Baxter Bulletin from Mountain Home, Arkansas • 3

THE BAXTER BULLETIN. Mountain Homo. Ark. Pago 3A Saturday. January 23, 1999 38 TORNADOES HIT THE STATE 920 HOMES DAMAGED 24 COUNTIES REPORT DAMAGE Huckabee: God spared an even greater disaster By DAVID A.

LIEB Associated Press Writer CIcra briefs By The Associated Fityltv tornado louchad down Arkama and Tannaaa Trmmlay letting January raoord in sat 24 hour, Amar-lean had Ctdm raponad Thursday tornadoes luHad gM paopta. mcfcjdng on butry baaba Ark last yaar, 1i8 parx dwd Irani turnadua. hghat numbar 24 yaa's Tha prsvious January record of S2 tornadoes, hi sat 1'S The var9 amount el tornadoes si January 47. th organua-on said. Tna latast storm combned mfh ton, does Rtet eental and aeatam TannaaiHMi Sunday bongs ti total tor January to 101.

Trwry-et tomadoa hit Arkansas Thursday, ta Had Cros raportad Victim ot waak tomadoes may be akytwa tor tu breaks I Ihay hava lost property Gov take Huckabe Fndsy. Damaged tames, oar, buildings and macrnna-y are oorwhdeied caauaHy tosaa tor stats Income purposes Slate law asows uu payer declared disaster areas to deduct casualty losses on ts year's or next year return The tiling dst tor tos who qualify tor tw darJucsons also has been extended urns' Aug. 15, 1090 Taxpayers should write 1a-asier Tornado on th mailing envelop to axsedne procaesmg Other houses were flattened, and many had large trees lying across them. Toward the city's downtown, a red Harvest Foods sign was the only recognizable remnant amid the rubble, where a grocery store pharmacist was killed. The sign on a largely intact Pizza Hut read "izza ut." Huckabee flew twice into Beebe, once in the morning and again in the afternoon after gazing down on spotty damage in Velvet Ridge and Newark, and grimly concluding "Beebe, by far, is the hardest The tornado touched down in the southwest edge of Beebe, killing cows and destroying schools, and grew from a two-block width to a five-block width as it ate up houses, churches and businesses and spit their remains out on the northeast edge of town.

It then tore through nearby McRae. In the hardest hit blocks of town, homes were wiped clean off their slabs. Huckabee trudged through the remains, saying "I'm so sorry" over and over again, and stared at amazement at Emmett Parker's 100-year-old house. The front walla were missing, leaving the second floor hanging precariously over the exposed living room and den, where an artificial Christmas tree still had all its ornaments. "It hurts to see beautiful homes like this gone," said Huckabee, putting his arm around Parker.

"Thank the Lord we can BEKBE (AP) Touring the tornado damage in Arkansas, Gov. Mike Huckabee expressed sorrow Friday for the loss of lives and property damage but called it a miracle that so many and so much had been spared. "As tragic as it is to have seven fatalities, it is an extraordinary miracle that we didn't have ten times that number" the governor said after walking through wreckage in Beebe. People were providentially spared. We have to give credit to God." Huckabee also credited an advance warning system that state Office of Emergency Services Director Bud Harper said appeared to work as it was intended.

Seven Arkansans were killed when tornadoes hit Thursday before rolling into Tennessee and the Gulf states. Twenty-four of Arkansas' 75 counties reported damage, including 920 homes. The worst was concentrated in Pulaski and White counties. The governor declared 16 counties disaster areas. The governor flew by helicopter from Little Rock to Saline County to survey the damage from the air.

From there, he flew over south Little Rock, where a tornado carved a path through a residential neighborhood, lifting the top floors off numerous houses leaving a bird's eye view of wind-wrecked bedrooms. Thursdas tomadoes damaged tames si Arkanaa. sioXxang 308 si Una Rock, tie state Ottos of Emergency Ser-Moas reported Friday Twanty-rjur eounaa reoortad damage from tw storm Thirteen )unactions have declared tocal amergencia and requested AP PhOtO Reiman Diles of Beebe removes debris from his tornado-damaged home in downtown Beebe Friday. Tor idoes hit parts of Arkansas late Thursday. nadoes hit parts About 40,000 people throughout the cut were without power Friday, th omce reported.

Twenty-two people hurt tot tomadoe Thursday rght we treated with minor trwjne at two Si Vincent hospital Use Rock, the hospital reported Friday Twenty-two reioents from Ouapaw Ouster Nursing Center war relocated to St Vtnoent Doctor HospM when tha center wa damaged One resident was taken to St Vincent Inarmary Medical Canter. St Vtnoent ato began provKftng meat to vtctjms of tt tornadoes through the Wstershed Proect, a oommuntty outreach program. Nm hundred Beebe residents tost phone service when telephone anas war knocked down during Thursday's tornadoes. Southwestern Be reported Fnday. State University-Beebe farm adjacent to the school.

The governor was visibly stunned. The tornado in Little Rock, it had obviously skipped around. But here, it hit the ground and stayed. This is a lot worse than what we thought. This is terrible." where the Beebe Badgers were to play Atkins on Thursday, was destroyed down to the court.

The game was canceled shortly before the twister arrived. Junior high teacher Andy O'Mara told Huckabee he had found a pig's ear nearby, apparently blown from an Arkansas walk away and forget it," said Parker, 67, who had huddled with his family in the basement and emerged unharmed. The Beebe high school and the just-completed $2.5 million junior high were hit hard. The walla and roof of the junior high were blown into classrooms. The high school gym, Storms overwhelm Arkansas counties, damage 'unbelievable' Gov.

Mike Huckabee was dining at a nearby home when the storm hit; he and his family were fine. "I'm going out to help my neighbors," he said. Tornado warnings were issued for more than half of the state's 75 counties, and some were warned five, six or seven times. National Weather Service meteorologist George Wilken said that more than two dozen individual tornadoes touched down in the state overnight. Survey teams were in the field all day Friday, he said.

"It swept everything up," said Lulynn, his daughter. The Little Rock storm passed through a section of town that includes some of the city's oldest homes. Trees, some 100 years old, were felled by the tornado. "It was a real one, in the sky and coming down. Black and white.

So many different colors," said Michelle Johnson, describing the tornado after it hit the Harvest Foods store. The storm that hit Little Rock began southwest of the city, passed near the state's Fair Grounds and entered a res idential area that includes the Governor's Mansion and the Harvest Foods. Trees were damaged at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion, including one that still held a tree house built for Chelsea Clinton when her father was governor. "The fact that the Governor's Mansion where Hillary and I raised Chelsea for 12 years was actually in the path of the storm made it all the more real to me," President Clinton said. "We are deeply committed to doing everything we can to help the people there recover." said.

At Center Hill. Searcy school board member Wanda Wilson died when she her mobile home was hit, Superintendent Tony Wood said. A neighbor said Mrs. Wilson was killed shortly after telling her son that she was fine. South of Searcy, a body was found after the sun rose Friday morning, said Lt.

Bill Lindsey of the White County sheriffs office. "We're just lucky to be alive," Kelton Keathley said after a tornado scraped most of his lot clean in Beebe. STORMSFrom Page 1A eery store just south of downtown Little Rock collapsed inward while 15 or so customers shopped inside. Stallworth was on the soda pop and bottled water aisle when he hit the floor. Once the storm passed it only took seconds, he said he helped pull other shoppers to safety.

Firefighters used scent-seeking dogs to make sure no one was lost. "Some aisles you couldn't even see down," Stallworth said. Little Rock police Lt. John Hutchinson said Robert Howars, 67, a pharmacist at the supermarket, died Friday morning at a Little Rock hospital of injuries suffered in the building's collapse. Utility companies said the storms left 75,000 without power.

Lisa Jacko, 34, of Little Rock was killed when a tree fell on her car and James Looper, 63, of North Little Rock died after a tree fell on his trailer. At Beebe, Flo Taylor, in her 50s, was found dead at her home; Kirk McAfee, the 2-month-old son of a firefighter, was found outside his home, authorities mm 4 TOe io ktxve something evettfone! Friday Night Seafood Buffet Saturday Night Prime Rib Lunch Evening Specials BRASS LURE Karaoke Jan. 30th told to contact the prosecuting attorney to file charges. Mailbox, Dumpster hit Mike Davis of Mountain Home told police that between 4:45 and 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, a white truck knocked down his mailbox and trash Dumpster.

He said this was the second time that has happened. According to the report, there was a suspect in the case who was being notified to report the police department. Tire taken Mountain Home Police received a report of a tire being stolen from a car parked at Baxter County Regional Hospital. According to the report, Elizabeth Smith of Yel-lville left her car parked in the front lot at the hospital at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

When she returned to the car after midnight, she found the vehicle with the rear axle on a block of wood and the left rear tire missing. The tire was valued at $300. number of instruments from the residence of Bill Willett on Highway 201 South. According to a report from the Sheriffs Department, items taken included two 1950s Gibson guitars, one valued at $2,500 to $3,000 and the other valued at about $350; a 1950s Harmony guitar valued at $400; a Peevey electric guitar valued at $800 to $900; a handmade fiddle valued at $500; a tenor saxophone in a case valued at $200; a bayonet made in Brazil in 1891 valued at $50; a 400 day clock valued at $150; an old Jack-in-the-box toy valued at $125; tools valued at a total of $68; a .22 rifle valued at $200; and various other decorative items. Object thrown at truck Jeff Whisenant of Mountain Home told police that while he was stopped on Highway 62 East in front of Hardees Wednesday afternoon, someone drove by and threw a rock or other type of object at his truck, causing minor -damage.

A suspect was named in the case. Whisenant was his residence. He said when he returned home from work Wednesday, he discovered the following items were missing: a cellular phone valued at $100; a chainsaw valued at $280; a CD player valued at $40; a CD adapter valued at $10; a 60-foot wooden ladder valued at $50 and a handheld phone valued at $15. The sheriffs office report indicated there is a suspect in the case. Missing windows John Miskelley of The Bait-Man Shop on Highway 5 North reported the theft of $6,500 worth of windows from the shop.

He said the windows were in a trailer that had been covered up. When the trailer was moved, it was discovered the middle row of windows was missing. Taken were 27 3x5 white windows, a report from the Sheriffs Office said. Instruments taken Sheriffs deputies are investigating the recent theft of several items, including a Fishing equipment stolen The Baxter County Sheriffs Office is investigating the theft of fishing equipment from boats at the Lakeview Marina. Roy J.

Mehring told deputies Wednesday that someone had taken the following items from the compartments of his boat: Fishing line valued at dock line valued at assorted baits valued at $180; four rods valued at a total of $237; two reels valued at a total of $147; a search light valued at $25 and a tackle box valued at $22. Sheriffs Deputy Bob Dickerson is investigating the theft of items from John Markin's boat at the marina. Markin discovered the following items missing on Dec. 31: 5 rods with reels valued at $450; Eagle Claw rod; Pinnacle Vision reel; Shakespeare open face reel and Shimano open face reel. Theft from residence Dee Castler of near Mountain Home reported the theft of several items from Big Screen TV, Free Appetizers Snacks served during Pre-Game the Main Event Gassville, AR (870) 415-2288 lii DO YOU MMJE THE TIME? BETTER TIME MANAGEMENT could be one of your New Year's Resolutions! Big Sky Airlines helps you manage your travel time with convenient flights every day to St.

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