Stories from Wednesday, March 5, 2003

GREEN FOREST ---- Snow days and a geothermal system for the new multi-purpose building were the top subjects school board members discussed when they met in special session Monday night. At their February meeting, two days of Spring Break were taken to make up for excessive snow days...

Carroll County radio pioneer Tom Earls led a remarkable life, and leaves a legacy for local radio listeners in the form of KTHS radio, which he had owned and modernized with his son, Jim. Mr. Earls died Friday, Feb. 28, at the age of 67. Many who knew him described him as an astute businessman who took the historic station into the modern area of radio broadcasting...

GREEN FOREST ---- "I was surprised and honored," said a humble Jerry Tanner after receiving the Person of the Year Award, and standing ovation, at the Green Forest Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Saturday night. "I didn't expect it, and I feel really, really honored," he added as friends and family members stepped forward to offer hugs, handshakes, and congratulations...

Criminal cases delayed last week due to winter weather resulted in court action extending into the evening Monday at the Eastern District Courthouse in Berryville. Janet Faye Brand-Powell, 42, of Eureka Springs, on probation on a 1999 conviction of theft by receiving, was ordered to serve a two-year sentence in the Department of Community Corrections, and complete its therapeutic community program...

Janice Ada Baker, 70, of Holiday Island, died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, in Eureka Springs. She was born July 21, 1932, in Prescott, Ariz. She was one of triplet daughters born to Arthur George and Ethel Beatrice (Robinson) Baker. Fran Light of Holiday Island, recently deceased, was another of these triplets...

February 17 9:30 a.m. -- Caller reported dump truck at top of Planer Hill was blocking view of oncoming traffic. Vehicle was to be moved. 9:54 a.m. -- Residents on Pivot Rock Road reported neighbors had left trash out for several weeks. Officer spoke with elderly gentleman who lived there and he told officers he would arrange to have his daughter move, as he was unable to physically do it himself...

February 24 12:57 a.m. ---- Hailey Road closed by officers due to icy conditions. 5:50 a.m. ---- Assisted with medical call on East Freeman. 7:10 a.m. ---- Alarm at Berryville Health Care checked out OK. 12:35 p.m. ---- Lifeline alarm on Charles Street turned out to be unfounded...

February 25 6:10 a.m. ---- Police were dispatched to the intersection of Tyson Drive and Arch Street to investigate a report of a vehicle in a ditch. The vehicle was gone when police arrived. February 28 3:20 a.m. ---- Police were dispatched to a feed mill to investigate a report of an intoxicated motorist in a ditch. The suspect was gone when police arrived...

Coach Tracy Jones and the Berryville Bobcat basketball team had a number of goals when the season started, including winning the 1AAA District conference and tournament race, playing in the regional tournament, making it to the Class AAA State Tournament, and being ranked state-wide...

Coach Mitch Myrick and the Lady Bobcat basketball team is headed to the Class AAA State Tournament this week in Prescott after nipping the Booneville Lady Bearcats 43-41 in the first round of the Class AAA Regional at Ozark last Friday night. The win avenged a loss to Booneville last year that kept Berryville from the goal of playing in state, making it all that much sweeter this year...

Walter D. Rusterholz, 92, of Central City, Neb., died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003, at Litzenberg Long Term Care in Central City. He was born April 29, 1910, in Dunlap, Iowa, to Jacob and Minnie (Steinkuller) Rusterholz. He grew up and received his education in the Dunlap and Dennison areas...

Ruth Andrew Redmon, 89, of Tacoma, Wash., died Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in Tacoma. She was born Aug. 1, 1913, near Green Forest, daughter of Elmer and Lundy Andrew. She was very young when she married Jack Hammett. They moved to Formosa, Ark., where their five children were born...

Edna Louvena Popplewell, 100, died Friday, February 28, 2003, at Harrison Nursing Center in Harrison. She was born October 19, 1902, at Batavia, daughter of Peter and Mahalia Thacker Daniel. Mrs. Popplewell was a housewife and a resident of Carroll County for many years, with a prior residence in Wichita, Kan...

J.D. Lynch, 56, of Golden, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, in Berryville. He was born April 24, 1946, in Lubbock, Texas, son of James Perry and Jewell (Walden) Lynch. Mr. Lynch was a self-made businessman. He was a strong-willed leader who motivated many of his friends to reach their personal goals. He enjoyed many hobbies, including computers, dachshunds, and especially RC Airplanes. He said that nothing made him happier than cooking for his friends and watching their enjoyment...

James Eddie Hale, 60, of Cullman, Ala., died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003, in Alabama. He was born Jan. 29, 1943, in Berryville, son of James Edward and Lola C. (High) Hale. Mr. Hale was a federal and state eggs and poultry supervisor for 29 years. He was married to Margaret (Brown) Hale, who survives him, of the home. He is also survived by a son, James Hale of Cullman; his mother, Lola Hale of Berryville; and other relatives and friends...

Tom Earls, 67, of Berryville, died Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, at his home. He was born Nov. 2, 1935, in Steele, Mo., son of James Cleadeth and Lottie Dee (Lester) Earls. Mr. Earls moved to Berryville in 1978. In 1982, along with his son, Jim, he bought KTHS Radio Station, where he was manager and CEO...

William "Willy" Bever, 73, of Holiday Island, died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, in Springdale. He was born April 2, 1929, in Bedford, Ind., son of Huston and Violet Viola (Williams) Bever. Mr. Bever was a retired salesman. He was a veteran, having served his country with the United States Army. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Holiday Island...

Coach Josh Hill's Highlander basketball team took the first step toward state with a 64-59 win over the Hackett Hornets at the Class AA Regional in Danville last Friday, but saw those hopes dashed on Saturday with a 67-52 loss to a powerful Charleston Tiger team...

This column may be the hardest I've ever written ---- and possibly the most mistake-filled. As the keys click away on my computer, I'm listening to the Berryville basketball teams play in the consolation games at the regional tournament at Ozark. That's right. I had to stay in the office Monday to make this week's sports section and didn't travel to the games...