(1)--Questions involving Arkansas Tech University, the use of American Rescue Plan funds; and curriculem being used at the Governor's School being hosted there, continue to be bantered around by State Legislators. An Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article this week highlighted Senate President Pro Temp Jimmy Hickey of Texarkana's allegation that the University violated state law by not sending American Rescue Plan funds to the state treasury first, then having the treasury pay the school; so they could distribute it to students. Arkansas Tech Counsel Thomas Pennington apologize to state lawmakers on Monday on behalf of the school, for bypassing the Department of Finance and Administration; paying 1.1-million in emergency financial aid grants to students. Tech is believed to have been one of the first state higher education institutions to seek Rescue Plan funds.
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Lawmakers also expressed their concern over what they characterized race-related materials given to student at the Governor's School. University spokesman Sam Strasner was quoted in the article saying the paper in question was a 1988 op/ed by Peggy McIntosh "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack". Last week, 33 House Republicans and 10 Senate members of the GOP; expressed concerns about the curriculem to State Education Secretary Johnny Key.
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(2)--A trial date for a suspect in the September 2020 stabbing death of 33-year old Jose Medel-Hernandez in Danville has been set for August in Yell County Circuit Court. The trial of 42-year old Carlos Lopez-Pacheco, charged with first degree murder and aggravated robbery was among those delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. 15th District Circuit Judge Jerry Don Ramey recently set an August 5th pre-trial date for Lopez-Pacheco, and a jury trial for August 19th. The suspect remains in the Yell County Detention Center on 2-million dollars bond.
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(2)--Arrested over the past 48-hours by law enforcement in Pope County, a 42-year old male; taken into custody by Russellville Police on possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia charge. And, a 35-year old female; detained by Police on drug possession charges. In Yell County, a 26-year old Ola man is being held on two counts of possession of methamphetamine or cocaine with intent to deliver. And, in Johnson County; a 44-year old Ozone female was arrested on narcotics and drug paraphernalia possession, a 57-year old Dover man on aggravated assault and a 42-year old Tulsa, Oklahoma male; held on two counts of methamphetamine and paraphernalia possession. The names of these individuals are being withheld, pending a probable cause appearance in the jurisdiction of their arrest.
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Dover City Council members were presented the final evaluation report on the community's sewer and treatment system during their July session this week. Jeff Dynhart with ESI Engineering informed Mayor Roger Lee and the Council that overall, the sewer system doesn't have as many problems as was originally feared; but; many of the city's sewer lift stations are in need of significant updating and repair. As a result of the report, Council members voted to have ESI begin the application process, seeking grants or grant/loans from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to make those repairs. In other matters, Council members reviewed and approved the City's water/sewer budget for July 2021 to July 2022. And, transferred 5-thousand dollars from the general fund to the sewer fund and 5-thousand from the general to the water fund to assist with paying the current utility bill with Russellville City Corporation.
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Looking ahead to Monday's meeting agenda... Clarksville Connected Utilities Commission will meet on Monday (26) at the utility's offices in downtown Clarksville at 12noon.
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Pottsville City Council has a 6:30 p/m meeting scheduled at City Hall. And, the Conway County Quorum Court will meet at 5 p/m, in the courthouse in Morrilton.
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(3)--Congratulations to Russellville Police Chief David Ewing for being selected as the 2021 Arkansas Safe Schools Leadership Award recipient. The award presentation was made on Tuesday, during the 16th annual Arkansas Safe Schools Conference. A release from the Police Department states that "this award is given in recognition of a program administrator who has made a specific, significant contribution to their School Resource Officer (SRO) Program. Also on hand as Chief Ewing received the award, Jeff Holt, Russellville School District Assistant to the Superintendent for Operations and a number of past and present Russellville School Resource Officers.
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(3)--Thursday, at the Johnson County Peach Festival in Clarksville... Craft booths and concession stands open on the Courthouse Square at 10 a/m. Johnson County Idol competition will get underway at 6 p/m on the square, with a street dance to follow at 8 p/m. A full day of activities and events are planned for Friday and Saturday, with horseshoe and Bag Toss Competition planned on Sunday morning. Check out the full list of planned events on our Facebook page...
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