Villager Journal

Well, it’s nearing the end of February 2021, and the coronavirus pandemic still lingers on, despite there being a new president in the oval office, plus at least two COVID-19 vaccines in circulation and two more within reach. We are now facing almost one-half million deaths resulting from the virus. ...

Among the fire department emergency services available in Sharp County, we have exceptional leadership in Chief Stacey Horton of Ash Flat, Chief Kal Dienst of Highland, Chief Austin Rose of Hardy and Chief Johnny Pendarvis of Cherokee Village. Under their guidance, an amazing force of men and women coordinate between local municipalities providing timely and excellent responses to emergencies in and outside of the county. ...

The Ready. Set. Record. Film Festival competition was held on Feb. 19 in Cave City. This film competition is part of Arkansas’ Project Prevent Chapter and is open to teens from grades 7 to 12 in Arkansas. The goal for the competition is for each crew to make a 30-second film as an Anti-Smoking Public Safety Announcement to warn teens about the dangers of smoking...

As this record-breaking winter system ends, North Arkansas Electric Cooperative does not anticipate being mandated to shed load through rolling power outages, or curtailments. Regional transmission organization Midcontinent Independent System Operator placed NAEC on standby for curtailments Feb. 16 and Feb. 17, but the cooperative did not get the order to begin shedding load. However, several distribution co-ops in Arkansas and many more in surrounding states had to do so...

This year we are so grateful for the opportunities and events that we were able to carry out. The coronavirus has limited but not ceased our involvement in our school and community. This school week, February 22-26, we celebrate National FFA Week by characterizing each day through specific apparel to display our FFA pride!...

When thinking about my high school education and what lessons really stuck with me throughout the years, it’s my time spent in agriculture classes and experiences I gained as a member and officer of FFA which stand out the most. I grew up with uncles who owned and operated farms and going to friends’ houses whose families ran full time farming operations, and aside from all that, growing up in Myrtle, Mo., it is nearly impossible to not have some connection to farming. ...

An update from NAEC has been issued since this publication. The original statement, published in The News and Villager Journal this week, is posted below the update. North Arkansas Electric Cooperative received an order late Feb. 16 by the regional transmission organization Midcontinent Independent System Operator to prepare to shed load. ...

Ash Flat City Council held its regular meeting Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. Mayor Fowler began by giving condolences to the family of Margaret Steed, who passed away from COVID on Feb. 7. Council member Fred Goodwin spoke highly of her and her ideas and plans that contributed so much to the City of Ash Flat over the years...

The Sharp County Quorum Court held its monthly meeting on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. With inclement weather approaching, Judge Gene Moore opened the proceedings with hopes that the precipitation would hold off for the safe return home for those in attendance and those who were not. A motion was made and approved to dispense of the reading of the minutes from the January meeting and to accept the current agenda...

The Highland City Council met Feb. 9 at city hall at 6 p.m. Recorder/Treasurer Mary Wiles read the minutes from the January meeting which were approved, along with the current agenda, by council members. Kenneth Massey of the planning and zoning (P&Z) commission reported the group was now meeting monthly, rather than every few months as needed. ...

A Senate committee advanced legislation that protects the rights of people with disabilities who need an organ transplant. Senate Bill 155 also is known as Lila’s Law, after a girl with Down syndrome who in 2018 was denied a potential heart transplant. The Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor gave it a favorable recommendation, which means it will be voted on by the entire Senate...

The Sharp County Sheriff’s Department released the following news reports, issued by Sheriff Mark Counts and Chief Deputy Aaron Presser, respectively: On Jan. 26, the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department and the Cave City Police Department executed a search warrant at Dennis Tucker’s residence located at 249 Brickle Springs Road west of Cave City...

The Hardy Advertising and Promotion (A&P) Commission held its monthly meeting on Jan. 25. Once a quorum of commissioners was present, the meeting was called to order by Chairman Charles Wilson at 6 p.m. The minutes of the last meeting were approved, along with the current agenda...

Cherokee Village City Council met on Jan. 28, one week behind schedule. Mayor Russ Stokes opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. After approval of the December meeting’s minutes and the current meeting’s agenda, proceedings began with a brief financial report from the mayor. ...

A special meeting was called by Ash Flat Mayor Larry Fowler on Jan. 26 to discuss the installation of an extension of an industrial water pipeline to feed the new Emerson plant in Ash Flat. Water Superintendent Tracy Breckenridge was present to discuss with city council members the financial details of the different options available and the approximate timeline of completion of the construction. The water line would extend from Nix Ridge Road to Industrial Drive...

The 2021 Arkansas Travel Guide is now available at Welcome Centers and tourism locations across the state. You can order a print edition or view the guide online at arkansas.com/publications. “For those of us who call The Natural State home, the virtues of the state are clear – stunning scenic views, compelling sites and award-winning culinary opportunities,” said Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst. ...

St. Bernard’s First Care and School Clinic has partnered with the Highland High School Student Council and area businesses to begin raising funds to host a Valentine’s Day luncheon for the Martin Center. According to Crystal Shackelford, with St. Bernard’s First Care, students and members of the community will be selling carnations for $10 for Valentine’s Day to generate the funds. ...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District (SID) held its first meeting of 2021 on Jan. 19, one day after the usual monthly scheduled meeting due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Chairman Joe Waggoner brought the meeting to order at 3 p.m...

The Highland School Board held their first meeting of the year on Jan. 19. Don Sharp, the Highland School District Superintendent provided a brief summary of the meeting. Board Secretary Rene Clay-Circle opened the meeting at 6 p.m. All board members were present, either in person or virtually via Zoom, with the exception of Jason Rhodes...

Congratulations to the following Emergency Management Programs that have earned accreditation by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP): State of Arkansas, State of Maryland; and Washoe County, NV. “Congratulations to those Programs that have maintained their accredited status as well as those who have joined the elite leaders in emergency management having earned accreditation through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program. ...

The Ash Flat City Council met on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. After the minutes from the Dec. 15 meeting were approved and the council’s January agenda was accepted, the meeting proceeded with various departmental reports since December. Tracy Breckenridge, Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Department, gave his monthly report regarding repairs on several water leaks and conduits. ...

The Highland City Council met on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. Recorder/Treasurer Mary Wiles swore in the council members for the year 2021. The minutes from the Dec. 8 meeting and the current meeting’s agenda were then approved. Mary Wiles went over the treasurer’s report and overall budget from 2020, and addressed any questions on finances of individual departments. ...

www.hallmarktimes.com Dennis Sternberg, CEO of the Arkansas Rural Water Association traveled to city hall in Ash Flat Jan. 12 to present Tracy Breckenridge, water superintendent for the city, with an award on behalf of the Arkansas Rural Water Association. The award for best tasting water in the State of Arkansas places the City of Ash Flat among the top 50 destinations for best tasting water in the United States...

Though not as long ago as the first half of 2020, the second half flew by equally as fast for some. Enjoy taking a look back on the second half of top local news stories published in Villager Journal from July to December 2020. July The Arkansas State Police issued a statement that they had been asked to conduct an investigation involving the use of deadly force by several law enforcement officers during an altercation near Hardy...

The grand opening of the new Sharp County Detention Center in Ash Flat was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on a blustery Friday morning, Jan. 8, at 10 a.m. After a thankful prayer by County Judge Gene Moore, Sheriff Mark Counts proceeded with introductions of several Arkansas Government officials. ...

With the rapid growth in COVID-19 cases throughout the U.S. and the alarming number of deaths resulting from coronavirus (over 250,000 total cases and almost 4,000 deaths in Arkansas alone as of Jan. 9), there is an ever-pressing concern about the distribution and availability of the different COVID vaccines. ...

2020 was definitely a year for the record books, and a year no one will be forgetting anytime soon. Take a look back at the top news stories published in Villager Journal from January to June 2020. January James Seawell, Travis Armistade, Carlo Farruggia and Stacey Everidge were placed under arrest Dec. 20, after attempting to steal nearly $4,000 worth of merchandise from Walmart in Ash Flat. Ash Flat Police responded to the scene and was the arresting agency...

Editor’s note: If you noticed an unfamiliar name on a few articles in Villager Journal at the end of 2020, that name will gradually become more familiar. Elaine Brown is the newest member of the editorial team at Areawide Media. She will be reporting for Villager Journal, covering the top news stories in Sharp County and also reporting some in Fulton and Izard counties. She had a very interesting idea to “survey” local residents about 2020 and their hopes for 2021...

The Create Bridges team recently announced a partnership to provide extra help for local businesses. “The Create Bridges team is excited to partner with Arkansas Department of Parks, Tourism, and Heritage to showcase Arkansas.com and how it can benefit your business and region for FREE. ...

Fulton County Sheriff Al Roork issued a press release on Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) about an incident which had recently occurred. “On Dec. 24, at 1:43 a.m., the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department received a call from the Fulton County Hospital [stating] that a 52-year-old hispanic male subject had just arrived by private vehicle at the ER with multiple gunshot wounds...

The Create Bridges team recently announced a partnership to provide extra help for local businesses. “The Create Bridges team is excited to partner with Arkansas Department of Parks, Tourism, and Heritage to showcase Arkansas.com and how it can benefit your business and region for FREE. ...

A new industry is making its way into Sharp County, which will be beneficial for the local economy in many ways. One of those benefits is the creation of jobs. Emerson prides itself on two business platforms: Automation solutions and commercial and residential solutions. Worldwide, the corporation employees 88,000 individuals in 200 manufacturing locations. Emerson was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo...

The Highland School Board acted swiftly in their selection of a new superintendent, hiring Jeremy Lewis to lead the district in the 21-22 school year. In the November board meeting, Don Sharp announced he will retire at the end of this school year, completing his fifth year with the district. At the December school board meeting, the Highland School Board conducted interviews and selected Lewis to be the superintendent...

The Ash Flat City Council met on Dec. 15, postponed from the regularly scheduled meeting of Dec. 8. The meeting was delayed out of respect to the late Councilman Billy Bob Billingsley, who passed away after a tragic accident on Dec. 7. After approval of the minutes from the previous meetings on Nov. 10, 24 and Dec. 1, reports from individual departments followed, covering incidents and issues that arose since November...

The Harps Food Store, located in the Highland Square Shopping Center in Highland, donated a $500 check each to the American Legion Post 336 of Williford, and to the House of Luke Ministries of Cherokee Village. The checks were presented at the store location on Dec. 16, by Kenny Haney, store manager...

A new industry is making its way into Sharp County, which will be beneficial for the local economy in many ways. One of those benefits is the creation of jobs. Emerson prides itself on two business platforms: Automation solutions and commercial and residential solutions. Worldwide, the corporation employees 88,000 individuals in 200 manufacturing locations. Emerson was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo...

Law enforcement agencies across Arkansas and the nation are prepared to launch a two-week long intensified enforcement plan aimed at drivers who choose to drive impaired. In advance of the holiday travel period state troopers, local police, and sheriff’s deputies want to remind drivers of their stepped-up patrols along U.S. and state highways, as well as local streets and county roads...

While many truths and myths about the coronavirus have been floating around since the pandemic started at the beginning of the year, one fact is plain as day: We are all tired of hearing about it. Yet this deadly virus, also known as COVID-19, will not be ignored. ...

A tragic accident claimed the life of an influential Sharp County resident. Billy Bob Billingsley, of Evening Shade, died following an accident on his farm on Monday, Dec. 7. Billingsley was very active in the agriculture community, especially with his role in the family business at the Ash Flat Livestock Auction...

A news article was recently shared on social media which caused quite the stir amongst Fulton County residents. The article was in regards to an annexation of a new business opening soon in Fulton County, but near the City of Hardy. Spring River Dispensary, the first medical marijuana dispensary in the tri-county area, will soon be opening for business. ...

Recently, 1st Choice Healthcare donated brochures, water bottles, t-shirts, gift cards, and a pallet of water to the Highland School District. 1st Choice Healthcare secured funding for the donation through a grant from MidSouth and UALR to help promote the prevention of underage alcohol and drug use...

Corey Shelton is a 25-year-old Cherokee Village resident and 2012 graduate of Highland High School. Though an injury has taken him out of active lifting, Shelton has a passion for weight-lifting and would like to encourage others. Something not everyone might know about Shelton is that he has autism...

Local artists Sheila Donley and Carrie McIntosh, recently entered artwork into a local show and received recognition. Donley, of Cherokee Village, and McIntosh, of Elizabeth, are good friends who prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, were painting with the Fulton County Art Council in Salem weekly. Though the weekly activity hasn’t been held in quite some time, their love of art never stops...