Happy early Halloween! Does anyone know the rules for rain on Halloween? Is it canceled? Is there a Halloween czar we appeal to? Where does the info come from? We gotta get on this.
It is fitting that the Razorbacks play on Halloween — there’s not much scarier than Hog football right now. Don’t worry about finding a scary movie; they play at 6:45 p.m., and it will be terrifying.
If you brave the rain and won’t be trick-or-treating, there’s a ton of great events around town this weekend. All of that, plus the wacky story of a serial burglar below.
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— Reid B.
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THREE STORIES YOU SHOULD KNOW
Pulaski County locks in data center rules over its judge’s veto
The Pulaski County Quorum Court voted 10-4 on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to override County Judge Barry Hyde’s veto of data center regulations it passed Sept. 22. Developers would have to submit electrical load analyses, water and wastewater plans, land-use suitability studies, and a decommissioning plan, as AVAIO Digital Partners pursues a $6 billion data center near Wrightsville. Hyde, who leaves office at year’s end, and one justice of the peace argued the ordinance exposes the county to legal action, while sponsors say the county needs enforceable rules before a project is built. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Speaking of the Democrat-Gazette… Democrat-Gazette owner cuts 74 jobs, but not in the Little Rock newsroom
WEHCO Media announced Tuesday, Oct. 27, that it will lay off 74 people at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, about 30% of its workforce, by year’s end. Most of the cuts are in production, circulation, and advertising, and no Little Rock newsroom jobs are affected, though the Northwest Arkansas edition loses 28 jobs, 13 of them in its newsroom. The company blames falling print circulation and ad revenue and says subscribers will see no change in the print and digital papers. Little Rock Public Radio
Pulaski County says scammers got $1.9 million meant for the jail’s medical provider
County officials said Wednesday, Oct. 28, that about $1.9 million in public money was diverted over several months after someone posing as Turn Key Health Clinics, the jail’s medical contractor, emailed the sheriff’s office on June 19 asking to change its banking information. The company told the county last week it hadn’t been paid. The county recovered the most recent payment of $126,344.87, the FBI has been notified, and Hyde is urging every department to review its payment safeguards. The investigation is ongoing. Arkansas Times
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ONE STORY YOU DIDN’T KNOW: THE POLITE BURGLAR OF LITTLE ROCK
George Jacobs, 1916. Just your friendly neighborhood burglar!
He has different names depending on where you look. You’ll see him referred to as the “Pet Prowler,” which is a bit more sinister than its alternative moniker, “The Polite Burglar,” or even his nickname, which puts zero fear in the heart, “Shorty” Williams.
Whatever you want to call him, the origin of George Jacobs is as slinky as his string of crimes — newspapers say Jacobs was born in South Bend, Nebraska, around 1880, but there are multiple George Jacobs in South Bend found in census and marriage records. Tracing the burglar to a specific one makes for hard work. What’s known is that Jacobs robbed his first store at just 16. After a 10-month stint in jail, he did it again at 18, for which he served three years in Missouri. Say what you want about his actions, but he was clearly passionate about what he did.
Jacobs served his jail time, then went back to his calling. He was sentenced to 12 more years for “highway robbery” back in Nebraska, but escaped from jail after four years. You won’t believe this, but Jacobs went back to his life’s work and robbed a post office in Indiana, for which he was sentenced to two years in federal prison. He was released for good behavior after 19 months.
I should give him credit — he tried to go straight here. After moving to Fort Smith, Jacobs took on a few aliases to remove himself from his checkered past and eventually moved to Little Rock. And it was here, in our great city, that George Jacobs decided he was going to achieve his lifelong dreams: becoming a serial burglar.
Between June and August 1916, Jacobs robbed 16 homes without being discovered. And Jacobs was playing for keeps. He stole money, guns, a violin, silverware, and various sundries before going for the mother lode: a gold watch and chain from the home of Arkansas Supreme Court Justice E.A. McCulloch. He stole an estimated $3,000 in goods, worth nearly $100,000 in today’s money.
Jacobs was happy to reveal the secrets of his craft. He told an Arkansas Gazette reporter, “I always worked in two-story houses and seldom ever went to the second floor. That was why I never woke a person while working in Little Rock.” By all accounts, he was very good. He regularly robbed homes with the homeowner in adjacent rooms and escaped unnoticed. See what’s possible when you apply yourself?
Little Rock police were on to Jacobs by now, and a statewide manhunt ensued. Jacobs’ mug shot was paired with an odd fact about him: He really, really loved Coca-Cola.
There lies his downfall. A soda shop worker in Texarkana informed authorities of a man who came in and ordered “several” Cokes and matched Jacobs’ description. I know we can all relate — nothing hits like that sixth Coke after a burglary.
He was sentenced to 12 years in state prison, but before serving that time, he returned to Texarkana to face four other burglary charges and, surprise, surprise: Jacobs escaped jail that night. He was promptly found hiding in a hayloft waiting to hop a train. When authorities found him, news reports said he was “as polite and suave as ever.”
Jacobs finally made it to Tucker Prison Farm to begin his 12-year sentence. Have you noticed a pattern yet? What happened every time this guy got put behind bars?
Correct. George Jacobs, Little Rock’s Polite Burglar, the “Pet Prowler,” escaped again, and this time, he was never found. Let us all take from him an important lesson: If you love something, don’t let anything stop you from doing it.
WHAT’S NEXT? WEEKEND FORECAST FOR HALLOWEEN
Friday
Overcast
H: 74
L: 56
Precipitation: 30%
Saturday
Rain
H: 73
L: 61
Precipitation: 45%
Sunday
Rain
H: 72
L: 64
Precipitation: 40%
Friday, The Hall: The AlchemyXXII Masquerade Witches Ball
Here’s your excuse to wear the fancy thing. Formal masquerade attire is required, meaning ballgowns, fantasy formalwear, black tie, or a mask. From 8 to 11 p.m., expect aerial performances, installations, dancing, and plenty of photo spots. Tickets are $93.91. The Hall
Friday, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts: Art on Film: Nosferatu
This is a free Halloween plan that doesn’t involve a bar. The museum is screening F.W. Murnau’s original 1922 Nosferatu from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with a short introduction from museum staff. It ties into the museum’s exhibition on German Expressionism in art and film. Run time is 1 hour, 35 minutes, and it’s recommended for ages 10 and older. A/MFA
Friday through Sunday, Robinson Center: Beetlejuice
The touring musical based on Tim Burton’s film arrives right on time for Halloween. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday. The Saturday matinee keeps your Saturday night open. Little Rock CVB
Saturday afternoon, downtown Little Rock: The Official Halloween Bar Crawl
It starts at 4 p.m., so finish the costume early. Your ticket covers drinks and a map of the stops, and there’s no cover at any of them. Professional photos and an after-party are included. This one’s for people who’d rather bounce between spots than pick one. Crawl With Us
Sunday, Little Rock Zoo: Beloved Pet Ofrenda
Sunday is the last day for the zoo’s Día de los Muertos display honoring pets who have died. It has themed décor and a space to remember and share stories. It’s a quiet way to end a loud weekend. Little Rock CVB
Until next week,
Reid