The News

State government will collect more in tax revenue this year than previously estimated, according to a revised forecast by the Department of Finance and Administration. The department notified the Legislative Council that revenue for the current fiscal year would be $246 million more than was projected earlier, when legislators finalized a state budget...

Chance Clements is cowboy through and through and has made two appearances in big time rodeo finals. Clements is an eight-year-old who is in the third grade at Salem Elementary School. He rides sheep, mini broncs and mini bulls. He is a member of the World Championship Miniature Bullriding Association (WCMBA) and the International Miniature Rodeo Association (IMRA). ...

An upcoming Fall Festival event, put on by the Bull Shoals Theatre of Arts and the Bull Shoals Lake White River Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Oct. 22 and 23. The event will be in Mountain Village 1890, located at 1011 CS Woods Blvd., Bull Shoals, Ark...

A Salem business owner turned himself in following an arrest warrant being issued on Oct. 7 for theft of property (greater than $25,000), a class B felony. On Sept. 7, Rusty Wubker Jr., 27, who owns JW Construction, was hired to construct a new house. ...

Fulton County’s oldest veteran, William “Bill” Strauss is very popular in his community, rightfully and deservingly so. Strauss is preparing to celebrate his 102nd birthday on Wednesday, Oct. 27. Individuals are encouraged to send birthday cards and well wishes to Strauss at: PO Box 401, Salem AR 72576...

On Sept. 30, James Haney, 33, was arrested on a felony warrant. On Sept. 29, Brian Crawford, 36, was arrested for third degree battery, and felony criminal mischief. On Sept. 27, Lisa Allard, 53, was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant. On Sept. 27, Sonya Bryant, 52, was arrested for driving on suspended, and no taillights...

Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce discussed preparing for the upcoming Spooktacular at their regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, Oct. 14 at Spring Dipper Ice Cream Parlor in Mammoth Spring. Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce President Trena Spears called the meeting to order. She discussed expenses including purchasing candy for Spooktacular as well as other expenses for advertising, purchasing t-shirts, etc. The financial report was approved...

Izard County 4-H members were invited to attend Izard County’s October Quorum Court again this year in honor of National 4-H Month recognition. County Judge Eric Smith signed the 4-H proclamation recognizing 4-H in Izard County at the Oct. 5 meeting...

The Viola City Council met Monday, Oct. 11. Mayor Jackie Estes called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The following were present: Council members Mike Sherman, Robert Lash, Jerry Allen and Brandi Johnson; Water Superintendent Joel Huett and Bookkeeper Sarah Huett...

Two years ago, the Calico Rock Community Foundation board of trustees authorized a major expansion of the Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center. Being completed in phases, the expansion is progressing and nearing completion. In early 2020, just days before the pandemic rocked the world, the expansion opened phase 1. ...

If a little nip in the air, longer shadows and multi-colored leaves floating from the trees doesn’t put you in a fall mood and holiday spirit, perhaps some of these semi-local seasonal events will. The Couch PTO will host its annual “Trunk or Treat” on Friday, Oct. 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Couch School between the lunchroom and high school buildings...

The Melbourne School District recently said goodbye to an employee after more than four decades. Glenda Greenstreet spent 43 years with the district and began retirement on Sept. 30. Technology Coordinator Leeanna Hoskinds sent a press release about Greenstreet and her time with the district. ...

With the recent renovations coming to the Jim Hinkle National Fish Hatchery announced the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently, it is already a given that will be a boost to Fulton County. The timing couldn’t have been any better as just days after the groundbreaking ceremony, a fishing guide’s own personal catch would be a sign of things to come. However, local fisherman and river guide, Tim Shannon, believes it is all “a God thing.”...

After 42 years in law enforcement, Fulton County Sheriff Al Roork has made the decision to officially retire. Announced at a recent Fulton County Quorum Court meeting, the sheriff sites doctor’s orders for less stress and seeing the department at the top of its game as the main reasons for retirement...

Areawide Media is going through some changes. Our printing schedule for The News and The South Missourian News has changed. The papers will be available to be picked up after 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at our Salem and Thayer locations. Rack copies will be available in the afternoon on Wednesdays...

Fulton County Quorum Court met in regular session on Monday, Sept. 20 in the Hickinbotham-Miller Building, located at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. Fulton County Judge Gary Clayton opened the meeting and roll call was taken. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved. JP Joanna DeFoe requested a budget detail on the library for next month...

The collapse of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, plunged the nation into a period of devastation and confusion. As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approached this year, I found myself wanting to know more about the aftermath of that day: How were Americans able to to sort through all of the rubble and debris and move forward in the midst of their grief?...

For a limited time, the Calico Rock Community Foundation is selling memorial bricks to be added to the Main Street Memorial Walk in front of the Calico Rock Museum. These large bricks (8” x 8”) cost $100 each and can include up to 21 characters per line with up to 8 lines of text. Bricks must be ordered using the official brick order form which can be completed at the Calico Rock Museum or online at http://www.calicorockmuseum.com/memorial-walk.html...

Viola City Council met in regular session on Monday, Sept. 13. Mayor Jackie Estes called the meeting to order and the following were present: Council members Mike Sherman, Robert Lash, Dennis Harber, Brandi Johnson and Jerry Allen; Water Superintendent Joel Huett and Bookkeeper Sarah Huett...

There definitely will not be a shortage of things to do in Fulton County coming up. A variety of organizations are hosting a variety of events; from day long events, special evening events, yard sales and more. The upcoming weekend kicks off on Friday, Sept. ...

In the June 10 issue of The News, it was reported that an investigation surrounding citizen complaints made to the Arkansas Ethics Commission was ongoing involving operations of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and that more details would be available once the investigation was complete...

According to Izard County Chief Deputy Charley Melton, on Aug. 25 officers with the Izard County Sheriff’s Department and 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was occupied by Richard Cohn and Jamey Roof. During the course of this traffic stop, officers seized nearly a quarter pound of a substance that Cohn admitted to be “heroin”. ...

The Salem City Council met for its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 26. Mayor Daniel Busch called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. With a quorum participating, Mayor Daniel Busch called the meeting to order. Mayor Busch first presented the minutes of the July meeting for review and consideration. The minutes were passed. Then, Mayor Busch presented the July financial report which was considered and passed...

Two special meetings were held by the Cherokee Village (CV) City Council on Thursday, Aug. 26 and Friday Aug. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. Mayor Russ Stokes presided over both meetings. The second meeting was called by one of the councilmen who voted in the majority at the first meeting, primarily to reconsider some of the issues and to allow input from more council members...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District (SID) held a special meeting Thursday, Aug. 26, at 5 p.m. at Omaha Center to discuss the lawsuit filed by Cherokee Village (CV) property owners in 2018 against the City of CV, SID, the American Land Company (ALC) and Sharp County. A potential settlement agreement had been proposed by the plaintiffs facing an upcoming bench trial to begin on Monday, Aug. 30. Commissioner Jim Best called the meeting to order...

Jennifer Bowman-Harnden was back in Fulton County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Aug. 18. By the end of the day, she had posted bond and was released from Fulton County Jail. Harnden’s arrest followed the arrest of her son, Jacoby Goehler, both charged with first degree murder of Salem teen Davidlee Stansbury. The purpose of court on Aug. 18 was for pre-trial and a second bond hearing, where Harnden’s attorney attempted to have her bail reduced, again...

Bearkatz Against Drugs (B.A.D) and sponsor Kristy Sanders are excited to announce that they received a $1,500 grant from Project Prevent for the upcoming school year in order to fund tobacco and nicotine education throughout their school and community...

Twin Lakes Community Foundation Executive Director Kimberly Jones and Yellville City Mayor Shawn Lane recently met with Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship volunteers Warren Sanders, Katie Norris and Margaret Yancey. Together they recognized and awarded summer scholarships to Lisa James and Tracie Barnes at the Ozarka Campus in Melbourne. ...

The Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce met at Shorty’s Rib Shack on Thursday, Aug. 12 to conduct monthly business. President Trena Spears called the meeting to order, followed by a review of last month’s minutes and financial report. Those in attendance accepted the reports as presented...

Any landowner knows that maintaining your land and keeping all of its components healthy is a great task. Many landowners take to burning their fields and land each year to help the grass grow back better, clear out underbrush or to clean up the land in general...

Spring River Home Health has partnered with Amerita Speciality for a Monoclonal Antibody Infusion to battle COVID-19. This infusion contains two different monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies are ones like your body would produce but they have been made to attack certain parts of the COVID-19 virus. These antibodies bind to the viral spike protein the part of the virus that allows it to replicate into other cells in your body working to stop the virus from spreading throughout your body...

Fulton County Quorum Court met Monday, Aug. 16 and by the end of the meeting had learned Fulton County Sheriff Albert Roork will wrap up his term early in December. Judge Gary Clayton called roll of JPs following the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer. JP Gary Phillips’ absence was noted. Members of the court approved the previous meeting’s minutes, along with the clerk’s and treasurer’s reports...

The Cooperative Extension Service is launching a new workforce training initiative, known as “CREATE LIFT.” The program is facilitated by the Department of Community, Professional and Economic Development, which is part of extension and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce has canceled the 2021 Business Expo & Areawide Yard Sale that was planned for Sept. 25. “The chamber board of directors decided it would not be prudent for us to hold a public event due to the current increase in COVID cases,” said Kari Hollis, SRACC Executive Director. “We are extremely disappointed since we weren’t able to hold this event last year and we were excited to add the Areawide Yard Sale.”...

The Ash Flat Library hosted a book signing on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m. for George Jared, a relatively local author of books on true crime and non-fiction of multiple murder cases. He is also an investigative reporter, a crime consultant and once worked as a journalist for Areawide Media when he lived in Salem, Ark...

Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery has reopened to the public and even though it has been closed for the past year, there has been work behind the scenes as well as the addition of a new staff member. Richard Peak has been hired as the outreach biologist coordinator for the hatchery...

Television is a staple in nearly every family home. Whether it be watching the morning news or a nightly program, most everyone watches some sort of television. For nearly 30 years, the Salem Cable Company has provided internet and cable services to many in the Salem area...

Well, well, well…it’s the summer of 2021, and we’re still talking about COVID and wearing masks, social distancing and washing our hands. That’s right, we are supposed to be done with this kind of stuff and living our lives normally. But there’s one little tiny thing that keeps “bugging” us that we can’t seem to shake off, a little itsy-bitsy thing known as a viral mutant, or variant as it’s called. ...

With everything that’s been going on this summer, between the pandemic, people trying to get back to normal, going to festivals and outdoor concerts, our expectations for this fall, I thought it was time to hit the streets again to find out what people are thinking and doing, whether work or play. ...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting event to welcome the new Tractor Supply Store in Ash Flat on July 29 at 12 noon. The store, located at 578 Hwy 62/412, actually opened its doors on July 17, but its official Grand Opening celebration was the following weekend on July 24 when vendors came and concessions were offered. ...

Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce has announced the 37th annual Antique Car & Classic Car Show will be held at Mammoth Spring State Park on Saturday, Sept. 4. Vehicles will be displayed and judged by class with classes including 1894-1930, 1931-1954, 1955-1965, 1966-1975, 1976-2000, RAT class and modern class for those after 2000...

With the appearance of the COVID Delta variant and positive cases on the rise, Areawide Media wanted to know how our local rural healthcare providers are handling this. Fulton County Hospital CEO Curren Everett was contacted to shed some light on the operations of the Salem facility...