Villager Journal

As the temperatures warmed up last week, residents in the Spring River area started seeing an usual number of bears, elk and other creatures making their appearance. Whether it be in the window of a local store, on a front lawn or even in the emergency room, these creatures are not the least bit concerned about where they decide to rest for a moment, but they do provide great entertainment for those participating in a national social distancing initiative and activity called “bear hunts”...

Although he is known for helping communities across the country, Kerry Wayne Evans, owner of N-Sta-Smile in Hardy, said his company has turned their attention to the children living in Sharp County as well as those living in the surrounding counties...

The Spring River Innovation Hub has partnered with the Northeast Arkansas Intermodal Authority (NEAIA) in an effort to provide information and resources to help small businesses in an uncertain economy. According to Executive Director Graycen Bigger, as directives are issued, it has become increasingly more important for businesses to connect with customers online and through social media, but it is also important, if possible, to retain employees...

The Ozark Acres Suburban Improvement District held its annual commissioner election March 23. Five candidates submitted their names for the election: Jean Murphy, Tom Parsons, Debra Lumley, Lauren Siebert and Charlie Underwood. Commissioner Lana Irby opted not to run for an additional term, creating three potential vacancies on the five member commission...

On March 25, the Highland School District held another social media broadcast with Superintendent Don Sharp and Federal Programs Coordinator Kelly Goodson. Sharp said the purpose of the online forum was to accept questions from the public and if possible, answer them...

For healthcare facilities across the nation, the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has, at times, been alarming not only for those on the front lines working in healthcare, but for those in their care as well as their families. Recently, area hospitals began asking the public for their help by creating face masks. ...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District (SID) held their regular meeting March 16 at the Omaha Center in Cherokee Village. Commissioners present at the meeting were Joe Waggoner, Jim Best and Ron Patterson. The meeting opened at 3 p.m. and the first order of business was the approval of minutes from the February meeting...

The Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Game and Fish and the 16th Judicial Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant north of Cave City March 19. The warrant was executed at the residence of Daniel Mark Church, 41, on Barn Road near Cave City...

The Cherokee Village City Council held their regular meeting March 19 and passed the first reading of an ordinance to amend zoning code 2017-06A with regards to solar panels in Cherokee Village. Jerry Adams, Chuck Kristopeit, Steve Thompson, Thomas Rupart, Mayor Russ Stokes and Les Covington were in attendance...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce held their general meeting March 17 at the Spring River Draft House in Hardy. President Ethan Barnes announced during the meeting all chamber of commerce activities would be suspended until further notice, including the Bowling for Small Business event slated for March 31...

The Highland School District hosted an informational meeting March 18 which was broadcast to the public by way of the Highland School District, Areawide Media and Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook pages. The meeting was comprised of of area health professionals, community leaders, safety personnel and more who were present to answer questions from the public...

News of the pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been worldwide. Missouri and Arkansas have patients who have tested positive for the virus. Throughout this issue you will find a number of press releases detailing the postponement, cancellations, etc. ...

The Highland City Council held their regular meeting March 10 with a sewer ordinance being the main topic of discussion. Fire Chief Kal Dienst was first to give his department report. He told the council the department had updated their backpack blowers...

The Ash Flat City Council held their regular meeting March 10. The meeting began with department reports, the first to report was Fire Chief Stacey Horton. Horton said his department and Ozarka College would be hosting a storm spotters class taught by the National Weather Service March 24 at 6 p.m. in the lecture hall. He said the class was open to the public. (The meeting has since been canceled)...

For the last 12 years, Jerry and Barbara Lee have spent a part of each week volunteering at the Cherokee Village Animal Shelter taking care of the cat house. According to the couple, they moved to the area in 1987 and operated a small store called Rain Barrell Antiques...

The Sharp County Quorum Court held their regular meeting March 9. County Treasurer Wanda Girtman told the court the first payment on the new jail had been made. “I sent y’all some paperwork showing where we had made our first building payment. We will make another interest payment in September but will not make another principal payment until March of 2021,” Girtman said. ...

Jack Ray Huffman, 38, of Cherokee Village, was arrested and charged with rape, a class Y felony, following an incident which took place Feb. 26. According to a report from the Cherokee Village Police Department, Investigator John Hutchins was contacted by the victim, an adult female who had initially reported the incident at another department...

The Hardy History Association (HHA) is closer to issuing their first quarterly newsletter after announcing winners of their newsletter name and HHA logo contests following the organization’s March 5 meeting. The board meeting opened with good news regarding correspondence received, membership numbers and treasurer’s report. ...

The City of Hardy has received a $300,000 grant from the Arkansas State Aid Street Committee and will be overseen by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). According to Hardy Mayor Ernie Rose, he recently received a letter confirming the city had received the grant...

The second annual award winning Arkansas Pie Festival slated for April 18 at Town Center in Cherokee Village is quickly approaching and Angela Phipps, member of the planning committee for the event, said competitor spaces are filling up quickly. “There are lots of different categories of pies that are available and we have amateur and professional categories. ...

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), a branch of Arkansas State University, held an acceLHERate small business and technology development center professional women’s forum March. 5 at Ozarka College. The forum opened with introductions by ASBTDC Sydney Rebstock, who provided a little information regarding the operations and services offered by the ASBTDC...

The second annual Hook, Shrine and Sinker Bass Fishing Tournament is slated for April 25 at Crown Lake in Horseshoe Bend and registration to compete is now open. According to Doug Driesel, event organizer, last year the tournament was held in Cherokee Village, but in an effort to showcase area lakes, the tournament will be held in Horseshoe Bend...

The third annual Daddy Daughter Ball, sponsored by Light in the Wilderness Church, Evolve Bank and Centennial Bank, was held at the Cherokee Village Elementary School Cafeteria recently raising more than $600 to be given to help support area outreach efforts...

The annual Sidney St. Patricks Day Parade and Events will take place this Saturday, March 14 on the main drag in Sidney. The event will kick off at 10 a.m. with a silent auction running consecutively with concessions, kids games, potato decorating contest, performance by the Brushy Ceader Band and more...

Nearly 3,500 voters in Sharp County turned out to have their voice heard as they casted their ballots in the 2020 Primary Election. Here are the results. In total, 1,022 democratic ballots were cast; 2,203 republican ballots were cast and 202 non-partisan ballots were cast...

A man from Cherokee Village was arrested and is facing felony charges after what began as an attempt to apprehend a fugitive, led to the recovery of stolen property and more. According to a report from the Cherokee Village Police Department, on Feb. 10, officer Bryan Buchanan assisted a joint task force to apprehend a fugitive known as Samuel Nelson...

Multiple inmates in custody of the Sharp County Jail are facing additional felony charges after a mass drug test failure. According to Detective Cody Bailey, the department was made aware drugs had been brought into the jail and a mass search was conducted. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were recovered during the search...

They may not be paved in gold, but the streets of Willford will soon see vast improvements after Mayor Michelle Forehand and her council obtained a $300,000 grant from the Arkansas State Aid Street Committee, for a road project to be overseen by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT)...

Rebecca O’Donnell, the woman charged with the murder of former Arkansas State Senator Linda Collins, appeared in court before Judge John Fogleman Feb. 28. The purpose of court was for prosecution and defense to work with Fogleman to create a schedule for deadlines, leading up to the trial slated for October...

“We got flocked. It was horrible, pink feathers went everywhere,” Highland Police Chief Shane Russell jokingly said when asked about the large flock of pink plastic flamingos outside the Highland Police Department the week of Feb. 25. “I showed up to work and all of the sudden, these flamingos were all over the yard, people were taking pictures and everything. ...

Judge Mark Johnson and Sharp County Sheriff Mark Counts were named in a civil suit filed in the United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas Northern Division filed in Jonesboro Feb. 24 by Sutter and Gillham, P.L.L.C, on behalf of Mary Wanley...

The first meeting to plan Spring River Fest was held on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery Aquatic Center. During the meeting, representatives from Mammoth Spring State Park, City of Hardy, City of Cherokee Village, United Country Realty, Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery, Arkansas Game and Fish, Many Islands Campground, Spring River Oaks Campground and Spring River Flies and Guides, discussed ideas for the upcoming event...

Marvin Glenn Adams, 69, of Hoxie, was arrested and charged with sexual assault in the second degree Feb. 5 following an incident which occurred Jan. 22. According to a report from the Cherokee Village Police Department, on Jan. 30, Adams’ victim traveled to the police department to report the incident...

“Remote Area Medical – RAM ™ - a major non-profit provider of mobile medical clinics delivering free, high-quality, dental, vision and medical care to under-served and uninsured individuals – is coming to Alton, Mo. on May 16 and 17. To fulfill its goal of treating as many people as possible, RAM is still searching for additional licensed dental, vision, medical professionals and general support people to volunteer their time in Alton,” was stated in a press release...

The Sharp County Quorum Court held its regular meeting Feb. 10. Following the reading of the minutes, Treasurer Wanda Girtman reported the sales tax checks for January were in and were greater than in years past. “When we make our first bond payment in March, the bank plans to make an extra payment because of the sales tax we’re receiving, we’ll have enough to pay extra,” Girtman said...

The Ash Flat City Council held its regular meeting Feb. 11. The meeting opened with department reports, Fire Chief Stacey Horton provided the fire department report. “The department participated in a fundraising event for St. Jude’s Hospital and raised $1,618. We have changed our dates for our monthly fire meetings to the first and third Tuesday at 7 p.m. We have had 30 calls for service since our last meeting,” Horton said...

An important issue for Arkansas voters will be on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot. 2020 Arkansas Transportation Sales Tax Continuation Ballot Question – Issue 1 will ask voters to continue or discontinue a one-half percent sales and use tax dedicated to fund state highways, county roads, city streets and bridges...

March of Dimes is an organization which leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. “We believe that every baby deserves the best possible start. Unfortunately, not all babies get one. We are changing that,” said the website, marchofdimes.org...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District (SID) appointed a third commissioner at its regular scheduled meeting Monday, Feb. 17. Following the discussion of monthly business, Commissioners Joe Waggoner and Ron Rhodes held a brief executive session. Back in open session, Waggoner revealed Jim Best was selected to fill the vacancy, which came up after the passing of Greg Prenger...

In rural areas many fire departments are ran by volunteers. Men and women take time out of their day to train, prepare and when needed, answer the call to help others. Recently, a chicken house caught fire after a malfunction in the control room. With such a large structure and due to location, after arriving on scene, the Poughkeepsie Volunteer Fire Department requested the assistance of the Evening Shade Fire Department...

After nearly eight years following the act of sexual assault on a child, Richard Morrow, 26, of Forrest City, was sentenced to 120 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections before Judge Harold Erwin Jan. 29 in Sharp County. The charge of sexual assault in the second degree, a class B felony, was the result of a plea deal made by Morrow and his charge was downgraded from rape, a Class Y Felony...

A Sharp County man facing multiple felony charges from an incident in March of 2019, now faces charges in Izard County following an incident earlier this month. Jesse Hope, 20, faces battery in the first degree, a class B felony, after he stabbed another man, Sharp County resident Brior Dykes, during a fight Feb. 4...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet Feb. 4 at the Elks Lodge in Cherokee Village. The theme for this year’s event was “We Love Small Business” and following the invocation and dinner, Executive Director Kari Hollis and Chamber President Ethan Barnes presented the chamber reflections and projects which were completed during 2019...

The Hardy History Association (HHA) is one step closer to opening a display area and Hardy History Museum, following an offer during the organization’s Feb. 6 meeting. The meeting opened with updates regarding membership and the 501-c-3 status. Treasurer Katie Harness announced to date, the group has a total of 95 members. President Darlene Wilson announced the organization received their letter from the Internal Revenue Service and officially received their 501-c-3 non profit status...

Fulton County Quorum Court held a special called meeting Friday, Jan. 31 at 8 a.m., with the purpose “to consider the resolution to declare a vacancy in the office of Fulton County Judge, and to address and fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.” Though state law prohibited former judge Jim Kendrick from serving once convicted of a felony crime, Kendrick turned over all county equipment and a resignation letter on Thursday, Jan. 30. The letter issued by Kendrick stated the following:...

It was a tense morning for law enforcement in Izard County Jan. 30 after deputies with the Izard County Sheriff’s Department attempted to serve warrants on a man residing on Whispering Pines Road and were greeted by gun fire. According to a release from the Izard County Sheriff’s Department, at 8:45 a.m. deputies traveled to the residence of Sherman Edward Shetler, 54, of Oxford, with intent to arrest the man who was wanted in Missouri for rape and drug related charges...

It was yet another day in court for Rebecca O’Donnell, the woman in custody for the alleged murder of former senator Linda Collins, Jan. 29, at the Randolph County Courthouse in Pocahontas. O’Donnell entered a plea of not guilty, to charges filed against her earlier this month before Judge John Fogleman...

Fulton County Quorum Court held a special called meeting Friday, Jan. 31 at 8 a.m., with the purpose “to consider the resolution to declare a vacancy in the office of Fulton County Judge, and to address and fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.” Though state law prohibited former judge Jim Kendrick from serving once convicted of a felony crime, Kendrick turned over all county equipment and a resignation letter on Thursday, Jan. 30. The letter issued by Kendrick stated the following:...

The Ozark Acres Suburban Improvement District (SID) held their regular meeting Jan. 21 to discuss the 2020 budget and more. Prior to the start of each meeting, a 30 minute public speaking period is held. The first presentation given during the public speaking segment was by Lauren Siebert...

On Jan. 28, a small group gathered at Cherokee Village City Hall to honor the family of Greg Prenger. According to State Representative Marsh Davis, who called for the meeting, the purpose was to present Lee Ann, the widow of Greg Prenger, with a plaque from the House of Representatives in Memoriam of Byron Greg Prenger...