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Earl Phillips, a resident of Shaver Street for 47 years, told the City Council this week that the
problem of dogs running loose and unsightly property has never been worse.  He asked the
city for guidance in what to do to curb the problem.  Berryville does have a leash law ordinance
that requires dogs to be on a leash if not in their own yard.  Phillips cited an incident where
his wife was working in their onion garden when a dog walked right up next to her and
relieved himself on the onions.  He also asked the question, "why isn't it considered animal
abuse to leave a dog chained up for weeks on end?".  Some of his neighbors are even
keeping six dogs, a goat and half a dozen chickens.  The city also has an ordinance regarding
farm animals.  The council and Mayor promised they'd look into it, and Mayor McKinney even
wondered out loud about a "zero-tolerance" of loose animals.  Owners would be cited
immediately.

Berryville Police have recovered the weapon used in the murder of 24 year old Chris Helmlinger of Berryville, in October of 2009.  Evin Davis, 35, recently accepted a plea agreement from Prosecutors in Helmlinger’s murder, and was sentenced to life in prison. 

According to Detective Robert Bartos Tuesday, part of Davis’ plea agreement, he was to tell authorities where the murder weapon was.  It was never recovered during the initial investigation.   Davis and his wife Melissa, 37, also arrested at the time, was initially charged with capital murder by accessory.  Melissa Davis was sentenced to 10 years probation for hindering the investigation.  Davis worked with and befriended Helmlinger when they both worked at Tysons in Green Forest.

Detective Bartos said the weapon, a 9 millimeter handgun, and other items were recovered last week, South of Berryville, still wrapped up and found in a ditch.  Other items recovered included a shotgun and Helmlinger’s wallet and birth certificate.

It was initially thought the couple murdered Helmlinger for money, but authorities found all of Helmlinger’s money, in tact, in his bank account.  Helmlinger’s body was found in a shallow grave off of Hailey Road in Berryville.  He had died of a gunshot to the head.