Ex-Arkansas judge should start prison sentence

EL DORADO – Local residents are invited to join the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society from 6 until 8 p.m. today, “as we celebrate local author Dr. Ken Bridges’ release of his newly published book, “In An Arkansas Minute – The Collected History Minute Columns,” said Jack Wilson, business manager for the historical society.

In 2013 Bridges, after encouragement from a friend, began writing a newspaper column to highlight the deeds of prominent figures in the history of South Arkansas to educate the public. This column was titled “History Minute,” as it was designed to be read in about one minute and first published in the South Arkansas Leader in February 2013.

Soon other newspapers around the state became interested in publishing the “History Minute” so Bridges began including stories from all over the state of Arkansas and now his column can be found in the El Dorado News-Times and in 42 newspapers in all corners of the state, from Fayetteville to Heber Springs to Jonesboro to Lake Village to Ashdown, and a Spanish-language translation in Little Rock’s “El Latino.”

Bridges said, “In my history classes, I often tell my students that you often never stop to think of the history that is in your own back yard. And Arkansas has a long and rich history, from Johnny Cash to Bill Clinton to Hernando de Soto. This book is a collection of Arkansas stories, taken from the History Minute column appearing in newspapers across the state. Arkansas love good stories, which is where the seeds for the column were planted. ” Bridges is a professor of history and geography at South Arkansas Community College.

The celebration will be held in the administrative offices of the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society, 412 E. Faulkner. Refreshments will be served and Bridges will be available to talk about his book. The SAHPS maintains the Newton House Museum located at 501 N. Jackson in El Dorado. The Newton House was constructed circa 1849 and is a premier example of antebellum Greek revival architecture. Tours are available and may be arranged by calling 870-862-9890 or stop by the office any day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. Membership forms are available at www.soarkhistory. com. Be sure to like the Newton House Museum on Facebook.

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — A federal prosecutor says a former Arkansas circuit judge's bribery conviction should be affirmed and his prison sentence should begin.

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette a court document released Monday also says a federal appeals court should also revoke former Faulkner County Circuit Court Judge Michael Maggio's appeal bond because he "cannot demonstrate a 'substantial question or law or fact'" that should keep him from going to prison as previously scheduled.

Assistant U.S. attorney Julie Peters also wrote in the court document that the federal government could file "other, more serious, charges" against Maggio.

Maggio was accused of accepting $50,000 two days before reducing a jury award against that company from $5.2 million to $1 million. He pleaded guilty in January 2015 in a Little Rock district court and admitted that he accepted campaign donations from an unidentified nursing home owner and a lobbyist in exchange for lowering the jury award.

Maggio later filed an appeal of his conviction, saying that he should be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and two years of supervised release.

Maggio remains free while the appeal of his conviction is pending. His response to the government's filling is due Monday.