The News

This article addresses concerns of some of our veterans that are getting out of the service now and attending classes at our local schools of higher learning. At a congressional hearing earlier this month, lawmakers pleaded with Department of Veterans Affairs officials to give them a date when a severe technology problem that caused payment delays and incorrect payments to thousands of student veterans would be fixed. ...

Department reports, police vehicles and upgrading lighting were the main topics of discussion at Salem City Council’s meeting held Thursday, Nov. 29. During Salem Police Chief Shad Overman’s report, he welcomed Phillip Taylor and wife Erin, and told council members Taylor had just completed training at the law enforcement academy in Pocahontas. ...

Over the past couple of weeks, The News has published articles with information regarding the upcoming sales tax election. This is the last of the series and will re-state facts and the reasons why the election is taking place by answering the following: Who, what, when, where and why?...

At the beginning of each winter, the Salem Masons organize a coat drive in Fulton County. On Thursday, Nov. 29, Salem Masons Frank Kish, Jim Weathers and Jim Griffin presented 151 coats to Salem Elementary Principal Corey Johnson. “Whatever Salem doesn’t use, they take the coats to Mammoth Spring and Viola,” said Kish, who is one of the organizers of the Coats for Kids programs. ...

Mammoth Spring Fire Department and Thayer Fire Department responded to a call at the Riverview Motel on Thursday, Nov. 29. It was determined the fire originated in the bathroom area of room 205. According to Mammoth Spring Fire Chief Casey Poulette, the source of the fire appears to be electrical and was determined to be caused by an exhaust fan being left on in room 205. Two rooms received damage, rooms 205 and 106...

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) recently launched Be Well Arkansas, an enhancement of previous tobacco cessation services, to provide Arkansans with resources to improve their health and well-being. In Arkansas, the leading causes of death include stroke, heart disease and cancer. ...

Dec. 15 is a critical date for Arkansans seeking affordable health insurance coverage. It is the last day for open enrollment in the state’s My Arkansas Insurance Individual Marketplace. This is the program, managed by the Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace (AHIM), that provides health insurance plans for individuals who do not have access to employer-provided insurance...

In this week’s article regarding the upcoming sales tax election, the leaders of the county were interviewed about how the decision was made for the special election, other options, what will happen if the tax doesn’t pass and how it would improve public safety in Fulton County...

A high speed chase in Salem late Nov. 13 resulted in the arrest of two Florida men; Thomas Rashaun Hankerson, 27, and Cedric Cornelius Camper, 21. Based on an incident report from the Salem Police Department, Fulton County Deputy Dakota Cawvey attempted to stop a 2017 Black Nissan Maxima with Georgia license plates. ...

Last year, Fulton County was involved in a friendly competition with Sharp County to see who could collect the most canned and non-perishable food items and personal care items. The items benefited the various food banks and pantries in each county...

In honor of Veterans Day being observed earlier in the month of November, this month’s Community Connections story takes a deeper look into how and why the bridge on Hwy. 9, located near Salem city limits and the Fulton County Hospital, was named “Fulton County Veterans Memorial Bridge”...

On Saturday, Dec.1, Pioneer Village in Searcy, Ark. will celebrate an Old Fashioned Christmas in the Village from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Village, decorated in the style of the late 1800’s with live greenery, berries, and other natural materials will be alive with music, carolers and the sights and sounds of Christmas. ...

White River Area Agency on Aging is sponsoring Silver Angel Christmas Baskets for senior citizens in the counties of Fulton, Izard and Sharp. Various businesses and/or individuals have joined WRAAA in each county to assist in sponsoring the program. The holidays can be a lonely time for many seniors. Join in the efforts to provide them with the magic of Christmas...

While the November election has come and gone, the voters of Fulton County aren’t finished just yet, as one more important decision will be made in the election on Dec. 11, the election to implement a one percent public safety sales tax. It has been 14 years since a sales tax was implemented in Fulton County. ...

The holiday season is a joyful time for many families. This time of the year can also put a lot of pressure on families as well. Luckily, in rural communities like Fulton County, and more specifically Salem and Viola, there are businesses, individuals and organizations who step in to help make the holiday season a little easier for some families...

For millions of people, Thanksgiving starts in the kitchen. Unfortunately, so do many safety risks, such as cooking fires. Emergency physicians offer a few health and safety tips to help you avoid a trip to the ER this holiday season. Research from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reveals that in 2017, on average, U.S. fire departments responded to a home fire every 88 seconds. And, Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for cooking fires...

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission (MMC) is one step closer to announcing the results of the scoring process which will determine dispensary applicants who will receive the permit necessary to open medical marijuana dispensaries across the state...

Arkansas’ investment receipts for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, which ended Sept. 30, reached $25.4 million, Treasurer of State Dennis Milligan told the State Board of Finance Tuesday, Nov. 13. Quarterly receipts haven’t been this high since the fourth quarter of 2008 when the Treasury was averaging about $28 million per quarter...

The holidays bring out the best in Arkansans, but there are some who try to take advantage of our kind hearts by posing as a charitable organization helping Arkansans during the holiday season. Scam artists can use similar-sounding names to legitimate charities and may often be pushy, but provide little information...

The Skillet Restaurant at the Ozark Folk Center State Park plans to host its annual Thanksgiving Buffet from 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. (full buffet) and 3:30 to 6 p.m. (smaller dinner buffet). The Skillet, which won top honors at Arkansas State Park’s 2018 Top Chef competition, will be open on Thursday, Nov. 22 for Thanksgiving and the following day on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m...

If you’re hosting a holiday meal, make food safety a priority or you might end up with ungrateful guests. “Hosting a holiday meal often means having more people at the table, serving a wider variety of dishes and perhaps tackling some unfamiliar recipes. If you’re not careful, all those ingredients can add up to food-borne illness,” says Londa Nwadike, food safety specialist for University of Missouri Extension and Kansas State University Research and Extension...

Veterans Day is a special time set aside to honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much, and continue to sacrifice, for America. This year, the holiday fell on a Sunday and though many churches hosted programs and recognized veterans, many community events were held Monday, Nov. 12...

Viola Solid Rock Assembly visited Viola School on Friday, Nov. 9 to distribute name brand socks and shoes to each student in grades kindergarten to twelfth. The elementary kids also received a “Ty Beanie Baby”. Joe Garner, associate pastor for the church, said the donations were made possible through Rural Compassion, a branch of Convoy of Hope...

There were several contested races, locally and statewide, in the election held Nov. 6. Fulton County voters made history by electing a Republican judge, something that has never been done in the county. There are 7,100 registered voters in Fulton County and over half of them, 3,807, voted in the election. In Izard County, there are 8,062 registered voters and over half, 4,498, voted...

Most associate little league teams with only being played during the summer months. That is not the case, and thankfully so, for the Tri-County Unicorns, who won the two fall tournaments they entered this year. The team consists of five players from Viola, two from Oxford and four from Mountain Home. Though there are three main coaches, all of the players’ parents are involved and can be seen being involved at practices...

During Red Ribbon Week, the Little Rock Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with various state agencies, law enforcement and community partners worked together to coordinate a statewide same day viewing of “Chasing the Dragon” for students at participating campuses. Over 40,000 students, from 130 Arkansas middle schools, high schools and colleges, saw the film on Oct. 24...

With ongoing state and national recognition of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Computer Science Initiative, educators are encouraged to showcase student successes and computer science best practices in the classroom. Positive stories can be shared on social media using #ARKidsCanCode...

A public information meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 28 in Batesville by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to discuss the development of a voluntary, non-regulatory Watershed-Based Management Plan for the Middle White River. The meeting will be at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, Independence Hall Banquet Room, 2005 White Drive (Highway 25). It will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude no later than 12 noon. There is no charge to attend...

Every year, countless American shoppers fall victim to identity thieves by not following a few simple rules while shopping online. Arkansans need to keep track of purchases and a watchful eye on bank and credit card statements to ensure transactions are legitimate...

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Justin King, joined by Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, announced that 26,529 pounds of medication was collected as part of the semi-annual Prescription Drug Take Back held on Saturday, Oct. 27...

Areawide Media had a staff member at the courthouses in Salem and Ash Flat, Ark. and Alton, Mo. We will add Izard County Election Results to our website and this link ASAP Wednesday (Nov. 7) morning. This link combines all counties where we were present on Election Night, Nov. 6. See next week's editions of The News (Fulton & Izard), Villager Journal (Sharp) and The South Missourian News (Oregon Co. & Mammoth Spring) for full election results and stories...

Izard County County Judge: Eric Smith over Warren Anthony Skelton Sheriff: Earnie Blackley over Rick Kimble Collector: Paul Womack over Marilyn Downing JP District 2: Walter Hagan over Thomas Rushing JP District 3: Randy "Hawk" Sherrell over John Walker and Jared Johnson...

As fall season kicks into high gear, temperatures drop which means home heating costs begin impacting families’ budgets across Arkansas. But there are steps consumers can take to stay warm and save money. “By taking a few practical steps we can find the balance of keeping warm and saving money,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “It is unknown what winter will bring this year, but as temperatures drop, keeping energy costs down is important to every family.”...

“There is an extraordinary police officer that really went far above his call of duty. He kept me conscious...as much as I could be....his voice was so calming.” These are words from Andrea Wolverton, of Ash Flat, who was recently involved in a car accident in Salem. “His first name was John, I don’t know his last name. He deserves recognition for not just doing a job, but putting the ‘job’ aside, and became an extraordinary hero. An angel almost.”...

Volunteering, supporting the community and being a true “people person” are values embodied and valued by the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial organization and Donnie Lance, of local Modern Woodmen in Salem, said those characteristics, and more, perfectly describe this year’s Hometown Hero recipient, Noble Lewis...

A fatal accident occurred on Hwy. 62/412 East, near the entrance of Salem. Kathryn Vanlieu, 67, of Salem, was traveling east on Hwy. 62/412 when her vehicle left the roadway and struck a Mazda van, driven by Andrea Wolverton, 45, of Ash Flat. Wolverton was on Bent Wood Lane, waiting to pull onto Hwy. ...

The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) in conjunction with Izard County held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of a new nature trail at the Devil’s Knob/Devil’s Backbone, located 10 miles southwest of Melbourne. According to Izard County Judge Eric Smith, a little over a year ago, he contacted the ANHC after he and his wife had taken a hiking trip at the national forest...

Fulton County County Judge: Jim Kendrick over Darrell Zimmer JP District 3: Burton Yarnell over Gene McBride JP District 5: Johnny Moody over Randy Wilson JP District 7: Ray Matthew over Tesa Bishop-Nelson JP District 9: Charles R. Kendrick over Jimmy Marler...

The fourteenth anniversary of the murder of Rebekah Gould has now passed and there has still not been an arrest made for her murder, but that will hopefully all change soon. Izard County residents remember the cold case well, and are still bothered by the brutal murder of the young 22-year-old college student. ...

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is actively seeking Franklin Cook, 46, of the Bexar area for terroristic threatening, stalking in the first degree, unlawful distribution of sexual images or recordings and harassing communications. In an affidavit of probable cause for arrest, filed Oct. ...

An assembly was held on the Viola Elementary Playground on Friday, Oct. 23 to celebrate trees being planted. Viola Elementary Principal Andy Burden welcome students and teachers as they made their way inside the gym for a short presentation. Burden explained the trees were being donated by the Arkansas Forestry Commission, who also had representatives on hand to assist with planting the trees...

Arkansas State University Chancellor Kelly Damphousse joined with University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville Chancellor Deborah Frazier to sign official articulation agreements for 22 academic programs on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The ceremony conducted at UACCB’s Independence Hall is the latest in A-State’s campaign to improve transfer relationships with regional two-year institutions...

The Salem City Council met on Thursday, Oct. 25, and were informed that Salem Fire Chief Nick Blanton had submitted his resignation via letter to Mayor Daniel Busch. Busch informed the council members that Assistant Fire Chief Sam Rizito would handle the immediate duties of the position until someone could be appointed. No reason for Blanton’s resignation were given during the meeting and a call to city hall the next day resulted in no additional official information...

Thanks to the incredible support of our talented and generous community, the North Arkansas Dance Theatre enjoyed another tremendously successful performance of the Nutcracker last year. As promised, NADT is adding to its first 14 years’ performances with the addition of “The Snow Queen Attendants.” With each new addition, more people can be involved in Nutcracker, not only dancers but people from all walks of life. There is a cast of over 100 from ages five through 65!...

Pioneer Village, Searcy, Ark., will continue celebration of its 50th anniversary at Fall Fest, Nov. 3-4. Pioneer Village is a collection of buildings from the late 1800’s that have been saved from around White County. After the gathering of the buildings, they were first opened for public viewing at the White County Fairgrounds in the fall of 1968. After many years at the fairgrounds, the buildings were moved to the present location in 2002...