Local news: Thursday 4/23
New WAC Prez
The Walton Arts Center got a new CEO. Read about it here on the Flyer or check out what everyone else is saying in “Walton Arts Center hires veteran arts executive as CEO” (NWA Times), “Walton Arts Center Director Debuts” (Morning News)
Hold that deck
The Washington County courthouse parking deck is on hold. Why? Something about bid vs. no-bid contracts. Uh oh. See “Judge Halts County Construction Plans” (Morning News) and “County sued over bidding:…” (NWA Times) for more.
Man slits throat in Walmart
His own throat: “Man Who Slit Throat At Store Dies” (Morning News), “Police: Man Cut Throat At Walmart” (Morning News)
Shakeup at Woodland
A teacher says he pushed a student because he was jumped from behind. He was suspended and his future is unknown. Full story here: “Contract of suspended Woodland teacher not renewed for 2009-10″ (NWA Times)
Comments
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By Beebs on April 23rd, 2009
His name isn’t being released but his name is David McElyea. Nice.
By roger on April 23rd, 2009
wow.
By Scott on April 23rd, 2009
Is David McElyea the kids who jumped the teacher?
By skalmt on April 23rd, 2009
@ Scott….No the man from Wal-Mart who slit his throat. The article said they weren’t releasing his name yet and then the next line said David McElyea….
By Lt. Hammer on April 23rd, 2009
He wrote “When Money Grew On Trees”, a book about growing pot in Madison County. Knew Ralph, etc…
By Lt. Hammer on April 23rd, 2009
More info over at Arkansas Blog. Blue clicky.
By Ozarkbahner on April 23rd, 2009
The Wal*cide is bizarre, but the Greg Matthews story is the most ridiculous news out of Fayetteville in some time.
Junior high was bad enough when I was a student. It’s nothing less than heroics to make a career among all those greasy, pubescent goons. I remember Coach Matthews from when I was doing my time at Woodland, so he has been at it for a while. Respect.
It’s admirable dedication that he would even want to continue teaching in an environment where hostile administrators give delinquents free reign. If anything, Fayetteville Public Schools should be begging him to stay. Who would want to take his job? I couldn’t be paid enough to teach in a junior high school.
By Sardon on April 24th, 2009
David McElyea was an interesting person, and I was proud to call him my friend. I guess he kept up a brave front, but he has been owned by the Arkansas Department of Corrections for a long time, and this shoplifting bust would have probably been a life sentence to him. I guess he didn’t see much hope for any happiness in his future, but dang, mang, sawing your head off?
The cops might have known him and let him bleed out while handcuffed, but probably David attacked himself with enough vigor to get the job done. I’ll miss him.
It may be hard to find his book, but you can probably still read excerpts at http://www.whenmoneygrewontrees.com It’s a bit of an introduction to him anyway.