The Ritz Theater at risk of losing first-run releases

Submitted by Marielle Mohs, Social Media Reporter

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015, 5:57pm

MALVERN, Ark. (KTHV) - The Ritz Theatre in Malvern is one of the only historic theaters in the state that offers new release movies on their opening day.

But after the latest "Terminator" film flopped in ticket sales, Paramount Pictures is keeping a closer watch on the theater.

The theater is the second oldest theater in the state, and after opening in 1938, it has provided opening day movies for multiple generations across the state.

"The Ritz is a very important part of our culture," said Nikki Launius, with the Malvern Chamber of Commerce.

It's history that the city of Malvern would hate to lose.

"It's nostalgic," said theater owner Marla Nix, who even met her husband at the theatre.

"We always kind of joked of it as 'love at the Ritz,'" said Nix.

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Loverboy and Lita Ford set for July 25 at Magic Springs

Submitted by Magic Springs on Thursday, July 16th, 2:09 pm

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Loverboy and Lita Ford will take the stage on Saturday, July 25 at Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater in Hot Springs. The show begins at 8 p.m.

LOVERBOY

Loverboy is a Canadian rock group who accumulated numerous hit songs, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records.

The band's hit singles, particularly "Turn Me Loose" and "Working for the Weekend," have become arena rock staples and are heard on classic rock and classic hits radio stations today. They are currently based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Artist website: loverboyband.com

LITA FORD

Lita Ford is a British-American rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, who was the lead guitarist for The Runaways in the late 1970’s before embarking on a solo career in the 1980’s.

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Submitted by Holly Nicole Morrison, Digital Content Producer

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015, 3:40pm

Month long railroad safety initiative in central Arkansas

BENTON, Ark. (KTHV) - Members of Central Arkansas Operation Impact Traffic Enforcement Group will conduct a month long traffic initiative focusing on railroad crossing safety and pedestrians trespassing on railroad property in August.

According to national non-profit organization Operation Lifesaver, a vehicle or person is hit by a train every three hours in the U.S. Arkansas was ranked number 15 in a list of states that have the highest percentage of rail grade collisions in the United States. These same statistics show that 73 percent of all highway-rail crossing fatalities for 2014 occurred in just 15 states, again with Arkansas in the list ranked at 14.

For the month of August, officials will be enforcing the rules regarding railroad safety. Lt. Curtis Wood with Central Arkansas Operation Impact Traffic Enforcement stated that anyone who tries to risk their life trying to beat an approaching train they will be cited.

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Submitted by Holly Nicole Morrison, Digital Content Producer

Wednesday, July 8th, 2015, 2:40pm

BENTON, Ark. (CADC) - Central Arkansas Development Council is currently accepting applications for the summer regular Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) utility assistance with mass intake days that begin July 6, 2015.

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Submitted by Holly Nicole Morrison, Digital Content Producer

Wednesday, July 8th, 2015, 2:17pm

Man dies after driving into parked logging truck

BENTON, Ark. (KTHV) - A man died Monday morning after crashing his van into a parked logging truck in Benton.

Bradley Becker, 65, was traveling near the intersection of Edison Ave. and Third Street Monday, July 8 around 8:45 a.m., when he reportedly veered off the roadway and struck the rear of a nearby parked logging truck.

Becker was transported to Saline Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries.

The Benton Police Department is still investigating the details behind the crash.

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Celebrate The Word Weekend features top Christian acts July 10 and 11

Submitted by Magic Springs on Wednesday, July 8th, 2:00 pm

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Magic Springs) - Sidewalk Prophets and Newsong will perform Friday, July 10, and Newsboys will take the stage Saturday, July 11, at Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater in Hot Springs. The shows begins at 8 p.m.

Friday, July 10

Sidewalk Prophets is a contemporary Christian music band from Nashville, Tennessee. Their album “These Simple Truths” contained the single "The Words I Would Say", which is also featured on WOW Hits 2010 and WOW Hits 2011. The group won the 2010 GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year.

Artist website: sidewalkprohets.com

Newsong is an American contemporary Christian music group founded in 1981, at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia. They have had eight GMA Dove Award nominations. They are the founders of the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, the United States' largest annual Christian music tour.

Saturday, July 11

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Submitted by Holly Nicole Morrison, Digital Content Producer

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015, 2:13pm

Hot Springs considers purchase of Majestic Hotel property

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.— The City of Hot Springs, on Thursday, July 2, will consider approving purchase of the site of the historic Majestic Hotel, part of which was destroyed by fire February 27-28, 2014.

“The property, which is the entryway to Hot Springs from the north and which serves as the gateway to the city’s historic downtown district, is key to ongoing plans for the redevelopment of the downtown area,” said David Watkins, Hot Springs’ city manager. “Acquisition of this property presents an enormous array of great opportunities on several fronts.”

The rubble of the destroyed portion of the hotel has remained since the night of the fire. Ongoing talks with owner Gary Hassenflu of Kansas City had proven unsuccessful in getting the rubble cleared and remediating the unsafe condition of the remaining portion of the buildings. The Hot Springs Board of Directors condemned the property in March of this year.

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