UA forum to focus on U.S. Farm Bill
The Farm Bill being debated by the U.S. Congress will be the subject of a forum hosted by the department of agricultural economics and agribusiness at the University of Arkansas, according to a news release. The forum is set for 3:30 p.m. today in Room 102 of the Home Economics Building on the Fayetteville campus.
Panelists on hand to discuss the bill include Joe Outlaw, professor and extension economist at Texas A&M University; Eric Wailes, the L.C. Carter Endowed Chair in agricultural economics at the UA; and Brad Watkins, associate professor of agricultural economics at the UA.
The 1,000-page bill, which sets the country’s food and nutrition policies, will expire Monday at the end of the federal fiscal year. Funding for farm subsidies, agricultural programs and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or food stamps, are part of the bill.
- ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Forestry council sets 2 workshops
The Arkansas Urban Forestry Council will hold workshops in Little Rock and Springdale to teach people how to evaluate natural assets and develop land-use plans for new development or redevelopment that protects, conserves or restores natural resources.
Workshops will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ottenheimer Market Hall in Little Rock on Oct. 9 and at the Arvest Ballpark Community Room in Springdale on Oct.
- Continuing education units are available.
Registration is open until one week before each workshop. Workshop fees, which include lunch, are $25 for Arkansas Urban Forestry Council members and $40 for nonmembers. Online registration and a brochure are available at the website ArkansasTrees. org/events. A limited number of scholarships covering registration fees and mileage are available.
Questions about registration or obtaining scholarships should be directed to Cathy Slater at (800) 958-5865 or [email protected].
- ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTEHome search tied to missing woman
The Lonoke County sheriff’s office searched the home of a Lonoke County man Tuesday in the disappearance of 36-year-old Rebecca Lauer, officials announced in a Wednesday news release.
The search came days after Dennis Harrington, 41, was arrested last weekend on charges of kidnapping and domestic battery in Lauer’s disappearance.
Members of the FBI’s evidence collection team assisted with the search of Harrington’s Clay Hill Road residence, the news release from the Lonoke County sheriff’s office said.
Lauer was last seen on July 21, the sheriff’s office has said.
“Investigators located and seized items of potential evidence which will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis and evidential value,” the news release said. Details about “the items collected are not being released at this time.”
The Arkansas State Police is assisting the FBI and the Lonoke County sheriff’soffice with the investigation. - ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTEMayor: Won’t quit over shot window
FLIPPIN - The mayor of Flippin says he won’t resign despite a recent incident in which he accidentally shot out a window in City Hall.
At a City Council meeting this week, Mayor J.J. Hudson said he wouldn’t step down.
Councilman Stacie Hopper requested Hudson’s resignation, saying she’d been contacted by several residents who wanted Hudson to resign.
The Baxter Bulletin reported that Hudson accidentally discharged a rifle while visiting the police chief’s office in City Hall earlier this month. No one was injured, though the incident left a baseball-sized hole in an office window.
Hopper said “there’s no reason” the mayor should have fired a gun in City Hall.
Hudson responded that he wouldn’t resign and said the city is moving forward from its problems.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Motorcycle rider hit by truck, dies
TULSA - An Arkansas man was killed and a woman injured when the motorcycle they were riding collided with a tractor-trailer rig in northeastern Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Jeremy Lawson, 19, of Alexander died and Lauren Nieto, 21, of Russellville was critically injured in the crash shortly before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Troopers said Lawson was driving east on U.S. 412 east of Tulsa in Rogers County when the driver of the truck apparently failed to see the motorcycle and pulled into its path.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Police shooting
in Tulsa hurts 1
TULSA - Tulsa police said a 54-year-old woman is hospitalized after being shot by an officer.
Police said Sheila Ann Wright was shot at least twice Wednesday and was hospitalized in unknown condition.
Officer Leland Ashley told reporters the case began about 7 a.m. when a homeowner called police and said a woman had kicked in the front door of the home and was outside with a weapon.
Ashley said the woman drove away when officers arrived.
Ashley said the woman stopped at one point, and the officers felt threatened and opened fire. He said the woman then drove to a nearby home where she was eventually taken into custody.
Other details and the names of the officers were not immediately released.
Ashley said both officers involved are on paid leave.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 10 on 09/27/2013