Arkansas Business articles from March 2003

Arkansas Business archives from March 2003

Conway keeps redevelopment moving ahead.
March 3, 2003... INVESTORS HAVE PLOWED MILlions of dollars into redeveloping downtown Conway during the past decade. Those efforts continue to gain momentum as the second-fastest growing city in Arkansas gears up for more change. "We have to be able to...

Hopes for downtown Pine Bluff pinned on two new projects.
March 3, 2003... IT'S NOT GOING AS FAST AS some other towns around the state nor as fast as many in Pine Bluff would like, but the downtown area of Arkansas' sixth largest city is changing. After struggling for decades as the town spread south and west and...

Dream of downtown ballpark no closer to reality: outdated Ray Winder field threatens baseball in Little Rock.
March 3, 2003... IT LOOKS LIKE THE CITY OF Little Rock will need a ninth inning rally to bring a new baseball stadium to downtown. Although Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey said he recently spoke with a company about sponsoring a new ballpark for the Arkansas...

Pfeifer wins. (Whispers).(Eugene Pfeifer receives federal court ruling)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Little Rock businessman Eugene Pfeifer now has a win under his belt involving the Clinton Presidential Library site. A federal court judge recently threw out the case the Arkansas Attorney General's Office filed against Pfeifer on behalf of...

Arkansas Auto Auction judgment. (Whispers).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... It looks like more bad news for Arkansas Auto Auction, the defunct North Little Rock company whose owner was charged with 35 counts of writing hot checks. On Jan. 15, Enterprise Rent-A-Car of Little Rock received a $140,000 judgment...

On a high. (Whispers).(HCB Bancshares stock reaches all-time high)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... We couldn't help noticing that stock in HCB Bancshares of Camden, parent company of Heartland Com-munity Bank, reached a new 52-week high on Thursday: $17.01. In fact, it was an all-time high for a stock that began trading publicly in...

Walgreens site. (Whispers).(BCD Arkansas Ltd buys site from Cantrell Loop LLC)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... A $1.3 million land deal in west Little Rock is launching a new retail project. BCD Arkansas Ltd., led by James F. Cox, bought the 2.3-acre site at the northwest corner of Cantrell and East Taylor Loop roads. The property will become...

Way Out Willie's troubles. (Whispers).(restaurant owes lots of taxes)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Remember Way Out Willie's in the River Market, which was known for its Tex-Mex entrees? Well, it is also known to the folks down at the Department of Finance and Administration. Apparently the restaurant, which closed in December...

Another judgment. (Whispers).(judgment against Winrock Grass Farm Inc in favor of Little Rock Newspapers Inc)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... It looks like another judgment has been filed against Winrock Grass Farm Inc. of Little Rock and its owner Frank B. Whitbeck. This time, Little Rock Newspapers Inc. (aka the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) received a judgment against Whitbeck...

Corrections.(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
March 3, 2003... A week-long economic development training course in Little Rock will be held April 13-18 at the new Donald W. Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock The location was...

Economic foresight. (Editorial).(economic development bill in Arkansas)(Editorial)
March 3, 2003... ARKANSAS' NEW ECONOMIC development bill becomes law today. It's something that should have been in place years ago, but at long last the state is on the right track. Gov. Mike Huckabee said it will make Arkansas an even more attractive...

Walker legacy. (Editorial).(Willard J Walker, philanthropist, former Wal-Mart executive)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 3, 2003... FEW ARKANSANS CAN MATCH the generosity of Willard J. Walker who died Feb. 22 of congestive heart failure. The former Wal-Mart executive became one of the state's best-known philanthropists and a major source of funding for health and...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
March 3, 2003... Sens. Jeffress Respond No one mistakes (Arkansas Business Editor Gwen Moritz) for Molly Ivins or anyone else for that matter; however, you openly portray yourself as one of central Arkansas' premier elitists. We know it's dangerous to...

Fight fair. (Editor's Note).(Arkansas state education system)(Editorial)
March 3, 2003... WHAT THIS STATE'S EDUCAtion system needs is required courses in logic and rhetoric. In the meantime, I'll suggest a few rules for arguing over current topics of discussion. * Stop using state averages to defend the educational performance...

Will your ads work? (On Marketing).(Column)
March 3, 2003... THERE'S A FREQUENTLY QUOTed line about advertising: "I know half the money I spend on advertising is wasted, but I can never find out which half." That line, attributed to John Wanamaker, summarizes the frustrations that many businesspeople...

American Greetings closing McCrory plant. (Industry).(American Greetings Corp)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... American Greetings Corp., in a cost-cutting move, plans to close its 770,000-SF greeting card plant at McCrory by August, moving the work to operations at Osceola and Danville, Ky., and leaving 310 people unemployed. Cleveland-based...

Ball to close Blytheville plant, move to Springdale. (Industry).(Ball Corp)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Ball Corp. of Broomfield, Cob., will close its metal food can manufacturing plant at Blytheville and consolidate its operations to a similar plant at Springdale. Ball expects the consolidation to take place by June. The Blytheville plant...

Deltic Timber's Pearce to retire in August. (Forestry).(Deltic Timber Corp., Ron L. Pearce)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Ron L. Pearce, president and chief executive officer of Deltic Timber Corp. of El Dorado, will retire effective Aug. 1. Pearce, 60, has been Deltic's CEO since it was spun off from Murphy Oil Corp. and became a publicly traded company in...

Funds OK'd to buy forested lands. (Forestry).(Congressional funds for Arkansas)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Congress has approved $3 million for conservation projects in Arkansas that will allow the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to 'buy two forested tracts in the Mississippi River Delta. The Nature Conservancy,...

Construction projects use 'Green' standards. (Construction).(construction projects in central Arkansas)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Several central Arkansas construction projects are being built using environmentally friendly and energy efficient standards recommended by the local chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Heifer Project International's new building in...

Venture Forum hosts conference. (Banking & Finance).(Arkansas Venture Form, 2003 Arkansas Venture Capital Conference)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... The Arkansas Venture Forum is planning the 2003 Arkansas Venture Capital Conference for Monday and Tuesday at The Peabody Little Rock. Organizers said the conference will attract accredited and angel investors, business leaders, economic...

Golf associate files libel suit. (In Full View).(Golf Entertainment Inc, Arkansas Business Publishing Group)
March 3, 2003... ARKANSAS BUSINESS Publishing Group, one of its publications and three individuals associated with the publishing company were named as defendants in a $12 million libel suit filed Feb. 25 in Washington County Circuit Court. The plaintiff...

Diesel prices hit eight-year high. (NW Journal).
March 3, 2003... Truckers were paying more for diesel in February than any other time during the last nine years. According to the Energy Information Administration in Washington, D.C., the national average retail on-highway diesel price on Feb. 17 reached...

St. Mary's celebrates one year of heart care. (NW Journal).(St Mary's Hospital, Rogers, Arkansas)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... St. Mary's Hospital in Rogers celebrated one year of heart care Feb. 19, having tripled the number of heart surgeries the hospital expected to perform during its first year of offering them. Dr. Jeffrey Werner, vice president of cardiovascular...

Rogers gets new retirement community. (NW Journal).(Apple Blossom complex opens)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Apple Blossom, a 115-unit complex for seniors, recently opened at 2501 N. 22nd St. in Rogers. The complex is touted in a press release as Rogers' newest and "most premier independent-living retirement community." The complex includes...

Wynne tries to land Regional Airport. (NE Journal).(Wynne, Arkansas)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Wynne city officials and other government bodies in the area have banded together to attempt to bring an airport to the region. Wynne, along with Forrest City and Cross and St. Frances counties, has formed the Regional Airport Commission...

Industrial park in paragould under construction. (NE Journal).(Economic Development Corp plans construction)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... A nonprofit economic development corporation in Paragould is creating an industrial park-in the city. The Economic Development Corp. hopes to begin construction this spring on a $1.5 million, 100,000-SF speculative building just south of...

Blytheville hoping to catch skydivers. (NE Journal).(World Free Fall Convention)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... The city of Blytheville is working to bring the World Free Fall Convention to town. Blytheville Mayor Barrette Harrison said he hopes to learn soon whether the convention is coming to the Arkansas Aeroplex in August. The convention...

Crye-Leike of Arkansas Inc. has opened a branch at Conway, its fourth office in the central Arkansas area. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Crye-Leike of Arkansas Inc. has opened a branch at Conway, its fourth office in the central Arkansas area. The 5,400-SF office at 1605 Skyline Drive can accommodate up to 35 sales associates for the Faulkner County area. Judy Gerber has been...

Mountain Valley Spring Water of Hot Springs took the gold medal. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Mountain Valley Spring Water of Hot Springs took the gold medal in the noncarbonated bottled water division of the 13th annual Berkeley Springs (W.V.) International Water Tasting.

The Little Rock Chapter of Executive Women International has announced a program that will provide scholarships to adults. (Business Briefs).
March 3, 2003... The Little Rock Chapter of Executive Women International has announced a program that will provide scholarships to adults. EWI will award two $1,000 and three $500 scholarships in July. For an application, call (501) 374-7383. Deadline for...

First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc., the holding company for First Federal Bank of Arkansas of Harrison. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc., the holding company for First Federal Bank of Arkansas of Harrison, has declared a 16-cent dividend on its common stock payable March 25 to shareholders of record on March 10.

The 44th annual Salute to the Arkansas Congressional Delegation. (Business Briefs).
March 3, 2003... The 44th annual Salute to the Arkansas Congressional Delegation, sponsored by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas, will be held May 3-6 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. To register or for more...

The Arkansas Department of Economic Development will hold the third annual Arkansas Cineposium at the Hot Springs Convention Center on March 15. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... The Arkansas Department of Economic Development will hold the third annual Arkansas Cineposium at the Hot Springs Convention Center on March 15. The event gives Arkansans interested in the film industry the opportunity to learn moviemaking from...

Tyson Foods Inc. (Business Briefs).(announces dividend)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Tyson Foods Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of 4 cents a share on Class A common stock and $0.036 a share on Class B common stock, payable June 15 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 1.

The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Arkansas is seeking volunteers for its speaker bureau. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Arkansas is seeking volunteers for its speaker bureau. Volunteers will be trained on issues of secondhand smoke, nonsmoking restaurants and the increase on tobacco tax. For more information, call (800) 683-9450....

Ramsay Ball and Steven P. Lane have formed Lane Real Estate Services Inc. (Business Briefs).
March 3, 2003... Ramsay Ball and Steven P. Lane have formed Lane Real Estate Services Inc. at Rogers. The company will deal with commercial and investment real estate.

Tyson Foods Inc. has been named the most admired company in the food production industry by Fortune magazine. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Tyson Foods Inc. has been named the most admired company in the food production industry by Fortune magazine. "It's incredibly gratifying to have the hard work of our people recognized by others in the industry," said John Tyson, chairman and...

Barnes & Noble Inc. has signed a lease agreement to open a new bookstore in North Little Rock. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Barnes & Noble Inc. has signed a lease agreement to open a new bookstore in North Little Rock. The 24,000-SF store, expected to open in June 2004, will be in The Other Center shopping center at 4000 McCain Blvd. It will also include a cafe...

The Executive Committee of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas has endorsed Gov. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... The Executive Committee of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas has endorsed Gov. Mike Huckabee's revised education plan. Among the changes is a provision that leaves district superintendents under the...

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (Business Briefs).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is opening a new office to identify certain U.S. products that might appeal to the company's customers in other countries. The new division will be called "GP USA Export."

The Arvest Bank Group, the largest Arkansas-owned bank with more than $4.7 billion in assets. (Business Briefs).(will acquire Mountain Bancshares)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... The Arvest Bank Group, the largest Arkansas-owned bank with more than $4.7 billion in assets, is buying Mountain Bancshares, the $211 million holding company for the Bank of Yellville. The Bank of Yellville has operations in Marion, Boone and...

Wal-Mart de Mexico SA. (Business Briefs).(to expand retail network)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Wal-Mart de Mexico SA will invest nearly $580 million within the next 18 months to expand its retail network. The company plans to open 61 retail outlets. Walmex currently operates 597 commercial outlets and restaurants.

John Farad, current executive vice president and chief financial officer at International Paper Co. (Business Briefs).(named president )(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... John Farad, current executive vice president and chief financial officer at International Paper Co., has been promoted to president and elected to the board. Faraci will assume responsibility for the operations of the company and will continue...

Riceland Foods Inc. (Business Briefs).(to open new operations in Osceola, Arkansas)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Riceland Foods Inc. will open a new rice storage, drying and shipping operation at Osceola because of growth in the area's rice production. The new facility will have easy access to water transportation.

Big construction projects bust the billion dollar mark. (List Overview).
March 3, 2003... THIS YEAR'S ROSTER OF BIG-dollar construction projects in Arkansas topped the $1 billion mark in total valuation. An influx of new developments combined with a strong foundation of holdover projects to push the number higher than last...

Someone call the University, we need an intern! (A Public Service of Davidson Law Firm).
March 3, 2003... The concept of interns or Cooperative Education students has evolved greatly within the last two decades to expand into all industries. Companies scramble to hire the top talent several semesters before graduation. Employers can benefit greatly...

Jim Harvey named Executive of the Year.(of Central Arkansas Water)
March 3, 2003... JIM HARVEY OF LITTLE ROCK, chief executive officer of Central Arkansas Water, was named Arkansas Business Executive of the Year at the 2002 Arkansas Business of the Year awards. Harvey has been employed by the waterworks in Little Rock for...

FTN provides a flood of data, solutions to rain-soaked Russellville.(FTN Associates Ltd)
March 3, 2003... Flooding has been a problem for the city of Russellville, with drains and culverts overflowing into city streets, causing hazardous driving conditions and damaging roads, homes and businesses. So the city hired FTN Associates Ltd. of Little...

Engineers move America.(award winners from ACEC/Arkansas)
March 3, 2003... ACEC/Arkansas recently honored the winners of the 2002-2003 Engineering Excellence Awards. A total of 12 projects were submitted with winners in six categories. The purpose of the ACEC/A Engineering Excellence program is to pay tribute to the...

Marlar blazes bike trail along Arkansas River.
March 3, 2003... Marlar Engineering Co. Inc. of North Little Rock proved to be a true trailblazer when the city of North Little Rock hired it to design and engineer a pedestrian/bicycle trail along the north bank of the Arkansas River. The $406,165 project...

Garver brings soaring improvements to Airport.(Little Rock National Airport)
March 3, 2003... Since 1972, the Little Rock National Airport answered its significant growth with the addition of new buildings and surface parking lot expansions. But by the mid-1990s, it was clear that a significant upgrade was needed. Garver Engineers...

FTN helps Weyerhaeuser save about $1 million.(FTN Associates Ltd)
March 3, 2003... A project by FTN Associates Ltd. helped Weyerhaeuser Co.'s Mountain Pine Mill safely dispose of ash, work with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and create a landfill that will save the lumber company about $1 million. ...

Grand Prairie Project caps 20 years' research.(venture between FTN Associates and Garver Engineers)
March 3, 2003... A venture between Garver Engineers and FTN Associates used each firm's expertise to model the behavior of a proposed irrigation system, in the Grand Prairie Area Demonstration Project, for the Memphis District Corps. of Engineers. ...

Hawkins-Weir redesigns storm-ravaged plant.
March 3, 2003... One of the most severe tornadoes in recent Arkansas history ripped through the cities of Van Buren and Fort Smith in April 1996. Among the damaged structures was Fort Smith's P Street Wastewater Treatment Plant. The building was in the...

After 18 years, Main Street Arkansas still helping cities. (Downtown Redevelopment).
March 3, 2003... EVERY CITY OR TOWN HAS A Main Street, although some may be called by a different name. And most have fallen into disrepair, depressed by years of neglect and emptied by the lure of big-box retailers sitting brand-new on the outskirts of town....

Signature Transportation. (New Businesses).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
March 3, 2003... Contact: Wayland Hill Address: P.O. Box 29, Little Rock 72203 Phone: (501) 907-2277 Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Friday Startup: Jan. 1 Business travelers and local businesses in central Arkansas have a new affordable,...

The Wedding Boutique. (New Businesses).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
March 3, 2003... Owner: Sylvia Anbrasy Address: 1917 N. Grant St., Little Rock 72207 Phone: (501) 661-4696 Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday Startup: March 28 Central Arkansas brides who want elegant bridal gowns and accessories will...

The Brazilian Chicken. (New Businesses).(Conway, Arkansas)
March 3, 2003... Owners: Charles McGee, Bryan Brown, Sean Nichols Address: 915 Front St., Conway 72032 Telephone: (501) 932-0350 Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 5-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday Startup:...

Calendar.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 3, 2003... MARCH * 4 -- Hendrix College Career Fair Time: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Location: Hendrix College, Hulen Ballroom, Conway For more information, call (501) 450-1416. * 5 -- Arkansas State University Spring Job Fair Sponsor:...

Accounting. (Movers & Shakers).(Jones & Co)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Kent Darr of Corning has joined Jones & Co. in Jonesboro as a staff accountant. Andy Grumbles of Dermott was hired as a manager in the audit and accounting department. Laura Shelton of Corning was hired as firm administrator, and Sherry Nelms...

Education. (Movers & Shakers).(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... John Haman, a public relations consultant with Mangan Holcomb Rainwater Culpepper in Little Rock, won first place in the alumni playwriting contest at Hendrix College. Judy Baker Goss of Conway, a drama teacher at Parkview High School, won...

Financial services. (Movers & Shakers).(promotions, hirings)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Bruce C. Dawson has been promoted to assistant vice president of Simmons First National Corp. in Pine Bluff. C. Michael Rushing was promoted to loan review office in the special services group. Leigh A. Cockrum and Nancy C. Evans were promoted...

Food services. (Movers & Shakers).(Sysco Food Services)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Michael Tones has been named regional sales manager for northern Arkansas for Sysco Food Services in Little Rock.

Health care. (Mover & Shakers).(election to board of directors, Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Jeffrey W. Nolan has been elected to the board of directors of Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation in Little Rock. Nolan is president of Loutre Land and Timber Co. of El Dorado.

Nonprofit. (Movers & Shakers).(chairman of the board, Lions World Services)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Terrence Renaud has been elected the first chairman of the board of Lions World Services for the Blind in Little Rock. Renaud is the retired chairman of the board and CEO of Twin City Bank and TCBankshares. Other board members include: Dr....

Technology. (Movers & Shakers).(hirings at PC Assistance, Celerit, Compudesigns)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Chris Davis and Scott Smith have joined PC Assistance in Little Rock as level II network engineers. Bum Lee of Conway has joined Celerit as executive vice president. Larry Flaxman of Little Rock has joined Compudesigns as president.

Telecommunications. (Movers & Shakers).(general manager promoted at Inter-Tel Technologies)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Tim McEuen of Little Rock has been promoted to general manager of Inter-Tel Technologies. Bonnie Holmes and Steven Black of Little Rock's Nextel Partners Inc. were awarded the 2002 Partners' Circle of Excellence award.

Utilities. (Movers & Shakers).(new president of Woodruff Electric Cooperative Corp)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Glynn Carpenter retired as president and chief executive of Woodruff Electric Cooperative Corp. in Forrest City in February. Billy C. Martin has been selected as president of the cooperative.

Stock summary.(Arkansas Public Company Stocks and others, week of 2/26/03)
March 3, 2003... STOCK SUMMARY 2/26/03 Weekly YTD 52-Week Close Change Change High Arkansas Public Company Stocks Acxiom Corp. (ACXM) ...

TCBY takes off. (Outtakes).(TCBY ends 12-year relationship with Stone Ward advertising/marketing/public relations firm)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... A longtime Arkansas advertising account is leaving the marker. TCBY has ended its 12-year relationship with Stone Ward (formerly Stone & Ward), the Little Rock advertising, marketing and public relations firm. The chain of frozen yogurt...

Longtime account. (Outtakes).(TCBY stays with Stone Ward throughout changes in ownership)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... That TCBY remained with Stone Ward as long as it did is a small miracle in an industry where change comes fast and often. "We been there through two different owners, two presidents and six marketing directors," Ward said. In February...

Wet work. (Outtakes).(Central Arkansas Water names Heathcott Associates its agency of record)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... Heathcott Associates might have lost one utility when Arkansas Electric Cooperatives moved its account to McNabb Kelley Barre of Jonesboro in January, but the Little Rock agency used its expertise to capture another. Central Arkansas Water...

Heart breaker. (Outtakes).(Forza Marketing Group self-help kit shows prospective clients how to break up with their agencies)(Brief Article)
March 3, 2003... The Feb. 17 national edition of Adweek magazine gives a nod to Forza Marketing Group of Little Rock's Valentine's Day surprise to prospective clients. The advertising, marketing and public relations agency, known for its off-center sense...

Tarrifs may be too late for catfish producers. (Agriculture).
March 10, 2003... WHILE CATFISH FARMER James E. Popejoy Sr. is waiting for the price of catfish to improve, he has turned to bailing hay to generate income for his fish farm. "I am maxed out on all, my operating loans, and there is no reason why the lending...

Bumpers laments not running for president.(Dale Bumpers)
March 10, 2003... THE TOUGHEST DECISION Dale Bumpers ever made was not running for president of the United States. When asked why he didn't run after agonizing over it in. 1983 and again in 1987, the former senator, who is known for his oratory skills, was...

Col. Glenn at I-430 becomes a development hotbed.
March 10, 2003... THE CROSSROADS OF Interstate 430 and Col. Glenn Road in west Little Rock are hosting a flurry of development activity. An estimated $21 million worth of projects are out of the. ground or on the way. New projects are in motion at three of...

Continuing dispute. (Whispers).(Regions Trust breach of fiduciary trust case)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... Remember that $1 million verdict 18 months ago against Regions Trust for breach of fiduciary duty? U.S. District Judge George Howard recently referred the case to a magistrate judge for a settlement conference. A jury awarded the three...

Land ho. (Whispers).(Clinton & Sherman Building I LLC acquire United Systems of Arkansas Inc. property)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... A half-acre site for a new downtown highrise rang up a $1.3 million deal. Clinton & Sherman Building I LLC acquired the United Systems of Arkansas Inc. property at 521 E. Markham St. (aka President Clinton Avenue). The limited,...

Strong enough? (Whispers).(Regions Bank closing Strong branch)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... Regions Bank has given up the struggle over Strong. When the Birmingham, Ala., mega-bank acquired First Commercial Corp. in 1998, its Citizens First Bank was the only bank in Strong and controlled 100 percent of the $12.5 million in...

Change of Governor. (Whispers).(Best Western Governor's Inn Suites)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... A 49-room motel in west Little Rock attracted a $1.5 million deal. Southern Lodging LLC, led by Bhu and Jyoti Makan, acquired the Best Western Governor's Inn Suites at 1501 Merrill Drive. The seller? Governor's Inn, a partnership...

Family furniture. (Whispers).(Dee Schuster; Cost Plus Furniture Warehouse)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... When the Schuster family decided to close its home furnishing stores last month, not everyone in the clan was opting for retirement. Dee Schuster -- son of Marshall Schuster, who owned and operated the Schuster's Home Furnishings locations...

Brouhaha. (Whispers).(Miller Brewing Co.; Southeastern Distributing Co. Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... Miller Brewing Co. has accused Southeastern Distributing Co. Inc. of North Little Rock of cooking the books in order to get more reimbursement money from the brewery. Miller occasionally has price promotions for its beer distributors....

Hospital wins. (Whispers).(St. Vincent Medical Center of Little Rock)(Brief Article)
March 10, 2003... St. Vincent Medical Center of Little Rock recently came away from the Pulaski County Courthouse with a win in a malpractice case. The estate of Jodie Cavender had sued the hospital in 2000 over the death of Cavender, who was in his 70s and...