Photo/ Kathy Huddleston A retirement celebration was held on Sunday, June 28 at Couch School for Donna Honeycutt. Honeycutt served the district for 30 years as the bookkeeper. The drop-in reception was held from 2 to 4 p.m. and many co-workers, students, family and friends from Honeycutt’s career, attended the event to wish Honeycutt the best in her retirement. Donna is pictured with her mother, Erma Honeycutt...

Fulton County libraries reopened on Monday, June 15 after being closed for three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The library has new hours until further notice, which are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shorter hours are to allow for implementing additional cleaning measures including having books placed in a plastic bin when they are returned, sanitized and quarantined for 48 hours before placed back on the shelves...

The City of Koshkonong held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 23. To comply with federal, state and CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and social distancing, the meeting was closed but was posted to Facebook live as well as a recorded version to the page...

Salers enthusiasts and junior exhibitors gathered in Sterling from the 15th through the 19th of June to participate in the annual Salers Junior National Show. Junior members took part in a wide variety of contests and events throughout the Junior National with a great week ending on the 19th with the evaluation of the cattle by Mat Lewis, Illiff, Colo...

The STudent Advising and Registration (STAR) Orientation sessions for new students who plan to attend Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) this fall have been moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “In light of our continuing concerns with COVID-19 and, subsequently, the question about the necessity of holding this particular in-person event this summer, we have made the decision to switch the scheduled on-campus STAR sessions to a virtual format using Zoom video conferencing,” said Dr. ...

By Lori Garrison Shady Oaks would like to thank those from the Methodist Church in Thayer for their donations each month for Bingo prizes. We would also like to thank Clarity Church for their donation of fireworks. Residents enjoy this event and they look forward to this every year. ...

Dr. Rhyne Putman, a Williams Baptist University graduate and highly regarded theologian, is returning to his alma mater. Putman is joining the administration and faculty at WBU this fall as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of Worldview Formation and Professor of Christian Ministries...

A special luncheon was held at the Oregon County Sheltered Workshop in Alton to honor longtime workers and retiring manager Sheila Brown. To begin, Brown expressed gratitude to those in attendance who are active with the Sheltered Workshop including employees and board members...

Visitors had the opportunity to view area artifacts during the open house held at Koshkonong Museum on Saturday, July 4. After receiving many donations and rearranging historic relics already in the building, the museum was ready for patrons. “When we took the museum over, we didn’t know what to expect,” said Koshkonong Alderman Hope Reed...

Created as a reminder of the sacrifices of those who served in the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall passed through Mammoth Spring and Thayer on its way to Vietnam War Memorial Post 639 in Springfield on Wednesday, July 1. Bikers gathered at the state line of Arkansas and Missouri at The Beverage Shoppe and Gas Plus to escort the wall on its voyage. The wall was viewable for free until Monday, July 6...

The severe thunderstorms this past week upset the stripers. Fishing was very good until Thursday (July 2) due to the lighting storm we had Wednesday afternoon (July 1). That storm changed the bite from good to poor and the fish get in a funk and become inactive. It takes several days to see a change...

I have no words Hi folks, Abby here. Are you wondering why doesn’t Abby have any words to say? I’m just a small speck in this big ol’ world of ours. When you take a drive like we did this week, and see the beautiful, big world, from atop a big mountain range, you see just how huge this world is, and that we are just a little speck in it through God’s eyes. Yet, he knows how many hairs are on your head and how many freckles are on your face...

The Network of Community Options, Inc. Board of Directors meets on the fourth Wednesday during the months of February, April, June, August, October and December at 2:30 p.m. The meeting is held at the office of Rodney Downing, CPA, located at 971 Hwy 62/ 412 in Ash Flat. Upcoming meetings: Aug. 26; Oct. 28; Dec. 23 (alternative date may be selected); Feb. 24, 2021; April 28, 2021 and June 23, 2021...

The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce would like to invite our members and the public to a Blue Ribbon Welcome for new member Ck Contracting Solutions on Thursday, July 9 at 12 noon at the SRACC office, located at 119 E. Main St. in Hardy (inside Ruby’s next to Thompson Memorial park and public restrooms)...

Protect Yourself Against Financial Scammers It’s unfortunate, but true: During this period of economic uncertainty, one of the busiest “industries” has been financial scamming. But it goes on even during normal times, too, so you’ll want to know what to look for, and how to defend yourself...

As the state began a new fiscal year this week, we received some good news about the state budget. The fiscal year for the state budget always ends on June 30 and begins on July 1. While general revenue for Fiscal Year 2020 was $168 million less than the year before, it was $369 million above what economic forecasters predicted in the wake of the health emergency...

Maxine Huckabee, 84, of Poughkeepsie, Ark., died June 28 at her home. Arrangements are under the direction of Qualls Funeral Home in Cave City. Thomas P. Caudel, 89, formerly of Mammoth Spring, Ark., died June 30. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services in California, Mo...

The 40th annual Cave City Watermelon Festival slated for July 24 and 25 is quickly approaching, however the festival this year will look a little different than in times past. According to Julie Johnson, one of the event organizers for the 2020 festival, this year, it will be a two day event rather than a three day event; however, there will be many familiar activities still available...

The Salem City Council met at the Salem City Hall on June 25 for its regular monthly meeting. All council members were present. The minutes from the May meeting were presented and approved. Next, the financial report was presented and approved. Departmental reports were submitted for the council’s consideration and approved...

An American flag sculpture was donated to the City of Mammoth Spring the evening of Monday, July 6 at the regular monthly meeting. The donation was made to honor the memory of Dave Garner, who was a long-term resident of Mammoth Spring and supported area schools Mammoth Spring Bears and Thayer Bobcats...

Fulton County libraries reopened on Monday, June 15 after being closed for three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The library has new hours until further notice, which are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shorter hours are to allow for implementing additional cleaning measures including having books placed in a plastic bin when they are returned, sanitized and quarantined for 48 hours before placed back on the shelves...

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission met June 30 to discuss the addition of four new dispensaries spread throughout the state of Arkansas. The additional four have been added to help better serve the medical needs of underserved areas. One dispensary, Arkansas Green Cross Cannabis Dispensary, will be located in Zone 2 which serves Fulton, Izard, Stone, Baxter, Marion, Searcy, Van Buren, Cleburne and Newton counties...

Created as a reminder of the sacrifices of those who served in the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall passed through Mammoth Spring and Thayer on its way to Vietnam War Memorial Post 639 in Springfield on Wednesday, July 1. Bikers gathered at the state line of Arkansas and Missouri at The Beverage Shoppe and Gas Plus to escort the wall on its voyage. The wall was viewable for free until Monday, July 6...

Tragedy struck on the Spring River July 4 after a man from Jonesboro entered the water and did not resurface. According to a report from Sharp County Coroner Renee Clay-Circle, the second drowning of the year took place in Sharp County near Vfalls below River Bend Park. The drowning did not take place at the falls but rather in open water...

Despite having to cancel the 2020 Fulton County Fair as the community knows it, volunteers and Fulton County Fair Manager Carolyn Lewis have found ways to still celebrate. The junior livestock shows will still be held, although a little differently. The concert featuring former Voice contestants is also “on” but with restrictions...

The Sharp County Library Board held its regular quarterly meeting July 1 at the Hardy Civic Center. The meeting opened with a discussion regarding corrections to the special meeting held May 6. Chairperson Marilyn Bishoff spoke about issues which had occurred during a breakdown in communication concerning public access to wireless internet...

Logan Moore, a life time resident of Sharp County and certified self defense instructor, will be offering free self defense classes to churches in the Sharp, Fulton and Izard County areas. Raised in Williford, Moore graduated in 2007 just prior to the consolidation of the Williford High School...

The Hardy History Association held its regular meeting July 2 at the Hardy Civic Center. The meeting opened with a welcome from President Darlene Wilson and an introduction of the board members who were present for the meeting. As the last board meeting was not open to the public, Wilson provided an update of the happenings of the meeting...

By Lori Garrison Another week with residents at Shady Oaks has been a pleasant one. Staff is still doing what they can to keep the residents involved in activities allowed at the facility. Staff is still encouraging family and friends to partake in virtual visits with the residents or to come see them through the window and talk to them on the phone. It might not be the way you want to visit but you just might make someone’s day...

The morning of Friday, June 26, an accident occurred involving an Amish buggy on Highway 160 resulting in the vehicle being ran off the highway. Horse drawn vehicles, bicycles, farm tractors, agriculture equipment, ATV, funerals and parades are all slow-moving vehicles to be aware of...

Even though area senior centers have not yet reopened, staff and volunteers miss area seniors and will offer lunch to go as well as an opportunity to meet new administrator Meghan Haenel. The first event, “Burgers on the Run!” will be held at the Alton Senior Center located at 204 S. Main Street in Alton on Thursday, July 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m...

A three-day training was held on the Alton School Campus for K9s and their handlers. The training included building and vehicle searches and protection work as well as track work at a local farm. K9 units in attendance included Oregon County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, Howell County Sheriff’s Office, Camden County and Montgomery County...

On Sunday, June 28, at 8 p.m. a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by a 16-year-old male juvenile, of Thayer, was westbound on County Road 326 – three miles north of Thayer when it failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the left side of the road and overturned striking a tree. ...

Oregon County Sheriff’s Office and the community mourned the passing of retired Oregon County Chief Deputy Lucas Leroy “Lee” Simmons, who passed away on Friday, June 19 with his family by his side. From 2002 until his retirement in 2019, Simmons served the citizens of Oregon County. Throughout those years he served as dispatcher, reserve deputy sheriff, bailiff, jail administrator, deputy sheriff, emergency management director during the Thomasville flood in May 2017 and chief deputy sheriff...

Amy Rodola, an independent TK for Matilda Jane Clothing and Gateway Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) have partnered to provide new pajamas, socks and underwear for abused/neglected children in the Third Judicial District. According to Rodola, the Pajamas for a Purpose Drive, will provide children in the district with items which will not only bring comfort, but are also in short supply at times for children in the foster system...

Spring River Adult and Child Services (SACS) in partnership with Comfort Keepers Ministry Inc., the Spring River Innovation Hub and the Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off the first in a series of produce distributions June 27. According to Brinda Israel, executive director for SACS, each Saturday morning for the next several weeks, 10 produce boxes will be given out on a first come first served basis at the Spring River Farmers Market at Town Center in Cherokee Village...

The Spring River Innovation Hub Board of Directors and the Sharp County Community Foundation Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Hazelle Whited has been named Executive Director for both organizations. Whited, who lives in Sharp County, is a marketing and business management professional with more than twenty years of experience in small business development...

Former Fulton County Chief Deputy John Cawvey was the subject of a recent investigation completed by 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Eric Hance’s office. Hance said the facts developed throughout the case were “not as strongly suggestive of theft as the allegations in the original report.” No charges were filed on Cawvey, as a result of the investigation...

The Arkansas State Police issued a statement June 26, that they had been asked to conduct an investigation involving the use of deadly force by several law enforcement officers during an altercation near Hardy. The incident occurred June 24 after officers responded to a call at approximately 6:45 p.m...

While driving through the Ozarks there are many markers indicating the location of historic events or sights worth taking a moment to pause and enjoy the view. Many times, they are found in some of the most unusual places, from markers indicating locations in memory of the Trail of Tears and the path which was taken, to snippets of history of battle grounds during the Civil War...

The Viola City Council met Monday, June 22. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Jackie Estes; Council members Dennis Harber, Robert Lash, Vearl Downum, Becky Parton and Jerry Allen; Water Supt. Joel Huett, Bookkeeper Sarah Huett and several citizens...

Former Fulton County Chief Deputy John Cawvey was the subject of a recent investigation completed by 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Eric Hance’s office. Hance said the facts developed throughout the case were “not as strongly suggestive of theft as the allegations in the original report.” No charges were filed on Cawvey, as a result of the investigation...

As summer arrives, the owners of Rebel Nutrition located at the Highland Shopping Center in Highland, have been gearing up to give back to the community as they prepare for a Flip Flops for Summer event. According to co-owner Jolene Billingsley, several hundred pairs of flip flops have been purchased and will be given away July 12 at the store’s location between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m...

The Cherokee Village Suburban Improvement District (SID) held its regular meeting June 15. Commissioners Jim Best, Joe Waggoner and Ron Patterson were present as well as David Webb, manger of the SID. Following the approval of minutes and the agenda, the commission moved on to old business...

The Cherokee Village City Council held its regular meeting June 18 during which the primary topics of discussion were the proposed trash ordinance and application for a trails grant. Following the approval of previous meeting minutes and the agenda, public comments regarding agenda items were held...

Fulton County libraries reopened on Monday, June 15 after being closed for three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this included the Mammoth Spring Library located near Mammoth Spring City Hall. The library has new hours until further notice, which are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shorter hours are to allow for implementing additional cleaning measures...

The recovery efforts for a woman from Paragould who was knocked off her flotation device and into the Spring River has come to an end. The incident began on Sunday, June 21, when witnesses placed a 911 call to Sharp County Dispatch at approximately 3:45 p.m., stating a woman had gone under the water on a set of falls near Bobo Drive in Hardy and had not resurfaced...

Jeff Taylor, of Myrtle, was loved by his community and beyond. At 55-years-old, Taylor passed away June 5 in St. Louis, Mo. at Barnes Jewish Hospital. An evening of remembrance and celebration of Taylor’s life will be held at Couch High School on Saturday, June 27 at 5 p.m. This event is by donation and all money raised will go toward helping the family with bills and medical expenses. If you would like to donate a baked good or any item toward the benefit auction, call 417-372-5494...

Oregon County Presiding Commissioner Patrick Ledgerwood was one of many on a conference call held Friday, June 19, with State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick. The purpose of the call was to provide guidance and best practices to local governments to effectively use their CARES Act funding...