Villager Journal

Dr. Richard Dawe, Ozarka College president, is proud to announce that Marty McFarlin of Evening Shade, Ark. has been selected as Ozarka’s Employee of the Quarter. Marty has been employed at the College since 2013 and currently serves as the director of physical plant. ...

Well folks, has it been hot enough for you this past week? If you haven’t melted yet then your doing pretty good. Even though Mother Nature is trying to run us out of the state, she hasn’t been too successful with the members of the Thayer-Mammoth Spring Saddle Club...

Given that humans must burn more calories over the summer to keep cool, record temperatures this summer will further increase the need for free summer meals for low-income children funded by the federal government. That is why the nonprofit group Hunger Free America is now ramping up its efforts to publicize the USDA National Hunger Hotline – which can be reached at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) – through which callers can locate summer meals sites for kids, food pantries or soup kitchens for families, and/or other government and private meals programs near them.. ...

Ozarks Medical Center (OMC) in West Plains, Missouri was recently named one of the Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals in the United States by iVantage Health Analytics and The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “This achievement is very gratifying and validates our daily commitment to providing the best health care possible to our community, while maintaining an efficient and effective facility,” Tom Keller, President and CEO of OMC. ...

The 61st annual International Country Gospel Music Convention and Awards will be held at the West Plains Civic Center. The three-day event will be held Thursday, July 27, Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29. It is the ninth year the event has been held in West Plains...

It is almost that time of year again as summer break winds down and it’s time to prepare for the new school year to begin. For some students and their families this may be a stressful time because some do not have the necessary funds needed for all the items and supplies that are needed to enable students to focus on learning...

Shawn Edward Aul, 32, of Alton was arrested for domestic assault on Sunday, July 9. Alton Police Officer Randy Vater responded to a domestic call. When he arrived, Deputy Dustin Kirkpatrick was already at the scene. According to the police report, the woman was attacked by her son after a conflict about money. Aul allegedly cut his mother and then asked if she was going to call the cops, which she replied that she was going to...

Mammoth Spring State Park welcomed visitors at the train depot museum to their presentation about birds of prey that are found in the area on Saturday, July 15. Matt Cantola with Missouri State Parks and park ranger for Grand Gulf State Park presented information on this topic. He began the presentation by asking what makes birds different from other animals...

When it comes to investing and finances, there may be many questions that some of us have. To help those who were interested, Trena Spears from Modern Woodmen held a financial presentation at the Fun and Friends Senior Citizen Center on Thursday, June 22...

The Oregon County Historical Society held their regular monthly meeting Friday, July 14. During this meeting they discussed upcoming endeavors for the organization and honored the contributions of a Thayer resident, Gene Blankenship, to the community’s history preservation...

As time progresses, the process of how things are done continually changes. Most of the time, change is a necessity even though it is sometimes hard when the time comes for people to make changes. A couple of things in a rural community that doesn’t change is the importance of agriculture and teaching future generations about the importance of agriculture...

Fulton County Quorum Court was held on Monday, July 10, at 7 p.m. The minutes from the month of June were reviewed and approved, through a motion and a second, with unanimous approval. The Treasurer’s Report was discussed by Fulton County Judge Darrell Zimmer, who noted that the report indicated that it was down from the time this year, while expenses were up. ...

The Izard County Quorum Court was held on Tuesday, June 11, at 6 p.m. In the last meeting, the regular meeting scheduled for the first Tuesday in July, however, the meeting was rescheduled due to the fact that it fell on July 4.  It was Justice Clint Everett’s first meeting, representing district three, as Glendon Everett had moved out of the represented district in previous months. Clint Everett was sworn in prior to the meeting. ...

There are still tickets for sale for the Ninth Annual Rock This House event slated for July 28 and 29 at the Ash Flat Church of Christ. This year’s speaker will be Lisa Harper who is, among other things, a nationally recognized Christian speaker, author and Bible teacher...

In the summer months, there can be a lot of down time for local students, which is why it’s so important for those extracurricular activities to not only keep them active, but to help with any learning loss that statistics suggest happens over the summer...

During Vacation Bible School at the Oxford Cumberland Presbyterian/United Methodist Church, the attendees came together to build a blessing box, with a message displayed above two doors that would store donated items for anyone who needed them. The message said, “Take what you need, bring what you can, above all, be blessed.” Pastor Steve Coleman noted later that the idea originated after seeing a social media post from a Fayetteville Church who had installed their own blessing box. ...

Salem First Baptist Church welcomes the Tribute Quartet in concert Aug. 6 beginning at 6 p.m. This outstanding group of men will bless your heart and soul with great Southern Gospel music. If you love and enjoy Southern Gospel music, you will not want to miss this concert...

A new proper flag disposal box has been placed at the Sharp County Courthouse recently. The purpose of the box is to make available a place for the general public to have a means of retiring any American Flags which will then be taken and receive the proper respect when disposed of...

A new option has been made available to those who live in river country which will make it possible to be warned sooner about the level of rising flood water. According to Hardy Mayor Jason Jackson, the United States Geological Survey [U.S.G.S.] stream gauge readings will now be available to every citizen online...

The Highland City Council met July 11. Among topics of discussion were the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, upcoming election and the possibility of building baseball fields. During the meeting, Mary Wiles provided the council with a copy of the sample ballot for the Aug. ...

Hollie Greenway led her first meeting as the new president of the Quad Cities Rotary Meeting July 10 which was held at the Pill Box Café in Highland. The meeting began with the induction of Nathan Chris as the new vice president elect, followed by announcements from various club members. ...

Areawide Media received the following press release from Fulton County Sheriff Al Roork on Thursday morning, July 20. On Wednesday, July 19 at 7:45 p.m., the Fulton County Sheriff's Dispatch received a 911 call of a bad driver on US 62 Hwy, west of Salem. When the vehicle entered the city limits of Salem, Salem patrolman James Cantrell stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Arkansas Hwy. 9 and US 62. The vehicle was run through NCIC and came back stolen out of Springfield, Mo...

For generations adults have been told to work hard, save their money, invest wisely and so forth so that they will have something to live on after retirement. Many have taken those words to heart, hoping to be able to leave money, land, homes and more to their children once they pass away...

In efforts to help get information out to those affected by the flood that occurred late spring public information officers from SBA, Cynthia Cowell and Dawn M. Hockett, visited Areawide Media to discuss finances that are available to flood victims...

To celebrate the birth of our nation the traditional activities were held throughout the community. Monday, July 3 the city of Alton held their annual fireworks show. Many people showed up to event to visit and enjoy many of the activities and vendor booths. Some of the activities for children to enjoy were bounce houses, pony rides and games. Also featured was the “D’Rango Band” from Springfield...

On June 28, Thayer Police Chief Daryl Childers was made aware of a possible squatter at a house on Chestnut Street. After investigating the residence, Childers discovered evidence of the residence being used such as clothes and bedding. After further investigation of the house, Childers discovered evidence of the residence being broken into...

Comfort Keepers Project began its third year with this summer season, and so far it has been the most successful year yet. Because of the generosity of a few, nearly $1,500 was raised for the purchase of fans, and heaters for later this year. “This is an ongoing project, and will continue to be for as long as I am able,” said founder Lauren Siebert. ...

New hires, property lines and resignations were among the topics of discussion during the Highland School Board regular meeting June 29. The meeting began with a presentation by Morris Street who was serving as a representative for the First Baptist Church of Cherokee Village...

Chelsey Hussung, 29, of Cabot, was arrested and received multiple charges in Sharp County June 30 after it was discovered she had been writing checks from someone else’s check book. According to an affidavit obtained from the Sharp County Clerk’s Office, the incident dates back to May 25, when Hussung’s mother reported to authorities that her checkbook had been stolen and several checks had been written which she had not authorized...

An Ash Flat man was arrested and received multiple charges June 22 after being caught with a large amount of illegal drugs in his possession. According to a report from the Cherokee Village Police Department, Isiah Estes, 19, was taken into custody after officer Josh Trivitt observed a gray Nissan car parked near the airport just before 7:30 p.m...

Entergy brought a large team of experts to Hardy City Hall June 27 for a meeting session to discuss the massive outage which hit May 27, costing local businesses thousands of dollars in losses following a severe thunder storm. Mayor Jason Jackson opened the meeting by explaining that there had been numerous conversations with the power company and that they had sent representatives to answer questions the public may have as well as explain the process, which took place the day of the outage...

The autism spectrum is broad and affects 1 in 68 children in the United States alone. For one local child, Ella Beggs, her family is working to raise money to take Ella to Panama for treatment for her autism. The fundraiser will take place at the Old Hardy Gym, July 8 starting at 5 p.m. and will include a live auction, concert and BBQ dinner. All proceeds will be used to help Ella and her family travel to Panama for treatment...

Two Highland High School students, Dylan Stevens and Chaz Evans, attended the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Neb., June 19 through 24. The festival, known as ThesFest, is held each year and allows students to expand their skills while competing against thousands of fellow actors and actresses from across the country...

Fulton County Hospital met on Monday, June 26, at 6 p.m. The financial report for May was tabled, as there were a few inaccuracies that had to be corrected, that would be presented the following month. Along with the financial report, that will be presented in the following month, there would be a financial report for the month of June, as well as a budget to be presented for the following fiscal year...

On Wednesday, June 28, there was a two-vehicle head-on collision on Hwy. 62/412, approximately a mile east of the Henderson Fire Station. The two-vehicle MVA (mobile vehicle accident) claimed two lives, and a third individual was taken to an emergency center by helicopter...

Phone scams are becoming a prominent part of local society. The biggest part to remember is to ensure that the younger readers ensure that their parents and even grandparents are aware of these scams. There are members in the older generation who would rather deal with an issue, sooner rather than later, and could end up costing them thousands. ...

Melbourne residents, Rita and David Hoskinds, were checking off errands this past weekend, and as they were heading through Ash Flat, they saw flashing blue lights, an indicator that a police officer has either pulled someone over for violating traffic laws or to oversee an accident. ...

Thayer Fun and Friends Senior Center participated in National Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Thursday, June 15 to help bring more awareness to a topic that is often overlooked. “According to the Missouri Department of Health of Senior Services, there are more than 40,000 cases of elder abuse in Missouri. Last year, 1.3 million seniors lived in our state, so it is a quite a bit,” said Heather Roberts Manager of Fun and Friends Senior Center...

Thayer City Council held a special called meeting on Tuesday, June 27 to adopt that annual budget for the year. The meeting began with the swearing in of Clay Risner for the alderman to the north ward to fill the unexpired term of Alderman Earl D. “Buddy” Rogers...

“Take what you need, give what you can. Above all else be blessed.” This is the motto of the blessing box. Efforts to help provide for those in the community that may be in need are being made with two new blessing boxes that have gone up in Oregon County. One is located outside the Alton Library and the other near the Community Center in Myrtle...

The Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery held their first Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, June 24, where throughout the day, children were taught many important elements of fishing. The event was a one day event held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and was open to children from ages 10 to 15...

In response to the recent article about Missouri flood survivors, FEMA Media Relations Manager Scott Sanders contacted The South Missourian News to respond to the recent article about assistance for area survivors of the flood that occurred in Missouri from April 28 to May 11...

According to Chief Deputy Earnie Blackley, members of the Izard County Sheriff’s Department, 16th Judicial Drug Task Force, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Game and Fish, Arkansas Department of Corrections and Independence County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at the residence of Lawrence Arden Parnell, age 68, and Amos Louis Parnell, age 39, in Pineville. ...

The Martin Center is located between Salem and Ash Flat, approximately four miles west from the first stoplight after entering the Ash Flat city limits on Hwy. 62/412. The Martin Center is affiliated with the Network of Community Options, Inc., which is a “family oriented organization working for people with developmental challenges.” N.C.O., Inc, will “fulfill its’ mission by providing services based on the following values: Belief in the inherent dignity of all people; Fostering partnerships within the community; and the pursuit of educational and technological innovations.”. ...

With the disaster declaration made by President Trump, one would think that victims of the historical flood of May 30 would soon be receiving financial assistance to help them get their lives back on track, to help them have some kind of relief to the devastation they had to endure. However, everyone in Thomasville and others in Oregon County who lost their houses to flood waters, have been denied assistance...

The city of Koshkonong held a special called meeting on Monday, June 26. After approving the agenda to be addressed, the council reviewed the resignation of Alderwoman Rebecca Hunt from the council. Mayor George Hunt stated that a lot of the progress that has been made for the city was because of the efforts of Alderwoman Hunt. He stated that a lot of the miracles that have taken place have been made possible through her efforts...

Oregon County Ambulance District held a grand opening on Saturday, June 24 of their new facility in Thayer. As of Saturday, the paramedic crew will be occupying the new facility, which is approximately 6,800 square feet. All the operations through the facility will be transferred within the next two weeks and the ambulance station in Alton will still be used, but all of the headquarter operations and training will be in the new facility, stated Ken McKenzie, Oregon County Ambulance Director...

Have you ever wondered how teachers spend their summers? Well for several teachers from both Cherokee Village Elementary and Cave City Elementary, they’ve spent part of it in class. Approximately 15 teachers from Sharp County attended a two week workshop hosted by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education [ADHE] and Arkansas State University [ASU] Rural STEM Education Center at Ozarka College June 12 through 22. ...