Stories from Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Viola Longhorns won 24 games this year and only lost 4. Viola needed just one more win to play for the state championship. After knocking Ouachita and Scranton out of the state tournament, the Longhorns fell 17-7 to South Side Bee Branch in the state semi-finals...

Despite losing in the district and regional championship games and a first round exit from the state tournament, Izard County softball head coach Matt Orf called the 2013 campaign a successful one. "Any time you can get 20 wins in one year you've had a good season. It's such a short year and to get 20 wins, you've done something right," Orf said. "We've had a very successful season with a young team. They really turned it on and I'm very proud."...

Coming into the 2013 season, the Melbourne Lady Bearkatz were down three starters from the previous season. Next season will put Melbourne into a similar position. "We lose three to graduation this year, but we lost three last year. I think we'll be just fine. We have high expectations for next season," head coach Kelley Webb said...

The 19-10 Salem Greyhounds softball team may have made an early exit from the state tournament, but head coach Tesa Nelson said she was proud of the team anyway. "We had a back and forth battle with Tuckerman and Pangburn in the conference all season. After taking second in the district tournament, we got a win in eight innings against Marmaduke to go to state and I feel like we accomplished our goals for the season," Nelson said...

For the second year in a row, the Viola Lady Longhorns have been eliminated from the state playoffs by Taylor High School. Last season, the Lady Longhorns fell to the Lady Tigers 10-0 in the state finals. This season, Viola (27-4) had the task of knocking off the defending champs in the semi-finals...

A group of Melbourne seventh and eighth graders will always remember a thing or two about Scotland. They recently participated in a day-long Scottish Festival, in which they formed Scottish clans and donned kilts to get an idea of what being Scottish is like. ...

The "Music in the Mountains Show" returns to the stage Saturday night, May 18, at 6:00 p.m. at the Horseshoe Bend Theatre. House band, The Hwy 289 Band, will perform and back guests including Judge David Sherrell, Amy Clemmons Brown of Sherwood, Brenda Doty of Horseshoe Bend and Ed Luedke of Violet Hill...

There will be a work day on Saturday, May 18 at the Camp Cemetery, beginning at 8 a.m. Please bring tools and help us prepare for the summer season. For information, call 895-3789.

The annual Flora Cemetery decoration will take place on Sunday, May 19. A business meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. A potluck lunch will be held in the Flora Baptist Church dining hall, with a business meeting at 1 p.m. Bring your favorite dish and enjoy the day with us...

The 12th annual Fulton County Fishing Adventure will be held on Saturday, May 18 at the City Park in Salem. Prizes will be donated by the Fulton County Conservation District and the Fulton County Farm Bureau. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. with fishing from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Prizes will be awarded immediately afterward...

Joe and Sandy Massey of Salem would like to announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Samantha Massey, to Evan Palumbo, son of Michael and Veronique Palumbo of Salem. The bride is the granddaughter of Earldean Loggains and the late Eldon Loggains of Melbourne, Mary Ann Moore of Jonesboro, and Buddy and Barbara Massey of Shirley...

Three Fulton County 4Hers, Leah Wasson, Luke Huett and Perri Huett, recently placed second in the Arkansas Grassland Evaluation Contest near Conway, with Perri Huett also recognized for being the overall high scoring individual. During a Grassland Evaluation, participants identify plants, wildlife habitats, grassland condition and soil quality. With their second place finish, the Fulton County team will compete in the nationwide, Mid-America contest to be held in Springfield, Mo. in early June...

Izard County Consolidated High School has an unbelievable record in state chess tournament play, and a case full of trophies to prove it.. ICC won the state title in 2002, the first year a state tournament was played and has been to the finals every year since and claimed seven championships altogether...

You may not realize it, but a major project to improve Salem's sewer system has been underway for more than a month. The work to upgrade the sewage treatment plant and replace a 47-year old main sewer line is being paid for with federal funds set aside to repair damage from 2008's Hurricane Ike. Rain from that storm caused the treatment plant to flood and further damaged the old sewer line, which a consultant called "a severe threat to the health and welfare of the community."...

"Right now, we are trying to get people interested. If people don't get involved and we don't get a roof on by fall, it's over anyway." That is how Patty Short Neal summed up a new effort by the Fulton County Heritage Foundation to try to save the Old Main School building, which has fallen into disrepair. A meeting on Monday, May 13, was held to discuss the group's first effort to take its campaign to the people through a booth at the Homecoming Festival over Memorial Day weekend...

Come on over! Danielle Colby, one of the stars of the American Pickers reality television show, beckons a fan to come up for a photo or autograph, at the Horseshoe Bend Dogwood Days Festival on Saturday, May 11. A local pilot flew to Chicago to pick up Colby, but because of weather conditions, she arrived later than scheduled. ...

Both Calico Rock teams lose in opening round of state tournament

Hunters shot 42,220 turkeys during Missouri's regular spring turkey season. That is an increase of 1,773, or four percent, from 2012. Top harvest counties during the regular spring turkey season, April 15 through May 5, were Franklin with 996 birds checked, Texas with 879, and Callaway with 710...

Alton Lady Comet softball players Alex Mills, Molly Steele, and Jena Woodside have been named to the Big Springs All- Conference Softball team, and Hannah Brewer received an Honorable Mention.

Congratulations to Alton's Frank Alford, Dusty Chester, Skyler Chronister, Wes Carswell, Kalon Honeycutt, and Eric Honeycutt for their selection to the Big Springs All-Conference baseball roster. Kalon Honeycutt was also named MVP of the Big Springs Confernce and Coach Reed is BSC "Coach of the Year."...

First, the Thayer Bobcat golf team won its District golf tournament, and team members Dustin Howell, Zack Steed, Aaron Bowers, Nicholas Martin and Spencer Ary were named to the All District team. The Bobcats then advanced to win the Sectional Tournament at St Genevieve...

National Tourism Day 2013 was a big success at Mammoth Spring State Park, as hundreds of visitors took advantage of the beautiful weather on Saturday, May 11, to enjoy walks around the lake, play in the playground, celebrate birthdays under the pavilion and visit the Railroad Museum...

Kimberly A. McMurray, 46, of Cape Fair, Mo., was charged with careless and reckless driving involving an accident. She was given a court date of June 18. Joseph R. Robinson, 18, of Mammoth Spring, was charged with failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, careless and reckless driving and speeding...

Andrew B. Caldwell, 35, of Myrtle, was issued citations for no brake lights, drinking alcoholic beverage while operating a motor vehicle, possession of less than 35 grams of Marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Joseph H. Harrington., 34, of Alton, was issued citations for exceeding posted speed limit of 26 mph or more, nor wearing a seat belt, children under the age of 13 not restrained in seat belt and failure to maintain financial responsibility...

Oregon County students recently visited their state representatives and senators as part of the Missouri Farm Bureau's 19th annual Youth Leadership Day, sponsored by the organization's Promotion and Education Program. Costs for the trip were underwritten by county Farm Bureaus and the MFB Foundation for Agriculture. ...

Shady Oaks Healthcare recently celebrated each day with door prizes and then on Friday we had an appreciation party. The nurses played "Nurses Bingo". Each nurse won a very special gift donated by our Administrator, Janie Walters. All of the prizes were "31" gifts ranging from all in one totes, thermal lunch totes, thermal zipper pouch, thermal sinch sack and dozens more! We also served them ice cream sundaes and the Director of Oregon County Ambulance Department donated donuts...

Rose Hill Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting and decoration service on Saturday, May 25 at noon. A potluck meal will follow in the Rose Hill school building. Everyone interested is invited to attend. The cemetery is located on Highway 142 east of Thayer, turn south on county road 249...

At the Cattlemen steak fry on June 20 in Sedelia, we will continue the tradition of honoring Past Presidents, while also focusing y on raising funds for the MCA Political Action Committee (PAC). We must protect the freedom of our members and work hard to continue our success on the legislative front, established by past presidents a priority and continued throughout the years. ...

Many people live their whole lives having a passion for something in life, but never get the chance to pursue it. Mammoth Spring native Matthew Huff has made the decision to chase his dream as a country music singer/songwriter. Huff's parents, Matt and Karen, moved to Mammoth Spring when Huff was four years old, and he graduated from Mammoth Spring High School in 1998. Growing up in the rural community, he loved music but it never occurred to him that he could become a professional musician...

The Old Welcome Hill Church of Christ invites you to a series of gospel meetings from May 19 to 22. Sunday services will be at 10:30 and 11:15 a.m., services Monday through Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. The speaker will be Ben Shropshire of Florence, Ala. The church is located on Highway 9, two miles west of Mammoth Spring. Visitors are always welcome...

The 19th annual Ozark Heritage Festival will feature the "founding fathers" of Americana music and one of its newest generation of performers when the two-day celebration of Ozarks culture takes center stage June 14 and 15 in downtown West Plains, in the Civic Center area. Admission is free...

Members of American Legion Post 344 in Thayer will recognize Memorial Day by placing flags at the Thayer Cemetery on Friday, May 24, and holding a special presentation on Monday, May 27. The gravesite US Flags will be along the roadsides at the entrance to the cemetery, beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday. Post Adjutant Doyle Fink said everyone is invited to take a flag to put on a grave of a military veteran. For more information, contact Fink at 417-264-2762...

The Oregon County Music Theater will present Billy Rogers and the 11 Point River Band in concert on Friday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. The show will also feature Steven Wayne Clark, a Thayer native who has played for many years in Branson, Mo. with Andy Williams and others, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee...

The First Baptist Church of Mammoth Spring will hold its Third Annual Freedom Run Motorcycle Ride and BBQ on Saturday, May 18. Sign up starts at 9 a.m. at the Simmons Bank parking lot, and the ride will begin at 10 a.m. For more information, call the church office at 870-625-3273 or Jeff Case at 417-293-7867...

Orders are being taken until May 21 by the First Baptist Church of Mammoth Spring for the Smart Choice Food Ministry. In addition to the $36 food box (mostly meat and vegetables), Smart Choice offers a grilling box perfect for Memorial Day cookouts or reunions. All boxes of food are top quality at half the price you'd pay in local stores. Most popular items ordered have been the 10 lb. box of breaded chicken tenders and the 10 lb. box of loin cut pork chops...

The 2013 Alton High School Alumni Reunion will be held on Saturday, May 25 at the Alton FEMA building. Registration begins at 4:00 p.m. Dinner is $10 per person; children under 12 will be admitted for free. The honored classes this year are 2003, 1988 and 1963. ...

The Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned Fin to Fur, Red, White and Blue BBQ Blowout is set for July 5 and 6 in Thayer Mo, brought to you by Fin to Fur. Tickets went on sale May 15 at Fin to Fur and K-Kountry 95 Radio Station or online at redwhitebluebbq.com...

Officers were recently elected for the 2013-14 year at VFW Post #7831 in Mammoth Spring. Left to right: Jim Pierce-Service Officer, Harold Sellers-Senior Vice President, Charlie Hurtt-Junior Vice President, Rich Mason-Quartermaster, and Chet Richmond-Commander. ...

Torsten Whetsell, an Alton resident and a Boy Scout from Troop 102, recently completed his Eagle Scout project by creating an American Flag retirement collection box. Torsten, the troop's Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and eighth grader at Alton Schools, designed his project to provide a place where residents can drop off worn and tattered flags for proper retirement...

Black River Technical College in Pocahontas conferred degrees or certificates to 272 students on the evening of May 9. The following local individuals received degrees or certificates in the following areas: Colt H. Shaver of Salem, Certificate - Auto Collision Repair Technology; Megan Christina Brooke Taylor of Myrtle, Certificate - Practical Nursing...

Jane Thomas, owner of JB's Health Mart in West Plains, recently traveled to San Francisco to be honored as a 2013 Famous Alumni by the American College of Healthcare Services. Thomas, an ACHS graduate, was chosen for her academic record and the level and quality of her contribution to society and her chosen profession...

Marshall and Janet Cawvey of West Plains, Mo. will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a reception hosted by their children and grandchildren from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 25 at the West Plains Civic Center, Redbud Room. All friends and relatives invited. Omission of gifts requested but cards may be mailed to Marshall and Janet Cawvey, 10203 State Route 17, West Plains, MO 65775. Marshall Cawvey and Janet Bridgman were married May 22, 1953 in Salem, Arkansas...

Stetson Riggin Miller Jeremy and Lynsey Miller of Thayer are the parents of baby boy, Stetson Riggin Miller, born at 4:17 p.m. on May 2 at Ozarks Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. Siblings are Mason, 9 and Jaxon, 5. Grandparents are Eddie and Teresa Cooper of Thayer...

Couch High School students made the community proud when they were announced the winners of the Battle of the Belt Challenge earlier this year. Junior Hannah Smith's 30-second video on seatbelt awareness helped the school win $500. Teacher Teresa Holder introduced the contest, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Transportation, to her students and Smith jumped on the opportunity. ...

A new Oregon County Program to show community youth the opportunities available to them in their own backyard is being called a success. 4-H Organization ExCEL coordinator Scott Greer is already working to play next year's program. "Our goal is to turn around this trend where our kids graduate from school and we never see them again. ...

Casse Redus was the Couch School 2013 Valedictorian. Austin Garrison received Salutatorian honors. Both were guest speakers at their graduation on Monday, May 13.

Joyce Workman has retired from Harp's Grocery Store in Thayer after 18 years of employment. Store Manager Dan Wrenfrow, fellow employees, family and friends gathered to celebrate her years of dedication to the store on Friday, May 10.

The Ozarka College Foundation will host its annual Fulton County Golf Tournament Saturday, June 1, at the Cherokee Village -- South Course. Shotgun start is 8 a.m. Liberty Bank of Arkansas and First National Banking Company are presenting sponsors of the tournament, which will benefit the Ozarka College Foundation's JoKay Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund...

Hagen Mitchell of Jesup nailed this huge turkey during the opening of Missouri's youth season April 21.

The Highland High School Sports Banquet, prepared by the parents of Rebel athletes and sponsored by the Rebel Athletics Booster Club, gave awards to student-athletes in 21 different sports on Monday, May 6 at the Ash Flat Church of Christ fellowship hall. ...

The underdog Cave City Cavemen went into the District Tournament as the sixth seed and weren't expected to make it to Regionals. After sneaking into Regionals as the fourth place team in District 3, the 18-15 Cavemen were once again a heavy underdog to make it to the State tournament. ...

A newly established church in Koshkonong, the Wite Rayvn Metaphysical Church of the Ozarks will distribute clothing, home improvement items and other merchandise at a Community Outreach event at Dr. Thompson Park in Hardy on Saturday, May 25, from noon to five p.m. Aid through the program is available only to individuals and families...

The Knights of Columbus of St. Mary of the Mount Catholic Church in Horseshoe Bend will hold their 10th Annual Bratwurst Day dinner on Thursday, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. Brats, kraut, baked beans, roasted potatoes, drink and dessert are on the menu for a $6 donation. Carry outs will be available. The church is located at the corner of Church and First Streets in Horseshoe Bend...

The White River Agency on Aging's community celebration to observe Older Americans Month was postponed on May 3 because of weather concerns. The celebration to honor seniors was rescheduled to Friday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, which will include refreshments, will held at the Sharp County Agency on Aging office located at 75 D Remington Plaza in Ash Flat. Everyone is invited...

The Horseshoe Bend Fire and Rescue Association will sponsor the FIRE TRUCK OPEN Golf Tournament on Saturday May 18 at 9 a.m. at Turkey Mountain Golf Course in Horseshoe Bend. The entry fee for the shotgun three person scramble is $120 per team. Proceeds from the event will go toward the purchase of a replacement pumper truck. ...

The window to respond to the 2012 Census of Agriculture officially closes on May 31. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging farmers and ranchers not to miss this opportunity to be counted and help determine the future of farming in America. USDA has already received more than two million completed Census forms...

The art work of Bert Worsencroft, the Ash Flat Library Artist of the month ,will be on display through the month of May. Bert's Fine Art America profile tells us, "Bert Worsencroft was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He grew up in Little Rock, and graduated from UALR and the University of Central Arkansas...

The Spring River Paramedic Ambulance Service Foundation will offer a fundraising Gumbo Dinner on Thursday, May 16, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Highland Fire Station. Gumbo, drink and dessert will be $7.50, with "Gumbo only" carry out available for $5. The Spring River Ambulance Service is a valuable community asset, and the benefit dinner is one way to help keep it in operation. We would appreciate your support...

The Horseshoe Bend Farmer's Market opened for its second season on Wednesday, May 15. The market will be open from 8 to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays through fall at the Faith Presbyterian Church at 1001 Third Street. Faith Presbyterian opened the farmer's market last summer in its parking lot and quickly attracted vendors and excited regular customers. Initially, plants, flowers, baked goods and strawberries will be the main offerings, but produce should be available shortly...

Pope County continued to lead the state in the number of reported rabies cases with 12, while the statewide total for animal rabies reports rose to 84 from 55 a month ago, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. Skunks accounted for 79 of the 84 rabies reports. There were two dogs with infections and one each for a bat, cow and horse...

The website, Exploring Izard County, is hosting its Spring event, "The Trail of Trees" Road-Trip Tour, on Saturday May 18, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event will be a tour of Izard County's trail of bent trees believed to have been manipulated by our Native-American ancestors, which may mark an ancient Indian Trace through the heart of Izard County, along a known route of Cherokee forced to relocate from the East during the Trail of Tears. ...

Main Street of Hardy has received its 2013 Accreditation through the National Main Street Program for meeting commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation...

The Sharp County Fair Board has adopted a new format for the beef, dairy, swine, sheep and goat shows for the 2013 fair. Each species will have only a single show each evening which will include Open and Junior Exhibitors. According to Fair President James Street, "This change was necessary to eliminate the necessity of having two shows for each species during the fair. ...

Williams Baptist College awarded degrees to 111 graduates during its 2013 baccalaureate and commencement exercises Saturday, May 4. A crowd of over 1,000 filled WBC's Southerland-Mabee Center for the ceremony. Area graduates are: Fulton County - Mammoth Spring: Stacey Callahan; Salem: Eric Busby...

Representatives of Highland Elks Lodge #2539 of Cherokee Village recently donated twelve 4 in 1 convertible cribs to the New Beginnings Pregnancy Help Center in Ash Flat. The cribs will be given to clients who are enrolled in the center's Prenatal/Baby Steps parenting classes. ...

Peace Lutheran Church Preschool of Cherokee Village (South Entrance) will hold a Summer Camp starting June 3 through August 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information and early registration, call Preschool Director Lynn Johnson at 257-4298...

17 students of the Hugs-N-Tugs Family Home Daycare and Pre-school in Hardy brought their bicycles, tricycles and riding toys to school on April 22 to participate in St. Jude Hospital's annual Trike-a-Thon aimed at teaching youth riding safety skills. ...

Patricia Ann Kinney, 79, of Cherokee Village, Ark., died on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at Des Arc, Ark. Arrangements by Heath Funeral Home of Highland, Ark. Ruby Louise Cochran Fuller, 82, of Harrisonville, Mo., a native of Camp, Ark., died on Friday, May 3, 2013. Arrangements by Dickey Funeral Home of Harrisonville, Mo...

A Cave City student charged in a March 5 fight that brought national attention to the issue of bullying, pled true to the charges on May 8. The 17-year old male student was sentenced on the original charge of disorderly conduct and an additional charge of third degree battery count before Juvenile Judge Kevin King...

Sharp County Captain Seth Jacobs, who has been serving with the 875th Engineer Battalion is safely back on American soil, and will arrive with his unit in Jonesboro on May 15. Jacobs is a 1999 Highland High School graduate and an Arkansas State University graduate who entered the military in 2001. This is Seth's second deployment. He went to Iraq in 2006, just after marrying his wife Karina...

Dear Editor, This school year, Highland High School became one of the nine New Tech schools in Arkansas. In this program, teachers are showing 8th and 9th grade students how to use technology by implementing laptops in nearly all of their classes. Educating students on technology currently used in the workforce is a plan with great potential, but also has its downfalls...

Dear Editor, As the President and CEO of Baxter Regional Medical Center, I realize that the recent Medicaid Private Option Expansion for Arkansas was a difficult decision for our legislators, thus I would like to express my personal opinion and thanks on the issue...

What a way to end a whirlwind week of ups and downs. From sitting in juvenile court for a school bullying case and witnessing case after case showing the heartbreaking effects of drugs on families, to the awe inspiring realization the fruits of my motherly labor are coming back to me. Mother's Day week has been a complete array of emotions and thoughts, much the same as motherhood...

Rebecca A. Stamm of Ash Flat, Heather Alecia Tate of Evening Shade, Landon Downing of Sidney and Matthew David Stephenson of Cave City graduated at Lyon College's 141st commencement May 4. Stamm received a bachelor of arts in English. Tate received a bachelor of science in biology...

Salem will be the site for the Fulton County Homecoming Car, Cycle and Antique Tractor Show during the 64th Annual Homecoming Festival on Saturday, May 25. The show, sponsored by Hill's Auto Sales, will start at 10:00 a.m. and will be held in the North Arkansas Electric Cooperative south parking lot. ...

Larry Jackson and Denise Jackson Fowler of Myron are happy to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their son Josh to Samantha Costner, daughter of the late Julianne Bollinger and granddaughter of Sammie and Rosa Lee Bollinger of Manila. The wedding will be held at Larry Jackson's home on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. All friends and family are invited to attend...

Kory Thatch, Chasity Chapps, Megan Burton and Sarah Tipton expressed their joy at completing their high school education at Highland High School's May 10 graduation practice. Seniors graduated later that night at the A.L. Hutson Center.

A new question over Hardy's control of alcoholic beverage sales and more changes for the Advertising and Promotions Committee were among items discussed at a long meeting of the Hardy City Council on Tuesday, May 7. Liquor Issue After the approval of the previous meetings minutes, the council jumped into business. ...

FNBC's "Bill" high fives Trace Hyslip from the safety of his grandmother Barbara Hyslip's lap at the bank's May 10 Customer Appreciation Day at the Ash Flat Location. Little brother Reid sits in his grandfather Johnny Ray's lap looking on. Trace and Reid are the son's of Grant and Kristin Hyslip of Ash Flat. ...

After the 2012 vote authorizing alcohol sales, many Sharp County retailers are beginning to sell beer and wine, and there has been no apparent problems with the application process. But a question has been raised as to whether applicants seeking one of four Sharp County licenses for full scale liquor stores are following proper procedures requiring them to advertise their applications in a local newspaper classified as a legal newspaper of record...