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Monday, December 3, 2012

— 100 YEARS AGO Dec. 3, 1912

HOT SPRINGS - A crowd of several hundred persons watched four police officers chase a possum through the busiest portion of the city at noon today. The possum darted around the corner of Central avenue and Bridge street. Several women, thinking it was a rat, broke records getting out of the way. The officers were afraid to shoot the possum for fear of hitting someone in the crowd. The animal finally was captured and will be the centerpiece at a special dinner the four policemen intend to give.

50 YEARS AGO Dec. 3, 1962

HOT SPRINGS - An anonymous telephone caller foiled a possible mass breakout from the Garland County jail here Saturday, the sheriff’s office reported last night. Deputy Sam Richards said bars and a heavy screen on a second floor window of a maximum security cell had been sawed away. Officers [who] checked the jail after the tip found the cell window free of obstructions. Richards said officers found six blankets tied together, by which prisoners could have descended from the cell.One hacksaw blade and two pieces of others were found in the cell, Richards said. They were coated with wax to prevent squeaking when in use, officers said.

25 YEARS AGO Dec. 3, 1987

Little Rock’s new seat belt ordinance will fuel a drive for a statewide law in 1989, state Rep. Jim Holland, a past opponent of a statewide law, predicted Wednesday. Holland, of Knobel (Clay County), said opposition to a state law is waning. If the public was educated on restraints, Holland said, a law might pass the Legislature easily.

10 YEARS AGO Dec. 3, 2002

PARAGOULD - Hunters have donated meat from a dozen deer to a nonprofit group that helps supply local food banks. Arkansas Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, based in Little Rock, has operations statewide. In Paragould deer processor David Lange said local hunters have donated 12 deer since October. Lange said he thinks hunters are making donations because they have filled their refrigerators or have killed more than they can eat.

Arkansas, Pages 8 on 12/03/2012