The News

A new resource is available to businesses in Sharp, Fulton and Izard counties after a three way partnership between White River Now in Batesville, Create Bridges and the Spring River Innovation Hub launch their new podcast studio located at the Innovation Hub in Cherokee Village...

The Salem City Council met for its regular August meeting on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. in Salem City Hall. All council members participated. Mayor Daniel Busch first presented the minutes from the July meeting for consideration, and they were approved. Next, the financial reported was presented and approved...

Imagine two young girls standing at the driveway of their grandparents’ home, waiting on the school bus in small town Viola, Ark. With their grandparents keeping an eye from the yard nearby, these girls are anxiously awaiting the new day of school ahead of them in pretty dresses their grandmother had sewn for their new school year. ...

The Spring River Shrine Club is selling tickets for a Savage 30-06 with a three by nine Weaver Scope, to raise funds for the club’s charitable efforts. According to Doug Drisel, with the Spring River Shrine Club, only 500 tickets will be sold, with tickets being $10 each or three for $25...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District (SID) held its regular meeting Aug. 17 and attendance was high. The meeting opened with the approval of the agenda and minutes from the previous month, followed by a discussion regarding the irrigation well at Onaga...

The Ash Flat City Council held a special meeting Aug. 18 to speak about a donation to the city. The meeting opened with a presentation by Graycen Bigger regarding a proposal to create a Sharp County Regional Industrial Park. “I’m so glad we’re getting together again this week. ...

Since the first dispensary opened in May 2019, Arkansans have spent $122 million to obtain 19,362 pounds of medical marijuana. Eight dispensaries have sold more than 1,000 pounds. They are Suite 443 (Hot Springs), Green Springs Medical (Hot Springs), Hensley Wellness Center (Hensley), Fiddler’s Green (Mountain View), Releaf Center (Bentonville), The Source (Bentonville), Acanza (Fayetteville) and Harvest (Conway)...

The Salem School District will begin the 2020-2021 school year on Monday, Aug. 24. Classes will begin at 8 a.m. and will be dismissed at 3 p.m. Buses will run their regular routes, and breakfast and lunch will be served in the cafeteria. Lunch prices for grades K-12 are $1.85., reduced .40 cents. Breakfast prices for grades K-12 are $1.40 cents, reduced .30 cents. Adult lunch prices are $3.70; adult breakfast prices are $2.60...

Those present were: Mayor Jackie Estes, Councilmen Dennis Haber, Robert Lash, Vearl Downum, Jerry Allen, Water Supt Joel Huett, Bookkeeper Sarah Huett and several citizens.  The City of Viola held their council meeting on Aug. 10, which was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Estes...

Authorities have identified the remains of a man whose body was found Aug. 12 in Horseshoe Bend. According to a release from the Izard County Sheriff’s Department, the body of Paul Beaver, 36, was found around 2:45 p.m. near the power line right of way near the sewer treatment plant off North Bend Drive in Horseshoe...

Created with the goal to highlight relevant and real-life examples of Ozark foothills businesses, Create Bridges podcast is seeking businesses in Fulton, Izard and Sharp counties to participate in this project. “Local business owners know the challenges and opportunities of their community best and highlighting their experiences will be highly beneficial to the entire region. ...

According to Chief Deputy Charley Melton, on August 9 at approximately 6:00 p.m. deputies responded to an address off of West Spring Hill Road in Oxford for a domestic disturbance. While deputies were responding, dispatch received another call in reference to the same address that stated the suspect, Brittney Vasey, age 25 of Clayton Wisconsin, but who has been in Oxford for the last several months, was assaulting a one-year-old child. ...

If you have stopped by Mammoth Spring State Park lately, especially on the weekend, you may notice the numerous vehicles and visitors at the local attraction. Despite all taking place in the world, many take the time to travel to and appreciate the beauty of the area park...

The U.S. Army of Corps Engineers, Little Rock District, announced July 28 on its Facebook page, the group would begin highlighting the rangers of the district. Among those highlighted was Mountain Home Project Office’s Jackie Estes, who is currently serving his 48th year as a ranger this summer...

The Salem School District will begin the 2020-2021 school year on Monday, Aug. 24. Classes will begin at 8 a.m. and will be dismissed at 3 p.m. Buses will run their regular routes, and breakfast and lunch will be served in the cafeteria. Lunch prices for grades K-12 are $1.85., reduced .40 cents. Breakfast prices for grades K-12 are $1.40 cents, reduced .30 cents. Adult lunch prices are $3.70; adult breakfast prices are $2.60...

Those present were: Mayor Jackie Estes, Councilmen Dennis Haber, Robert Lash, Vearl Downum, Jerry Allen, Water Supt Joel Huett, Bookkeeper Sarah Huett and several citizens.  The City of Viola held their council meeting on Aug. 10, which was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Estes...

Authorities have identified the remains of a man whose body was found Aug. 12 in Horseshoe Bend. According to a release from the Izard County Sheriff’s Department, the body of Paul Beaver, 36, was found around 2:45 p.m. near the power line right of way near the sewer treatment plant off North Bend Drive in Horseshoe...

According to Chief Deputy Charley Melton, on August 9 at approximately 6:00 p.m. deputies responded to an address off of West Spring Hill Road in Oxford for a domestic disturbance. While deputies were responding, dispatch received another call in reference to the same address that stated the suspect, Brittney Vasey, age 25 of Clayton Wisconsin, but who has been in Oxford for the last several months, was assaulting a one-year-old child. ...

If you have stopped by Mammoth Spring State Park lately, especially on the weekend, you may notice the numerous vehicles and visitors at the local attraction. Despite all taking place in the world, many take the time to travel to and appreciate the beauty of the area park...

The City of Mammoth Spring held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, Aug. 10, during which council voted to change office hours of city hall to be open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to align office staff hours with those of the water and street departments. This will allow the city to better serve customers...

Created with the goal to highlight relevant and real-life examples of Ozark foothills businesses, Create Bridges podcast is seeking businesses in Fulton, Izard and Sharp counties to participate in this project. “Local business owners know the challenges and opportunities of their community best and highlighting their experiences will be highly beneficial to the entire region. ...

A head on collision claimed the life of one, leaving four injured on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 6, west of Salem on US Hwy. 62 in Fulton County. Diane Tyler, 37, of Caufield, Mo., was traveling east on US Hwy. 62 in a 2006 Chevrolet. Tyler crossed the center line and struck a 2015 Kia, driven by Ashley Bateman, 34, of Horseshoe Bend...

The coronavirus pandemic has affected a number of normal operations. Just recently, the Izard County Courthouse was closed due to several employees testing positive for the virus. The courthouse resumed business as usually Monday, Aug. 3. The Salem School District reported last week on social media, its first positive case of a student athlete. The school was closed for deep cleaning and appropriate notifications were made...

Local healthcare facilities with in-house patients in the area are now allowing limited visitations. Southfork River Therapy and Living and Fulton County Hospital understand the important role each facility has in the community and planned in accordance with Arkansas Department of Health guidelines, when creating their own...

Parents of children heading to school later this month likely have a new addition to their back-to-school supply lists: face masks. Many public schools in Arkansas plan to re-open later this month. Depending on the school, they are offering on-site instruction, remote learning or both options. Many students attending onsite may be required to wear face masks though requirements vary from school to school...

The municipal filing and school board filing deadline for the 2020 general election was Wednesday, Aug. 5. Included in this article are results from Fulton, Izard and Sharp counties. The information was obtained through each respective county’s clerk’s office...

Over a year after the murder of former Arkansas senator Linda Collins, the case is closed and “the murder investigation is complete”, said Randolph County Sheriff Kevin Bell. The sheriff, who had fellow deputies, investigators and Arkansas State Police alongside him, gave a short briefing to the press following court proceedings on Thursday, Aug. 6...

Ozarka College has moved the start date for the Fall 2020 semester to Aug. 24. In an attempt to make the transition back to the classroom easier, Ozarka’s decision will allow faculty and staff more time to prepare for students to return to campus and will more closely align with our area high schools’ reopening schedules. The only exceptions to this change are the Aviation program, which will begin as scheduled on Aug. 17, and the ARNEC Nursing Program, which will begin on Aug. 18...

U of A System Division of Agriculture Did you receive a packet of seeds or some trinket that you didn’t order? The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is asking Arkansans to let the department know if they received unsolicited packages in the mail. Anyone receiving packages of seeds that they did not order should contact Arkansas Plant Industries Division at 501-225-1598, or by email: Paul.shell@agriculture.arkansas.gov or Mark.stoll@agriculture.arkansas.gov...

Zeta Omicron Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and the Fulton County Fair will submit a plan to the Arkansas Health Department to have the Fulton County Fair Pageants in September. With the size of the Salem Civic Center, that guideline can be achieved. Officials feel the pageants can be approved because of the size of the civic center and the number of entrances for the facility. The tentative date is Sept. 12 and all pageants will be held on that day...

The City of Mammoth Spring is the recipient of a $200,000 grant to build a new senior center. The no matching fund grant through White River Planning and Development will allow for a new senior center facility to be built on the city property next to the Mammoth Spring ambulance building...

Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20) and Congressman Billy Long (R-MO-07) have introduced H.R 7883, the Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives to help preserve agricultural fairs across the country and offset the devastating financial losses they have experienced due to COVID-19. The Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act will provide grant funding for agricultural fairs through state departments of agriculture to keep them functioning and preserve them for the future...

There is no question 2020 has been a difficult year for much of the world’s population. From economic uncertainties to famine, it can be difficult to find positivity, but did you know, August is Happiness Happens Month? Not only that, but did you know there is a Secret Society of Happy People (SOHP)... that’s not so secret?...

You’ve had a few rough months. It’s 2020, which has come to mean pandemic and lockdowns and  distancing. You’re thankful to still have a job and income. But this year has become a monster of added stress, so you’ve lost focus and have let a few things slip by...

Evening Shade resident John Kunkel is one of the Sharp County COVID-19 patients. Hoping to shed light on the seriousness of coronavirus, Kunkel has been sharing his coronavirus journey through social media. Using social media might not be everyone's “niche”, however; for Kunkel, he is hoping his painful, and ongoing experience, will open the minds of some. Social media is also therapeutic for Kunkel...

The City of Mammoth Spring is the recipient of a $200,000 grant to build a new senior center. The no matching fund grant through White River Planning and Development will allow for a new senior center facility to be built on the city property next to the Mammoth Spring ambulance building...

To the citizens of Fulton County: During this time of the COVID-19 crisis, some people have felt the need to try and defraud the government and commit identity theft on some of our citizens. The individuals are attempting to obtain unemployment benefits through identity theft. ...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District held its regular meeting July 20. Following the approval of the agenda and June meeting minutes, the commissioners discussed old business. “Our first item is the ISO rating,” Joe Waggoner said. “Our ISO rating went from a five to a four. This will be good news from an insurance aspect. Also, I’ve observed a lot of action with the fire department and the water department out jointly and separately checking flow.”...

The construction of a new bridge in Fulton County is quickly approaching as the state prepares to accept bids to replace the Humphries Ford/Camp Kerl Bridge located on Bluff Road/9 Mile Ridge Road. According to Fulton County Judge Gary Clayton, he recently spoke with project leaders about the project...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District held its regular meeting July 20. Following the approval of the agenda and June meeting minutes, the commissioners discussed old business. “Our first item is the ISO rating,” Joe Waggoner said. “Our ISO rating went from a five to a four. This will be good news from an insurance aspect. Also, I’ve observed a lot of action with the fire department and the water department out jointly and separately checking flow.”...

If you are no stranger to Mammoth Spring State Park then you are more than likely to be familiar with the musical talents of local artist, Dennis Hobbs, who often visits the park to play guitar and sing, even during the hot humid summer days of July...

A traffic stop in Pineville landed a Viola woman and a man from Saffell behind bars July 16 after a large quantity of methamphetamine and cash was found. According to a release from the Izard County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Charley Melton, the traffic stop was initiated by officers with the Izard County Sheriff’s Department as well as the department’s drug dog Mendy...

The construction of a new bridge in Fulton County is quickly approaching as the state prepares to accept bids to replace the Humphries Ford/Camp Kerl Bridge located on Bluff Road/9 Mile Ridge Road. According to Fulton County Judge Gary Clayton, he recently spoke with project leaders about the project...

In 2016, Arkansans made their way to the polls to cast their ballots for many issues, one of which was whether or not the citizenry was interested in seeing medical marijuana dispensaries and grow facilities be allowed to operate within the state. Following a majority vote to allow for the implementation, the Medical Marijuana Commission (MMC) was formed and began creating some of the strictest regulations among states which allow for the use of Medical Marijuana...

Despite the crazy few months the pandemic has set into motion, the University of Arkansas Extension – Fulton County Office is still on the job, serving the community. Extension offices around the state closed to the public in mid-March, and though they have since re-opened to the public, these offices never quit serving residents across the state. Being a program through the University of Arkansas, information from agents with a variety of skill sets, is available for all extension programs...

Arkansans who may have concerns about going to the polls this November while the health crisis continues can make plans now to ensure their vote counts. Arkansas law allows voters to request absentee ballots if they will be “unavoidably absent” on Election Day or if they have illnesses or physical disabilities. ...

The Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, July 9 at Wood’s Riverbend Restaurant. Although the chamber typically meets monthly, due to COVID-19, meetings had been placed on hold since April, making the first order of business to discuss and approve the March meeting minutes...

Fulton County Hospital CEO Curren Everett recently reviewed some statistical information with Areawide Media and how the hospital has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Luckily, very minimal changes have been made in the staffing of FCH. However, Everett said overall, the pandemic has hurt the hospital. ...