Stories from Tuesday, December 4, 2007

by David McNeal It was all about the money -- and egos. When the University of Arkansas announced a press conference concerning Coach Houston Nutt, everyone waited to see if the rumors of his leaving were true. As soon as Chancellor John White started smiling and pulling his best "ah shucks" good guy routine, I knew this wasn't going to be pretty...

OMAHA -- The semifinal game between the Berryville Bobcats and Green Forest Tigers last Thursday in the Omaha Border Classic was all it was cracked up to be. Flying 3-point shots, leaping rebounds, diving saves and hard-nosed defense kept the crowd on its toes, with the game coming down to two final free throws by Berryville's Cody Curtis, swishers after he missed four in a row...

GREEN FOREST -- It's time for the longest running basketball tournament in Arkansas to tip off, the 51st Green Forest Holiday Tournament, with first action on Dec. 8. The tournament begins on Saturday, Dec. 8, with two boys games on tap. The Eureka Springs Highlanders will face the Alpena Leopards at 2 p.m., with Elkins and Kingston playing at 3:30...

Week of Nov. 27 November 27 11:45 a.m. - An officer responded to a report of a sick dog on Gregory Dr. 11:51 a.m. - A black and brown shepherd mix dog was picked up. November 28 12:03 p.m. - An officer assisted emergency medical personnel on Third St...

Week of Nov. 26 Nov. 26 8:44 a.m. - Police provided a VIN verification. 10:30 a.m. - Police were dispatched to a dental office where a patient was yelling and cursing, but was gone by the time an officer arrived five minutes later. 10:43 a.m. - Police filed a fraud report that occurred in Florida...

Week of Nov. 26 Nov. 26 8:05 a.m. -- A person on Harvey Street reported animals in the area and information was taken. 8:12 a.m. -- An incident of criminal mischief was investigated at the bus barn, and a report was taken. 3:51 p.m. -- A burglary was reported at Caribe and a report was made...

MITCHELL FRANK VILLINES, 58, formerly of Bentonville, died Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, at his home, in Neosho, Mo., following a one-year illness. He was born Nov. 5, 1949, in Harrison, to William and Leota Pauline (Davis) Villines. Mr. Villines was an accountant and had recently moved to Neosho from Bentonville. He owned Villines Foods, in Green Forest, for more than 20 years, and was a member of Fellowship Bible Church in Lowell...

ANNE CERNE LARSON, 89, formerly of Hot Springs and Conway, died Nov. 20, 2007, at her home in Houston, Texas. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to John and Agnes Stupar Cerne.She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur (Bill) Larson, her mother and father, and her five brothers and three sisters...

FRANCES HOLMBERG, a resident of Eureka Springs, was born Jan. 17, 1915, in New Jersey, a daughter of Alexander and Francesca (Rogers) Davis. She died Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007, in Eureka Springs, at the age of 92. Ms. Holmberg was a homemaker. She was also a member of the Rainbow Girls...

JENNIFER DAVIS-FORD, who fought a long brave battle against cancer, passed away Nov. 17, 2007. She was at her home in Tuscson, Ariz., amid the mountains and desert which she loved. Jennifer was born Oct. 12, 1967, to Ltc. Charley B. and Joanne Davis in Fort Eustis, Va. ...

W.C. ANDY ANDREWS, a resident of Harrison, was born Jan. 26, 1936, in Memphis, Tenn., a son of Earl and Bessie Andrews. He died Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, in Kimberling City, Mo., at the age of 71. Mr. Andrews retired from the U.S. Army in 1975. He served during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. ...

BERRYVILLE -- A Sears store opened in Berryville Friday, offering name brand appliances, tools, lawn and garden equipment and much more -- seven days a week. The 5,250 foot showroom is located in the Williams Shopping Center, in a storefront once occupied by True Value Hardware...

GREEN FOREST -- On Thursday evening the community will have a chance to hear directly what the state will require from the school district. A public meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the cafeteria. The meeting was initially announced for the Alumni Center, but there were concerns about the acoustics...

BERRYVILLE -- With a more than $450,000 estimated revenue increase over 2007, the Carroll County Quorum Court made quick work Friday of most departmental budgets for 2008, with the exception of Prosecuting Attorney Tony Rogers' and those of Sheriff Bob Grudek...