Arkansas Business articles from March 2002

Arkansas Business archives from March 2002

Winburn Tile owner denies creditors' charges of fraud.(Winburn Tile Manufacturing Co.; Hardy Winburn)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... HARDY WINBURN, OWNER and president of the shuttered Winburn Tile Manufacturing Co. in Little Rock, admits that invoices he used to draw down money from a state-guaranteed bond fund were not always paid with the money he received. But he...

Wal Mart triumphs over stodgy Kmart.(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... THIS IS "THE STUFF OF LIFE." That's Kmart's new slogan, and it couldn't be more appropriate. In the retailing jungle, life is dangerous. The slow and ponderous animals are devoured by the adaptive and agile. On Jan. 22, Kmart filed for...

Churches makes good borrowers: Bond issues fall from Grace in Low-Interest environment.(banks like dealing with churches)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN Maumelle was the last church in Arkansas to issue bonds for a building project, and that was in September 2000. Not single church in the state chose bond financing in 2001, according to the Arkansas Securities...

Unlynxed. (Whispers).(new company CSI Group Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A new technology company has been incorporated in Little Rock and will soon begin offering Internet access, computer sales and support. Big deal? Well, this may be a cut above the average tech company startup news, since most of the...

Performance food. (Whispers).(Performance Food Group; Quality Foods Inc.'s Phillip Tappen denies company sale plans)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... They say no deal, but we're left wondering. Phillip Tappan, president and chief operating officer of Quality Foods Inc. of Little Rock, said the Little Rock food wholesaler hasn't sold nor is it in the process of selling. That's fair...

Overnight acquisition. (Whispers).(motel bought and sold)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A 111-room motel in southwest Little Rock rang up a $2.35 million deal. Jaypaksar Inc., led by Prakkh Mehta, bought the La Quinta Inn at 2410 W. 65th St. from LQM Operating Partners Ltd. of Irving, Texas. On the flipside of this deal,...

A Grilled Buffalo. (Whispers).(fire closes Buffalo Grill on Rebsamen Park Road in Little Rock area)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... The Buffalo Grill on Rebsamen Park Road was closed Feb. 16 after a small grease fire caused roughly $40,000 damage to the kitchen and restaurant. John Gaiser, owner of Buffalo Grill, said the restaurant will remain closed for remodeling and...

Clark's goes dry. (Whispers).(Clark's restaurant in Little Rock loses liquor license)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... According to sources at the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in Little Rock, Clark's restaurant on 6805 Cantrell has had its liquor license suspended for delinquent tax payments. But owner Clark A. Parkinson said he had reached an...

Health care land. (Whispers).(sold)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A near 28-acre site in North Little Rock changed hands in a $1.46 million ($1.20 per SF) deal. You might recall that ASHL&D LLC, led by Kenneth Martin and James Billie, acquired land in the North Shore Business Park for the Arkansas...

Izzy needs new home. (Whispers).(Little Rock area restaurant wants to expand)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Izzy's restaurant is searching for a new place to do business. Robert Isbell, Izzy's owner since 1996, said the Highway 10 location has become too small. Although it seats 150, Izzy's has potential to do much more business, Isbell said,...

Muddy water. (Whispers).(Mountain Pure L.L.C. of Little Rock takes Bank of America to court)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Mountain Pure LLC of Little Rock said it is in financial limbo since Bank of America accused it of defaulting on an $1.85 million loan. But Mountain Pure said it is not in default, according to its lawsuit it filed against the bank for...

Everyday Low-Cost camping. (Whispers).(Wal-mart allows people to camp in their recreational vehicles in its parking lots)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Apparently, the 54th most interesting thing on Earth is old folks camping in Wal-Mart store puking lots. At least that's, what Gear magazine said in its January/February issue. The magazine -- the "mainstream" offering from the publishers...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
March 4, 2002... (WHISPERS) Justin Tackett, owner of Yellow Dog Trading Co. of Little Rock, leases a hunting lodge near Watson, known as Yellow Dog Lodge, from TomPugh Jr. of Little Rock. Tackett and Pugh are not partners, as was incorrectly reported in...

Signs of recovery. (Editorial).(economic recovery in Arkansas will likely be slow)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 4, 2002... LIKESIGNS OF THE APPROACHing spring, numerous indicators are showing that the economic recovery has started. At the same time, however, some Arkansas economists are saying the state's recovery will lag behind the rest of the nation. ...

He said a mouthful. (Editorial).(comments from president of Elaine School Board)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 4, 2002... NO EDITORIAL COMMENT can top the following comments by Ashlin "Tunney" Williamson, president of the Elaine School Board, which come to us courtesy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: "I would be tickled to death to have the state take over...

Letter.
March 4, 2002... Loss of Scholarships a Real Shame I was glad to notice in [the Feb. 18. issue of] Arkansas Business that [publisher Jeff Hankins has been] visiting. Arkansas' colleges and universities and appreciate your mention of two of our state's...

Nolan must go. (Commentary).(University of Arkansas coach)(Brief Article)(Column)
March 4, 2002... IT'S TIME FOR A BUYOUT OF Nolan Richardson Jr.'s remaining six year contract so that he can be on his hate-mongering way. As of Thursday, he had not accepted a $3 million offer to leave gracefully but remained apologetic for embarrassing us...

Blue-Light lessons. (On Marketing).(some lessons from Kmart's troubles)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... KMART'S MANAGEMENT DEcided to file for bankruptcy-court protection on Jan. 22. A few observers lamented the seemingly sudden decline of a once-proud company. To me, however, Kmart's sad ending was as predictable as Fredo Corleone's fate in "The...

Fund-Raising manor. (Real Deals).(sale of home)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... The sale of a 5,990-SF home near the Country Club of Little Rock added up to a $1.45 million sale. Pamela Skokos bought the home as a fund-raiser for the Arkansas chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The seller was...

Cleo's transaction. (Real Deals).(Cleo's Furniture property in Little Rock is sold)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A 1.9-acre industrial development in south Little Rock changed hands in a $775,900 deal. Keisler & White Inc., led by Randy Keisler, purchased the Cleo's Furniture project at 3400 W. 65th St. The seller was M&S Properties, led by L.H....

Expensive dirt. (Real Deals).(Capitol Avenue Development Co. purchases downtown Little Rock ground from Mamie R. Woodruff Revocable Trust)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A half-acre piece of ground in downtown Little Rock was divvied up in two deals totaling $757,000 ($36 per SF). Capitol Ave. Development Co., led by John Flake, acquired about 11,900 SF beneath the TCBY Tower project for $429,000. FLL...

Riverside transaction. (Real Deals).(Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Co. purchases property from Glacial Sand and Gravel Co.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... An 11.3-acre sand and gravel operation along the Arkansas River in North Little Rock rang up $300,000 deal. Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co., led by Scott McGeorge, purchased the property at the south end of Hazel and Beech streets. The seller...

Hickory Creek home. (Real Deals).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A 5,682-SF home in west Little Rock's Hickory Creek neighborhood sold for $650,000. Calvin and Joyce Arnold acquired the house from Michael and Amy Bailey. The deal is financed with a 15-year loan of $350,000 from Metropolitan...

Medical mortgage. (Real Deals).(Cardiovascular Surgery L.L.C. receives loan from American Fidelity Assurance Co.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A medical office project in west Little Rock is backed with a $1.84 million financial package. Cardiovascular Surgery LLC, led by Frederick Meadors, obtained the 15-year loan from American Fidelity Assurance Co. of Oklahoma City. The...

Garrett financing. (Real Deals).(Garrett and Garrett Inc. receive loan from Commercial Federal Bank of Oklahoma City)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Commercial properties in Sherwood were used to secure a $1.4 million funding agreement. Garrett & Garrett Inc., led by Thomas Garrett, received the 15-year loan from Commercial Federal Bank of Oklahoma City. The properties previously...

Roach loan. (Real Deals).(Twin City Bank will fund Roach Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... The owner of four commercial properties in Sherwood. and Little Rock obtained a $1.1 million loan. Roach Ltd., led by Gary Roach, landed the funding agreement from Twin City Bank of North Little Rock. The properties were: * A 1.1-acre...

Tango funding. (Real Deals).(First Arkansas Bank and Trust funds mortgage for Tango Properties S Redmond L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... George Waldon The owner of an industrial property in Jacksonville picked up a $1.05 million mortgage. Tango Properties S Redmond LLC, led by Preston Robinson, secured the five-year loan from First Arkansas Bank & Trust of Jacksonville....

Bank backing. (Real Deals).(Metropolitan National Bank branch funded by mortgsge)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Development of a Metropolitan National Bank branch in The Heights area of Little Rock is funded with a $974,000 mortgage. Kidco Properties Inc., led by L. Walter Quinn II, obtained the 10year loan from Bank of Mulberry in Little Rock. ...

AIC Earns Commerce Dept. Export Award. (Inside Business).(Arkansas Industrial Computing Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Arkansas Industrial Computing Inc. of Sherwood has become the first Arkansas company to receive an Export Achievement Certificate from the U.S. Commerce Department. AIC, which has provided automation and control services to area industries...

Market street Cinema reopening March 22. (Inside Business).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Market Street Cinema, which closed last November, is reopening March 22 with a new owner and direction. The old bargain theater at the Market & Merrill Shopping Center in west Little Rock will now feature critically acclaimed movies, said...

State's house delegation solid for Broadband bill. (Inside Business).(Tauzin-Dingell Internet Freedom and Broadband Deployment Act)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... The U.S. House of Representatives passed, with the help of all four members of the Arkansas House delegation, a telecommunications bill Feb. 27 that was aggressively pushed by SBC Communications Inc. and other former members of the Bell system....

Alltel adds 50 jobs in Little Rock. (Inside Business).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Alltel Corp. of Little Rock is reorganizing its call center operation, resulting in the closure of five centers and a net loss of about 60 jobs nationwide. The company's Little Rock call center is being expanded and adding 50 jobs, spokesman...

Beverly donates $100,000 for scholarship. (Inside Business).(Beverly Enterprises Inc. contributes to University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Beverly Enterprises Inc. will provide $100,000 to establish an endowed scholarship at the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions. Beverly made the gift in honor of David Banks, the recently retired chairman of...

Insider Trading.(Murphy Oil Corp.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... Murphy Oil Corp. Here are insider trades that exceeded $50,000 reported since the first of the year at Murphy Oil Corp. An officer or director who registers stock to sell is not required to sell it. Feb. 15: Billy H. Stobaugh...

Nurses union, St. Vincent looking to end impasse. (In Full View).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... The Nursing union at St. Vincent Health System said it is trying to return to the bargaining table with the hospital and a federal mediator as soon as possible. On Wednesday, administrators at St. Vincent turned down an offer by three...

Customer growth drives Prairie Grove expansion. (Nw Journal).(for Bank of Fayetteville)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... John Lewis, chairman of the Bank of Fayetteville, said his bank's strategy for its recent expansion into Prairie Grove is so simple it's new age. The seven-person Prairie Grove branch opened temporary offices at 801 Buchanan St. on Jan....

Fayetteville pharmacy partners with home I.V. (Nw Journal).(Collier Drug Store, Home I.V. Specialists)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Collier Drug Store on Dickson Street in Fayetteville recently became one of seven support centers for Home I.V. Specialists of Jonesboro, a provider of infusion therapy. The partnership contracts Collier Drug to mix and deliver at least a...

Newport voters approve half-cent sales tax. (Ne Journal).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Newport voters approved a halfcent sales tax Feb. 12, which should generate $500,000 a year for industrial development. The money will be used to hire an economic developer, who will focus on recruiting industries to Newport, said Mayor...

Baptist Memorial buys 70 acres in Mississippi Co. (NE Journal).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Baptist Memorial Health Care recently spent $1.98 million on 70 acres in Mississippi County that could be used for a new hospital. Baptist, which already operates hospitals in Blytheville and Osceola, "is exploring the possibility of...

Teco gives Gosnell school district money for building. (NE Journal).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Teco Power Service Inc. of Tampa, Fla., has given the Gosnell School District $400,000 for the construction of a new school building. When the power company announced it was going to build a $325 million power plant in Dell, it also agreed...

Apartment plan cut by Wynne city council. (NE Journal).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A plan to build a $3 million, 64-unit apartment complex in Wynne has been scrapped temporarily because Wynne' s city council didn't approve the developer's rezoning application. Although the planning commission had approved rezoning...

Murphy Oil Corp. has completed a three-well exploration and appraisal drilling program off the shore of Sarawak, Malaysia, which has confirmed the commercial viability of the 85 percent Murphy-owned shallow-water acreage. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Murphy Oil Corp. has completed a three-well exploration and appraisal drilling program off the shore of Sarawak, Malaysia, which has confirmed the commercial viability of the 85 percent Murphy-owned shallow-water acreage. Murphy's wholly-owned...

The board of directors of Twin City Bank of North Little Rock played musical chairs last week. (Business Briefs).(Rick Ashley replaces Johnny Allison as chairman)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... The board of directors of Twin City Bank of North Little Rock played musical chairs last week. Johnny Allison of Conway's term as chairman ended, and he was replaced by Rick Ashley, president of Ashley Co. of North Little Rock. Allison remains...

Gov. Mike Huckabee traveled to India last week to witness the work of the Global Peace Initiative, an interfaith relief organization that operates orphanages and provides work opportunities for thousands of homeless women. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Gov. Mike Huckabee traveled to India last week to witness the work of the Global Peace Initiative, an interfaith relief organization that operates orphanages and provides work opportunities for thousands of homeless women. Huckabee was invited...

TransUnion, a Chicago information software company, has signed a multiyear agreement to implement Acxiom Corp.'s AbiliTec software. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... TransUnion, a Chicago information software company, has signed a multiyear agreement to implement Acxiom Corp.'s AbiliTec software. No terms were announced. The deal makes TransUnion the only consumer reporting company that can interact with...

RHI Consulting's Information Technology Hiring Index. (Business Briefs).(shows expected 10% growth in information technology professional hiring)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... Chief information officers anticipate a net 10 percent increase in the hiring of information technology professionals in the second quarter of 2002, according to RHI Consulting's Information Technology Hiring Index. Fourteen percent of...

Beverly Enterprises Inc. has signed an agreement with Majoris Systems Pvt. Ltd. of Bangalore, an Indian software services firm, to help Beverly cut costs while meeting government standards and regulatory needs. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Beverly Enterprises Inc. has signed an agreement with Majoris Systems Pvt. Ltd. of Bangalore, an Indian software services firm, to help Beverly cut costs while meeting government standards and regulatory needs. Majoris will provide maintenance...

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (Business Briefs).(awards two-year software/services contract to SAS Institute)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has bought software and services from SAS Institute of Cary, N.C., in a two-year agreement to address Wal-Mart's specific business needs.

Beverly Enterprises Inc. (Business Briefs).(John D. Fowler Jr. wins board seat)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... John D. Fowler Jr. has been elected to the board of Beverly Enterprises Inc. Fowler, 44, is president of Large Scale Biology Corp., a publicly traded health care company involved in the development and commercialization of proprietary life...

The Arkansas Public Service Commission. (Business Briefs).(wins refunds for customers of Entergy Arkansas)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... The Arkansas Public Service Commission says Entergy Arkansas will be sending out refund checks, and the average customer should get about $47. The $54.3 million in refunds are a result of a lawsuit by the PSC challenging a 1995 rate increase.

The National Federation of Independent Business has endorsed U.S. Sen. (Business Briefs).(Tim Hutchinson; others trying to secure running include Bob Duggar and Mark Pryor)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... The National Federation of Independent Business has endorsed U.S. Sen. Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark., for reelection. The group said Hutchinson "is a proven friend of small business" and "has a 100 percent voting record on NFIB's key small-business...

First State Bank of Lonoke has selected Diebold Inc.'s Internet banking system for its online customers. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... First State Bank of Lonoke has selected Diebold Inc.'s Internet banking system for its online customers. First State officials project they'll have 12 percent of their deposit customers signed up for the Internet banking solution within a year....

Exide Technologies. (Business Briefs).(now has ISO 140001 certification)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Exide Technologies network power facility at Fort Smith has achieved ISO 14001 certification of its environmental management system. Exide's Fort Smith plant produces the sealed lead-acid battery brands Absolyte and Absolyte XL as well as GNB...

Brass Eagle Inc. said net income for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 was $1.9 million, or 25 cents a share, compared with $4.3 million, or 57 cents a share, in the year earlier quarter. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... Brass Eagle Inc. said net income for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 was $1.9 million, or 25 cents a share, compared with $4.3 million, or 57 cents a share, in the year earlier quarter. The 55.3 percent drop was blamed on a challenging retail...

First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc. (Business Briefs).(declares quarterly dividend)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc. of Harrison has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 12 cents a share, payable March 26 to shareholders of record March 11.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has contributed $50,000 to the United Negro College Fund in celebration of Black History Month. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has contributed $50,000 to the United Negro College Fund in celebration of Black History Month. The gift will further African-American education through scholarships.

Arvest posts 307 percent gain in mortgage lending. (List Overview).(Arvest Bank Group Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... ARVEST MORTGAGE CO. took advantage of the continuing growth in-northwest Arkansas to maintain its position as the state's largest mortgage lender. The Lowell-based company's $.1 .4 billion in loans last year was a 307 percent increase over...

Arkansas business list: Mortgage lenders; Ranked by amount lent in 2001 (all dollar amounts in millions).(Directory)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... ARKANSAS BUSINESS LIST: MORTGAGE LENDERS Ranked by amount lent in 2001 (all dollar amounts in millions) Company 2001 Loans 2000 Mortgages Address (Phone, Fax) % Change Loans...

Stephen Strange wins top executive award. (2001 Arkansas Business of the Year Awards).(president and CEO of American Management Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... STEPHEN STRANGE SR. OF Conway, president and chief executive officer of American Management Corp., won the Arkansas Business Executive of the Year award at the 2001 Arkansas Business of the Year awards Feb. 21. Strange, whose wholesale...

Christian radio just keeps growing in Arkansas.
March 4, 2002... WHEN GARY VAILE STARTED in the Christian radio industry 20 years ago, there weren't many Christian stations in Arkansas. Now there are more than 50. "There is an increased interest in Christian music, and some of the larger companies...

Local minister heads effort to merge 3-state region.(Great River Region of the Christian Church)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... THERE ARE PLACES WHERE business and religion meet, and Rev. Barbara Jones is standing in one of those places. Jones is Arkansas regional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples in Christ), and right now the church is in the middle of a...

'Adventureland': Churches adopt modern marketing.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... THE SUMMIT CHURCH IN North Little Rock has a marketing executive on call, meets in a building constructed as a conference center and calls its Sunday morning children's program "AdventureLand." Though its stated mission is to "cooperate...

High PSI Pressure Washing. (New Businesses).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A Listing of Business Start Ups in Arkansas Owners: Eliot Craft and Bryan Beatty Address: 22 Applewood Drive, Cabot 72023 Phone: (501) 454-1803 Hours: By appointment Startup: Jan. 15 E-mail: bryabeatty@aol.com ...

Industrial Development Consultant Inc. (New Businesses).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A Listing of Business Start Ups in Arkansas Owner: Michael Brent Address: P.O. Box 1785, Russellville 72811 Phone: (479) 229-5077 Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday Date of incorporation: March 22, 2001 E-mail:...

Pink Ink Publishing. (New Businesses).(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... A Listing of Business Start Ups in Arkansas Owner: Elaine Hodges Address: P.O. Box 241043, Little Rock 72223 Phone: (501) 227-9954 Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday Startup: Oct. 5 Web site:...

Calendar.
March 4, 2002... MARCH * 5 - ASU Business excellence Speaker Sponsor: Arkansas State University College of Business Time: 5 p.m. Location: ASU-Jonesboro, Museum Room 182 Fore more information, call (870) 972-3035. * 6 -- UCA Spring...

Movers & Shakers.(appointments and promotions)
March 4, 2002... EDUCATION The Frank D. Hickingbotham School of Business at Ouachita Baptist University has been given AACSB International accreditation. Ouachita Baptist is one of the smallest universities with an AACSB International-accredited business...

Stock summary.(Arkansas Public Company Stocks)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... STOCK SUMMARY 02/28/02 Weekly YTD 52-Week Arkansas Public Company Stocks Close Change Change High Acxiom Corp. (ACXM) 14.60 5.34% -59.72% 29.38...

KTHV Radio. (Outtakes).(weather forecasts)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Local newscasts know weather is often the key to ratings success. Consider the millions of dollars television stations often invest in the latest "super-doppler-viper-weathercenter-radar" system. A pair of Little Rock stations are banking...

Clear channel posts loss. (Outtakes).(Clear Channel Communications Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... Clear Channel Communications Inc. of San Antonio, which owns several Arkansas radio stations and is the nation's largest owner of radio stations, reported a fourth-quarter loss last week that was nearly double that of the same period in 2000....

Caps Off? (Outtakes).(Federal Communications Commission's limits on broadcast ownership changing)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... LANCE TURNER The U.S. Court of Appeals has said the Federal Communications Commission went too far in putting caps, on what broadcast companies can own, which could open the door for more media consolidation. While the ruling doesn't...

Ins & Outs. (Outtakes).(Mangan Holcomb Rainwater Culpepper wins ad account)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... LANCE TURNER * Mangan Holcomb Rainwater Culpepper said last week that it won local and regional awards from the National Agriculture Marketing Association. The Little' Rock advertising agency won 16 awards -- nine first-place -- for its...

Basketball building.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... [Illustration Omitted] BASKETBALL BUILDING Caution : The new $4 million gymnasium at North Little Rock High School's West Campus should be completed in August. The 2,400-seat facility is at 101 W. 22nd St. CBM Construction Co. of North...

Arkansans get tax breaks for investing in Florida. (Construction).
March 11, 2002... A STATE-SUBSIDIZED corporation formed to raise capital for local small businesses has placed about 25 percent of its investments in companies incorporated in Florida. The investments made by the Pulaski County Industrial Development Corp....

Recession? Contractors report strong business. (Construction).
March 11, 2002... THE GOOD TIMES FOR construction in Arkansas just keep rolling along. Contractors continue enjoying a decade-long run of demand despite recessionary concerns and the shadow of September 11. "It's probably the strongest I've seen it in...

Sports agent still can't show creditors the money. (Construction).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... THE BURNING QUESTION creditors have for former sports agent Elbert Crawford III is what happened to the nearly $2 million he borrowed in 1998 and 1999. "I haven't gotten to the bottom of it yet. We're still in the investigation phase,"...

Winburn notes. (Whispers).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... For those keeping score at home, here's the way the pecking order of Winburn Tile Manufacturing Co. creditors is shaping up. Pulaski County Treasurer Debra Buckner says she is first inline, with some $44,500 in past-due taxes on Winburn's...

Landers' new body shop. (Whispers).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Landers Auto Sales is renovating a 41,000-SF building to use as an auto repair body shop at 6301 S. University in Little Rock, near Landers Toyota andLanders Ford. The acquisition/redevelopment of the former Jumbo Sports facility is...

Hummers a new song. (Whispers).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The corporate heads at the United Auto Group in Detroit wouldn't confirm it, but Dee Fiser, president of Fiser Truck and Tractor in Little Rock, did: He has sold his Hummer franchise, the only one in the state, to Landers Auto Sales to...

For the rest of us. (Whispers).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Readers without an extra 50 grand to spend on heavy-duty transportation can look forward to the arrival later this year of the state's first Crosslander dealership. Jerry May, owner of Yam's Choice Plus Autos Inc. of Little Rock, is going...

Nurses' pay. (Whispers).(U.S. Nursing Corp., St. Vincent's Health System)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... St. Vincent Health System spokesman Scott Mosley has said only that the hospital had to pay a "substantial" amount to US Nursing Corp. of Denver, a temporary nurse agency, even though its union didn't follow through on its threatened strike...

Future church campus. (Whispers).(Fellowship Bible Church)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Heard about a west Little Rock congregation tying up land for future use? Fellowship Bible Church has the first right of refusal on about 50 acres along Highway 10. The land is on the north side of the highway just west of Ferndale Cutoff...

Multimillion dollar manor. (Whispers).(Martha Jane Cobb, Wooster Properties L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... A 6,835-SF mansion near the Country Club of Little Rock changed hands in a reported $3 million transaction. The buyer is identified only as Wooster Properties LLC. The seller would be Martha Jane Cobb. Yes, as presented the deal...

Big deck. (Whispers).(Vratsinas Construction Co., parking deck)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... A familiar name from the Arkansas construction scene has cropped up in connection with a very large parking deck project in Atlanta. Vratsinas Construction Corp. is building a sprawling parking deck as part of the $2 billion Atlantic...