The News

North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NAEC) celebrated 79 years of serving its members at the annual meeting held Thursday, June 6, at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in Salem. Though it was messy and rainy for most of the day and evening, that didn’t stop NAEC members from attending the annual event for a fun filled afternoon and evening. ...

Jeffrey Allen Summerhill, of Camp, Ark., was arrested in Ozark Acres by Sharp County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, June 7 following an incident at a private residence. According to an affidavit for the warrant of Summerhill’s arrest, Summerhill has been charged with numerous crimes: assault in the third degree (class C misdemeanor), terroristic threatening in the first degree (class D felony), criminal trespass (class B misdemeanor), DWI, refusal to submit, disorderly conduct (class C misdemeanor) and stalking in the first degree (class C felony).. ...

A 2010 Salem High School graduate Kenneth “Cameron” Crow had no idea when he graduated high school nine years ago, he’d be where he is today. In May, Crow received his bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and was commissioned to the rank of US Army Second Lieutenant. He was able to get to these achievements by taking advantage of one of many life changing opportunities available in the Army...

Neil McWilliams was recognized as Mammoth Spring’s Hometown Hero at the Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce meeting held at the Spring Dipper Ice Cream Parlor in Mammoth Spring. “With appreciation from Modern Woodmen, Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce and the Mammoth Spring community, we are recognizing you for what you do and appreciating all your contributions to the community. Today, you are truly our hometown hero,” said Trena Spears...

A pilot program focused on economic development in six rural Arkansas counties has moved on to its second phase: interviewing business owners involved in retail, entertainment, accommodations and tourism. CREATE BRIDGES is a multi-state pilot to help communities strengthen the retail, tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors, which provide jobs and business opportunities that frequently boost rural economies. ...

The Fulton County Fair recently awarded $7,500 in scholarships to graduating seniors in Fulton County who are active in the county, district and state fairs and have met the guidelines for the fair scholarship program. The Fulton County Fair Foundation awarded seven $1,000 scholarships and a $500 scholarship from ASU-Mountain Home was awarded to the 2018 Fulton County Fair Queen. Scholarship winners are:...

Fulton County Quorum Court held its May meeting on Monday, May 27. Though it was unusual to be held on a holiday (Memorial Day), Judge Jim Kendrick said the schedule change was due to area graduations. Minutes from the previous meeting and financial reports were reviewed and approved...

A public meeting was held regarding a FUN Park Grant at Mammoth Spring City Hall on Monday, June 3 before the regular monthly meeting. Reagan Miller with White River Planning and Development discussed guidelines for the FUN Park Grant the city would like to apply for. This is a no matching grant for up to $50,000. Funds from this would be used to fix the basketball and tennis courts at the city park...

Tragedy struck May 25 following the drowning death of a three-year-old child in Cherokee Village. According to a report from the Cherokee Village Police Department, officers were dispatched to the residence on Lake Omaha following a 911 call from a family member that a child had fallen in the lake...

The Fulton County Hospital’s Board of Governors held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 20. With all members present, Chair Charles Owens called the meeting to order. The first order of business was consideration of the minutes of the previous meeting which were presented and approved...

The Salem City Council met on Thursday, May 23, at the Salem City Hall for its regular monthly meeting. Mayor Daniel Busch called the meeting to order with a quorum present, thus the meeting proceeded. The minutes from the April meeting were considered and approved...

Two Missouri State University graduate students along, with two professors, recently visited the Spring River to research the uniqueness of the tributary and its travertine deposits also known as naturally formed dams. During a previous visit to Mammoth Spring, graduate students Jordan Vega and Tyler Engelbart were directed to Jean Pace, who was able to get them access to a section of the river where one of the natural occurring bridges has directly formed...

Julie Dunn began dreaming of pageants as a child, but just was’nt something her family could afford. Now, as a mother of girls (and a son who isn’t a fan of pageants), she travels to pageants with and for them. Along the way, her daughters inspired and encouraged her to fulfill a lifelong dream...

Some examples that come to mind when considering health in general are typically heart health, obesity, diabetes, etc... One of the most important aspects of our health is often not considered enough, leading to negative associations...mental health...

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) sent a team of researchers to the Sharp County area the week of May 16 to conduct a planning study and gather input from the public in regards to the Highway 412 Corridor Planning Study. Although there is no funding allocated for the majority of the projects and locations marked out on the map, the corridor spans from the Oklahoma to Missouri state lines across northern Arkansas...

In Arkansas, one farmer’s weed is another farmer’s favorite forage, Dr. David Fernandez, Extension livestock specialist and interim assistant dean of academic programs for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, said...

Several law enforcement agencies were involved in a high speed chase spanning more than 40 miles and three counties May 15. Reportedly, the chase for a man later identified as James Cannon, of Little Rock, began just after 8 p.m. in Lawrence County after the authorities received a report of a reckless driver just outside of Black Rock on Highway 361...

The 2019 Fulton County Homecoming will celebrate 70 years of coming together. The festivities begin on Friday, May 24, lasting all weekend, and though not a “Homecoming” event, the final activity of the extended weekend is Salem VFW Post 9777’s Memorial Day Service at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 27...

Bob Maguffee started and finished his time spent in education, as a student and as a teacher/coach, all in the same place...Salem School District. After 33 and a half years in education, Maguffee retired from Salem Schools on Monday, May 13. For the past week, retirement has been treating Maguffee well. “So far, so good. I’ve been catching fish like crazy. I caught a 16 pound striper this morning,” he said with a laugh...

The Salem Public Schools Board of Directors held it regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 20. President Dr. Guy B. Smith called the meeting to order with all members present. The first order of business was consideration of the minutes of the April 15 meeting which were approved...

After winning the race against time to meet the Feb. 15 deadline to secure funding for the Humphrey’s Ford Bridge Project, Fulton County has been in a holding pattern since. According to Milan Novak, roads and bridge improvement coordinator for Fulton County, the paperwork was submitted on time and the county was able to secure the $3.8 million in funding to construct a new and safer bridge...

George Leonard Thomas, 71, of Salem, Ark., departed this life on Thursday, May 16, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. George was born to the late Leonard Thomas and Sue Hardy Thomas on Jan. 23, 1948 in Chicago, Ill. George was united in marriage to Jimalee Clark on Feb. ...

Viola Elementary’s Carol Duncan and her sixth grade students, presented the 10th annual Veterans Appreciation Ceremony on Thursday, May 9. This year, veterans who served during Vietnam War, Cold War, Iraq War and Operation Enduring Freedom, were honored. “These men are symbols of freedom. We know freedom is not free and that they put their lives on the line to keep us free,” said the classmates who welcomed veterans and those in attendance...

Mammoth Spring VFW Post 7831 held a special ceremony to properly retire old worn flags. In a site, previously a group gathered on the evening of Tuesday, May 7. “Tonight, we honor the symbol of our American freedom, the American flag, as we retire her from duty. ...

Mammoth Spring Council approved April meeting minutes, fire department and police reports at the beginning of their regular monthly meeting held Thursday, May 9. A discussion with Alan Ramseur was rescheduled for Tuesday, May 14 at 10 a.m. due Ramseur being unable to attend...

On Saturday, May 18, the Viola Longhorns (25-7) will be headed to beautiful Baum Stadium on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville for the state championship game against Taylor (21-7). The Longhorns defeated Armorel 10-0 in a five-inning game to advance. ...

The Hardy Fire Department will hold a pancake breakfast and public auction May 18 in conjunction with other city departments. The event will begin at 7 a.m. with breakfast being offered until 10 a.m. followed by the opening of the auction at 10:30 a.m...

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host a free “Kids Fishing Derby” for youngsters 15 years old and younger, at the commission’s Jim Hinkle/Spring River State Fish Hatchery on Saturday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The Jim Hinkle/Spring River State Fish Hatchery is located 2.5 miles south of Mammoth Spring, at the end of State Highway 342...

A new degree program at Williams Baptist University will help students prepare for careers related to healthcare, with an emphasis on those who are aging. WBU is launching the Bachelor of Science in Health Studies: Gerontology this fall. The hybrid degree program includes courses from several academic disciplines, and it is intended to provide students a well-rounded background for careers related to health care...

Chancellor Kelly Damphousse told graduates at Arkansas State University’s commencement ceremony Saturday his hope is that they learned, along with facts and theories about how the world works around them, other lessons that challenge them through the end of their days...

Third-party travel websites are popular but some may charge Arkansans unnecessary, hidden fees. As Arkansans begin to make summer vacation plans, they should use caution when going online for services including booking travel through an online third-party vendor...

Comfort Keepers Ministry, in partnership with the Wives of Armor, will be hosting it’s second annual Safety Swim Day set for June 8 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in Ash Flat. According to Lauren Siebert, founder of the ministry, the swim day is a time to teach children ages 3 to 8 the basics of swimming and to provide them with a life jacket...

The City of Salem and Salem Chamber of Commerce are hosting the 70th annual Fulton County Homecoming Festival May 24-25. Custom designed t-shirts are available for $10 at Bank of Salem, FNBC, Salem Drug Company, Church Street Boutique and Whatever in Salem. Kids shirts sizes 2T to Youth XL will also be available for sale at Church Street Boutique...

The end of the school year is drawing closer. There are many area features and upcoming events for families to enjoy this summer. For the month of May, Mammoth Spring State Park will feature many great programs to enjoy. On Saturday, May 11, members of the 21st Century Club will present its annual Herb and Plant Sale...

According to Horseshoe Bend Mayor, Craig Huckaby, there are several events, projects and businesses coming to the city this year, beginning with the upcoming Dogwood Days celebration. “Dogwood Days is coming up [May 10 and 11] and we will also have the theater which will be doing Music in the Mountains and they’ve got some interesting signs on the side of the road if you drive by,” Huckaby said. There are numerous charity golf tournaments coming up...

Tim Johnson, Senior Military and Veterans Representative for Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, visited with Fulton County veterans on Wednesday, April 17 at the Salem VFW Post 9777 to discuss the Veterans History Project (VHP) at the Library of Congress. ...

Since taking the position as the Fulton County Roads and Street Improvement Coordinator earlier this year, Milan Novak said he has hit a proverbial wall when it comes to keeping in step with his job title. So much so, he has decided to take up the cause of finding a way to bring more revenue to Fulton County...

After catching wind famous actor, director, screenwriter and filmmaker David Arquette, along with his wife Christina, were working on a documentary series in Jonesboro, Highland High School’s film and radio instructor, AK Barnes reached out to see if the couple would be willing to take some time to speak to her students...

Arkansas’ top two youth volunteers of 2019, Anna Claire Hay, 16, of Springdale and Taci Humphries, 12, of Ash Flat, were honored in the nation’s capital for their outstanding volunteer service during the 24th annual presentation of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. ...

The Arkansas Department of Transportation will conduct three public involvement meetings to discuss the Highway 412 Corridor Planning Study from the Oklahoma state line to the Missouri state line. Each meeting will be similar in content. The first meeting will be Tuesday, May 14 from to 4 to 7 p.m. ...

Scammers are continuing to find ways to steal Arkansans’ Social Security numbers. Many of these attempts begin with a robocall requesting a call back and stating that the consumer’s Social Security number has been found, often at the scene of a crime. The person on the other end of the phone threatens the consumer by stating if they do not return the call they will be sent to jail...

The American Red Cross serving northeast Arkansas is offering residents of Sharp and the surrounding counties the opportunity to get involved during their upcoming Mini Institute 2019 slated for May 18 at the First United Methodist Church in Hardy from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m...

Arkansas State University will hold its 2019 Spring Commencement ceremonies, Saturday, May 11, at First National Bank Arena, 217 Olympic Drive. Chancellor Kelly Damphousse will confer over 2,200 diplomas during the 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. services. Students representing seven colleges and Undergraduate Studies will receive degrees. ...

The Salem City Council held its regular monthly meeting on April 18. With a quorum present, Mayor Daniel Busch called the meeting to order. Minutes from the previous meeting were presented and approved. Next, the financial report was presented and approved, pending an adjustment...

The University of Arkansas Extension-Fulton County and the Bank of Salem hosted the Ready, Set, Graduate Program at Salem High School on Wednesday, April 17. This was the program’s tenth year to teach high school seniors to be more prepared when handling everyday finances. ...

Hole N the Wall Ranch in Viola is holding the third annual Spring Gathering Chuckwagon Races April 26-28. “Our mission is to give locals a place a little closer to home to go enjoy the outside. [Some] kids today don’t even have the opportunity to get out and see anything other than go to the mall, Springfield or Little Rock. ...

Students from Viola High School recently made history as being the first ever team from VHS to enter a robotics competition. According to arkansasstemcoalition.com, “FIRST® Robotics Competitions are for students in grades 9-12. The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.”. ...