Villager Journal

Law enforcement agencies are still searching for James M. Smith, 30, who evaded Fulton County Sheriff Al Roork on Friday, Aug. 10. Roork and a deputy attempted to make contact with Smith at a residence north of Moko on Asher Road. The attempt to make contact turned into an officer involved shooting, leading the sheriff to turn over the case to Arkansas State Police, who issued a press release to Areawide Media Friday evening. ...

Many young adults entering college or the workforce feel the pressure of looming bills and turn to credit cards to cover the initial costs but end up paying exorbitant rates long-term. Understanding that credit cards are not free and will only alleviate temporary financial burdens is an important concept for newly independent students. ...

Chad Hudson, FNBC Regional President, has announced Ryan Howard, FNBC Community President for Izard County, will also assume the role of Community President for Independence County effective immediately. “Ryan is a strong community banker and is very knowledgeable of the Batesville community,” said Hudson. “Since joining our team two years ago, he has been very successful in leading growth in Izard County. I have no doubt he is the right person to lead our Batesville team.”...

With the year more than halfway over, the Internal Revenue Service urges taxpayers who haven’t yet done a “Paycheck Checkup” to take a few minutes to see if they are having the right amount of tax withholding following major changes in the tax law. A summertime check on tax withholding is critical for millions of taxpayers who haven’t reviewed their tax situation. Recent reports note that many taxpayers could see their refund amounts change when they file their 2018 taxes in early 2019...

This Saturday, Aug.18, The Howlin’ Brothers band will feature at the Ozark Folk Center’s 1,000-seat auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m. and from 2 to 3 p.m. in the park’s artisan Craft Village. The band is just one of almost two dozen Feature Performers scheduled to play at the OFC this season (through Nov. 10)...

Since the decision by the Sharp County Quorum Court was made earlier this to pursue a three quarter cent sales tax in order to construct a new jail, many questions have been asked by members of the community in regards to the issue. Some of the questions which have been asked are: is there a need and if so why? What are the differences between the existing and proposed facilities? Is a new jail a need or a want?...

Macy Jines, the 2018 Miss Sharp County winner said she is looking forward to representing Sharp County and the people therein as she steps into a new chapter of her life and begins college. “It’s really exciting and I loved getting to participate in all of the fair events, especially the rides! This year was so much fun! This was my third pageant to participate in and I love my hometown and am proud of where I’m from – so it’s an honor to represent Sharp County,” Jines said...

Following the Aug. 6 arrest of Cherokee Village Police Officer Josh Trivitt, he has been placed on administrative leave. On Aug. 6, Trivitt was placed under arrest following the filing and serving of a warrant for his arrest from the Arkansas State Police...

The Highland High School graduating class of 1966 was the second class to graduate following the consolidation of the Ash Flat and Hardy schools. In the 1996 annual (yearbook) A. L. Hutson, a then faculty member of the school and class sponsor, had this to say to the students “May I, at this time, wish for each of you the very best in the future as you leave this institution. Remember to come back and visit with us. You will always be welcome.”...

Following their most recent inspection, the City of Hardy has been given an ISO rating of four. ISO ratings help to determine insurance rates for property owners and the lower the rating the better the insurance rate. According to Hardy Fire Chief Jason Griffin, the department has steadily been working since the previous reduction achieved under the direction of former Director of Public Safety, Ernie Rose...

A Mammoth Spring man who assaulted a five-year-old boy in a local gas station bathroom in May of this year has been charged with felony sexual assault in the second degree. According to an affidavit for warrant of arrest was issued Aug. 1 for Gregory Hurdle, 27...

Harrison Blake Hughes, 26, of Hardy and Dawn Crouch, 23, also of Hardy, are facing multiple felony charges after a search warrant was executed on Crouch’s residence on Main Street in Hardy. According to a report from the Hardy Police Department, on July 19, the Hardy Police Department was contacted by the Cherokee Village Police Department in regards to a credit card theft search and seizure warrant they needed to serve at the apartment complex in Hardy...

A man facing more than 20 counts of possession of child pornography was sentenced to 96 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections Aug. 1 by Judge Harold Erwin. According to a sentencing order filed at the Sharp County Courthouse, Robert James McCallie, 49, took a plea deal reducing the counts of possession of child pornography drastically...

Jarred Stanford, 32, the man who led police on a manhunt earlier in June of this year, pleaded guilty before Judge Harold Erwin in Circuit Court Aug. 1. Stanford was sentenced to 48 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections and received a 10 year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to felony fleeing, theft by receiving and theft of property...

Cherokee Village Police Officer Josh Trivitt, 45, of Agnos, was placed under arrest Aug. 6 following the filing of an affidavit for arrest for battery in the second degree, a class D felony. According to the affidavit, filed by Special Agent David Moss with the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division Special Investigations Unit, the charges stem from an incident occurring on or about Nov. ...

The civil law suit involving multiple local law enforcement agencies, cities and Sharp County, has been moved to be held in federal court following a Notice of Removal filed at the Sharp County Courthouse. According to the documents, the request was made and approved in late June...

A two vehicle accident claimed the life of an Evening Shade resident Aug. 3 following a two vehicle accident which took place in front of the White River Medical Center Emergency Room in Highland. The accident which occurred shortly after 2:30 p.m., resulted in the death of Linda Berry, 68, who was in the passenger side of a Jeep Cherokee being driven by her daughter, Jennifer Berry...

Donald Sisco, 45, of Hardy and Melinda Lee, 46 of Hardy, are facing multiple felony charges each after a search of Sisco’s residence yielded drugs and paraphernalia. On July 28, Detective Casey Poulette with the Hardy Police Department contacted Officer Eric Pickle with the Arkansas Department of Corrections Probation and Parole in regards to Sisco...

Macy Jo Jines, 17, of Ash Flat was crowned Miss Sharp County July 31 during the 79th annual Sharp County Fair. Jines is the daughter of Wendall and Amber Jines. Jines is a graduate of Highland High School and presently attends Arkansas State University...

The Highland School District will begin their 2018-2019 school year beginning Aug. 13 and Highland Police Chief Shane Russell would like to issue a reminder to citizens to be vigilant and cautious when in the school zone and near busses. “School starts back Monday and we want people to be aware and to follow the law in order to help keep everyone safe,” Russell said. ...

For the last three years Wiles Animal Rescue Shelter has been filling a need in Sharp County by operating a no-kill shelter in Highland. According to Shirley Wiles, owner of the shelter, recently, the shelter lost the generous support of the Walmart in Bentonville which had been supplying them with much of the dog and cat food they have needed in order to ensure the animals are fed...

The Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Program of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will hold a free family caregiver workshop Aug. 22 in Jonesboro for those who would like to learn about caring for an adult with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease...

Chancellor Kelly Damphousse expressed hopes for the future of the graduates in his address during Arkansas State University’s 2018 summer commencement ceremony Friday evening, Aug. 3, in the First National Bank Arena on the A-State campus. Damphousse conferred a new record 1,231 diplomas upon students representing the College of Agriculture, the Neil Griffin College of Business, College of Education and Behavioral Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Liberal Arts and Communication, College of Nursing and Health Professions, and College of Sciences and Mathematics.. ...

As a result of being awarded a half million dollar grant the Highland School District has partnered with St. Bernard’s Healthcare and Hope Behavioral Health to open a school based health clinic. The district held a press conference July 26 to officially announce the partnership and answer questions about the structure and plans for the clinic...

It is that time of the year again...fair season. County fairs allow communities to come together in celebration of agriculture and also gives individuals the opportunity to display their talents and crafts. Whether its a child showing/selling livestock, entering an art project or an adult organizing an exhibit or volunteering their time, county fairs bring communities together...

A familiar face has been selected to fill the position of Ag. Agent for the Sharp County Extension Office. Cody Stroud has been selected to fill the position which has remained vacant since former agent Joe Moore’s retirement in February of this year...

Each year for the past eight years, thousands have gathered together on the grounds of the Highland Assembly of God Church in Highland for the annual Backpack Extravaganza. This annual event, which provides haircuts, school supplies, vision checks, new shoes and more to the children who attend, is just one of the ways the community gathers together to support area students...

The Cherokee Village City Council held their regular meeting July 19. Mayor Russell Stokes announced the city had received preliminary approval of a grant that was submitted to the White River Planning and Development District for recycling. “The grant was for $2,750 and when we get final approval, we can spend the money and will be purchasing an enclosed recycling trailer,” Stokes said. ...

It was an eventful morning at the Red Mule in Highland July 19, after a Hardy woman took out one of the three gas pumps in front of the station causing fuel and flames to shoot from the pumps. According to an incident report from the Highland Police Department, officer Steve Dravenstott was dispatched to the Red Mule at approximately 8:30 a.m. for a report of a gas pump on fire...

Dennis Cavenaugh, warning coordination meteorologist, and Lance Pile with the National Weather Service traveled to the Ash Flat Fire Department July 25 to present the department with a Storm Ready Program completion certificate and sign. “The Storm Ready Program is us working with partners and we’ve been working with Adam Bates to make sure that you have multiple ways to get weather information and multiple ways to monitor the weather in the county or city when hazardous weather is approaching and more so what to do about it.. ...

An Ash Flat man is facing multiple felony charges after the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department executed several warrants at the home of Tracy Smith. According to a report from the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, while executing the warrants, multiple marijuana plants were found growing behind the residence. Suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were also located inside the home...

The Ash Flat City Council held their regular meeting July 17 during which they received updates from their department heads, as well as an update from President of Ozarka College, Dr. Richard Dawe. The meeting began with Fire Chief Stacey Horton’s report which was brief. Horton said the department had 33 calls for service since the last meeting...

A public involvement meeting was held Wednesday, July 18 at the Ash Flat Community Center to receive input from the community regarding U.S. Highway 412. The meeting in Ash Flat was one of three to discuss the planning study on improving the corridor which stretches from Missouri to Oklahoma...

Thomas Garner, of Ash Flat, a professional truck driver for Maverick Transportation took first place at the 2018 Arkansas Truck Driving Championship Competition held July 13 – 14 in Rogers. According to Garner, this was his second year to compete in the events hosted by the Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) event...

This year marks the 38th year for the upcoming Cave City Watermelon Festival slated for July 26 -28. Each year, thousands gather in the rural town to enjoy the “world’s sweetest watermelons” and other festivities which will take place during the three-day festival...

There is much to be said for the sowing of seeds both literally and figuratively, but one thing is certain, seeds which have been sown and tended to will produce fruit. In the spring of 2017, the Creator’s Christian Ambassadors Ministry (CCA) began sowing seeds of support by hosting a fundraising dinner in order to help support their local home schooling group...

Sharp County Quorum Court met July 9 for their regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting began with J.P. Everette McGuire making a motion to have the court packets sent out sooner, as he had not been receiving his prior to the meetings. Alisa Black, court clerk, explained due to the deadline allowing the public to be added to the agenda, the packets were generally mailed out after noon the Wednesday before meetings...

Spring River is one of the main attractions Fulton and Sharp Counties has to offer, and draws in many visitors during summer. All rivers can be considered dangerous to some degree. At times, the dangers must either be avoided, or in some cases, resolved...

A benefit concert will be held July 28 at the Hardy Civic Center in order to support Rose’s Faith Based Retreat, a new ministry located on Fire Tower Road in Hardy. According to Dan Foust, the event will be an all day event of uplifting prayer and worship. He said he welcomes the community to attend and enjoy the day of worship. There is no cost to enter, however; donations are welcome and there will be concessions sold during the event to benefit the ministry...

Fair season in Arkansas is fast approaching. The first Arkansas fair is currently underway in Independence County, July 16-21 followed by Fulton County, July 23-28. Sharp County Fair is July 31-Aug. 4 and Izard County Fair is Aug. 6-11. Fairs in our area are governed by local boards who volunteer their time to have the fair and use volunteers to run the competitions and events...

The Arkansas Agriculture Department and Farm Credit are partnering to provide six $1,000 Homegrown by Heroes academic scholarships to military veterans, currently serving military personnel, and their spouses or children who are pursuing an agricultural or an agricultural-related degree. Funding for the scholarships is generously provided by Farm Credit.  Online applications are available, and are due Aug. 17...

Even some well-meaning Arkansans may not be aware of the protections granted to our brave military servicemen and women under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) of 2003. Federal laws protect active-duty servicemen and women and their families from potentially harmful civil legal matters. These protections cover insurance, mortgage payments, interest rates, leases, contractual arrangements and civil judicial proceedings...

The three inmates who escaped from the Sharp County Jail late in the evening July 10 are back in custody. According to a report from the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, Robert Pollard, 18; Christopher Frey, 25 and Randall Sledge, 32, were discovered missing following a strange series of events...

Once again, an area business has fallen under attack from an entity outside the state which wants to dictate how they are able to operate. According to Barbara Conway, owner of Rhythm and Brews in Hardy, an organization known as the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), has sent her several threatening letters claiming if she does not render payment for a permit paid to their organization, they will take legal action...

The City of Hardy has completed the second phase of improvements to the camper park adjacent to Loberg Park in Hardy. According to Hardy Mayor Jason Jackson, a canoe boat launch was the first phase and was completed earlier this year, however; now the second phase, which consisted of a floating dock and a pavilion, have now been installed...

Seven Highland High School Students competed in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) nationals event held in Baltimore Md. June 26 through July 1. According to Sara Echlin, the FBLA advisor at the time, each of the students who competed in the national competition had placed in state...

Deadlines to enter the various events which will be taking place at the Sharp County Fair slated for July 30 through Aug. 4 are approaching. According to Chelsea Conway, volunteer for the Sharp County Fair, as of Friday, booth spaces for the commercial building are full, but applications are still being taken for outside exhibits and booths...

An Evening Shade woman is facing felony endangering the welfare of a minor, after it was discovered she had been feeding her two-month-old son Benadryl to make him sleep when she wanted. According to a report from the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, detective Cody Bailey received a prosecutor’s file detailing child abuse from DHS regarding Leanne Bain, 31...