Saturday, March 4, 2006 B9 Ark. drought to continue Driest 12-month period in recorded history BY PEGGY HARRIS Associated Press LITTLE ROCK The drought in Arkansas is a year old now, and Arkansans can expect to see more of the same well into the spring, weather experts say. Wednesday marked the end of winter and the beginning of spring for meteorologists. By that date, Arkansas' 12-month average rainfall was more than 15 inches below normal, making the yearly period the state's driest ever since record keeping began in 1895. Meteorologist Paul Iniguez of the National Weather Service at North Little Rock said Friday the severity of the drought ranges across the state, with southeast Arkansas spared from the parched conditions while northwest Arkansas lakes and rivers are drying up.
On the whole, he said, the average rainfall beginning this month and ending May 31 would need to be about five inches above normal to get Arkansas out of the danger zone. That's not expected to happen. Readings during the dry spell for January and February were 2.54 inches below normal at Harrison, 2.24 inches below normal at Booneville, 2.12 inches below normal at Fayetteville and 2.03 inches below normal at Ozark. In comparison, totals for the same period, at Rohwer were 4.36 inches above normal, 3.70 inches above normal at Eudora, 3.32 inches above normal at Blytheville, and 2.84 inches above normal at Stuttgart. The drought has forced Fort Smith and Conway to seek additional sources of drinking water, kept burn bans in force, sparked wildfires, and crimped boating and fishing on Arkansas lakes and streams.
In north Arkansas, the Boy Scouts of America canceled its 40th annual White River Canoe Race because Bull Shoals Dam operators, who release water each year for the event, may not be able to do that this year. Stephen Lynn, leader of last year's winning team, vowed to find enough water somewhere so the racing tradition could continue. "We may have to make it a two-day event and start at Norfork," he said. "If there's enough water, we can maybe start at Buffalo City. No matter what, we'll be there," he told The Baxter Bulletin.
Normally, the event is a threeday, 110-mile trek from Bull Shoals to Batesville. About 20 teams from Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas compete in the race. Rivers and lakes across the northwest half of the state remain below normal levels. As March began, Norfork Lake was 65 percent full, Beaver Lake was 58 percent full, and Table Rock Lake was 59 percent full. Husband tips cops to prostitution Mother, wife charged in Internet escort service Associated Press MURFREESBORO, Tenn.
A married mother has been arrested on charges of prostitution, and investigators say her husband provided some of the evidence used to bust her Internet escort service. Lisa Burris, 41, was arrested by Nashville police Wednesday. She and an associate were charged with prostitution after an undercover informant agreed to pay them $500 for arranging a meeting at a motel, officers said. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Department had already begun an investigation of Burris DEATHS from page B8 Grand Junction NELLIE BISHOP LANE, 85, of Grand Junction, TN, died March 2, 2006. Services at 11 a.m.
March 6 at First United Methodist Church of Grand Junction with burial at 12:30 p.m. in Memory Hill Gardens in Germantown, TN. Shackelford Funeral Directors Bolivar, TN 731-658-5277 Halls JAMES "Junior" LOWERY, 80. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 2006 in South Ford Cemetery.
Halls Funeral Home Halls, TN 731-836-7111 Kenton ROBBIE GLISSON. 91, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2006. Visitation was friday. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at Karnes Thompson Chapel with burial in Union Grove Cemetery.
Karnes Thompson Funeral Home Kenton, TN 731-749-8000 Savannah HENDERSON RICHARD THOMPSON, 77, of Savannah, TN, died February 28, 2006. Services at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Shackelford Funeral Directors Chapel. Burial in Savannah Cemetery. Shackelford Funeral Directors Savannah, TN 731-925-4000 Union City RUBY LEE TARVER, 91, retired waitress at P.
V. 's Hut, died February 28, 2006 at Obion County Nursing Home. Graveside service was held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 3 at Obion County Memorial Gardens near Union City. White-Ranson Funeral Home 731-885-1211 Union City TERRETTA WEBB, 61, passed away Friday, March 3, 2006 at her residence.
Visitation will be from 5- 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at the funeral home. Graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in Eastview Cemetery. White Ranson Funeral Home 731-885-1211 Waynesboro LARRY BOYD HUNT, 59, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2006 in Waynesboro, TN.
Visitation will begin Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m. at Shackelford Funeral Home (Waynesboro, TN). Services will follow at 3 p.m. on March 4 with Bro. David Kingsley presiding.
Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery (Waynesboro, TN). Son of the late Ira Boyd and Mamie Louise Hunt, Larry was born, May 23, 1946 in Waynesboro, He was a dedicated friend to everyone he encountered, always ready to share his quick wit and helping hand. He and his wife, Gilda, resided in Memphis, TN for 25 years before relocating to Columbia, Tennessee in 1991. Larry and Gilda enjoyed a beautiful 37-year marriage devoted to Christ, full of family outings and antique finding excursions. Survivors include his wife, Gilda King Hunt of Columbia, TN; his two daughters, Ginger Yvette Hansen (husband, Blaine James) of Savannah, GA, and Mitzi Yvonne Hunt (fiance, Matthew Sheppard Palmer) of Memphis, TN; his two sisters, Linda Sue Horton (husband, Tommy Ray) of Anderson, Department of Safety interim Commissioner Gerald Nicely speaks Wednesday about the key appointments of Capt.
Mike Walker (from left) and Capt. Albert Strawther, standing with veteran administrator Greta Dajani. Ricky Rogers Associated Press after learning her Web site but got more evidence in February after her husband found suspicious e-mails on her computer and reported it to authorities. "I knew from the it wasn't right," said the husband, who hasn't been accused of wrongdoing and wasn't identified by The Daily News Journal. "I didn't have any idea this was going on," said the husband, who took the couple's three elementary age children and temporarily moved out of the home he shared with Burris.
A search of the house found a client list with "prominent people," Detective Maj. Chuck Thomas said. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation seized her computer and is analyzing AL, and Janice Elaine Springer (husband, Donnie) of Taft, TN: a special cousin, who was like a brother, Jerry Griggs; and a special uncle, who was like a brother, David Hunt. Pallbearers will be Brittnea Horton, Kevin Horton, David May, David Collie, Charles Butler and Larry Haggard. Shackelford Funeral Directors, Waynesboro, TN 931-722-5488 MISSISSIPPI Booneville RODGER DEAN JOHNSON, 59, of Booneville, MS, died March 1, 2006.
Services at 1 p.m. March 5 at Booneville Funeral Home Chapel. Burial in Little Brown Cemetery, Booneville. Booneville Funeral Home Booneville, MS 662-728-6664 Coffeeville MARY MARGARET SCALLIONS. 70, of Coffeeville, MS, died March 2, 2006.
Visitation 5-7 p.m. March 4 at the Garner-Harper Funeral Home. Services at 2 p.m. Calvary Baptist Church, in Coffeeville. Burial in the church cemetery.
Garner-Harper Funeral Home Coffeeville, MS 662-226-4711 Derma. WILLIAM E. STARKS, 89, retired carpenter, died March 3, 2006. Visitation from 5-8 p.m. March 4 at Pryor Funeral Home, Calhoun City, MS.
Services 2 p.m. March 5 at the funeral home, with burial in Bruce Cemetery. Pryor Funeral Home Calhoun City, MS 662-628-5177 Laurel TED NUNLEY, 69, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2006 in Birmingham, AL. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, March 6 in Belmont City Cemetery, Belmont, MS.
it. In his request for a search warrant, Det. Jason Mathis said he accessed the escort service Web site. "I am available for discerning gentlemen," the Web site said. It listed "donations" of $200 per hour for time and companionship.
Donations were supposed to be placed in an envelope marked "gift" and left in the bathroom. A glossary on another Web site described available services. "Nothing herein is designed to constitute an offer of prostitution," the Web site said. The estranged husband said he was seeking counseling for the children. "I never expected anything like this," he said.
"I'm shocked, mortified and everything else." 2006. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. March 5 at Oak Hill Cemetery, in Water Valley. Services to follow at 2 p.m. in the cemetery.
Seven Oaks Funeral Home Water Valley, MS 662-473-2363 ARKANSAS Gill MELVIN 79, passed away Friday, March 3, 2006 at his residence. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, March 6 at Funeral Home with burial in Hopewell Cemetery, Gill, AR. Roller-Citizens Funeral Home Marianna, AR 870-295-2528 Harrisburg DOROTHY LEE SEARS, 78, of Harrisburg, AR, homemaker, died Friday, March 3, 2006. Services will be at 11 a.m.
Monday, March 6, at Harrisburg Church of Christ. Burial in Harrisburg Memorial Park Cemetery. Weston Funeral Service Harrisburg, AR 870-578-9500 OTHER AREAS Louisiana, Alexandria DR. WILLIAM WAYNE MALONE. 75.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2006 at Waller Funeral Home Chapel. He was a retired Professor Emeritus at LSU Alexandria and a long time member of Parkview Baptist Church. Waller Funeral Home Oxford, MS 662-234-7971 Texas, Austin BARRY NEIL WELCH, 58. IBM Deaton Funeral Home White Ranson Funeral Home Red Bay, AL 256-356-4907 Union City, TN 731-885-1211 computer engineer, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2006.
Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. with services following Sunday, March 5 at the funeral home. Burial in Freemont Cemetery. In Memoriam IN LOVING MEMORY OF we will always love you, Mom he and Dad, Julian, Ralf, Aisa and Kim. Obituary Information The Commercial Appeal and commercialappeal.com publish a ten-line obituary at no cost, as a courtesy to families throughout our entire circulation area who have lost a loved one.
Additional details may be included on a cost-per-line basis. This allows families to personalize information. The entire obituary will run at no charge for active duty United States Armed Services personnel who die in the line of duty. An American flag symbol will be included in the personalized obituary of any U.S. Armed Services veteran at no additional cost.
All obituaries are placed through the funeral home in charge. The funeral home can provide information about personalized obituaries, which may include a photograph and emblems of armed services or organization affiliations. Obituaries are available online at commercialappeal.com For Information call 529-2391 Top troopers named THP veterans tapped to clean up reputation COL. MIKE WALKER Position: New commander of Tennessee Highway Patrol BY GARY TANNER always there. I take the attitude Associated Press of wait-and-see." Age: 52.
Walker replaces former com- Hometown: Dunlap, Tenn. NASHVILLE Control of mander Lynn Pitts, who was Career: Captain of the the Tennessee Highway Patrol, forced to resign in December af- Professional Standards Division its reputation stained by scan- ter he tried to buy at auction a since 2003 and a 28-year dal, has been turned over to two boat seized by the Department veteran. Joined THP in 1977. veteran troopers with strong of Safety. Coordinated THP security for the public relations and manage- State law prohibits law en- Ocoee Olympic site during the ment skills on their resumes.
forcement officers from buying 1996 Olympics. Over the years his supervisors property seized by their own Education: Attended the have described newly appointed agencies. University of Tennessee at commander Col. Mike Walker Days later, state Safety Com- Chattanooga and completed the as a high-energy manager con- missioner Fred Phillips resigned Northwestern University Police stantly looking for ways to im- and Deputy Commissioner Tom Administration course. prove his performance and Moore retired.
Personal: Married with seven those who work for him. The string of departures folchildren. Restoring public confidence lowed background checks that LT. COL. ALBERT and i improving trooper morale showed 41 troopers and staffers STRAWTHER amid allegations of widespread had criminal or driving violation misconduct and mismanage- histories.
Position: New deputy ment in the Highway Patrol tops Nicely was named interim commander of the Tennessee his to-do list and that of new Lt. safety commissioner and given Highway Patrol Col. Albert Strawther, Walker the task of cleaning up the de- Age: 58 said. partment. Hometown: Lebanon, Tenn.
Neither task will happen Walker and Strawther each Career: He has almost 28 years overnight, he said. have more than 25 years with of experience with the THP. In "It's going to take us awhile to the Highway Patrol and said charge of Safety's education get our feet on the ground and they want to see its reputation unit since 2003. a handle on some of these improved. Education: Attended Vol State things," Walker told The Asso- "We love this department.
I've Community and ciated Press when his appoint- given the best life to college graduated from the Southern ment was announced Wednes- this Walker said. "Both of will be The has Police Institute in Louisville, Ky. day. us open. negative publicity We'll be up front.
We'll work lowered the morale of troopers, Personal: Married with two hard." Strawther said. children, one grandchild. Walker, 52, and Strawther, 58, "You have to think about it as were appointed by interim De- a law enforcement officer and partment of Safety Commis- you're trying to do a job on a tendency to drip down on the sioner Gerald Nicely. continuous basis and all of sud- rest of us." "I wish these guys luck if they den you hear these detrimental Both Walker and Strawther can take the politics out," re- things," Strawther said. "They have worked their way up from tired Highway Patrol Maj.
John may not affect you personally. the ranks of rookie troopers, D. McCord said Friday. "But in But we're an organization and if through various supervisory po- the 30 years I worked, it was it affects one of us then it has the sitions, to their current jobs. Marks ROSA POWERS ROY, 84, home- maker, died March 2, 2006 at her home.
Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 4 at West Marks Baptist Church. Burial in Memorial Gardens, Clarksdale, MS. She was preceded in death by her husband, three daughters, Hite of Jerald William Roy. leaves family Clarksdale, Deborah Collums of Marks, Karen Venezia of Ada, MI; five sons, Jerry Roy of Crowder, Ronnie Roy of Vicksburg, Larry Roy of England, AR, Robert G.
Roy of Steven Roy of Batesville; three brothers, Robert Powers of Memphis, TN, Don Powers of Phillipine Islands, and Fred Henry Powers of Mountain Home, AR; 22 grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren. Memorials may be made to Delta Academy, Marks, MS or the charity of the donor's choice. Kimbro Funeral Home 662-326-2881 Oxford MARY ALICE PERRY 55, Aurora, IL, 1 formerly of Marshall Co, laborer for System Senor, died February 26, 2006. Visitation will be Friday, March Services Saturday, March 4 at Clear Creek M.B. Church, Burial in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.
Hodges Funeral Home 662-234-3642 Water Valley LOYCE V. HUGHES, 99, retired, self-employed, died March 3, Reflections. Remembrances. Condolences. Sign a guest book, share memories and send flowers, gifts and charitable contributions online.
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