RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — FAULKNER COUNTY Construction begins at Mayflower school
MAYFLOWER - The Mayflower School District broke ground on a new project at Mayflower Middle School on July 13.
The $5 million project will include a new science lab, gymnasium, fine arts center and additional classrooms. The two-story building will be as “green” as possible, Superintendent John Gray said.
Hendrix student center LEED certified
CONWAY - Hendrix College’s new $26 million Student Life and Technology Center has been certified as LEED-Gold by the Green Building Certification Institute.
The center is the first building at a college in Arkansas to receive this environmentally friendly distinction, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.
“This is an honor that our entire community will celebrate, recognizing Hendrix’s desire to not only promote Green-friendly initiatives, but to live them through our newest building on campus,” HendrixCollege President Tim Cloyd said. “A tremendous amount of work went into achieving this goal.”
The building houses Student Services offices and provides resources for students, as well as a place to hang out and socialize between classes.
VAN BUREN COUNTY Longtime DHS employee retires
CLINTON - Ed Wood of the Van Buren County Department of Human Services retired June 30 as county administrator after 37 years with the department. Throughout his years with the department, Wood also worked as a caseworker and county director.
Guests from throughout the county attended a reception held in Wood’s honor.
The department, located on Ingram Street in Clinton, is in charge of aiding storm victims throughout the county.
POPE COUNTY Study predicts increase of jobs
RUSSELLVILLE - According to a study completed by Discover Arkansas, which researches the state’s labormarket, manufacturing jobs are projected to increase about 7 percent in west-central Arkansas.
ConAgra and Sugar Creek Foods both added manufacturing employees this year, and growth is expected to continue.
Officials say a Mitsubishi wind-turbine plant in Fort Smith as well as reonvation and expansion of the Nestle' plant there may also have an impact in the River Valley area.
For more information, visit www.discoverarkansas.net.
MAUMELLE Academics Plus names new administrators
MAUMELLE - Rob McGill, new executive director of Academics Plus Charter School, began work early this month and has named his new staff. The high school principal will be Sharon Ward, and Rachel Wheeler will oversee the elementary school.
Ward was previously the assistant principal of the Guy-Perkins School District. Wheeler will come to Academics Plus after serving as principal and preschool director of Mayflower Elementary School.
River Valley Ozark, Pages 63 on 07/22/2010