Ark. Man Arrested In Michigan, Accused In Diamond Heist

January 6th, 2009

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Fayetteville police said the U.S. Marshals helped them catch a man they say robbed a local jewelry store.

Jason Stallcup, 37, was arrested at a Michigan motel after a police pursuit.

Officers said that leads from the Northwest Arkansas Fugitive Task Force helped to bring Stallcup in.

Stallcup allegedly robbed the Romance Diamond Company in Fayetteville at gunpoint last month.

He will be extradited to Arkansas after legal proceedings in Michigan.

Trio In Custody Following Man’s Death At Hospital

January 6th, 2009

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Detectives are investigating the death of a man who was dropped off at Washington Regional Medical Center on Monday.

The man was brought to the emergency room by a woman who quickly drove away, police said.

He was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

Officers said they caught up with the woman and that she was found with two other people.

The trio is being questioned to help determined how the man died.

Har-Ber High Teacher Dies In Car Crash

January 6th, 2009

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — A local high school will be starting the semester without one of their own, after a fatal accident claimed the life of one of their teachers.

The one-car accident occurred around 7 a.m. Monday on Highway 71B in south Fayetteville.

The staff member was a science teacher at Springdale Har-Ber High School.

Thomas Culp, 29, taught advanced placement biology here ever since the school opened four years ago.

He was on his way to work Monday morning when his life was suddenly cut short.

“It’s a great loss for Har-Ber High School,” said Dr. (Read the full post about ‘Har-Ber High Teacher Dies In Car Crash’…)

New Rogers Police Chief Sworn In

January 6th, 2009

ROGERS, Ark. — The city of Rogers has a new set of eyes on its streets.

Steve Hamilton was recognized as the new chief of the Rogers Police Department at a ceremony on Monday.

He comes into the position from Springfield, Mo., with more than 30 years of experience.

Hamilton is replacing Chief Steve Helms who retired recently.

Several other newly elected officials were sworn in at the ceremony, as well.

Support for Blago

January 5th, 2009

I’m with Brummett. Odious as the governor of Illinois may be, I don’t see how they can justify blocking his legal appointment to fill Obama’s U.S. Senate seat.

NLR’s big news UPDATE

January 5th, 2009

Those 500 jobs to be announced today in NLR, said to be related to "utility vehicles." Here’s an uninformed guess: it’s a maker of the mini-trucks that are popular in agricultural and commercial uses worldwide. Generally, they are not allowed on highways. Legislation is expected this session to allow them on Arkansas roads.

UPDATE: Forget about this speculation. It’s much bigger stuff — a Caterpillar grader plant.

Not perfect

January 5th, 2009

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson wasn’t forthcoming with Obama’s transition team about the seriousness of a grand jury investigation into a contract awarded a supporter, Politico’s Jonathan Martin writes, but critics say the team should have vetted him more carefully. NBC Nightly News says once they figured it out, they put on the pressure for him to withdraw from the Commerce Secretary appointment. One pay-to-play scandal is enough.

 

Lower caps for higher ed

January 5th, 2009

Arkansas Higher Ed director Jim Purcell makes the argument to Arkansas Business that the caps on public college scholarships needs to lowered to ease the burden on non-scholarship students.

He gave an example of a hypothetical college - he called it "Floyd University" - with an enrollment of 6,000 full-time students and an annual budget of $27 million in income from tuition and fees.

If none of those 6,000 students had a scholarship, the school could charge each student only $4,500 per year to meet its budget. If the college, however, gives full scholarships to 30 percent of those hypothetical students, that leaves only 4,200 students to carry the financial load.

(Read the full post about ‘Lower caps for higher ed’…)

The Old Guard is back

January 5th, 2009

Dick Bond, president and chief executive officer of Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), announced today he is leaving the company, effective immediately. Leland Tollett, former chairman and CEO of the company, has agreed to return to the company as President and CEO on an interim basis until a permanent successor has been chosen.

"After seven years of helping lead or leading the world’s largest meat company, I have decided it is in both my best interest personally, and the best interest of the company for me to move on and pursue other interests," Bond said. (Read the full post about ‘The Old Guard is back’…)

Show Me no more

January 5th, 2009

Hussman shoveled a quarter-page of "Missouri Briefs" into the last page of the Little Rock daily’s Arkansas section this morning.

What’s next? High Profile Neosho?