Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin said his office has approved enough signatures to allow a constitutional proposal to expand alcohol sales to all 75 counties to appear on the November ballot.

Martin said in a press release that Let Arkansas Decide, the group pushing for passage of the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Amendment, turned in 127,265 voter signatures and that 87,102 signatures have been deemed valid.

The group need 78,133 valid signatures to qualify.

The proposal will be Issue No. 4 on the Nov. 4, 2014 ballot.

• Cargill acquires chocolate business
Cargill has purchased Archer Daniels Midland Company's global chocolate business for $440 million. The deal is said to be a good fit with Cargill's existing chocolate business.

"This acquisition is a major milestone in Cargill's chocolate growth strategy and will help us better serve our customers in North America and Europe," said Bryan Wurscher, president Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate North America. "It will bring together great people with a deep passion and commitment to producing excellent chocolate. Our customers will benefit from a broader product portfolio, greater access to innovation and product development support."

The transaction includes ADM's three North American chocolate plants, located in Milwaukee (Wis.), Hazleton (Penn.), and Georgetown (Ontario), and three in Europe: Liverpool (U.K.), Manage (Belgium) and Mannheim (Germany). The new facilities will extend Cargill's existing chocolate footprint across North America, Europe, Asia and Brazil, and increase production capacity, particularly in North America.

Cargill's product portfolio will also add ADM's Ambrosia, Merckens and Schokinag brands. Upon completion Cargill will gain approximately 700 new employees.

The combined business will be able to offer enhanced capabilities and broader product ranges to support the long-term needs of the chocolate market.

"Cocoa and chocolate products have been key contributors to Cargill's business since 1979," said Jos de Loor, president Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate EMEA and Asia. "We continue to invest strongly in the development of our own facilities and people, and we welcome the opportunity to embrace these new operations and further build on our success together."

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in the United States and the European Union. It is expected to close in the first half of 2015.

• Amazon’s Szkutak to retire
Amazon’s chief financial officer Thomas Szkutak will retire in June 2015, according to corporate announcement on Wednesday (Sept. 3).


He will be succeeded by Brian Olsavsky, vice president of finance for the e-commerce giant's global consumer business. Olsavsky, who joined the company in 2002, will report directly to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.

Szkutak has been Amazon's CFO since joining the company in October 2002. The two will work closely together over the next 10 months to ensure a smooth transition.

• CVS announces new corporate name

Pharmacy giant CVS Caremark has changed its name to CVS Health on the heels of its tobacco free sales policy completed one full month ahead of schedule.


The company said the new name better reflects its focus on its pharmacies and in store health clinics. The retailer has claimed that its mission statement is to change the future health of Americans by offering affordable and convenient health oriented services and products.

CVS Health operates 7,700 retail pharmacies and 900 in store clinics. Although its decision to remove tobacco products cost the retailer roughly $2 billion in annual sales, it has gained about $5.4 billion in new business for 2015. 


The first of three CVS stores are slated to open in Northwest Arkansas in the coming months — Bella Vista, Fayetteville and Springdale.

Habitat for Humanity of Washington County will be breaking ground for their 52nd home in Washington County on Sept. 10. For this project Habitat is partnering with the University of Arkansas Interfraternity Council.

William French, IFC vice president of Community Service, has been the driving force behind this project. Through his leadership IFC has pledged $40,500 and they are working to raise additional funds to complete the project.

“Many of the chapters hold service as one of their core values, so we have taken multiple steps to try and improve our involvement in the local Fayetteville community over the years. We are excited for the Sandoval family and are looking forward to helping them fulfill their dream of a new home,” French said.

Delmy Sandoval is a single mother of three children. She recently completed her bachelor’s degree in business and is working for Tyson Foods. In addition to her three children, Sandoval has taken in other young adults struggling to get an education. She is looking forward to having a safe, stable home for her family.

Gov. Mike Beebe on Monday (Sept. 8) announced the following appointments to State boards and commissions:

Dr. Sameh Abul-Ezz, Little Rock, to the State Kidney Disease Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2015. Replaces Dr. Tim Langford.

Richard Benson, Forrest City, to the Mississippi River Parkway Commission. Appointment expires June 8, 2016. Replaces Weston Lewey.

Stephanie Bland, Alexander, reappointed to the Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques. Appointment expires July 31, 2017.

Don Borchert, Hot Springs, to the Perfusionists Advisory Board. Appointment expires July 14, 2017. Replaces Russell Owyoung.

Mary Beth Brooks, Fayetteville, to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2017. Replaces Mary Ann Greenwood.

Tjuana Byrd, North Little Rock, reappointed to the State Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board. Appointment expires July 31, 2017.

Abraham Carpenter, Jr., Grady, reappointed to the Parole Board. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2021.

Joan Cash, Jonesboro, reappointed to the Arkansas Agriculture Board. Appointment expires Aug. 15, 2018.

Brian Cotten, Benton, to the Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board. Appointment expires April 1, 2018. Replaces D. A. Davis.

Don Curran, Conway, reappointed to the State Marketing Board for Recyclables. Appointment expires July 31, 2018.

John Paul Davis, Fayetteville, to the Criminal Detention Facility Review Committee, Judicial District #4. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2017. Replaces Boyce Davis.

Dr. Shabbir Dharamsey, Maumelle, to the Arkansas Tobacco Control Board. Appointment expires July 1, 2019. Replaces Dr. Laura Sisterhen.

Dr. John R.E. Dickins, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Board of Hearing Instrument Dispensers. Appointment expires July 31, 2015. Replaces Jason Smith.

Yolanda Green, Jacksonville, to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Appointment expires Oct. 1, 2017. Replaces Richard Spivey.

George Harris, Monticello, reappointed to the University of Arkansas at Monticello Board of Visitors. Appointment expires July 31, 2017.

Kevin Hawks, Vilonia, reappointed to the Arkansas Manufactured Home Commission. Appointment expires Sept. 1, 2019.

Dr. Dustin Heard, Hot Springs, to the Arkansas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Appointment expires June 9, 2019. Replaces Dr. Terry Barnett.

Matthew Hodges, Little Rock, to the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Board. Appointment expires Aug. 1, 2018. Replaces Tracy Moy.

Thomas "Rett" Howard, Jr., Fort Smith, reappointed to the Arkansas Building Authority Council. Appointment expires July 22, 2017.

Bruce Jackson, Lockesburg, reappointed to the Arkansas Agriculture Board. Appointment expires Aug. 15, 2018.

Mary "Wilma" Jones, Minturn, to the Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques. Appointment expires July 31, 2017. Replaces Ines Polonius.

Patricia Kulish, Fayetteville, to the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy. Appointment expires Aug. 20, 2017. Replaces Lisa Douglas.

Melinda McIlroy, Fayetteville, reappointed to the State Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board. Appointment expires July 31, 2017.

Dr. Rhonda Mattox, Little Rock, to the Health Information Exchange Council. Appointee serves at the will of the governor. Replaces Idonia Trotter.

Carol Moore, Monticello, reappointed to the Children's Behavioral Health Care Commission. Appointment expires Aug. 15, 2017.

Mellie Jo Owen, Monticello, to the University of Arkansas at Monticello Board of Visitors. Appointment expires July 31, 2017. Replaces Thomas Maxwell.

Charles "Randy" Reynolds, Blytheville, reappointed to the Boll Weevil Eradication Committee. Appointment expires July 1, 2018.

Dr. Eric Rosenbaum, Little Rock, to the State Crime Laboratory Board. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2021. Replaces Robert Warner.

Isaac Ross, Little Rock, reappointed to the Technology Equipment Revolving Loan Fund. Appointment expires June 30, 2017.

Rhonda Sanders, Bryant, reappointed to the Children's Behavioral Health Care Commission. Appointment expires Aug. 15, 2017.

Phoebe Sellers, El Dorado, reappointed to the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources Advisory Committee. Appointment expires July 31, 2019.

Frederic Simon, Conway, reappointed to the Arkansas Agriculture Board. Appointment expires Aug. 15, 2018.

Michelle Stephens, Bentonville, to the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission. Appointment expires July 1, 2017. Replaces Debbie Malone.

Dr. Matthew Taylor, Mountain Home, reappointed to the Arkansas Board of Hearing Instrument Dispensers. Appointment expires July 31, 2017.

Professor Michael Watts, Little Rock, to the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy. Appointment expires Aug. 17, 2019. Replaces Dr. Phillip Moore.

Dr. Larry Whitten, Arkadelphia, to the Southern Regional Education Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2018. Replaces Dr. James Willison.

Charles Williams III, Marion, to the Arkansas Wheat Promotion Board. Appointment expires June 30, 2016. Replaces William "Bart" Turner.

Elizabeth Williams, Fayetteville, to the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Appointment expires June 30, 2017. Replaces Donna Edgmon.

Mark Winslow, Little Rock, to the State Kidney Disease Commission. Appointment expires Jan. 14, 2015. Replaces John Heard.

Dan Young, Little Rock, reappointed to the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. Appointment expires July 1, 2018.

To the Advisory Council for the Education of Gifted and Talented Children:
Brent Miller, Pocahontas. Appointment expires July 20, 2015. Replaces Brent Mitchell.
Dr. Kathy Pillow-Price, Beebe. Reappointment.
Jessica Sabin, Little Rock. Replaces Julie Greathouse.
Dustin Seaton, Fayetteville. Replaces Eunice Thrasher.

Unless otherwise noted, these appointments expire July 20, 2017.

To the State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse:
Doyle Fowler, McCrory.
Brenda Howard, Little Rock. Appointment expires Sept. 14, 2016. Replaces Susan Rumph.
Brooxine Kidder, Fort Smith.
Bessie Lancelin, Pine Bluff.

Unless otherwise noted, these are reappointments and expire Sept. 14, 2018.

Dr. Fiorella Nawar has been hired to work in the Intensive Care Unit at Sparks Regional Medical Center.

She most recently practiced medicine at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J. She has spent much of her career in ICU’s caring for surgical and pulmonary patients.

As an intensivist, Nawar will work with a patient’s primary care physician, as well as critical care nurses and other medical staff to provide care for the hospital’s most seriously ill patients such as those suffering from cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, strokes, or infections.

Nawar says working in the ICU is rewarding.

“I like intense cases. I thought the ICU would be the best field to go in to because you could make a difference in the patient’s life and the patient’s medical development. You can help them live,” she said.

Nawar completed her medical studies at Lebanese University in Beirut in 2005. She is fluent in English, French and Arabic.

Nawar and her husband have an 11-month-old daughter. She says they are happy to be living in a family-oriented place like Fort Smith and working at a hospital like Sparks.

John Brown University earned a top ranking as one of the three best colleges in the southern region, according to the 2015 U.S. News Best Colleges Guide. The magazine also named JBU as an “up-and-comer” university and a “best value” college.

“We are so grateful at JBU to have excellent faculty and staff who deliver quality education to committed students,” said Dr. Chip Pollard, JBU president. “Being recognized by U.S. News is gratifying, but our real rewards come when we see our graduates out in the world honoring God with service to others.”

John Brown University tied for first place with Asbury University (Ky.) and High Point University (N.C.), topping the 98 southern regional colleges evaluated by U.S. News. Factors that are weighed in the ranking include peer assessment, freshman retention, graduation rate, class size, student-faculty ratio, ACT/SAT scores, acceptance rate and alumni giving rate.

This is the fifth year in a row U.S. News has ranked JBU a top-three college, and the second time JBU has landed the top spot.

“U.S. News is the most highly-recognized and sought after college rating,” said Don Crandall, vice president for enrollment management. “JBU’s continually high ranking really supports the narrative to prospective students that JBU has consistent quality in our educational programs.”

Signature Bank, one of the last holdouts in filing suit against H. Dennis Smiley Jr., made its claims public late last week filing suit in Washington County Circuit Court.

The suit filed Thursday (Sept. 4) claims the former Arvest banker defaulted on three loans to Signature Bank in recent years. The total owed is $448,997 on loans originally made for $528,500, according to the complaint.

Signature CEO Gary Head recently told The City Wire that the bank was working with Smiley’s lawyers directly to get payment and the bank was not approached by Arvest Bank for debt settlement like 18 other banks holding unpaid notes made to Smiley and his business interests.

One of the three loans in default to Signature Bank was made to HDS Holdings, a business entity the bank claims involves his father Henry Dennis Smiley Sr. The other two loans were made to Design for the Home, a business entity co-owned by Smiley and his wife Cynthia.

Head said the bank’s counsel would attend the Sept. 19 hearing in Benton County Circuit Court on all other outstanding civil claims against Smiley.

All of the other civil claims against Smiley have been filed in Benton County, the county of believed domicile for Smiley.

Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday (Sept 9) it will rebrand its small Express grocery format to the more widely known Walmart Neighborhood Market.

The retailer said the reason for the name change relates to how consumers use the two formats in a similar manner for quicker stops and fill-in trips. Both formats have more grocery items with limited general merchandise, fuel and pharmacy.

“All 21 of the Express formats and all future small formats will bear the name Neighborhood Market. It’s a widely known and accepted brand that consumers can easily identify with,” said Wal-Mart corporate spokesman John Forrest Ales.

Wal-Mart said in February it was expanding its original capital forecast provided last October, and expects to add approximately 270 to 300 small stores during this fiscal year, doubling the initial forecast of 120 to 150 stores. Most of those are the larger 38,000 square-foot version of the Neighborhood Market. The smaller iteration has roughly 12,000 square feet.

Walmart U.S. also plans to add approximately 115 new supercenters this year.

The retailer touts the better store comps it’s seeing in the small formats, positive in terms of sales and traffic. Comp sales for Neighborhood Market stores grew approximately 4% for fiscal year 2014, driven by fresh and pharmacy. That compares to overall dismal comps for the Walmart's entire U.S. fleet of stores.

“Neighborhood Market is performing comparable or favorable to leading grocers,” said Duncan MacNaughton, chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S. 


He and other execs said the small store format linked to Walmart.com and the endless shelf is a powerful draw for consumers.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College enrolled 8,164 students for the fall 2014 semester, up 0.77% over fall 2013 figures, according to college officials.

NWACC’s 8,164 students was the unofficial student census on Tuesday (Sept. 9), the 11th day of classes for the fall semester. That figure is up 62 students from the 8,102 unofficial head count on the 11th day in the fall of 2013.

The 2014 enrollment figure of 8,164 is still a preliminary number. Eleventh-day enrollment numbers provided to the state Department of Higher Education in mid-October will not include students who may audit a class or who are enrolled in “late start” classes that begin after the traditional 16-week term kicks off.

While enrollment ticked up slightly the number of fall semester credit hours declined 1.7% to 73,664. College officials previously had budgeted for a 3% decrease in enrollment and student semester credit hours.

“We are so pleased that the number of students attending NWACC increased and that our credit hours exceeded budget expectations,” said Steven Hinds, executive director of public relations and marketing. “I want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our admissions & advising, high school Relations, and public relations and marketing teams.”

Dr. Todd Kitchen, vice president of learner support services, said the college has streamlined and individualized its admissions and orientation process and also focused services on providing students with even greater opportunities for learning success.

“We have looked at many of our processes to assist students in entering college and achieving success in the classroom and on their chosen pathway to success,” he said.

The number of high school students concurrently enrolled (taking both high school and college classes) increased by almost 25%. The unofficial 11th day number was 1,019, up from 818 last year.

Hinds noted that the 11th day enrollment numbers reflect students taking courses for college credit and do not reflect other students served by the college through an array of programs. During the 2013-14 academic year, the college served almost 5,000 learners through workforce development and adult education initiatives.

“Altogether, these numbers show what a significant impact the college has made in the lives of students and their families throughout our service area of Benton and Washington counties,” Hinds said.

Arvest Bank in its pledge to provide 1 million meals is teaming up the Pack Shack, a local hunger relief charity that hosts Feed the Funnel packing parties to benefit area food banks.

On Saturday (Sept. 13) Arvest is asking for the community’s help as it hosts a packing party for those making a $10 donation. The group will assemble on the Fayetteville Square between 9 a.m. and noon during the Farmers’ Market.

All of the 10,000 meals packed in three hours time will go to benefit the 7hills Homeless Shelter and Life Source International working to alleviate hunger in Fayetteville.

Arvest Bank’s 1 Million Meals campaign runs through Nov. 1 and challenges bank associates, customers and communities alike to help provide at least one million meals for hungry families across the bank’s four-state region – Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
 

Republican Congressman Tom Cotton and Democratic Senator Mark Pryor will debate in Fayetteville on Oct. 14 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in a one-on-one forum.

The debate, sponsored by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, will be broadcast live on KATV, KATV.com, KAIT in Northeast Arkansas and KHBS/KHOG in Northwest Arkansas. The debate will originate from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville’s Global Campus.

Roby Brock from Talk Business and Politics will be the moderator, and KATV’s Scott Inman, KAIT’s Diana Davis, KHBS/KHOG’s Angela Taylor will be on a panel asking questions of the candidates.

The Fayetteville Chamber Senate debate is the only agreed-upon debate between Cotton and Pryor to be broadcast live.

Pryor and Cotton are squaring off in a hotly-contested race for the U.S. Senate. The race has drawn national interest. The debate will center on domestic issues.

“Arkansans deserve this debate, and it’s time Congressman Cotton finally stand and answer for his irresponsible votes to raise the age to 70 for Medicare and Social Security, end affordable student loans and slash funding for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, even as he voted to give tax breaks to billionaires like those bankrolling his political ambitions,” said Sen. Mark Pryor.

“We are pleased that after months of ducking debates and running from reporters, Senator Pryor will finally have to defend his record of rubber-stamping President Obama’s agenda over 90% of the time. It’s unfortunate that Senator Pryor specifically objected to including any discussion of foreign policy in this debate. Arkansas’s 6,000 active duty military personnel, 4,000 military civilians, and approximately 250,000 veterans deserve an explanation from Senator Pryor as to why his support for President Obama’s national security policies aren’t worthy of debate in a race for the U.S. Senate.” said Cotton spokesman David Ray.

“The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce is honored that Senator Pryor and Congressman Cotton have agreed to accept our invitation to debate in Fayetteville. Our Chamber makes every effort to provide Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas voters with the opportunity to become better informed about the issues and candidates. We thank these candidates for agreeing to debate and know this will be an important evening for all Arkansans,” said Steve Clark, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College announced Amy Forrest has resigned her post as a board trustee effective Thursday (Sept. 11).

Forrest cited increased family and work responsibilities as the reason for the resignation.
  
“Ms. Forrest was a great asset to the Board of Trustees, and we at the college will miss her dedicated service. We wish her well in her future endeavors. We anticipate that a gubernatorial appointment will be made in coming weeks to name her successor,” said NWACC President Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson.

Dr. Chris Menendez, breast surgeon of Northwest Arkansas Breast Care Specialists, will host a free open house at his new clinic from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 1) located at 701 S. Horsebarn Road, Suite 100 in Rogers. The public is invited.

Menendez is a board certified and fellowship trained breast surgical oncologist who recently relocated to Northwest Arkansas.

For more information, visit www.nwabreastcare.com.

Ten teams from around the Southeastern region are gearing up to show off their best BBQ efforts in Bentonville later this month as part of the Sam’s Club National BBQ Tour.

They are headed to Sam’s Club headquarters in Bentonville to face off on Sept. 27 a shot at the National Championship and the $50,000 grand prize.

Pig Whisperers (Milledgeville, Ga.)
Lang BBQ Smokers (Nahunta, Ga.)
Barry & Erica (Nash, Okla.)
Swiggin' Pig (Antioch, Tenn.)
There's No Place Like Smoke (Hannibal, Mo.)
Bootyque (Fairhope, Ala.)
Smoke Me Silly (Madison, Ala.)
Cajun Blaze (Gonzales, La.)
Que'n Stew'n & Brew'n (Acworth, Ga.)
All Racked Up BBQ (Lakeland, Fla.)

"We are still flying high from our win this past weekend," said Chris Goodwin, pitmaster of Pig Whisperers. "Our biggest hurdle this weekend was the number of great teams in the field. We are very excited about the trip to Bentonville and the opportunity to compete against the top teams in the nation."

Since 2011, the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour has traveled the United States, region by region, searching for the year's best in competitive barbecue and awarding winning teams a total of $500,000 in prize money annually.

More than 700 teams will have competed for their shot at fame in the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour for this year. The Sam's Club National BBQ Tour is a tournament-style series in which teams must advance from a local qualifying event to the top tier of their regional event in order to qualify for the National Championship in Bentonville.

The Sam’s Club competitions are sponsored by some of its largest suppliers, Bush's, Cargill, Coca-Cola, Heinz, Hillshire, KC Masterpiece, Kingsford, New Zealand Lamb, Pillsbury, Tone's and Wright Brand Bacon. The National Pork Board is also a sponsor.

Enrollment numbers show 2,172 individuals studying at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark campus, which has seen its enrollment increase by 622% since joining Arkansas Tech in 2003;

Arkansas Tech University reported a preliminary 11th day enrollment of 12,003 students for the fall 2014 semester on Friday. Enrollment at ATU has increased 5.6% over fall 2013.

With the increase, Arkansas Tech has surpassed the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas to become the third-largest institution of higher learning in the Natural State. Only the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and Arkansas State University have larger enrollments among Arkansas colleges and universities.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the history of Arkansas Tech University,” Dr. Robin Bowen, who took office as the 12th president of Arkansas Tech on July 1, said in a statement. “The fact that in one decade we have grown from the sixth-largest university in our state to become one of the three largest is a testament to the quality of our academic programs and our institutional commitment to serve a diverse community of learners. This achievement is a point of pride for each member of the Arkansas Tech family.”

Enrollment at ATU has increased by 183% since 1997. This fall marks the 16th consecutive year that Arkansas Tech has established a new institutional record for largest enrollment.

Growth at Arkansas Tech has included many enrollment milestones along the way. Arkansas Tech exceeded 5,000 students for the first time in 2000; 6,000 students in 2003; 7,000 students in 2006; 8,000 students in 2009; 9,000 students in 2010; 10,000 students in 2011; 11,000 students in 2013; and now 12,000 students in 2014.

Other numbers of note from the fall 2014 enrollment at Arkansas Tech:
• There are 904 graduate students at Arkansas Tech in fall 2014, the highest such count in institution history;

• 53.9% of Arkansas Tech freshmen this fall self-reported as first-generation college students;

• Students from minority groups represent 22.4% of the Arkansas Tech student body, compared to 10% of the student body in 2004;

• ATU enrolled 450 international students representing 33 foreign countries for the fall 2014 semester; and

• Among the 1,951 freshmen at Arkansas Tech, 1,831 (93.8%) are from Arkansas.

Livability.com has released its second-annual Top 100 Best Places to Live list and Fayetteville was the only Arkansas town to make the cut at No. 83.

More than 2,000 cities were evaluated in the study. Researchers analyzed more than 40 data points in eight categories – economics, housing, amenities, infrastructure, demographics, social and civic capital, education and health care.

Cities with a population between 20,000 and 350,000 were considered. Sources included the best public and private data available from organizations like the U.S. Census Bureau, Walk Score, GreatSchools.com and Esri.

“Any of these cities would be a great place to live,” says Matt Carmichael, Livability’s editor. “This is a great time for America’s small to mid-sized cities that are trying to lure the huge Millennial generation of potential home-buyers. Creating a livable community is key to attracting businesses and movers, as well as for retaining residents.”

Fayetteville gained points for being largely a college town with a loyal sports following. Researchers also noted the city features an active arts and music scene with a strong health-care system.

“The cities at the top of the list were often home to a major institution like a university, hospital or state capital,” says Matt Carmichael, Livability’s editor. “Institutions like that help these smaller cities compete in terms of sports, culture, jobs and entertainment.”

The top 100 cities are featured on Livability.com.

No. 1 Madison Wisconsin
No. 2 Rochester, Minnesota
No. 3 Arlington, Virginia
No. 4 Boulder, Colorado
No. 5 Palo Alto, California

Gov. Mike Beebe presided over his last Governor’s Quality Awards banquet bestowing 28 different Arkansas companies with awards for performance and organizational excellence.

The event, held at the Little Rock Marriott Hotel in downtown Little Rock on Monday evening, celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The three most prestigious awards were given to Baldor Electric Company of Fort Smith, Conway Regional Health System, and J.V. Manufacturing, Inc. of Springdale. All three companies received the Governor’s Award for Performance Excellence.

The Achievement Level Award was presented to: DD&F Consulting Group, Little Rock; Mainstream Technologies, Little Rock; National Guard Professional Education Center, North Little Rock; North Arkansas College, Harrison; Saline Memorial Hospital, Benton, and St. Elizabeth’s Place, Jonesboro.

Organizations receiving the Commitment Level Award were: Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville; M. O. Ramay Junior High School, Fayetteville, and Spring Creek Health and Rehab Center, Cabot.

Organizations receiving the Challenge Level Award were: Alcoa Pines Health and Rehabilitation, Benton; Beaver Water District, Lowell; Belle Meade, Paragould; Boston Mountain Rural Health Center, Inc., Marshall; Conway Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center; Gosnell Therapy and Living, Blytheville; The Green House Cottages of Southern Hills, Rison; Katherine’s Place at Wedington, Fayetteville; Mountain Meadows Health and Rehabilitation, Batesville; ProCare Therapy Services, Sherwood; Professional Nursing Solutions, LLC Corporate Office, Alexandria, Louisiana; Southern Administrative Services Corporate Office, Alexandria, Louisiana; Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center, Bryant; Southridge Village Retirement Center, Heber Springs; Village Springs Health and Rehabilitation, Hot Springs, and Westwood Health and Rehab, Inc., Springdale.

To qualify for the awards, companies must undergo a rigorous series of internal and external reviews from trained evaluators. Through the process, which is based on the national Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, recipients receive an in-depth evaluation of their management systems and a written feedback report citing strengths and areas for improvement.

The goal of the Governor’s Quality Award Program is to encourage Arkansas organizations to engage in continuous quality improvement, which leads to performance excellence, and to provide significant recognition to those organizations.

The Governor’s Quality Award program partners with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce. Talk Business & Politics Editor-in-Chief Roby Brock emceed the ceremony.

Michelle Fittro has joined Arvest Bank in Benton County as marketing manager, the bank announced Tuesday (Sept. 16).

She rejoins Arvest in Benton County after establishing and running the marketing department for Arvest Bank Greater Kansas City in 2010. Fittro previously worked as a marketing officer from 2007 to 2010 in the bank’s Benton County market.

Before joining Arvest, Fittro was the development and marketing director for Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation in Springfield, Mo., and worked as a branch operations manager for National City Bank in Peoria, Ill.

“We are so pleased that Michelle can bring her experience working in a new market back to Arvest Benton County,” said Lorrie Madden, sales manager for Arvest Bank in Benton County. “She knows and understands the needs of local customers and continues to be a valuable asset to our Arvest team. ” 

Fittro has a bachelor’s degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. She is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Benton County and a graduate of the Missouri Leadership Institute, GO Lead in Springfield, Mo., and Emerging Leaders in Kansas City, Mo. 

Locally she has served on various boards, including the Bentonville Library Foundation, Chamber of Commerce Governmental Relations Committee and the Benton County Sunshine School’s Development Committee.

Arvest Bank, Fayetteville recently promoted Jimmie Edie and Keith Bowles to assistant vice presidents. Both work as branch managers in their respective locations.

Edie is branch manager at the Arvest Bank inside the Walmart Supercenter on North Mall Avenue. He has been with Arvest Bank for the past 10 years in several positions, including financial services representative, assistant branch manager and branch manager.

Justin Luebker, regional instore administrator for Arvest Bank in Fayetteville described Edie as  “a strong team member who is always looking for the best way he can give the great customer service for which Arvest Bank is known.”

Edie earned his bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University and has been active in the community by teaching “Dollars and Sense” to Fayetteville’s Asbell Elementary fifth-graders and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the United Way Stuff the Bus Campaign.

Bowles, also promoted to vice president, works as branch manager of the Arvest Bank on Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard in Fayetteville. He has been with Arvest Bank for five years and has worked in a variety of positions, including teller, financial services representative, assistant branch manager and branch manager.

“Keith is so diligent in providing great customer service up to the Arvest standard,” said Gaye Wilcox, sales manager for Arvest Bank in Fayetteville. “He gets to know his customers and uses that knowledge to help them get the most from their banking experience.”

Bowles earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of the Ozarks in 2011.

New York has been a tough place for Wal-Mart to gain footing and a recent pricing gaffe in Coca-Cola products has the retailer paying $66,000 in penalties with a promise to improve its pricing practices in the future, according to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

His office recently reports that Wal-Mart charges $3.50 for 12-packs of Coca-Cola products instead of the $3.00 advertised price.


"There has to be one set of rules for everyone, no matter how rich or how powerful, and that is why our office must ensure that even the largest corporations cannot advertise one price and then charge a higher one to New Yorkers," Schneiderman noted in his release.

Wal-Mart did not admit to or deny the Attorney General’s discovery that cash registers weren't programmed to recognize the advertised price.

(Update) Wal-Mart released the following statement regarding the settlement:
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the New York Attorney General’s office that addressed concern about a promotional pricing issue in our New York stores. We strive for accuracy, and we are further enhancing our procedures to help ensure proper promotional pricing. We apologize for any inconvenience to our customers. They can rest assured that Walmart is committed to delivering the products they need  at everyday low prices."

Harps Food Stores will re-open their flagship store located directly in front of the corporate office at 2894 W. Sunset Ave., in Springdale on Wednesday (Sept. 17). This will be the first Harps Marketplace location its hometown.

This Harps Marketplace will include a full service meat and seafood shoppe including live Maine lobster, and an expanded variety of fish, shrimp and crab. The store will also have an expanded bakery/deli, freshly prepared sushi and made-to-order pizzas, a Western Federal Credit Union, and drive-thru pharmacy.

For the first time there will be a Dunkin’ Donuts Shop inside the store with a drive-thru on the side of the building. Dunkin’ Donuts is scheduled to open within two weeks by Oct.1.

“Every company probably has a store where most of the corporate headquarters associates shop and this is that store for Harps. When we opened this location in 1974, it was on the extreme western edge of Springdale. In 1992 we added approximately 35,000 square feet and did a total remodel that we thought made it one of the finest stores in NWA. That was 22-years ago and we needed an update badly. While we really hated to close the store for 9-weeks, it would have been a real mess trying to remodel while open. We are truly delighted with the finished product and we believe our customers will be, too. This store will be worth the trip. We hope everyone in Springdale will come by to see us.” Harps President Kim Eskew said in a statement.

Harps has grown its business to 75 stores employing more than 4,500 people in the backyard of grocery giant Wal-Mart who continues to blanket the region with its own version of grocery stores – Neighborhood Market. One of the markets is located directly across the street from Harp’s new Marketplace and one more is planned within two miles at the Don Tyson interchange on Interstate 49.

Harps debuted its new Marketplace format in Bentonville two years ago on North Walton Boulevard. Wal-Mart also recently announced a new Neighborhood Market on an adjacent lot in Bentonville.

Harps continues to hammer home their “no solution injected, no sodium added fresh beef, pork and poultry” as a fundamental difference between the two retail grocers.