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Early release program limited by funds
LITTLE ROCK (AP) — A program begun six years ago to release Arkansas inmates a year early if they go into halfway houses or private treatment centers had done little to reduce the prison population.
The program was intended to limit growth in Arkansas prisons populations. But officials say only one center is housing inmates under the program.
Officials say the state didn’t set aside money to pay halfway houses or treatment centers. The one outfit that does take in prisoners has them find jobs and keeps their first six months of pay to cover costs. -
Gift wrapping, eBay business open
Just in time for Christmas, a new eBay consignment sales and giftwrapping business, Wrap It Up, is open in Batesville.
Brant and Kathy Handford announced the business began wrapping gifts and listing eBay items a few days prior to Thanksgiving, but “Black Friday” was their official opening date.
In addition to these services, Wrap It Up will offer brand name ornaments like Seasons of Cannon Falls, Midwest and TenderHeart designs. “You can pick out your special ornaments to top your package and make your finely wrapped gifts not just one present, but two,” Kathy said. -
Bentonville library exhibit tells story of sport fishing
BENTONVILLE (AP) — A new exhibit at the Bentonville Public Library tells the story of sport fishing on the White River from the late 1800s until the river was broken up by dams in the mid-1900s.
“Down a Lazy River,” on display in the Walmart Community Room, consists of several panels inlaid with photographs and short historical text.
A 1941 article from Life magazine highlights the career of Jim Owen, a popular sport fishing outfitter based in Branson, Mo., at the time. -
Heirlooms add glitz to Gitz home
Editor’s note: This is the second in a series about the homes featured on the Batesville Preservation Association’s Christmas Tour of Historic Homes, set for 1-4 p.m. Dec. 4. For more information about the tour, call Terrell Tebbetts at (870) 307-7342 or (870) 793-2266.
Brad and Leslie Gitz decorate for Christmas just as they decorate their home throughout the rest of the year: By incorporating lots of family keepsakes and other treasures handed down.
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Craighead County looks for 3 jail escapees
JONESBORO (AP) — Authorities in Craighead County are looking for three men who escaped from the county jail.
Twenty-four-year-old Zachary Dunn, 23-year-old Jason Brown and 21-year-old Korey Kitchen got loose Wednesday night and were still missing Friday afternoon.
Sheriff Jack McCann says Dunn, Brown and Kitchen climbed into an attic to get out of the building and then used a blanket to get over a razor wire-topped fence. -
Man arrested in woman’s slaying
DUMAS (AP) — Police in Dumas have arrested a man in the slaying of a woman who was killed in front of her children.
Police say 26-year-old Marquis Poole turned himself in on Sunday.
Authorities say 26-year-old Amanda Madden was killed Friday. Investigator Chuck Blevins said a witness saw the shooting and identified the alleged shooter to police. Blevins says more charges may be filed after investigators learn where Poole had been hiding since the shooting.
Madden leaves behind five children. -
Police chief found dead at home
PARKIN (AP) — The police chief of an eastern Arkansas town has been found dead at his home in Cross County.
Parkin Mayor Charles Patterson said Police Chief Dean Davidson was discovered Thursday morning. Investigators believe he died of natural causes and no foul play is suspected.
Officials say Davidson’s body will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy. -
Girl hit by police car
FORT SMITH (AP) — A Greenwood teenager has been treated and released from a hospital after she was struck by a Fort Smith police car.
According to a police report, officer Brandon Djordjevic was driving west on North O Street when his cruiser hit 14-year-old Ruthanne McCoy about 10:10 p.m. Thursday. The report says the girl was walking in the road several feet from the curb. -
Kenneth Kofoid
FLORAL — Kenneth L. Kofoid, 65, of Floral died Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, at his home.
Born Dec. 21, 1945, at Bottineau, N.D., he was the son of Fred and Wilma Bosch Kofoid. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the American Legion. He was a retired iron worker and insulator. -
Ruby Briley
Ruby Helen Briley, 80, of Batesville died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, in a Batesville hospital.
Born Nov. 3, 1931, in Gid, she was the daughter of Morris and Tempie Glenn Johnson. She was a homemaker and was of the Pentecost faith. -
Bud Keith
SOUTHSIDE — Carl “Bud” Keith, 71, of Southside died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at his home.
Born Aug. 30, 1940, in Lavergne, Tenn., he was the son of Calvin Keith and Lona Davenport. He was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Joyce Keith; two daughters, Pam Keith of Tennessee and Rhonda Hughey of Batesville; three sons, Ronnie Keith and Rusty Keith, both of Tennessee, and Ricky McKibben of Ward; a brother; two sisters; 15 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. -
Robert Smith
MELBOURNE — Robert Walter Smith, 41, of Melbourne died Nov. 17, 2011, in Enid, Okla.
Born April 6, 1970, in Wynne, he was the son of Fred Andrew Meredith and Linda Reynolds Meredith. He attended high school in Wynne. He was united in marriage to Shelia Barber on Oct. 14, 2004, in Branson, Mo. He was employed as a line inspector for Patriot Solutions. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Sage.
