. to JRM8 LLC, part of Lot 1 of Thorn’s Addn. Dareth Wayne Gibson and Martha Lynn Gibson to Patricia Farmer and Darrell Taylor, part of the NE one-quarter of the SW one-quarter of S20, T15N, R5E. Carolyn Bushong to Herbert Strop Jr. and Rhonda Kildow, part of the W one-half of the NE one-quarter of the NE onequarter of S29, T15N, R3E. Mike Bosche and Joy Bosche to Douglas W. Brimhall, Lot 1 of Bosche Minor Plat. Carolyn Chambers and Dale Chambers to Turner Askew, part of the W one-half of the SW one-quarter of S26, T14N, R4E. Cheryl Reeves to Chelsey Reeves, the S 71.5 ft. of Lots 1 and 2 and all the S 71.5 ft. of the E 9.5 ft. of Lot 3 all in Bl D of Hollywood Addn. Davis Tran to David Allen Binkley, Lot 4 in Bl G of Caraway Place, Phase 2, revised. Alicia Hubbard to Jeff L. Presley and Paula D. Presley, the E 175 ft. of the W 300 ft. of Lot F of Caldwell’s Subdiv., part of the NE one-quarter of S8, T13N, R4E. Charles Rufus Black IV to Steven Brussel, Lot 73 of Key Place. Jeffery L. Presley and Paula D. Presley to Sharie D. Jones and Andrew L. Smith, part of the NW one-quarter of the NW one-quarter of S4, T14N, R3E. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Barry Melton, part of Lot 4 in Bl J of the original survey of the town of Cash. C. Mark Wilson and Jennifer L. Wilson to Jacob Weaver and Amber Weaver, Lot 1 of Wilson Minor Replat of Lot 1 of Glanton Minor Plat. Wendell Lee Grigsby, trustee of Wendell Lee Grigsby Revocable Trust, to Nicholas D. Alsbrook and Frances T. Alsbrook, Lot 18 in Bl D of Woodsprings Estates, Phase 4, revised. Hollow Creek LLC to Gregory M. Parrish and Debra Parrish, Lot 55 of Southbend Subdiv., Phase 1. Donald P. Martin Sr. and Carla J. Martin to Ingrid Zerbe, Lot 6 in Bl E of Scenic Hills Subdiv., 1st Addn, revised. Nix Development Corp. to

Carl Cook and Chris Cook, Lot 1 of Culberhouse Crossing. Mark Morris and Sarah Haney to Luis A. Sanabria Salas, Lot 2 in Bl C of Meadow Wood Subdiv., Phase 1, revised. Brian Allred and Stacey Allred to Lamon Kaiser and Amy Kaiser, Lot 5 of K and A Addn., Brookland. Jimmy Dale Pruitt, Connie Pruitt, Whitney K. Meece, Daniel Meece, Angela Moring, Myca Ferguson and Denver Ferguson to Sandra Goucher, Lot 27 and 28 of Gott Subdiv. of part of the NW one-quarter of the NW one-quarter of S12, T14N, R4E. Pamela Sneed and Ronnie Sneed to Harold Wayne Hoots, part of the NE one-quarter of the SW one-quarter of S34, T15N, R3E. Eric Burch and Ann Burch to Alan Rogers and Suzanne Rogers, Lot 170 of Sage Meadows Subdiv., Phase 2-A. Bob Gibson and Mary Jo Gibson to Susan Gibson Light, Lot 3 of Country Club Heights Addn., extended. Michael Wayne Roleson to Patricia Lynn Lacy, an undivided one-half interest in Lot 25 of Lots 21-26, Bl V of a replat of Lot 21, Bl V of No. 5 Fairway Homes of a replat of Lot 5, Bl V of RidgePointe Country Club, Phase 6 and Bl GC-F of a replat of Bl GC-F and Lot 1, Bl V of a replat of Bl GC-F and Lots 1, 2 and 4, Bl V of a replat of part of Bl V and GC-F of RidgePointe Country Club, Phase 6. Robert J. Sartin and Rachel Sartin to R & R Real Estate Investments LLC, part of Lot 1 of Sartin Minor Plat. Roscoe “Buddy” Davis and Betty Sue Davis to Jeffrey Lynn Davis, a part of the S one-half of the S one-half of the N onehalf of the SE one-quarter of the SE one-quarter of S3, T13N, R4E. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Yesenia N. Hernandez and Bacilio Hernandez, Lot 2 of Sylvan Hills Estates Addn. Brian Jeffery Belding and Lana Belding to Shirley Huckleberry, part of the NW onequarter of the NW one-quarter of S7, T13N, R4E. Bulldog Rentals LLC to William D. Conrad and Melanie Conrad, Lot 34 of Friendly Hope Estates, Phase 4. Ann Hill and Nanci Grogan to Debra West, Lot 2 in Bl C of

Briarwood 6th Addn. Earlene Blount Lindsey to Lawrence O. Stallings and Billie Sue Stallings, Lot 1 of Cooksey’s Replat of Lot 1, Bl B of Sloan’s Addn. John Adams to Candice Baxter, Lot 3 of Gibson’s Replat of Lots 2 and 3, Bl A and Lots 51 and 52 of Bl A of Barrett Place Addn. Jake Barnes Rentals-Bono Inc. to Christa M. Ashley, all of Lot 20, Bl D of B & C Subdiv., Bono. Steven Owens to Lina L. Owens, Lot 21 in Bl B of Rankin’s Oak Forest Subdiv., 6th Addn. PHH Mortgage Corp. to Federal National Mortgage Association, Lot 11 of Barney Barnhill Replat of Lots 11 and 12, Bl A of Country Manor 2nd Addn. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Michael Chad Burke, part of the E one-half of the SW one-quarter of the SE one-quarter of S3, T14N, R3E. Corey O’Quin and Megan O’Quin to Lauren Johnston, Lot 11 in Bl A of the final plat, phase 1 of Country Meadow Collection Addn. Nathan Irsch and Stephanie Irsch to Sage Meadow Development Co. Inc., a parcel of land within S35, T15N, R4E containing .04 acre, more or less. Jo Ann Hansen to Jo Ann Hansen and Gaylen H. Gregory, Apt. No. 2725-C in Greenbriar Village Horizontal Property Regime. Nick Snearly and Julie Snearly to Sam Hiser and Tammie Hiser, Lot 30 of Cline’s Replat of Woodtrace Subdiv., 2nd Addn. of the SW one-quarter of the SE one-quarter of S4, T14N, R3E. Glenda Joyce Lamkin and Larry Lamkin to Brad E. Boyd and Tracy L. Boyd, Lot 7 in Bl 2 of The Paddock Subdiv. Samuel Ray Hiser and Tammy Rene Hiser to Melanie D. Fehr, Lot B of Albert Lemke’s Replat of Lot 2 of Hannah Hills Estates Subdiv.; a replat of Lot 3 of Petrek’s Replat of Lots 1, 3, 4 and 8-12 of Hannah Hills Estates Subdiv.; and Lot 4 of Bl A of Hunter Ridge, Phase 1. James E. McAnear and Ann A. McAnear to James E. McAnear and Ann A. McAnear, trustees of the James and Ann McAnear Family Trust, Lot 44 of Pleasant Valley Estates. Eddie Joe Foster and Janis Foster to Melissa Turner, Apt. S-13 in Cambridge Court Hori-

zontal Property Regime. Christopher A. Brandon to Karen A. Nance, Lot 123 of Beaver Creek, Phase 1. Dianne L. Aycock to Josefina Oyervides and Juan Macias, the S 50 ft. of Lots 27-30 in Bl 3 of Wilson’s 2nd Addn. PH-J LLC to Willow Creek Properties LLC, Lot 1 of Katlyn Manor Minor Plat of a replat of Linda Kerr Subdiv. of part of the SE one-quarter of the NE one-quarter of S5, T13N, R4E. Jonesboro Investment Co. LLC to Jonesboro CCC Leasing LLC, part of Lot E of Fred Haywood’s Survey of the N one-half of the NE one-quarter of S20, T14N, R4E, being the Parker Brothers’ Caraway Road One Addn. James F. Ball to Bernado Mancha and Melissa Diaz, part of the W one-half of the NE onequarter of the NW one-quarter of S20, T14N, R3E. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Tara House, a part of the SE onequarter of the NE one-quarter of S5, T15N, R5E. Jewel C. Culbertson to Michael Cole and Karen Cole, a part of the SW one-quarter of the SW one-quarter of S27, T15N, R3E. Misty Dawn Damron and Jon T. Damron to Jason D. Beard, Lot 25 of Hasbrook Hills Addn. SBH Properties LLC to Ridgeland Construction Inc. Lot 103 in Beaver Creek, Phase 3. Jesse D. Salmons and Vivian Inez Salmons to Michael A. Files and Joyce A. Files, part of the NW one-quarter of the NE onequarter of S31, T14N, R3E. Alvella Hutcheson and Vick Hutcheson to Bobby Davis and Edra Davis, the NW one-quarter of the NE one-quarter and the S one-half of the NW onequarter of S11, T15N, R2E, containing 120 acres, more or less. Brett Bassham and Melissa Bassham to James Alan Rogers and Julie Cay Rogers, Lot 32 of SouthBend Subdiv. Chris A. Reed and Tara D. Williams Reed to Rodney Flowers and Brandi Flowers, part of Lots 7 and 8 in Bl G of Ryan’s Survey of the town of Brookland. Sandra K. Holland to Keith Holland, Lots 8-10 of Luster’s Subdiv. of the NE one-quarter of the NW one-quarter of S1, T15N, R3E.

Personally Handling Your POLICE, COURTS |

BUILDING PERMITS |

ASU student reports theft of purse

Jonesboro inspectors issued building permits for three new home starts during the week ended Wednesday. The owner or contractor, location and estimated value of all eight permits:

Fire Department responded to the following alarms during the 24-hour period ending at 6 p.m. Thursday. JONESBORO — Joabou M. Mitchell, 119 Dean St., • At 7:33 p.m. Wednesday, 5110 East Nettleton Apt. 406, reported the theft of $1,000 and a $10 Ave., vehicle fire. purse between 10:33 and 11:38 p.m. on April 15 to • At 10:12 p.m. Wednesday, 1802 Henry St., rubthe University Police Department. bish fire. Other reports filed in recent days include: • At 3:05 a.m. Thursday, 1305 North Floyd St., • Krystle D. Waggoner, 125 Dean St., 204 — theft smoke scare. of a wallet, ID, credit cards and checkbook from • At 8:16 a.m. Thursday, 1622 North Patrick St., her vehicle between 11:58 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 18. rubbish fire. • Amber R. Mayo, 2705 Iroquois, No. 2 — theft • At 11:27 a.m. Thursday, 300 Carson St., heavy of a $100 radio-stereo and $40 from her vehicle equipment fire. between 4-9 a.m. April 16. • At 12:19 p.m. Thursday, intersection of Cara• Solomon J. Williams, 2509 Aggie Road, No. 203 — theft of $40 worth of keys, a $150 GPS and a $10 way Road and Fox Meadow Lane, grass fire. • At 4:09 p.m. Thursday, 3813 Sunset Drive, iPod cord between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. April 15. building fire. • Gregory Jordan Hendrix, 2515 Danner Ave., • At 5:01 p.m. Thursday, 3000 East Highland 3202-B — theft of a $250 GPS, a $250 iPod and $50 Drive, electrical wire equipment problem. worth of adapter cables from a vehicle between False alarms: 9:30 p.m. April 15 and 6:30 a.m. April 16. • At 9:42 a.m. Thursday, 2810 Quality Way. —Sherry F. Pruitt • At 12:03 p.m. Thursday, 1612 French St. • At 1:54 p.m. Thursday, 3016 North Church St. Firefighters also responded to eight medical assists. JONESBORO — Firefighters with the Jonesboro

• Ridgeland Construction, 6049 Beaver Creek Drive, new home start, $125,000. • Hesche Construction, 116 West Lawson Road, new home start, $78,000. • Morris-Kidd Inc., 5803 Friendship Circle, new home start, $236,230. • J&A Construction, 5110 Prospect Road, residential alteration, $3,500. • Kenneth Grigg, 4905 Prospect Road, residential alteration, $3,500. • Harold Ferguson, 221 Dunwoody Drive, residential addition, $10,000. • Hershell Adams, 307 Ranchette Drive, residential addition, $8,000. • ABC Stone Construction, 225 South Main St., commercial alteration, $40,000.

JFD firefighters answer 19 alarms

4 2 2 1 S TA D I U M B LV D.

JONESBORO

BRACES

HOME LOANS for over 25 years.

RATES STILL LOW!

LIBBY DONOHUE Senior Vice President Mortgage Lending

870-268-5831 715 Southwest Drive Member FDIC

935.2300

CENTRAL NISSAN

for Children & Adults INVISALIGN

affordable monthly payments ING

FFER NOW O

(Interest Free)

2007 FORD FUSION

On Full

% SAVINGS Braces Consultation NO Charge

42,000 MILES #D62981

Dr. Samuel L. Watts

Orthodontist 910 Professional Acres Blvd.• 870-932-2881 MEDICAID ACCEPTED

9,995

2009 HUMMER H3

LENDERMAN 24,995 23,000 MILES #BN16250

HOMER

“A hard working person, who cares, can apply Arkansas values to better S-E-R-V-E all people. I’m running to do the most good!”

District

deserves

COMPASSIONATE

CONSERVATIVE

HOMER LENDERMAN Paid Political Ad

2907 EAST PARKER ROAD

©Jonesboro Sun

( STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE PEOPLE (

CENTRAL

NISSAN

www.centraldealerships.com

870-268-5454

FRIDAY APRIL 23, 2010 Managing Editor Maria Flora (870) 935-5525 A8

| NORTHEAST ARKANSAS |

THE JONESBORO SUN

Teacher returns to celebrate day BY ANTHONY CHILDRESS SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — It was like old times for Dr. Al Langlois, retired Arkansas State University professor of horticulture. On Thursday afternoon he stood on the University Heights Elementary School playground and, with help from students, dug a hole to plant an oak tree. “I planted all the pine trees along the front section of the grounds many years ago,” Langlois said. He pointed southward to the area where his first planting experience took place in the early 1970s when his daughter — now first-grade teacher Mitzi Young — was a UHE student. Young brought her pupils out to help shovel dirt and place the tree in a hole where they will be able to

Sherry F. Pruitt | The Sun

Pupils from Jonesboro’s Health, Wellness and Environmental Studies elementary magnet school perform during an Earth Day celebration at Arkansas State University on Thursday.

ASU hosts Earth Day events BY SHERRY F. PRUITT SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — Schoolchildren, businesses and organizations made the third annual Earth Day celebration on the Arkansas State University campus worthwhile for many. Melinda Smith, magnet specialist at Jonesboro’s Health, Wellness and Environmental Studies elementary school, emphasized the importance of the Earth and its resources. Students have studied how they can help the environment. “It’s a bigger issue than our school,” she said. “The theory is, if they’re doing things outdoors, they’ll care more about the Earth.” Students at HWES plant seeds and grow their own vegetables, herbs and flowers. At the Earth Day event, the youngsters had for sale white cock’s combs, basil, cilantro, catnip, okra, squash and other plants. They sold for $1 each, and the children have raised more than $600 in their plant-growing program. Students dressed in green shirts for the event. The T-shirts carried the slogan, “Green is the new black,” making a fashion statement, as well as an environmental declaration. At the elementary school, students have an outdoor classroom, including the garden where they grow their own produce. They eat the vegetables and herbs they raise on the school grounds. They water the garden with rain col-

lected in barrels. Speakers visit the classrooms and tell students about recycling efforts, conserving water and energy and other environmental issues. At the school’s booth at Thursday’s event, students showcased books about the Earth, an egg carton mosaic and a birdhouse made from license plates. “It’s Earth Day every day at our school,” Smith said. Smith said the school would hold a workshop devoted to conservation Thursday night for parents.

Valley View and beyond Meanwhile, Shannon Brown’s second-grade class at Valley View strutted off the bus to their booth. The students wore black sunglasses and black T-shirts with their last names on the back and the letters “CSI” — Collection, Inspiration, Awareness. “Wearing the outfits is a gimmick,” Brown said. “But it really works.” “Will you be a CSI agent too and help us protect the planet one page at a time,” one Valley View youngster asked the audience during a presentation about what her school does for the Earth. “Once a week, they wear their shirts and sunglasses. They collect everybody’s recycle paper. They fill up two bins,” Valley View Elementary Principal Pam Clark said. “It’s got everybody to thinking about recycling.” Earth Day participants carried around bags that said, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” and businesses

and organizations displayed information about their efforts and gave away prizes. Greg Watts of the Arkansas Rivers Association said his organization is 18 months old. It’s a citizens group trying to raise public awareness about critical issues facing water resources. Dr. Andrew Novobilski, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics, told the audience that Earth Day was started in 1970, and a billion celebrations are held in 190 countries. Jonesboro is fortunate to have business and industry partners that care about the environment, he said. John Risi of Frito-Lay said the company heavily recycles, noting that 97 percent of its cartons are reused at least five times before they are retired. Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin said that in years to come, the city will see more green space, have a bike route and keep clear its drainage ditches. City officials also hope some land in Jonesboro can be set aside for conservation. Thomas Lindsey of the Arkansas Forestry Commission presented the City of Jonesboro with the title of Tree City USA for the fifth year in a row. This national recognition is achieved by organizing the planning and development of tree prosperity and by meeting standards that promote the continual care and maintenance of trees. Perrin and Assistant Parks Director Jeff Owens accepted the award.

track its progress daily. With the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in full bloom this week, Young said she welcomed the opportunity to better acquaint her students with its origins and the importance of contributing to future generations by learning about nature. “We’ve been talking a lot about Earth Day and things like the rain forests and recycling,” she said. “The students have asked plenty of questions. They were really excited about coming outside to plant the tree.” Langlois shared a few recollections with his daughter’s class about when the pines were planted. He offered input about how to properly dig a tree hole, and he attached the oak to security points to enable it to grow. PLEASE SEE TEACHER, A9

Anthony Childress | The Sun

Retired Arkansas State University horticulture professor Dr. Al Langlois helps secure an oak tree he brought to University Heights Elementary School on Thursday to plant with the help of students in his daughter Mitzi Young’s first-grade class as part of Earth Day activities.

sherry@jonesborosun.com

School district’s play this weekend will focus on Holocaust

war,” the teacher said. “When she got out, this experience impacted her, and she started writJONESBORO — Patricia ing her memoirs. ... She Hesse, a teacher at the writes descriptively. You Weiner School District, can almost feel the dust is known for poignant and the cold.” projects that involve her For a long time Delbo gifted and talented stucouldn’t publish because dents. her memories were too Over the years she has recent and too painful. gone all out on projects. When the book finally There was a unit on the was published, it was in Auschwitz concentration French. By 1995 the book, camp and an oral history which contains essays, undertaking by elementary and secondary pupils sentences, thoughts and dialogues, was published who recorded anecdotes and photographs from lo- in English. During the 1960s, Delbo cal senior citizens. turned the book into a However, she said a play. drama based on the book “Everything in the play “Who Will Carry the Word?” by Charlotte Del- actually happened to this bo is the most moving and group of women,” Hesse said. “Everything she touching project she has worked on in all her years says is powerful.” Hesse said she’s wanted of teaching. GT students to perform “I believe this producthe play for several tion may just be the best years, but the timing nevthing I have ever done with my students,” Hesse er seemed right until this year. said. “You need the right Delbo, who was not group of girls to do a play Jewish, worked with the this heavy,” she said. “AlFrench Resistance opso, I wanted to do it now posing Adolf Hitler. She because of the annexation was arrested along with issue. Lots of things we 230 other young French women, most of whom did think are big problems are just mosquito bites, not survive Auschwitzbut we’ve got lots of mosBirkenau, Hesse said. quitoes around here. “What makes her in“I told the girls I don’t teresting is that she was know where we’ll end up involved in theater and as a school. Wherever we writing plays before the BY SHERRY F. PRUITT SUN STAFF WRITER

Patricia Hesse | Special to The Sun

Weiner School District actresses practice a drama that begins today. From left are Kaci Mack, Cassie Williams, Sarah Trotter and Hanna Burgess go, I want to make the play special and powerful enough to share it. I hope it will bring the schools and communities together.” The 1-act play lasts 90 minutes without a break. The play contains no staging instructions. Hesse read about and researched the play, finding a university group in New York that performed the moving drama. She said she garnered good insight from a conversation with the director. Volunteer Angie Hunt,

who has a theater background and lives in the Weiner community, is coaching the girls. Work on the play began in January and is a challenge for teen-age girls. They do not wear cosmetics, and their costumes are as if the thespians are “stepping aside and getting in someone else’s skin,” she noted. The thespians begin the play as audience members and enter the stage individually. Their clothing is replaced by black robes and head coverings

to play the roles of young women who were killed during the Hitler regime. There are dream sequences and a lot of contact among the 20 girls, who range from grade 7 to high school seniors. They all stay focused, they’re always right in the movement, and the secondary characters are just as powerful as the key players, Hesse said. One of the actors has a 3page soliloquy. As a small school district, Weiner does not have a performing arts

sherry@jonesborosun.com

NEWS TIP?

ON THE AGENDA | MONDAY Craighead County Quorum Court, 7 p.m., County Courthouse Annex.

program or center, and this is the first time students there have been involved in a drama of this level. “We may not have a lot to work with, but it in no way affects the quality,” Hesse said. Since the girls have been practicing, some have said they would like to pursue acting in college. The play will be performed in April because the week of April 11-18 is the Holocaust Days of Remembrance. Performances will be at 1 p.m. today for Weiner High students, at 7 p.m. Saturday for the public; at 2:30 p.m. Sunday for the public; and at 10 a.m. Monday for area high school students. The Weiner district will annex into the Harrisburg district beginning with the 2010-11 school year. Performances at the Harrisburg district will be held at 1 p.m. for students and at 7 p.m. for the public in the Harrisburg Performing Arts Center. “This is a genuine effort to bring together the two campuses of students and begin a collaborative effort to share the best of both schools in the future,” Hesse said.

MONDAY Sedgwick City Council, 6 p.m., Community Center.

MONDAY Paragould City Council, 7 p.m., Paragould City Hall.

TUESDAY Mississippi County Quorum Court, 7 p.m., Osceola Courthouse.

TUESDAY Cave City City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall.

935-5525 or

1-800-237-5341 e-mail: newsroom@jonesborosun.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

THE JONESBORO SUN

www.jonesborosun.com

Members of Valley View choir set to perform in New York City BY KELLIE COBB SUN STAFF WRITER

Krystin Phillips | The Sun

JONESBORO — Members of the Valley View High School Chamber Choir are New York City bound. The group will join choirs from across the country for a performance of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” at Carnegie Hall on Monday. Conductor Carol Krueger will lead soprano Eilana Lappalainen, mezzosoprano Edyta Kulczak, the New England Symphonic Ensemble and the choruses in the performance. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. ...,” said Jo Brinkle, Valley View choral director. “This will be something they will never, ever forget.” Choir members who will perform include Caroline Haynes, Shaley Tolbert, Halie Moss, Jalen Lee, Reid Shelton, Allison Smith, Hillarie Henderson, Cameron Waterworth, Riley Snell,

Mallory Gipson, Marie Bonds, Katie Marburger and Grace Maynard. They have been working on the selection for about a month after school, Brinkle said. Students will leave for New York City today. The group will join the other choirs for rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a dress rehearsal on Monday with the symphonic ensemble. The trip will not be all work for the students. Brinkle said they plan to attend two Broadway shows — “Next to Normal,” which features Jonesboro native Kyle Massey, and “The Addams Family,” a new musical starring Nathan Lane. Brinkle said they will also see other sites in the Big Apple. This isn’t the first time for the choir to perform at Carnegie Hall, Brinkle said. The last time Valley View was represented there was in January 2008. This will be senior

Katie Marburger’s second trip to Carnegie Hall. “I’ve done lots of theater ... but nothing compares to Carnegie Hall,” the senior said. “To know that so many famous people have performed on the same stage I’m performing on, it’s a great feeling.” This will be Jalen Lee’s first time to visit New York City. The junior said he is excited about the performance and “to be a part of something huge.” “I’m also looking forward to see Nathan Lane in ‘The Addams Family.’ I’m a big fan of his,” Jalen added. The Valley View Chamber Choir will be the only group from Arkansas at the performance. Other schools participating hail from Colorado, Florida, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Vermont. The students will return to Arkansas on Tuesday. kb@jonesborosun.com

Toast of the Town Will Rusher (right) navigates his father, retired surgeon A.H. “Buck” Rusher, through a crowd of friends and family at

Jonesboro on Thursday night. The “Toast of the Town” event was held in the retired surgeon’s honor at the YMCA.

Budding artists decorate walls at A-State BY SHERRY F. PRUITT SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — Writing on the wall with paint, crayons or colored pencils is an activity that gets children in trouble at home, but at Arkansas State University on Wednesday, a group of students was encouraged to decorate the hall walls in the Lab Science East Building. The fifth-grade son of Paul Sikkel, assistant professor of biology at Arkansas State, painted an ocean scene on the wall of his father’s office in the LSE Building. When Sikkel started talking to his peer, Dr. Ben Rougeau, professor of chemistry, about the artwork, they agreed that it would be good to have similar art on the walls of the fourth floor. They got permission and set out trying to find young local artists willing to showcase their talents. The ASU

Sherry F. Pruitt | The Sun

Logan Willett, a sixth-grader at Valley View Intermediate School, draws on a wall in the Lab Science East Building Wednesday on the Arkansas State University campus. Students with artistic abilities were solicited to draw and paint themes related to science in the hall of the facility.

faculty got connected with Valley View Intermediate School art students under the direction of Mary Ann Ray, art teacher for third- through sixth-graders. “We’re going to spice the walls up with science art,” Sikkel said. “We were looking for a way to integrate science with education art.” Sikkel said he sought children with artistic abilities for the art project. “They have complete freedom. As long as it has to do with science, they can paint whatever they want,” he said. The project also was a way to get youngsters in the science facility and pique their interest about the sciences. “They can come here and see what this place is like and give a contribution,” Sikkel said. The sixth-graders began with one cinder block at a time, painting small crabs. The longer they worked, the more their imagination ran, and their hands busied themselves with depictions of octopi, jellyfish, swordfish, starfish and sea turtles. Student McKenzie Burnette drew a small crab and a dinosaur four cinder blocks tall. She said drew a dinosaur because the extinct animals were “full of energy.” “I think it’s fun. It’s entertaining,” Burnette said. “I thought this would be fun and a good experience to come out here and paint,” student Logan Willett added. Student Erika Tuck asked Sikkel if he had pictures of fish bones she could use as a model for her artwork. “Do you want pictures or the real thing?” he asked. Of course, she wanted the real fish skeleton. Tuck said her class studied the Day of the Dead, and that sparked her interest to draw a fish skeleton. “With some of these, it would be nice if they were defined” in an effort to bring out the details of the mostly aquatic life, Ray said. Student Kylee Jaramillo said one of his pieces of art won a Drug Abuse Resistance Education contest, and that art is now wrapped around a police vehicle.

Kellie Cobb | The Sun

Members of the Valley View High School Chamber Choir who will perform Monday at Carnegie Hall in New York City are (front, from left) Marie Bonds, Grace Maynard, Caroline Haynes, Riley Snell,

TEACHER: Students reminded of potential legacy FROM PAGE A8 Each student was given a turn at digging the shovel into the hardened soil and flipping dirt aside. “The shovel is really big,” one boy said as he hoisted it into the air. At one point, Young had the boys digging and preparing the site while the girls gathered in two lines to lift the tree and move it

Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 7:00pm Valley View Fine Arts Center FEATURING: The Gibsons, New Beginning Quartet Tapestry, & Hearts Desire Admission by Donation

All proceeds will beneﬁt Jason & Tina Williams Family Jason has been battling leukemia since June 2008. He is 41 years old with two sons. He has been in and out of the hospital since Nov. 09. He is trying to get to Houston, Texas for a transplant. Hopefully with God’s help he will be cured.

Thanks to Pepsi Americas for their continued support for the family!

over to its new home. After all the digging — and use of a pick-ax by Langlois to clear some rock — it was time to plant. Langlois smiled broadly as the youngsters filled in the top soil and watered the tree. Young stood by, admiring the event and recalling her father’s ties to UHE’s grounds. Then she issued a challenge to

the students. “Just think,” she said. “If we do our part and make sure the tree grows, it will give someone else a place for shade when they come to school here in the years ahead.” Earth Day 2010 was literally about putting down roots for a man, his daughter and her students. anthony@jonesborosun.com

2504 Alexander Dr. @ Christian Creek Commons (Across from Parker Rd. Wal-Mart) • Huge Selection Of Wedding Invitations, Thank-You Notes, Programs, Etc. • Custom Printed Stationary, Business Cards, Announcements, & Invitations • Posters, Calendars, Displays, Brochures, Luggage Tags, Wide Format Printing • Any Kind Of Copies- Enlargements, Color, Photo, Blueprints, Spec Books • Comb and Coil Binding, Laminating, Notary Services

We Can Do Any Kind Of Printing Or Copying Job

870-931-0481 Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

We Do More Than Shipping!

sherry@jonesborosun.com

GOSPEL SINGING

(middle) Shaley Tolbert, Halie Moss, Hillarie Henderson, Allison Smith, (back) Jalen Lee, Cameron Waterworth and Katie Marburger. Not pictured are Reid Shelton and Mallory Gipson.

870-268-5418 “LAST CHANCE SALE”

These Pre-Owned Vehicles MUST GO!!! MANAGER SPECIAL SALES TAX PAID

2009 TOYOTA COROLLA LE STK# 35567

$13,990 PRE-OWNED

# 42805 2008 TOYOTA TACOMA # 02436 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA # 26608 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY # 28876 2007 TOYOTA TUNDRA # 91734 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER, 4 TO CHOOSE FROM,

www.centraltoyota.com

$15,990 $21,990 $16,990 $22,990 $23,990

6 TO CHOOSE FROM

SALES TAX PAID

# 09824 2010 TOYOTA CAMRY SE 5 TO CHOOSE FROM # 37315 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS 3 TO CHOOSE FROM # 05722 2006 BMW 325 # 86911 2008 FORD TAURUS

$19,990 $16,990 $16,990 $16,990

1/4 Mile South of Bypass, Jonesboro

FRIDAY APRIL 23, 2010 Community News Editor Myra Buhrmester (870) 935-5525 A10

| COMMUNITY |

THE JONESBORO SUN

Kathleen Dunlap named ‘Student of the Month’ JONESBORO — Kathleen Dunlap has been named April “Student of the Month” by Jonesboro Elks Lodge No. 498. The daughter of Mike and Julia Dunlap, Kathleen is a senior at Nettleton High School. She has a 3.2 grade point average and scored 21 on her ACT. Dunlap has taken several Advanced Placement courses including Pre-AP History, Pre-AP English, AP History, Honors English and college algebra. Her community volunteerism has included CityYouth Ministries, March of Dimes Chain Reaction Youth Council, Special Olympics, Miracle Rodeo and Northeast Arkansas Humane Society.

Kellie Cobb | The Sun

Rehearsing a scene from the Foundation of Arts’ production of “Flowers for Algernon” are (from left) Jason Murakami, Emily Strode, Daisy Doty and Jason Linam.

Payne to make directing debut Saturday dation productions, said her on-stage experienced has helped her be a better director. “It’s helpful to have a director know what it’s like to be on stage,” she said. “I wanted to put them in the driver’s seat. I tried to treat them like professional actors.” The play follows Charlie Gordon, who has an experimental operation that takes him from an IQ of 68 to a genius, and the effects the procedure has on Charlie, as well as his relationships. “It’s an incredible story, just watching how their lives unfold on stage,”

BY KELLIE COBB SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — Meshayla Payne was not familiar with “Flowers for Algernon,” when she first signed on to direct a stage version of the story for the Foundation of Arts. But after reading it, Payne fell in love with the story — and she hopes the community will too. Payne will make her directing debut in “Flowers for Algernon,” which opens Saturday at The Forum, 115 East Monroe Ave. Payne, who has performed in several foun-

Payne said. “I think (theater goers) will fall in love with the story once they see it. I did.” Payne said it is more challenging to play a real person as opposed to a character. “With character actors, there is no limit to what you can do. ... There’s a lot more work to being a real character,” she said. She added the cast has worked very hard on the production. “If you like theater and like to see stories told, you’re definitely going to get your money’s worth,” Payne said. “You’re going to laugh

Kathleen’s extra-curricular activities include Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, Spanish Club, Club Yield, Dance Team, Young Democrats and Walnut Street Baptist Church Youth group. She has held several leadership positions in the clubs to which she has belonged. She received an AwanaTimothy Award, Titus Award and Heart and Soul Award and is a Club Enterprise Product Winner, 4-time state Dance Team winner, second-place English award winner and FBLA winner. She plans to attend Auburn University to major in linguistics with a minor in French.

BIRTHS | Arthur James is the name chosen by Jace and Melissa Tubbs of Jonesboro for their son, who arrived Tuesday, April 13, at 3:18 p.m., at The Women’s Center at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital, weighing 6 pounds, 13 ounces. Grandparents are Dennis and Sharon Hill and Jerry and Trenea Tubbs. Great-grandparents Arnetta Tubbs and Eural Moore.

in some places. You’re going to cry in some places. Then you’ll be mad in other places,” she added. “It really runs the whole gamut of emotion.” Show times for “Flowers for Algernon” are 7 p.m. Saturday and Monday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $9 for adults, $8 for senior citizens 60 and older, $7 for Arkansas State University students and teenagers and $6 for children ages 12 and younger. Tickets are available at The Forum Box Office, by calling 935-2726 or online at www.foainjonesboro.org.

Jaxton Layne is the name chosen by Heather Sullins of Bono for her son, who arrived Friday, April 9, at The Women’s Center at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital, weighing

7 pounds, 10 ounces. Grandparents are Matt and Kim Ransbottom of Bono. Great-grandparents are Larry and Christine Newman of Bono. Klaire LilyAnn is the name chosen by John and Amber Sutton of Harrisburg for their daughter, who arrived Saturday, March 27, at 9:29 a.m., at The Women’s Center at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital, weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces. Klaire has three brothers, Gatlin, Kylan and Jace. Grandparents are Richard and Lois Sutton. Great-grandparents are Coy and Phyllis Sutton.

SOCIAL CALENDAR |

Reading Lab

Today Games Club (Bridge), 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Harlin Henry Senior Citizens Center. Senior Citizens Exercise Group, 2 to 4 p.m., Harlin Henry Senior Citizens Center.

includes comprehensive reading and writing evaluation

KITS (Keep in Touch with Seniors), 7 p.m. dance, Harlin Henry Senior Citizens Center. Walk fit class, 8 a.m., Strong Women, 9:30 a.m., spring purse swap, 10 a.m., PACE exercise class and chair

$89.95

©Jonesboro Sun

11 DAYS OF IRELAND & SCOTLAND TOUR (w/air) Bunratty Castle, Dublin Blarney Stone, and more. $

3,599* Per Person, Double Occupancy

ELAM ENTERPRISES, INC. 935-4452

E. Paul Milam, MCD, CCC-SLP

870-931-0808

Visit our website for all other services

TOURS & CRUISES

',&- :# CZiiaZidc 6kZ#! ?dcZhWdgd -,%".('",''& dg -%%".()",''& lll#igVkZa"l^i]"jh#Xdb

www.elam-enterprises.com

1792 Falls Blvd. • WYNNE 2208 Fowler, Suite C • JONESBORO

risburg. Reception to follow in the Family Life Center at the church. American Cancer Society’s Society Ball, 6 p.m., Cooper Alumni Center on the Arkansas State University campus. Saturday Night Leisure Club, 7 p.m., dance, Harlin Henry Senior Citizens Center.

JULY 31- AUGUST 10

2 ROOMS (UP TO 350 SQ. FT.)

Therapy Solutions of NEA, Inc.

Saturday, April 24 Wedding of Miss Raven King and Blake Nichols, 1 p.m., First Baptist Church in Har-

86GE:I 8A:6C>C<

targets phonological awareness, reading accuracy, reading fluency, reading comphrehension

exercise class, 10:30 a.m., beanbag baseball practice, 12:30 p.m., and Strong Women, 1 p.m., St. Bernards Senior Life Center, 700 East Washington.

T U O E S O L C

WAREHOUSE OUTLET SALE April 23-25 Lamps as low as $7 Shades as low as $3

• Friday 3pm-7pm • Saturday 7am-7pm • Sunday 1pm-5pm

3506 Airport Rd. • Jonesboro • 870-933-8010

EZ WIRELESS REPAIR

BROKEN iPHONE?

WE CAN FIX IT!! LOCALLY!! MOST iPhones Repaired for $100

HUGHEY

7 NURSERY & LANDSCAPING OPEN DAYS 2201 BROWNS LANE • JONESBORO • 870.935.4401 A WEEK

APPOINTMENTS, WALK-INS & DROP-OFFS WELCOME

Restoration IT’S SPRING CLEANING TIME AT •• Water Carpet Cleaning WOOLDRIDGE CARPET CLEANING • Upholstery Cleaning • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • CARPET CLEANING • UPHOLSTERY

SCOTT WOOLDRIDGE Owner/Operator

8 7 0

933-6694 316-2723

Gotta Spot? ott! Call Scott!

Per 15x15 room

s r

wooldridgecarpetcleaning.com

NOSTALGIA WORLD SPORTS 2400 E. Nettleton (Next to Walgreens) Jonesboro, AR

870-933-9091

Monday- Saturday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

St. Paul United Methodist Annual Church Chicken Barbeque

©Jonesboro Sun

8 7 0

CALL

LOCATED INSIDE:

Saturday April 24, 2010 11:00 am - 7:00pm Dinner Includes 1/2 chicken, bread, beans, slaw & dessert

Dine-In, Carry-Out or Delivery

2201 S. Culberhouse Street • 870-932-2083

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

NATION

THE JONESBORO SUN

A11

www.jonesborosun.com

Panel adopts Demo budget plan BY ANDREW TAYLOR ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic-dominated Senate panel Thursday approved an electionyear budget plan that cuts just a few billion dollars from President Obama’s budget for next year and puts off hard decisions on rapidly growing benefit programs. With Democrats facing potentially ruinous losses in the midterm elections, the nonbinding Senate Budget Committee measure punts politically dangerous decisions on federal retirement programs like Social Security and Medicare to a bipartisan deficit commission that’s holding its first meeting next week. The panel approved the measure by a 12-10 mostly party-line vote Thursday afternoon. To bring the deficit

down from last year’s $1.4 trillion record to $545 billion in 2015, panel chair Kent Conrad, DN.D., counts on Congress finding unrealistically

‘We’re on a course to have a junk bond government.’ Sen. Judd Gregg R-N.H. large sources of tax revenues or else about 30 million taxpayers would be hit with tax bills averaging $3,700 because of the alternative minimum tax. It also says Obama’s signature “Making Work Pay” tax credit of $800 for most couples will expire at the end of this year. The House has yet to act on a companion mea-

Lawmakers: Candidates must prove citizenship PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona lawmakers expressing doubt over whether President Barack Obama was born in the United States are pushing a bill through the Legislature that would require the president to show his birth certificate to get on the state’s 2012 ballot. The House passed the measure Wednesday on a 3129 vote, ignoring protests from opponents who said it’s casting Arizona in an ugly light and could give the elected secretary of state broad powers to kick a presidential candidate off the ballot. “We’re becoming a national joke,” Rep. Chad Campbell, a Phoenix Democrat who opposes the measure, said Thursday. The measure’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Judy Burges of Skull Valley, said she isn’t sure Obama could prove his eligibility for the ballot in Arizona and wants to erase all doubts. “You have half the population who thinks everything is fine, and you have the other half of the population who has had doubts built up in their mind,” Burges said. So-called “birthers” have contended since the 2008 presidential campaign that Obama is ineligible to be president because, they argue, he was actually born in Kenya, his father’s homeland. The Constitution says that a person must be a “natural-born citizen” to be eligible for the presidency. Hawaii officials have repeatedly confirmed Obama’s citizenship, and his Hawaiian birth certificate has been made public.

sure, despite an April 15 deadline. And there’s no guarantee that it will, since passing a budget projecting big deficits and generating almost $5 trillion in debt over the coming five fiscal years is a bad vote, especially for moderate Democrats in GOP-leaning districts. Under the arcane congressional budget process, the annual budget resolution is a nonbinding resolution — not a law requiring the president’s signature — that sketches out a fiscal blueprint for the country. Actual changes to spending or tax policy, however, require follow-up legislation. As a practical matter, this year’s budget outline is pretty much a standpat measure. It would impose an almost $10 billion cut from Obama’s budget for the annual operating budgets for

Nearly 4M citizens could receive fines WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 4 million Americans — the vast majority of them middle class — will have to pay a penalty if they don’t get insurance when President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul law kicks in, according to congressional estimates released Thursday. The penalties will average a little more than $1,000 apiece in 2016, the Congressional Budget Office said in a report. Most of the people paying the fine will be middle class as Obama’s comprehensive law is phased in over the next few years. In his 2008 campaign for the White House, Obama pledged not to raise taxes on individuals making less than $200,000 a year and couples making less than $250,000.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Measure the Candidates Saturday, April 24, 2010

Craighead County Fairground Main Exhibit Building

Candidates for Races for County, State & National Ofﬁces Will Be HERE to State Their Positions 12:00 Noon – 12:10 PM State Supreme Court Assoc. Justice Pos. 3 John Fogelman Courtney Henry 12:10 – 12:20 PM Prosecuting Attorney District 2 Scott Ellington Curtis Hitt 12:20 – 12:30 PM Circuit Clerk Ann Hudson Shirley Park 12:30 – 12:40 PM State Land Commissioner L.J. Bryant Monty Davenport 12:40 – 12:50 PM County Sheriff Paul Culbreath Jack McCann 12:50 – 1:10 PM Judge Duane Harvey Ed Hill Mark Hogan George Johnson Ray Kidd 1:10 – 1:30 PM State Rep. Dist. 76 Eddie Dunigan Homer Lenderman Jim Martin Wed Wagner 1:30 – 1:40 PM State Rep. Dist. 75 Joan Cash Jon Hubbard 1:40 – 2:00 PM Secretary of State Mark Martin Pat O’Brien Doris Tate Mark Wilcox

domestic agencies and from foreign aid. It also would create an opportunity for Democrats to pass a filibuster-proof measure that could include provisions to create jobs or boost energy efficiency. But the true drivers of the deficit are Medicare and Social Security, as well as the Medicaid health-care program for the poor and disabled, and the Democratic proposal does nothing to rein them in even as their costs are exploding with the retirement of the Baby Boom generation. “The bottom line is this: We are on an unsustainable path,” said Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, the panel’s top Republican. “We’re on a course to have a junk bond government. And this budget doesn’t do anything to significantly adjust that.”

2:00 – 2:20 PM Lt. Governor Shane Broadway Donnie Copeland Mark Darr 2:20 – 2:30 PM Governor Jim Keet 2:30 – 3:00 PM Special Guests: Attorney General, Dustin McDaniel State Rep. Dist. 74, Butch Wilkins Senate Dist. 14, Paul Bookout 3:00 – 4:10 PM Senator Candidates Blanche Lincoln Randy Alexander Gilbert Baker John Boozman Curtis Coleman Kim Hendren Jim Holt D.C. Morrison Christopher Nogy Fred Ramey Conrad Reynolds 4:10 – 5:06 PM US Congress Dist. 1 Steven Bryles Chad Causey David Cook Rick Crawford Mickey Higgins Ben Ponder Princella Smith Tim Woolridge

Free Hotdogs & Soft Drinks This year we will be partnering with KAIT and Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation to provide live coverage in streaming video of the meetings and will broadcast these regionally. Public Service ad paid for by Craighead County Farm Bureau, David Gairhan, President, PO Box 2397, Jonesboro, AR

Republicans have criticized the requirement that Americans get coverage, even though the idea was originally proposed by the GOP in the 1990s and is part of the Massachusetts healthcare plan signed into law in 2006 by then Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican. Attorneys general in more than a dozen states are working to challenge it in federal court as unconstitutional. “The individual mandate tax will fall hardest on Americans who can least afford to pay it, many of whom were promised subsidies by the Democrats and who the president has promised would not pay higher taxes,” said Rep. Dave Camp of Michigan, the top Republican on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

AROUND THE NATION |

Police: DNA match made in cold case YONKERS, N.Y. (AP) — A man now accused of raping and strangling three women in a New York suburb starting 21 years ago was never even suspected until he submitted a DNA sample after a drunken-driving arrest last year, officials said Thursday. Investigators had looked at “way more than 100” other potential suspects over the years before they found the blood sample from Francisco Acevedo, 41, matched DNA evidence from the killings, said Yonkers Detective John Geiss. Geiss, the only Yonkers officer workAcevedo ing full-time on cold cases, said he’d been on the serial killings for “nine long years.” The killings, which were linked to each other by DNA and other evidence, occurred in 1989, 1991 and 1996. “I didn’t think we’d see the day that we’d come to the point we’re at now,” he said.

Man charged in death of L.A. mother LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man was charged Thursday with the March murder of a Hollywood woman whose husband and youngest daughter were slain in 2008. Alberd Tersargyan of Los Angeles was arrested Tuesday evening at his Hollywood-area home, where authorities found a small-caliber handgun, Capt. Kevin McClure said. Police were continuing to investigate whether Tersargyan was involved in the 2008 killings. The most recent murder occurred March 26, when Karine Hakobyan, 38, was shot to death in a carport at her apartment complex. Prosecutors said she had arrived home and parked about 8 p.m. when Tersargyan shot her in the head.

Government to appeal Prayer Day ruling MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Obama administration said Thursday it will appeal a court decision that found the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb in Madison ruled last week the National Day of Prayer that Congress established 58 years ago amounts to a call for religious action. In a notice filed Thursday, the Justice Department said it will challenge the decision in the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. The notice came after about two dozen members of Congress condemned the ruling and pressed for an appeal.

Watchdog: Senator took illegal donations WASHINGTON (AP) — An ethics watchdog group filed a federal complaint Thursday accusing Republican Sen. David Vitter of accepting illegal campaign contributions from a California dry cleaning company that wanted stimulus money. The group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington called the donations a “conduit contribution scheme” used by a private company to Vitter curry favor with the Louisiana lawmaker facing re-election this year. It asked the Federal Election Commission to investigate and penalize Vitter and the company. Questions have swirled around a fund raiser Vitter held with executives of U.S. Dry Cleaning Corp.

A12

THE JONESBORO SUN

WORLD

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

www.jonesborosun.com

Clinton: No early end to U.S. nukes in Europe BY ROBERT BURNS AP NATIONAL SECURITY WRITER

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday ruled out an early withdrawal of U.S. nuclear forces from Europe, telling a NATO meeting that any reductions should be tied to a nuclear pullback by Russia, which has far more of the weapons in range of European targets. No such negotiation with Russia is in the offing, and Moscow has shown little interest thus far in bargaining away its tactical nuclear arms. Clinton also said the Obama administration wants NATO to accept missile defense as a core mission of the alliance, making it part of a broader effort to combat the dangers posed by nuclear,

biological and chemical weapons and the missiles that deliver them. She said missile defense and nuclear weapons are complementary means of deterring an attack on the U.S. and its alliance partners. A copy of her prepared remarks, delivered at a private dinner she attended with representatives of 27 other NATO member countries, was provided by her staff. Shortly before she spoke, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told a news conference that in his view the U.S. nuclear weapons play a vital defensive role in Europe and should not be removed as long as other countries possess nuclear weapons. “I do believe that the presence of the American nuclear weapons in Eu-

rope is an essential part of a credible deterrent,” Fogh Rasmussen said. Some European members of NATO, including Germany, have said the time has come for the U.S. to withdraw its remaining Cold War-era nuclear weapons from Europe. They cite President Barack Obama’s pledge in Prague last year to seek a nuclear-free world. The Germans were joined by fellow NATO members Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Luxembourg late last year in requesting that the nuclear issue be put on the Tallinn agenda. It normally is dealt with by defense rather than foreign affairs officials. But some newer NATO members who previously were part of the former Soviet Union or its Warsaw Pact military bloc are

30 OFF ONE ITEM % e v a 25 OFF $ EVERYTHING ELSE %

e v a $

Today Through April 29

Hudson

Club Room

Sofa

Starting At

839

Sale Price Plus Tax

Alex

Tyler

1,311

Sofa Starting At

704

Sofa Starting At

Sale Price Plus Tax

1,311

Timur Nisametdinov, NIPA | AP

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet (left) and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speak during their meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, on Thursday. opposed to a U.S. nuclear withdrawal. They argue that the presence of the weapons is the surest guarantee of their territorial integrity. In her dinner remarks, Clinton made clear that as NATO embarks on a discussion about the future

Blasts kill one

BANGKOK (AP) — Soldiers and civilians hauled away bloodied victims after a series of grenade attacks Thursday in a new burst of violence in Thailand’s chaotic capital — the scene of a tense, weekslong standoff between anti-government protesters and security forces. A Thai woman was killed and 75 other people wounded, according to the government’s Erawan emergency center. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said attackers shot five M-79 grenades from a nearby area where the anti-government Red Shirt protesters are encamped. But his brief statement televised live late Thursday night on all channels seemed to stop short of directly blaming the Red Shirts, and he urged people who had been demonstrating against them to leave the area for their own safety. Advertisement

Redin Park 5 Pc. Dining Set Starting At

2,066

Fibromyalgia?

Redin Park

“Free Report Reveals The Shocking Truth About the “natural” Treatment Your Doctor Probably Doesn’t Know ... ”

Panel Bed Starting At

Sale Price Plus Tax

675 Custom Sofas Starting At

999

Jonesboro – This free report reveals a natural procedure that is giving fibromyalgia sufferers their “lives back” – with miraculous results for many. For your free copy, call 1-888-545-7375 toll-free, 24hrs. – There Is Hope For FM Sufferers –

of its nuclear weapons policy, it should be guided by an agreed set of principles — starting with a commitment that decisions will be made by the group, not unilaterally by Washington. And she said that sticking with a nuclear NATO

is consistent with Obama’s Prague speech because the administration believes it should seek a balance between reducing the role of nuclear weapons in the world and meeting the future security needs of the alliance. The Russian view is that its tactical nuclear weapons within range of European NATO countries are based on its own territory — unlike the American weapons. And so it wants the U.S. to take the first step by pulling its arms back to U.S. soil. This has not been a substantial irritant in U.S.-Russian relations, however, and those ties were given a boost earlier this month with the agreement on a new START treaty that reduces each side’s allowable number of strategic nuclear weapons by roughly 30 percent.

AROUND THE WORLD |

U.S. detains passenger in Puerto Rico SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — U.S. federal agents detained a passenger Thursday on a New York-bound jet from West Africa, with the jet’s captain telling passengers the man was on a “no-fly” list and ineligible for international travel for undisclosed security reasons. Customs and Border Protection agents detained the man while the Delta Air Lines jet stopped to refuel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, after an overnight trip from Dakar, Senegal. The flight originated in Nigeria, the native country of a man accused of boarding a Detroit-bound airplane from Amsterdam in December with a bomb hidden in his underwear. It was unclear if the man detained in Puerto Rico boarded the plane in Nigeria or Senegal, and his name and nationality were not disclosed. He was not immediately charged with any crime and Customs and Border Protection issued a statement identifying him only as “potential person of interest,” who was removed from the flight for questioning.

U.N. launches Web site to track Haiti aid UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations has launched a new Web site to ensure the efficient use of the more than $9 billion in aid pledged to Haiti at a donor’s conference last month. Martin Nesirky, spokesman for the U.N. secretarygeneral, said Thursday the Web site is intended to help the Haitian government address the challenges linked to the management of foreign aid. The site is intended to help hold donors to their promises and ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the money. The site’s address is www.refondation.ht.

Netanyahu: Iran aims to provoke conflict JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran is trying to provoke a war between Israel and Syria. Netanyahu said Iran is trying to convince Syria that an Israeli attack is imminent, which he said is a “lie.” Tensions have been high recently between Israel and Syria. The sides have traded threats, and last week Israel accused Syria of smuggling powerful rockets to the Lebanese guerillas of Hezbollah. Syria denied the charge. Speaking in an interview Thursday with Israel’s Channel 2 TV, Netanyahu repeated the charge that Syria and Iran are arming Hezbollah.

Sale Price Plus Tax 3 Arms to Choose From

SPRING TUNE-UP SPECIAL $69.95 Get a Spring Tune-up and KEEP COOL all Summer If your system fails this season, ABC Air Conditioning WILL refund the tune-up fee towards your new unit. ABC Air provides the JONESBORO / PARAGOULD AND SURROUNDING AREAS and stands behind everything we do with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. CALL 870.934.8860 TODAY FOR YOUR TUNE-UP SPECIAL.

located at

870-336-1620

1. Test Starting Capabilities 2. Monitor Refrigerant Pressure 3. Clean and Adjust Blower Components 4. Measure Temperature Difference $

*WAC- See Stores for Details

20 off your other service needs when you mention this ad

870.934.8860

ABC AIR CONDITIONING WILL: 5. Check for Correct Air-Flow 6. Tighten Electrical Connections 7. Measure Volts/ Amps 8. Check Evaporator Coil 9. Clean Condenser Coil Plumbing & Electrical Heating & Air

10. Clean Condensate Drains 11. Adjust Thermostat Calibration CONTRACTOR 12. MonitorGENERAL AC Cycles GENERAL CONTRACTOR Licensed & Insured 13. Test Safety Controls Licensed & Insured Lic. #MP3983 - M6249 - Gc01848404

GENERAL CONTRACTOR GENERAL HVACCONTRACTOR #2121527 Licensed & Insured

Lic. #MP3983 - M6249 - Gc01848404

Lic. #MP3983 - M6249 - Gc01848404 HVAC #2121527

Jonesboro 870-934-8880 Paragould 870-236-9866 3105 Parker Annex Jonesboro, AR 72404

Attention Members & Guests

p U d e Fir r The o F ! n y u l i F m a F e l Who

?6E6C:H: HI:6@=DJH: Hjh]^ HiZV` HZV[ddY .,'"**-* *Must be 21 to join & Minors must be accompanied by an adult

Expanded Dining Area

'-&% :# =^\]aVcY 9g 6Xgdhh [gdb IjgiaZ 8gZZ` BVaa

M-TH 11 TO 9:30 PM FRI & SAT 11 TO 10 SUN 11 TO 9 PM

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

ALMANAC

THE JONESBORO SUN

A13

www.jonesborosun.com

THE DETAILS |

6QFC[ U (QTGECUV

City/Region High | Low temps

Forecast for Friday, April 23

Today: Partly sunny with a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds 10-15 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent. Tonight: Thunderstorms. Lows in the mid-60s. The high in Jonesboro on Thursday was 81 degrees, preceded by an over-

MO. Fayetteville 70° | 61°

Jonesboro 79° | 63°

OKLA. Fort Smith 74° | 61°

WATER LEVELS |

Little Rock 77° | 61°

Thursday’s river and lake levels showing 7 a.m. flood stage and 24hour change.

Hot Springs 77° | 61°

Pine Bluff 79° | 61°

MISS.

El Dorado 77° | 63°

TEXAS

LA.

Partly Cloudy

Thunderstorms

Cloudy

Ice

Flurries Rain

Showers

Snow Weather Underground • AP

0CVKQPCN HQTGECUV Forecast highs for Friday, April 23

Sunny

Cloudy

Pt. Cloudy

50s 60s 60s

Sherry F. Pruitt | The Sun

Happy Earth Day Stella Rose Spades, 17 months old, plays with a phone and listens to the emcee at the third annual Earth Day celebration on the Arkansas State University campus Thursday. She is the daughter of Joe and Megan Spades.

70s

50s

60s 70s

80s

20s 30s 40s

Fronts Cold

70s

Warm Stationary

Pressure Low

High

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CALENDAR | Showers

Events listed in this column are generally open to the public although admission fees may be charged. To request changes or additions or notify The Sun of special meetings for this listing, call 935-5525 or 1-800237-5341, fax to 935-5823 or e-mail to newsroom@ jonesborosun.com. Today Craighead County Circuit Court chambers day, 9:30 a.m., room 3M at the Craighead County Courthouse. Monday Craighead County Quorum Court, 7 p.m., third floor courtroom in County Courthouse Annex. Jackson County School District, 7 p.m., administration building in Tuckerman. Lawrence Memorial Hospital-Lawrence Hall Nursing Center, hospital boardroom, 6:30 p.m. Paragould City Council, 7 p.m., Paragould City Hall. Blytheville School Board, 6 p.m., administration office boardroom, 405 West Park St. Sedgwick City Council, 6 p.m., Community Center. Gosnell School Board, 7:30

p.m., school administration building. Hillcrest School Board, 5:30 p.m., superintendent’s office, Strawberry campus. Poinsett County Circuit Court plea and arraignment day, 9:30 a.m., Poinsett County Detention Center in Harrisburg. Trumann Planning and Zoning Commission, 6 p.m., Trumann District Courtroom. Tuesday City Water and Light Board of Directors, 1:15 p.m., CWL headquarters, 400 East Monroe Ave. Cave City City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall. Highland City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall. Mississippi County Quorum Court, 7 p.m., Osceola Courthouse. Craighead County Circuit Court criminal appeals day, 9:30 a.m., room 4A at the Craighead County Courthouse. Wednesday Craighead County Solid Waste Commission, 3:30 p.m., 238 County Road 476. Craighead County Circuit Court criminal appeals day, 9:30 a.m., room 4A at the Craighead County Courthouse.

Rain

T-storms

night low of 59. The National Weather Service said 0.09 of an inch of rain fell in the city during the 24-hour period ending at 7 p.m. Thursday, bringing the precipitation mark for the year to 7.89 inches. Sunrise: 6:20 a.m. Sunset: 7:43 p.m.

Flurries

Snow

Ice

Weather Underground • AP

Mississippi River Cape Girardeau 32 27.1 New Madrid 34 16.5 Tiptonville 37 19.0 Caruthersville 32 18.6 Osceola 28 12.5 Memphis 34 13.3 Helena 44 21.3 Arkansas City 37 22.1 Greenville 48 34.7 Vicksburg 43 32.5 Natchez 48 41.8 Arkansas River Van Buren 22 18.9 Ozark l/D tw 357 339.2 Dardanelle 32 7.1 Morrilton 30 12.4 Toad Suck tw 275 254.7 Little Rock 23 7.5 Pendleton 31 26.2 Fourche Lafave River Gravelly 24 1.9 Houston 25 12.0 Bayou Meto Lonoke — 6.9 White River Calico Rock 19 8.9 Batesville Bridge 15 8.7 Newport 26 13.9 Augusta 26 26.7 Georgetown 21 16.0 Des Arc 24 19.5 DeValls Bluff — 20.2 Clarendon 26 25.9 St. Charles — 24.2 Buffalo River Boxley — 1.6 St. Joe 27 5.1 Hwy 14 — 3.8 Black River Corning 15 4.9 Pocahontas 17 6.7 Black Rock 14 8.0 Elgin Ferry — 13.6 Spring River Hardy 10 3.8 Imboden 18 4.9

-0.7 -0.6 -0.7 -0.6 -0.9 -0.7 -1.2 -1.0 -1.1 -1.4 -1.1 -0.1 -1.0 -2.1 0.3 0.9 -0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.6 0.0 1.4 -0.7 -0.4 -0.4 -0.7 -0.7 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 -0.3 0.0 -0.1

Eleven Point River Ravenden Springs 15 4.3 0.0 Strawberry River Poughkeepsie — 2.5 0.0 Cache River Egypt — 5.7 0.1 Patterson 8 4.7 -0.2 Cotton Plant — 8.0 -1.4 Bayou Deview Morton — 13.4 -0.1 Ouachita River Arkadelphia 17 5.5 0.7 Camden 26 6.2 -0.2 Thatcher l/D hw 79 77.0 0.0 Thatcher l/D tw 79 65.3 -0.4 Moro Bay St Pk — 65.0 0.0 Felsenthal hw 70 65.0 0.0 Felsenthal tw 70 53.8 0.8 Saline River Benton 18 3.7 0.0 Sheridan — 4.5 0.0 Rye 26 6.7 -0.1 Warren — 6.7 -0.1 Little Missouri River Boughton 20 2.3 0.1 Bayou Bartholomew Garrett Bridge — 6.9 -0.3 Mcgehee — 7.1 -0.2 St. Francis River St. Francis 18 9.4 -0.1 Oak Donnic — 10.6 -0.2 Madison 32 5.6 -0.6 Little River Basin Lakes Lake DeQueen 437.5 0.0 Gillham Lake 502.8 0.0 Dierks Lake 526.6 0.1 Millwood Lake 259.8 0.0 Arkansas River Basin Lakes Blue Mountain Lake 387.3 0.0 Nimrod Lake 343.4 0.0 White River Basin Lakes Beaver Lake 1124.0 0.0 Table Rock Lake 915.0 0.0 Bull Shoals Lake 657.2 -0.4 Norfork Lake 555.0 -0.1 Greers Ferry Lake 461.3 0.0

FIVE-DAY FORECAST

FRI

UPPER

LOWER

70s MID 60s

70s MID 50s

SAT

SUN

LOWER

UPPER

70s UPPER 40s

60s UPPER 40s

MON

TUE

AROUND THE NATION | By The Associated Press Temperatures indicate Thursday’s high and overnight low to 7 p.m. Hi Lo Prc Otlk Albany, N.Y. 67 41 clr Albuquerque 54 43 .13 clr Anchorage 41 34 .16 cdy Asheville 72 36 cdy Atlanta 78 51 cdy Atlantic City 73 52 .04 clr Baltimore 73 46 cdy Birmingham 82 50 cdy Bismarck 72 34 cdy Boise 61 43 clr Buffalo 53 37 clr Burlington, Vt. 58 40 clr Casper 50 46 .02 rn Charleston, S.C. 80 49 cdy Charleston, W.Va. 73 40 rn Charlotte, N.C. 75 43 cdy Cheyenne 46 44 1.18 rn Chicago 60 38 rn Cincinnati 71 41 rn Cleveland 55 43 cdy

Columbia, S.C. Columbus, Ohio Concord, N.H. Dallas-Ft Worth Denver Des Moines Detroit Duluth El Paso Evansville Fargo Flagstaff Grand Rapids Great Falls Greensboro, N.C. Hartford Spgfld Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Jackson, Miss. Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock

79 70 69 73 61 73 60 56 65 75 69 39 61 73 74 74 83 79 73 83 83 61 56 84

46 42 42 59 48 46 37 26 57 50 38 28 36 41 47 46 70 58 46 52 53 51 47 56

m .69

.01 .07

.86 .04

cdy cdy clr cdy rn rn cdy clr clr cdy cdy cdy cdy cdy cdy clr cdy cdy rn cdy clr rn cdy rn

Los Angeles Louisville Memphis Milwaukee Mpls-St Paul Nashville New Orleans New York City Norfolk, Va. Oklahoma City Omaha Orlando Pendleton Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Portland, Maine Portland, Ore. Providence Raleigh-Durham Reno Richmond Sacramento St Louis

61 74 82 49 66 76 80 72 73 74 69 83 65 72 67 68 66 61 68 75 45 75 66 74

50 49 61 37 34 47 61 51 48 59 42 63 44 53 53 42 43 43 46 44 33 45 47 53

.01

.06

.38 .53 .06

clr rn rn cdy cdy cdy cdy clr cdy cdy rn cdy cdy clr cdy cdy cdy cdy cdy cdy clr cdy clr rn

Salt Lake City 54 38 .25 rn San Antonio 72 64 cdy San Diego 60 52 .18 clr San Francisco 65 48 cdy Santa Fe 59 39 .03 clr St Ste Marie 53 29 clr Seattle 55 42 cdy Shreveport 82 57 rn Sioux Falls 73 35 rn Spokane 66 42 .14 cdy Syracuse 50 43 clr Tampa 80 64 clr Topeka;60 49 1.01 cdy Tucson 59 43 .09 rn Tulsa 81 61 rn Washington, D.C. 74 50 cdy Wichita 70 60 .09 cdy Wilmington, Del. 72 51 .11 clr National temperature extremes for Thursday High — 91 at Pecos, Texas Low — 14 at Land O’Lakes, Wis., and Kenton, Mich. m — indicates missing information.

HIGHLIGHTS IN HISTORY | BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Today is Friday, April 23, the 113th day of 2010. There are 252 days left in the year. Today’s highlight in history: On April 23, 1910, former President Theodore Roosevelt delivered his famous “Man in the Arena” speech at the Sorbonne in Paris. In it, Roosevelt declared, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.”

On this date: In 1616, English poet and dramatist William Shakespeare, 52, died on what has been traditionally regarded as the anniversary of his birth in 1564. In 1789, Presidentelect George Washington moved into the first executive mansion, the Franklin House, in New York. In 1791, the 15th president of the United States, James Buchanan, was born in Franklin County, Pa. In 1896, the Vitascope system for projecting movies onto a screen was publicly demonstrated in New York City.

In 1940, about 200 people died in the Rhythm Night Club Fire in Natchez, Miss. In 1954, Hank Aaron of the Milwaukee Braves hit the first of his record 755 major-league home runs, in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. (The Braves won, 7-5.) In 1968, student protesters began occupying buildings on the campus of Columbia University in New York; police put down the protests a week later. In 1969, Sirhan Sirhan was sentenced to death for assassinating New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. (The sentence was

later reduced to life imprisonment.) In 1985, the Coca-Cola Co. announced it was changing the secret flavor formula for Coke (negative public reaction forced the company to resume selling the original version). In 1998, James Earl Ray, who’d confessed to assassinating the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and then insisted he’d been framed, died at a Nashville hospital at age 70. Ten years ago: Elian Gonzalez spent a secluded Easter with his father at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, a day after the 6-year-old was

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION MONTH

4DR SDN 40,841 MILES, $14,995

4DR, SDN, 37,847 MILES $12,995

870.935.5575

of Italy’s 60th postwar government. Recently created Web site YouTube uploaded its first video, consisting of 19 seconds of co-founder Jawed Karim in front of an elephant pen at the San Diego Zoo. Renowned British actor Sir John Mills died in Denham, England, at age 97. One year ago: President Barack Obama met privately with leading executives of credit-card issuing companies; afterward, the president said he was determined to get a credit-card law passed that eliminated the tricky fine print, sudden rate increases and late fees.

KIDS EAT FREE!!!

2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA

2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA

removed from his Miami relatives’ home in a predawn raid by immigration agents. Twenty-one tourists and workers were kidnapped from a Malaysian diving resort by Abu Sayyaf rebels. (All were later freed in exchange for millions of dollars in ransom reportedly financed by Libya.) Five years ago: Leaders of China and Japan met in Jakarta, Indonesia, to try to settle their nations’ worst dispute in three decades but failed to reach an agreement in the bitter feud over Tokyo’s handling of its World War II atrocities. Silvio Berlusconi was sworn in as head

Best Quality Chinese food in Jonesboro

• Every Day 4:30-9:30 • Dine In Only • W/ paid adult buffet •Limit 1 per family •10yr and under Voted Got Local Favorite Asian Restaurant several years in a row.

3207 Stadium Blvd. • Jonesboro

2700 S Caraway Jonesboro 931.1688

FRIDAY APRIL 23, 2010 Features Editor Kellie Cobb (870)-935-5525 A14

| FIT |

THE JONESBORO SUN

Staying fit on the road: Let Web be your guide ANNE WALLACE ALLEN FOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Matthias Morel, an airport marketing consultant who travels a lot for work, likes to stay in shape. So Morel does not care to check into a hotel only to discover that the gym is in a converted guest room crammed with outof-date equipment or in a windowless basement cell with no air-conditioning. Hoping to spare other travelers that experience, Morel, 27, and three partners have started HotelGymReview.com, where users can review their hotel gym experiences and find the best hotel gyms when they are traveling. Morel’s site — www .hotelgymreview.com — is just one of many new tools that make it easier to get a good workout on the road. Some sites, such as HotelGymReview, feature user-generated reviews to steer travelers toward the hotels with the best gym amenities. Sites also have been created for runners, such as Run. com — http://www.run. com/, which direct travelers to safe, measured running routes in unfamiliar places. Many hotels with exercise facilities also provide in-room workouts through programs like the cable station Exercise TV, www.exercisetv.tv/. Others, such as selected Marriotts, will set up a Wii Fit on request. Some Westin hotels — http:// bit.ly/WhmHe — even

have exercise equipment in selected guest rooms. Sheraton hotels offer free “workout in a bag” kits, with a mat, stretch rope and other items for guests to use in their rooms. Being able to exercise on the road is critical to business travel, said Ben Schwartzman, a Boise, Idaho-based lawyer who flies around the United States for his litigation work. “Everything else being equal, I’ll try to find a hotel that has better exercise facilities,” said Schwartzman, 40. “To me, that’s a selling point for a hotel.” And the quality of the facility matters. Like Morel, Schwartzman does not care for doing his workout on 1980s-era equipment in an ill-lit basement room. Fortunately, travelers who are willing to do their homework have plenty of choices. Here are some options for staying fit on the road. • A low-tech hotel room workout: Jennifer Galardi, a dance and fitness trainer for Exercise TV, believes you can get a good workout anywhere, even without a gym. She regularly stretches and lifts weight with furniture to fit exercise into her hectic travel schedule. Exercise TV content is available in 1.1 million rooms at hotels including DoubleTree, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Omni, and Radisson, but none of those chains have it in every room. Ask before you book. Exercise TV also offers online work-

outs and has an iPhone application. • Yoga: Schwartzman researches online before he travels to find a good yoga studio near his hotel. Without a studio, he carries a yoga mat and does yoga in his hotel room. Kimpton Hotels — www.kimptonhotels .com/services/yoga.aspx — offer guests a yoga kit at check-in. If you have your laptop with you, Core Power Yoga — www.corepoweryoga .com/ — offers podcasts of yoga instruction. • Running: If you prefer to do your workout outdoors, www.run.com/ can point you toward more than 11,200 running routes, with mileage. The site has running routes in all 50 states plus dozens of other countries (five in Cambodia alone). Visitors can choose from 2mile, 5-mile, and more demanding routes. In the absence of a good gym, Galardi recommended that travelers just use what is at hand. “There are a number of things you can do without equipment,” said Galardi, who travels frequently for her job and often works out using hotel furniture — including chairs, for leg-strengthening squats. “Resistance bands don’t take up a lot of room in a suitcase or weigh a lot. “I think people get spoiled,” she said. “They’re used to the best and the latest equipment, but you don’t need it. Actually the older things are better because you need to work hard to make them work.”

Kellie Cobb | The Sun

Dr. Courtney Hoffman puts drops in Stuart Cooper’s eyes at the Wood-Hoffman Vision Clinic in Jonesboro.

Dry eye syndrome treatable JONESBORO — There are very few things as irritating as chronic dry, burning and gritty eyes. Nearly half the adult population experience this daily, and many times it could be treated. “Very often, red, irritated eyes are due to dry eye syndrome”, said Dr. Courtney Hoffman with Wood-Hoffman Vision Clinic. “We see people every day that suffer from this discomfort. Often, they do not know that it’s treatable and assume they just have to live with it.” Typical symptoms of dry eye syndrome are burning, a sandy-gritty sensation, dryness or oddly enough, excessive watering. Symptoms may also be described as itchy, scratchy, stingy or tired eyes, Hoffman said. Other symptoms are pain, redness, contact lens intolerance and fluctuating or decreased vision. There may be a feeling that something, such as a

speck of dirt, is in the eye. The resultant damage to the eye surface increases discomfort and sensitivity to bright light. Both eyes usually are affected. Dry eye syndrome is most often caused by decreased tear production or abnormal tear composition. Aging is the most common cause of dry eyes, because tear production decreases with age, particularly in females, Hoffman said. There are other causes such as systemic medication side effects, extended computer use, changing hormones, systemic diseases and acne rosacea. About half of contact lens users complain of dry eyes or contact lens intolerance. Dry eye syndrome also occurs or gets worse after LASIK and other refractive surgeries, in which the corneal nerves are cut, Hoffman said. The corneal nerves stimulate tear secretion, but become

desensitized after being severed. Dry eye caused by these procedures usually resolves after several months, but may sometimes cause discomfort for longer. A variety of approaches can be taken to treat dry eye syndrome including avoidance of exacerbating factors, tear stimulation and supplementation, increasing tear retention and eyelid cleansing and treatment of eye inflammation. Many treatments are things that one can do at home. However, some people need prescription dry eye medication to ultimately find relief. There are various tests that are used to diagnose dry eye syndrome including a Slit Lamp exam of the tear film break up time, a Schirmer’s test which measures the rate of tear production using a calibrated paper wick placed on the edge of the eyelid, general observation, and a thorough case history.

Research dispels myths about rural fitness BY HOLLY RAMER ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

Jim Cole | AP

Charles Hughes and Amanda Dow hike down from Mount Major in Alton, N.H., on April 14. From hiking and biking to skiing and shoveling snow, staying physically active in rural northern New England might sound like a cinch. But researchers who have begun exploring how to promote healthy living in rural communities are digging beneath that scenic surface.

Paid Political Ad

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — From hiking and biking to skiing and shoveling snow, staying physically active in rural northern New England might sound like a cinch. But researchers who have begun exploring how to promote healthy living in rural communities are digging beneath that scenic surface. “From the outside looking in, you say, ’Oh, they don’t need a park, they have the woods. But the woods can be as much of a deterrent to being physically active as a freeway, depending on how you look at it,” said Barbara McCahan, director of the Center for Active Living and Healthy Communities at Plymouth State University. The New Hampshire

school is one of a handful of universities looking at ways to encourage active living, health and wellness in rural places. Researchers say the work is important because people living in rural communities are at greater risk for obesity, and past research focused on cities and suburbs has often produced conclusions that are a poor fit for rural towns. Adding sidewalks and bike paths so children can exercise on their way to school makes sense in cities and suburbs, but those aren’t realistic options in a rural town where the school is on the outskirts, said David Hartley, director of the Maine Rural Health Research Center at the University of Southern Maine. His research has included running focus groups in three Maine towns to identify opportunities for

and obstacles to physical activity. For children in particular, transportation is a major barrier, he said. “To get kids more physically active, one of the options seems to be getting more kids participating in after-school programs, but the busing situation is such that the bus goes home at 3 o’clock, and if you want to stay later you have to get a ride,” he said. “If you’re from a low income family, you may not be able to get a ride. Chances are, your parents are already working two jobs, and they just can’t help you out.” Kyle Santheson is the town recreation director in Waldoboro, Maine, a coastal town of about 5,000 residents and one of the communities Hartley has studied. He said there are a range of athletic programs for children

and adults — from Little League to co-ed softball leagues — and many parents carpool. But some children do end up left out. More than one parent has told him, “Geez, I really can’t have my kid participate because he doesn’t have a ride.” Beyond organized athletic and recreation programs, Hartley also found that the notion that rural residents have unlimited access to outdoor recreation and open space simply by stepping outside their doors didn’t ring true. Hiking trails are largely informal and unmarked, overrun by snowmobiles in the winter and all-terrain vehicles in the summer. Though there are wellmaintained hiking trails around Waldoboro’s high school, other trails are on private land held in trust and require a property owner’s permission to use, Santheson said. A quick phone call is usually all it takes, he said, “But most people, if they have to go through one extra step, they say, ’Oh, the heck with it.”’ That common attitude must be kept in mind when trying to promote physical activity, said Deborah John, who spearheaded Plymouth State’s research and is now an assistant professor at Oregon State University. “We need to do a better job of making the healthy choices the easy choices,” she said. “And it needs to be informed by the people who live in the environment.” Some people may move to the country because they enjoy the kind of outdoor experiences a rural area provides. But others — people who were born in a rural area or live there for other reasons — might not want to go on a solitary hike because they don’t feel safe alone and would prefer more companionship and structure.