Stories by Rich Polikoff
RSSCancer Challenge chief is meticulous about race
Ty Hoffine knows what goes into a great race. Continue reading...
For kids’ sake
Date and place of birth: Dec. 18, 1957, Parchman, Miss. Family: wife Trudy, son Luke, daughters Emily and Sadie, two grandchildren Occupation: professor of pediatrics and regional associate dean for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Northwest Campus Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
The North Arkansas College board of trustees has decided to opt out of a state law that would allow faculty and staff members to carry concealed handguns on campus. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Fall from derrick kills Magnolia man A Magnolia man was killed and another injured Tuesday afternoon at a well site east of Magnolia. Continue reading...
Tour de Fun bike races keep Teen Action rolling
The Teen Action and Support Center provides services in Benton County, who in turn provide help in their communities. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
A Jonesboro man who was shot and injured by a Craighead County sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop in March pleaded guilty to beating his girlfriend and was sentenced to 50 years in prison, 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington of Jonesboro said. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
A Fort Smith man accused in the death of his infant son is to be tried in the fall. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Dedication held for welcome center WEST MEMPHIS — Members of the Arkansas Highway Commission and local dignitaries dedicated the state’s seventh new welcome center built under a 10-year-old program to upgrade them. Continue reading...
Watt an achiever!
SELF PORTRAIT Date and place of birth: April 21, 1968, in Topia, Durango, Mexico Owner: Owner and founder of EZ Spanish Media, Aztlan Promotions and other companies Family: Wife Leticia, sons Edward and Max, daughter Carolina The best advice I ever received is, “You would never be able to do it!” When I get some more time, I’m going to travel more or go back to school. No day is complete without being grateful to the Lord. Being the 11th of 12 children meant always having plenty of clothes. Something about me people would be surprised to learn is I am a grandfather. A place I want to visit is Naica Crystal Cave. My favorite part about Graceland is that Elvis’ presence is still in the air. My kids tease me about my long hair. The question I get asked the most is, “How do you do it?” The biggest change in Northwest Arkansas from 20 years ago is the diversity. The reason I don’t wear suits to work most days is I got tired of using them for many years. My favorite piece of technology is my phone. A word to sum me Continue reading...
Red, white turn green for arts center programs
You don’t have to know the difference between Boone’s Farm and a 1982 Chateau Latour to attend the Art of Wine Festival. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
A pretrial hearing has been delayed for a Spiro man charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of a pregnant woman. Prosecutors are also asking that the trial be delayed. Continue reading...
Horses for Healing fans cut loose at Barn Dance
Brittany Andrus doesn’t play team sports, but every week she gets to compete in athletics. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Tornadoes verified in Northwest area The National Weather Service has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down during storms Monday evening in Northwest Arkansas. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
A youth baseball coach received a 10-year prison sentence without parole Wednesday for transporting minors with the intent to engage in sexual activity. Continue reading...
Active DREAMer
SELF PORTRAIT Date and place of birth: Sept. 16, 1947 in Hamilton, Ohio Occupation: Professor at the University of Arkansas Family: Wife Judy, sons Mark and Judd, daughter Jennifer; fi ve grandchildren My top goal for this summer is lobbying for comprehensive immigration reform. Something I want to know more about is Alexis De Tocqueville’s insight into the great American experiment. What was great about my hometown was the sense of community. My advice for cooks is own expensive, razor-sharp knives. The hardest part about writing a book is writing the fi rst page. My family teases me about: Let’s just say they don’t appreciate my sartorial splendor on weekends. A place I want to visit is the ancient ports of the Aegean Sea. The best book I’ve read lately is The Price of Inequality: How Today’s Divided Society Endangers Our Future, by Joseph E. Stiglitz. My favorite movie of all time is Bullitt. When I retire, I’ll do pretty much what I do now, but without getting paid. A word to sum me up: curious FAYETTEVIL Continue reading...
Virtual van Goghs help add light to youths’ lives
Kelly Zega is really excited to create … something. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Authorities said a Perry County man was killed after he lost control of his ATV. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Body found that of Camden man - Authorities have recovered the body of a Camden man who drowned in the Ouachita River this week. Continue reading...
Volunteer plants hopes for Greening of Garden
Everywhere Mary Bess Mulhollan has lived, she has worked to it make it a lovelier place. Continue reading...
Cast as lead
SELF PORTRAIT Date and place of birth: July 26, 1975, in Fort Smith Occupation: Associate professor and director of theater at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Family: Wife Sarah Woods I’d like to be better at everything, but especially helping people see things from other points of view. My advice to fi rst-time directors is you’re going to get the answers you’re looking for in rehearsal and production, not from thinking about it. The biggest misconception people have about theater is that the lines are the difficult part. Lines are easy; it’s living another life onstage that’s tough. My guilty pleasure is playing games. When I’m struggling to write, I just keep writing. It may be junk, but eventually I hit a groove and I just circle back and rewrite the junk. My favorite book is Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card for fi ction and Hagakure for nonfi ction. The most challenging role I ever had was Hamlet — amazingly complex psychology with such simple actions. If I had an extra hour each day, I would sp Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
As part of its Operation Mother’s Day, Jefferson County sheriff’s officials arrested 38 men this week on charges of failing to pay child support. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
A woman convicted of stealing horses from Southern Arkansas University has turned down a plea deal in a separate case in which she’s accused of stealing cattle from a ranch in Little River County. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Blind man shot while out on walk DALTON — Authorities in Randolph County said a blind man was shot in the face while walking on a gravel road near Dalton. Continue reading...
Famous speakers discuss harmonizing faith, work
It’s really hard for many people to live their faith every day at work. Continue reading...
Waxing entreprenurial
SELF PORTRAIT Date and place of birth: April 10, 1963, in Fayetteville Family: son Jake, daughter Brooke Occupation: Owner and founder of Hanna’s Candle Co. and Greenland Composites Inc. If I make it to 100, I’ll celebrate by going to the lake! My advice for first-time water skiers is the more you practice, the better you’ll get. The candle scent I like best is Apple and Berries Triple Scented Mainstays. I have one burning at my desk right now. The book that influenced me the most was Candle Crafting, From an Art to a Science by William Nussle. When I’m in my car, I like to listen to rock and country. My goal for the next year is to make a profi t. For the next 10 years, it’s be debt free. People would be surprised to learn we set the world record for pouring a concrete slab at the candle plant. We poured 1,000 concrete trucks (full) in one weekend. When I need advice, I talk to a lot of different people. I have a great group of people I can call on that all have different skill sets. My fantasy dinner party Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Authorities said a kerosene lamp appears to be the cause in a house fire that killed a Forrest City man. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Fire destroyed the Browns Chapel Baptist Church just south of Paragould on Tuesday night as high winds fanned the blaze and hindered firefighters, officials said Wednesday. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Man robs bank next to LR police station A masked man robbed a bank less than two blocks away from the Little Rock Police Department headquarters late Wednesday morning. Continue reading...
Singing Men’s concert benefits Habitat group
The Singing Men of Arkansas have performed throughout the world, benefiting nonprofit organizations wherever they’ve gone. Continue reading...
The forest, not the trees
SELF PORTRAIT Date and place of birth: January 1963 in Pittsburgh Family: Wife Eloise, daughter Elisse Occupation: Executive vice president and treasurer at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The best thing I make in the kitchen is New York cheesecake. When I’m on a long flight, I like to sleep! I’m a big fan of young people doing extraordinary things. My favorite spot in my house is the third oor balcony. Something I’d like to be better at is patience. What I miss about Pittsburgh are Primanti sandwiches — coleslaw and french fries on every sandwich. My favorite TV show is How It’s Made. The most-surprising thing I ever saw in a foreign Wal-Mart was 10 monthly installment payments to purchase chocolate Easter eggs. The best advice I ever received was, “Listen twice as much as you speak.” The last great book I read was The Innovator’s Dilemma. People don’t often expect that I want to teach when I retire from my fi rst career. Somewhere I’d like to visit is Israel. A phrase to sum me up: at peace ROGERS — The first time Jef Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
18-year-old sought in fatal shooting North Little Rock police are searching for a man who they said fatally shot a 20-year-old man in a gas station parking lot Monday. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Man, 28, arrested in homicide case White County sheriff’s deputies arrested a Searcy man Wednesday on charges of capital murder and attempted capital murder. Continue reading...
It’s time to party large for civic league budget
Big Party, bigger impact. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Tech-Ozark leader to exit for Ohio job A nationwide search for the next chancellor at Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus will begin this spring after the school’s leader accepted the presidency at Clark State Community College in Springfield, Ohio. Continue reading...
Gala to upgrade beds for critical care unit
Jennifer Bonner can’t wait for the Washington Regional Foundation’s 20th annual Gala and Eagle Awards. Continue reading...
High-powered engineer
SELF PORTRAIT Date and place of birth: Jan. 26, 1963, in Hot Springs Occupation: Distinguished professor of engineering, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Family: Wife Mary Lynn, daughters Deanna Lynn, Laura Kathryn and Maureen Elaine Continue reading...
Awardee says education improves quality of life
BENTONVILLE — When David Thrasher first got involved with Northwest Arkansas Community College, it didn’t even have walls. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Later hearing set in death of girl, 1 NEWPORT — A court hearing has been delayed for a Newport man accused in the fatal shooting of a 1-year-old girl in northeastern Arkansas. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Police ask for help IDing train fatality Ward police are asking for help identifying a man who was struck and killed by a train early Wednesday. Continue reading...
Boys & Girls Club builds better citizens
BENTONVILLE — Tregg Brown is thankful he took the advice. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
Truck near McCrory strikes 2, killing 1 McCRORY — Arkansas State Police said a pickup in Woodruff County struck two people who were walking on the road, killing one and injuring the other. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
HOPE — Fire at old factory probed as arson HOPE — Authorities are investigating whether arson was the cause of a fire that destroyed a former puzzle factory in Hope. Continue reading...
Iron will
SELF PORTRAIT Date and place of birth: Feb. 16, 1985 in Toledo, Ohio Occupation: professional golfer Being the middle child is great. My sisters keep me humble. Continue reading...
Group fills cash gap to aid Rogers pupils
ROGERS — When Angie Tucker-Ridley was asked to join the Rogers Public Education Foundation, she accepted with just one caveat. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
TULSA — Innocent is man’s plea in 4 deaths. One of two brothers accused in the January shooting deaths of four women at a run-down Tulsa apartment complex has pleaded innocent. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
TEXARKANA — Oklahoma trial of 2 pushed back TEXARKANA — The trial for an Oklahoma couple facing federal criminal charges in the kidnapping and killing of another Oklahoma resident has been rescheduled from April to December. Continue reading...
Wolf huffs and puffs for diabetes pig gala
ROGERS — As high as the bar has been set, Steve Wolf and Deb Rudzik are planning to surpass it. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
2 officers quizzed in fatal shooting POCAHONTAS — Police Chief Cecil Tackett has suspended two officers with pay after the fatal shooting of a man they were attempting to arrest. Continue reading...
Hot glass
Artist Ed Pennebaker has found his form
OSAGE — Ed Pennebaker doesn’t have time to get distracted. Continue reading...
The state/region in brief
CAMDEN — Man, woman die in Camden crash — Authorities said two people were killed after a Stephens man lost control of his sport utility vehicle and crashed into several trees in Camden. Continue reading...
