Body of missing canoeist found in Buffalo National River
HASTY, Ark. (AP) Authorities say the body of a 65-year-old Missouri man who went missing after his canoe capsized late last month in the Buffalo River in Arkansas has been found.
Sheriff’s officials in Newton County say the body of Rick Norber of St. Louis was found Saturday morning by searchers about four miles downstream from where he was last seen April 26.
Authorities have said Norber was with other canoeists when their canoes capsized in the rushing water after downpours raised the river to dangerous levels. The other canoeists managed to make it to safety, but witnesses said Norber was swept away.
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Bull Shoals voters approve tax hike for a second time
Bull Shoals voters have, for a second time, approved a sales tax increase to fund a new wastewater treatment plant. According to Bull Shoals Mayor David Hotchkiss, the votes were 435 in favor and 11 against. Voters in November, of last year, approved the tax hike to help fund the plant however, the USA grant/loan funding agency required different language from the original ballot.
The city’s sales and use tax will rise from 8.75 percent to 9.75 percent. According to ballot language, the one percent sales tax hike will end once the debt for financing the new plant is retired.
The city was approved for a $4 million grant and a $5 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund the slightly more than $9.5 million facility.
The current wastewater treatment facility dates back to the 1970’s and has significant problems. Bull Shoals city officials have been quoted as saying the new wastewater treatment plant will serve the city well into the future.
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Dian’s closes the doors for the last time
Dian’s Fashions, a Mtn. Home icon in womens clothing for over forty years, closed their doors for the last time Wednesday. Carol Boogaart purchased the store 36 years ago, kept the name, that of the founder of the store, and started the journey now coming to an end.
Boogaart says her goal was to provide a satisfying, pleasurable shopping experience for customers by carrying up-to-date women’s fashions, made from the finest fabrics, in a wide variety of sizes and styles, plus quality accessories for coordinated head-to-toe dressing in one location, capped off with the highest level of personal attention to each shoppers needs, on every visit.
Boogaart said, through the years, her staff was always willing to do whatever it took to be sure a client loved their selections and looked their very best, and considers it one of the main reasons the store was in business so long.
The interaction with her customers is what she’s going to miss the most, according to Boogaart, who has spent much of her life in the clothing industry, but says its just time to retire. She elected to sell out Dian’s fashions and accessories to her customers, rather than selling the business, because of those long-time, priceless personal relationships, which she will always treasure.
Boogaart says its been a joy and a privilege serving women here and across the state, and thanks everyone for their patronage. She has especially appreciated all the congratulatory wishes from Dians clientele during these last weeks of operation.
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Selfridge to take plea deal
Jeremiah Selfridge of Mountain Home, charged with having sexual relations with a close female relative, will formally accept a plea agreement at 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to an announcement made during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
The 19-year-old Selfridge was charged after an incident that occurred in January last year at a residence along Buzzard Roost Cutoff. The victim, a close female relative of Selfridge’s, reported she had been sexually assaulted by Selfridge.
Selfridge is now charged with rape and incest.
At one point, the attorney representing Selfridge had filed motions for a psychological evaluation to determine if Selfridge was fit to proceed in the cases against him. While the report based on the evaluation is sealed, it can be assumed Selfridge was found fit to proceed since the case remained active.
Selfridge’s current attorney, Andrew Bailey, filed a motion just a few days ago in which he asked the court to allow him to present evidence of prior sexual conduct of the alleged victim in the case.
In his motion, Bailey wrote that the evidence would be essential to the presentation of the defense because it demonstrated motivation for the alleged victim to make what he termed false allegations.
Bailey argued that a denial of the motion would violate Selfridge’s constitutional rights.
Since a plea agreement was reached, it was not necessary to hear the motion.
According to investigative records, Selfridge was at the victim’s residence on January 23 last year. At bedtime, the victim said Selfridge asked if he could lay down on the bed with her. The victim said Selfridge began making advances toward her, she was unable to push Selfridge off of her, and he had sex with her.
Investigators reported that when they interviewed Selfridge he admitted he had sex with the female victim.
At one time, Selfridge was also charged with stealing five firearms from another relative, but those charges were dropped in early October last year since the victim indicated he did not want to pursue the case.
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Arvest Bank reaches 1 Million Meals early
Arvest Bank has reached its 1 Million Meals initiative goal with more than three weeks remaining in the campaign. Arvest announced in early April the beginning of its seventh annual 1 Million Meals initiative, which challenges bank associates, customers and community members to fight hunger in the more than 120 communities the bank serves by providing meals to those in need. Thursday, the bank announced the campaign has exceeded one million meals, with a total of 1,013,949 meals having been raised.
Sally Gilbert, market president for Arvest Bank of Mountain Home, says, “One week after our successful Feed the Pack community event, Arvest Bank reaches its overall goal a little more than halfway through the campaign. Gilbert says, “We owe that success to our community, customers and associates. The need is so great, however, that were going to keep up the momentum to provide as many meals as we possibly can until the campaign ends.
Arvest branches throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma have been participating in the 1 Million Meals initiative by collecting nonperishable food items and monetary donations. These efforts will continue through June 3, with the donations given to the local communities Arvest serves later in the month.
Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for local, hungry families.
In Mountain Home, Arvest is partnering with the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas for the 1 Million Meals campaign. Mountain Home residents can help by dropping off nonperishable food items or making monetary donations at any local Arvest branch, or by making monetary donations by calling (866) 952-9523.
For more information about 1 Million Meals, visit arvest.com/millionmeals.
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