The News

For the Fulton County Master Gardeners to further beautification and education projects in Fulton County, BBQ meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 20 at the Hickinbotham-Miller Building at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in Salem. Advanced tickets are $7 and at the door tickets are $8. For more information, contact Becci Bartz (870-371-2204) or Debbie Moore (870-291-2145)...

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to use broadband e-Connectivity to improve access to health care and educational services in rural communities. “Under Secretary Perdue’s leadership, USDA is tackling e-Connectivity as a foundational issue for rural communities because it affects everything from business opportunities to adequate health care access,” Hazlett said. ...

Orchard owners interested in pecan cultivation will have an opportunity to learn staring with the May 5 Arkansas Pecan Growers Association annual education meeting and farm tour being presented by the APGA and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture...

A Vegetable Production meeting aimed at vegetable farmers is set for Tuesday, April 24, at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) S.J. Parker 1890 Extension Complex Auditorium. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m. after lunch...

Fulton County Ambulance EMTs, Steven Burkhart and Kasey Newman, were the recipients of a special award recently. Air Evac went to Fulton County Hospital on April 11 to present Burkhart and Newman with the Air Evac Rescue of the Quarter Award. Jack Bates, Program Director for Air Evac-1, spoke about what the Air Evac Rescue of the Quarter Award means and why Burkhart and Newman received this award...

Controlled burns can be beneficial in destroying under-brush in fields and killing off unwanted insects, such as ticks. However, if done in poor conditions such as hot-dry weather or windy conditions, the controlled burn can quickly escalate into something much worse, a wild fire...

Tuesday, April 3 Izard County Quorum Court met for their regular monthly meeting at the Izard County Courthouse. An appropriation ordinance, road update and senior citizen update were items on the agenda. The court members discussed an appropriation ordinance for personnel services, compensation, maintenance operation and other necessary functions of county government. After a discussion about budgeted items, justices voted in favor of the ordinance...

A group of 49 admirable individuals aspire to make a positive impact in their communities and have shown they are prepared for what it takes to be a police officer. Black River Technical College (BRTC) Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) Graduation took place on April 13, at 1 p.m. This formal graduation included a variety of meaningful speeches by different individuals who all have one thing in common, their love and appreciation for law enforcement...

Historical places throughout every location are fading away as time goes by and individuals often don’t realize the importance of recognizing and restoring historical buildings, which results in places being forgotten. The remembrance of historical buildings and locations fade out after generation and generation, as new buildings are made and locations are sold off. ...

Comfort Keepers is a ministry of Highland Assembly of God and spear-headed by Lauren Siebert, who has come up with another way of helping the community. Comfort Keepers began as a form of assistance for those struggling during the winter or summer months. The organization provides fans for the summer months and space heaters for the winter months, to those who request one or the other, or have shown a need...

The Ozarka College Foundation hosted their annual Spring Gala on April 5. The “Bridge to Opportunity” took place inside of the Student Services Center, located at Ozarka College in Melbourne The extravagant event not only brought people together, but also helped raise money for a good cause. Proceeds from the Gala support the foundation in its effort to provide necessary resources for students to receive life changing education at Ozarka College...

Fulton County Quorum Court met for their regular monthly meeting on April 9. The appropriation of funds for the Tri-County Recycling grant, 2017 transfer and appropriation clean up and the second reading of personnel policy ordinance were topics on the agenda...

A press released issued by Fulton County Sheriff Al Roork informed of a manhunt which occurred near Viola on Wednesday, April 4, at 4:30 p.m. Fulton County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant William Fawcett, encountered two men on a 4-wheeler on Mount Calm Road. He asked the two men for their identification and both men complied...

The Tri-County Economic Development Commission, which consists of members from the individual commissions in Sharp, Fulton and Izard Counties, held a meeting April 2 at Ozarka College in Melbourne. A welcome was given by meeting host and Izard County Judge Eric Smith. Smith began by explaining the purpose of the Tri-County Economic Development Commission, which is to create a solid partnership between the three counties in order to be more enticing to incoming industries...

Scammers are taking to the streets to con homeowners, convincing unknowing and trusting Arkansans to make costly repairs that are not needed. Worse, these criminals may demand payment up front for promised work that they have no intention of completing...

Many young individuals spend much of their time indoors playing video games. Children and teenagers often don’t go outside and enjoy the simpler things in life. Tom and Teresa Trett, at Hole in the Wall Ranch in Viola strive to change that and provide people of all ages the enjoyment of the outdoors and ranching activities...

The Salem Chamber of Commerce met for their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 28 at noon inside the Hickinbotham-Miller Exhibit Building. Lunch was available for $5, with all proceeds going to St. Jude’s. Infinity Hearing Center was a guest speaker and also provided free hearing screenings to the public. ...

On March 29, Salem City Council met for their regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Minutes of the previous meeting, review of the financial report, department reports, old business and new business were topics on the agenda. The minutes for the previous meeting and financials were passed...

The Farm Service Agency in Ash Flat has a new executive director as they welcome Blake Jefferson. Jefferson, 28, is originally from Yellville, Ark., in Marion County. Raised on the family farm in Crooked Creek, he graduated from Yellville High School in 2008. After graduating high school, Jefferson attended college at Arkansas Tech, graduating in 2012 with a degree in Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Business...

On March 24, the Ozark Sports and Outdoor Expo (OSOE) took place at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. The event brought the community together and provided a family-friendly environment suitable for all ages. Individuals had the opportunity to check out many different vendors and partake in exciting, fun activities...

Many people love food and often enjoy the process of cooking a good meal. Sometimes people may find it difficult to prepare a healthy and delicious meal while on a budget. April 6 through May 11, the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas (FBNCA) is offering a free six-week course to be held at the Salem WRHS Senior Center with hands-on training in food preparation, shopping on a budget, storage and nutrition...

It is quite common for individuals to get phone calls from unknown numbers. Answering those calls can take a turn for the worse if they provide the caller with personal information thinking they are a known individual or business, but in reality it is just a scam...

The Jackson family went through a difficult journey and the community came together to help them through their difficult time. Now, one year later, the Jackson family is having a tournament to help another family through their journey by paying it forward...

The Fulton County Hospital Board of Governors met for their regular monthly meeting on March 26 at 5 p.m. Approval of minutes, foundation report, financial report, credentialing, trauma survey and interim chairman were on the agenda. A motion to approve the previous month’s minutes was passed. On Feb. 27, CEO Charles Willet noted his intent to retire in July 2018. The board extended appreciation for Willet’s dedication to the facility...

The Ozarks Sports and Outdoors Expo (OSOE) is almost here! Come to the Salem Fairgrounds to experience this new and exciting event. OSOE strives to bring the community together to partake in family-friendly fun and is for people of all ages to enjoy...

The Brockwell Gospel Music School has been teaching the young and old alike how to sing and play music for more than 70 years. Students are taught to recognize notes by a particular shape, then present a closing program in a singing-school format. In recognition of perpetuating these traditional ways of teaching music, the Arkansas Arts Council has awarded the Izard County nonprofit organization the 2018 Folklife Award through the council’s Governor’s Arts Awards program...

A local theater strives to bring culture and entertainment to the community by bringing people together through plays. The Horseshoe Bend Little Theater (HBLT) has been in operation for approximately 45 years. An unknown woman, who has since passed away, started HBLT and her dreams of providing culture to the area continue to make an impact in the area today and she has left a long-lasting mark...

A series of stories known as Community Connections is about influential and historical subjects in Fulton County. This month’s Community Connections is about Jack Cochran and the positive impact he made on the community. Many people around the globe are greatly impacted by something that is thought of as being so simple in today’s world and that is electricity...

The Arkansas Agriculture Department (AAD) is now accepting applications for the 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, made available through funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These grants help to enhance the specialty crop industry of Arkansas, which includes the growing and selling of fruits, vegetables, floriculture and nuts. Applications must be submitted to the AAD by April 13 and are available, here...

It’s that time of the year again to see the extravagant display of 5,000 tulips in Salem. This event brings out sightseers who aspire to view such an abundant amount of tulips coming into bloom throughout April. Fulton County Master Gardener, Ralph Moore, said, “We have been planting tulips on the square probably for four years. This past fall we planted 14,000 tulips on the square and around Salem. Last year we planted 10,000.”...

Izard County Quorum Court met inside Izard County Courthouse on March 6 at 6 p.m. for their regular monthly meeting. Clean up ordinance, road update and the senior citizen update were on the agenda. Informative packets for Izard County Quorum Court meetings were available to audience members and discussed events from the previous month of February...

As promised in last month’s Community Connections, a series of stories on influential and historical subjects in Fulton County, is beginning. As many locals know, there are quite a few churches in the small town of Salem, but not everybody knows which was the first church established...

Fulton County Quorum met for their regular monthly meeting March 12. Boggy Point Road project, sheriff’s office car and personnel policy, were items on the agenda. Humphrey’s Ford Bridge project was also discussed under old business. Fulton County Judge Darrell Zimmer, spoke about the Boggy Point Road project...

Two respectable, hardworking linemen from North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NAEC), along with 13 other individuals with electric co-ops throughout Arkansas, volunteered to deliver electricity and make the world brighter for current and future generations in Guatemala. The linemen from Salem are Billy Smart and Burk...

The City of Salem will conduct their annual spring cleanup beginning Monday, March 19. City trucks will run all streets in Salem to pick up accumulations of items that are normally not covered under the regular weekly trash pickup. All items that need to be hauled off MUST be at the curb no later than 8 a.m. on Monday, March 19. City trucks will not pickup items placed at the curb after this time. This year’s pickup will be limited to two days, Monday, March 19 and Tuesday, March 20...

A workshop held recently informed and assisted seniors and older adults with valuable and financial information. Topics of discussion were estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, plus much more. On March 8 a free workshop convened inside the Salem Senior Life Center from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m...

Statewide conference provides education, support, and a space for collaboration to individuals, organizations and institutions interested in improving Arkansas Communities through service. The statewide conference on community engagement and service, EngageAR will take place April 20-21 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. ...

Judge Bart Virden filed to run for re-election to the Arkansas Court of Appeals at the State Capitol.  Judge Virden is seeking to serve his second term on the Court representing District 2, Position 1.  His District covers the counties of Boone, Baxter, Cleburne, Conway, Faulkner, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Marion, Newton, Pope, Randolph, Searcy, Sharp, Stone and Van Buren...

Many residents of north central Arkansas take a high interest in agriculture. The North Central Arkansas Beef and Forage Conference provided attending farmers and individuals with valuable information that left an indelible mark on attendees. The conference convened inside Salem High School cafeteria on Feb. 27...

The time of the year for filing candidacy for a county or city elected position has already flown passed us this year. The 2018 Fulton and Izard Counties filings for the May 22 Primary for Fulton County are listed below. The following candidates are incumbents and will run unopposed on May 22: Fulton County: assessor, Brad Schaufler (D); collector, Michalle Watkins (D); county and circuit clerk, Vickie Bishop (D); coroner, Steven C. ...

On Feb. 27, Fulton County Hospital Board of Governors met to discuss topics which occurred in January. The informative packets given to attendees at the meeting, mentioned CEO, Charles Willet, announced the Boots, Bands, & BBQ event raised $15,000 for the Radiology Department of Fulton County Hospital. Willet took a moment to extend his appreciation to the foundation for all their work and effort for the Fulton County Hospital and to the community for their continued support...

Many judges and attorneys were present for the courthouse sharing agreement between the Circuit Court of the 16th Judicial District of Arkansas and United States District Court, Northern Division of the Eastern District of Arkansas at the Independence County Circuit Courtroom in Batesville on Friday, Feb. 23...

Working to “promote better understanding and appreciation of the natural history, resources and habitats of Arkansas and Missouri, with particular emphasis on providing environmental education and promoting recreational fishing to the public,” is the mission of the Friends of Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery, which was established in 2011...

An upcoming event strives to bring people together for a good cause and help make a difference. The Polar Plunge for Special Olympics is scheduled for March 3, at Crown Lake-Boxhound Marina in Horseshoe Bend, Ark. Registration starts at 11:00 a.m. and awards will be given at 12 noon. After awards are handed out, the Polar Plunge will begin...

The community recently lost a very respected police officer, individual and family man...James Humphrey. Humphrey was a Fulton County native, having grown up in Mammoth Spring. He stayed local but still made a move to Melbourne, where he lived with his wife, Novella and children; Jared and Natalie. Though remembered by many as a phenomenal law enforcement officer, his number one priority was his family, and talking to those who knew him, know how important his family was to him...

On Feb.22, Salem City Council met for their monthly meeting. Department reports, old business and new business were on the agenda. Salem City Council meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Salem Police had a total of 148 calls for service in February...

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and former Arkansas first lady Ginger Beebe joined a crowd of donors and guests for a preview reception at the newly restored Historic V.C. Kays House Thursday afternoon. The house is located at 2506 Aggie Road on the Arkansas State University campus...