Stories from Friday, February 17, 2017

Eureka Springs School District Superintendent Bryan Pruitt told the district’s board of directors at its meeting on Monday that the district has been approved for a grant of $109,650 from the state Department of Career Education. The grant would pay for construction of a greenhouse on district property and help pave the way for the district to offer agriculture education classes...

A new group of Americans has emerged in recent years. It is called the “Nones,” not to be confused with habit-wearing “nuns,” of course. These “Nones” are those with no religious affiliation. When surveyed or asked about their religion, they answer, “None.”...

The children of Jerry and Pat Carlton would like to announce their 60th wedding anniversary. Patricia Ann Peden and Jerry Lee Carlton were united in marriage Feb. 16, 1957 in Blue Eye, Arkansas. The couple were blessed with four children: Jackie Carlton and wife Janita of Oak Grove; Leanne Robinson and late husband Bruce of Lexington, Okla.; Jerry Carlton and wife Jacklynn of Green Forest; and Lisa Martin and husband Ed of Edmond, Okla. ...

The city of Green Forest will now require a clear outline of building plans before awarding building permits. The Green Forest City Council voted at its Tuesday meeting to approve Ordinance 655, which provides for the uniform presentation of building plans before the planning and zoning commission. Mayor Charles Reece said the ordinance was introduced because the planning commission had a few drawings submitted for building plans recently that were nearly impossible to interpret...

Good Shepherd Humane Society is saying goodbye to some of its longtime residents. Shelter manager Sandra Mittler reported Monday that the shelter recently found homes for the dogs in Minnesota. She said these dogs — Hawkeye, Bugaboo, Sydney, Timmy, Adele and Lola — have been at the shelter for at least six months. Four of them, she said, have been there for more than a year...

The Eureka Springs City Council is taking action to prevent the city’s finances from going down the toilet. On Monday night, the council voted to raise the water and sewer rates by 30 percent each. Mayor Butch Berry explained that the rates need to increase because the city’s proposed 1 percent sales tax was rejected by voters in November. ...

Not many people picture tattoo shops when they think of ministries, but New Life Challenge is not the average ministry. New Life Challenge operates out of the Blue Cross Lodge, formerly the Iron Horse Lodge, between Eureka Springs and Berryville. Assistant director Kenneth Knight said New Life Challenge is a Christian-based nonprofit committed to addressing the needs of the hopeless, including recovering addicts, homeless, single mothers, families, disabled veterans and others...

There will be no Sunday alcohol sales in Green Forest for the time being. Proposed Ordinance 653, which would have allowed on-premise alcohol sales in Green Forest from noon until 10 p.m. on Sundays, failed to pass at the Green Forest City Council’s Tuesday meeting...