News
Decatur school officials served subponeas
By Tracy M. Neal Staff Writer tracyn@nwanews.com
BENTONVILLE — Prosecutor subpoenas have been issued in connection with an investigation into financial activities within the Decatur School District. Decatur Police Chief Terry Luker confirmed Tuesday he served prosecutor subpoenas for three people to appear Thursday at the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Decatur School Board president Michael Wilkins, Terri Burden, a bookkeeper ; and suspended Superintendent Dave Smith were served the subpoenas. A fourth subpoena was served to Candy Brown, who is employed with American Check Cashers in Bentonville, Luker said. Luker said he could not comment on the reasons why subpoenas were served on the four. “I cannot comment at this time,” Luker said. “It’s an ongoing investigation.” Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Van Stone also said he could not comment on the investigation. Stone said his office is working with state auditors to make sure a thorough investigation is completed. - Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Board to decide fate of low-water bridge
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer jeffd@nwanews.com
Sager Creek Advisory Commission wants to replace the low-water bridge over Sager Creek with a two-lane bridge. The commission made several recommendations that will be voted on by the city board Aug. 5: Maintain the current bridge and dam for another two to five years Reopen bridge to traffic but keep repairs to a minimum Build a two-lane bridge with a pedestrian walkway Remove old bridge and dam The commission decided on these items July 15. The cost to replace or repair the bridge is undetermined now. Engineers found large holes and cracks in the footing of the lowwater bridge off University Street. - Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Habitat home in Siloam nearly complete
By Jeff Mores Staff Writer jeffm@nwanews.com
Since Rogers Habitat and Sugar Creek Habitat merged to create Habitat for Humanity of Benton County in 2000, the organization and countless volunteers have put up 54 homes. Believe it or not, the one speeding toward completion at 615 S. Maxwell St. is the first Habitat for Humanity home ever constructed in Siloam Springs. “I couldn’t believe it when we found out this was the first one ever built here,” said Arvest Bank branch manager Kerstin Moeller, who has spearheaded the project with coworker Clayton Smith. “I guess it’s never too late, and this house is going to make a big difference for a local family. It’s been an inspiring experience — so many people have made this possible.” Ground was broken on the singlelevel, 1,100-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in May, and the framing began June 21. From there, it’s been a work in progress, with volunteers and area companies stepping up daily. Moeller said Habitat for Humanity is working on a tight timeline, as a dedication is planned for Aug. 14, j - Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Simmons Foods completes Peterson Farms buyout
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer jeffd@nwanews.com
Siloam Springs-based Simmons Foods announced Monday it has purchased the broiler operations of Peterson Farms. The family-owned producer of poultry products started negotiating with the Decatur-based company in April. “We are very excited about bringing the Decatur operations on stream,” company Chairman Mark Simmons said. “Being able to purchase and integrate existing broiler capacity located close to our Northwest Arkansas further processing facilities makes this a strong strategic fit.” The purchase includes a feed mill, hatchery, processing facility, transportation vehicles, flocks and contract growers. Jerry Laster, senior vice president for Simmons Foods, said the assets purchased from Peterson Farms will be renamed as assets of Simmons Foods. The purchase will allow Simmons Foods to have additional raw materials to meet the needs of its further processing operations in Van Buren and Siloam Springs. It’s expected to bring the company to rank among the top 12 broiler processors in the United States. Simm - Wednesday, July 23, 2008
School district prepares for back-to-school
By Jessica Weekley Staff Writer jessicaw@nwanews.com
Local students determined to enjoy summer vacation for as long as they can are now in a race with the school calendar. For Siloam Springs School District, classes will recommence Monday, Aug. 18 for students in grades kindergarten through 12th. Similar to years prior, high school local students, in grades 9-12, will attend class between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students enrolled at the middle school, Pete & Pat Allen Elementary and Northside Elementary, in all nonhigh school grades, excluding third through fifth grade, will beat the bell by arriving to school promptly before 8 a.m. Middle school students’ final bell of the day will sound at 3:10 p.m. and other students will discharge at 3 p.m. - Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Board approves rate increase for trash removal
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer jeffd@nwanews.com
Residents won’t pay more this year to have their trash hauled away, but an increase might be in the budget for 2009. - Wednesday, July 23, 2008
‘Baby Habit’ offers clothing for refined little people
By Jessica Weekley Staff Writer jessicaw@nwanews.com
There’s a new boutique in town ready to outfit area thumb suckers, carpet crawlers and cuddly crib dwellers. Not only can the local under two-years-old crowd sport some swank new duds, they can do it in harmony with the environment — while they spit up on bibs made out of organic material and bottle feed in T-shirts made from recycled soy matter. Less than two months ago, The Baby Habit, at 122 S. Broadway in Siloam Springs, opened its doors. Since its first day of operation, local customers and visitors have trickled into the new shop to slide credit cards across the counter and peel cash from their wallets to claim infant-dedicated treasures. - Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Annexation meeting draws crowd
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer jeffd@nwanews.com
Residents opposed to the proposed annexation said loss of freedom was the main reason they were against it. The city is proposing to annex in more than 6,000 acres including the Dawn Hill community and City Lake. About 70 residents in the proposed annexation area viewed maps and posed questions to city staff in a public meeting at City Hall on Thursday. “It’s a really good turnout,” said Ben Rhoads, long-range planner. “That was more than what we were expecting.” Leo Setian, who’s lived on Sycamore Heights Road since 1971, said loss of control over what he could do is why he’s against the proposal. “I have bees and cattle,” Setian said. “Things like fireworks would be controlled.” David Fields said he’s opposed to it because of similar reasons. “It’s government trying to control an area outside the city limits,” Fields said. “All this is is a land - Sunday, July 20, 2008
Siloam Springs joins RMA
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer jeffd@nwanews.com
Siloam Springs is one vote closer to joining a group of Northwest Arkansas cities that plan to build state highways in the area. - Sunday, July 20, 2008
Colcord chicken houses burned; arson suspected in blaze
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer jeffd@nwanews.com
COLCORD, Okla. — A fire that police think was arson destroyed three chickens houses and damaged another at a farm on U.S. Highway 59. Firefighters from Kansas, Jay, Colcord and Oaks responded to the blaze that started at about 5 a.m. Tuesday, said investigator Todd Stanley of Delaware County, Okla., Sheriff’s Office. The farm is at 55319 Highway 59 near Colcord. “We suspect it is arson,” Stanley said. The fire burned wood and insulation throughout the chicken houses. No chickens were in the houses when they caught fire. A load of chickens was set to arrive at 9 a.m. Monday morning, Stanley said. He said he is unsure why someone would’ve set the fire. Suspect information would not be released. “We’re still under initial investigations,” Stanley said. Oklahoma Fire Marshal’s Office is also investigating the blaze. - Sunday, July 20, 2008
Macfarlan wins 1st place in California
Staff Reports
Sixteen-year-old Ginger Macfarlan has brought home national honors to Arkansas. Macfarlan placed first in the Sons of the American Revolution Oratorical Contest last weekend in Sacramento, Calif. The finish added $3,000 to her college savings account. The Sons of the American Revolution began the oratorical contest in 1945. Its purposes are to bring American History to the high school student and focus on events of today, to draw an intelligent relationship between the past and the present, to clearly demonstrate freedom of opportunity as a basic right of our national heritage, to place a positive emphasis on the plans of our founding fathers, to emphasize justice under law in the free society and to illustrate how the Revolutionary War influenced our freedom of expression. - Sunday, July 20, 2008
Health clinic a vote away for Siloam Springs
By Jeff Della Rosa Staff Writer jeffd@nwanews.com
Residents won’t need to drive to Bentonville to receive health services from the Benton County Health Unit if the county opens a clinic in downtown Siloam Springs. Benton County Quorum Court on Thursday is expected to vote on buying a medical clinic at University and Mount Olive streets that will be used for a health unit annex. If approved, the court would pay $175,000 for the 3,100-square-foot building and $4,000 in renovations. The annex might open as soon as the end of this year if everything goes as planned, said Loy Bailey, director of the Benton County Health Unit. The current medical clinic would need to move out and be renovated before the health annex could start moving in. It will likely offer services such as immunizations and treatment for communicable diseases when it opens, but it’s planned to include all the services that are available from the health unit in Bentonville, Bailey said. The city will pay for the city utilities that the annex uses. Siloam Springs Board of Directors approved the m - Sunday, July 20, 2008
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Send in Vacation Bible School information The Herald-Leader will publish brief information about area churches’ upcoming vacation Bible schools. To submit information, send email to garyb@nwanews.com. Back to School Bash Siloam Springs Church of the Nazarene is sponsoring a Back to School Bash on July 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for children age 4 through 6th grade at the church located at 1700 S. Carl. Power Lab VBS will be held July 28 through Aug. 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 215-2296. - Sunday, July 20, 2008
‘Kiddos’ coming to library July 22
By Cynthia Lee Special to The Herald-Leader
Randy and Debbie Mays, a dynamic married duo, are longtime Siloam Springs residents who recently launched themselves in a new career as entertainers for children. “The Kiddos” and they will be performing at the Siloam Springs Library at 2 p.m. July 22 as one of the many special programs offered by the Summer Reading Program. Kids of all ages are invited to attend free of charge. “The Kiddos” music is very singable and interactive. It combines new twists on old songs with original compositions for a high energy session of singing and dancing. They also do story telling and work with puppets. - Sunday, July 20, 2008
Hospital Auxiliary elects new officers; gives awards
The Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Auxiliary recently installed its 2008-09 officers. The new officers are Sharon Sly, president ; Diane Winder, president-elect ; Sharon Sumner, vice president; Ann Cloud, treasurer; Sara Treftz, secretary ; and Ann Cloud, parliamentarian. At a recent awards banquet, Sly gave an overview of the Auxiliary’s accomplishments through the year and presented a check for $10, 000 to SSMH Chief Executive Officer Penny Mc-Clain for a defibrillator for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department. The SSMH Auxiliary also awarded scholarships to Tia Wilson and Keli Ann Balk, $500 each; and Laura Murray and Kaylee Hartman, $1,000 each. Special recognition was given for the volunteers’ accumulated hours. Life memberships went to eight Auxilians for their many hours of volunteering: Gloria McEnroe, 15, 047 hours; Margaret Redwine, 14,266 hours; Alice Penner, 7,451 hours; Reit de Gidts, 7,192 hours; Margaret Hoyt, 5,937 hours; Hulen Peters 5,625 hours; Sara Treftz, 5,240 hours; and Nancy Van Pouc - Sunday, July 20, 2008
SSHS students receive FBLA honors in Atlanta
From Staff Reports
Several students from Siloam Springs High School received national recognition at the Future Business Leaders Awards of Excellence on June 29 in Atlanta, Ga. - Sunday, July 20, 2008
Kapella takes SSMH Foundation helm July 31
From Staff Reports
Karen Kapella has been named executive director of the Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital. - Sunday, July 20, 2008
COMMUNITY DIGEST
Siloam Springs Writers The Siloam Springs Writers will hold their annual fall workshop and writing contest Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the New Senior Activity Center, 750 Heritage Court in Siloam Springs. - Sunday, July 20, 2008
