Don’t Be Stupid

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died while serving in the American military.  Most will take time this weekend to remember the true meaning of the holiday, and most people will be enjoying the 3-day weekend it provides.

I have a friend with kids…they have one rule in their house: don’t be stupid.  It’s a rule we should all abide by, especially when having summer fun.

Memorial weekend is often thought of as the first weekend of the summer, even though summer doesn’t officially start until mid June.  Many, like me, will be heading to a local water way to enjoy the long weekend.  Right now water temperatures at Beaver Lake are in the low 60′s and that’s likely to rise as the temperatures stay warm for the next few days. 

If you are going to spend time on the lake or a river, make sure you have a life jacket…and for goodness sake, if you are in a boat at night, make sure you turn your navigation lights on.  So many deadly boating accidents happen at night because boaters aren’t using their lights.  Before you even launch, make sure they work.

Also, wear your life jacket.  Why in the world would you go 70 mph in a bass boat without some sort of protection? 

Basically, just don’t be stupid.  Don’t drink and drive this weekend and follow the rules.

Melissa

Memorial Day Weekend

Many of our viewers have been commenting on our facebook page about their Memorial Day plans. Some are headed to the lake, others will be camping, while many will be remembering those who died serving o9ur country.

We still would like to hear from you. What are your plans? Do you have any special family traditions on the holiday?

E-mail us at news@4029tv.com or join our facebook fan page at facebook.com.

Have a great weekend!

Bill Halter is a maniac

In the 25 hours leading up to and on Tuesdays primary, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate will be all over Arkansas, shaking hands and kissin’  babies for 25 hours straight.

From 6:30am Monday to 7:30am Tuesday, Halter will be stumping for last minute votes from West Memphis to Ft. Smith.

If you’re in our viewing area, Halter will be in Fayetteville at 8pm Monday night at his campaign headquarters for a rally, in Ft. Smith at 9:45 at the Teamsters Union Hall on Phoenix Avenue, an then, apparently thinking he’ll need a quick protein boost to make it through this schedule, a stop at Denny’s at 10pm.

Blanche Lincoln, on the other hand, not quite as ambitious in the hours leading up to the primary. But to out-do Halter on this one, she would need to clone herself. So there’s that.

Anyway, the incumbent will be in other parts of the Natural State today. Stops in Mountain Home, Marion, Jonesboro and Paragould are on the schedule.

Whoever you’re voting for, get out and exercise your rights.

Derek

Get off the couch….

And get outside!

This Saturday, April 17th, is the Second Annual Lake Fayetteville Outdoor Festival. There will be tons of stuff to do, including guided bike rides, guided hikes, free kayaking fishing demonstration, rock climbing disc golf inflatables and much more.

This was a very succesful event, last year and organizers are hoping for an even bigger turnout this year. So grab the kids, the dog, whatever, and make your way to Lake Fayetteville this Saturday.

Derek

Recycle Opportunity in NWA

Recycling: It’s not just for paper or plastics anymore.

This week is your chance to recycle old electronic items including tv’s, computers, printers, copiers, stereos, microwaves, cell phones and game systems. 

These items, known as e-waste, often contain hazardous materials inside and proper disposal is important.  E-waste usually contains high levels of lead, which is certainly toxic, and something no one wants seeping into our groundwater.

So here are this weeks dates for you to help yourself and the environment.

Thursday, April 15 Noon-6pm

Friday, April 16  Noon-6pm

Saturday, April 17th 9am-Noon.

The event is being held at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, and if you need any more information, please call Robyn Reed, Director of  Washington County Environmental Affairs and Recycling @ 479-444-1725.

Derek

Nona Dirksmeyer

I don’t know if it’s because I too went to Arkansas Tech University or if it’s because she was just a little younger than me…but I’ve always kept close tabs on what happens in the Nona Dirksmeyer case. 

Nona was a student at Tech in 2005 when she was found murdered in her Russellville apartment.  Nona was beautiful, in fact she was a beauty queen.  Her murder was shocking.  It was brutal and somewhat out of the ordinary for Russellville, a mostly quiet college community. 

Her boyfriend, Kevin Jones, was first accused and arrested for her death.  He stood trial but was acquitted in 2007. 

Now another man is on trial.  His name is Gary Dunn and he was Nona’s neighbor.  His murder trial started today. Prosecutors will argue that genetic evidence links Dunn to the crime scene.  Today in court, Dunn’s council said that Dunn was innocent and that Jones was the killer. 

This is a trial that could take a couple of weeks.  40/29 News will follow every step.  Like many of you, I’m anxious for this unsolved murder to be solved. 

Melissa 

Spring Cleaning

On my way in this morning it was in the 30′s, but meteorologist Patrick Crawford assures me the weekend will be nice.  I’m going to spend the weekend doing some spring cleaning.  I live in Fayetteville and this Saturday the city is holding a bulky waste clean up day.  On Saturday the 10th, you can take large items to either the Elks Lodge on Crossover or to Vandergriff Elementary.  All you need to bring is a copy of your water bill to prove that you actually live in the city.

I have everything from an old patio umbrella pole that Buddy destroyed to some boards that need to be trashed.  Once I deal with getting the garage cleaned out…I’ll move inside.

Many of you know…I’m pretty cheap and I’ve recently noticed how much cleaning supplies have gone up!  I used to use those fancy swiffers, but those are nearly 5-bucks a box!  I’m going to share with you some cheap ways to clean your house without spending so much money.  I’d rather take extra time to whip up a home-made cleaner than spend 5-bucks on a brand name.

–You can make your own spray cleaner by filling a spray bottle with 3 tablespoons ammonia, 1 tablespoon vinegar and the rest water.

– Dust your blinds by putting an old sock around a stick or a ruler.

– Use newspaper to shine your windows…this also works great on car windows.

– If you have a glass door in your shower, vinegar will make it shine and if your mirrors look dull–rubbing alcohol will help.

–  In the kitchen vinegar can also make your appliances shine–especially if the appliances are stainless steel.

– Run a load of hot water and bleach or hot water and vinegar through your washer to get it clean.

Since you’re doing so much work to your house during your spring cleaning event…make sure you check the batteries in your smoke detector and change the filter in your A/C unit.

– Melissa

  

Your Flowers Are Going To Need A Blanket

On Monday I took some time to plant flowers in my pots on the front porch.  I’m still working to get the dirt out from under my fingernails.  It’s a minor price to pay for a pretty front porch.

I’ve been watering them every day and anxiously waiting for them to get big and strong. 

This morning when I backed out of my garage at 2 a.m. my trusty car thermometer read 44-degrees.  It was a reminder to me that the 40/29 meteorologists say we could get a visit from Jack Frost tomorrow morning. 

If you’ve already planted some flowers or veggies, grab a sheet or a bucket to cover your plants.  Three years ago I jumped the gun and planted my garden too early.  Spring fever got ahold of me and I planted in March.  It was dumb and I learned a lesson.  Even though I covered the plants, the weather got the best of them.  I lost them all…and about $20 dollars in plants.  I now wait until the second weekend in April to plant my garden.  Sometimes even that’s a little too soon…but I just can’t wait any longer to get the veggies in the ground.

When I was a kid my dad would cover plants with big sheets of plastic when there was a spring freeze warning, but I’ve since learned from gardening experts that that’s not the best way to cover plants.  The experts say use a sheet or hay to keep the frost off the petals.  Apparently plastic can trap cold air inside the covering and do more damage.

Happy gardening…and hey, if you have pretty flowers or a garden in your yard…I want to see your pictures.  While you’re on 4029tv.com, upload your spring pictures to the Think Spring section of uLocal.

Melissa

Walking For A Cause

Derek and I will be walking for a cause this Saturday at the 2010 Northwest Arkansas Heart Walk.  This is the second year for us to emcee the event and we’re both excited about the event. 

This year it’s being held at Arvest Stadium in Springdale and it begins at 9 in the morning.  Derek and I will be there early, so rise and shine for a quick visit with us…I hope to see you there.

Melissa

Shredding Day

I just got home from the 40/29 News Shredding Event and I wanted to thank everyone who stopped by with documents.  I worked the Rogers event and I know the lines were long, but I’m glad everyone was able to safely destroy important documents. 

We normally do the Shredding Event twice a year–May and November.  We will see you again in the spring. 

Melissa