Overheard

A man who allegedly stole ammunition and clothing earlier this month from a Nashville, Tenn., Bass Pro Shops store jumped into a nearby river to flee security officers at Opry Mills Mall. After he dumped the stolen items into his car, mall security chased down the thief until he dove into the fast-moving Cumberland River. Turns out, the man knew what he was doing. He’s been identified as a Navy sailor, according to a report in The Tennessean. After immediate searches by helicopter and boat came up empty, authorities discovered the car was registered to the U.S. government and assigned by the Navy for use by five sailors on leave. The Tennessean said police detectives and the Navy’s criminal investigations division are working to identify the suspect through surveillance photos.

Pledge to be Green

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is challenging its members to take responsibility for the way their business affects the environment. Through its Partnership for Sustainability Initiative, more than 2,000 chamber members are asked to sign a pledge to commit to three environmental solutions. The pledge says: 1. We will assess our own organization’s practices affecting the environment and make improvements where feasible in our own operations. 2. We will collaborate with other members of the Partnership for Sustainability Initiative and take actions, jointly and individually, to help the community support sound policies that apply to sustainability. 3. We will help grow and strengthen the Partnership for Sustainability Initiative by sharing progress and lessons learned. Take the pledge at www.springfieldchamber.com, or e-mail marynorman@partnershipforsustainability.com for more information.

To the Rescue

Ozarks Community Hospital – formerly Doctors Hospital – reopened Gravette Medical Center in northwest Arkansas last week. The hospital in small-town Gravette, Ark., closed for financial reasons under previous ownership in 2005. Ozarks Community Hospital bought the facility last year and initially will operate 25 inpatient beds and a 24-hour emergency room.

Only Missouri ESOP

Phelps County Bank in Rolla was the only Missouri-based business to receive The ESOP Association’s Silver Award earlier this month. The national trade association for companies with employee stock-ownership plans recognized the work of 129 of its corporate members with 25 years or more of offering ESOPs. “As these companies have clearly shown,” association President J. Michael Keeling said, “sharing wealth with employee owners creates greater economic prosperity and strengthens our free enterprise economy.”

Slice of Nice

The Springfield Regional Arts Council is seeking volunteers for its 28th annual Artsfest, May 3–4 in downtown Springfield. The event features booths for more than 100 artists and stages for entertainers along Walnut Street, between National Avenue and John Q. Hammons Parkway. The variety of volunteer tasks includes working soda stands, running messages to artists and taking tickets at the gate. Contact Urban Districts Alliance, which manages the event, to learn more: (417) 827-3657.