Judge refutes leniency claims, points to 73 percent conviction rateEditor's note: This article clarifies information printed in a previous edition that was derived from incomplete information provided to The Courier.  District Judge Len Bradley addressed discussion that Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) officers were told by superiors not to work in Johnson County because the judge dismissed tickets. " Nonsense," Bradley said, pointing to a nearly 73 percent conviction rate of AGFC cases in his court ove...

Eaton presides over last meeting as mayor Russellville Mayor Bill Eaton and Aldermen Martin Irwin and Randy Horton were recognized during the last City Council meeting of 2014 on Thursday night at City Hall.  And it was a special night for more than those occasions.  Eaton, who served as alderman before being elected mayor in 2011, not only thanked the city’s employees and the community for their support the last four years, but pointed out he “married the most wonderful woman 48 years ...

Russellville aldermen to meet with Alliance membersThe Russellville City Council approved the 2015 General Fund and Special Funds budgets Thursday night, with the promise aldermen will call a special meeting with members of the Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development (AVAED) to discuss the city’s contribution to the organization.  Finance Committee chairman and Mayor-elect Randy Horton amended his motion to pass the Special Funds budget with the exception of items regarding Alliance f...

Gibson elected chairman of advisory committeeAfter more than a decade of serving as chairman of the Nuclear Planning and Response Advisory Committee, Johnson County Judge Mike Jacobs will pass the torch to Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson in 2015. " It's been either 14 or 16 years, I can't remember," Jacobs said with a laugh.  The committee unanimously elected Gibson as the new chairman during its annual meeting earlier this week.  Chris Meyer, Nuclear Planning and Response state manager, pr...

AT&T awards $20,000 to Freedom HouseAT&T has awarded Russellville’s Freedom House $20,000 to enhance technology during a presentation Thursday.  The donation will be used to give individuals in recovery the vocational skills needed to promote self-sufficiency and obtain employment.  Freedom House’s Fresh Start vocational rehabilitation program instructs participants in goal setting, career counseling, job training and resume development.  Adult education classes are held in the Lea...

Realignment project likely to start in springBlackstone Construction, LLC of Russellville was the apparent low bidder on Wednesday for the realignment project for State Highway 124.  The bid proposed 265 working days, which would amount to a two-year project, for a little more than $14.7 million.  Danny Straessle, Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) spokesman said the department is in the process of verifying bids. " We hope to have it confirmed before Christmas," he...

Russellville City Council OKs stipend for employeesThe Russellville City Council approved an end-of-year stipend for all full-time employees totaling $178,273.75 and will consider a cost-of-living increase in May of next year.  After a Finance Committee meeting that lasted nearly an hour and a half, aldermen asked Finance Director Jerry McKaughan about the possibilities of giving employees a 2.5 percent raise instead of a stipend.  Mayor Bill Eaton said he and McKaughan agreed that if raises wer...

Love Kitchen feeds hungryThe Little Caesars Love Kitchen finished up its pizza on wheels mission to feed at least 1,000 Arkansans in need Wednesday morning at Main Street Mission in Russellville.  The Love Kitchen started its program Dec. 11 at the Bethlehem House in Conway followed by trips to Little Rock locations on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The program is part of an international campaign to meet the needs of hungry or homeless people as well as disaster survivo...

Public hearing, take twoA second public hearing will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Russellville City Hall for Jim Bob Humphrey's proposed cemetery and crematorium to be constructed adjacent to Center Valley Elementary School.  The Arkansas State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors previously tabled the permit following a well-attended public hearing in Russellville on July 29 and again during its Nov. 15 meeting, when Humphrey, president of Humphrey Funeral Se...

4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl celebrates 35 yearsLOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dairy Quiz Bowl Competition took place on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the North American International Livestock Exposition.  The Quiz Bowl celebrated its 35th anniversary this year, while the North American International observed 41 years of serving the international livestock industry.  Winners were announced at a banquet following the rigorous contest, and youth were able to prepare for their contest by attending a pizza mixer on th...

Lieblong awarded for 16 years of serviceAfter more than a decade and a half of service, Chloe Lieblong is leaving the Russellville Recreation and Parks Commission. " I'm going to miss y'all," Lieblong said during her last meeting as a commissioner.  Director Mack Hollis said Lieblong joined the commission 16 years ago as a representative of the Junior Auxiliary.  He said the city has seen a lot of changes during her tenure. " When Chloe started, we didn't have the soccer complex, we did...

Food trucks could see stricter guidelinesThe Russellville City Council is scheduled to discuss the possibility of stricter regulations for food trucks during its regular meeting Thursday.  Mayor Bill Eaton told aldermen that the Russellville Planning Commission brought up the matter during its November meeting.  Richard Harris, council liaison to the planning commission, said the city "ought to have some rules and guidance" concerning food trucks. " We need to visit that issue and see i...

Shop with a Cadet program continues to growSecond-year criminal justice students from the Arkansas Tech Career Center (ATCC) partnered with area law enforcement agencies to participate in the second annual Shop with a Cadet on Tuesday at Wal-Mart in Russellville.  Seven elementary students were selected in advance from the Atkins, Dardanelle, Pottsville and Russellville school districts.  The students were given the opportunity to shop for the holidays with an ATCC student and a law enfo...

City to consider 2.5 percent raisesThe Russellville City Council Finance Committee tabled discussion of a 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase for full-time city employees during its regular meeting Tuesday.  Aldermen asked department heads at the meeting if there was a way to include employee raises without increasing their proposed 2015 budgets. " It's going to be quite a challenge for us to forecast this," Fire Chief John Cochran said.  He added that departments are working with...

Hollis projects turf plan costsDirector Mack Hollis presented the Russellville Recreation and Parks Commission with a preliminary Turf Management Plan for Hickey Park, Pleasant View Park, Shiloh Park and the Russellville Soccer Complex during its regular meeting Tuesday.  The plan showed cost projections of $117,634. " These are generic numbers," Hollis said, adding that he got four bids for the project that he used as a guide for budgeting.  The greatest expense stems from th...

Skyline Drive closed Thursday morningA major Russellville roadway will be closed for improvements Thursday morning, city officials said in a news release.  Skyline Drive, from the base of the mountain to Hilltop Drive, will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday for right-of-way maintenance, the release stated. " Please plan to take an alternate route during this time for the safety of our workers," officials said.  For more information, call Russellville City Hall at (479) 968-2098. 

Police give kids shopping spreeTwo dozen children were treated to Christmas presents from the Russellville Police Department (RPD) during this year's Shop with a Cop.  Officers met with the children and some of their parents at 6 a.m. Sunday at Wal-Mart for the annual shopping spree. " Wal-Mart employees met us out there with doughnuts, coffee, hot cocoa and chocolate milk," Lt.  Keith Spears said. " Officers grouped siblings together and took them shopping."  Spears said becaus...

Jones strengthens the city's infrastructureSince being named the city of Russellville’s public works director and city engineer, Kurt Jones has been using his foundation of civil engineering to strengthen the infrastructure of his hometown.  Jones graduated from Russellville High School and attended Arkansas Tech University before transferring to the University of Arkansas and earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. “ I spent 15 years in Northwest Arkansas before moving back ...

Main Street Mission updates Christmas Wish listMain Street Mission in Russellville has updated its Christmas Wish List.  To adopt a family, contact the mission at (479) 968-8303 between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.  CW 10.  Single mom working and raising 3 children needs help with Christmas.  1 boy age 11, and 2 girls age 6.  CW 32.  We have 5 children and my husband does not make enough for us to have extras at the holidays.  2 girls ages 14 and 16 and 3 boys ages 10 and 4 (...

Dover tables 2015 budgetDOVER — The Dover City Council tabled approving its 2015 budget until next month during its regular meeting Tuesday. " We don't have to vote on this tonight," Mayor Pat Johnson said, adding the report he gave aldermen was a "small synopsis" of the proposed 2015 budget. " You can take this home and look at it and discuss it next meeting, if you'd like."  Alderwoman Ila Anderson asked if the budget had to be approved before the beginning of the yea...