22 States Threaten Secession
By: Jay Dillon
Updated: November 13, 2012
Arkansas is joining the list of 22 states requesting secession from the United States. None of the petitions explicitly cite Obama's reelection as a reason for independence but all were created after last week's elections. Most of the petitions simply quote the Declaration of Independence in their request to depart the country. Petitions on the site need at least 25,000 signatures within 30 days to become eligible for an official response from the white house. So far, more than 13,000 people have signed the Arkansas petition. The chances of it happening are not good: in 1866 President Andrew Johnson signed a proclamation saying no state has a right or power to separate from the union.
It was a rough Monday morning for some Benton County homeowners after an early morning house fire. Three fire departments responded to a home just off Twin Coves Road near the Rocky Branch area around 7:00 a.m. Neighbors called emergency responders who worked to get the flames under control. According to the Fire Marshal it appears the flames came from the utility room. Fortunately no one was hurt.
As the winter months approach, now is a good time to remind you to stay safe this winter. Firefighters say things like gas space heaters should never be used in the home, due to the possibility of carbon monoxide building up. Keep extension cords to a minimum, they too, can become a fire hazard. If you have a fireplace, have a chimney sweep clean it out. If you use the fireplace a lot, be sure to use dry wood.
Turpentine Creek is taking on their largest rescue ever from a home right here in Arkansas. They're trying to save 34 cats, that's 30 tigers, two leopards and two cougars. The owner runs River Glen Tiger Sanctuary in Mountainburg, but she's in poor health and called Turpentine Creek for help. The rescue figures it will cost $200,000 to take in all the cats and that's money it just doesn't have.
The University of Arkansas marking the Veterans holiday with a re-dedication at the school's new memorial flagpole. Monday's ceremony was held in honor of military members and victims of the September 11th attacks. The flagpole features plaques honoring five University of Arkansas alumni who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Speakers shared each man's story at the re-dedication.
Good news as a big travel weekend approaches, gas prices continue to slide. According to arkansasgasprices.com, the state average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.17. That's five cents cheaper than last week and well below the national average of $3.46. Click here to check out gas prices near you.






