The News

Fulton County Quorum Court met in regular session on Monday, Oct. 8, and heard from Sheriff Al Roork regarding the staffing needs at the county’s jail. Sheriff Roork presented a staffing analysis to the court that outlined what it will take to bring the jail into compliance with State Jail Standards...

The Salem Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on Thursday, Oct.4 at the NAEC Orange Room. The evening started off with a meal catered by the Salem High School FCCLA members and was a huge hit with the attendees. State Representative Scott Baltz was on hand to assist with the awards, the first of which went to Welch, Couch and Company for Business of the Year. ...

Domestic violence is a huge problem in Arkansas and across the nation and the violence isn’t just happening in romantic relationships, but among family members of all ages. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 20 people are victims of physical violence every minute in the United States. ...

The Salem City Council met in regular session on Thursday, Sept. 27 and received an earful from concerned citizens regarding continual speeding in city neighborhoods, specifically on the side streets off of Church Street. Resident Bob Denny addressed council members regarding the issue. ...

Fulton County is implementing more ways to become prepared in the event of an emergency, and one of those ways is by joining forces with Hyper-Reach, an emergency notification system. Fulton County 911 Coordinator David Keck, Fulton County Office of Emergency Management Director Jeanie Wilcox and Fulton County Judge Darrell Zimmer are now certified operators...

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported of a man being arrested in Fulton County in connection with a homicide investigation in Rogers, Ark. Many reports quickly began circulating, claiming the man arrested was a Fulton County resident, however; that is not the case...

After working on the project for more than a decade, local resident Bill Matselboba has finally completed a dream of his to open a dog park which can be accessed by the public. Matselboba said when he first moved to the area in 2006, he approached the City of Cherokee Village as well as the Suburban Improvement District about acquiring land to place a park, however; the groups were unable to come to an arrangement...

Like most fellow co-ops across the country, North Arkansas Electric Cooperative is quick to offer help when natural disasters hit not only in other parts of Arkansas but also in other parts of the United States. This willingness to provide help is known as mutual aid and demonstrates two of the seven principles NAEC and other co-ops follow – cooperation among cooperatives and concern for community...

The Fulton County Hospital Board of Governors met in regular session Monday, Sept. 24 and reviewed another down month for the facility. The hospital was in the red for the month of August just over $300,000. However, days of cash on hand were up over last year, 33 days versus only 19 in 2017, and average length of stays were also up over last year. ...

Fulton County was the host of the most recent Tri-County Economic Development Commission meeting held Wednesday, Sept. 19 at North Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s Orange Room in Salem. Officials and Extension agents from Fulton, Izard and Sharp counties, along with a few concerned citizens, business owners and guest speakers, were welcomed by Fulton County Judge Darrell Zimmer. ...

North Arkansas Electric Cooperative CEO Mel Coleman and NEXT, Powered by NAEC Project Manager Jason Strong, were guest speakers at the recently held Tri-County Economic Development meeting. When businesses or residents are considering a move to the area, internet speed and reliability has become very sought after and NEXT, an entity of NAEC provides that for some in the area and will soon expand their coverage areas...

Rain did not stop the annual Kids Fishing Derby held Saturday, Sept. 22 at Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery. Decked out in rain jackets and ponchos, children spent the morning catching their limit of catfish. Biologist Sara Seagraves with the Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery stated there were not as many attendees as expected, but this was due to the rain as the total was only 79. ...

The Salem Citywide Yard Sale and Business Sidewalk Sale originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22, was moved to THIS Saturday, Sept. 29, due to rainy weather. For more information, contact Heather at NAEC at 870-895-3221 or email hbusch@naeci.com...

A larger than normal crowd gathered at the Viola School Board meeting held Wednesday, Sept. 12. Two parents were placed on the agenda to express their concerns with a decision affecting grades and classes for the 2019-2020 school year. Over the summer, school board members voted to no longer implement “weighted classes” effective beginning the 2019-2020 school year. ...

American Pickers rose to fame quickly, and now has millions of viewers from all over since it began in 2010. The hit reality series features Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, who find valuables by “picking” through people’s belongings, collections, etc. A press release from the show was issued, encouraging people to send information if they have hidden treasure the team can search through...

James Henry Howell, 52, of Viola, was recently arrested and received six charges: rape, class Y felony; kidnapping, class Y felony; two counts of theft of property, class D felony; criminal mischief in the second degree and criminal trespass. He could face life in prison for the two class Y felonies...

North Arkansas Electric Cooperative linemen left the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 12, to help restore power to those in Hurricane Florence’s path. They arrived Thursday at Southside Electric Cooperative in Crewe, Va. NAEC issued a press release. “I’m proud of our men who volunteered to help Southside Electric Cooperative crews get the lights back on for their members,” said CEO Mel Coleman. ...

The Food Bank of North Central Arkansas’ (FBNCA) annual Bridge Bash, slated for Sept. 22 on the campus of the Arkansas State University in Mountain Home is quickly approaching. Executive Director for FBNCA, Jeff Quick, took a few moments to speak with Villager Journal about one of the many projects the food bank undertakes which is directly benefited by the Bridge Bash event...

Fulton County Quorum Court passed the ordinance which will allow a special election, with a purpose to increase sales tax in the county for additional funds to operate the sheriff’s department, in December at its monthly meeting held Monday, Sept. 10...

Fulton County District Court Judge Johnnie Copeland and District Court Clerk Brandon Holder recently announced they are now accepting credit card payments. Copeland said a credit card machine has been set up at court to accept payments from people who wanted to make payments when they received their fine amounts. “They could do that at the sheriff’s department as well, but the system wasn’t working as good as we wanted to work,” said Copeland...

Horseshoe Bend has a new family friendly recreational place offering free games to spend Friday and Saturday nights – Our Place – Home of the Dogg House in the lower end of Diamond B Mall. Our Place offers free coffee, karaoke, pool, ping pong, chess, Trivial Pursuit, dominoes, dancing and more, along with live DJ music on Friday and Saturday nights. There is no cover charge and no charge for the games. In addition, Our Place is also a wifi hot spot...

North Arkansas Family Clinic at Fulton County Hospital will host Patient Appreciation Day on Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. Nurse practitioners, Renee Crowl and Venita Ninemire, are excited about the opportunity to mingle with their patients, and possible future patients...

The Food Bank of North Central Arkansas [FBNCA] will host their annual Bridge Bash event slated for Sept. 22 on the Arkansas State University Campus of Mountain Home. According to Jeff Quick, chief executive officer for the FBNCA, Bridge Bash is a multi purpose event in which volunteers can make a difference and the community can support and participate in the success of the fight against hunger...

Grace Mainprize, 87, of Thayer, Mo., died Aug. 25 at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, Mo. Arrangements are under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer. James Allen Gatwood, 76, of Cherokee Village, Ark., died Aug. 26 at WRMC in Batesville, Ark. Arrangements are under the direction of Tri-County Funeral Home in Highland...

The 35th annual Antique and Classic Car Show, held at Mammoth Spring State Park on Saturday, Sept. 1, did not disappoint, as this is the biggest car show they have had within the last 10 years. Assistant Superintendent Adam Davis stated the event was spectacular and was the best they had in many years. The previous few years were good, however, this year surpassed previous ones...

Mammoth Spring will embark on a new project soon, addressing water pressure issues for some of the city’s residents. The project may not be complete until next spring but could progress faster than that. Mayor Jean Pace is optimistic about the upcoming project...

The recent auction of tax-delinquent properties in Fulton County collected over $60,000, the Commissioner of State Lands announced. The auction drew 23 bidders and sold 31 parcels for a total of $60,209.14 for county and state government. The Land Commissioner’s office conducts one tax-delinquent sale per county each year to dispose of land which has been certified with taxes past-due...

Fulton County Quorum Court met in special session on Tuesday, Aug. 28 to review the proposed verbiage of an ordinance that would propose a special election to raise funds for the sheriff’s department from the implementation of a one percent sales tax...

“Meth use is an epidemic,” Fulton County Chief Deputy John Cawvey said about meth use in Fulton County. “We just got done making a big meth bust, and this is not stuff we’re going looking for – this is stuff that’s finding us,” Fulton County Sheriff Al Roork said. ...

The Morriston Volunteer Fire Department is seeking volunteers of all ages. “We are looking for volunteers [over the age of 18]. We have people in their 70’s who volunteer with us. We will happily take people in their 80’s that are energetic. This is an all volunteer fire department,” said Captain Tonya Armstead...

In regards to the upcoming special election in December, Areawide Media is working on a series of stories to better inform Fulton County residents about the tax base of Fulton County and the cities within, how the sales tax will affect businesses and residents and also how the the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office plans to utilize a larger budget...

Fulton County Quorum Court met in special session on Tuesday, Aug. 28 to review the proposed verbiage of an ordinance that would propose a special election to raise funds for the sheriff’s department from the implementation of a one percent sales tax...

It was standing room only – literally – at the special meeting of the Fulton County Quorum Court to discuss funding options for the sheriff’s department. Following Sheriff Al Roork’s comments at the regular meeting on Aug. 13, where he explained the issues facing his department, the justices of the peace were ready to address possible funding options, including raising the sales tax, raising the millage rate and raising property taxes...

Allen Cathey, Wildlife Biologist with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), recently advised there are some bears around Izard, Fulton and Sharp Counties right now. “It’s usually spring when the bears come out. Around Horseshoe Bend and Cherokee Village, they’re seeing some. There are bears around those counties, but usually we see those around the large, continuous tracts of forest,” said Cathey...

The Fulton County Hospital Board met in regular session on Monday, Aug. 27, and were faced with some disappointing numbers from July. Overall, the hospital was in the red by $155,340, compared to a profit of over $200,000 in 2017. However, it was noted the 2017 numbers included Medicaid settlements that have not yet been received for the 2018 fiscal year...

School is back in session and this means it is time again to be extra cautious of school buses. Some safety tips to follow according to the National Safety Council are: “Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children...

The Salem Cheer Team has received All-American recognition, earning them a chance to perform at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. on Jan. 1, 2019. The teams invited to perform in the pre-game performance are trophy winners from Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), Universal Dance Association (UDA), National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) and National Dance Alliance (NDA) summer camps, brands under the Varsity Spirit umbrella...

Northcentral Arkansas Development Council (NADC) recently honored one former and one current employee with a newly named JoAnn Lowrie Above & Beyond annual award at NADC’s recent August board meeting. JoAnn Lowrie, of Salem, retired last year after beginning her career with NADC beginning as a classroom aide with Head Start in 1993. ...

Recent news reports stating 107 confirmed cases of measles in 21 states, including Arkansas, may have given Arkansans the impression they are in danger of an outbreak of the highly contagious measles virus. Each month, CDC updates its Measles Cases and Outbreaks website with the total number of measles cases that have occurred in the U.S. ...