Little Rock-Pine Bluff News

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

• Univrsity seeks funds to demolish nuke site

  Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Wed Dec 9, 6:04 pm ET  

  The rusting dome rises out of the pasture lands of the Boston Mountains, a remnant of the nation’s nuclear past purposefully hidden miles away from any major city. Full Story »

• Gasoline-attack suspect caught in LR

  Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Wed Dec 9, 5:34 pm ET  

  FREDERICK, Md. — The Frederick County sheriff’s office says a Frederick man suspected of setting an acquaintance on fire has been apprehended in Little Rock. Full Story »

• Poultry-case judge blocks soil-test records

  Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Wed Dec 9, 1:49 pm ET  

  A federal judge has blocked the state of Oklahoma’s attempt to introduce a portion of soil test records from 50 chicken farms in its pollution lawsuit against the Arkansas poultry industry. Full Story »

• Inmate gets maximum for beating wife in jail

  Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Wed Dec 9, 1:34 pm ET  

  A Clark County jail inmate charged with beating up his wife during a Mother’s Day visit with their 4-year-old child was sentenced by a jury to the maximum of 11 years in prison. Full Story »

• School Board OKs 2 percent raise for employees

  Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Wed Dec 9, 1:34 pm ET  

  The Pulaski County Special School Board, in an emergency meeting, agreed to a 2 percent raise retroactive from July 1, 2009, for all employees. Full Story »

FOX 16 Little Rock

• DWI conviction overturned in Bryant

  FOX 16 Little Rock – 2 hrs 1 min ago  

  A judge overturns a DWI conviction saying the Bryant Police Department didn't have permission from state police to run radar along I-30. Full Story »

• Residents voiced concerns about LR budget cuts

  FOX 16 Little Rock – Wed Dec 9, 10:18 pm ET  

  Some folks who call Little Rock home don't want the cuts city leaders say the have to make in the 2010 budget. Full Story »

• American Idol Contest

  FOX 16 Little Rock – Wed Dec 9, 9:03 pm ET  

  Idol fans can now post themselves talking about their favorite show and they could appear in an official promotion. Full Story »

• Public voicing concerns about LR budget cuts

  FOX 16 Little Rock – Wed Dec 9, 8:18 pm ET  

  Arkansans upset over proposed budget cuts in Little Rock get their chance to sound off at Dunbar Community Center. Full Story »

• UPDATE: Teachers will have 1-day work stoppage

  FOX 16 Little Rock – Wed Dec 9, 7:03 pm ET  

  The teacher's union will have a a 1-day work stoppage on Thursday. Full Story »

KTHV Little Rock

• Teacher Walk-Out in Pulaski County Schools

  KTHV Little Rock – 33 mins ago  

  18,000 students in Central Arkansas could be without their teachers Thursday after a union walk-out vote in one of the state's largest school districts. Full Story »

• Hero Central: 'Operation Rescue' Gives Homeless Warmth This Winter

  KTHV Little Rock – 2 hrs 3 mins ago  

  As the temperature drops one group is on a mission to make sure no one is left out in the cold. The Union Rescue Mission is handing out blankets, coats and hot coffee, but they need some heroes to keep serving the homeless community. Full Story »

• Arkansas Senators React To Public Option Vote

  KTHV Little Rock – Wed Dec 9, 9:29 pm ET  

  A vote in Congress Tuesday night has tentatively eliminated the controversial public option from the Senate healthcare bill. The move was an attempt by Senate Democrats to secure 60 votes to prevent a filibuster and Arkansas senators were right in the middle of it. Full Story »

• Pulaski County Special School Board Increases Salaries; Teachers Walk Out

  KTHV Little Rock – Wed Dec 9, 8:59 pm ET  

  The Pulaski County Special School Board voted in favor of a 2 percent salary increase for all district employees and an additional $30 to pay for health insurance premiums during an emergency board meeting Wednesday. Full Story »

• Garland Co. Flu Clinic Sees Huge Numbers

  KTHV Little Rock – Wed Dec 9, 8:59 pm ET  

  The lines were long all day at a mass flu clinic put on by the Garland County Health Department. Full Story »

The Log Cabin Democrat

• Prepping for the parade

  The Log Cabin Democrat – 17 mins ago  

  Florence Mattison Elementary School PTO member Lisa Rolins and Jarod Wheeler, 7, work on decorating Christmas trees that will be used on the school’s float for Saturday’s Christmas parade in Conway. Full Story »

• Tap for Habitat slated for this weekend

  The Log Cabin Democrat – 2 hrs 32 mins ago  

  This weekend, several local restaurants will invite diners to help Habitat for Humanity by donating a dollar for their free tap water. Full Story »

• Dentists to offer free services to seniors Friday

  The Log Cabin Democrat – 2 hrs 32 mins ago  

  GREENBRIER — Dr. Todd Swann is opening his family practice tomorrow to give free dental work to any senior citizen who would like to visit. It will be a “first come, first served” situation, but his whole staff, including two assistants and two hygienists will be available. They will start at 8 a.m. and go to 3 p.m. Full Story »

• Budget cut proposed for Sheriff’s Office

  The Log Cabin Democrat – Wed Dec 9, 10:00 pm ET  

  Justices of the Peace trimmed $108,000 from the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office 2010 budget in what they hope will be a temporary measure to balance next year’s county budget. Faulkner County Treasurer Regina Oakley said $108,000 cut from FCSO’s vehicles budget was necessary to balance next year’s budget. Full Story »

• Man displaced by Katrina wins employee of year award

  The Log Cabin Democrat – Wed Dec 9, 4:45 pm ET  

  For Donald Picquet, every minute of every day on the job site is a blessing in disguise, and he doesn’t take it for granted. Full Story »

Newport Independent

• Full-service gas stations live on in Newport

  Newport Independent – Fri Dec 4, 11:19 am ET  

  The familiar ding-ding sound of the full-service gas station is more and more faint now than it was in the past, but not in the town of Newport. Full Story »

• NPD offers reward following vandalism

  Newport Independent – Thu Dec 3, 1:04 pm ET  

  The Newport Police Department is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for recent vandalism in Newport. Full Story »

• ARAN used to inspect highways

  Newport Independent – Thu Dec 3, 12:50 pm ET  

  The Pavement Management Section is responsible for collecting, processing, analyzing, and reporting pavement performance data on all routes on the State maintained highway system for the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. Full Story »

• Coalition honors Williams, ASUN at annual dinner

  Newport Independent – Thu Dec 3, 12:50 pm ET  

  WYNNE – Dr. Larry Williams, chancellor of Arkansas State University – Newport, was one of five educational leaders honored last Thursday by the 10-county Crossroads Coalition. Williams received the “ADTEC Education Innovation Award” for his and ASUN’s commitment to education and workforce training. Full Story »

• Ag Notes

  Newport Independent – Thu Dec 3, 12:49 pm ET  

  The Arkansas Soybean Research Conference will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at the Brinkley Convention Center.  Registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the actual presentations beginning at 8:30 a.m.  The conference is devoted to sharing the latest information obtained from research and extension educational efforts in Arkansas.  Arkansas farmers, through the National Soybean Check-Off program, fund ... Full Story »

KARK Little Rock

• Mass Flu Clinic in Little Rock Today

  KARK Little Rock – 14 mins ago  

  Flu shots will be given in Little Rock today as part of the State Health Department's Mass Flu Clinic program. Both seasonal flu shots and H1N1 vaccinations will be available free of charge at the State Fairgrounds' Hall of Industry from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Full Story »

• Arkansas Powerball Tickets Win $500 Prizes

  KARK Little Rock – 29 mins ago  

  There wasn't a grand prize winner in Wednesday's Powerball drawing, so the jackpot climbs to $65 million for Saturday's drawing. The winning numbers were 1 - 5 - 12 - 13 - 58, PB 21 and a Power Play x5. Full Story »

• PACT Teachers to Walk Out 6 am Thursday

  KARK Little Rock – 1 hr 29 mins ago  

  Class will go on as scheduled in the Pulaski County Special School District even though some teachers will walk out Thursday morning. Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers (PACT) members will stage a one-day fair treatment walk out effective at 6 am. Full Story »

• Community Budget Meeting

  KARK Little Rock – 2 hrs 58 mins ago  

  The City of Little Rock ’s budget has been all over the news lately but tonight, citizens weighed in and asked their own questions. People crowded into the Dunbar Community Center . Full Story »

• Reading the Fine Print

  KARK Little Rock – Wed Dec 9, 9:03 pm ET  

  You know the expression "always read the fine print?" Well, one UALR graduate will never forget it. Kristen Strohl is a dental hygienist in Little Rock , she just graduated from UALR in May. Full Story »

Maumelle Monitor

• Maumelle’s Hometown Thanksgiving

  Maumelle Monitor – Wed Dec 9, 9:35 am ET  

  The crowds get bigger every year for the Hometown Thanksgiving sponsored the last three years by Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Full Story »

• A-Plus board election ends

  Maumelle Monitor – Wed Dec 9, 9:35 am ET  

  It was the election that wouldn’t end — almost. Full Story »

• Teen avoids rape charges in school incident

  Maumelle Monitor – Wed Dec 9, 9:35 am ET  

  A 16-year-old Maumelle boy could have faced criminal rape charges had he been two months older after police investigated an allegation of forced sex at Academics Plus Charter School. Full Story »

• Man arrested on two counts of robbery

  Maumelle Monitor – Wed Dec 9, 9:35 am ET  

  North Little Rock police officers arrested Gregory Scott, 36, on Tuesday and he is being charged with two counts of aggravated robbery. Full Story »

• Domestic incidents on rise in Maumelle

  Maumelle Monitor – Wed Dec 9, 9:35 am ET  

  Maumelle police chief Sam Williams said he was surprised to discover the number of domestic incidents when he came to Maumelle. He said the trend continues. Full Story »

Pine Bluff Commercial

• PORT USE DOWN; BUSINESS INTERESTED IN 35-ACRE SITE

  Pine Bluff Commercial – 1 hr 33 mins ago  

  Overall 2009 tonnage at the Port of Pine Bluff Harbor Industrial District is down about 20 percent from what it was in November 2008, continuing a general downward trend in rail, truck and barge traffic since 2003. Full Story »

• CITY ADJUSTS BUDGET FOR ELECTION

  Pine Bluff Commercial – 1 hr 33 mins ago  

  The administration committee approved parts of Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr.’s proposed 2010 budget Wednesday morning, but expenses for 2010 city elections were added at the last minute. Full Story »

• NEW LIONS CLUB IN WHITE HALL DRAWS COMMUNITY INTEREST

  Pine Bluff Commercial – 1 hr 33 mins ago  

  A second White Hall Lions Club conducted its first meeting Wednesday, allowing those who are busy in the evenings to be part of the international organization. Full Story »

• CENSUS OFFICIALS ENCOURAGE SURVEY PARTICIPATION

  Pine Bluff Commercial – 1 hr 33 mins ago  

  Resistance by some to participating in the census count creates problems for U.S. Census Bureau officials trying to accurately estimate populations, a representative of the bureau said Wednesday. Full Story »

• Superintendent: Middle school construction ‘coming along fine’

  Pine Bluff Commercial – 1 hr 34 mins ago  

  Construction on the Dollarway School District’s new middle school is proceeding as scheduled, the district’s superintendent told the school’s board of directors Tuesday night. Full Story »

Arkansas Times

• En pointe

  Arkansas Times – Wed Dec 9, 4:15 pm ET  

  The second act of ?The Nutcracker? is unfolding behind the picture windows of Shuffles & Ballet II, a dance studio in a west Little Rock shopping plaza. Full Story »

• From Wal-Mart to the White House

  Arkansas Times – Wed Dec 9, 4:12 pm ET  

  Quick: Name the wunderkind from Hope who went to the White House in 1993. Full Story »

Cabot Star-Herald

• Man strings Christmas lights for a cause

  Cabot Star-Herald – Fri Dec 4, 4:55 pm ET  

  Jason Craven of Cabot has for the past several years had a spectacular Christmas show of lights and music. This year he has volunteered to ask spectators to donate to Open Arms Shelter during the display. Full Story »

• All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

  Cabot Star-Herald – Fri Dec 4, 4:55 pm ET  

  Northwest Lonoke County-area children who are missing their two front teeth during the Christmas season can have their picture published. Due to space limitations, pictures are limited to children up to 10 years old, residing in homes within the Cabot School District, or with Cabot, Ward or Austin mailing addresses. Full Story »

• National Guard armory groundbreaking is set

  Cabot Star-Herald – Fri Dec 4, 4:55 pm ET  

  After about a 100-year absence, an Arkansas National Guard unit soon will call Cabot home. Construction of the long-awaited National Guard armory will begin Thursday with a ceremonial groundbreaking, at 10:30 a.m. at the armory site on Commerce Park Drive in the Cabot Commerce Center. Full Story »

• Flu shots at 6,500 and counting for Lonoke County; clinic soon

  Cabot Star-Herald – Fri Dec 4, 4:54 pm ET  

  The second round of statewide mass vaccination clinics to immunize Arkansans against both seasonal and H1N1 influenza will begin next week, according to a press release from the Arkansas Department of Health. Full Story »

• Welfare check goes bust at Austin; suspected drugs found

  Cabot Star-Herald – Fri Dec 4, 4:54 pm ET  

  According to a report from Austin chief of police John Staley, an officer’s concern for a woman’s safety turned into a drug arrest. As a result, Jonathan Kammeyer, 22, of Jacksonville, was arrested pending weapons and drug charges. Full Story »