The News

Patch is a young male kitty, mostly white with gray stripes. Cute and playful, he will be the best 10 pounds you’ve ever gained! Come and visit the Cherokee Village Animal Control and find a wonderful friend who will love you no matter what. Call 870-994-4445 for more information...

There are many Easter activities for residents to enjoy this weekend. Following is a list of activities. The annual KKountry 95 Easter Egg Hunt will be held Friday, April 19 at 2 p.m. at the Alton ball field. There will be more than 1,000 eggs filled with candy and prizes. The event is for children ages 12 and under. Live bunnies will also be given away. KKountry 95 will broadcast live from noon to 2 p.m...

The Salem Public Schools Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting April 15. Dr. Guy B. Smith called the meeting to order and a quorum was established. All members were present. The minutes from the March 11 meeting were considered and approved...

Shining Light Food Pantry of Mammoth Spring officially opened for distribution on Monday, April 15. The nonprofit organization is located on Highway 63 South, a few doors down from the Spring Dipper. When asked about the advantages and disadvantages to the new location, pantry volunteer Jennifer Smith stated advantages are there is a little more room in the facility and the land is more level, making it easier to carry food in and out. ...

There will be no shortage of things to do in the Spring River area April 20, but if you’re looking for a day of food and fun, and something new, the first ever Arkansas Pie Festival will be held in Cherokee Village at Town Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m...

The 8th annual Art Extravaganza Tour D’Art is slated to take place April 18 from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Ozarka College in Melbourne. According to Tena Rosse, president of the Friends of the Library, this year’s event will feature music, art and more...

The Spring River Shrine Club is hosting the first ever Lake Omaha Hook, Line and Sinker Bass Classic. It will be held May 4, and fishers will participate from 6 a.m., to 2 p.m. and be competing for a total of $1,750 in prizes. According to Doug Driesel with the Shrine Club, the Shrine Club in Cherokee Village was formed during the same time frame as the Village itself...

State Conservationist Mike Sullivan announced applications are being accepted through May 17 for a National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) in a portion of Fulton County, Ark. Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide technical and financial assistance to producers to install conservation practices in the Greasy Creek-Strawberry Watershed to improve water quality...

The Quad Cities Rotary Club is selling chances to win tickets to the upcoming Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs game which will be held June 1 in at Busch Stadium in St. Louis MO. According to Ethan Barnes, the Quad Cities Rotary Club as well as other clubs in the district, will be selling tickets and half of the funds raised will be used to support the local organization...

The in Little Rock and Fayetteville in April and May. Successful completion of the testing school will result in the issuance of a Private Blood Tester’s license to test for Pullorum-Typhoid of Poultry. The Little Rock school will be April 24 at the U of A Cooperative Extension Service Auditorium at 2301 South University in Little Rock. Registration for the Little Rock school will begin at 8:20 a.m. and class will start at 8:30 a.m...

Arkansas Agriculture’s Forestry Commission is now accepting applications for the 2019 Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program through May 3, for schools needing additional shade on playgrounds. Selected schools will receive five shade trees, mulch, watering supplies, and planting guidelines. Officials with the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) will help plant the trees during a ceremony with students in the fall. The STOP program application and program guidelines can be found here...

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has announced the timeline for the 2019 Federal Grant Program, States Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). Applications are now being accepted to the Local Planning and Development District. The White River Planning and Development District (WRPDD) coordinates the DRA funding for the following counties: Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, White and Woodruff. ...

Gary Paxson, President and CEO of White River Health System (WRHS), recently announced the selection of four Vice-President (VP) officers within the system. Mr. Paxson selected Lindsey Castleberry as VP of Human Resources & General Counsel; Jeff Reifsteck as Assistant VP & Chief Information Officer; Jody Smotherman as VP of Community Engagement; and Dr. Chris Steel as VP & Chief Quality Officer...

Scam artists are hiding online pretending to sell domestic pets, but instead are taking the consumer’s money without turning over a new fluffy friend. Often, these ads are found on free buy-and-sell websites and use especially endearing photos of the animal they have no intention of sending, or may not even own...

The Center on Aging-Northeast in Jonesboro, a program of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), is offering Walk With Ease classes at no cost to participants starting April 22 every Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Southwest Church of Christ, 1601 James St. in Jonesboro...

The 40th annual Health Fair & Expo presented by Baxter Regional Medical Center, KTLO, Classic Hits & The Boot is Wednesday, April 24, 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home. Free blood sugar, cholesterol, PSA and HbA1c tests will be offered (until 1 p.m. ...

During a ceremony in the governor’s office Wednesday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed Senate Bill 397. The bill creates an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission resident disabled veterans license that includes a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license, a lifetime Arkansas duck stamp and an Arkansas trout stamp...

April is National Fresh Celery Month, and Arkansans can mark the occasion by taking advantage of the vegetable’s special flavor when cooking soups, stews, pot roasts or vegetable stocks, Marilyn Burch, Extension associate-foods and nutrition for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), said...

When Elizabeth Smith, pharmacist/owner of Pharmacy Barn in Viola, opened her business last year, she wanted to do something to help the community. Though bringing a pharmacy and another restaurant option to the small town was one method of helping, Smith wanted to do something more...

Fulton County Quorum Court met for its monthly meeting Monday, April 8. Once minutes from previous meetings and reports were approved, quorum court members discussed items on the agenda. Advisory committees that met prior to quorum court were finance and budget, economic development and road and bridge...

Viola High School teacher Sharmin Jennings is encouraging her students, and residents all over Fulton County and surrounding areas, to wear to blue/green on Friday, April 12 to show support of April being National Donate Life. Sharmin and her family are advocates for organ donation due to her son being an organ donor and being able to give the gift of life, even after his tragic death...

The investigation as to whether a Hardy police officer was justified to use his firearm during an incident March 22 has come to an end. According to a letter sent to Wendall Jines of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division April 2 by Third Judicial Prosecutor Henry Boyce, Officer Dallas Montgomery’s actions have been determined to be justified...

Imagine being 15-years-old and having to overcome more adversity in that short time than most have to in a lifetime. Overcoming obstacles, setting new goals and continued improvements are all aspects of 15-year-old Viola student and resident Kaitlyn Billinger's life...

Salem City Council met Thursday, March 28 to receive updates from various departments and review the sanitation service agreement. When discussing minutes from the previous meeting, Mayor Daniel Busch had a clarification regarding the automatic aid agreements discussed. ...

Approximately 40 members from Fulton, Izard and Sharp Counties gathered together at the Fulton County Fairgrounds for the CREATE BRIDGES meeting on Tuesday, March 26, the second in a series of meetings geared toward enhancing economic development and growth in rural economies...

The First Impact Foundation (FIF) partnered with Bearkatz Against Drugs, the Melbourne Fire Department, Arkansas State Police, Survival Flight, Izard County Sheriff’s Department, Vital Link and others March 27 as the students of Melbourne High School watched a re-enactment which would surly give the students some food for thought...

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Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce held their monthly meeting on March 28 at Shorty’s Restaurant. After February minutes were read and approved, President Trena Spears informed are they not official as Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce but as MS Chamber of Commerce. They are also applying to be a nonprofit 506 organization, which would make them exempt from being taxed for purchases...

Though her time as Mammoth Spring Mayor came to an end at the start of 2019, Jean Pace continues to receive recognition for the leadership role. “Ms. Jean has served the City of Mammoth Spring and our church faithfully for more than half of my lifetime. I feel blessed and privileged to know her,” said Kelly Steed, First Christian Church of Mammoth Spring Worship Leader...

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension will be offering two events which will be open to the public. According to Chelsea Conway, Sharp County FCS Agent, a free diabetes class, “Know Your Numbers” will be held April 8 at Ozarka College in Ash Flat from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m...

If the residents of Fulton County have enjoyed the tulips in previous years, just wait until this year! The Fulton County Master Gardeners have planted over 15,000 bulbs with 10,000 to 13,000 on the Fulton County Courthouse lawn. There are a total of 87 raised beds, not counting all the barrels and plantings around the gazebo and the permanent flower bed. In the next few weeks this really should be spectacular...

The Fulton County Water Authority is making headway toward beginning the fifth phase of expansion which could potentially add up to 35 miles of connection availability for Fulton County residents. According to Darrell Zimmer, with Fulton County Water Authority, the first phase of the project took place in 1991 with a well and lines being placed in Agnos...

Tri-County Farm & Ranch and W.R.D. Entertainment present the second annual Ozarks Sports & Outdoor Expo on Saturday, March 30 at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in Salem. The Fulton County Fair Association and the Salem Chamber of Commerce have a full day of events planned for all ages. Over 65 vendors will be located in the Salem Civic Center and on the Fulton County Fairgrounds...

Jarod Casady, of Cherokee Village, a member of Boy Scout Troop 639, and his fellow Scout members recently built and donated six picnic tables to the Fulton County Fair Association for use at the fairgrounds and for events at the Salem Civic Center. Scout leader Sean Sanders coordinated the construction of the tables and the group and their leaders spent Saturday building the tables and they were delivered to the fairgrounds Sunday afternoon. ...

The Fulton County Hospital Board of Governors met Monday, March 25. Minutes of the previous meeting, foundation report and financial and statistical report were approved by the board. The foundation report was given by Jennifer Perryman. Perryman informed the board of a gospel singing fundraiser the foundation will sponsor Sunday, April 28. ...

Fulton County Quorum Court held a special meeting Monday, March 25. The one agenda item was to adopt a resolution declaring the position of JP District 9 vacant. At the regularly scheduled meeting held earlier this month, it was announced Charles Kendrick will be resigning as Fulton County Justice of the Peace for District 9 at the end of the month...

The Viola Solid Rock Assembly of God (VSRAG) is certainly working to make a difference in northern Arkansas as they work to partner with churches in surrounding counties to help improve the quality of life for the people they serve. Earlier this month, the Convoy of Hope traveled to the church in Viola to hold a training for pastors and leaders who attended...

The annual Spring Cleanup event for the City of Salem is slated for March 25. According to a press release issued by Salem Mayor Daniel Busch, city trucks will run all streets in Salem during the cleanup. This cleanup is to help pick up accumulations of items that are not normally covered under the regular weekly trash pickup...

University of Arkansas’ Division of Agriculture: Research and Extension program has offices in each of the 75 counties in the state. The program’s mission statement is, “We strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices.” The Fulton County Extension Office displays the mission with a well-rounded staff; a staff that has recently seen some changes...

The proposed sewer plant for Viola residents is set to “break ground” by the end of the year, according to City of Viola Mayor Jackie Estes. A special meeting was held Thursday, March 14 for the opportunity to ask additional questions of John Selig, of Civil Engineering Associates in Jonesboro, Ark., regarding the final plans of the sewer project. Following the meeting was an easement signing for property owners whose land will be accessed during the installation...

Detective Cody Bailey with the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department recently took a few minutes to speak with the Villager Journal about multiple scams which have been reported and how they are impacting residents of the area. Recently, there was a report from another news agency which reported a woman who had fallen prey to a scam costing her approximately $30,000...

The Ash Flat City Council met March 12. Fireman Adam Bates delivered the fire report announcing the department had hosted a In Woods/Logger Rescue Class. Bates stated the class had been taught by a professional logger with approximately 54 people in attendance from state and local agencies as well as citizens...

Mammoth Spring City Council held their regular monthly meeting Monday, March 4. Before council addressed city business, Fulton County Judge Jim Kendrick addressed the council and those in attendance. He stated he will not be at all city council meetings but will be available when needed. ...

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program is pleased to partner with the Arkansas Educational Television Network once again for the Arkansas Historic Places Student Film Prize. This contest is open to all Arkansas students grades 5 to 12 and is conducted in collaboration with the AETN Student Selects: A Young Filmmakers Showcase...

Fulton County Quorum Court met with a full agenda and another full courtroom on Monday, March 11. Prior to quorum court, the six committees created by the new administration were spread out in various rooms throughout the courthouse, holding their first meetings. Representatives from each committee spoke later during the meeting...