Of the people,
Happy 2016!
By the people, For the people
TUESDAY, January 5, 2016 / Vol. 2 Issue 1 / 75 cents
Man reported missing from Clinton home The Clinton Police Department is inquiring into the whereabouts of a man who has not been seen in about three weeks. Steven Allen Hussman, 32, was reported missing on Dec. 30, 2015, by his landlady. Pamela Cullum told Clinton Police that Hussman rents the rear part of the old Dove House on Pine Street. She said Hussman has not been heard from since Dec. 14 and request-
ed that police do a walk-through at the apartment. The Dove House was formerly a shelter for women and children trying to get away from domestic violence. Clinton Police investigator Jim Thomas said in his report that he met Cullum at the home on Thursday. He said the home was very clean, everything appeared to be in its place and there was no sign of foul play. Thomas
said it appears Hussman walked away from the house and has just not returned. Hussman works for Van Buren County at the land library at the Courthouse Annex on U.S. Highway 65 in Clinton. Thomas said in his report that other employees have not seen Hussman. Anyone with information about Hussman should call Clinton Police at 7454997.
Steven Hussman
cause damage
in county
see Weather page 2
ordinance on business licenses
Winds, rains Christmas was anything but quiet in Van Buren County last month. First came the high winds, including a reported tornado in Bee Branch, two days before Christmas. Some folks saw damage to homes, workshops, fences and fields, and neighbors ended up on Little Rock newscasts describing the situation. Christmas Day temperatures reached high into the 70s. Next came the rain -- several inches of it beginning the weekend after Christmas. Rainfall amounts were reported in the neighborhood of 7 inches. The high winds, which brought destruction to nearby counties including a death in the Pope County town of Atkins, uprooted trees and broke electrical poles. On Dec. 23, Petit Jean announced it had as many as 2,500 customers without power. Crews worked throughout the day restoring power to areas including Culpep-
Council amends The Clinton City Council met in a special meeting Thursday to make changes in dates on a business license ordinance that was previously approved early last year. At its December meeting a different ordinance on the subject died for lack of a second. Because of that, the ordinance that was passed early in 2015 then twice postponed while work continued on such a measure will now take effect. The cost to do business within the Clinton city limits will be $25 beginning Jan. 1, 2017, according to the ordinance approved last week on a 4-0 vote. Councilors Gayla Bradley and
Timothy Barnes were not at the special meeting. Ordinance 201507 states that all existing businesses in operation at the time of passage will be grandfathered in but must secure a business license within 90 days of passage of the ordinance with no fee required. The fee for existing businesses will begin Jan. 1, 2017, at the renewal date and every year thereafter for as long ad they engage in business in the city. All new businesses started during 2016 must secure a license, meet all requirements of the ordinance and pay a fee of $25 before beginning operations.
Inquiry in dog deaths continues
The river was high underneath the old Shirley Bridge after heavy rains after Christmas. More photos on Page 2. (Photo courtesy of Denise Burgess)
Authorities are still searching for answers in last month's dog massacre in Chimes. Almost 60 dead dogs were discovered Dec. 17, 2015, in an area in Chimes that is just over the line in Searcy County. They appeared to have been fed poisoned hot dogs and then shot, according to reports. Four of the dogs survived and were captured. They are being cared for by the animal shelter in Searcy County. A representative at the shelter said the
dogs will be adopted out when they are well enough both physically and emotionally. The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $5,000 reward for information in the case, and a shelter representative said others have chipped in on a reward as well, bringing it to $8,000. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Searcy County sheriff's office at (870) 4482340.
Taking part in the annual Shop With a Cop program in 2015 were more than 60 representatives of the Van Buren County sheriff's office, Clinton Police, 20th Judicial Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police, Game and Fish Commission, Searcy County sheriff's office, Damascus Police, Highway Police, Fairfield Bay Police, 911 and District Court. Seventy-eight kids went shopping and $17,787.22 was spent. More photos, Page 16.