Hot Springs considers purchase of Majestic Hotel property
Thursday, July 2nd, 2015, 3:13pm
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.
19-year-old Malvern man struck, killed by vehicle
Submitted by THV 11 News Staff
SALINE COUNTY, Ark. (KTHV) - A 19-year-old from Malvern died Wednesday night after being struck by a vehicle.
According to the Arkansas State Police Preliminary Fatal Crash Summary, Austin Walker was crossing Interstate 30 near the 118 mile marker around 5:30 p.m., when a vehicle traveling west bound struck him.
Bill Sadler with Arkansas State Police said Caleb Collins, 26, is incarcerated at the Saline County Jail. He is charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle involving injury or death.
Sadler said Collins was also issued a violator citation for driving with a suspended license.
The Charlie Daniels Band to celebrate July 4 at Magic Springs
Submitted by Magic Springs on Wednesday, July 1st, 3:40 pm
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Southern country legend Charlie Daniels will be celebrating the Fourth of July with his band at Magic Springs' Timberwood Amphitheater in Hot Springs.
Performances will begin at 3 p.m. with country singer Blane Howard followed by Hot Springs native Aaron Owens at 7 p.m., leaving the Charlie Daniels Band at 8 p.m.
Charles Edward "Charlie" Daniels is an American musician, singer and songwriter known for his contributions to country and southern rock music. He is best known for his No. 1 country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and "The South's Gonna Do It Again." He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2008 and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009. Daniels won the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," which reached No. 3 on the Hot 100.
Where you can & can't set off fireworks in central Ark.
Sunday, June 28th, 2015, 8:30pm
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - With the fourth of July fast approaching, it would be good to know where in central Arkansas you can light your fireworks.
Here are some of the cities where you can and can't shoot off your pyrotechnics:
Keeney's: Malvern's hidden gem
Friday, June 26th, 2015, 8:56pm
MALVERN, Ark. (KTHV) - If you visit Malvern and ask the locals for a good place to eat, chances are, they'll point you in the direction of Keeney's.
It's a place with deep roots in the community where everyone knows your name.
During lunchtime at CK Keeney's restaurant in Malvern, the menu is just as full as the restaurant.
"We make this gravy from scratch in a skillet."
Locals know this is a great place to get a down-home meal, at a bargain price. Keeney's feeds as many as 150 people for lunch in a small space.
If you call Keeney's to place a to-go order like so many in Malvern do, you'll probably speak with Maureen, CK's wife of 60 years. She keeps the store running by bagging orders, counting change, and sending customers on their way with her small-town charm.
THV in your Town: Puttin' on the Ritz in Malvern
MALVERN, Ark. (KTHV) - In downtown Malvern, a small town theater is trying to keep the past alive. According to owner Marla Nix, it's the second oldest movie theater operating in state of Arkansas.
The Ritz Theater opened in 1938. In 1947, a fire did $125,000 worth of damage. It was an astronomical figure at the time, but a year later it reopened and has been playing Hollywood hits ever since.
"This was my second job...I've been here for 32 years now" says Nix.
Once part of a national theater group, it was sold in favor of larger cities with multiplex theaters. Marla nix and her husband Marty bought the Ritz to keep it open for the community.
"When the only industry for entertainment leaves, the community usually suffered, and I didn't want to see Malvern suffer. I wanted to see the town that I was raised in continue to thrive."
Science with Sarah: What makes a brick car go fast?
MALVERN, Ark. (KTHV) - THV11's Sarah Fortner caught up with a 4th grade expert on brickcars in Malvern to see how she could win the 22nd annual Brickcar Derby.
Watch the video for more!