Oregon County Historical Society welcomed Mike Luster as their guest speaker, who is a folklorist by training and Doctor of Philosophy from University of Pennsylvania, who discussed the well-known Ozarks folklorist Vance Randolph. Luster met Randolph when he was 88 and living in a nursing home in Fayetteville, Ark. “He is the greatest Ozark folklorist that ever lived and worked in the Ozarks,” said Luster...

Thayer council addressed city business at the monthly meeting held on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Council approved the consent agenda and bills paid and to be paid before moving onto public participation. Bobby Romans was not present to address the council about closing an alleyway between his two properties. This was also addressed at a previous council meeting. It was decided to leave the alley open...

On Friday, Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. Billy R. Ragan, 46, of West Plains, was seriously injured when he attempted to pass a tractor trailer in a no passing zone on U.S. Highway 63, one mile north of Thayer. Ragan was the driver of a 2012 Hyundai Sonata traveling southbound and struck a northbound 2010 Jeep Wrangler nearly head on, which was driven by Nathen P. Bryant, 35, of West Plains...

After a discussion about the history of Mammoth Spring’s American Legion Post 55, Ron Estes, of Mammoth Spring, was inspired to write a book about the organization’s local roots. After a year of hard work and research, Estes has published “History of American Legion Post 55 Mammoth Spring from 1919 to 2019.”...

A groundbreaking ceremony was held to commemorate the upcoming construction for a new facility for Alton Bank on Thursday, Jan. 16. “We are hoping to show and do more things for the community and we really appreciate the opportunity to do that,” said Alton Bank owner and President Randall Combs. He expressed his gratitude to those in attendance...

The Hardy City Council held their regular meeting Jan. 7. Moving through the agenda, Recorder/Treasurer Greg Bess asked a discussion about minimum wage be held at the end prior to adjournment. Following the approval of the agenda, Councilman Bruce Thruow provided the Hardy Advertising and Promotions Commission Report...

Hearing the words “you have cancer” are some of the hardest and scariest words to hear for anyone, however; hearing the words “your cancer is back”, can be devastating. When she was just seven years old, Cassie Lester’s daughter, Cecilia, heard those words for the first time. After winning her battle the first time, she was recently dealt a devastating blow, when she heard “your cancer is back”...

The Izard County Quorum Court held their regular meeting Jan. 16 during which a vacancy for the position of sheriff was declared. Following the declaration, those interested in the position spoke to the court. Ultimately, the court voted to appoint Jack Yancey to the position...

The Sharp County Quorum Court met Jan. 13 reconvening from recess of the December meeting. The meeting opened with the reading of an ordinance to establish the annual levy of taxes for the year 2019 to be collected in 2020, ordinance 2020-1. Following the reading of the ordinance, the court voted to pass the ordinance...

The Cherokee Village Senior Center is hosting a bingo night event Jan. 28 in order to raise funds for a hot box for one of the center’s vans. According to Jama LaPlaunt, Director of the Cherokee Village Senior Center, the event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., with the cost of admission being $10...

The Ash Flat City Council held their regular meeting Jan. 14, passing a series of resolutions and receiving updates from department heads. Fire Chief Stacy Horton was first to give his department report. He said the department had 38 calls for service since the last meeting...

A Salem business was the victim of burglary the weekend before Christmas. Hillbilly Manufacturing filed a report with the Salem Police Department following a break-in to their facility. Two welders were stolen with an accumulative value of approximately $8,000...

Fulton County resident Ron Hutchins, 58, has been charged with 50 counts of distributing, possessing or viewing of matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child. On Dec. 26, 2019, six counts of the same charge were filed following an incident on Dec. ...

Approximately 3,000 residents in Izard County will travel to the polls at the newly designated locations after a decision by the Izard County Election Commission. Those residing in Calico Rock – city and rural, Claiborne, Dolph and Pineville - city and rural will now vote at Bran New Church; those residing in Franklin – city and rural, Myron, Violet Hill and Wiseman will vote at the Franklin Community Building; those in GID and Guion – city and rural will vote at the Guion Fire Department; Horseshoe Bend - city and rural residents will vote at the Horseshoe Bend Music Theater; Brockwell, Newburg and Oxford City in Brockwell will vote at the Izard County Senior Center; Big Spring, Lafferty and Mt. ...

Two felony and two misdemeanor charges have been filed against Rebecca Lynn O’Donnell in Jackson County, where she is currently being held for the murder of Pocahontas resident and former senator Linda Collins. On Jan. 14, a probable cause affidavit stated O’Donnell is being charged with two counts of solicitation to commit capital murder (class A felony) and two counts of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence (class A misdemeanor)...

Community First Banking Company presented $1,000 checks to each Thayer Band Booster Club and Mammoth Spring Booster Club thanks to a Mascot CD opened to celebrate the opening of the new facility in Thayer. Funds were made possible when a CD was opened, and Community First Banking Company donated one percent of the CD amount to each organization. The maximum donation amount for each school was limited to $1,000...

Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce is working to increase their membership as they begin the new year. This was one of the many topics discussed at the meeting held Thursday, Jan. 9 at the Ingle Hotel Coffee Shop. Chamber President Trena Spears discussed the previous meeting and the financial report including expenses incurred from the recent banquet and the Spooktacular...

Alton Senior Center Volunteer of the Month is Albert Adams. Adams stated it is a lot of fun and likes to help in the kitchen. He helps with just about anything he can at the center. He likes to help in the kitchen with cooking and details vehicles when it is needed, and the weather is warm enough...

Oregon County Libraries were recently closed to introduce employees to a new software system that will enable librarians and patrons to expand their resources. “The new system they are going to use is called Evergreen, which is software being used, but they are also joining the Missouri Evergreen Library Consortium. ...

When fishing on the Spring River, what are some things you like? What are some things you dislike? Why? These questions were part of the process used by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at a public meeting held on Monday, Jan. 13 at Mammoth Spring School Complex to address fishery management...

Despite the weather, a Cherokee Village resident was able to stay dry thanks to the recent efforts of the American Legion, State Farm and Absolute Roofing. In the fall of 2019, Army veteran Tim Kendrick, began having serious issues with the roof on his home. He had seen an advertisement from an area television station for assistance in home repairs for low income individuals, however to his dismay, when he called, he was told the offer only applied to the Jonesboro/Craighead County area...

A Sharp County man pleaded guilty guilty to battery in the first degree and was sentenced to 28 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections before Circuit Judge Harold Eriwin Jan. 6. The sentencing of Carl Ring, 32, of Cave City, was a result of an incident occurring Dec. 11, 2017 when Sharp County Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a 3-month-old infant, from the child’s mother, Allura Ring...

Lawrence County District Judge Adam Weeks had thrown his hat in the ring for the upcoming election to serve as a Third Judicial District Division Three Circuit Judge, has been ordered off the ballot following a decision handed down by Judge Chris Piazza in Pulaski County Circuit Court Jan. 6...

Several community service workers have been spending their time working to re-construct the old train which sits outside the Hardy Library. While working to build the train which serves as a play area for children, Sharp County District Judge Mark Johnson said they are also working off fines in the process...

An amended version of the lawsuit which names more than 10 individuals and organizations, including the Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District (SID), was filed in the Circuit Court of Sharp County Civil Division, as well as the Fulton County Circuit Court Jan. 7...

Rebels The Highland Rebels currently stand at 4-11 overall and 0-5 in conference. On Jan. 7, the Rebels lost an away conference game by 18 points (55-37) at Brookland. On the road again on Jan. 10, Highland lost a conference game at Westside by 33 points (74-41)...

Mammoth Spring Council held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 6. The December meeting minutes were approved before moving onto discussing fire department signs that are being prepared. The council then moved onto discuss city welcome signs. Mayor Charles Vaughn stated it will be spring before they will be worked on and would like for Larry Hollis to work on them...

Lexi Jo Marshall, of Alton, competed at state in November winning the title of Ultimate Grand Supreme. Additional awards she received at the competition included first runner up in Beauty, first runner up in Christmas wear and first runner up in Fantasy wear...

Alton Bank celebrated the retirement of longtime employee, Clifford Warren, on Friday, Jan. 3 during a reception held during the day. Many community members stopped in to visit with Warren throughout the day. Before working at the bank, Warren was deputy county clerk for 10 years and worked for Oregon County Clerk Larry Simmons beginning in 1970. Then, he ran the road grade, and backhoe for two years for the county...

Businesses and individuals were honored for their contributions to the community at a joint banquet held by Thayer Chamber of Commerce and Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce. Hosted by Thayer Chamber of Commerce, the event was held in the new cafeteria of Thayer High School on Saturday, Jan. 4...

Former Thayer resident, Judge William R. Hass, passed away on Dec. 30, 2019. Hass was raised in Thayer, where he graduated high school in 1954 and met and married Helen Jeanne Best, who he was married to for almost 61 years with whom he had two daughters and one son...

A longtime City of Salem staple, the SkyVue Shopping Center, was destroyed by fire on Sunday, Jan. 5. Skyvue Shopping Center is owned by local businesswoman Renee Clay-Circle, who said every unit was rented, except for two. Balance 30, TNT Gymnastics, La Casa De La Fiesta, H & R Block, Ozark Scanning Services and possibly more – are the businesses who call SkyVue home. As of now, H & R Block is the only business open and not damaged by the fire...

The Izard County community, and surrounding areas, are mourning the loss of Izard County Sheriff Earnie Blackley, who died Jan. 4 at his home in Sage. Blackley was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer last summer, and was laid to rest Wednesday, Jan. 8, just two days before his birthday when he would have turned 59 years old...

As the second of week of 2020 passes by, enjoy reading the top local news stories from July to December, 2019. July There was a noticeable difference at the start of the Salem City Council – after almost 27 years, Recorder/Treasurer Pam Bryant resigned and Jeremy Stone was appointed to fill the remainder of the term...

Bible-based non-denominational help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend is available at Grief Support Group beginning Jan. 9 on Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. through April 9 at Thayer Freewill Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 400 Oak St. in Thayer. For more information, call 417-264-7669, visit the website at griefshare.org and/or see Jenny Williams for details...

Joey Penix, 26 of Imboden, was arrested following the discovery he had allegedly raped a child under the age of one. According to an affidavit for warrant of arrest on Dec. 1, Highland Police Officer Jeff Hamilton was dispatched to the emergency room in Cherokee Village regarding the possible sexual assault of an infant...

Here is a look back on stories from the second half of 2019. JULY An incident occurred July 4 which landed Christopher and Elizabeth Cope in jail after it was reported one was attempting to drown their child. Marc Herring began selling the Hardy Mural Mugs at his store in Hardy to raise funds for the restoration of the mural in Hardy...

The Hardy History Association held their first membership meeting of of the new year Jan. 2 at city hall in Hardy.  Prior to the start of the membership meeting, a board meeting was conducted beginning at 5:30 p.m. Following a roll call vote, the board moved onto business which consisted of committee and financial reports...

When Dana Vaughn relocated to Sharp County, she opted to rent a home from Sidney resident Calvin Snow. While working on the property, she uncovered a valuable piece of history which was thought to have been lost long ago. “I found a box out behind the storage shed. ...

Registration is open for the Midwest Cover Crops Council Annual Conference, Feb. 11-12 in Kansas City, Mo. The event will be at the KCI Expo Center, says Charles Ellis, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agricultural engineering. Ellis also serves on the MCCC board of directors. Twelve states and one Canadian province belong to the council...

Ronald Lee Taylor, 32, of Salem, was arrested Dec. 13 following a short pursuit. On Dec. 13, a Dollar General employee in Salem reported a theft from the store. The employee said the perpetrator stole two cell phones and was heading east on Hwy. 62 in a dark colored Chrysler 300 with paper tags...

Fulton County resident Lori King is passionate about helping individuals affected by suicide. King started the support group, Touched by Suicide, last year and is continuing the meetings into 2020. King’s 18-year-old son, Seth, died by suicide May 2, 2014 in Alaska, where she formerly lived. Since then, she has pushed forward and wants to help others who may dealing with a situation similar to her’s, or even her son’s...

In order to finalize the 2020 budget, a special called meeting of the Fulton County Quorum Court was held Friday, Dec. 27. During another special called meeting, held Dec. 17, Fulton County JPs voted “option C” as the 2020 budget. “Option C is identical with two exceptions; it has nothing in it for Boggy Bottom Road and it doesn’t have the 24-hour deputy OEM position in there,” Judge Jim Kendrick explained at the meeting. ...

As 2020 begins, enjoy this reflection of top news stories published from January to June, 2019, in The News. January The Montgomery and Evans families, of Fulton County, were recognized by Governor Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, as part of 42 Arkansas farms inducted into the Arkansas Century Farm Program at the State Capitol...

Oregon County – Arrest Edward Grenz, 53, of Alton, was arrested Dec. 5 to serve court ordered time. He was released with time served. Bobby Weaver, 31, of West Plains, was arrested Dec. 6 for tampering with a motor vehicle. He was released on a medical O.R...

Koshkonong City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Council approved the agenda, November minutes and financials and to pay all bills before moving onto the water sewer report, presented by Nick Reed. Reed informed council all was going well, and a frost-free hydrant was being installed for Dollar General enabling them to start block work. This will be temporary while waiting on parts to install new water and sewer service for the business...

Bakersfield High School student, Emmi Tucker, may just have gotten involved in martial arts a little over two years ago with Missouri Mighty Warriors under the instruction of Grandmaster Billy Farris, but she is already making a name for herself. Tucker was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder at a young age that made participating in some sports difficult...

Donations for Oregon County Salvation Army is projected to be more than $18,000 in 2019 thanks to the generous hearts of community members and of those with Building for Babies Foundation, which matched a portion of the money over the weekend of Friday, Dec. 20...

June A reception was held at Ozark Medical Thayer/Mammoth Spring Clinic to celebrate the retirement of Dr. Harry Kelly. The City of Mammoth Spring sought a grant to improve the city park. Neil McWilliams was honored as Mammoth Spring’s Hometown Hero...