The News

“They can’t ever say we’re not out there giving it our all,” said Salem High School’s new head girls basketball coach, Josh Bateman. At the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, coach Josh Bateman was hired at Salem High School. After having coached boys basketball at Tuckerman and Bay High Schools, Bateman moved to Salem because of the area and community...

Areawide Media welcomes Salem High School Senior JR Schaufler to the Salem office as an intern. Schaufler has an interest in pursuing a career in journalism once he graduates high school later this spring. He will be attending college in the fall, but in the meantime, is reporting to Areawide Media for several hours a week...

Though much of 2020 was covered in COVID-19 news, there were still many local happenings unrelated to the pandemic. Take a look back at the top local news stories from July to December in 2020. July Despite having to cancel the traditional 2020 Fulton County Fair, volunteers and Fulton County Fair Manager Carolyn Lewis found ways to still celebrate. ...

Congratulations to the following Emergency Management Programs that have earned accreditation by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP): State of Arkansas, State of Maryland; and Washoe County, NV. “Congratulations to those Programs that have maintained their accredited status as well as those who have joined the elite leaders in emergency management having earned accreditation through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program. ...

The Calico Rock Community Foundation recently awarded $5,000 in grants to 20 local small businesses. Small businesses have been hit particularly hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Calico Rock tourism was down 70% over the previous year. “Our local economy is dependent on tourism. Tourist dollars support our gas stations, restaurants, lodging, fishing docks and shopping. Those local businesses then support our mechanics, grocery stores, hair salons and more,” Calico Rock Mayor Greg Hamby said...

With the rapid growth in COVID-19 cases throughout the U.S. and the alarming number of deaths resulting from coronavirus (over 250,000 total cases and almost 4,000 deaths in Arkansas alone as of Jan. 9), there is an ever-pressing concern about the distribution and availability of the different COVID vaccines. ...

Viola City Council held its first meeting of 2020 with an update on the sewer system construction on Monday, Jan. 11. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Jackie Estes; Council members Brandi Johnson, Dennis Harber, Mike Sherman and Robert Lash; Water Supt. Joel Huett and Bookkeeper Sarah Huett. There were also two citizens in attendance at the meeting which was called to order by Mayor Estes at 6:30 p.m...

Fulton County Quorum Court held its first meeting of 2021 on Monday, Jan. 11 and six new Justices of Peace were sworn in by Fulton County Clerk Vickie Bishop. Once roll was taken, the treasurer’s report given by Barry Abney was approved, as well as minutes from the previous meeting...

Editor’s note: If you noticed an unfamiliar name on a few articles in Villager Journal at the end of 2020, that name will gradually become more familiar. Elaine Brown is the newest member of the editorial team at Areawide Media. She will be reporting for Villager Journal, covering the top news stories in Sharp County and also reporting some in Fulton and Izard counties. She had a very interesting idea to “survey” local residents about 2020 and their hopes for 2021...

Salem Chamber of Commerce announced winners of the light contest on Dec. 18. “Thank you all for participating! The judges had a very hard time picking and town looks wonderful. May you all have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year,” said the post before listing the winners as follows...

The Create Bridges team recently announced a partnership to provide extra help for local businesses. “The Create Bridges team is excited to partner with Arkansas Department of Parks, Tourism, and Heritage to showcase Arkansas.com and how it can benefit your business and region for FREE. ...

Early this week, Fulton County Judge Gary Clayton issued a press release in reference to Fulton County being deemed a “hot spot” for COVID-19. When asked how the county received the information, Judge Clayton said the information came from the Arkansas Department of Health...

Fulton County Chief Deputy Joe Boshears recently presented a request to Fulton County Quorum Court to pass an ordinance for the purpose of receiving grant funds of $50,000. The grant funds will pay a liaison position and create a Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program in Fulton County. ...

Fulton County Sheriff Al Roork issued a press release on Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) about an incident which had recently occurred. “On Dec. 24, at 1:43 a.m., the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department received a call from the Fulton County Hospital [stating] that a 52-year-old hispanic male subject had just arrived by private vehicle at the ER with multiple gunshot wounds...

Early this week, Fulton County Judge Gary Clayton issued a press release in reference to Fulton County being deemed a “hot spot” for COVID-19. When asked how the county received the information, Judge Clayton said the information came from the Arkansas Department of Health...

The Create Bridges team recently announced a partnership to provide extra help for local businesses. “The Create Bridges team is excited to partner with Arkansas Department of Parks, Tourism, and Heritage to showcase Arkansas.com and how it can benefit your business and region for FREE. ...

Viola City Council met on Monday, Dec. 21. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Jackie Estes, Councilmen Dennis Haber, Robert Lash, Jerry Allen, Water Supt Joel Huett, Bookkeeper Sarah Huett and several citizens. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Estes...

The Salem City Council met in the Salem City Hall Conference Room on Thursday, Dec. 17. All council members participated. Salem Mayor Daniel Busch called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. The first order of business was the consideration of minutes from the November meeting. The minutes were approved. Next, the financial report was presented, discussed and approved...

Fulton County Hospital began administering its first shipment of 20 COVID-19 vaccinations on Friday, Dec. 18, shortly after they were received. Sonja Jones, who is FCH’s Infectious Disease Director began administering the vaccines to frontline workers; those who might come in to contact more with COVID-19 positive patients. “We were only allocated 20 doses of the vaccine,” said Jones. There were more that signed up to receive it than doses actually received...

A new industry is making its way into Sharp County, which will be beneficial for the local economy in many ways. One of those benefits is the creation of jobs. Emerson prides itself on two business platforms: Automation solutions and commercial and residential solutions. Worldwide, the corporation employees 88,000 individuals in 200 manufacturing locations. Emerson was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo...

A new industry is making its way into Sharp County, which will be beneficial for the local economy in many ways. One of those benefits is the creation of jobs. Emerson prides itself on two business platforms: Automation solutions and commercial and residential solutions. Worldwide, the corporation employees 88,000 individuals in 200 manufacturing locations. Emerson was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo...

Fulton County Hospital began administering its first shipment of 20 COVID-19 vaccinations on Friday, Dec. 18, shortly after they were received. Sonja Jones, who is FCH’s Infectious Disease Director began administering the vaccines to frontline workers; those who might come in to contact more with COVID-19 positive patients. “We were only allocated 20 doses of the vaccine,” said Jones. There were more that signed up to receive it than doses actually received...

Fulton County Quorum Court met for its final meeting of 2020 on Dec. 14 in the Hickinbotham-Miller Building at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in Salem. Minutes from previous meetings, along with reports from the clerk’s and treasurer’s offices, were approved before receiving an update on funds from the CARES Act...

Law enforcement agencies across Arkansas and the nation are prepared to launch a two-week long intensified enforcement plan aimed at drivers who choose to drive impaired. In advance of the holiday travel period state troopers, local police, and sheriff’s deputies want to remind drivers of their stepped-up patrols along U.S. and state highways, as well as local streets and county roads...

While many truths and myths about the coronavirus have been floating around since the pandemic started at the beginning of the year, one fact is plain as day: We are all tired of hearing about it. Yet this deadly virus, also known as COVID-19, will not be ignored. ...

A news article was recently shared on social media which caused quite the stir amongst Fulton County residents. The article was in regards to an annexation of a new business opening soon in Fulton County, but near the City of Hardy. Spring River Dispensary, the first medical marijuana dispensary in the tri-county area, will soon be opening for business. ...

Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce held their regular monthly meeting at Penny Loafers in Mammoth Spring on Thursday, Dec. 10. Mammoth Spring Mayor Charles Vaughn informed members fencing on the city park will be completed this week. The only things left for the park will be items not through the grant. One example provided was lighting for the park...

The Salem Chamber of Commerce made an exciting announcement several weeks ago. Hoping to add some extra cheer to the end of 2020, the chamber will be hosting its annual Christmas light contest. “A Light in the Darkness” is the 2020 Christmas Light Contest theme...

The Calico Rock Community Foundation has awarded six grants to small, local businesses that have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The grants were made possible by dollars generated at The Marketplace, which is owned by the Foundation, and the Department of Arkansas Parks, Tourism, and Heritage...

Back in July, Fulton County Hospital CEO Curren Everett discussed how the hospital was continuing to serve during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was proud of the hospital and staff members’ for how they have continued to work hard for the patients during this time...

Corey Shelton is a 25-year-old Cherokee Village resident and 2012 graduate of Highland High School. Though an injury has taken him out of active lifting, Shelton has a passion for weight-lifting and would like to encourage others. Something not everyone might know about Shelton is that he has autism...

Local artists Sheila Donley and Carrie McIntosh, recently entered artwork into a local show and received recognition. Donley, of Cherokee Village, and McIntosh, of Elizabeth, are good friends who prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, were painting with the Fulton County Art Council in Salem weekly. Though the weekly activity hasn’t been held in quite some time, their love of art never stops...

Hardy will have it’s traditional Main Street Christmas Parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. All parade workers will be required to wear a mask while in immediate presence of float owners/workers or spectators. All spectators will be asked, but are not required, to wear masks and to practice safe social distancing The parade will start at Woodland Hills drive at the Valero gas station and travel west through Main Street through the traffic light and end at 5th street at the Hardy First Baptist Church next to McDonald’s. ...

After approximately one year of research and writing, local author Ron Estes, has finished two new books about area veterans. The books, Fulton County Soldiers in WWI and Sharp County Soldiers in WWI, feature name and rank, of World War I veterans as well as whether they went overseas or not. For instance, one sailing from New York to France, includes additional information such as when the veteran was born, died, married, parents, buried and what cemetery they are in...

The SACS Christmas Store is accepting applications through Dec. 11 to help families who did not get selected for the Angel Tree or Shop With a Cop Christmas support. According to Executive Director, Brinda Isreal, this will be the final year for the SACS Christmas Store which has served the community for many years, helping bridge the gap...

The Salem City Council held its regular November meeting in the council room of the Salem City Hall on Thursday, Nov. 19. All members participated. The minutes and financial reports were presented, discussed and passed. Next, the police, fire and public works reports were brought forward, discussed and passed...

Fulton County Quorum Court met for a special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1. The purpose of the meeting was to declare the vacancy of Fulton County Assessor and to make an appointment. Lavenia Goodson was unanimously appointed. Fulton County Assessor Brad Schaufler recently announced his retirement and served his last day in office Monday, Nov. 30. Schaufler served as assessor for 12 years. He took office Jan. 1, 2009...

A new program assisting local veterans recently received some very exciting news. The Veterans Outreach Program (VOP), organized and operated by Cully Parr and Dan Morthland, was awarded grant funds to assist in their mission. Areawide Media learned about VOP in late September when local veteran Bill Strauss called Editor Kim Break and invited her to his home to take photos of work being done outside. ...

With the Thanksgiving holiday now behind us, communities and families are focusing on the Christmas season. Ash Flat will hold its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 4:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Cartoon Christmas” and organizers encourage those participating to show their best Charlie Brown, Looney Tunes, Grinch, etc. Prizes will be given out for the various categories...

Fulton County Assessor Brad Schaufler recently announced his retirement, which will create a vacancy in the elected office. Schaufler’s last day is listed as Monday, Nov. 30. In order to declare and fill the vacancy, members of quorum court must consider a resolution. ...

The Salem Chamber of Commerce made an exciting announcement last week. Hoping to add some extra cheer to the end of 2020, the chamber will be hosting its annual Christmas light contest. “A Light in the Darkness” is the 2020 Christmas Light Contest theme...

Fulton County native Charles Broyles joined Fulton County Sheriff’s Office approximately six months ago, and Fulton County Sheriff Al Roork is excited about Broyles’ future in law enforcement. Hired as a full time deputy in May of this year, Broyles began training at the Black River Technical College Law Enforcement Training Academy in Pocahontas, Ark. ...

Small communities, like Salem and Fulton County, are made up of generous individuals who step up in times of need. Though some may consider this “the happiest time of the year”, the holidays are often stressful for some families who are struggling to pay the bills...

William Alma Miller, 44, the man in custody as a suspect in the murder of Rebekah Gould 16 years ago, appeared before Judge Clara Rigmainden in Lane County, Ore. Nov. 12 and requested to fight extradition to Arkansas to appear on charges of capital murder in the first degree...

The Bluff Steakhouse Bar and Grill/ Biggers Inn and White River Health Systems have partnered to aid in fundraising efforts to benefit the Cherokee Village Animal Shelter. Through the sponsorship, a stay-cation/vacation which will include a two night’s stay at Biggers Inn, a $50 gift certificate for dinner at Biggers Inn and a $50 gift certificate for dinner at the Spring River Draft House in Hardy, will be up for grabs...

Gerald and Kelley Stellar, owners of Stellar Construction LLC, in partnership with the Salem VFW, are offering a free Thanksgiving meal for Fulton County residents again this year. Last year, the business and organization partnered with B & B Supply to host the community’s first Thanksgiving dinner event in Fulton County...