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Man accused of abducting stepdaughter
When his wife refused to go to California with him, a 34-year-old Bethesda man reportedly kidnapped his 8-year-old stepdaughter after breaking his wife’s collarbone and sending her to the hospital Thursday night.
The girl, Sabrina Cheney, was found by state police and safely returned to her mother following a brief hunt for her Friday morning. -
Cedar Ridge athlete plays in Overall tennis tourney
NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Cedar Ridge’s Spencer Reaves participated in the Overall State Tennis Tournament at Burns Park last week, Cedar Ridge Coach Kevin Arms announced.
Reaves, a sophomore and the third-place finisher in the Class 2A State Tournament, was invited when another qualifier chose not to play. Trent Brandon of Episcopal Collegiate in Little Rock defeated Reaves 6-1, 6-0 in the first round.
Jake Kacoby of Pulaski Academy won the boys singles title by defeating Cole Guy of White Hall 6-3, 6-4. -
Southerners break string, target 2 more big breakers
SOUTHSIDE — The Southside Southerners broke a 4-year losing string to the Cave City Cavemen here Friday night at Stewart Field, winning this 4A-2 District high school football game 26-14.
Now, the Southerners will try to end a couple of more noteworthy strings.
A victory next Friday night in Newport would give the Southerners their first-ever playoff berth and end the Greyhounds’ string of consecutive playoff appearances at 24. -
City breaks ground on concession stand
Ten months after a fire destroyed the Batesville North Complex concession stand, construction is about to get under way on a new facility.
On Wednesday, city officials and local businessmen came together for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site marked by posts and safety-orange netting.
The low bid came in at $207,911 from Whitaker Builders Inc. of Batesville. The other bidders were M&A Jones Construction, Stan C Whit Construction, Provence Construction, Delk Construction and Ronnie’s Woodworks Inc. -
Driver identified in wreck on Peace Valley Road
ASH FLAT — Ozarka College student Justin Buckley, 19, of Horseshoe Bend suffered only minor injuries in a one-vehicle accident on Peace Valley Road in the western edge of Ash Flat about 11:30 a.m. Thursday even though his 2011 Toyota Camry hit a bridge embankment wall, overturned and landed upright in about four feet of water in Big Creek, said Ash Flat Police Chief Anthony Wiles.
Wiles, the investigating officer, said the vehicle hydroplaned on the wet roadway, causing the driver to lose control.
Photos of the accident scene were published in Friday’s edition of the Guard. -
Deadline for Angel Tree applications nears
The deadline is nearing for parents to pick up applications for their children to receive Christmas gifts from the Angel Tree, according to a news release.
The applications may be picked up from Department of Human Services at 100 Weaver Ave., Batesville, or the United Way office located in the First Community Bank building at 1325 Harrison. The applications must be returned to DHS by Nov. 10. No applications will be accepted after then. -
Redistricting to be discussed
The Independence County Election Commission will meet at noon Wednesday in the Independence County Courthouse basement to discuss redistricting.
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Antique, vintage jewelry program set at museum Audience may bring pieces for examination by experts
Area residents who want to know more about antique or vintage jewelry they own are invited to bring it to a free program beginning at 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at Old Independence Regional Museum, said curator Twyla Wright.
The jewelry will not be appraised for monetary value, but sisters Kitty Skinner Wilson and Cindy Skinner-Stewart will be able to give opinions concerning its metal type, stone type, and the era of the piece.
“If a piece of jewelry is more than 100 years old, we say it is antique. Vintage jewelry is usually categorized as from about 1940 to 1980,” said Wilson. -
Special bonds are discussed
Nov. 8 has been chosen as the date for Arkansas citizens to vote on a special bond referendum to provide funding to pay for refurbishing the state’s interstate highway system. With the deadline fast approaching, supporting speakers across the state are trying to inform as many voters as possible about the program.
As one of those supporters, Tommy Bryant of Batesville spoke before the Batesville Kiwanis Club at its noon luncheon Friday. -
Be a Santa program to assist local senior citizens
The local Be a Santa to a Senior, the campaign that has delivered 1.5 million gifts to needy seniors throughout North America during the past seven years, is gearing up again this holiday season, according to Brooke Sutton of the Home Instead Senior Care. Her office serves Batesville and surrounding communities with non-medical, in-home care services for seniors.
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Nine houses, six businesses lie in path of highway expansion
Nine houses and six businesses lie in the path of the proposed five-lane highway north of Batesville.
Thursday night, the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) held a citizens comment meeting at Believers Community Church.
Guests were asked to sign in and a map of the proposed impacted areas and a citizens comment form was handed to all those who attended the drop-in meeting. A large aerial map was laid across several tables, and staff from the AHTD were on hand to answer any questions that residents had. -
ADHE board meets
The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board voted Friday during a two-day meeting in Batesville that it will use a three-member panel to conduct a search for a new Higher Education Department director.
Kaneaster Hodges of Newport, Florine Milligan of Forrest City and Olin Cook of Russellville will run the search.
