7 (USPS156-140) Vol. 132, Number 3 DeWitt, AR 72042 • 16 Pages • 2 Sections • 75 cents
AROUND THE COUNTY
1st Annual Coon Supper Huge Success
Stories and Photos on Page 8A, B1
Serving Arkansas k County, Arkansas k Since 1882 Thursday, January 16, 2014
Best of DeWitt: Educator of the Year
COME MEET EDDIE BEST
Eddie Best had announced intentions for candidacy for Arkansas County Judge. Come meet Eddie and plan for the future of Arkansas County Thursday, January 16 at 8:30 a.m. at Southern Ag, 1914 South Whitehead Drive, DeWitt. (Other meetings to follow in Stuttgart, St. Charles/Crocketts Bluff, Gillett/Tichnor, Ethel, Almyra, Casscoe and Humphrey.
MT. CALVARY M.B. CHURCH USHER PROGRAM
There will be an usher program held at the Mt. Calvary M.B. Church in Gillett Sunday, January 19, 2014. Pastor Alvin Newburn will be guest speaker along with his church Polk Chapel of Yorktown. Pastor Russell and the Mt. Calvary family invite everyone to attend.
DEWITT ERA-ENTERPRISE RATE CHANGES FOR 2014
Effective IMMEDIATELY, the DeWitt Era-Enterprises newspaper rates have gone up to $23.50 for in-county and $30 for anywhere outside of Arkansas County. Legal rates are now $0.25 a word, also effective immediately. Obituaries will continue to be free for all obituaries with less than 300 words. Call for prices on anything over 300 words. Also, the DeWitt EraEnterprise will ONLY re-run ads that have a misspelling or incorrect information.
Dana Horton has been voted the Best of DeWitt’s Educator of the Year. She is a graduate of DeWitt High School and the University of Arkansas. She has a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Dana teaches 3rd grade reading at DeWitt Elementary School. Dana has always had a passion for teaching, whether it is organized education or any other aspect of teaching. While obtaining her teaching degree, Dana operated Home Away from Home Daycare. Daycare was a learning experience for the children. Science
experiments, craft projects, reading … you name it the children were having fun while learning. The children loved Mrs. Dana and as young adults still remain in contact with her. As Dana moved into the public education system, she continued to work diligently. The changes in elementary education require continual updating of your teaching curriculum. Dana excels at finding new and exciting methods to keep the classroom interested and still achieve the goals expected of her. The age of the student does not concern Dana. While
teaching 3rd grade she is also mentoring new teachers. Mentoring gives her the opportunity to share her skills with her co-workers. Dana receives great joy from being able to help others in the education field. Dana seems to have a special ability to notice specific needs for her students and others around her. She then will make an extreme effort to evaluate, research, and reshape her interactions to promote the best experience possible. Dana’s influence as a teacher has a wide reach. She also participates in development of the State of Arkan-
sas Benchmark Testing. Dana is a very dedicated member of the First Christian Church of DeWitt. She has served the Church for many years. She has been a teacher, a pianist, along with any other job that needs to be filled. Dana is married to Charles A. Horton, Jr. the Arkansas County Treasurer. She has three children and two grandchildren. She cares deeply for her family and has found great joy in being able to shape her grandchildren. Teaching touches every aspect of her life. It is her gift.
Thomas “Eddie” Best for Arkansas County Judge I am announcing my intentions for candidacy for the office of Arkansas County Judge. Your vote will be greatly appreciated. Eddie Best is announcing his candidacy for the office of Arkansas County Judge. Eddie is a 54-year-old resident of Arkansas County. He has been married to Donna Wallace Best for 34 years, and they have 3 daughters, Andrea Emerson, Rebecca Watkins and Kay Best, along with 1 grandchild, Aiden Emerson. Eddie was an honor graduate from Gillett High School. He has a degree in Bible Language from Oxford Bible Institute. Eddie also has an Associates Degree in Math and Science from Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas. Eddie’s work experience includes farm laborer, heavy equipment operator, laser plane surveying and river construction. Eddie also owned a small business for 8 years and is currently on his 13th years pastoring at Hebron Missionary Baptist Chruch. A few of Eddie’s goals are to improve road conditions in Arkansas County, to have better communication to the citizens of Arkansas County and to improve the work atmosphere of the county employees. Your vote will be appreciated.
Eagle Announces Run for Arkansas County Judge
If you would like to subscribe to DeWitt Era-Enterprise, please fill out the form below and mail to: DeWitt Era, P.O. Box 678, DeWitt, AR 72042. (Prices on A2)
Name: _________________ Address: _______________ ______________________ City: ________ State: _____ Phone #: _______________
Arkansas County Justice of the Peace Ryan Eagle announced that he will file as a candidate for Arkansas County Judge on February 24, 2014, when the filing period opens. The Stuttgart native will run for the Democratic Party’s nomination, which will be decided in the May 20 primary election. Eagle also ran as a Democrat during his election to the Arkansas County Quorum Court, which he has served on since 2010. “This wasn’t an easy decision,” Eagle said. “My family and I have talked and prayed about it for a long time. I’ve come to the conclusion that I have an obligation to the people of Arkansas County, my family and myself to make Arkansas County the best that it can be. The best way to achieve that is to have a change at the head of the county government.” Eagle has served on the Quorum Court’s Public Service Committee since his election, and lead efforts to make changes to the County’s finances that allowed for the first raise for County employees in four years. This effort also saved the County’s emergency fund, and did so without reducing funding for the Road Department. Eagle has worked at Arkansas County Title Company for more than ten years, which has afforded him the opportunity to work with several county offices. Many will remember him from working at the local radio station and hosting “The Community Breakfast” program that highlighted local events and charitable organizations. A past president of the Stuttgart Kiwanis Club, he has also chaired the Radio Days campaign and is a member of the Stuttgart Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Stuttgart Council for the Phillips Community College Foundation. Additionally, Eagle is a member of the Grand Avenue United Methodist Church. He serves on the Church Council, as well as teaching Senior High Sunday School. Eagle is a 2003 graduate of Arkansas State University, where he earned the Robert L. Hoskins Award for Professional Achievement from the College of Communications. He and wife Mikah have two daughters, Meridith, age 7, and Rachel, age 5.