PUZZLING DEVELOPMENT: A scandal -- dubbed Gridgate -- recently unfolded within the professional crossword-puzzle world. Oliver Roeder, a senior writer and puzzle editor for website "FiveThirtyEight" alleged in a March 4 article that Timothy Parker, longtime crossword editor for USA Today and Universal Syndicate, committed plagiarism by publishing puzzles that were strikingly similar to years-old New York Times ones. Parker, who responded that the similarities were a coincidence, temporarily stepped down pending an investigation by Universal Uclick, the company that owns the rights to USA Today's puzzles.
Roeder speaks at noon today in the Clinton School of Public Service's Sturgis Hall during the ninth annual Arkansas Puzzle Day held in conjunction with the Arkansas Literary Festival.
Another local connection? Following Parker's exit, former Washington Post crossword puzzle editor Fred Piscop became interim editor. He and three other puzzle authors -- including Little Rock Traffic Judge Vic Fleming -- are supplying puzzles to USA Today and Universal Syndicate.
"Oliver's article has resulted in my having a short-term, rather frantic crossword gig," Fleming tells Paper Trails. "Thirteen puzzles per week are being churned out by four people." Fleming, who normally creates about two puzzles a week, has been doing about four a week for about a month.
After Roeder's presentation today, crossword and Sudoku contests begin at 1 p.m. for those of all skill levels. The event is free, but reservations are suggested. To make them, email publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu or call (501) 683-5239.
KEEPING PACE: Original Sun Studio recording artists Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers keep a full schedule. The band, with members in their 70s and 80s, plays a festival in London (yes, England) on May 3. Back home, the group will host a free concert and party at the Newport Country Club from 8-10 p.m. May 28 to celebrate Burgess' 87th (!) birthday. The band then will be filmed at Memphis' Sun Studio (airing later on PBS) and has a new Nashville-produced album, Ain't Got a Thing, set for a summer release.
ACTOR'S DETOUR: Little Rock transplant Judge Reinhold currently guest stars as a scruffy garage mechanic in TBS' new series, The Detour. The first episode featuring Reinhold initially aired last Monday; the second one airs at 8 p.m. tomorrow.
LENDING HIS VOICE: Arkansan Barrett Baber, one of the three finalists of NBC's most recent season of The Voice, and his song, "Somethin' Bout the Summertime" are among those in Coca-Cola's latest "Share a Coke" ad campaign.
LOCAL STORY: The Dateline NBC episode on the disappearance and murder of Pulaski County real estate agent Beverly Carter, originally to air in March, is on at 9 p.m. today. Arron Lewis of Jacksonville, convicted in her death in January, is serving life in prison.
Contact Linda S. Haymes at (501) 399-3636 or lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
SundayMonday on 04/17/2016