Another unexpected change has been made in the Rebecca O’Donnell case, following a request from Third Judicial Prosecuting Attorney Henry Boyce to be relieved of his duties regarding the case. The request, submitted to Judge John Fogleman Dec. 4 and filed with the Randolph County Circuit Court Dec. 5, a week after Judge David Goodson, who was appointed by the Arkansas State Supreme Court to oversee the case, also requested to be removed...

The Hardy City Council held it’s regular meeting Dec. 3 during which updates were provided regarding the public restrooms being constructed in Loberg Park and new policies were adopted. Following the approval of minutes from special and working meetings held during the month of November, revisions were made to the agenda and a public presentation was given...

The Highland Lady Rebel Basketball team in conjunction with Centennial Bank and the Rebel Booster Club recognized Senior Molly McBryde as the player of the week for Dec. 1 – 7. McBryde scored 11 points, shot 57% from the paint, recorded 75% accuracy from the charity stripe, and defensively held Cave City’s best player, who normally averages 28 points per game, to only 15 points on the night. ...

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting census takers for temporary positions in communities across Arkansas in advance of the 2020 Census. Pay rates for census takers in Arkansas have increased, with a range from $17 to $23.50 per hour.  Applicants will be placed in an applicant pool for 2020 Census positions in which they qualify for as jobs become available in their area. These positions offer competitive pay, flexible hours, paid training and weekly paychecks...

The Sharp County Sheriff’s Department and Cave City Police Department executed a search warrant in Cave City Dec. 2 which yielded large amounts of drugs and drug paraphernalia. According to a release from the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, the warrant was executed at the home of Darrell Long, 47, on Lile Street in Cave City...

The Hardy History Association (HHA) held a board meeting Dec. 5 its first membership meeting since forming, at Hardy City Hall. The board meeting began at 5:30 p.m. with the organization’s President Darlene Wilson, Secretary Rebecca Ashcroft, Treasurer Katie Hartness, First Vice President Margaret Hartness and Second Vice President Nannette Daugherty and board members Sue Norman, Kristin Proulx, Ernie Rose, Charles Wilson and Roger Stark present...

In a world of kick starter companies and pop-up shops, there is no truer test of a business’ success than time and service to the community. On Dec. 6, the Ash Flat Livestock Auction celebrated 60 years of being in business. Friday’s sale was expected to be well attended, as it was their “pre-vac” sale, but the Nix Family was pleasantly surprised with larger attendance of those who were there to celebrate the milestone with them. ...

With just a few weeks until the Christmas holiday, the community of Horseshoe Bend was dealt a heavy blow as one of their largest employers, South Bend Nursing, has been forced to implement an emergency evacuation protocol and close their doors. A process which was thought to have 21 days to complete, but was expedited to fruition over the weekend...

The following news story was published by neareport.com on Monday, Dec. 9. Areawide Media received permission to publish. Authorities have made a quick arrest in a murder investigation which was launched Sunday morning. An arrest was announced in the homicide of Alissa Reynolds, 50, of Jonesboro, police announced Monday morning...

The Salem School District has been notified that once again, for the fourth straight year, the high school and elementary schools have each received an “A” on the report card issued by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). The reporting system has been in place for five years. The high school received a “B” the first year and since then, both have received the top grade. This is an achievement many schools in the state wish they could attain...

Mammoth Spring City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, during which they discussed a border tax. Mayor Charles Vaughn explained the city does not have the same tax as across the state line. He stated they are working with the Arkansas governor to have the same tax in the city that joins another city in a separate state...

Filing will be open in Missouri for April 7, 2020 elections on Tuesday, Dec. 17 and continue through Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2020. For the City of Alton offices up for election include the two-year terms of mayor and two aldermen-at-large positions. Filing may be done at Alton City Hall during regular office hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office will close at noon on Dec. 24 and be closed Dec. 25 as well as Jan. 1 and Jan. 20...

A fatal accident occurred the morning of Friday, Dec. 6 on Highway 19, three miles south of Alton, when a northbound 2008 Ford Edge, driven by Lillian Otyson, 43, of Thayer, and a southbound 2009 Toyota Corolla, driven by Kaylee Arasmith, 21, of Alton, met near the centerline and both vehicles struck head on, according to a report by Missouri State Highway Patrol...

Mammoth Spring will be one of three places in Arkansas to present Tuba Christmas. This event, which is free to the public, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3:30 p.m. at Veterans Park located on Main Street. The other two locations for these events are Little Rock and Fort Smith...

Downtown Thayer just got a little more special with the reinstallation of the Beck Theatre sign. On the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 4, with careful effort, the sign was successfully hoisted and attached to its original home on the corner of Second and Chestnut streets...

Gillioz Theatre presents Ashley McBryde One Night Standards Tour on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20 and are on sale on Friday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. 26 Club Members will have a presale opportunity Thursday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m...

Oregon County Sheriff’s Department   Colton Goetting, 27, of West Plains, was arrested Nov. 4 on a warrant out of Nebraska. He was transferred to Nebraska. Jeffery Duncan, 41, of Poplar Bluff, was arrested Nov. 6 for possession of a controlled substance. He posted $7,500 bond...

Ozark Action, Inc. recently announced Terry Sanders as the new Executive Director in a press release. He has been serving as interim executive director since Sept. 29 after Bryan Adcock resigned. Sanders has been with the company for 39 years and most recently served as the housing/weatherization director for the organization...

This Thanksgiving, Alton Senior Center delivered 85 Baskets of Love to area seniors. These baskets contain donated items such as nonperishable food and other items including paper towels, toilet paper and dog and cat food. Now the center is preparing for the upcoming Christmas Baskets of Love as well as a blanket drive...

Described as the heart of the senior center, Cindi Hughes was recognized as the November Volunteer of the Month at Alton Senior Center. After moving to the area in 1993, Hughes began volunteering and has done so at Alton Senior Center for 13 years. She started volunteering to help with quilting, which she has been doing for a long time...

Thanksgiving has come and gone. We are now officially full swing into the holiday season, which means there will be many festive activities for families to enjoy. On Saturday, Dec. 7, two area communities will feature Christmas celebrations. The annual Holiday Open House will be held at Mammoth Spring Fish Hatchery from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature holiday cookies, hot cocoa, cider, coffee, ornament making and an opportunity to visit with Santa...

The Cherokee Village City Council held its regular meeting Nov 21. The meeting opened with comments from the public regarding agenda related items. David Nebel spoke to the council regarding the proposed solar panel ordinance. Nebel suggested changes be made because as written, the neighbors of those seeking to place solar panels on their property would have input...

H&R Block in Highland has partnered with Spring River Adult and Child Services (SACS), the local domestic violence and homeless shelter for women and children, to host the Random Act of Kindness event slated for Friday Dec. 6 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Hardy Civic Center...

The students of the Highland Theater will be performing the live radio play, It’s a Wonderful Life! Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 2:30 and 7 p.m. at Highland Assembly of God in Highland. According to Shona Covington, director and theater teacher at Highland High School, the cast consists of approximately 10 students who will be portraying more than 60 characters...

Highland High School’s Band program has set a standard and tradition of excellence for decades and the start of the 2019-2020 school year has proven to carry on that tradition. According to Greg Bruner, band director, it has been a busy and productive season for the band and for the directors...

A Sharp County man is facing multiple charges following an interview which led to his arrest Nov. 27. According to a release from the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, the charges stem from from an investigation of internet stalking and sexual misconduct involving a juvenile. The Sharp County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Division and Highland School Resource Officer interviewed Gann Nov. 27...

The Sharp County Sheriff’s Department and area law enforcement agencies are gearing up for the annual Sharp County Shop with a Cop event slated for Dec. 14 at 8 a.m. at Walmart in Ash Flat. Each year, for the past several years, law enforcement officers have been working to raise funds to help make a better Christmas for children in Sharp County...

A Sharp County woman has been ordered to 18 months in prison, three years supervised probation and to pay more than $200,000 in restitution, after it was discovered she had taken money from her employer. According to documents from the United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas, Carrie Porter, was sentenced before Judge Susan Webber Wright Nov. 19 for embezzlement...

A new organization, the Hardy History Association (HHA) has formed and is seeking members. According to Darlene Wilson, president of the HHA, now that the board of directors has been formed, the first membership meeting will be held Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at Hardy City Hall...

A1 Taxi, located in Sharp County, is working to help collect toys for children this Christmas and is offering discounted rides to make it happen. According to owner Gary Hambley, the toys collected from the drive will be given to several area churches as well as the Spring River Adult and Child Services Christmas Store...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District (SID) held its regular meeting Nov. 18 during which a vacancy was declared. Following the death of Greg Prenger, the commission has two remaining commissioners, Joe Waggoner and Ron Patterson. Following the approval of the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting, Waggoner moved on to discuss old business...

It is that time of year again, when sleigh bells ring and they glisten. As the community gears up for Christmas, there are no shortage of events to attend. The Ash Flat Christmas Parade will take place on Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m. Line-up will begin at 3:30 in the Ash Flat Livestock Auction parking lot. ...

After giving it a trial run in Marion County, FNBC Community Bankers has expanded its First Chance Mortgage Program (FCMP) to all of its service areas. According to Anita Owens, Vice President of Mortgage Lending, the FCMP is designed to help households in the community that are low to moderate income achieve home ownership...

A status hearing was held at the Randolph County Courthouse in Pocahontas Nov. 22 for Rebecca O’Donnell, the woman accused of murdering former Arkansas Senator Linda Collins in June of this year. Proceedings began shortly after 10:30 a.m. as Judge David Goodson, a special judge appointed to oversee the case by the Arkansas Supreme Court, took to the bench...

Alton High School 2019-2020 1st Quarter Regular Honor Roll 7th Grade: Elektra Briggs, Braden Deckard, Jack Gillmore, Devin Harrington, Hailee Kelly, Tristan Littles, Lexi Neikes, Jaiden Sisco, Katie Smith, Connor Warnock and Shalana Whittenburg. 8th Grade: Tia Agers, Marcus Cockrum, Cole German, Jozalynne Hurst, Kendra Infranca, Evin Montgomery, Renee Nash, Derek Orr, Samuel Ray and Amanda-Rose Sunbury...

A special meeting will be held regarding expansion of facilities at Mammoth Spring School. The district has acquired preliminary drawings for an addition to the campus. “Our campus is growing, especially on the elementary level. Last year, we added a third preschool classroom. ...

The annual Shop with at Cop will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Thayer Walmart at 10 a.m. To participate in the event, a child must be one to 12 years old and transportation must be provided for the child to and from the store. Applications are available at Thayer Police Department. Completed applications are due by Nov. 30. All questions on the application must be answered...

The first Enchanted Dreams Pageant was held at the West Plains Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 16. There were collectively 55 contestants who competed in six different categories including 0-7 months, 8-11 months, 1-3 years, 4-6 years, 7-9 years and 10-12 years...

Thayer City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12. After approving the consent agenda and bills paid and to be paid, addressing the rezoning of property east of Ozarks Medical Center Medical Clinic was postponed until the December meeting...

Alton Chamber of Commerce and Alton Culture Club met on Thursday, Nov. 21 to prepare for upcoming Christmas activities. The organizations are coordinating a festive filled Christmas event to be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 by combining the annual Christmas pageant, Christmas in Our Town and Light Up Our Town...

A meeting was held on Thursday, Nov. 21 concerning the future construction of the Veterans Wall to be built in downtown Thayer. Thayer Mayor Ken Cotham met with Keith Moyer, Van Garrison and Ken and Doris Brown to discuss plans for the upcoming project...

Darla Sue Evans, 42, of Highland is facing charges after methamphetamine was discovered during a search of her residence. According to a report from the Highland Police Department, on Oct. 28, Highland Officer Jeff Hamilton was dispatched to assist Arkansas Department of Corrections Agent James Irvin...

Following the results of the Highland School District School Board special election, Johnny Carter received the majority vote over opponent Joey Cooper to fill the seat for the District Position 4. Carter received 346 votes and Cooper received 194. Renee Clay-Circle, who ran unopposed for District Position 5 received 440 votes...

Filing for county races in Sharp County closed at noon Nov. 12. Here are the results for this year’s filing period. Primary races for Republican and Democrat candidates will be held in March of 2020 and Independent candidates will appear on the November 2020 ballot...

The Williford Fire Department will soon see the completion of a project four years in the making. According to Williford Fire Chief Bill Cossey, the department recently received a $6,500 grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Council (AEDC) which when paired with matching funds, will enable the department to pave the driveway of the newest addition...