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1 SE CTION - 14 PAG ES V OLUME /Y EAR 109, WEEK 26 (5,661 TOTAL WEEKS)
“A FREE P RESS
AND A
FREE P EOPLE - A N U NBEATABLE TEAM ”
P U B L I S HE D E A C H T H U R S D A Y S I N C E 1 9 0 7
D ES A RC, A RKANSAS (C OUNTY S EAT ) P RAIRIE C OUNTY
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016
Des Arc circa 1900 -1912 (?) - view from Courthouse looking west toward 3rd & Walnut (the existing county jail sits approximately where raised water tank is in foreground) (Journal needs your help in identifying any of the structures - and will republish with ID’s if anyone can provide information on buildings they recognize)
ACTIVITIES CALENDAR THURS. FEB. 4, 9:30-11:30 Drug Takeback Day Senior Citizens Cnter
SAT., FEB. 6, 1 PM Public Logic Accuracy Test Courthouse in Des Arc
SUN., FEB. 7, 3:35 PM Super Bowl Sunday
TUES. FEB. 9, 12 NOON Lions Club Methodist Church
TUES., FEB. 9, 6 PM Quorum Court Courthouse Annex/Des Arc
THURS., FEB. 11, 9 AM PAT Training Session County Fairgrounds
FRI, FEB. 12, 6 PM Senior Night/Basketball High School Gym
SUN., FEB. 14, 3 PM SlovaK Heritage Day Sts. Cyril/Methodius Church
MON., FEBRUARY 15 President’s Day Courthouse Closed
TUES., FEB. 16, 2016 Early Voting Begins thru February 29
TUES., FEB. 16, 1 PM Retired Teachers Meet Museum, DeValls Bluff
WED., FEB. 17, 11 AM Friendship Club DeValls Bluff Methodist Church
TUES., FEB. 16, 7 PM Des Arc City Council Meet at City Hall
SAT., FEB. 20, 5:30 PM Wild Game Supper First Baptist Church
SUN., FEB. 21, 11 AM Fundraiser for Gabi Berry to attend Conference in DC American Ag Building
TUES., MARCH 1, 7:30-7:30 Primary Election See Notice, Page 14
Museum temporarily closed for repairs Lower White River Museum State Park will be temporarily closed Tuesday, February 9 through Sunday, February 14 while new flooring is being installed. Contact the park for updates: (870) 256-3711 or lowerwhiterivermuseum@a rkansas.com. The Lower White River Museum State Park is one of 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Obituaries Pg . 3
Billie J. Allen, 75, Biscoe Andrew Bookalis, 64,Hickory Plns John Boyer, 89, Griffithville Homer Choate, 73, DeValls Bluff John Cox, 97, Kansas Thomas Dixon, Cotton Plant Patrick Dudeck, 45, Heber Sprgs Jodi Ann Holmes, 51, Ulm Kira Howard, Infant, Marvell Denie Jones, 72, Des Arc La’Kaidryn Payne, Infant, Hazen W.H. Taylor, 85, Brinkley
Photo courtesy of Rick Branham
Rash of break-ins, attempted break-ins, minor thefts Include Post Office, City Hall, businesses, vehicles and residence Several known break-ins and attempts to break in occurred here between last Thursday and early Sunday morning (Jan 28-Jan 31). Police Chief Rick Parson confirmed that several break-ins have occurred over the past two weeks, but wasn’t ready to release details. However, it has been learned since that both the burglaries and damage from last weekend’s break-ins were relatively minor, as far as victims have determined. However, “Scary, and dangerous” when someone comes into your home - or is seen in your car .... is a different story altogether. Known ‘businesses’ victimized include: Des Arc Post Office, Des Arc City Hall, Sno-White Dairy Bar, A Cut Above, Hair Razors, Stitch-It and a another Main Street business where someone had tried to pry the front door open (the owner of which demanded their business name not be mentioned in this article). At least one residence was actually entered into - that of Emily McAnally. Vehicles broken into included those parked at the homes of Meletta Farrish and David Inman. The Journal first learned of the break-ins Monday when Sno-White Dairy Bar owner Stephen Mapps advised that his business had been broken into Saturday night. He said he found nothing missing or damaged - only that the back door had been left open. Postmaster Nancy Brown advised that the wood “dutch” door in the main lobby had holes knocked in it, and a metal grille in the door had been damaged. Apparently, there was no other damage or anything taken. She also advised that a security camera had caught a person wearing what appeared to be a hoody jacket and their face was partially covered. Mayor Jim Garth advised that someone had also attempted to break into the City Hall, having slightly damaged three aluminum/glass doors at the west entry, with what appeared to be some type of crowbar. At “A Cut Above”, it was reported the beauty
shop’s cell phone had been taken, and that the cabinets had been gone through (apparently looking for money). At “Stitch-It”, owner Maria Petty said the only thing she could tell that was distrubed was a Tshirt press, which was bolted down. An investigation is underway, according to Police Chief Parson. These posted Facebook comments clearly illustrate victims’ anxiety about what has been happening (and which the perpetrator(s), might want to think long and hard about before continuing their wayward ways). Anonymous business Owner Jan. 29: “Let me just go ahead and throw this out there for all the THIEFS! Whoever is trying to pry on my door at my office is going to be surprised AND CAUGHT if you ever get in. I have an alarm system that is linked to the police station AND I also have video surveillance that comes DIRECTLY to my cell phone!!! Pretty gutsy to try to break in within TWO INCHES of the surveillance STICKERS that are on my door!!!!!” Meletta Farrish Walker - Jan. 29: “I just want to let everybody know to be aware of your surroundings and keep your cars locked. I got up at 4:30 this morning to let my dog out and someone was in my son's car. They ran off and I didn't get a good look at them, but I did let the sheriff's office know.” Emily Sanderson McAnally - Jan. 28: “So... Someone came into my house last night while my family was sleeping. They opened my safety deposit box. There was nothing of value in there. There was only keepsake things. I had a dollar sitting on the microwave. They stole it. Now if they would have knocked on my door and asked for it. I would have given it to them. But whoever is doing this, I will tell you this right now. The next time you come in my house with my family in there I will do all that is necessary to protect them. Meaning you will either be behind bars or in the ground.
Damaged door in Post Office lobby
(openings covered w/plywd and 2x12’s) None of this slapping on the wrist with me honey.” Journal comments: 1. It wasn’t really necessary for somone to go to all this trouble just to see the new County Jail. An easier choice would’ve been to attend the Jail’s Open House Dec. 7 ... and as added bonus receive a free lunch. 2. “Freedom of the Press” was unfortunately compromised in this article, when after enduring one business owner’s tirade and threats yesterday to not use the name of their business, the Journal finally relinquished. The purpose of publishing something of this significance, as always, is for the benefit and welfare of the general public - to inform and try to make citizens aware of what’s happening in their community.
Primary Election set for March 1
Trial date for alleged killer of Donovan Buck delayed
Officials with the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office have released the 2016 election calendar for the state, with some changes as well as setting an 18-month campaign schedule for candidates and pundits alike. The party primary and judicial general election will be March 1, 2016 while the party runoff will be March 22, 2016. The primary has traditionally been held during May of an election year. However, the state legislature approved a change last month during a special session to allow the state to participate in the so-called “SEC Primary.” The general election will be Nov. 8, 2016 while the general election runoff for county and municipal races will be Nov. 29, 2016. The schedule officially kicks off July 19 when non-partisan judicial candidates can begin circulating petitions to run for office. Independent candidates can start circulating petitions Aug. 11, 2015 through Nov. 9, 2016, according to the calendar.
Deputy Prosecutor Tim Isaac advised this week that the setting of a trial date in the murder case of the State versus Frederick Owens has been delayed for approximately two weeks. Owens is charged with first degree murder in the stabbing death of Donovan Buck, age 29, on September 1, 2012, at Des Arc. Owens, age 29 at the time, has been held by ADC awaiting trial on the murder charge. Owens, a convicted
Dates set for election poll workers training Chairman Rita Dobson, Prairie County Election Commission, advises that required poll workers training will be held on Thursday, Feb.11, at the AAM Building in Des Arc and on Thursday, Feb 18, in the courtroom at the DeValls Blufff City Hall-all training begins at 9am.
felon, had just been released from the county jail here when the murder took place at a residence in the Hamsit Heights area. The first degree murder charge was filed with then deputy prosecutor, Keith Rhodes by State Police Investigator Jason Travis. Isaac advised that he was not aware of where Owens was currently being held. Jimmie Wilson is the defense attorney who will be representing Owens here when the trial date is set.
Frederick Owens
DeValls Bluff Heritage Run/Walk scheduled The 4th Annual Arkansas Heritage 5K and family 2K Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, March 26, at 8:00 a.m. in DeValls Bluff. Registration will be 7-7:45 am location behind Breaktime at the new walking trail which is called Rail Trail. Preregister till March 1 - $25.00. Day of the event $30.00 - no guarantee of T-shirt that day! The Family 2K walk/Run is $10.00 each/no shirt. Division by age for 5K (10-19) (20-29) (30-39) (40-49) 50+. If interested in this run contact The DeValls Bluff Community Center at 870-998-2012 or 870-581-7202 This annual event is hosted by the Arnold Family Foundation!
CORRECTION: This photo which appeared on the Jan. 21 front page incorrectly identified 2nd person from left as Robert Sisson. Correctly identified from left are: Ronald Eans, Carroll Sisson, Lester (Ozzie) Sisson, Donald DeVore and Woodrow Tipton. Each of the five gentlemen received 50 year awards at the White River Masonic Lodge #37 here Saturday night, Jan. 16.
The J ournal w elcom es y our i nput (c omments , s ugges tions , pers onal new s , photos , etc )
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Mail: PO Box 1051, Des Arc, Ar 72040
Tel: 870-256-4254