Villager Journal

A large group gathered at the Sharp County Courthouse in Ash Flat Sept. 15 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the building’s dedication. The ceremony began with a welcome from Sharp County Judge Gene Moore, who had part in organizing the anniversary celebration...

For more than 20 years now, if you happen to drive past the Hardy United Methodist Church in Hardy around this time of year, you may notice what has become a familiar and welcoming scent. Known as the Apple Butter Gang, members of the congregation, gather to create hundreds of jars of apple butter...

The now four month old beaver named Willow, who was displaced during the flooding in May, has been growing by leaps and bounds, according to local rehabber Rebecca Gage. Willow was taken to Gage in late May of this year, after he was discovered in a parking lot near the Spring River. The then four-week-old beaver was not only displaced, but was unable to fend for himself...

A large crowd gathered at Fountain Place in Cherokee Village Sept. 12 for an informational medical seminar presented by Sherry Matthew and hosted by Fountain Place. The seminar opened with Mike Watson, a State Farm agent, who spoke to those in attendance about the importance of long-term care insurance...

The Highland City Council passed a resolution in support of a medical marijuana dispensary being placed within the city during their regular meeting Sept. 12. The issue was brought to council by business consultant Ethan Barnes on behalf of a client who had intention to apply to be granted a permit to operate a medical dispensary...

Following an investigation by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon County Sheriff’s Office, Sharp County Sheriff’s Office and the Thayer Police Department, five subjects were arrested. Two stolen ATVs, one stolen vehicle, a large amount of stolen property and narcotics were recovered...

A record number of people attended this year’s Farm Trade Show presented by Oregon County Soil and Water Conservation District. This year there were more than 600 that attended the fifth year of the event. “Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. We had several people say that this was the best year so far,” said Sarah Stubbs, District Specialist IV with the Oregon County Soil and Water Conservation District...

This year’s Punkin Run had great a turnout and bike entries have more than doubled since the first year. On Saturday, Sept. 9 participants gathered at the Piney Creek Park outside of Alton for the scholarship fundraiser. There were approximately 60 bikes and trikes that rode in the event and 71 people registered for the Dice Run. The first year, there were 25 riders that participated...

The topic of the latest Oregon County Historical Society meeting involved their latest publication, Oregon County History Train Wrecks and Plane Crashes. The meeting began with Don Shehorn presenting a presentation in honor of Goldina Hansen, a member of the organization that passed away...

Bob Rodgers, of Viola, had applied to take part in the Ozarks Honor Flight two years ago. He had forgotten about the application, and was then contacted this year to learn he had been chosen. On Tuesday, Aug. 29, Rodgers flew out of the Springfield, Mo. airport to Washington D.C. with fellow veterans...

Fulton County Hospital has recently began to use a patient portal through “InsteliChart” which is a federally-regulated online medical account that allows the hospital’s patients, and other entities such as the on-site clinic, to review medical records...

With Salem School District introducing a Civics course this 2017-18 school year, the district thought that it couldn’t be a better time than to honor local veterans through a program called Operation Recognition. This program provides several options to honor local veterans during various parts of the year, by presenting Korean and Vietnam soldiers with a high school diploma...

A canine obedience training class is now available in Melbourne at no cost. Lucky Dog Training is taught by Barb Reiter and Carmela Galas, who have both trained their own dogs for several years, under teacher direction, as well as began to help others training their dogs. The dog obedience training will be basic training, and is offered every Thursday at 6 p.m. in the old Melbourne Elementary school cafeteria, located at 303 School Drive, in Melbourne...

There has been a Community Care Cabinet installed at Viola City Hall, at the library, where citizens can drop off donations or pick up an item when needed. After a lengthy discussion on “What’s Happening in Fulton County,” on social media, Brenda Hines Daley received approval from Viola Mayor Jackie Estes to install a weatherproof cabinet that has room for clothes, food, books, blankets and more. ...

The Highland High School Rebel Athletic Hall of Fame recognized its first three inductees at the first home football game of the season on Friday, Sept. 8. A reception was held in the high school cafeteria to honor the inductees prior to the game. Johnny Carter welcomed guests to the reception and said the organization had been a work in progress for a few years. ...

A two vehicle accident ended in tragedy Sept. 7 after the driver of a navy blue SUV, pulled into the path of an oncoming semi truck in front of the Valero across from Highway 175 in Hardy. During the accident, Mammoth Spring resident Juanita Phelps, 67, sustained serious injuries which later claimed her life. Phelps was driving her 2002 GMC Terrain when she attempted to pull onto the roadway and into the path of a 2006 Freight-liner driver by William Ballou of Temple, Texas...

Two Sharp County residents, Amy Clay-Thomas and Ethan Barnes were given the experience of a life time during the summer as they traveled to Washington D.C. to intern at the office of Senator Tom Cotton. According to Clay-Thomas, the two were selected for the internship based on resumes submitted to the senator’s office...

An Ash Flat woman is facing multiple felony charges following the delivery of a warrant for her arrest by the Cave City Police Department. According to a series of affidavits from the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, Deanna Thomas, 34, of Ash Flat, was served with a felony warrant for residential burglary Sept. 1...

A Sharp County woman is facing multiple charges after an incident Sept. 2 in which she took a cab but refused to pay the driver following her ride. According to a report from the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, an officer was dispatched to the Sharp County Jail around 6 p.m., following a report that Farah Dalton, 26, of Highland, had failed to pay her cab fare...

With the arrival of Labor Day seems to come the official end of summer and the official beginning of the onset of fall. This past weekend, many enjoyed the last days of summer with cookouts, camping and mini vacations. Many old traditions carried on as many residents and visitors checked out the annual car show held at the Mammoth Spring State Park...

Honoring our loved ones that have served in the military is a heartfelt jester for those who have chosen to serve their country and as a contribution to keep the nation alive. Mammoth Spring VFW Post 55 is working to honor those who have served by building a memorial wall in the city park in Mammoth Spring. Located next to city hall, the wall will be an ongoing project...

On Tuesday, Aug. 29 at approx. 6 a.m., the Oregon County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a man had attacked his mother and her paramour with a knife on Park Avenue in Koshkonong. Melina Morgan, of Koshkonong, stated that her son, 24-year-old Nathan Morgan, crept into her bedroom while she and Ronald Kelley, of Mammoth Spring, were sleeping and attacked them with a knife. ...

On Thursday, Aug. 31 at around 2 p.m., officers from the Oregon County Sheriff’s Office, along with South Central Drug Task and Alton Police Department, served a search warrant at the Peebles residence on Oregon County road 111. Robert Peebles, 53, of Alton, was arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine. Officers seized a significant amount of methamphetamine and cash...

On Monday, Aug. 28, Sargent Rich Matteson was traveling in his marked patrol vehicle and observed a motorcycle that stopped and turned around at a high speed and ran a stop sign. The officer pursued the vehicle that was headed south on E Highway at a high speed. ...

Since Hurricane Harvey, there has been an overwhelming amount of support from the local and national general public, who want to contribute to make a difference. In our area, there has been an overabundant amount of support through churches, schools and even government organizations...

The Museum of Imagination is a well-hidden secret within Izard County. Located in Brockwell, directly across from the Izard County Senior Citizen Center, the late Albert Lorenzi once described the exhibits as providing, “with information that can increase your knowledge and understanding of the world we live in. ...

Salem High School has begun to participate in a volleyball program this year. The girls have been practicing since the end of the 2016-17 school year this past May. Once they started practice, they had morning practices twice a week at 8 a.m., and in July, the three teams switched to four days a week. The Greyhound girls’ teams consist of the junior girls, the junior varsity girls and the varsity girls...

The Sharp County Library Board celebrated the grand opening of the new Cave City Library, located next to Bank of Cave City, Aug. 22. The ceremony began with a short speech from Cave City Mayor Jonas Anderson. After his initial welcome, Anderson stressed the importance of the new facility...

This year’s seventh and eighth grade students at the Highland Middle School have a new and exciting opportunity as the school has launched the first semester of the Jr. BETA club. According to Alanna Russell, the club allows students who meet the pre-determined qualifications to become part of a junior honors society...

The annual Color for Life Fun Run slated for Sept. 16 at Loberg Park in Hardy is quickly approaching but Laura Lute, director of the New Beginnings Pregnancy Center in Ash Flat, reports there is still time to register for the event. The cost for registration is $20 for participants ages five to 12 and $30 for participants 13 and older. Registration may be done in person at the pregnancy center located at 23 West Main Street in Ash Flat or online by visiting www.colorforlifefunrun.com...

Even in the Ozarks, those who perform old country and gospel music are becoming rarer than in years past. According to Darrel and Crystal Bliss, two members of the band Denim and Lace, they and their band mates are trying to resurrect the music culture in northern Sharp County...

Koshkonong City Clerk Rachel McDonald was attacked inside city hall on Friday, Aug. 18. As of press time on the original story, the assailant had yet to be arrested. An investigation was being conducted by the Oregon County Sheriff's Office. Everett Leroy Lundry, 62, of Thayer, Mo., was arrested at his residence on Wednesday, Aug. ...

There was a major Centurylink internet outage for the Tri-County area on Friday, Aug. 18, encompassing Fulton, Izard and Sharp Counties, stretching as far north as the Missouri/Arkansas border, with unofficial reports that there was an even larger scale of customers being affected than that...

With the upcoming tax delinquent sales to be held in Fulton and Izard Counties, there was curiosity as to learn exactly why there is so much property parcels that are being auctioned off for the cost of the unpaid property taxes. According to government elected officials in Izard and Fulton Counties, many of these properties will be families who had their parents pass away, and it was easier to let the taxes remain unpaid, to go back to the state, versus dealing with the hassle of trying to sell the property and homes. ...

World War II Veteran, Bill Strauss, enjoys giving back to the community, even after fighting for our freedom as a soldier in the army. Strauss promised to donate a new flag to Viola teacher, Carla Duncan, and he made good on that promise on Thursday, Aug. 17...

Excitement spread throughout the country and the region for the opportunity to view a rare solar eclipse when the moon passed between the Earth and the sun causing an event that had not occurred in the contiguous United States since 1979. In this region, the range of totality was approximately 96 percent...

Friday, Aug. 18 at 2:20 p.m. Koshkonong City Clerk, Rachel McDonald, was attacked by a male individual. Two days after being attacked, McDonald stated she felt like she had been in a car wreck because of the pain she was in from the attack. “Everything hurts,” said McDonald of the shocking situation...

Mammoth Spring City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, Aug. 7. During the meeting, they addressed new and old business as well as suspending an ordinance. The meeting began with roll call and the reading of the minutes from the July meeting in addition to the review of the waste/water treatment audit. After a correction was made to the minutes concerning a fire department grant, the July minutes were approved...

If you are looking for a way to be of service to your community during a time of need, the American Red Cross is holding an open house to present information for those interested. The open house will be Thursday, Aug. 31 from 10 a.m. to noon in the basement of the Oregon County Courthouse...

Trace French, 20, of Cherokee Village, was taken into custody and received multiple charges Aug. 10 after a traffic stop yielded drugs, paraphernalia and more. According to a report from the Cherokee Village Police Department, the incident began just before midnight when officer Josh Trivitt spotted a white Cadillac traveling at speeds above the limit and crossing the center line...

Two Highland High School students were recognized during the Highland School Board meeting held Aug. 15. The school board recognized Matt Boyd and Spencer Wiles for their participation in the school’s fishing team, which recently participated on the state and national level. The team placed 71 in a competition with more than 300 entrants...

The charges against Jennifer Lee Collins, 56, of Mammoth Spring, a caregiver who injured an elderly woman in her care ultimately leading to her death have been upgraded. According to documents filed at the Sharp County Courthouse Aug. 16, Collins will now face charges of murder in the second degree, abuse of an endangered or impaired person, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce held their monthly meeting Aug. 15 at which time they announced the introduction of newly appointed executive director, Kari Hollis. Hollis previously served as a board member for the chamber and said she is looking forward to her new role and the accomplishments the chamber will make in the future...

The Quad Cities Rotary Club met Aug. 14 to discuss future projects and learn more about the happenings of the area. Speaker for the meeting was Tina McCoy, WIC coordinator for the region. McCoy explained the WIC program was funded through USDA grant monies, but because it is a grant funded program, there are no specific funds set aside...

Many local residents, and those who frequently travel on US Highway 63, have noticed the road construction in Mammoth Spring near the intersection of Hwy. 9. The end result has been something talked about for years, and will become a reality by the end of next summer...