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Scrapperettes Claim State Championship
Ark. treasurer arrested for extortion by FBI
FBI spokeswoman Kimberly Brunell said Shoffner was arrested Saturday at her home in Newport and is scheduled for a federal court hearing Monday. Brunell said Shoffner was arrested on charges of "extortion under color of official right." Brunell said she would have more details Monday.
Shoffner, a Democrat serving her second term in office, has faced questions over the past year about the way her office has handled state investments. Legislative auditors last year said Shoffner's office in 2011 sold 11 bonds from its investment portfolio before they had matured and purchased similar bonds from the same brokers, resulting in a net loss of more than $58,000.
Arkansas unemployment drops to 7.1%
Data released Friday by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services also shows the state posted an increase of 1,700 employed people, the first gain in that category since April 2012.
The agency says the increase coupled with a slight decline in unemployment was enough to move the rate from 7.2% to 7.1% for the month.
The national jobless rate for April was 7.5%, also reflecting a drop of 1-tenth of a percentage point.
Sectors posting the biggest employment gains in Arkansas in April included leisure and hospitality, retail, and trade transportation and utilities.
Curtis Turner Tapped to Lead Mineral Springs School District
Little Rock—Curtis Turner, superintendent of the Eureka Springs School District, will take the helm at Mineral Springs School District July 1.
A former teacher, Turner served in leadership roles including superintendent at South Pike County School District, Delight School District, Clinton School District and Centerpoint School District. He also worked in the Fiscal Distress Unit at the Department of Education.
Turner has a master of education from Henderson State University and received a state superintendent certification from the University of Central Arkansas.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Tom Kimbrell said, “Mr. Turner has experience in assisting fiscally distressed school districts develop and work through recovery and improvement plans. I believe he is the right person to look at the big picture and know what the priorities are.”
Turner said his goals are to foster clearer communication, listening, learning from the past and moving on together. “We have to set a new strategic direction in Mineral Springs to put the district on sound financial footing and have schools that are student centered and focused on academic achievement.”
Turner will replace Bill Blackwood who came out of retirement to temporarily lead the district. Kimbrell expressed appreciation for Blackwood’s leadership in managing the district during the transition.
Loretta Lynn Coming to De Queen
Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the Midnight Hurricanes will perform at 6:30 and then Loretta Lynn will take the stage at 8:30 .
Tickets will go on sale at the KDQN studios and at www.southwestarkansasconcerts.com on Monday, May 20th.
Advanced tickets will be $25 for reserved seats and $15 for general admission. On the day of the show tickets will be $30 for reserved and $20 for general admission. There will be a $1 handling fee on all tickets sold online.
Children under 3 are free with a paid general admission ticket.
General admission ticket holders are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on.
Proceeds from the Loretta Lynn concert will benefit local scholarships and several local charity projects in the De Queen area.
For more information contact the KDQN studios at 870-642-2446.
Rusty Relics Antique Tractor Show
All antique tractors are welcome from those that have been restored to those that have been driven right off the farm.
Everyone will enjoy the tractor parade and tractor games and races. There will also be kid’s activities and bounce house along with concessions and something for everyone.
The Rusty Relic Tractor Club will also hold a drawing for a 1951 Harry Ferguson Tractor. Tickets are $5 each or 6 for $25 and you can purchase a ticket from any Rusty Relic member.
For more information contact Roger White at 845-2769, Bob White at 845-4631 or Rose Johnson at 200-0562.
Area High School Graduations
Congratulations to our area high school graduating seniors. Graduation at Nashville High School is this evening at 8:00 at Scrapper Stadium. Principal Tate Gordon says the class of 2013 has 138 graduates. The valedictorian is Hayden Kirchoff and the salutatorian is Jonathon Lance. Mineral Springs High School will also hold graduation tonight at 8:00. Jordan Miller is the Valedictorian and Alexandria Coulter is the Salutatorian. South Pike Co. School District graduation in Murfreesboro is tonight and the Dierks High School graduation will be on Monday.
Ark. lawmakers to formally adjourn session
Arkansas lawmakers are returning to the Capitol to formally end this year's legislative session, the first with Republicans in control since Reconstruction.
The House and Senate on Friday plan to formally adjourn the legislative session that wrapped up last month with the approval of the state's $4.9 billion budget.
The sponsor of 3 bills vetoed by Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe aimed at overhauling the state's election commission said Friday he wouldn't try to override the governor's vetoes. The proposals by Republican Sen. Bryan King included a measure that would have effectively fired the current members of the commission.
The session was the first with Republicans holding a majority in the House and Senate in 138 years. The Legislature will convene again next year for a more limited fiscal session.
Howard Co. Circuit Court May 15
In another case, an Amity man plead guilty to fleeing in Howard Co. Thirty six year old William Blount is accused of fleeing from police during a traffic stop in March. He is to serve five years of probation and pay a $2000 fine.
State agency warns Ark. taxpayers of email scam
The department says the sender of the email claims that the recipient's tax return is being reviewed by Arkansas Revenue Services and asks the person to click on a link to learn more about the complaint.
DFA says there is no state agency called Arkansas Revenue Services and that the DFA does not send out unsolicited emails. The agency says it believes the scam is a so-called "phishing" effort to try and obtain personal financial information.
DFA says anyone receiving such an email should not open any attachments or click on any link contained in the email.
Hope Hempstead Co. Chamber of Commerce Bluegrass Show Schedule
1874 Courthouse Lawn
10am Jerrome Underwood & Hempstead County Melody Boys
11am High Mountain Grass
NOON Eddie & Martha Adcock
1pm The Hartleys
2pm Blue Highway
3pm Hempstead County Melody Boys
4pm High Mountain Grass
5pm The Hartleys
6pm Eddie & Martha Adcock
7pm Blue Highway
State Takes Over Mineral Springs Saratoga School District
Arkansas Education Commissioner Dr. Tom Kimbrell today exercised his authority under state law to dissolve the school board of the Mineral Springs Saratoga School District.
The action was taken to immediately move toward stabilizing the finances and management of the troubled district in Howard County. The district is facing a severe budget deficit and does not have sufficient cash flow to finish the district’s fiscal year.
"This action was necessary to keep Mineral Springs public schools operating and serving students despite the district's extreme financial difficulties," Dr. Kimbrell said. “Our number one concern is the education of the students in this community. For the future of the district, students and the staff, state action had to be taken now.”
Dr. Kimbrell and other key ADE staff arrived in Mineral Springs this morning to inform acting superintendent, Bill Blackwood, of the changes in district governance. Blackwood has agreed to stay on board until Kimbrell appoints a new superintendent.
Steps have been taken to secure school records and to ensure district operations will continue uninterrupted.
The State Board placed the district in fiscal distress in December, 2012. Under the Omnibus Quality Education Act of 2003, the education commissioner has authority to exercise a state takeover of districts in fiscal distress that don't adequately address their problems.
Senate Ag Committee Advances Farm Bill
National Safe Boating Week
EPA Informational Meeting Set
Mineral Springs Survey
Forty four percent of those interviewed were unsure of who they would vote for to sit on the city council. Thirty nine percent said they would vote for Tullis. Sixty two percent of interviewees said they were unsure of who they would vote for as mayor.
Another question asked about increasing the Mineral Springs city council from 4 to 6 members...52 percent were in favor with 36 percent undecided. The telephone survey also asked if voters would be for or against eliminating the town's police department. Forty four percent of those interviewed said yes with 36 percent undecided and 20 percent against. Mayor Sonny Heatherly has said that he is not in favor of adding another ward or additional council members.
NHS Honor Graduates
This year's honor graduates at Nashville High School have been announced. Hayden Kirchhoff is the Valedictorian and Jonathon Lance is the Salutatorian. Other honor graduates are Nicole Drummond, Stephen Kreul, Jenna Hendry, Kaylie Efird, Maddie McJunkins, Hannah Vines, Abigale Williams, Melinda Moncus, Silver Burton, Jerad Jones, Kirby Kell and Tamira Stewart. Graduation is this Friday evening at Scrapper Stadium at 8 p.m.