Davenport wins big in Yellville-Summit School Board election
The Yellville-Summit School District was the only school district in Baxter and Marion County in which there was a contested school board election.
Incumbent Elanor Davenport defeated challenger Kutter McNeil for the position one seat 135 votes to 11.
Polling stations for other area schools, Mountain Home, Cotter, Flippin and Norfork, remained closed as candidates for those positions are running unopposed.
Incumbents Jason Schmeski and Bill Wehmeyer are ran unopposed for their positions on the Mountain Home School Board.
Donald Marler replaced Russell Duggins on the Cotter School Board.
In Norfork, Levi Haught and Joshua Davis are ran unopposed.
Incumbent Robin Lee ran uncontested for her position on the Yellville-Summit School Board.
Incumbents Curt Bryant and Terry Chatelain ran unopposed for their positions on the Flippin School Board.
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Buzzard Roost Inn total loss after fire
A local business was a total loss after a Thursday afternoon fire. According to the Northeast Lakeside Fire Department, the Buzzard Roost Inn was fully involved when fire personnel arrived on the scene.
A fire department spokesperson says the fire appeared to originate in the dining room area near the middle of the main floor. Baxter County Sheriff’s investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.
The Northeast Lakeside Fire Department was on the scene for three-and-a-half to four hours and assisted by 101-Gamaliel and Henderson Fire Departments.
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Rail spur re-opens at Yellville industrial park
A local city recently welcomed the re-opening of a rail spur. According to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the spur is located in Yellville’s industrial park, and its revitalization was completed through a grant of over $124,000 awarded late last year by the Delta Regional Authority (DRA).
Yellville Mayor Shawn Lane says local leaders were looking to have the spur used as it was in the past and to be open to new traffic, and he says they are working with an out-of-state company on the spur’s management.
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The spur had been closed for nearly two years, and according to Lane, the DRA grant went a long way in paying for its repairs.
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Lane adds the city of Yellville and other local leaders are relying on the assistance from We Pack Logistics and the railroad to help with the local economic impact.
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For more information on the new spur, go online to wepack.com.
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Baxter Home Health notifies patients of break-in
The Baxter Regional Home Health facility is notifying patients of a potential security incident this summer. According to Baxter Regional Medical Center, employees went into the office in Cotter the morning of August 5th and discovered it was broken into overnight.
During the break-in, some hard-copy files were located within the facility and could have been accessed by the potential suspects. HIPPA privacy officer and patient account manager Linda Morris reports the patients on August 5th could be affected, and patients between June 1st, 2014, and June 30th, 2015, could also be affected because that was before the office switched to digital records.
BRMC General Counsel Nicole Vaccarella says it doesn’t appear any information was stolen, but the hospital is still taking precautions.
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Vaccarella goes on to emphasize patients of Baxter Home Health nurses should feel secure that their information was most likely not compromised.
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Patients and employees with questions on how to protect themselves can contact Baxter Regional Medical Center’s toll free number at 844-453-5060 weekdays from eight to five.
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Ozark County man killed in 2-vehicle accident
An Ozark County man was killed in a two-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon on Highway 181 south of Dora. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the victim was identified as 19-year-old Tyler Hickerson of Zanoni.
Hickerson was traveling westbound when his vehicle struck an eastbound pickup truck driven by 67-year-old Lee Bowen of Gainesville. Hickerson was ejected from his vehicle after it overturned, and he was pronounced dead at the scene by Ozark County Cornoner Shane Ledbetter. His body was taken to Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville. Hickerson was not wearing a safety device.
Bowen was not injured in the one p.m. accident. Hickerson’s vehicle was toataled, and Bowen’s truck had moderate damage.
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Watson seeks post-conviction relief under Rule 37
Ronald K. Watson of Flippin, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of rape, kidnapping and third degree battery stemming from an incident in which a woman was abducted from the parking lot of the midtown Harps location, assaulted and raped in late July last year, has filed a Rule 37 Petition seeking post conviction relief.
A hearing on Watsons petition is currently set for late October, according to court records.
Watson is the second person to seek post conviction relief recently. Nicholas Roos, who was sentenced to life without parole for killing and robbing an elderly Midway couple in early November last year, is also asking for post conviction relief and the hearing on his Rule 37 Petition is set for late October as well. Two local lawyers – John Crain and Justin Downum – were recently appointed by the court to represent Roos.
The state filed answers to both petitions late last week.
As with most Rule 37 petitions, Watson is claiming ineffective representation by his attorney, and also alleges speedy trial violations. Watson represented himself in the initial filing, but asks the court to appoint a lawyer for him.
In his petition, Watson basically lays the blame for his not making what he terms a timely first appearance on the entire legal system in Baxter County and contends he was denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial.
Watson makes reference to not being brought before a judicial officer within 48 hours of his arrest and appears to allege a violation of Rule 8.1 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure. The rule, however, only requires that a person not released from jail in a lawful manner shall be taken before a judicial officer without unnecessary delay.
In one opinion, a former Arkansas Attorney General pointed out that Rule 8.1 provides no guidance in interpreting the meaning of the term unnecessary delay.
According to court records, Watson waived his right to a formal reading of the warrant that listed the charges he faced.
In the state’s answer to Watson’s petition, the arguments he raises are refuted and the court is requested to dismiss the petition as being without merit. The state further contends that Watson’s arguments cannot prevail, and that his petition should be dismissed on its face and without a hearing.
In Arkansas, a defendant must be brought to trial within a year, excluding any continuances granted on motion of the defense. Watson pled guilty to the charges against him within that time limit.
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Rural Gassville man charged with arson
A Baxter County man was arrested following an investigation into a residential structure fire reported earlier this month on Wildcat Shoals Road. According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, 25-year-old Scott Willett of rural Gassville is charged with a Class A felony count of Arson.
The fire occurred September 5th, and sheriff’s investigators were called to the scene after it was determined to have suspicious elements including several items from inside the home located in the yard. A small propane torch was found lying in debris in the master bedroom and taken into evidence.
Willett resided at the home owned by his mother, and he initially told investigators he arrived back at the residence and found emergency personnel on the scene. He also said he did not know how the fire started.
A neighbor had video surveillance cameras and provided investigators with footage to establish a time line and chain of events from the fire. Willett was allegedly observed on camera leaving the residence that morning at 11:36, and smoke was seen on the footage 30 seconds later.
When interviewed Tuesday by investigators, Willett confessed to setting the fire. Investigators asked why he set the fire, and he said, “God told me to.”
Willett made a first appearance in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday and entered a not guilty plea. Andrew Bailey with the Public Defender’s Office asked the court to consider lowering Willett’s bond from $75,000 to $5,000, but Circuit Judge John Putman said he needed time to think about the request. Willett was ordered to reappear on December 1st.
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