Lonnie Biggers seeks JP, District 8 Lonnie Biggers, Republican, is running for the position of justice of the peace for District 8 of the Independence County Quorum Court. A member of the Rejoice Fellowship Church and former church administrator, Biggers is the son of the late Rev. Len A. Biggers and Ruby Biggers. He is married to Pamela Lee Biggers. He works for the Arkansas Lime Co. as an electrical technician. Biggers currently serves as a member of the Industrial Development Task Force. He has also served as president of Citizens for Tax Control and Responsible Government and has served as a member of the Independence County Solid Waste Task Force. He believes his experience while serving in these civic positions has well equipped him to be an asset to the community if elected to this position. "We have lawsuits pending over the hydroelectric dam project with a pharmaceutical company and a possible suit over the transfer station, which may create the biggest headache for the county, trash disposal," said Biggers. Realizing that his ideas about how to spend money will probably be somewhat different from the views of the other candidates, his objective is to make sure the budget money is being spent for what it is allocated for. "Money allocated for the road department should be spent on the county roads, not on someone's farm who may have contributed to a particular campaign," said Biggers. "If I'm elected to the JP position, I will do everything to the best of my ability to make sure that all requests are justified as to the need and amount." Biggers believes the key to solving the difficult problems the Quorum Court will be facing in the near future is "new leadership on the Quorum Court" and "someone who will stand up for the people and look out for their interests. "The county is facing some difficult times ahead," said Biggers. "We've lost several hundred jobs in recent months with the closing of GDX and the imminent closing of White-Rodgers. We must find ways of increasing employment opportunities in Independence County." Biggers asks that the people join him in solving these problems. He can be reached at (870) 698-0608 and would love to hear from any of his constituents. "Your suggestions and thoughts are greatly appreciated. So, I ask the good folks in District 8 for your vote and support in the coming election this fall," said Biggers. From Press Release Coldwell Banker Choice Realty moves Coldwell Banker Choice Realty has opened their new office at 513 Batesville Blvd. in Batesville. "This move has been made possible by the patronage and support of our many clients and customers who have allowed our agents to represent them in their real estate transactions," according to a news release. "We are very appreciative of the confidence shown by the public in choosing Coldwell Banker Choice Realty agents. "Coldwell Banker Choice Realty sincerely believes that this is the time to consider a real estate purchase due to the current mortgage rates. The owners encourage anyone who is considering a real estate purchase to follow our lead and do so now in order to take advantage of the very good interest rates that are currently available. "We want to invite all of our clients, customers and friends to visit our new office and register for dinner for two, to be given away by drawing at the open house on Friday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m." The owners, Missy Aaron and Charles Sherley, also want to thank the following agents -- whose professionalism, knowledge of the local real estate market and hard work while representing their clients and customers -- have made this move possible: Ronald Brady, Jeannie Huff, Doris Inman, N.B. Inman, Linda Johnson, Tammy Lewis, Jerry Lumpkin, James Schoonover, Glenda Stephens and Tracy Wallis. From Press Release First Community Bank's Pioneer Classic boosts BHS athletic program 
Pictured (l-r) are Batesville Pioneer baseball assistant coaches Matt Wentz, Kelly Rush; First Community Bank Vice President Ron Carter and Batesville baseball head coach Mark Rush as they watch the Pioneers practice for the upcoming state tournament. Photo submitted First Community Bank recently sponsored the Pioneer Classic Baseball Tournament in Batesville and presented the high school with more than $10,000, said Ron Carter, vice president of First Community Bank and a member of the Batesville School Board. "First Community Bank once again teamed up with Batesville High School's athletic department to sponsor another successful Pioneer Classic Baseball Tournament in Batesville, March 29 through April 5," said Carter. "First Community Bank recently presented the athletic department with checks exceeding $10,000 from gate proceeds of the classic and First Community Bank's annual gift to the program." The Springdale Har-Ber Wildcats won the 2008 large school title out of the eight teams who played in the Four-A through Five-A division. The Wildcats of Searcy's Harding Academy emerged as the champions of the One-A through Three-A title from 16 teams competing in the small school division. "We are grateful to First Community Bank and its employees who volunteer their time each year to help us host schools from across Arkansas in this two-division event," said Batesville Athletic Director Dave King. "The partnership we have forged with First Community Bank offers opportunities for our baseball and softball programs that would not be possible without their help." "We appreciated the local interest and support for this year's tournament, despite the inclement weather we faced," said Boris Dover, president and chief operating officer of First Community Bank. "The Pioneer Classic is recognized as one of the top competitions statewide, and we are pleased to sponsor an event that brings many visitors to our area. We believe the benefits of this partnership are two-fold -- while we generate enthusiasm and support for our local athletic program, the visitors we host also provide a boost for the local business economy." From Press Release Old Independence Regional Museum Old Independence Regional Museum will host an open house on Friday, May 16, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the museum. "Friday Afternoon at the Museum is an event scheduled periodically as an opportunity for people to network with other museum friends and to introduce others to the museum's offerings," said Jan Smith, museum board vice president. During the Friday Afternoon at the Museum event there will be a brief talk about how things have changed over the last 50 years for college-bound students. Dr. Ben Hipp, a retired oral surgeon and Batesville native, will relate his experiences as a student preparing for college. Deborah Frazier, chancellor of the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, will then speak about what present-day students experience as they get ready for college. Lenora Mobley, president of the Old Independence Regional Museum Board of Trustees, will also be speaking briefly about the upcoming programs and exhibits at the museum. Visitors are invited to drop by and listen to the speakers. Following the program, light refreshments will be served and guests may visit and view the museum exhibits. There is no charge for admission to Friday Afternoon at the Museum although donations are welcome. Old Independence Regional Museum serves a 12-county area. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and $1 for children. The museum is located at 380 S. Ninth St. between Boswell and Vine streets in Batesville. For further information, call (870) 793-2121. From Press Release ASU-Newport introduces
Dr. Larry Williams, ASU-Newport chancellor, congratulates Andrea Chism on being the first ASU-Newport employee to be hired with an Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate. Looking on is librarian Jennifer Ballard. Photo submitted The Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) was introduced to business owners and managers of Jackson County in a forum held at Arkansas State University-Newport in February and many employers signed on to require the certificate from new hires. The CRC is a portable credential that confirms to employers that an individual possesses basic workplace skills in reading for information, applied mathematics and locating information -- skills that all jobs require. Employers can be sure that the one who has earned this credential is workplace ready and has the foundational skills necessary for success. There is no charge to the employer or employee for the program. Even if a job seeker has a high school diploma, a GED or post-secondary training, the CRC further verifies that he can handle tasks such as finding information, reading instructions and directions and working with figures -- tasks common in today's workplace. ASU-Newport was one of the businesses committing to the use of the CRC and requiring the completion of the program before employment is possible. Diaz resident and ASU-Newport student Andrea Chism recently completed the CRC and was hired as a full-time library technician in the ASU-Newport library. Chism was able to complete the program in the Adult Education Department at ASU-Newport. Martha Taussig, coordinator of adult education, said she is very proud that adult education is a part of the CRC and proud that ASU-Newport is among the first employers in this area to recognize the value of this credential. "Likewise, we are proud of Andrea for being one of our first candidates to earn the credential," said Taussig. "We are confident that the Arkansas CRC will play an important role in shaping the employment landscape and the economic future of Arkansas." For more information on the Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate, contact the Adult Education Department at ASU-Newport at (870) 512-7824. From Press Release |
