Stories from Wednesday, December 1, 2004

Just as work on a proposed county budget has been completed, Carroll County government officials are again confronted with a potential budget-breaking employee health insurance rate increase. Notification of the increase was received from the Municipal Health Benefit Fund of the Arkansas Municipal League on Nov. 10, indicating a $112,000 per year increase effective on Jan. 1...

The Green Forest Tiger senior high basketball teams both took opening round losses last Saturday in the Community First Bank 2004 Omaha Border Classic tournament. Both teams played strong Western Grove squads, with the Tigers losing 66-24, and the Lady Tigers 61-30...

The Berryville Bobcat senior high basketball teams both took wins in the first round of the Community First Bank 2004 Omaha Border Classic tournament last Saturday, with their next games set for Thursday in the winner's bracket. The Bobcat boys (4-0) defeated St. Paul 64-51, while the Lady Bobcats (4-0) pounded host Omaha 59-29. On Thursday, both teams will face Western Grove, with the boys tipping off at 5:20 p.m., and the girls right after at 6:40...

Nashville's Samuel Fellows scored three touchdowns, and Scrapper quarterback A.J. Whitmore ran for 122 yards and passed for 149 more last Friday as Class AAA's preseason top team ended Green Forest's dream season 21-14 after three big defensive stands turned the visiting Tigers back...

Week of Nov. 22 November 22 4 p.m. ---- Police went to a city residence to investigate a report of possible child abuse. Police checked and notified the DHS hotline. 11:20 p.m. ---- Police were at the police department with a county complainant waiting for a deputy...

Week of Nov. 22 November 22 11:23 a.m. ---- Responded to a call at Burger King to investigate the passing of a $20 bill believed to be conterfeit. 1:09 p.m. -- Checked on a reported of an abandoned vehicle in the parking lot of the library. 1:30 p.m. -- Responded to a traffic accident at the intersection at Stubb's Grocery involving a hit and run. Suspect vehicle found on Pritchard Street...

Week of Nov. 22 November 22 1:05 p.m. -- Caller reported a possible sick or injured cat at apartment complex. Officer stated animal may have been in fight earlier and the apartment manager would handle situation. 1:10 p.m. -- Caller reported two dogs running loose on Summit. Owner had put dogs up before officer arrived...

JERRY LEE JAMES, 61, of Green Forest, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at his home. He was born July 28, 1943, at Flippin, Ark., the second son of Manuel and the late Vera (Parnell) James. Jerry was a member of First Baptist Church in Green Forest. He received his BSE degree from UCA in Conway and extended hours from the University of Arkansas. ...

THELMA FOX, a resident of Green Forest, was born May 29, 1923, in Perry, Okla., a daughter of Franklin Harold and Emma (Merriman) Gallant. She died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, in Springdale, Ark., at the age of 81. Thelma was retired from Tyson Foods in Green Forest, where she worked for 28 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Green Forest...

It's been a long time coming, but the chances are improving that Carroll County will be getting a drug court in mid-2005. The next hurdle will be when the state legislature convenes next year and approves the 2006 fiscal year budget. Only in about the last three years has Arkansas gotten serious about addressing the growing methamphetamine epidemic in our part of the state. ...

GREEN FOREST ---- When adults use drugs or abuse alcohol, more is at risk than their own health and welfare. The very people who depend on them ---- their children ---- are often ignored or abused. This point was dramatically brought to light recently when students at the Green Forest Intermediate School wrote drug awareness essays during Red Ribbon Week...

Two men pled guilty Monday to reduced charges of first degree murder for the shooting death of a rural Green Forest man and were each sentenced to 20 years in prison Monday morning in circuit court action in Berryville. Brandon Lee "Buffalo" Webb, 22, of Goodson, Mo., formerly of Green Forest, and David Coy Greenhaw, 26, of Springdale admitted to firing shots that resulted in the death of Richard W. Gerrard Jr., in the doorway of his residence on June 4, 2003...

by David McNeal It was a great Thanksgiving weekend for some. For others, there wasn't much weekend to it. Seems like sports are getting in the way of family vacations, or at least, family time out of the rat race. Thanksgiving was this past weekend, and one of the things I was most thankful for was that I am not currently coaching a high school team. Any team...