Stories from Wednesday, May 24, 2017

The morning of Saturday, May 20 a small tornado went over the city of Thayer. Even though the tornado did not touch down, it did take down many trees and left much of the city without power. The area known as Barton Hill was affected the most from the storm as there were uprooted trees from the storm moving through the area. One uprooted tree fell on an unoccupied double wide trailer house...

Earlier this year, a story was published in Avenues (Areawide Media’s monthly magazine) about local businessman, John Kunkel and his efforts to give back to the community for years to come. Those efforts include a yearly scholarship to be given away in Kunkel’s name (and family’s name). The first year recipient of the John O. Kunkel Sharp County 4-H/FFA $1,000 Scholarship is Katelyn Rogers, of Mammoth Spring...

After leading police in a high-speed chase across three Missouri counties, a Pacific, Mo. man was apprehended after crashing the stolen vehicle he was driving in Thayer on Saturday, May 20. In a car chase that originated in Shannon County, the driver of a gray Dodge truck stole gas from a gas station. Workers at the station notified authorities of the vehicle headed toward Winona. Winona police attempted to stop the vehicle but led them on a chase that reached speeds up to 90 miles per hour...

This past week, just in time for summer break from school, many residents and visitors enjoyed a fun-filled time at the first Thayer Spring Fair that was held Tuesday, May 16 through Saturday, May 20. Throughout the week, patrons were treated to music, great food and exciting rides for the whole family to enjoy...

On Thursday, May 11, Joshua Lindberg, an employee of Rent-A-Ride, reported a 2012 Chevy Impala that had been rented to Joshua Chambers was not returned. It was to be returned by Wednesday, May 10. The Arkansas State Police informed them that the vehicle may have been used in Mountain Home in a crime...

What makes up the beautiful scenery of Missouri was the latest topic at the Oregon County Historical Society meeting. Surprisingly, many plants and species that inhabit the state are not native to the environment and were brought to the area and some of these that one may think would be non-native, are indigenous...

Martin Dale Beatty was born the son Ralph Beatty and Audra (Martin) Beatty on Jan. 9, 1939 in Thayer, Mo. and departed this life on May 18, 2017, at his cabin in Mammoth Spring, Ark., at the age of 78 years. He was united in marriage on Oct. 7, 1960 in Thayer to May Belle Janes...

Fonda Ellen Repp, 79, passed away on April 26, 2017 in O’Fallon, Mo. surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Alton, Mo. Beloved wife of Clarence for 58 years; cherished mother of Dronda Repp and Greg (Angie) Repp; loving grandmother of Maisie Repp; dear sister of Laura (Clifford) Warren and Fred (Flossie) Jackman and preceded by her siblings; Ronnie Jackman, Russell Jackman, Shirley Jackman and Leo Risenhoover. ...

Ronald Leon Keylon was born the son of Leon Keylon and Vondera (Hartgraves) Keylon, on Feb. 22, 1951, in Mammoth Spring, Ark. and died May 18, 2017, in Little Rock, at the age of 66 years. He was united in marriage on Feb. 4, 1967, at Koshkonong, Mo. to Sherrie Johnson...

Lloyd Spencer, 100, formerly of Cherokee Village, Ark. died Dec. 7, 2016 in Yorkville, Ill. The family service will be held on June 3. Fonda Ellen Repp, 79, of O’Fallon, Mo., formerly of Alton, Mo., died April 26 in O’Fallon. Arrangements are under the direction of Hutchens-Stygar Funeral and Cremation Center in St. Charles, Mo...

Zippy the Roadrunner is quickly becoming a Fulton County celebrity as Sharmin Jennings has began a social media page for him, Zippin’ down a dirt road, on Facebook. This little bird has taken on a mouse, three lizards, a small wren fledgling and even a copperhead. The Jennings live between Salem and Viola and have seen several roadrunners throughout the year...

Salem School Board was held on Monday, May 15. After the approval of the minutes, High School principal, Cody Curtis, provided a student recognition report: Curtis began by recognizing the local businesses that made the 2017 Ready Set Graduate program a success...

Michael “Drake” Saunders recently completed his service project for the Eagle Scouts, associated with BSA Troop 639 in Ash Flat. There are six boys total that are supposed to complete projects, that they start planning to complete before their 18th birthday. Drake came up with the idea to build six picnic tables to donate the City of Salem park...

Several Viola seniors were recently awarded with scholarships from the following organizations: County Line #373 County Line Lodge #373 is proud to announce that this is the fourth year for them to take part in the scholarship program along with Viola Lodge.  Ray Mathews handed out the awards. Second place winners were Alex Waltrip and Robbie Stawski. Fourth place winners are Alexander Petriken and Bailey DeVaul...

Recently, there have been a rash of killings of cattle in northern Arkansas. There was a social media public service announcement from a woman in Georgia, discussing the threat that black vultures impose on pregnant cows in the process of labor. The vultures wait until a promising opportunity when the mother is in distress. ...

The Highland City Council received word May 9 that everything is on track for the upcoming special election to prevent the half cent sales tax, currently being used for the sewer bond, from sun-setting. During the meeting, Mary Wiles, clerk/treasurer told the council she had received confirmation from the state that all of the paperwork that was filed, has been accepted...

Recently, the Sharp County Community Foundation participated in a Professional Advisors meeting with the Arkansas Community Foundation. During the meeting, the groups discussed upcoming and open opportunities for Sharp County residents. The Sharp County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Arkansas Community Foundation and is one of 26 affiliates throughout Arkansas with a common goal of promoting smart giving to improve communities...

The skies were dark over the grounds of the Sharp County Courthouse May 17; rows of officers stood in solemn respect as they looked into the faces of the family of fallen officer Sgt. Jeff Richardson, a fallen Cave City Police Officer killed in the line of duty May 21, 1993...

When the tone sounds, only a select few hear and answer the call from those who are in need of rescuing. Firefighters, first responders, police, EMT’s and paramedics are the force that at times, can mean the difference between life and death or loss and retention...

Two Evening Shade residents sustained serious injures May 18 following a one vehicle accident on Highway 167 approximately a half a mile after Corinth Road. David Malone, 59 and Maria Malone, 54 were riding a motorcycle headed toward Ash Flat when authorities believe the back tire of the motorcycle blew causing the pair to lose control and overturn sending the two sliding down the highway...

Brandon Leigh Clark, 41, of Cave City, was charged on May 1 with careless/prohibited driving, drinking in public and driving on suspended/revoked driver’s license. Devin Matthew Miller-Oullis, 18, of Hardy, was charged on May 1 for a 48-hour hold. Kristi Rae Rice, 29, of Cave City, was charged May 1 for domestic battery in third degree...

“Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent” These words may have a familiar ring to them but for those of you who may not exactly be able to place it, this is the Boy Scout law; words to live by for those who bear responsibility of the motto “Be Prepared”...

Two more arrests have been made in the recent “roundup” executed by the Third Judicial Drug Task Force [DTF], Sharp County Sheriff’s Department and Arkansas State Police. According to paperwork obtained from the Sharp County Courthouse, Jerry W. Price, 72,of Cave City was arrested May 16 and has since been charged with delivery of a controlled schedule II substance [methamphetamine] and unlawful use of a communication device, both class C felonies...

A tragic story unfolded May 21 after a 20-month-old boy was reported missing and was later found in Lake Sequoyah in Cherokee Village. According to Detective Aaron Presser with the Sharp County Sheriff’s Department, the incident occurred around 9:45 a.m...

Dwayne Spangler, of Izard County Stickshooters, has achieved the near impossible; teaching a blind woman to shoot a bow and arrow. Heidi Kottke has been permanently blind for nearly 20 years. Before that, she had a birth defect that only allowed her to see colors, shapes and sizes. Kottke noted that people looked like colorful blobs...