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w FOOD, PAGE 1C w NATION, PAGE 3D w INSIDE THIS ISSUE CINCO DE MAYO A PRAISE, COMPLAINTS PEAS IN A POD FIESTA TO REMEMBER FOR REPUBLICANS STAR IN RISOTTO n Jason Fackler shares three thirst-quenching n Obama shakes off suggestion he’s lost clout, beauties that put the margarita to shame. saying rumors may have been exaggerated. AND PASTA
TODAY’S FORECAST, 6A Today will be partly sunny, with SPORTS: SOFTBALL & BASEBALL, PAGE 1B Wednesday a high near 79 and a low near 63. MAY 1, 2013
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@@ texarkanagazette.com VOL. 137, NO. 121 | 4 SECTIONS, 24 PAGES TEXARKANA, TEXAS/ARKANSAS
“Folks, are you ready to get rid of some orange barrels? federal court | texarkana Today’s the day we start taking some of them down.” —State Rep. Prissy Hickerson Suspect accused Arkansas | TRANSPORTATION of mailing meth Officials dedicate could face life MILLER COUNTY n California “After several months, Texarkana loop Polite began to ship Sheriff’s man allegedly pound quantities of n Section of 549 expected to open next methamphetamine to mailed drugs to informant through the department week, will be a ‘key cog’ in future I-49 USPS from California local informant to Arkansas.” goes mobile By Lynn LaRowe —Court records Texarkana Gazette A California man accused of with app mailing pounds of metham- Polite and the Texarkana man phetamine to a man he met allegedly became acquainted n in prison is on his way to face while behind bars sometime Program offers charges in federal court in from 2006 to 2008. Both were Texarkana. released in 2011, according to alerts, booking Craig William Polite, 45, was a criminal complaint filed in an inmate in the Federal Bureau the Texarkana division of the data, tips, more of Prisons when he allegedly Western District of Arkansas used to create the following By Lareign Ward met another inmate who cur- account. Texarkana Gazette rently resides in Texarkana. Polite was sentenced to Polite is serving five years Technology is changing of supervised release by fed- the way the Miller County more than 12 years in prison in September 2000 after a jury eral probation officials that was Sheriff’s Department inter- assessed him along with the acts with and provides found him guilty of conspiring to distribute cocaine in San sentence for conspiracy to dis- information to the public. tribute cocaine. Francisco, according to court The free smartphone app Polite came to the attention documents. Court records do the department launched of authorities in Texarkana dur- last year is now available not indicate where Polite was ing a Bi-State Narcotics Task for iPhones and Android housed during his term in fed- devices. Earlier this year, eral prison. See METH on Page 8A Miller County also launched Smart 911, a service that allows families to create profiles for their household with information they want 911 to have in case of an EDUCATION | ARKANSAS SIDE emergency. “Both of these systems are extremely important to the public safety community $4.1M project to and for the welfare of the citizens of this community,” Sheriff Ron Stovall said in an interview at his office replace heating and See APP on Page 8A air conditioning Business Manager Frank Nation | ECONOMY n Work benefits Coleman said the funds were awarded under the warm, safe seven local schools and dry partnership category Brighter view through the Academic Facilities By Marie Martin Partnership Program. The dis- on jobs pay lifts Staff photo by Evan Lewis Texarkana Gazette trict submitted seven projects n Arkansas State Rep. and former Highway Commissioner Prissy Hickerson talked with the The Academic Facilities for consideration, and all were U.S. confidence audience Tuesday about the achievement of completing this section of Arkansas Highway 549 Partnership Program, Arkansas approved. during the dedication of the Texarkana loop. Hickerson was credited for her work as a highway Division of Public Schools, will “Our focus was on warm, safe, finance part of a seven-cam- and dry. We didn’t ask for any The Associated Press commissioner and then continuing as a state representative. WASHINGTON— pus project at Texarkana, Ark., space,” Coleman said Tuesday. Americans are more opti- By Jim Williamson n Texarkana Gazette School District. Few school districts in the mistic the job market is The funds were approved state received funding under healing and will deliver he Texarkana loop dedication Tuesday was a his- April 24. the space catergory, which higher pay later this year. toric crowning achievement and major milestone in The 2013 Commission for funds new construction for Arkansas Public School and expansion or add-ons, state That brighter outlook, along transportation, said Jeff Sandford, president and CEO with rising home prices, Academic Facilities and documents show. cheaper gasoline and a of Texarkana Chamber of Commerce. ¶ However, Transportation approved more The proposal was considered surging stock market, could Arkansas District 1 state Rep. Prissy Hickerson, former than $4.1 million to replace during the most recent legisla- offset some of the drag from heating, ventilation and air- tive session, which wrapped the recent tax increases and highway commissioner, told the audience she was glad conditioning units at Kilpatrick, up last week. Coleman said if government spending cuts. to get rid of the orange barrels used to direct traffic during construc- Union, College Hill, Fairview the TASD board approves the A gauge of consumer Ttion of the interchange. ¶ Arkansas State Highway and Transportation and Trice elementary schools, match at a future meeting, the confidence rose in April, Washington 4-A Charter School district will fund the balance of reversing a decline in Department officials and local and state leaders attended the dedica- and College Hill Middle School, about $9.4 million with future March, the Conference tion and ribbon-cutting Tuesday where the entrance ramp and state to be completed between 2013 bond savings. The state funds Board, a private research Highway 549 intersect. and 2017. The funding cycle is group, said Tuesday. The See LOOP on Page 8A 2013-15. See PROJECT on Page 8A board attributed the gain to optimism about hiring and pay increases. Economists also cited higher home val- ues and record stock prices. Despite the rise in the index, to 68.1 from 61.9 in TE Political factions fight over Texas Rainy Day Fund INDEX
March, confidence remains X Advice...... 8C well below its historic aver- AS age of 92. Still, the increase By Chris Tomlinson Comics ...... 6C signaled that consumers, | ECONOMY The Associated Press “This is the politics side of it, and sometimes it’s the ugly the part of what Deaths...... 4A whose spending drives USTIN—Rep. Allan Ritter has we do in the Legislature.” —Rep. Allan Ritter Food...... 1C about 70 percent of the spent years trying to find the Metro...... 2A economy, see better times Amoney to build the water Nation/World...... 5A, 3D ahead. pipelines, reservoirs and conservation systems Texas’ rapidly growing popu- their support behind Ritter’s plan to servatives dug in their heels against State...... 3-4A A separate report Tuesday Sports...... 1-4B showed that home prices lation needs, and this was supposed to take $2 billion from the Rainy Day tapping the Rainy Day Fund, and be the year it finally happened. Fund and leverage it to raise $27 bil- Democrats made their support con- Stocks...... 7C nationwide rose in February Copyright 2013 by the most in nearly seven Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David lion over the next 50 years. But their ditional on also using the fund for years. The Standard & Dewhurst, Speaker Joe Straus and the support wasn’t enough. Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city state’s business community all threw On Monday night, Tea party con- See FUND on Page 8A home price index jumped See JOBS on Page 4A
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C YA N P L AT E MAGENTA PLATE YELLOW PLATE BLA C K PLATE PAGE 01/01/2006 03:36 pm Updated
From Page One Texarkana Gazette O Wednesday, May 1, 2013
ited former chamber president uled to be completed in 2014, the Rainy Day Fund. An esti- billion for a new roads fund and Swede Lee for pushing the I-49 improving the path for super mated 35 Republicans identify $800 million for public schools. Loop project since 1986. tankers, Bennett said. Fund with the tea party, and conserva- The bipartisan Senate plan also Lee was an “tireless advocate When the Panama Canal proj- tive activists at the Texas Public appropriates an additional $1.4 Continued from Page 1A for funding.” ect is completed, the docks in Continued from Page 1A Policy Foundation and Texans billion for public schools from Four separate construction In 1991, I-49 was designated Houston and New Orleans will public schools. In the middle of a for Fiscal Responsibility ada- other revenue. projects totaling $130 million by Congress as high priority. receive more products from fiery debate over whether water mantly oppose spending the Ritter, though, said House were awarded to construct the “That spurred Swede and around the world and can be was more important than educa- $11.8 billion fund. Republicans are unlikely to even Texarkana loop. others, such as then-state Sen. shipped north on I-49. tion or public safety, Democrats Democrats hold 55 seats in the consider that option. Additional costs brought the Wayne Dowd, to step up their “When it’s open, there should pointed out that under House Texas House of Representatives “That is a lot broader than any- total investment to nearly $150 efforts,” Hickerson said. be more trade from New rules the bill was not yet eligible and after killing Ritter’s bill body in the House ever dreamed million. This new section of Lee was a mentor to Hickerson Orleans to Shreveport, and for a vote. That killed the mea- Monday night, they said they of, it spends $6 billion,” Ritter road extends Highway 549 from and educated her about the pro- Texarkana be a key part of that,” sure, at least in its present form. are united on insisting that the said. “I don’t think it has a snow- Arkansas Boulevard across I- cess to fund I-49. Bennett said. Rep. Sylvester Turner, D- Legislature restore all of the $5.4 ball’s chance.” 30 to U.S. Highway 71 north of “I’m excited this thing is District Engineer Don Houston, said he didn’t oppose billion cut from public schools Just before Monday’s debate Texarkana. where it is. It’s a lot of leverage Donaldson said the projects creating the water fund or spend- in 2011. That means including Perry met privately with Highway 549 will become part for money. I’m also pleased and survived nearly sinking a track ing an additional $2 billion on $2 billion for schools as part of Republicans urging them to sup- of the future I-49, a new inter- very happy to be recognized for excavator. The construction roads, another Republican prior- any plan to spend the Rainy Day port Ritter’s bill, but to no avail. state-grade road that will con- my part,” Lee said. transformed a clay pit to a high- ity. But he said Democrats also Fund. After the vote he said the water nect the Gulf of Mexico with “We have a long way to go to way interchange. want $2 billion for education “Education took the severity fund remains a top priority. Canada. finish this route in Arkansas Water had to be pumped of the cuts last session, like no “The people of Texas expect too, and that’s why he brought other entity, and it’s up to us to their elected officials to address The Arkansas High School from Texarkana to Fort Smith, out and the soft dirt removed, the parliamentary point of order band and cheerleaders per- but with this ribbon-cutting Donaldson said. say that is enough,” said Rep. the water needs of our state, and that killed Ritter’s House Bill 11. Yvonne Davis, the Democratic we will do just that,” Perry said. formed before the dedication today we celebrate a major A track excavator sank to Conservative Republicans, of the new interchange. milestone—the completion of nearly the operator’s seat, and leader in the House. “We didn’t Straus also promised to work meanwhile, breathed a sigh of want to have the politics of with lawmakers. As speaker he “We’re celebrating, and that an important segment of this a second excavator was used to relief because they were saved means something good has future corridor,” Hickerson remove the sinking machine. water versus roads versus public has tremendous power over a politically difficult vote to education. We wanted them all what bills get passed and will happened,” said Sandford after said. “We had to dig 8 feet deep to boost state spending. If they “Today, let’s get rid of some get the soft soil out,” Donaldson to be a priority.” likely use that leverage to win the band and cheerleaders per- had supported Ritter, they might barrels and get this highway said. Republicans, though, say both Republican and Democratic formed. have mustered just enough “The Texarkana Chamber of open,” she said. He also said economic poten- they’ve already restored enough support for a revised water bill. The Arkansas State Highway tial will grow when the inter- Democratic support to pass the to public schools and Perry ada- Following the worst single- Commerce has been working on measure. transportation issues for more and Transportation Department state connects to I-40 near Fort mantly opposes using the Rainy year drought in Texas history, “This is the politics side of than a century. We’ve carried Director Scott Bennett said Smith. Day Fund for ongoing expenses. Ritter said time is running out the water for this project and highways go beyond just con- “A lot of traffic will come it, and sometimes it’s the ugly As long as the 55 Democrats for building the water infrastruc- many others for decades,” he struction and maintenance. south on I-49,” he said. the part of what we do in the and the 35 tea party Republicans ture needed for future genera- said. “This is a celebration and “It’s about economic develop- The first contract was award- Legislature,” Ritter said. He remain opposed, tapping the tions. a historic crowning achieve- ment. It’s about creating jobs. ed in 2006 to Cleve Batte resolved to find a way to intro- fund remains impossible. “I understand what they are ment and major milestone in It’s about helping people move Construction for $38 million. duce his bill but acknowledged a Presumably Democrats could fighting for,” Ritter said of his transportation.” from point A to point B. It’s The project included grad- tough road ahead. support Senate Joint Resolution 1 opponents. “But the biggest mis- Hickerson was introduced about getting goods and ser- ing the new site and building The biggest hurdle is getting to let voters decide on three con- take the Legislature could do as a driving force in securing vices to people. This is really an bridge structures between I-30 the 100 votes required from the stitutional amendments to take is putting this off again. We’ve funding for the Texarkana high- important day for this city and and U.S. 71 north of Texarkana. 150-member Legislature to tap $2 billion for the water fund, $2 done that long enough.” way projects. for the region,” Bennett said. Two more contracts followed persons, escapes, weather warnings and more. “Folks, are you ready to get rid He said 10 years ago, a section in 2007. The first contract was “The most beneficial and significant feature of of some orange barrels? Today’s of the highway was opened at $35 million awarded to Austin this app is that it lets us get important information Fouke, and a couple of years Bridge and Roads for the grading App the day we start taking some of right to people’s fingertips,” Stovall said in a news them down,” she said. later, a section was opened to and structures work between Continued from Page 1A Doddridge. I-30 and Arkansas Boulevard. release. “This app greatly improves our ability to “Since 2000, the AHTD serve the public, and that’s what we’re here for. (Arkansas Highway and The final contract was award- The other contract was award- Tuesday. Ernest Keck, grant manager for the sher- We’re thrilled that we can provide this to the com- Transportation Department) ed to complete the highway to ed to R.K. Hall Construction iff’s department, said Stovall has made technology munity.” has spent over $250 million for the Louisiana border. for $19 million for interchange a priority. the entire 30-mile highway seg- “In a few years, we can drive improvements at U.S. Highway Smartphone owners can use the app to view the “We want to try to make available to the citizens county’s most wanted, as well as listings of active ment from the Louisiana state on the highway to the state line. 82 and East 19th Street. of this county the technology they are using every warrants, including those who have not paid child line north,” Hickerson said. It’s a long way to go. It’s only The final project was the $38 day,” Keck said. “We want to be part of that. We She praised the invest- about $2 1/2 to 3 billion dollars million contract to Interstate want to be as progressive as other law enforcement support. Residents can sign up to receive push ments by the Federal Highway left to get us up to Northwest Highway Construction for the agencies and make those tools available to citizens notifications for certain information and contact Administration for Miller Arkansas,” Bennett said. base and surfacing of the new here.” the sheriff’s office with crime tips. County on the future I-49 cor- The Texarkana portion will road that completes the exten- Keck said it took awhile to get the mobile app Officials said the app was developed by Appriss ridor. be a “key cog” in the I-49 cor- sion of the highway north to into the Apple store because Apple did not want Inc. at no cost to the county. “The construction alone has ridor, he said. U.S. 71. to approve individual apps for every jurisdiction in While the app is largely used as a way for the pumped money into our local “The work south of Texarkana The interchange will open in the United States. county to provide information to citizens, Smart economy through all these will eventually be a better con- the middle of next week while “They wanted one,” Keck said. 911 works the other way around. Last year, Arkansas years, and the completion will nection between Texarkana and finishing work is completed That app is called Mobile Patrol. Users can announced plans to make the service available help spur economic develop- Shreveport and provide more depending on the weather, said search for it in the Apple Store or Google Play, then throughout the state, and Miller County became ment along the corridor. And economic development. This is Glenn Bolick, special project customize it by choosing their state and local law one of the earliest adapters. the highway department is going to be a gift that keeps on coordinator for the highway enforcement agency. The chosen agency can easily Residents can fill out a free profile by going to continuing its commitment giving for many years to come,” department. be changed. Smart911.com. The profile can note physical and to future I-49 by completing Bennett said. Hickerson rode in the lead “If you are traveling or you want to check what’s developmental disabilities, medical conditions and the remaining 5 miles south Highway planners and state car over the new highway fol- going on in another state or jurisdiction, you can more information that is helpful to emergency of Doddridge to meet up with and local officials have dis- lowed by a 1924 Model T Coupe also do that from (the) settings (menu),” Keck said. responders. If someone lives behind a locked gate, Louisiana’s construction. cussed a variety of funding from driven and refurbished by Don While the app previously included information on Stovall said Smart 911 can be used to provide first “The last contract on that seg- widening existing U.S. Highway Dossey of Ashdown. bookings at the detention center, Keck said that responders with the passcode to get in. Photos can ment has been let, and when 71 to building a new highway. The paradeBUYER(S) of cars followed informationMKTS: is now updated more often, no less be uploaded, including those of people and pets it is completed in a couple of “We need money to keep the highway north of I-30 and than every 15 minutes. There’s also a victim notifi- who need to be rescued in case of a fire. years, all of Miller County’s flowing from Washington,” he then northwest along an idyllic cation system powered by Victims Information and Stovall stressed the information is only available segment of future I-49 will be said. portion of the highway trav- Notification Everyday. in very specific situations. done,” Hickerson said. The construction on widen- eling throughAD: #03-00088 pastureland and ThroughSIZE: 42" theLS app, the sheriff’sDATE: department WED can LAYOUT:“No one can access thisCOPY: information unless you Hickerson and Sandford cred- ing the Panama Canal is sched- groves of pine trees. send news and alerts on serious crimes, missing call 911,” the sheriff said. 4col.(6.944")x10.5" 05/01/13 FACT SHEETS ENTERED:
Project pleted four years after the fund- Continued from Page 1A ing cycle begins. In the appoximately $3.97 mil- account for about 31 percent of lion roofing partnership, the state the heating, ventilation and air awarded the district $1,014,836, conditioning project. and the district used the balance “Our next step is to prioritize, of an insurance settlement and get firm figures on the cost of savings from refinanced bonds the project and then appraise to complete the project. the availablity from matching “The roofing projects were an Cardholder Preview Shopping Day! funds that the district is willing ideal situation for us. We already to commit to,” Coleman said. had some roofing projects com- Before the proposal was sent to pleted before we got the part- the state in February 2012, TASD nership (money) approved. The Board of Directors approved the partnership funds allowed us to preliminary outline of the seven put brand new roofs on many projects during a board meeting. of our buildings,” Coleman said. TODAY ONLY! Coleman said some school dis- “After the Kilpatrick project is tricts go to voters to ask for more completed, all of our roofs will money for a project’s match. If be completed. Then, there will Use your Dillard’s Credit Card on the funding is not used, it goes be no roof that is older than 6 back to the state at the end of the years old (in the district), and Wednesday’s purchases and 2013-15 funding cycle. that makes kids the priority, and Since Coleman took the helm that’s pretty significant for us.” at the business office, this is the Stimulus funds were also used second time the district’s been on the roof projects before the approved for partnership funds. partnership funds were avail- This summer, the district will able. This summer, the district complete the last roofing project will also begin construction on that was approved for the 2010- safe rooms at the Fairview and 12 school year funding cycle. A Union campuses. take an extra partnership project can be com- [email protected]
Meth 2-pound shipments of meth from Continued from Page 1A 2011 to 2013. Cash shipments to Polite allegedly totaled anywhere Force investigation of mail ship- from $16,000 to $36,000. ments of ice, a street name for On March 7, investigators methamphetamine, from San watched as a postal service carrier Francisco to Texarkana, Ark. % delivered a package to a house in A task force investigator met the 400 block of East 12th Street with Polite’s alleged Texarkana in Texarkana, Ark. Two packages contact and informed the individ- of meth, each weighing about ual criminal charges were likely 15 ounces, were allegedly found to be filed against them. To get a inside. off possible reduction in sentencing, Polite was arrested in San the Texarkana suspect agreed to Francisco earlier this month. He cooperate with law enforcement appeared in a federal court there 30 and act as a confidential infor- April 11. mant. The informant told inves- Court and jail records indicate tigators he had been receiving Polite is in custody and being entire stock packages containing pounds of taken to Texarkana. A court date meth from Polite and in return for Polite to appear before a fed- shipped packages to Polite con- eral judge in Texarkana has not ...of all permanently reduced merchandise taining thousands of dollars in been scheduled. cash. The informant told investi- If convicted of conspiring to gators Polite began shipping high- distribute meth, Polite faces 10 grade marijuana to Texarkana in years to life in federal prison. throughout the store. 2011. However, a prior drug trafficking “(The informant) obtained conviction allows prosecutors to pound quantities of marijuana enhance the punishment range from Polite on several occasions to 20 years to life. If Polite has Offer good Wednesday, May 1 only, when using your Dillard’s Credit Card. Don’t have a at which Polite would ship five to other drug-related convictions at Dillard’s Credit Card? Apply to take advantage of the Dillard’s Cardholder Preview Shopping ten pounds of marijuana through the state level, he could be facing Day and receive a 10% Off All-Day Welcome Shopping Pass in your 1st statement when you the United States Postal Service a mandatory sentence of life in to the informant from California federal prison. spend $100 the day you open your account (maximum discount $100).* to Arkansas,” the complaint states. “After several months, Polite began to ship pound quantities of CHUBBY methamphetamine to informant CHEEKS Choose the Dillard’s Card Earn points toward Earn points toward through the USPS from California Dillard’s Reward Certificates* to Arkansas.” Rewards Option you like best. % Off Shopping Passes* $ LIQUOR Rewards Visit Dillards.com/mychoice for more with no limit to how much that you can use on all The informant allegedly esti- All about choice. information on how to enroll. you can save at Dillard’s Dillard’s merchandise. DRIVE-THRU OPEN TIL MIDNIGHT all day, one day. OR No exclusions. mated receiving approximately 25 I-30 & Jefferson Exit All about you. *See Rewards Program terms for details. 10 10
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