Community

We, the Whitaker family, wanted to inform the community, her family and friends, of the many ways and people Julie’s Whitaker’s Memorial Fund has benefited during the past year and how it will continue to help others. We want to express our continued appreciation for the donations that helped the people of the community, the state and internationally. ...

Like most people, you probably have many financial goals: a comfortable retirement, long vacations, college for your children or grandchildren, the ability to leave something behind for the next generation, and so on. To achieve these various goals, you may have to follow different investment strategies – and you might have to make some tradeoffs along the way...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce held their first general meeting since March on July 21 at the Spring River Innovation Hub (SRIH) in Cherokee Village. President Ethan Barnes welcomed those present thanking them for being masked and social distancing in a great space provided by the Hub...

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has been made aware that private citizens in several states have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. The types of seeds in the packages are unknown at this time and may be invasive plant species. The packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them...

Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic is no time to ignore diet and exercise, said Jamie Baum, associate professor of nutrition for the Division of Agriculture and director of the Center for Human Nutrition. DFEND — for Diet, Food, Exercise and Nutrition During social distancing — is a free multimedia course from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture designed to help people focus on health and nutrition during COVID-19 isolation...

Star of the Week: 2 Game Score Plus Handicap, Paul Prusak – 185 and Tony Clementi – 185 July 20 game winners: Pit 1: Hawk and Clementi, 186 Pit 2: Morgan and Watts, 176 July 24 game winners: Pit 1: Morgan and Brooks, 185 Pit 2: Simmons and Watts, 177...

People familiar with Winona Wildlife Management Area will see a change in this 160,000-acre hunting area this year as they prepare for hunting season. The large public hunting area has been split into two separate sections — Winona WMA and Cedar Mountain Leased Land WMA. Each will carry its own regulations and season limits, and one will require a $40 fee to access for hunting, fishing or camping. ...

The summer sun is beating down, but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors without working up too much of a sweat. A visit to one of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s many archery ranges may be just the outdoor excitement you’re looking for this summer, and it’s a great way to keep your skills sharp for archery deer season, which opens Sept. 26...

In 2009, much of Arkansas was devastated by an ice storm that took the region by surprise. In the small town of Calico Rock, the landscape looked like a war zone with trees stripped of their limbs, which were driven into the ground like spent missiles. There was no power, no water, and no sign of any outside help. For weeks, emergency crews focused on other communities that were more populous. Calico Rock was left to help themselves...

As Arkansans adjust to the new normal during the pandemic, the lull from robocalls has ended and bad actors are again seeking the social security numbers of our most vulnerable. The Attorney General’s Office has seen an increase in complaints where scammers are pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and threaten consumers into providing personal information or asking for money...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce held a Blue Ribbon Welcome for new member Spring River Valley Friends of the National Rifle Association on July 23. The SRVFNRA raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm related public interest activities of the NRA and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. ...

The impact of COVID-19 on meat exports has leaned more heavily on beef than chicken or pork, according to an economic analysis the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture released this week. “Exports represent a significant component of meat demand,” said John Anderson, head of the agricultural economics and agribusiness department for the Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences...

Create strategies to help achieve your financial goals Like most people, you probably have many financial goals: a comfortable retirement, long vacations, college for your children or grandchildren, the ability to leave something behind for the next generation, and so on. To achieve these various goals, you may have to follow different investment strategies – and you might have to make some tradeoffs along the way...

A pair of Arkansas State University students have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The winners are Allison Shands, of Cave City and Brenna Cannon, of Mountain Home. The Gilman Scholarship provides funding to students who wish to study or intern abroad...

The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education has included Reading Horizons, a multisensory curriculum used to rapidly increase reading skills, on its list of approved K-6 core curriculum programs that are supported by the science of reading...

Tobi Nipp of Cherokee Village, Ark., graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock during the spring 2020 semester. Nipp graduated with a Master of Social Work in Social Work. Nearly 1,300 degrees were awarded for the semester. With about 10,000 students and 100 programs, UA Little Rock offers learning, research, service, social and career opportunities that can only be found at a metropolitan university located in Arkansas' capital city...

Beginning Aug. 3, Blake Dixon, MD, CAQ-SM, will be seeing patients at the Midway Medical Clinic located inside the WRMC Medical Complex Cherokee Village.  Dr. Dixon will work alongside Tim Young, MD, and Lisa Sherrill, APRN.  Dr. Dixon will provide primary care, including wellness exams, to patients of all ages. He is focused on providing quality care to residents of Cherokee Village and surrounding areas, as well as maintaining direct communication with his patients and the healthcare community.. ...

Verneal Cooper formerly of San Marcos, Calif., born in Clay County Ark., will be celebrating her 100th birthday Aug. 2 at Ash Flat Nursing & Rehab.

Richard and Mary Wargo will soon celebrate 50 years of marriage. The couple was married on Aug. 1, 1970.

COVID-19 prevented the Cherokee Village Fire Department from hosting its annual July 4 Pancake Breakfast this year. Out of an abundance of caution, the long-standing tradition was canceled, leaving the department without its largest annual fundraiser...

The 29th annual Greyhound Classic two-person scramble will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Golf Course on Turkey Mountain in Horseshoe Bend. The shotgun start will be at 8 a.m. Cost is $100 per team. Car rental not included. It is limited to first 70 teams. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third and four flights. Prizes will be determined by number of entries...

Are you interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Fulton County Master Gardeners work hard to beautify our communities throughout the year and strive to educate the public on various horticulture related topics through demonstrations and educational seminars...

Arkansas youth can explore the world of agriculture this summer with two online, half-day camps designed to teach them about food and fitness. Both camps are for youth ages 8-12 and will be offered via Zoom video conferencing. “Exploring the World of Agriculture” will be offered July 28 from 9:30 a.m.- noon. ...

The Izard County Consolidated School District will provide school supplies for ALL students in grades K-12 this coming school year. This was made possible through donations from various groups and school funds. The only requirements for students are that K-4 students will need a backpack...

It is important to be vigilant and do your homework when donating to a new charity for the first time. Scammers have been stealing money from Arkansans by posing as veterans’ charities and often requesting charitable donations. Even though these bad actors can leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth, it is important to note that there are still many well intentioned military and veterans charities across Arkansas and the country doing tireless work for our nation’s heroes...

We’re having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave! Hi Folks, Abby Here. Here are my friends, Sammy and Sissy! They’re sporting their new haircuts they got this week and riding with “mom” Sheila. They feel so good, and they know they are pretty! Plus, they are feeling much cooler. This brings me to my issue this week. This Heat! Dear Lord, whatever you’re cooking out there, it’s done already, lol. Here are a few friendly reminders!...

The Arkansas CARES Act Steering Committee has recommended that Arkansas PBS be awarded $5.18 million from the CARES Act COVID Fund to help achieve near universal public television broadcast coverage in the state. A recent technical study revealed that the network’s broadcast signal reaches roughly 76% of the population of Arkansas, and the extended airwaves will reach part or all of 31 counties that previously received a very weak or no signal...

Livestock do not need to live in air-conditioned comfort. They are well-adapted to both the heat and cold of Arkansas, Dr. David Fernandez, Extension livestock specialist and interim dean of graduate studies for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, said...

Create Strategies to Help Achieve Your Financial Goals Like most people, you probably have many financial goals: a comfortable retirement, long vacations, college for your children or grandchildren, the ability to leave something behind for the next generation, and so on. To achieve these various goals, you may have to follow different investment strategies – and you might have to make some tradeoffs along the way...

Ozarka College is pleased to announce Sonia Blankenship, of Melbourne, Ark., has been selected as Ozarka’s Employee of the Quarter. Blankenship is currently the Aviation Administrative Specialist for Ozarka College. “Sonia has been with us since August of last year and she has proven to be a very important asset to our aviation program,” said John Catlett, Aviation Division Chair. ...

Japanese beetle populations are peaking throughout the state just as corn is silking, says University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice. Japanese beetles cause severe economic losses on farms and disappointment in home gardens...

Baxter Regional confirmed Friday evening that three employees from the Baxter Regional Heart Clinic have tested positive for COVID-19. The first employee tested positive from community transmission earlier in the week and is suspected to have spread the virus to the other two employees who all work in close proximity with each other...

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) are planning three modified ceremonies for 2020 graduates at commencement Aug. 8. Officials announced in March that they were postponing the scheduled May 16 graduation ceremony due to the outbreak of COVID-19. At that time, the ceremony was rescheduled to Aug. 8, they explained...

Let’s celebrate Farmers Markets! National Farmers Market Week is from Aug. 2 through Aug. 8 this year. For over the past 20 years, our nation has highlighted the contributions to local economies our vendors make by offering fresh, local produce and goods. ...

Arkansas State University’s Heritage Sites locations are planning to reopen with limited tours available beginning Tuesday, Aug. 4. Each site will open with a reduced tour schedule. The schedules vary, so Heritage Sites is posting each site’s hours on its website, ArkansasHeritageSites.AState.edu, and its Facebook page...

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) are planning three modified ceremonies for 2020 graduates at commencement Aug. 8. Officials announced in March that they were postponing the scheduled May 16 graduation ceremony due to the outbreak of COVID-19. At that time, the ceremony was rescheduled to Aug. 8, they explained...

White River Health System (WRHS) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Gilbert-Roy Kamoga, Internal Medicine, as the new Internal Medicine (IM) Residency Program Director. As an Internal Medicine Residency Program Director, Dr. Kamoga will be responsible for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of instructions and scholarly activity conducted within the program. He will oversee recruitment, evaluation, promotion, and supervision of the residents...

Fulton County is fortunate to have a great Junior Livestock Program. The traditional Fulton County Fair was cancelled but a plan was submitted and approved by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Department of Health for a Junior Livestock Show for youth who reside in Fulton County or attend school in the county. ...

Earning a spot on Drury University’s Dean’s List is a significant accomplishment; it means a student earned a grade point average of 3.6 or greater (on a 4-point scale) while carrying a full-time course load of 12 or more semester hours at Drury, a top mid-western university, according to US News & World Report...

White River Health System (WRHS) announced changes to Sharp County Senior Life Center operations effective Aug. 1. Senior Life Centers in northern Sharp County will be consolidated to the Cherokee Village Center. “The consolidation of operations provides savings needed to maintain our level of service to our Sharp county clients,” said Kevin Spears, White River Health System Vice President...

Japanese beetle populations are peaking throughout the state just as corn is silking, says University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice. Japanese beetles cause severe economic losses on farms and disappointment in home gardens...

Missouri State Parks announces the opening of the 2021 round for the Historic Preservation Fund grants. Certified local governments, county governmental entities, municipalities and nonprofit organizations with a historic preservation mission are eligible to apply for the Historic Preservation Fund grants. ...

Ozarks Medical Center will offer free athletic physicals for area student-athletes from 12-7 pm Thursday, July 23 at the OMC Parkway Center. Local physicians, family nurse practitioners, and advanced practice nurses will conduct physicals for student-athletes entering 7th through 12th grades attending local area schools...

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) will offer a new scholarship to high school graduates who participated in the university’s dual credit program. The Advantage Scholarship is a one-time scholarship that rewards the academic achievement of dual credit seniors who graduated this past May or June. It is designed to help them transition to college in these challenging times, officials said...

Due to the closing of the meeting rooms at The Library Center, we have now started streaming our programs online. Members of Ozarks Genealogical will be provided to a link to watch programs on Zoom. Or anyone can watch our programs on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ozarksgs/https://www.facebook.com/ozarksgs/...

Arkansas State University’s Heritage Sites locations are planning to reopen with limited tours available beginning Tuesday, Aug. 4. Each site will open with a reduced tour schedule. The schedules vary, so Heritage Sites is posting each site’s hours on its website, ArkansasHeritageSites.AState.edu, and its Facebook page...

By Lori Garrison Shady Oaks is still at it with social distancing. Staff and residents are helping each other get through these times. We are all thankful that we have each other. I would like to thank Paulette Watne and Diane O’Mary for always being eager to participate and encourage others in participating in activities. It is always a good feeling to have someone show support and encouragement to others. So…”Thanks Ladies!”...

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced the Missouri State Library has awarded Oregon County Library a grant of $2,932 in order to respond to coronavirus health and safety concerns. Collectively, 60 Missouri libraries were awarded grant funds from the Missouri State Library. Grant funds awarded totalled $960,338...

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced the Missouri State Library has awarded Oregon County Library a grant of $2,932 in order to respond to coronavirus health and safety concerns. Collectively, 60 Missouri libraries were awarded grant funds from the Missouri State Library. Grant funds awarded totalled $960,338...

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) are planning three modified ceremonies for 2020 graduates at commencement Aug. 8. Officials announced in March that they were postponing the scheduled May 16 graduation ceremony due to the outbreak of COVID-19. At that time, the ceremony was rescheduled to Aug. 8, they explained...