The News

The Fulton County Shop with a Cop program is still relatively new to the county. In 2016, funds were donated to begin the first ever Fulton County Shop with a Cop for 2017. Fundraising efforts began when Fulton County Fair Manager and community volunteer Carolyn Lewis, inquired about bringing the program to Fulton County after seeing the success of Sharp County’s event...

In South Central Missouri, just like everywhere else in the country, employment in healthcare occupations is projected to increase by 14% through 2028, a much faster growth rate than average for all occupations. Across the nation, 1.9 million new jobs will be opening up; significantly more than in any other occupational group...

Jason Rivers was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance (class D felony), distribution of controlled substances near certain facilities (felony enhancement of 10 years), possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver (schedule VI, class D felony) and as a habitual offender...

The Arkansas Century Farm Program recognizes Arkansas’s rich agricultural heritage and honors families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. The program is administered by the Arkansas Agriculture Department. The program is fairly new to Arkansas, as the first families inducted were in 2012. During the 2019 ceremony, two Fulton County farms received the recognition: Morris-Taylor Family Farm and Humphries Hubble Creek Farm...

It has been 15 years since the murder of Rebekah Gould and still, her killer is roaming free. Author George Jared has covered the murder from the beginning, when Rebekah was considered a missing person. He was also there the day her body was found. His third true crime book was released a couple of months, meaning new details and information he’s uncovered since the previous update. Though the whole book isn’t dedicated to Rebekah’s case, Jared included her story...

Bill Strauss, who was featured on front page last week for celebrating his 100th birthday Oct. 27, had an eventful week leading up to his birthday. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Strauss made his first trip to Washington D.C. as one of 80 veterans privileged to take part in the Honor Flight of the Ozarks...

Recently, Salem Mayor Daniel Busch made a presentation to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The presentation was about the grant proposal the City of Salem has submitted to the department, requesting funding to refurbish the city’s tennis courts. ...

Veterans Day became a national holiday in 1938 to honor all military veterans. Though it is a special day to honor veterans, everyone is invited to take part in observing through several special events in the community. American Legion Post 344 Commander Jim Rubright elaborated on the history of Veterans Day. ...

Vera Jamison, of Viola, celebrated her 100th birthday on Oct. 5. Friends and family celebrated her 100 years at the First Baptist Church in Viola on Saturday, Oct. 5. Jamison was born in her grandmother’s house in North Wales, Great Britain. Her mother was pregnant with her when on the ship ride to England, and when Jamison was three-months-old, she made the trip back to the United States, where they lived in Pittsburgh, Pa...

Author George Jared recently released his third true crime book, Whispers in the Willows. Jared has family ties in Hardy, Ark., and was a former reporter for Areawide Media, several years ago. Witches of West Memphis and The Creekside Bones were Jared’s first two true crime books...

In this day and age, emergency personnel can never be too prepared to handle a number of disasters. Fulton County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy John Cawvey spent six months preparing for an active shooter training which came to fruition on Friday, Oct. 11...

Arkansas State Representative Michelle Gray, of Melbourne, recently received two awards; 2019 Statesman Award and 2019 Business Matters Leadership Award. A press release detailing the awards were issued. Gray was awarded the 2019 Statesman Award by Family Council Action Committee. ...

Kevin Sanders, 49, was charged with obstruction of interference with emergency medical personnel or first responder, class D felony, from an incident occurring on Sept. 7. Randy Ninemire, of Mammoth Spring, was charged with maintaining drug premises, class B felony; possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine/cocaine), class C felony; and use or possession with the purpose to use drug paraphernalia, class D felony...

The traditional country sounds of Porter Union will return to the Salem Civic Center during the Fulton County Hospital Foundation’s Boots, Bands & BBQ fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 2. Cole Michael Porter and wife Kendra Porter, of Springfield, Mo., have crisscrossed the country performing for a decade. ...

For quite some time, Izard County resident Sheri Jones, has been fighting for her life as she battles stage four colon, lymph node, liver and lung cancer. Although she has been receiving treatment from White River Medical Center in Batesville, Jones said the treatments are not only taking a toll on her health, but her finances as well...

Last week’s article for Suicide Prevention and Awareness was from the perspective of an individual who attempted suicide, and now strives to be an advocate for mental health. This week’s outlook on suicide is another very personal account. Myranda Hobbs, of Hardy, is speaking from a different side of suicide. “My husband, James Hobbs, died by suicide in April of this year,” she said...

Salem High School is the first in Arkansas to install a device to help with an ongoing issue in teens … vaping. Salem School District Superintendent Wayne Guiltner said vape detectors have been installed in the high school restrooms recently. “Right now, everywhere you go, you see people vaping. There are some health concerns being put out there to everyone, but it still seems to be accepted,” said Guiltner...

Salem School District welcomed a new school resource officer (SRO) at the beginning of the school year. Joey Patten, a native of the West Plains area, was excited to accept the position, as it meant a goal in his law enforcement career had been reached, becoming a SRO...

Outgoing, successful, community minded… these are all characteristics that describe Sharp County businessman and resident, John Kunkel. He stays involved in the community as an advocate for many organizations in the area. One thing people might not know about Kunkel is at the age of 24, he attempted suicide when living in Little Rock...

Were you one of the Fulton County residents who received a letter from the county assessor’s office in late August? Those who did receive letters might’ve been confused at first but they wouldn’t be the first ones to be confused by this statewide error...

Earlier in the summer, The News visited with George Wright, a faithful Salem Senior Life Center attendee and puzzle master extraordinaire. At the time, he was working to complete a 24,000 piece puzzle and was seeking help. His goal was to complete it in time to enter it into the 100th Fulton County Fair, which he did – winning Grand Champion...

Case Wagoner, a first grade student at Melbourne Elementary was able to use his perseverance to complete a 600 piece replica, made from Legos, of the Titanic in just four days. According to Amy Anderton, Wagoner’s teacher, he had completed the project prior to the start of the school year, but was able to use it to encourage his classmates once the year began...

Around town last week, flyers were being distributed for a “Stop the Cycle: Spay/neuter assistance” meeting to be held on Saturday, Sept. 7. Susan Campbell Tinin, one of three women responsible for organizing the meeting, spoke with The News about the reasons why these individuals are coming together to talk about this topic...

Mammoth Spring City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The August minutes were approved. Mammoth Spring Fire Department Chief Dwayne French informed council there are 12 members with the department. Since Aug. 6, there have been 17 calls, none of them were fires...

Prior to arraignment in Fulton County Circuit Court Thursday, Sept. 5, Fulton County Judge Jim Kendrick’s newest attorney L. Gray Dellinger, of Melbourne, had filed paperwork on his behalf. Kendrick is facing a class D felony for theft of property following an investigation by the Arkansas State Police. The incident in which he is said to be accused of stealing occurred in June, and he was arrested and released on Aug. 8...

Ozarka College, in partnership with UAMS and MidSouth Health Systems, has been selected as the recipients for a Delta Understanding and Preventing Opioid Abuse in Rurality Grant. According to Katie Wilson, Division Chair for Nursing and Allied Health, with Ozarka College, the grant is also in partnership with Winrock International who will oversee the grant process...

The September meeting of the Fulton County Quorum Court was held Monday, Sept. 9. With a quorum deemed present, Judge Jim Kendrick called the meeting to order. Judge Kendrick stated the report of Fulton County Road and Bridge Superintendent Milan Novak, needed to be moved up on the agenda so that Novak could leave the meeting and go out and check on a couple of roads. ...

Imagine being eight-years-old, enjoying just a few more later than usual nights before school starts back, running around outside playing an exciting game of hide and go seek in the dark with siblings. Takes you back to a more carefree time, but those carefree times can quickly come to an end with a “prickly” feeling...

The Salem City Council met for its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 22. Mayor Daniel Busch called the meeting to order. The minutes of the previous meeting were considered and approved. Next, the financial report was considered and approved...

The Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce held the annual antique and classic car show on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Mammoth Spring State Park. The event marked the 36th year for the car show and was well attended. It set an all-time record for cars registered, at 131 entries. ...

Senator John Boozman organized a small gathering of Fulton County people to join him in celebrating the life of Fulton County resident, Bill Strauss. Strauss will be turning 100-years-old Oct. 27, and Sen. Boozman wanted to be one of the first to wish him a happy 100th birthday, and to ask Strauss for “survival tips” to live to be 100...

The Fulton County Hospital Board of Governors held its regular monthly meeting on August 26 in the Board Room at the hospital. With a quorum present, Chair Charles Owens called the meeting to order. The first order of business was the consideration of minutes from the July meeting. The minutes from the previous meeting were accepted...

Between the Salem Police Department and Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, several arrests have been made during the month of August. Most recently, nearly each individual threatened harm or inflicted harm on the law enforcement officers on the scene, and one arrest was of one to be considered a “public servant” to the community...

James Smith, 74, of Horseshoe Bend, died as a result of a one-vehicle accident which occurred on Highway 395 N on Friday, Aug. 23. Smith was driving a 2004 Jeep, north on Hwy. 395. The driver failed to negotiate a curve and over corrected, then left the roadway and struck a ditch...

Odds are, if you traveled along US Hwy. 62/412 on Thursday, Aug. 15, you were aware of a motor vehicle accident which claimed the life of one, and had traffic slowed to a standstill for several hours. Sam Kirkland, 23, of Caufield, Mo., was traveling east on Hwy. ...

A recently confirmed case of hepatitis A may leave the public with questions. Awareness and knowing how to prevent the virus are key in remaining healthy and hepatitis A free. According to Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), the agency is responding to a hepatitis A outbreak in northeast Arkansas. “Since February 2018, 399 cases have been reported as part of this outbreak,” said information found on ADH’s website...

Izard County resident Hannah Brown has spent the last several weeks working on her fundraising campaign for the Autism Speaks Walk, slated for Oct. 19. “I am on the spectrum and I am trying to beat my goal from last year. It is to raise money for awareness for autism,” Brown said...