Baxter Bulletin from Mountain Home, Arkansas • 3

Page 3A THE BAXTER BULLETIN, Mountain Home, Ark. Friday, January 14, 2005 Tornado confirmed near El Dorado; three killed By JAY HUGHES Associated Press Writer The National Weather Service confirmed Thursday that a tornado struck Union County overnight, killing two people, as storms raked Arkansas and contributed to a fatal private remained hospitalized. In Eureka Springs, a banking executive was killed while trying to land a twin-engine plane at a private air strip near his home. Officials said William King Gladden, 50, chief executive officer of Community First Bankshares, was the only per Y--: El- v.j A I Ml i 4 8 1 .1 fit son aboard. As Gladden attempted to land during heavy rain about 5 p.m.

Wednesday, officials said, the plane skidded, hit a tree and caught fire. Gov. Mike Huckabee planned to fly to Union County on Friday to inspect the tornado damage. U.S. Rep.

Mike Ross said he sent a representative from his office to tour the area Thursday. "I want to assure the people of Union County that my office is taking every action necessary to provide as much assistance to the areas hit as possible," he said in a statement. Frances Thurlkill said a camper parked near her family's home landed in the bedroom where she and her husband sleep. She said her husband, Sherwood, got her out of bed minutes before the storm hit. "I put on my robe and house shoes and we got in the walk-in closet in the middle of the house," she told the El Dorado News-Times.

"It sounded like about 10 freight trains, but first there was a squealing sound. The noise was like big jets, a lot more than one." Among the damaged struc airplane crash. The tornado that struck south of El Dorado about 11:15 Wednesday night was preliminarily evaluated as an F-3 on the Fujita scale, with winds ranging from 158 to 206 mph, the weather service's Shreve-port, office said. The scale runs from F-0, the weakest, to F-5, the strongest. Union County officials said at least 11 other people were injured; Claiborne Parish, just southwest of Union County, reported four injuries.

Union County Emergency Management Coordinator Jackie Wiley said the tornado cut a quarter-mile wide, 20-mile-long swath of destruction starting at Junction City and moving south of El Dorado to Lawson. "We've probably got 25-30 homes severely damaged or destroyed, numerous vehicles upside down, just everything," Wiley said. "It was one of those type things where I think most of them had no warning. If it was a direct hit, it destroyed it." The victims were identified as John Edward Williams and Martha Inez Skaggs, both 83. Coroner Curtis Butterfield said they were killed about a mile apart; Williams' mobile home had not been found Thursday evening.

Butterfield said seven additional people were treated and released at the Medical Center of South Arkansas and four AP Photo Relatives of Inez Skaggs search through the remains of her home for a lock box containing an insurance policy and funeral directions. Skaggs was killed in a tornado early Thurday morning near El Dorado. "It's going to be a long process," he said. Union County was the site of a fire at a hazardous waste storage site on Jan. 2, which led to an evacuation in El Dorado.

Jones said the storm damage was about 10 miles from the Teris LLC plant, where the fire burned and then smoldered for days. "In the 13 days of the New Year, I feel like we've already worked 30 days," Jones said. central and southeastern portions of the county remained without power Thursday, Jones said. He said Arkansas 7 south of El Dorado was closed for most of the day as heavy equipment and power crews worked to clear debris and restore service. The sheriff planned roadblocks and patrols to provide security in hardest-hit areas at least through Friday until it is safe for residents to return.

eyes and it's gone. I guess we came from nothing, to this, back to nothing." Union County Sheriff Ken Jones said among the damaged areas was a subdivision on Rushwood Road where a number of new homes were hit. "A lot of homes are completely destroyed brick homes, wood-frame homes, mobile homes," he said. "It's a pretty devastating storm." Most residents in the south- wrapped around the department's four trucks like fabric. Department workers were attempting to remove equipment on Thursday, but Chief Dwayne Worth said the department won't be able to determine the extent of the damage until it arranges to get a crane to lift the steel and metal off the trucks.

"I'm a little disheartened," Worth said. "Twenty years of hard work flash before your tures was the Lawson-Urbana Volunteer Fire Department, the only Class-3 rated rural, volunteer fire department in the state. The crumpled metal shell of the station, built in 1994, almost appeared to be ill LOTTO 4-16-27-32-34-44 Worth: $1.4 million There was no Jackpot winner. Five numbers were picked by 16 players, with each ticket worth $755. Four numbers were picked by 760 players, with each ticket worth $29.

POWERBALL Powerball numbers were not available front the Associated Press Thursday evening. 29. A celebration of Scots poet Robert Burns' birthday. Admission: $25 in advance. Reservations required.

(479) 839-2296 or e-mail www.geocities.comozarkhi ghlanders. 12th annual Greater Springfield Garage Sale, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Jan. 29-30. Admission: $2.50 in advance, $3.50 day of the show. (417) 833-2660.

www.ozarkempirefair.com. Ongoing Events Lewis Clark's Missouri, Discovery Center, Springfield, through Jan. 30. The story of the Corps of Discovery's journey from St. Louis across the continent.

Admission: (417) 862-9910. is an annual celebration of the famous Scots poet Robert Burns' birthday. A traditional Celtic feast will be served in the lovely Crystal Dining Room. There will be Burns' reading, songs and presentation of the Haggis. Admission: TBA.

(479) 253-2255. 12th annual Eagle Watch on Beaver Lake, Eureka Springs, Jan. 28-30. Eagle Watch on the Belle of the Ozarks departs from Rocky Branch Marina at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

each day. Admission: Call for 552-3803 or (479) 253-6200. www.estc.netbelle. Northwest Arkansas Scottish Society and Ozark Highlanders Bagpipe Band's Burns' Night Dinner, Clarion Hotel, Fayetteville, 6 p.m. Jan.

grounds, Mountain Home, 2 p.m. Jan. 15. Music event features Lauren Ellis, The Uncivil Servants, Back Alley Band, Cathead Biscuit and Blue Plate Special. $12 advance, $15 at the door, $10 to all Blues Society of the Ozarks members.

Tickets available at Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce. An Ozark Photo Album, Shiloh Museum, Springdale, Jan. 19. Noon program on the Shiloh Museum's collection of historic photos of Ozark life with Jane-Ellen Murphy, museum librarian. Admission: Free.

(479) 750-8165. www.springdaleark.orgshilo h. Seventh annual Celtic Knot Club's Robert Burns Night, The 1886 Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, Jan. 21. This Here's a look at local and regional happenings this weekend as well as a few upcoming events.

Eagle Awareness Weekend, Bull ShoalsWhite River State Park, Lakeview, Jan. 14-15. Each year, more than 100 bald eagles winter in the Bull Shoals area. Take part in activities centered around the national symbol and other birds of prey. Programs include lake tours, guided bird walks, guest speakers, live bird demonstrations (including a bald eagle) and musical entertainment at Bull Shoals Theater of the Arts.

Programs are free except lake tours. (870) 431-5521. om. Fifth annual Winter Blast of Blues, Baxter County Fair Ivel Grazzini's name was incorrect in the letter to the editor in Thursday's Bulletin concerning the American flag. The Baxter Bulletin strives accuracy and fairness in its reporting.

We will correct errors or misunderstandings in headlines, stories or photographs. Readers may request corrections or clarifications by calling The Bulletin's news department at 508-8050. Debbie Eilis of Woven Treasures proudly announces its MZKCY! PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Baxter County Waterworks Facilities Board is making application to USDA-Rural Development for funds to construct a new wastewater collection system in the Lakeview area. Anyone needing more information about the project or wanting to make comments should contact: Mr. Roger Pitchford, Chairman at the County Judge's office (870) 425-2755 "stop by to register for Basket Weaving I Classes I Open House Thursday, January 13, Friday, January 14 Saturday, January 15 9:00 am to 5:00 pm U72 County Road 714 Gassvillc.

AR 870-430-2057 (Directions from Mm. Home: Take Hny. 17 llwy. 126. first Left at Bookkeeping.

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