Tyson Foods is on target to complete its $90 million beef slaughter complex update in Dakota City, Neb., by this summer. The plant slaughter floor overhaul began in 2012 and is entering the final stages, according to company officials.


The plant is the largest in the world in terms of the meat it packs, according to a report from the Sioux City Journal.

Two years ago, the meat company warned that operations at its Denison, Neb., plant could cease after the Dakota City project was finished. But according to the report, Tyson officials recently told their 380 Denison workers that conditions had changed and there now are no plans to close the plant.


The company said falling feed prices for cattle and other plant closures by competitors are creating more opportunities for keeping the Denison plant in operation.
 Tyson said it expects to hire about 200 workers for the expanded Dakota City plant, that already has an annual payroll of $140 million and nearly 4,000 employees.

April is an another active month for the programing at the Schmeiding Center, Bella Vista, according to Nancy Galbraith, program specialist. There are several routine health checks and screenings in addition to lectures on stroke awareness, 911 safety, and fall prevention. All sessions are scheduled at the Highland Center in Bella Vista, unless otherwise stated.

April 2
• 10 a.m to noon: Design Your Mind, presented by Right at Home
• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Hearing aid cleaning and check up, Miarcle Ear

April 3
• 10 a.m to noon: Memory screening, Schmieding Cares.

April 8
• 9 a.m to 11 a.m.: Blood pressure screening, Alliance Home Health

April 9
• 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Risk fall prevention, by Health South

April 14
• 10 a.m. to noon: Glasses adjustment, Bentonville Eye Care

April 15
• 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.:  Smart 911, Bella Vista Fire Dept. at Highlands Church.

April 16
• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Blood pressure and glucose screening, Elite Home Health

• 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Rest, Relax, Rejuvenate $10 fee, Tracey Lynn Cox

April 17
• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Hearing tests, hearing aid adjustments, Better Hearing & Balance Correction.

April 22
• Noon to 1 p.m.: Lunch & Learn Stroke Awareness, Pam Adams at United Lutheran Church. Registration is required at (800)734-2024.

April 24
• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Coffee with Elder Law Firm, Todd Whatley of Elder Law

Finalists for the Giving Recognition in Tourism (GRIT) Awards were announced Tuesday (April 1). The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 24, at 6 p.m., at MovieLounge on Rogers Avenue in Fort Smith. The awards are given in honor of contributions to the local tourism and hospitality industry by the Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Nominees, by category, for the GRIT awards are (in no particular order):

Restaurant Partner of the Year:
Golden Corral
MovieLounge
River City Deli
Varsity Sports Grill
 
Lodging Partner of the Year:
Courtyard by Marriott
Holiday Inn City Center
Homewood Suites by Hilton
 
Attraction Partner of the Year:
Chaffee Crossing Historic District
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
 
Business Partner of the Year:
Belle Star Antiques
Brick City Emporium
E-Fort Smith Magazine
 
Polly Crews Hospitality Person of the Year:
Beth Templeton
Floyd and Sue Robinson
John Bell Jr.
Suzi Strasburg

Last year's Hometown Hospitality Heroes will also be recognized. According to a press release, recipients of the HHH include Sharon Chapman and Melissa Schoenfeld for their work and assistance with the Regional Dance American Southwest Festival 2013; Bill Hollenbeck for his work on the Arkansas Sheriff’s Association Convention for 2013; Brooke Shock and Courtney Shreve, for their  work on the Konsplosion Anime Convention and Mike Alsup, for his work on bringing the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association and Arkansas Therapeutic Recreation Society Convention to Fort Smith for the last three out of five years.

Fort Smith-based Beall Barclay & Company, PLC, CPAs – one of the state’s largest locally owned certified public accounting firms – have announced promotions in their Fort Smith and Rogers, Ark., offices.

Cassie Curtis, a graduate of Arkansas Tech University and the University of Central Arkansas, was promoted to an in-charge accountant from staff accountant in the Fort Smith office.Curtis holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration-accounting. In 2011, she received her masters degree in accounting.

Shelly Raney was promoted to audit manager in the Fort Smith office. Raney holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration-accounting from Arkansas Tech University. She was a senior staff accountant with Beall Barclay & Company. prior to the promotion. She has been with the accounting firm since 2000.

Robert Jetton was promoted to senior accountant from in-charge accountant in the Fort Smith office. Jetton holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration-accounting from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. He received his CPA in 2012. He has been with the accounting firm since 2009.

Kelli McReynolds was promoted in the Rogers office to in-charge accountant from staff accountant. McReynolds is a graduate of Northeastern State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration-accounting. She has been with the accounting firm for nearly five years.

Collab Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of Catholic Health Initiatives, has executed a stock-purchase agreement to acquire QualChoice Holdings, Inc.

Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, operates St. Vincent Health System in Little Rock.  CHI announced on Tuesday that it would acquire Mercy’s hospital in Hot Springs, Ark.

Terms of the QualChoice deal were not disclosed. The acquisition must still receive regulatory approval from the Arkansas Insurance Department.

Little Rock-based QualChoice Holdings is the parent company of QCA Health Plan, Inc., and QualChoice Life and Health Insurance Company Inc.

The transaction will provide Catholic Health Initiatives with ownership and control of QualChoice Holdings. QualChoice administers health insurance plans and is licensed in all 75 counties in Arkansas.

“CHI, through St. Vincent Health System, has been a partner with QualChoice since our inception and we are excited to now be a part of a national organization of such high quality,” said Mike Stock, CEO of QualChoice Holdings. “We have always had an excellent relationship with St. Vincent and look forward to working as part of Catholic Health Initiatives in the future.”

“Making an investment in a quality health plan such as QualChoice is integral to CHI’s population health strategies, which we believe will help improve the future of affordable access to health and wellbeing for the people of Arkansas and many other communities we serve,” said Juan Serrano, CHI’s senior vice president, payer strategy and operations. “We regard Arkansas as a fantastic place to develop our health insurance capabilities as we strive to better serve communities here and across the nation.”

Walmart International operates 381 stores in Chile, two of those are  affected from the 8.2 earthquake and tsunami that struck Northern Chili yesterday (April 1), according to Kevin Gardner, spokesman for Wal-Mart Stores.

“The good news is that no associates or customers have been reported injured. We have five stores in the affected area, and three are open and operating. Our teams are working on the other two stores that are closed, and those will open as soon as basic services are restored and our associates are able to safely return to work,” Gardner noted in an email response today (April 2.)

CNN reports about 928,000 people have been evacuated and six related fatalities.

Tyson Foods said it will present the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation Clinic in Lowell with $25,000 to help with operating expenses. The presentation is set for April 3 at 10 a.m. at the pediatric clinic, 519 Latham Dr., in Lowell.

No child is turned away from medical care at Arkansas Children’s Hospital or its regional clinics. Last year, the Lowell clinic provided approximately $500,000 in medical assistance for families in need. Tyson Foods’ donation will help defray those costs.

Centers for Children, a collaborative of Arkansas Children's Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences provide access to pediatric subspecialty care closer to home for families in Northwest Arkansas for their children’s clinic visits and follow-up medical care.

Walmart U.S. has promoted Labeed Diab to lead its Health and Wellness segment as Dr. John Agwunobi recently departed the company.

Agwunobi joined Walmart in 2007 and has been credited for helping accelerate the retailer’s health and wellness growth during that time.

He is putting his expertise  to use in other areas as the face of health care in America is changing, according to Duncan MacNaughton’s, chief merchandising officer at Walmart U.S.

Diab most recently led Walmart’s Midwest Division as a senior vice president. In that post he oversaw the move into urban markets opening the small format concept stores throughout Chicago.

He began his career as a pharmacy manager at American Stores Co. and held regional and divisional roles at CVS Caremark and Rite Aid before joining Wal-Mart in 2009.

Diab said health care has been a passion of his since he chose to pursue a career in pharmacy as college student. With this new position he is excited to get back to educating customers about healthy living.

Arvest promotes John E. Gregson to community bank president for Arvest Bank Berryville. He takes over for Richard Kimberlin, who announced his retirement earlier this month.

Gregson has more than 18 years’ banking experience, most recently as a lender for Arvest Bank in Gravette. He began his career with Union Planters Bank in Jonesboro in 1993 and, since then, has worked for Heartland Community Bank in Sheridan, Union Planters Bank in Earle, First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas and National Bank of Arkansas.

“We are thrilled that John is able to step into the role that Richard filled so admirably over the past 14 years,” said Arvest Bank regional director Chad Evans. “John is more than up to the task and we are sure that he will fit in well with the team and community in Berryville.”

A native of Earle, Ark., Gregson earned a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University in 1992. He has completed several financial industry training schools, including the Bankers Training and Consulting Course, Omega Performance Course and Arvest Bank Supervisor School. Gregson has served two terms as president of the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce and is a board member for the Arkansas Self Storage Association. He and wife Gina have two children.

Wall Street investors backed off of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Tuesday, April 15, following a downgrade by Chicago-based William Blair. The stock price fell 50 cents to close at $76.88 per share. Wal-Mart was one of only two big box retailers losing ground against a day of gains for the Dow Jones Industrial Index and the broader market indices.


Mark Miller, analyst with Chicago-based William Blair, cut Wal-Mart’s rating to underperform (sell) on the heels of a strong retail sales report, the best month-to-month improvement since 2012 for the retail sector.
 Miller’s concerns for Wal-Mart involve core execution and customer experience down to the store level.


“Wal-Mart’s domestic comp-store sales are trailing broader retail sales growth, and same-store traffic is declining (domestically and across most international markets). Whatever the reasons, customer satisfaction at Wal-Mart is significantly lower than that of other retailers in our coverage,” Miller notes.


He also cites a deceleration in merchandising innovation which he believes is deflating sales gains.


“Specifically, we have observed a steady decline in the number of new product introductions over the past several years,” Miller notes.


Miller recognized the retailer’s expansion of smaller stores as a “prudent strategy” given the rising convenience demands from consumers. He said the cannibalization of trips to supercenters is inevitable and will likely weigh on capital over time.

On a bright note, Miller applauded Wal-Mart’s e-commerce exploits. He said the retailer also serves a large demographic that is less apt to shop online for grocery and perishables. 


“However; we are concerned that Wal-Mart’s store base is ill positioned for a consumer that is increasingly buying individual items online, reducing the appeal of Wal-Mart Supercenters with wide assortment."

Miller reduced his annual earnings per share by a dime this year to $5.15.

Mass retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. recently secured $4 billion in new debt in two separate underwritings completed this month.

Wal-Mart outlined the details of three new debt instruments in its final prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday, April 15.

The retail giant issued $2.5 billion in new debt ranging in maturity from 2017 to 2044.
• $500 million at 1% due April 21, 2017
• $1 billion at 3.30% due April 21, 2024
• $1 billion at 4.30% due April 21, 2044

The net proceeds to Wal-Mart after settlement and underwriting fees will be $1.976 billion.

On April 1, Wal-Mart closed the deal on two new debt issues totaling $1.5 billion.
• $850 million at 1.9% due 2022
• $650 million at 2.55% due 2026

The net proceeds of this deal was $1.487 billion, after fees and commissions. Wal-Mart is applying for separate ratings on this shorter term debt.

Wal-Mart will apply for specific ratings for the 2017, 2022, 2024, 2026 bonds. The retailer expects the 2044 bonds will carry the same ratings as its other long-term debt.
The ratings for Wal-Mart’s long-term debt securities are investment grade: “AA” by S&P and Fitch, while Moody’s gives a Aa2 rating.

Rep. Terry Rice, R-Waldron, picked up several endorsements from his fellow legislators this week in his race to unseat District 9 Sen. Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, who is seeking a third term in the Arkansas Senate.

Of the five endorsements, three come from Crawford County legislators.

Rep. Gary Deffenbaugh, R-Van Buren, said he was proud to call Rice a friend who understands the area's values.

"I’ve had the honor and privilege to work with Representative Terry Rice in the legislature for the last four years.  I know him to be a man of utmost character.  He understands Western Arkansas values and will always do what is right no matter the consequences.  I’m proud to call him my friend. I hope you will join me in supporting him in the Republican Primary on May 20th. ”

Rep. Charlene Fite, R-Figure Five, said that Rice's "word is his bond, and he will always fight for our conservative, Western Arkansas Values.” Rep. Charlotte Vining Douglas, R-Alma, said his "leadership and conservative conviction" was needed in the state senate.

"I know Terry to be principled and reasoned in his approach to serving his district.  Western Arkansas would be well served with Terry Rice in the Arkansas Senate."

Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, and Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, also endorsed Rice's run.

District 9 includes parts of Crawford, Franklin, Scott and Sebastian Counties. Statewide Republican and Democratic primaries will be held May 20.

Doug McMillon, an alumni of the University of Arkansas, and his wife Shelley donated $1 million toward establishing the McMillon Family Endowed Excellence Fund at the Sam. M. Walton College of Business.


“This gift will be the catalyst to help us eventually establish the proposed School of Global Retail Operations and Innovation. The school has the potential to offer interdisciplinary programs in retail, generate international prominence and establish ourselves as the premier location for consumer research and retail education,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart.


McMillon, a 1989 graduate from the Walton College at University of Arkansas was named CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. late last year, a role he assumed Feb.1. Over the years he has been outspoken advocate for his alma mater. 


“The McMillons’ generous contribution will positively impact both the Walton College and the University of Arkansas as a whole, as each one will benefit from the other’s success. As CEO for Walmart and as a volunteer for the university, Doug has established himself as a respected leader, and we are very pleased to have him involved in our efforts. He and Shelley are wonderful friends of the university,” Gearhart said.


The McMillon Family Endowed Excellence Fund provide support for initiatives promoting consumer sciences and consumer behavior-related research. Summer support for faculty members, doctoral student stipends and retail research stipends will all qualify for funding, as will graduate-level retail curriculum and faculty travel to key conferences to promote the proposed School of Global Retail Operations and Innovation.

“It’s an honor and a joy to help launch the School of Global Retail Operations and Innovation at Walton College,” Doug McMillon said. “The University of Arkansas has given us so much, and Shelley and I appreciate the chance to give back.” 

“This is a time of great change in the retail industry,” he said. “We need to invest in a new generation of innovative leaders, and Walton College can play a unique role as a destination for cutting-edge retail education. We hope this fund will increase opportunities for students and faculty members, strengthen the college and lay the foundation for many promising careers around the world. Northwest Arkansas has revolutionized retail before, and the students of the U of A can do it again.”

The proposed School of Global Retail Operations and Innovation will educate future retail leaders and foster research that benefits business by advancing the science of retailing and help to strengthen the college’s pursuit of becoming a top 20 business school. 

“The investment is a clear indication of the McMillons’ support of the mission and direction of the Walton (College). Many at Walton (College) have been working toward the creation of such a school, and this gift gets us closer to making it a reality,” said Walton College Dean Eli Jones. “We are hopeful that others will follow the McMillons’ lead and support our vision of building a best-in-class retail school focused on the current and future needs of retailers and suppliers around the world.”

BioBotic Solutions, an undergraduate business plan competition team at the University of Arkansas, beat more than two dozen teams from across the United States to take the $25,000 grand prize at the Richards Barrentine Values and Ventures Business Plan Competition.

BioBotic Solutions won for a business plan built around a container and robot that automate tissue handling, one of the few areas in a pathology lab that is not already automated. The concept, which is based on existing technology, would decrease pathology lab errors from 1 percent to 0.005 percent.

Michael Iseman, a senior finance major in the Sam M. Walton College of Business and Honors College, said he and fellow members of the team would like to go forward with the plan as a real business.

“Every time we pitch this I believe in it more and more,” Iseman said. “I think that is why we do so well; we believe in this product. We’ve spoken with health care recruiters about hiring a CEO, and we’re looking for someone with experience in fundraising and pathology. With the money [from the award] and the time we’ve spent here, I could not be more excited about the future.”

Twenty-seven teams competed April 11-12 at the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Teams that were invited to the competition had to demonstrate a societal or environmental need to be filled, as well as the profitability of the business.
Carol Reeves, associate vice provost for entrepreneurship at the University of Arkansas and one of the team’s advisers, said the win was the most significant for an undergraduate team at the U of A.

Just days earlier, BioBotic Solutions won $22,000 at the 2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition, including the $15,000 second-place prize in the undergraduate division.

BioBotic Solutions developed its plan in close cooperation with the U of A’s department of biomedical engineering in the College of Engineering. Reeves and Jeff Amerine, who directs Technology Ventures, the U of A’s technology transfer office, co-advised the team.

In addition to Iseman, BioBotic Solutions includes: Kelley Coakley, a senior biomedical engineering major in the College of Engineering; Aundria Eoff, a senior biomedical engineering major in the College of Engineering; and Rachel Zweig, who is majoring in chemistry and mathematics at Hendrix College.

The team and results would not have been possible without the strong input and support from three units across the campuses of the U of A, Hendrix College and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Home BancShares Inc., parent company of Centennial Bank, announced late Thursday (April 17) plans to acquire Florida Traditions Bank. The two institutions have entered into a non-binding letter of intent that will merge the Florida bank into Centennial.

Traditions’ shareholders will receive approximately $43 million of Home common stock. Although the parties have entered into a letter of intent, there is no guarantee the parties will enter into a definitive agreement.

Traditions currently operates eight banking locations in Central Florida, including its main office in Dade City, Florida. As of Mar. 31, Traditions had approximately $312 million in total assets, $249 million in loans, and $279 million in deposits.

“We continue to execute on our very successful acquisition strategy in Florida and are happy to report another pending strategic in-market acquisition,” said John Allison, chairman. “We look forward to continuing to serve the needs of these communities.”

The acquisition is expected to close late in the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter of 2014 and is subject to execution of a definitive agreement, shareholder approval, regulatory approvals, and other customary conditions.

“Traditions Bank is excited to join the Centennial Bank family,” said Bud Stalnaker, CEO of Traditions. “Our footprint along the I-4 corridor fits nicely with what Centennial has built over the past several years. Centennial is an extremely well run institution and we are looking forward to helping them expand their presence in Central Florida.”

Additional information regarding the potential acquisition is provided in a supplemental presentation available on the company’s website under the “Investor Relations” section.

Shearer’s Foods, a private label salty snack manufacturer owned by Toronto-based private equity firm Wind Point Partners, has acquired the assets of the Medallion Foods business from ConAgra Foods,Inc. for $33.5 million.

Newport, Ark.-based Medallion manufactures value brand and private label corn-based snack products, including tortilla chips, corn chips and extruded corn products.

“Although ConAgra Foods believes strongly in the salty snacks category, the Medallion Foods business is not large enough within ConAgra Foods to command the resources it needs to grow — particularly in light of the current focus on the broader Ralcorp integration,” ConAgra said. “As a result, ConAgra Foods believes the Medallion Foods business will have more value under a more focused owner.”

ConAgra acquired Medallion Foods as part of its purchase of Ralcorp Holdings Inc. in early 2013. Ralcorp had bought Medallion Foods for $101.8 million in June 2005.

Mercy Northwest Arkansas is again expanding the reach of its specialties announcing its integration with Ozark Orthopaedics of Rogers. Mercy said this integration is another piece of its plan to create a patient centered health care model. The six Roger’s orthopedists: Dr. Cody Grammer, Dr. John Mertz, Dr. Scott Cooper, Dr. Mike Griffey Dr. Gannon Randolph and Dr. Jacob Kaler and physician assistant, Julie Slavik join Mercy’s other 157 integrated providers offering the most seamless care available. 

“Today, a patient having a joint replacement surgery may experience care in five different locations around NWA,” said Eric Pianalto, Mercy Hospital president. “It is our vision to bring patients access to their care needs in a singular location.”

August 2012, Mercy’s Joint Replacement Center earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its hip and knee replacement programs. The five orthopedic physicians worked closely with Mercy in developing the Joint Replacement Center.

“The seven of us, now the providers of Mercy Clinic Orthopedics in Northwest Arkansas, have worked as a strong team supporting Mercy for many years, this takes efforts to a whole new level,” said Dr. Kaler. “We have been through an extensive process in assuring that this transition would be best for our community and for not only continuing high quality care, but that this integration would result in streamlined talents and resources to further improve orthopedic patient experiences and outcomes.”

As the population is aging and sports medicine evolves, there is a greater need for orthopedic care. Pianalto said. “This partnership allows us to develop what the future of orthopedics is for Northwest Arkansas. From families with children engaged in local sports to hip and knee replacements that often comes with age, we can provide complete care.”

The seven orthopedic providers now join all of Mercy’s electronic medical record giving them complete access to a patient’s record and all of their health conditions; another example of Mercy’s commitment to comprehensive patient care.

The board of directors and shareholders of Legacy National Bank officially announced its new Pinnacle Banking Center with a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, April 18 at the new Rogers building site.

Legacy’s Pinnacle Banking Center will be located at 4901 W. Pauline Whitaker Parkway and is scheduled to open in early fall of 2014. This center will offer a full range of banking services to include deposit services, commercial loans, mortgage loans and consumer lending products. In addition, the center will offer investment services through Legacy’s strategic partnership with Wells Fargo Advisors. 

The new Pinnacle center location will replace the small branch which is currently servicing Rogers and Bentonville customers at 5415 Pinnacle Point Dr.  Legacy now has five banking locations in Washington and Benton counties.   
 
Ken Shireman and Associates are the architects for the building and Milestone Construction is the general contractor.

“We are excited to be breaking ground on a Legacy full service banking center in what we believe is the best possible location in Pinnacle for convenience and long term growth. With the opening of the Arkansas Music Pavilion and the future retail and office center along Pauline Whitaker, we could not be more pleased to be part of this dynamic growth. As a Northwest Arkansas small business serving small businesses and families, our expansion will create not only new banking service convenience but also new jobs,” said Patrick Swope, Legacy’s chief operating officer.

Legacy National Bank recorded net profits of $2.028 million in 2013, growing the bottom line profits from $1.133 million in the prior year. The bank is flush with capital of $37.35 million, with a Tier One capital ratio of 12.56% which is within the 87th percentile of peer banks, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In 2013, the bank had a return on assets of 0.76%, improving from 0.43% the prior year. The benchmark return on assets for community banks is 1.0%. Legacy has total assets of $278 million. 

Legacy’s local board of directors include its Chairman Gary George, Mary Kathryn Brown, Loyd Swope, Steve Stafford, Gary Jech, David Harris, Patrick Swope and Don Gibson.

After more than four years from concept to commercialization, Fayetteville-based APGR Green Inc. has launched two new organic, food grade pest control products ANT-ZAP and MOLE-ZAP.

A public product launch was held Thursday (April 17) at the Fayetteville Farmers Coop, 417 W Martin Luther King Blvd., and included demonstrations of its use.

APGR Green provides patent-pending, EPA approved fumigants that have no run-off or residue and are one-of-a-kind alternatives to toxic pesticides. They are listed for organic use by the Organic Materials Research Institute (OMRI).

The pest control solutions replaces the oxygen in mole burrows and ant mounds with food grade CO2.

"Without oxygen the pests go to sleep and never wake up; it’s really that simple," David Jones, founder of the company, said in a statement. ”It’s just good to know that it’s still possible for a entrepreneur like me, to come up with a innovative idea one night out in his shop, and take it to market. ... Only in America!”

APGR Green, an Innovate Arkansas company, has several outlets such as a number of area Farmers Coops, Chicken Holler in Farmington, and Nitron Industries in Johnson. APGR Green has secured national distributors and Amazon.com as the online partner. Their products are ranked in the top five in Pest Control Sprayers on the Amazon best seller list.

Originally created to eliminate pesky moles, APGR Green was extended to extinguish ant mounds when a native of Texas, who co-founded the venture, believed the concept would also be effective in controlling these populations. Testing began and proved the theory. ANT-ZAP and MOLE-ZAP were pushed in this month’s edition of Southern Living in the “Ask the Grumpy Gardener” section.

Twenty-seven Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus students earned awards at either the SkillsUSA Arkansas State Conference in Hot Springs, the Arkansas Licensed Practical Nurses Association (ALPNA) Spring Skills Competition in Hope or Arkansas Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) State Leadership Conference in Little Rock.

“We are proud of all of our participants,” Bruce Sikes, chancellor of Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus, said in a statement. “Our commitment to provide career readiness is evident by the participation of faculty and students in these competitions, and our ability to provide excellence shows with these honors.”

The following are the names of Skills USA winning students, their program of study, competition category and place:
Kerry Russell of Van Buren (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration), HVACR: first;
Matt Marsh of Booneville (Automotive Service Technology), parts specialist: first;
Hayden Bolding of Hot Springs (AST), automotive service: second;
Joe Turner of Paris (AST), parts specialist: second;
Edwin Hesslen of Paris (Computer Information Systems), team web design: first;
Nathan Mitchell of Charleston (CIS), team web design: first;
Matthew Mounts of Ozark (CIS), technical computer applications: first;
Kyle Domerese of Clarksville (Collision Repair Technology), collision repair: second;
Trevor Dewitt of Paris (CRT), automotive refinishing: third;
Karli Haley of Russellville (Cosmetology, Arkansas Tech Career Center), cosmetology novice: second;
Andrew Hansen of Lamar (Culinary Arts, Arkansas Tech Career Center), restaurant service: first;
Dustin Hillard of Ozark (Industrial Control Systems), electronic technology, second;
Matthew McCartney of Paris (ICS), electronic technology, third;
Dewie O’Bar of Mulberry (Welding Technology), welding fabrication: first;
Blake Becker of Paris (WT), welding fabrication: first;
Jerry Scroggins of Spiro, Okla. (WT), welding fabrication: first;
Jeffrey Bartlett of Van Buren (WT), welding fabrication: second;
Terry Bartlett of Alma (WT), welding fabrication: second;
Derek Miner of Lavaca (WT), welding fabrication: second;
William Bachman of Hagarville (WT), welding: first;
Richard Cagle of Mulberry (WT), welding: third.

The following are the ALPNA winning students, their program of study, competition category and place:
Jonathan Estep of Clarksville (Practical Nursing), talent: first;
Mark Ruff of Scranton (PN), anatomy/physiology: first;
Megan Evans of Charleston (PN), CPR-team: third;
Amanda McCabe of Alma (PN), CPR-team: third.

The following are the PBL winning students, their program of study, competition category and place:
Leora Moore of Cedarville (Business Technology), retail management: first;
Dawn Smith of Ozark (BT), project management: third.

Debbie Wofford of Ozark, business technology program chair, was also awarded PBL Outstanding Local Chapter Adviser of the Year Award.