Page 4 - 2016YearEndReview

4 – Friday, January 29, 2016 – El Dorado NEWS-TIMES
Feb. 2
The City of El Dorado is ex- pected to begin its new residential garbage collection process today, and city officials are reminding citizens to adhere to instructions they received with their new wheeled garbage cans that were provided by the city. Robert Ed- monds, director of public works, previously announced that new curbside pickup service will go into effect today. Delivery of new, 96-gallon garbage carts began on Jan. 14 to households in the city.
Feb. 3
El Dorado Mayor Frank Hash will host a series of public meet- ings in February to ask residents how El Dorado should proceed following the expiration of the one-cent economic development tax in June 2015.
In 2007 El Dorado voters ap- proved the El Dorado Forward initiative which generated approx- imately $38 million for econom- ic and community development projects.
“The El Dorado Conference Center would not be here today without the funds generated by the one-cent tax. Many other projects such as the 50 new jobs at Ther- maflite, sidewalk renovations, a new clubhouse at the Lions Club and the soon-to-be renovated Mu- nicipal Auditorium are all possible because we generated local taxes and dedicated them to make El Dorado a better city,” Hash said.
Also included in the list of proj- ects funded by the El Dorado For- ward initiative are: a new hangar at the South Arkansas Regional Airport, a $350,000 Hands-On- Training Unit at South Arkansas Community College to train work- ers for jobs at local industries, enhancements to parks and play- grounds, the development of a city website and magazine.
Feb. 4
Eight individuals have been charged with state and federal crimes involving large scale drug trafficking of methamphetamine and crack cocaine in Camden and surrounding areas, according to a news release the U.S. District Court.
The investigation, known as Operation Three Amigos, resulted in five arrests on Tuesday by lo- cal, state and federal law enforce- ment as part of a roundup of the charged defendants. Previously,
February 2015
three defendants were arrested and charged in the operation. The investigation has resulted in the seizure of two firearms and several rounds of ammunition, four vehi- cles and more $10,000 in United States currency from members of the organization.
The defendants arrested on federal charges are: Sheldon “Yak” Mitchell, 34, three counts; Kim “2Lou” Williams, 39, three counts; Willie “Will” Williams, 41, three counts; and Jeffrey “Woodchuck” Haywood, 51, two counts.
Other defendants that are part of this operation are: Carlos “Li’l Gafford” Morgan, 32, of Camden, who was previously arrested and arraigned on four counts of distri- bution of a controlled substance; Senica Howard, 36, of El Dorado, who was previously arrested and arraigned on two counts of dis- tribution of methamphetamine; and Mario “Hoolie” Thomas, 36 – Thomas is currently set for trial and has been charged with two counts of distribution of more than 28 grams of a controlled substance – namely cocaine base, a schedule II controlled substance.
Feb. 7
Due to legal motions made on his behalf because of medical issues, former Ouachita Coun- ty Judge Mike Hesterly will not have to report to a federal prison this week as originally scheduled, according to U.S. District Court papers.
Hesterly had been ordered to report to the Federal Cor- rectional Institution in Forrest City this week to begin serving his 33-month sentence for a 2013 scheme to defraud the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
He is now going to begin serv- ing that sentence on April 29, ac- cording to the court papers.
In December 2014, Hesterly at- tended a sentencing hearing at the federal courthouse of the U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas in El Dorado. The hear- ing was presided over by District Judge Susan O. Hickey, who gave Hesterly a 33-month prison term, a fine of $2,500 and he was ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution.
Feb. 8
For over 38 years, Betty Cha- tham, general manager for the El Dorado News-Times, has made it her passion to be a part of local newspapers in her community. In
File photo
MANAGER: Betty Chatham, former general manager for the El Dorado News-Times, welcomes incoming GM Ronnie Bell, former Harrison Daily Times Publisher.
the coming week, however, her career will come to a close as she moves on to enjoy retirement.
In 2007, she took the reins as general manager of the News- Times and has enjoyed working with her peers as well as building a rapport with the public.
Former Harrison Daily Times Publisher Ronnie Bell will soon be taking the lead as the new general manager of the News-Times. With over 44 years of experience, he is passionate about community newspapers.
“I love them and I have seen what they can do for communi- ties, as far as helping to provide positive impact. When this op- portunity became available, I was very interested because I have two daughters that live in Arkansas and I wanted to be close to them, because there’s nothing like fami- ly,” he explained.
He noted that his first associ- ation with a newspaper was as a carrier, and as he grew older, he knew he wanted to be in newspa- pers for the rest of his life.
Feb. 10
A 22-year-old Union County man was arrested Saturday on a felony battery charge for allegedly
striking another man with a pool cue after the man made unwanted advances toward his girlfriend.
The victim, 33-year-old Doug- las Riley of El Dorado, sustained serious injuries to his face and was transferred from Medical Center of South Arkansas to a Little Rock hospital for further treatment, ac- cording to an El Dorado police report.
Colby J. Caldwell, of 139 Union 725, was arrested for first-degree battery at Long Branch Bar and Grill, 204 Strong Highway. Police were called to Long Branch in reference to a fight just before 5 a.m.on Saturday.
Feb. 11
Junction City voters approved a 5.9 mill increase in property taxes in a special election Tuesday to help fund the construction of a new gymnasium/multipurpose fa- cility and special programs build- ing.
The results of the vote for the proposed 40.9 mill school tax for the Junction City School District ended with 311 voting for the tax, receiving 55.34 percent of the votes, and 251 against the tax at 44.66 percent.
The projected cost of the gym-
nasium is $4,590,000 and $360,000 for the special programs building.
A two-vehicle accident that occurred at 7:55 p.m. on Monday resulted in the death of an El Do- rado woman and injuries to the drivers of both vehicles, according to a spokesperson for the Arkansas State Police Troop F in Warren.
Killed in the accident was Shei- la B. Raimond, 55, of El Dorado, a passenger in a 2000 Dodge vehicle driven by her husband, Terry L. Raimond, 54, of El Dorado. Ter- ry L. Raimond and the driver of the other vehicle, a 1995 Cadillac, Ronnie J. Craig, 24, of Smackover, were both injured and transported to the Medical Center of South Arkansas in El Dorado. Sheila Rai- mond was pronounced dead at MCSA.
According to the spokesperson for the ASP, the Raimond vehicle entered Arkansas 7 in the north- bound lane from the southbound lane near the crossover leading to Seven Brothers Road (traveling east) in the pathway of the Craig vehicle, causing the Craig vehicle to hit the passenger side of the the Raimond vehicle. The Craig vehicle was traveling north on Arkansas 7.