Villager Journal

State government will collect more in tax revenue this year than previously estimated, according to a revised forecast by the Department of Finance and Administration. The department notified the Legislative Council that revenue for the current fiscal year would be $246 million more than was projected earlier, when legislators finalized a state budget...

The Ash Flat City Council met Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Ash Flat Fire Station. Mayor Larry Fowler presided over the proceedings. After the minutes from the September meeting were approved, along with the current agenda, the meeting continued...

Sharp County Sheriff Mark Counts recently issued two press releases regarding separate incidents, both in Cave City, however. Young female found deceased On Oct. 12, at 5:33 p.m., Central Dispatch received a 911 call of a deceased female at 18 St. John’s Apartments in Cave City. ...

The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) essay competition for middle school and high school students is Oct. 31. The essay competition gives students of all backgrounds a chance to win cash prizes and/or scholarship money toward their continuing education...

The Hardy History Association (HHA) met Thursday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was held in the Hardy Church of Christ. President Darlene Wilson opened the meeting with a warm welcome to members and guests attending either in person or via Facebook live, as well as thanking the Hardy Church of Christ for hosting the meeting...

Because of Columbus Day, the Sharp County Quorum Court met on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Sharp County Courthouse. Sharp County Judge Gene Moore opened the meeting with all of the JPs present. After the minutes from the September meeting were approved, the meeting proceeded with the financial report...

Members of Highland Elks Lodge #2539 in Cherokee Village and Ladies Auxiliary members made five plarn (plastic yarn) sleeping mats which will be donated to Mission of Hope in Hardy to be used for the homeless, including homeless veterans. Each 6’ long x 2 ½’ wide mat is made from 800 plastic grocery bags that are cut into strips, then looped together, rolled into balls and finally crocheted into mats. ...

Shelby Bunch was a very instrumental member in starting Sharp County 4-H’s Vet Science Club. She graduated in May 2021 from Cave City High School with Honors. She is now a freshman at Lyon College in Batesville, double majoring in Biology and Chemistry in pursuant of an advanced degree in veterinary science. ...

The Hardy City Council met Tuesday, Oct. 5 at city hall at 6 p.m. Mayor Ernie Rose brought the meeting to order with the entire council present. The minutes from the September meeting, and the current meeting’s agenda, were approved. Proceedings continued with the Advertising and Promotions Commission (A&P) report. ...

The Cherokee Village (CV) Suburban Improvement District (SID) held a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. at the Omaha Center. This meeting was to address several issues of concern among citizens regarding the pending settlement agreement in the lawsuit against the City of CV and CVSID. The settlement agreement is not finalized until the judge in the case rules on it on Oct. 20...

The Sharp County Regional Airport Authority (SCRAA) held its monthly board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. at the airport terminal in Cherokee Village. Board Chairman Larry Thomas called the meeting to order. Treasurer Peggy Long updated board members of the airport’s revenue for September. ...

The Sharp County Farm Bureau held its 2021 annual meeting on Oct. 4 at the Sharp County Fairgrounds. After the business part of the meeting, a barbecue dinner was offered as the bureau acknowledged and honored many who have served the farm community over the year...

If a little nip in the air, longer shadows and multi-colored leaves floating from the trees doesn’t put you in a fall mood and holiday spirit, perhaps some of these semi-local seasonal events will. The Couch PTO will host its annual “Trunk or Treat” on Friday, Oct. 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Couch School between the lunchroom and high school buildings...

With the recent renovations coming to the Jim Hinkle National Fish Hatchery announced the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently, it is already a given that will be a boost to Fulton County. The timing couldn’t have been any better as just days after the groundbreaking ceremony, a fishing guide’s own personal catch would be a sign of things to come. However, local fisherman and river guide, Tim Shannon, believes it is all “a God thing.”...

Areawide Media is going through some changes. Our printing schedule for The News and The South Missourian News has changed. The papers will be available to be picked up after 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at our Salem and Thayer locations. Rack copies will be available in the afternoon on Wednesdays...

The Cherokee Village (CV) Suburban Improvement District (SID) met on Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. at the Omaha Center. Two Commissioners, Jim Best and Tim Lee, held the meeting with a large audience present. Commissioner Best called the meeting to order. When there were no comments from the audience on the meeting’s agenda, the two commissioners approved the minutes from the August meeting...

Here it is, the fall of 2021, and we are still talking about the COVID pandemic. My gosh, over a year and a half ago we thought for sure we’d be past this by now, but we’re not…why? This battle has been ongoing, seemingly never-ending, because our foe is a very tricky devil who is capable of changing into forms that dodge our efforts to bring it down, those efforts being the vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J)...

The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) is holding a local, state and ultimately national competition for middle school and high school students of all backgrounds and school localities to win cash prizes and/or scholarship money for their continuing education. This is a great opportunity for students to use their writing skills toward expressing their patriotism and thoughts on the future of the United States of America...

The Cherokee Village (CV) City Council met Thursday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. Mayor Russ Stokes called the meeting to order. The current meeting’s agenda was approved and the minutes from the August council meeting and the two special meetings on Aug. 26 and 27 were discussed. Minutes from the Aug. 27 meeting were given to council members who had not yet received them. The minutes from all three August meetings were then approved by council...

Wayne Yanke (195) is Star of the Week 2 Game Score Plus Handicap. Sept. 20 game winners: Pit 1: Watts and Hollis (185) Pit 2: Gruger and Yanke (193) Pit 3: Weeks and Prusak (198) Pit 4: Lofquist and Brooks (178) Sept. 24 game winners: Pit 1: Hollis and Howe (173)...

The Hardy City Council met on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. at Hardy City Hall. Mayor Ernie Rose brought the meeting to order with all but one council member present. After the minutes from the last meeting were approved, as well as the current meeting’s agenda, proceedings continued with the Advertising and Promotions Commission (A&P) report...

The Hardy History Association (HHA) met live via Facebook and Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. President Darlene Wilson opened the meeting with an update on HHA business from August. The association has four new members, bringing the current total HHA membership to 159 members...

Two special meetings were held by the Cherokee Village (CV) City Council on Thursday, Aug. 26 and Friday Aug. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. Mayor Russ Stokes presided over both meetings. The second meeting was called by one of the councilmen who voted in the majority at the first meeting, primarily to reconsider some of the issues and to allow input from more council members...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District (SID) held a special meeting Thursday, Aug. 26, at 5 p.m. at Omaha Center to discuss the lawsuit filed by Cherokee Village (CV) property owners in 2018 against the City of CV, SID, the American Land Company (ALC) and Sharp County. A potential settlement agreement had been proposed by the plaintiffs facing an upcoming bench trial to begin on Monday, Aug. 30. Commissioner Jim Best called the meeting to order...

The Hardy Advertising and Promotions Commission (A&P) met Monday, Aug. 23, at the Hardy Civic Center. Chairman Charles Wilson opened the meeting at 6 p.m. After the pledge of allegiance, Wilson welcomed new commissioner Amanda Smith, who was sworn in at the Hardy City Council meeting on Aug. ...

The Arts Center of North Arkansas (ACNA) in Cherokee Village Town Center is hosting an Open House on Saturday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is celebrating its rebirth by showcasing the artwork of many new artists, local and beyond, which is on sale by consignment through ACNA. This Grand Re-Opening will provide an opportunity for people to meet and chat with the artists themselves. There will be prize drawings every hour starting at 11:30 a.m...

On Aug. 30 at 1:05 a.m., the Cave City Fire Department was dispatched to the 1400 block of Jackson Springs Road, outside of Cave City, for a fully involved mobile home fire. While fighting the fire, firefighters located an unidentified deceased male subject inside the residence. The Sharp County Sheriff’s Department was notified at that time...

The Spring River Gem and Mineral Club (SRGMC) held its monthly meeting on Aug. 5 at the Omaha Center in Cherokee Village at 10 a.m. Vice President Wayne Pinner began with meeting business by welcoming new members, young and old, as well as visitors. Pinner commented that while meeting attendance was down a bit, it is coming back as meetings are occurring regularly again after the 2020 COVID hiatus. The club’s momentum is regaining its strength...

Where there is a child in need, responses come in good deeds. At least, that was the hope that sprouted in the heart and mind of Christina Curry, a Hardy resident and angel with a mission to reach out to help the needy, and particularly children. “The idea came to me while visiting the park with my children,” explained Curry. ...

The Ash Flat City Council met on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 6 p.m., and due to the recent rise in COVID cases, the meeting was held at the Ash Flat Fire Station. After the minutes from the July meeting were approved by council, as well as the current meeting’s agenda, proceedings continued with department reports with Mayor Larry Fowler presiding...

Cherokee Village (CV) City Council met Thursday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. Mayor Russ Stokes called the meeting to order with two council members absent. After the minutes from the July meeting and the current agenda were approved, the mayor welcomed comments from the audience. ...

Is there a beep or a chirp coming out of your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm? What does that sound mean? Knowing the difference can save your home and your family.  State Farm Agent Mike Watson and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are teaming up with the Highland Fire Department to promote fire safety during this year’s Fire Prevention Week from Oct 3–9, 2021.  The campaign educates everyone about the different sounds that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make...

Spring River Home Health has partnered with Amerita Speciality for a Monoclonal Antibody Infusion to battle COVID-19. This infusion contains two different monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies are ones like your body would produce but they have been made to attack certain parts of the COVID-19 virus. These antibodies bind to the viral spike protein the part of the virus that allows it to replicate into other cells in your body working to stop the virus from spreading throughout your body...

The Cooperative Extension Service is launching a new workforce training initiative, known as “CREATE LIFT.” The program is facilitated by the Department of Community, Professional and Economic Development, which is part of extension and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture...

The Highland School District held its board meeting on Friday, Aug, 13 at 5 p.m. at the Highland Administrative Building. Superintendent Jeremy Lewis led the meeting. Proceedings began with a report by School Nurse Megan Kulczycki on the current COVID status at the Highland Schools. ...

The following press release was issued by Sharp County Sheriff Mark Counts after a deputy received injuries in a shooting incident early Friday, Aug. 13. “On [Friday, Aug. 13], Sharp County Dispatch received a call from a motorist advising of a possible runaway juvenile male riding his bicycle on Arkansas Highway 175 between Wirth and Hardy. ...

With the recent rise in COVID cases in children around the nation, it is a major concern among parents and school boards about how to bring students back into the classroom safely as schools are opening for the fall semester. This is especially concerning for children under the age of 12 since they are currently not eligible to receive vaccinations. ...

The Highland City Council met on Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. at Highland City Hall. Mayor Russell Truitt brought the meeting to order. There was almost a full council with only one member absent. After the minutes from the July meeting were approved, as well as the current meeting’s agenda, proceedings continued with department reports...

The Sharp County Quorum Court met on Monday, Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Sharp County Courthouse. Judge Gene Moore opened the proceedings with a full court of JPs present. After the minutes from the July meeting were approved, the session continued with the financial report. Treasurer Wanda Girtman said, “Everything is looking good, I’m really pleased. We had a good balance at the end of July.”...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce has canceled the 2021 Business Expo & Areawide Yard Sale that was planned for Sept. 25. “The chamber board of directors decided it would not be prudent for us to hold a public event due to the current increase in COVID cases,” said Kari Hollis, SRACC Executive Director. “We are extremely disappointed since we weren’t able to hold this event last year and we were excited to add the Areawide Yard Sale.”...

The Ash Flat Library hosted a book signing on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m. for George Jared, a relatively local author of books on true crime and non-fiction of multiple murder cases. He is also an investigative reporter, a crime consultant and once worked as a journalist for Areawide Media when he lived in Salem, Ark...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring back the Business Expo this year and is adding a new component – an areawide yard sale for community residents. The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the A.L. Hutson Memorial Center in Highland...

The Hardy History Association (HHA) held its monthly meeting on Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hardy Senior Citizens Center. President Darlene Wilson opened the meeting with a summary of the board meeting held prior. The Homesteaders’ Day will be taken over by the HHA starting in 2022, and they are looking for input from citizens, as well as volunteers to contribute to ideas, planning and organizing future Homesteaders’ Days events. ...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce is offering two $500 Small Business Grants. SRACC President, Lauren Siebert, was instrumental in creating this grant and procuring funding. “Through conversations with many residents, I have become aware that we have many new businesses opening in the area,” said Siebert. ...

The Hardy City Council met on Aug. 3 at city hall at 6 p.m. when Mayor Ernie Rose called the meeting to order. The minutes from the July 13 regular council meeting and the July 20 working meeting were approved, along with the current meeting’s agenda...

Well, well, well…it’s the summer of 2021, and we’re still talking about COVID and wearing masks, social distancing and washing our hands. That’s right, we are supposed to be done with this kind of stuff and living our lives normally. But there’s one little tiny thing that keeps “bugging” us that we can’t seem to shake off, a little itsy-bitsy thing known as a viral mutant, or variant as it’s called. ...

The Hardy Advertising and Promotion Commission (A&P) met on Monday, July 26 at the civic center at 6 p.m. Chairman Charles Wilson brought the meeting to order with three commissioners present. After the minutes from the June meeting were approved, as well as the current agenda, the meeting proceeded with the A&P financial report...

With everything that’s been going on this summer, between the pandemic, people trying to get back to normal, going to festivals and outdoor concerts, our expectations for this fall, I thought it was time to hit the streets again to find out what people are thinking and doing, whether work or play. ...

The 41st Cave City Watermelon Festival was held July 29, 30 and 31, after a two-year respite since the 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. The turnout for the festival at first appeared to be not as large as in previous years, which was likely due to both the extreme heat and the recent rise in COVID cases...