OFF TRACK: Remember Spencer Clawson of Conway, who competed on last season’s CBS reality show Big Brother?
Clawson, 31, made it as far as one the final three contestants but also was criticized for controversial comments he made on the show, including homophobic remarks, praising Adolf Hitler’s speaking abilities and repeatedly using an obscene word to refer to women. In response, officials with Union Pacific Railroad, where he worked as an engineer in North Little Rock, issued several statements regarding Clawson, who’d taken an unpaid leave of absence to appear on the show.
On July 6, the company stated, “The values represented by Spencer Clawson’s comments during the Big Brother show do not at all align with Union Pacific’s values.”
Union Pacific issued another statement Sept. 18 that said before Clawson would be allowed to return to active duty from his leave, a formal investigation would be held under the terms of a collective-bargaining agreement to determine the facts involving his behavior on the show and online live feeds.
The latest?
“Union Pacific no longer employs Spencer Clawson,” explained the most recent statement, adding, “Consistent with the company’s employment policy and privacy concerns, we do not provide details about personnel matters.”
Since returning home in September, Clawson has tweeted often; his Twitter posts include mentions of his time on the show, the rental property he’s renovating, Halloween photos of him in a chicken suit, and photos with locals who’ve run into him in stores, restaurants and sporting events.
Clawson, contacted by phone Wednesday, asked to be called back later that day. When this columnist did, he didn’t answer.
HIS NEW LIFE: The Monday issue of People magazine has an update on the two sons of country singer Mindy McCready, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Feb. 17 at her Heber Springs home.
Both boys, Zander and Zayne, spent four months in foster care in Arkansas.
The article includes photos of Zander, now 7, at his new home in Tampa, Fla., with his father Billy McKnight, who was awarded full custody in July, and his stepmother Corey Rena.
The McKnights live 150 miles from Zander’s half brother Zayne.
Zayne was 19 months old when McCready died a month after his father, David Wilson, died of a gunshot wound. Zayne now lives with McCready’s cousin, but the family maintains a relationship between the boys and they visit regularly.
MEATY SUBJECT: Morrilton-based Petit Jean Meats’ EZ Carve Smoked Ham is being spotlighted in Food Network magazine’s December holiday issue in a feature highlighting one food gift from each of the 50 states. The article explains that Petit Jean Meats, founded 85 years ago by the Ruff family, hickory smokes the boneless hams for at least 16 hours.
Contact Linda S. Haymes at (501)399-3636 or lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
Arkansas, Pages 15 on 12/01/2013