Title: Bowling For Business in Conway
Description: The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to host a new event this summer. Bowling for Business is presented by US CosmeCeuticals and will be held on Friday, July 9. The morning flight will be held from 10:00am to 12:00pm and the afternoon flight will be held from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. From 12:00pm to 1:00pm, all participants can attend the networking lunch. A five-person team is $200 and includes lane fees for two games, shoe rental, lunch and snacks, goody bag, and team name on event sign. Individual bowlers are encouraged to participate as well at $50 per bowler. We encourage all teams participating to make this event a fun day out. Flake and Kelly Commercial has sponsored the Best Team Shirt Award. This prize and others will be given out after each flight. Trophies are sponsored by Crain Automotive. The break sponsor will be Hurley Chiropractic. Lane Sponsorships are still available for $40 0. Your business will receive: Sponsor logo on some publicity associated with event, Sponsor name on event signage, Sponsor name on lane, and a five-person team at the event.
For more information or other sponsorship opportunities please contact either Chad Russell at Chad@ConwayArkansas.org or Mary Margaret Satterfield at Mary@ConwayArkansas.org.

Date: 2010-07-09

Title: Arkansas Shakespeare Festival 2010 UCA Conway June 16-July 3rd
Location: Reynolds Performance Hall UCA Campus Donaghey Ave. & Beatrice Powell Dr. Conway, AR 72035
Link out: Click here
Description: Arkansas Shakespeare Festival 2010 UCA Conway

Founded in 2006, The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre produces a repertory of family-friendly professional productions each summer in Conway. The theme of this summer’s festival is “Shakespeare with a Bite”. Productions include “Henry V”, “Comedy of Errors”, “Alice in
Wonderland”, and “Dracula”.

Please check the website for ticket information or call the Reynolds Performance Hall box office at 501-450-3265.

June 16th -July 3rd
Starts at 07:00pm

Location
Reynolds Performance Hall
UCA Campus
Donaghey Ave. & Beatrice Powell Dr.
Conway, AR 72035

Contact
Matt Chiorini
Email: mchiorini@uca.edu

Start Date: 2010-06-16
End Date: 2010-07-03

An illegal alien living in Conway has been charged for shooting at a Conway Police officer.

Twentieth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden has charged Francisco Orgega-Montalvo, 30, of Conway, with Attempted Capital Murder of a Conway Police Department officer.

Charges are based on an incident that occurred Monday night, May 10, 2010. Conway Police Department officers attempted to make contact with Ortega-Montalvo at his residence, 11 Hazelwood Road, while investigating his possible involvement in a hit-and-run accident.

Conway Police identified Ortega-Montalvo as the man who fired what was later determined to be a .38 caliber Colt revolver at an officer. According to police reports, officers “immediately heard a gunshot and saw the flash from the muzzle of a handgun”. The officer who came into contact with Ortega-Montalvo was not directly hit by the bullet, but he was struck by bullet fragments from the gunshot.

“Protecting the safety of law enforcement officers while in the course of their duties is among the highest priorities of the criminal justice system. We stand united with law enforcement in our belief that our legal process must protect the officers who protect us.” stated Vaden.

Ortega-Montalvo is scheduled to appear today at 1:00 before Circuit Judge David Reynolds. He is also in custody pursuant to a hold by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

(Above) Israel Martinez

Israel Martinez, age 28, of Bonnerdale, Arkansas was arrested on May 5, 2010 in Clinton, Arkansas as a result of an eight month long joint drug operation.  The 20th Judicial Prosecuting Attorney’s Drug Task force, Arkansas State Police Narcotics Division, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department and other state and federal agencies cooperated in this extensive investigation. Additionally, the Air National Guard Counter Drug Unit provided air support and surveillance during the purchase that led to the arrest.

Over the past several months in the cities of Clinton, Conway, Little Rock and Hot Springs undercover agents purchased methamphetamine (ICE) and cocaine from Martinez. Three separate drug purchases were completed in Van Buren County.  During the investigation, agents purchased and seized approximately $2,800.00 worth of cocaine and $52,000.00 worth of methamphetamine. 

On May 5, 2010 Agents purchased approximately a half pound of methamphetamine from Martinez in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Clinton.  Upon the completion of the purchase, agents took Martinez into custody without incident. Martinez was then transported to the Van Buren County Detention Center where he is currently being held.

Agents interviewing Martinez discovered he was in the United States illegally.  During the course of the investigation, agents determined that Mr. Martinez has sold as much as ten pounds of methamphetamine over the last several years, which would have a street value of over $400,000.00. 

Twentieth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden praised the inter-agency cooperation shown during this operation.  “This case is a prime example of what can be accomplished through cooperation and hard work.  As criminal enterprises become more complex, the law enforcement community must also broaden its reach.  Cooperation among agencies is going to be an essential tool as the fight against crime continues.”

-Prosecuting Attorney Twentieth Judicial District

Are you looking for great entertainment and indulgent dining? If so, Conway Dinner Theater has an evening planned for you! Oak Street Bistro, our caterer, has prepared a menu of

Asian Fruit Salad

Thai Chicken, Cucumber and Basil Salad, Angel Hair Pasta with Peanut Sauce

Dessert – White Chocolate Truffle with Raspberry Sorbet.

Tea and Coffee

And then the shows!

You, the audience, become Ron McDaniel’s (last seasons’ Bill Sikes of “Oliver”) guests at his own party! A nine minute calisthenics of accents, you’ll be laughing as he sings Introductions and Good-byes by Menotti. Trivia – “Can you name all the accents he uses?”

Then it’s on to Signor Deluso and a comedy of errors as Deluso and his wife, Clara, accidently get involved with the neighbor Celie, who is in love with Leon, but her father, Gorgibus, wants her to marry…….. Well, you get the picture. Everybody loves a sit-com and when it’s put to music, it’s even better!

And rounding out the evening is the play Legend. We’re calling this year “A Season of Love” and this play fits the bill! She has a question to answer, “Which do I choose – the man that is away or the one that is near?” Choices, choices, choices!

Shows are June 5th and 12th at Wesley United Methodist Church. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at Oak Street Bistro or by calling Faulkner Academy of Arts, 501-339-7401.

Want to save money? Season tickets are $75. That’s just $25 per show.

Is your group looking for a fun night out? For groups of 10-19, tickets are just $28. More than 20 tickets – rates are just $26!

Dontae Haskins of Conway was arrested for aggravated robbery after the victim, 31, says she and a friend, 38, were approached by Haskins, 19, at a local grocery store, and offered them a ride back to their apartment.

Once they arrived, the victim says Haskins brought out a small handgun. Dontae Haskins removed the victim from the car by force and demanded money, while her friend ran away from the scene.

Once the victim gave Dontae Haskins her money, she ran away as well.

After a detailed description was given by the victim and the witness, officers located Dontae Haskins and his vehicle at a home in Conway. Dontae Haskins was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Faulkner County Detention Center on $20,000 bond.

(Source: Conway Police Dept.)

Title: Toad Suck Daze in Conway
Location: downtown Conway
Link out: Click here
Description: Toad Suck Daze is a FREE ADMISSION festival. A 3-day festival of food, family and fun held on the streets of downtown Conway, Arkansas. This Laid Back Weekend occurs annually the first weekend in May and has something for the entire family: arts & crafts, ‘Toadal Kids Zone, a carnival, local and national entertainment, food, rock wall, petting zoo, Stuck on a Truck, 5K/10K, golf tournament, a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, magicians, and so much more! Toad Suck Daze is also home to ‘The World Championship Toad Races. The festival is run almost exclusively by volunteers from Conway and Faulkner County, including the local police and fire departments. It has free admission and proceeds go to support higher education in Faulkner County. Since the start of the festival over $1 million has been given in scholarship and towards scholarship endowments. This money has helped over 200 individuals attend local institutes of higher learning.
Start Date: 2010-04-30
End Date: 2010-05-02

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.

Read More…

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.