Two men charged for their involvement in the June 12, 2009, murder on Bean Street have pleaded guilty. Jose Leonel Lopez Maradiaga and Freddy Leonel Ramos Turcios were charged June 15, 2009 with 1 count of Terroristic Act, 1 count of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) and Hindering Apprehension by 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden.

On June 12, 2009, Conway police officers were waived down as they left the Faulkner County Detention Center on South German Lane by several people and informed that a man had been shot and was lying in a driveway at 1405 Bean Street. When officers arrived they found Julio Ivan Cota, 27, with multiple gunshot wounds. Cota was transported to Conway Regional Hospital where he died.

According to eye-witnesses of the crime, officers were given the names of the 3 suspects, Ramon Arnesto Mendez Rodriguez, Jose Leonel Lopez Maradiaga and Freddy Leonel Ramos Turcios. Witnesses described Maradiaga as the driver, Rodriguez as the shooter and Turcios as the passenger in the back seat. A short time after the shooting, Arkansas State Police located the vehicle with the 3 occupants in Maumelle where they were taken into custody and transported back to the Conway Police Department. While the search for the 3 suspects was ongoing, officers obtained a search warrant to search the 3 men’s residence where they found, among other things, a quantity of cocaine.

Maradiaga agreed to plead guilty to Hindering Apprehension and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) and he received 120 months in the Arkansas Department of Correction and an additional 240 months in the Arkansas Department Correction suspended conditioned upon him not reentering the United States illegally. Upon his release, Maradiaga will face deportation proceedings to Honduras.

Turcios, the passenger in the vehicle, pled guilty to Hindering Apprehension and received a 240 month suspended sentence in the Arkansas Department of Correction, conditioned upon him not reentering the United States illegally. Turcios will face immediate deportation proceedings to Honduras.

A Conway woman who since August has stood accused of murdering her 6-year-old son with a child’s keyboard has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 19 years in the Arkansas.

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day and give back to the community. Enjoy great food, great company, plus bid on fine auction items. Join the fun at the Fifth Annual Valentine Gala and Silent Auction event for Bethlehem House on Friday, February 12th from 6 – 8:30 pm. Dinner will be catered by Jill McCollum. Tickets are $25 each on sale now at Bethlehem House. In order to accommodate everyone, please buy tickets in advance.  Tickets will also be available at the door. The Gala starts at 6pm, Friday February 12th at the new oneChurch; located at 1073 Front Street across the street from the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway. For more info, please call Bethlehem House at 501-329-4862.

By, Paul Alpers, president of Crappie Masters

After years of trying to have a crappie tournament in Arkansas, it is Conway, Arkansas that gets it done. Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters tournament trail will hold its first Arkansas tournament and the 2010 Ultimate Challenge on Lake Conway. The tournament is a two day event sponsored by the Conway Advertising & Promotion Commission, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Minn Kota, Humminbird, and Spike-It on March 26 & 27, 2010. The Ultimate Challenge is a jigging tournament where anglers can only use one pole per angler with artificial bait only. Payback is 100% in cash and prizes.

Registration for teams without penalty is up to February 25, 2010. Teams can sign up online at www.crappiemasters.net. Teams have until March 15, 2010 to enter, which is the entry deadline. Teams may not enter after March 15. If less than 70 teams sign up on deadline the tournament will become a one day national qualifier.

Fishing will began at 7:00 am both days of the tournament. The tournament weigh-in on both tournament days will be at 3:30 p.m. at Camp Robinson Special Use Are Pavilion 331 Clinton Rd. The public is invited to attend the weigh in on both days.

Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters Kid’s Fishing Rodeo is March 27 at Pierce Creek Boat Access & Fishing Pier and is free for children 15 and under. Parents may bring their kids to fish for prizes and fun. Registration is 8 a.m. and activities are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Kid’s should bring their bait and pole. New for 2010, all kids will be entered into a drawing for a chance to go to the Youths National Championship to win scholarship money.

The guarantee says it all! For more information, contact Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters at www.crappiemasters.net or email Kathy Wyrick at Kathy@ConwayArkansas.org.

For communities to thrive, there must be a strategic, long-range plan for the future. The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce is leading this strategic planning process to develop Conway2025, our community’s long-range plan.

The first step is public input through a short survey to identify priorities. All survey results are completely anonymous. Following the survey, citizens will have the opportunity to participate throughout the planning process.

Your input is critical – please encourage others to participate in the survey, and make your voice heard to positively impact the future of our community by getting involved in the Conway2025 process. Please visit www.Conway2025.com to learn more information and to complete the survey.

Contact info@Conway2025.com with questions.

Arkansas Festival Ballet Performs with the Conway Symphony Orchestra

CONWAY, ARK. (Nov. 6, 2009) – The Conway Symphony Orchestra is joined by Arkansas Festival Ballet for selections from “The Nutcracker” along with favorite songs of the season at Conway’s premier holiday event, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at Reynolds Performance Hall in Conway.

Tickets are available at the Reynolds Box Office, by phone at 450-3265 or toll free at 1-866-810-0012, and at www.uca.edu/tickets.  Prices range from $5 to $35, with significant discounts for children, students and the UCA community.  A special rate of $15 per ticket is offered for groups of 10 or more for this concert only.  The concert is underwritten by Fortier, Inc. with guest artist sponsorship by Morgan Keegan.

With a “Tutus and Tinsel” theme, the concert includes Christmas classics from “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” ending with the  traditional favorite, “Sleigh Ride.”  Arkansas Festival Ballet, led by Artistic Director Rebecca Stalcup, performs an original dance to “The Skaters Waltz” and selections from “The Nutcracker” in the company’s first collaboration with the Conway Symphony.

Parents are encouraged bring their cameras and dress their children in holiday finery for a photo with Santa in the Reynolds Performance Hall lobby at intermission.  “It’s a great way to start the holiday season with your entire family,” said Music Director and Conductor Israel Getzov.  “From grandparents to grandchildren, everyone can sing their favorite carols, experience the music of the Conway Symphony and enjoy the dance of Arkansas Festival Ballet.”

Before the concert at the Nutcracker Sweets event, children and their families may enjoy hot chocolate, a selection of desserts, special artwork to celebrate “The Nutcracker” and a chance to meet the Maestro and ballet dancers from 6 to 7 p.m. in Brewer-Hegemen Conference Center adjacent to the Reynolds Performance Hall. Tickets are $5 for children and $7 for adults, and those attending Nutcracker Sweets will receive special discount pricing for concert tickets. Call 269-1066 to reserve a ticket, or visit www.conwaysymphony.org. Seating is limited to the first 80 registrations.

Parents can find the perfect gift for their favorite dancer at The Ballet Boutique, open during Nutcracker Sweets and immediately before and after the concert in the lobby of Reynolds Performance Hall.

In its 25th Anniversary season, the CSO exists to create meaningful experiences through performances and education.  The 2009-2010 CSO roster is composed of both professional and pre-professional musicians performing seven concerts, plus classroom educational programs. Through the support of corporate and individual donors, the CSO makes the enjoyment of classical and popular music available to the entire community.

Eighth Annual Dazzle Daze set Nov. 19-21 to benefit senior adults, pediatrics patients

Festivities include raffle for new Ford Mustang

The Conway Regional Women’s Council will host the eighth Dazzle Daze on November 19-21. Proceeds from Dazzle Daze will benefit health care projects for senior adult and pediatric patients at Conway Regional.

Dazzle Daze, Conway’s holiday shopping extravaganza, will usher in the holiday season and feature a variety of specialty shopping at one location for people of all ages. In addition to nearly 80 vendors selling specialty gifts for the holidays, Dazzle Daze will include a raffle for a new Ford Mustang convertible and several other valuable prizes.

The event will be held at the Don Owen Sports Complex at I-40 & Highway 65 in Conway and will feature merchants selling such gift items as gourmet food, home and holiday items, jewelry, clothing, collectibles, children’s items and much, much more. Shoppers can take advantage of Girls’ Nite Out or General shopping, in addition to children’s choir performances, holiday demonstrations and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Girls’ Nite Out, November 19, 6-9pm; $20 in advance, $25 at the door
General Shopping, November 20, 10am-8pm, November 21, 10am-4pm, $5
Raffle prizes include new car

The Dazzle Daze Raffle is limited to 500 tickets ($100 each). All tickets will be entered into the raffle with the following prizes to be awarded:

2010 Ford Mustang Convertible from Smith Ford
A liquid facelift and skin rejuvenation spa package from Cosmetic Laser Solutions
40” flat panel Sony TV from DeBoard Electronics
HP laptop package
$500 Cajun Brothers Furniture Gift Certificate.
For more information, call (501) 513-5778 or visit dazzledaze@conwayregional.org online.

(Above) William M (Bill) Hegeman and Pastor E.C. Cornell Maltbia

Faulkner County Leadership Institute held their Annual Award Banquet on Monday, November 9 at the Centennial Events Center.

William M. (Bill) Hegeman received the FCLI Leadership Award. This award is presented to a leader in the community who has the same qualities as the Dan Nabholz award recipient, but who has not been through the FCLI program.

Hegeman is retired from Conway Corporation (1960-1998) and served as the Chief Executive Officer at the time of his retirement. He is currently serving as Treasurer of the Conway Downtown Partnership Board of Directors, the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners, the Metro Little Rock Alliance, the St. Joseph Endowment and Charitable Trust, the St. Joseph Cemetery Commission, the Chairman of the St. Joseph Church Planning and Development Committee, and the Lead Director of the National Board of Directors for the Catholic Knights.

He has previously served on the boards for the Conway Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas Municipal Power Association, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, the Conway Kiwanis Club, the United Way of Faulkner County, Conway Board Adjustment, Conway Planning Commission, Toad Suck Daze Chairman, American Red Cross-Faulkner County Chapter, and the Conway Development Corporation.

Accomplishments include the “Honored with Distinguished Service Award” by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce; named one of the “10 Most Influential People in Faulkner County” in the Log Cabin Democrat 1997 survey; the” Vocational Service Business Award” by Conway Rotary Club 1998; the “Volunteer of the Year Award” by the Arkansas Economic Developers 2000; the “Volunteer of the Year Award” by the Southern Economic Development Conference 2000, and the naming of Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center on the University of Central Arkansas Campus 2001, as well as being named 2009 Distinguished Alumnus – St. Joseph School.

“Having participated in a number of sessions with different classes, and having a son, daughter and daughter-in-law all having graduated from the Institute, I know the benefits that this organization has brought to our great community,” said Hegeman.

Pastor E.C. “Cornell” Maltbia, received the Dan Nabholz Leadership Award. This award is given to a graduate of the institute who exhibits special leadership skills and shows dedication to his community. Maltbia graduated from FCLI in `99.

Maltbia is the founder and Pastor of the True Saints Holiness Center. He serves as the Chaplain for the Conway Police Department, the Chaplain for the Arkansas House of Representatives 87th General Assembly and as Commissioner for the Arkansas Martin Luther King Coalition. He is a graduate of Conway High School and of the University of Central Arkansas with his degree in Business Administration.

Previously, Maltbia served on the United Way of Central Arkansas Board of Directors, the University of Central Arkansas Grievance Advisory Board, the Salvation Army of Faulkner County Board and both the Central Arkansas and Conway Ministerial Alliance.

The accomplishments of Maltbia are many but began with his first acknowledgement at age 17 by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette as “Youth of the Year” and most recently he received the “Ten Outstanding Young Arkansan Award” and the “Award of Recognition and Appreciation” from the African American Alumni Association.

A 1990 graduate of Conway High School, Maltbia received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas. He is married to the former Natasha Nicole Pierce of Conway, Arkansas. They are the parents of two lovely children Kennedy and Connor.

During the pogram, FCLI also recognized the graduating class of 2009: Julie Agee-Gillaspy, Amy Blaylock, Margaret Corbett, Julia Cunningham, David Hall, Benton Harvey, Jon Henderson, Polly Ingram, Caren Lewis, Denise Pearson-Bethea, Wes Pruitt, Bryan Quinn, Matthew Rice, Shawanna Rodgers, Bart Shaw, Todd Spradlin, Todd Tipton, Bill Tobias, Melissa Turner, Ronda Warneke, Kathy Weatherly, Dot Welch, and Brad Youngblood. Congratulations to the Class of 2009!

The Arthritis Foundation, Arkansas Chapter, is sponsoring an Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Leader Training Workshop Program, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, from 8:00 am-4:00 pm, at the McMaster Physical Therapy Center, Conway, Arkansas.
The workshop will provide participants with instruction on how to organize and conduct an arthritis aquatic exercise program.  It will also present an overview of rheumatic diseases and the Arthritis Foundation.
Persons interested in attending the workshop should contact Carla Davis at 1-800-482-8858 or cdavis@arthritis.org for an application.  Or you may apply online at http://www.arthritis.org/chapters/arkansas. The cost is $100.  Enrollment is limited to 25 persons.  The closing date for registration is October 14, 2009.

The Taste of Conway & Business Expo will be held October 6th-7th.
5:00 pm – 7:30 pm on 6th. Business Expo only on 7th.Taste of Conway & Business Expo Registration forms are available at tinyurl.com/ConwayExpo.
Taste of Conway is undeniably the most tasteful event in
town. The event showcases a fabulous collection of local talents and flavors. Participating restaurants have an incredible opportunity to feature samples of their favorite offerings. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets are available at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. For more details, call 501-327-7788.