Stories from Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Behind the scenes activity is picking up as Fulton County Fair Manager Carolyn Lewis leads efforts to organize a day of fundraising on April 28 to help the city as it works to build a new Salem Civic Center. Barbecue plates will be sold at the Miller-Hickinbotham Building at the fairgrounds during the noon hour on Monday, April 28. ...

The Sturkie Volunteer Fire Department wants to reduce the time it takes to respond to fires by adding a substation in the Moko area. "We have been discussing a Moko substation for about six months, and I have a grant application ready to submit to the Arkansas Department of Rural Services," Sturkie firefighter Randy Tyler said, holding up a big notebook showing his work to prepare the application. ...

The status of two damaged bridges and further discussion on a Sheriff's request for two patrol cars were among topics on the agenda as the Fulton County Quorum Court met on Monday, April 14. Judge Jim Bicker said it was a race to the finish, but work to replace a bridge slab was completed in time to avoid losing a state grant that was helping pay for the project. ...

Editors note: This is the second of a two part story aimed at educating the public on the causes and diagnosis of autism, and the behaviors that accompany it. April is Autism Awareness Month. Last week, a pharmacist, whose child has Autism, expressed her belief that mercury used as a preservative in vaccines is a likely cause in the large increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism in recent years. ...

Police Officer Daryl Childers became Chief of Police Daryl Childers at the Wednesday, April 16 meeting of the Thayer City Council. It was announced at the meeting that Police Chief David Bailey had resigned after nearly five years on the job, and the council accepted his resignation. During the meeting, Childers was named interim chief of police, until the city hires someone to fill the position...

A Nebraska man was being sought on Tuesday, April 22, in the theft of an Oregon County Deputy's vehicle, after he ran it into a river at Myrtle on April 20, around 9:30 p.m. At our press deadline on April 22, the Oregon County Sheriff's Department was still searching for Jeffrey Wegener, 26, of Platte Center, Neb...

It was a night of change as the Thayer City Council met on Wednesday, April 16. A new mayor and two new aldermen were sworn in, and the council announced it had accepted the resignation of Police Chief David Bailey. After outgoing Mayor Merle Williams confirmed the certified results of the April 8 election, City Clerk Donna Martin swore in Junior Brewer who moved from alderman to mayor, reflecting the results of the election. ...

Individuals and families who do not have healthcare coverage has long been a problem in the area, and a new healthcare option to serve the uninsured has opened in Ash Flat. On Tuesday, April 15, 1st Choice Healthcare celebrated its grand opening with a Spring River Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting...

Council member Verna Mae Newman chaired the Cherokee Village City Council meeting on April 17, because Mayor Lloyd Hefley was ill. City Administrative Assistant Judy Bickle discussed trouble with the doors at the city hall. "It's a big safety issue. ...

At the April 14 meeting of Sharp County Quorum Court, much of the discussion centered around possible passage of an ordinance to deal with viscous dogs. Sheriff Mark Counts had been asked to investigate animal control ordinances in other counties. He gave a report on ordinances he found, and his opinion as to what type of ordinance is needed for Sharp County. ...

Charles "Charlie" Richard Rogers, 80, of Hardy, Ark., died on Friday, April 11, 2014, at Ash Flat, Ark. Arrangements by Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland, Ark. Bobby Brewer, 73, of Thayer, Mo., died on Friday, April 11, 2014, at Center, Mo. Arrangements by Carter Funeral Home of Thayer...

After surviving losses in three devastating floods from 2008 to 2010. Williford Library has had more than its fair share of setbacks leading to opening a new building in 2011 near Ozark Acres. On April 17, the library welcomed a new librarian and hosted an open house to put the library and its services in the spotlight...

After weeks of planning, Hardy Advertising and Promotions Commissioners were pleased with the turn out for the Town Hall Meeting on Monday, April 14. More than 100 people filled the old Hardy gym Monday, April 14, for the first meeting of its kind for the area. Those in attendance heard a presentation by the A&P Commission and the Brooks Jeffrey marketing firm on the long term marketing strategy in place for Hardy...