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Arrest Report 10/07
Ernesto Negrette, JR – 38CCSOFailure to Appear
Oscar E Deleon – 41CCSOFailure to Appear, Hold for Other Agency
Perry Joe Gatlin – 50 of Green ForestBVPDFailure to Appear x3, Contempt of Court
Corey Allan Thomas – 34 of Hollister, MOCCSOFailure to Appear
Ashley Nicole Hunt – 32 of Green ForestArkansas State PoliceMurder 2nd Degree, Battery 2nd Degree, Theft x2
For more information visit the Carroll County Sheriff's Department website - Click Here
Oscar E Deleon – 41CCSOFailure to Appear, Hold for Other Agency
Perry Joe Gatlin – 50 of Green ForestBVPDFailure to Appear x3, Contempt of Court
Corey Allan Thomas – 34 of Hollister, MOCCSOFailure to Appear
Ashley Nicole Hunt – 32 of Green ForestArkansas State PoliceMurder 2nd Degree, Battery 2nd Degree, Theft x2
For more information visit the Carroll County Sheriff's Department website - Click Here
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News for Wednesday, October 7th, 2026
Coming Soon
Arrest Report 10/06
Jeremy Allen Schilling – 41 of Green ForestCCSOPublic Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct
Corey Allan Thomas – 34 CCSOFailure to Appear
Ashley Nicole Hunt – 32 of Green Forest No Charges Listed
For more information visit the Carroll County Sheriff's Department website - Click Here
Corey Allan Thomas – 34 CCSOFailure to Appear
Ashley Nicole Hunt – 32 of Green Forest No Charges Listed
For more information visit the Carroll County Sheriff's Department website - Click Here
News for Tuesday, October 6th, 2026
Arkansas lawmakers recommend increase in public school funding
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas public schools could receive more state funding per student over the next two years under recommendations approved by state lawmakers Monday.
The Legislature's Joint Education Committee recommended increasing the state's basic foundation funding for public schools by more than 2 percent in each of the next two school years.
Arkansas schools currently receive $8,037 per student through the state's foundation funding formula. Under the committee's recommendation, that amount would increase to $8,239 per student for the 2027-28 school year and $8,431 for 2028-29.
That would amount to an increase of $202 per student in the first year and $394 per student compared with current funding by the second year.
The recommendations are not final. They will be considered by the full Arkansas Legislature when lawmakers return to Little Rock for the 2027 regular session beginning in January.
The recommendations are the result of Arkansas' biennial school funding, or "adequacy," study. State lawmakers are required to periodically review the amount of money necessary to provide Arkansas students with an adequate and equitable public education. The process grew out of the state's long-running school funding litigation and requires lawmakers to submit funding recommendations to House and Senate leaders by Nov. 1.
The proposed increase in foundation funding is only one part of the committee's recommendations.
Lawmakers are also recommending additional money for students with special educational needs.
That includes $1,000 per student for dyslexia intervention services for children in kindergarten through third grade. Legislative leaders estimate that proposal would provide approximately $26 million in new funding during the next school year.
Another $14 million is recommended for what the state calls "high-cost occurrence" students. That funding helps school districts cover unusually expensive special education services required under a student's Individualized Education Program.
Together, the two proposals would provide approximately $40 million in additional dedicated special-needs funding next year.
Joint Education Committee co-chair Rep. Keith Brooks said the recommendations represent some of the strongest produced during the state's adequacy process, particularly when it comes to additional funding for special-needs students.
Not every lawmaker was satisfied with the process, however. Some members of both parties said they would have preferred more time to discuss the recommendations before Monday's vote. Rep. Julie Mayberry said she supported many of the proposals but wished the committee had more opportunity for broader discussion.
Lawmakers stressed Monday's vote does not end the debate.
Brooks said he plans to introduce legislation during the 2027 session establishing the proposed foundation funding amounts. The Legislature will ultimately determine how much money schools receive when lawmakers consider the state's education budget.
If approved, the changes would affect every public school district in Arkansas, including districts across southwest Arkansas. The actual financial impact on individual districts would vary based on enrollment and other components of the state's school funding formula.
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G³ Summit to explore investment opportunities Wednesday in Berryville
BERRYVILLE – Aspiring investors, entrepreneurs and others interested in building long-term financial opportunities are invited to a free seminar Wednesday afternoon in Berryville.
Co-Create Marketing Strategies will present a G³ Summit SPARK Session featuring Doug Lay on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Carroll Electric Community Room.
The session will focus on real estate and property investments, business opportunities, wealth-building strategies and practical steps for those interested in getting started.
Drawing on decades of experience in real estate, business transfers and entrepreneurship, Lay will discuss how to evaluate potential opportunities, understand the basics of property and business investments and take the first steps toward ownership.
Organizers say the event is designed for both aspiring investors and entrepreneurs as well as those simply interested in learning more about creating new financial opportunities.
The G³ Summit SPARK Session is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending can register by scanning the QR code included on the event flyer or visiting this link.
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Thursday deadline approaching for Berryville Chamber award nominations
BERRYVILLE – Area residents have just a few days left to nominate deserving businesses, organizations and individuals for this year’s Greater Berryville Area Chamber of Commerce awards.
The deadline to submit nominations is this Thursday, October 8.
The annual awards recognize those who have made a positive impact on the Berryville area and will be presented during the Chamber’s annual banquet on Thursday, October 22, at the Berryville Community Center.
This year’s banquet theme is “Boots and Blazers – It Takes a Community.”
Jeffrey Kent, chief operating officer of Commander Companies, will serve as guest speaker. Kent also works alongside Willie Robertson and appears on A&E’s “Duck Dynasty: The Revival.”
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 6. The evening will feature dinner, networking, an auction, door prizes and presentation of the Chamber’s annual awards.
Tickets are $50 per person, with tables and sponsorship opportunities also available. Businesses can support the banquet by donating auction items or door prizes.
Space for the banquet is limited and advance reservations are encouraged.
Again, nominations for this year’s Chamber awards must be submitted by Thursday, October 8.
For nominations, tickets and additional information, visit berryvillechamber.com/events.
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas public schools could receive more state funding per student over the next two years under recommendations approved by state lawmakers Monday.
The Legislature's Joint Education Committee recommended increasing the state's basic foundation funding for public schools by more than 2 percent in each of the next two school years.
Arkansas schools currently receive $8,037 per student through the state's foundation funding formula. Under the committee's recommendation, that amount would increase to $8,239 per student for the 2027-28 school year and $8,431 for 2028-29.
That would amount to an increase of $202 per student in the first year and $394 per student compared with current funding by the second year.
The recommendations are not final. They will be considered by the full Arkansas Legislature when lawmakers return to Little Rock for the 2027 regular session beginning in January.
The recommendations are the result of Arkansas' biennial school funding, or "adequacy," study. State lawmakers are required to periodically review the amount of money necessary to provide Arkansas students with an adequate and equitable public education. The process grew out of the state's long-running school funding litigation and requires lawmakers to submit funding recommendations to House and Senate leaders by Nov. 1.
The proposed increase in foundation funding is only one part of the committee's recommendations.
Lawmakers are also recommending additional money for students with special educational needs.
That includes $1,000 per student for dyslexia intervention services for children in kindergarten through third grade. Legislative leaders estimate that proposal would provide approximately $26 million in new funding during the next school year.
Another $14 million is recommended for what the state calls "high-cost occurrence" students. That funding helps school districts cover unusually expensive special education services required under a student's Individualized Education Program.
Together, the two proposals would provide approximately $40 million in additional dedicated special-needs funding next year.
Joint Education Committee co-chair Rep. Keith Brooks said the recommendations represent some of the strongest produced during the state's adequacy process, particularly when it comes to additional funding for special-needs students.
Not every lawmaker was satisfied with the process, however. Some members of both parties said they would have preferred more time to discuss the recommendations before Monday's vote. Rep. Julie Mayberry said she supported many of the proposals but wished the committee had more opportunity for broader discussion.
Lawmakers stressed Monday's vote does not end the debate.
Brooks said he plans to introduce legislation during the 2027 session establishing the proposed foundation funding amounts. The Legislature will ultimately determine how much money schools receive when lawmakers consider the state's education budget.
If approved, the changes would affect every public school district in Arkansas, including districts across southwest Arkansas. The actual financial impact on individual districts would vary based on enrollment and other components of the state's school funding formula.
---
G³ Summit to explore investment opportunities Wednesday in Berryville
BERRYVILLE – Aspiring investors, entrepreneurs and others interested in building long-term financial opportunities are invited to a free seminar Wednesday afternoon in Berryville.
Co-Create Marketing Strategies will present a G³ Summit SPARK Session featuring Doug Lay on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Carroll Electric Community Room.
The session will focus on real estate and property investments, business opportunities, wealth-building strategies and practical steps for those interested in getting started.
Drawing on decades of experience in real estate, business transfers and entrepreneurship, Lay will discuss how to evaluate potential opportunities, understand the basics of property and business investments and take the first steps toward ownership.
Organizers say the event is designed for both aspiring investors and entrepreneurs as well as those simply interested in learning more about creating new financial opportunities.
The G³ Summit SPARK Session is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending can register by scanning the QR code included on the event flyer or visiting this link.
---
Thursday deadline approaching for Berryville Chamber award nominations
BERRYVILLE – Area residents have just a few days left to nominate deserving businesses, organizations and individuals for this year’s Greater Berryville Area Chamber of Commerce awards.
The deadline to submit nominations is this Thursday, October 8.
The annual awards recognize those who have made a positive impact on the Berryville area and will be presented during the Chamber’s annual banquet on Thursday, October 22, at the Berryville Community Center.
This year’s banquet theme is “Boots and Blazers – It Takes a Community.”
Jeffrey Kent, chief operating officer of Commander Companies, will serve as guest speaker. Kent also works alongside Willie Robertson and appears on A&E’s “Duck Dynasty: The Revival.”
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 6. The evening will feature dinner, networking, an auction, door prizes and presentation of the Chamber’s annual awards.
Tickets are $50 per person, with tables and sponsorship opportunities also available. Businesses can support the banquet by donating auction items or door prizes.
Space for the banquet is limited and advance reservations are encouraged.
Again, nominations for this year’s Chamber awards must be submitted by Thursday, October 8.
For nominations, tickets and additional information, visit berryvillechamber.com/events.
Arrest Report 10/05
Martin Hunter Cobb – 60 of Eureka Springs ESPDPublic Intoxication
Jeremy Lee LaFollette – 55 of AlpenaGFPDFailure to Appear
Johnnie Alan Thompson – 50 of Huntsville ASPVehicle Lights – No Lights at Night, Driving While Intoxicated DWI 1 st
Monroy Noe Ramirez – 31 of BerryvilleCCSOContempt of Court
Artemio Menchu Gomez – 66 of Green Forest CCSOLittering 1st Offense, No Driver’s License, Detainer for INS
Shaun Casey Hoops – 48 of Green ForestCCSOViolation of Protection Order
Summer Dawn Donahue – 37 of BerryvilleBVPDFailure to Appear, Theft x4, Obstructing Gov Operations, Criminal Trespass
Robin Suzette Gerlick – 39 of Berryville BVPDFailure to Appear
Thomas Brandon Cline, SR – 43 of Holiday Island ESPDFailure to Appear
Tonya Sue Goodman – 53 of ESPDFailure to Appear
Julia Diane Sanchez – 59 ofESPDCareless & Prohibited Driving, Driving Left of Center, Possession Drug Para, Possess Controlled Substance Sched I,II Meth Cocaine <2G
Van Bow Cang – 33 ofGFPDCourt Commitment
Hatty Rhong – 34 ofCCSOCourt Commitment
James Ryan Harp – 42 ofCCSOCourt Commitment
Gary David Grose – 44 ofESPDFailure to Appear
Zachery Sean Smith – 28 ofCCSOFailure to Appear
Guy DeMott Holmes – 60 ofESPDCriminal Trespass
Brandon Dean Patty – 40 ofCCSOFailure to Appear
Benjamin James Meier – 40 ofCCSOFailure to Appear x2, Hold for Other Agency
Jesse Aaron Cooper – 40 ofCCSOCourt Commitment
James David Finney – 44 ofCCSOCourt Commitment
Banyar Aung – 37 of Green ForestCCSOCourt Commitment
Malissa Janelle Payne – 54 of Eureka Springs ESPDDWI #1, Leaving Scene of Accident Involving Property Damage, Continuously Driving in Left Lane, Reckless Driving
Dylan Lee Lauer – 20 of HuntsvilleCCSOReckless Driving
Timothy Lee Houston – 28 of SpringdaleCCSOPublic Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct
For more information visit the Carroll County Sheriff's Department website - Click Here
Jeremy Lee LaFollette – 55 of AlpenaGFPDFailure to Appear
Johnnie Alan Thompson – 50 of Huntsville ASPVehicle Lights – No Lights at Night, Driving While Intoxicated DWI 1 st
Monroy Noe Ramirez – 31 of BerryvilleCCSOContempt of Court
Artemio Menchu Gomez – 66 of Green Forest CCSOLittering 1st Offense, No Driver’s License, Detainer for INS
Shaun Casey Hoops – 48 of Green ForestCCSOViolation of Protection Order
Summer Dawn Donahue – 37 of BerryvilleBVPDFailure to Appear, Theft x4, Obstructing Gov Operations, Criminal Trespass
Robin Suzette Gerlick – 39 of Berryville BVPDFailure to Appear
Thomas Brandon Cline, SR – 43 of Holiday Island ESPDFailure to Appear
Tonya Sue Goodman – 53 of ESPDFailure to Appear
Julia Diane Sanchez – 59 ofESPDCareless & Prohibited Driving, Driving Left of Center, Possession Drug Para, Possess Controlled Substance Sched I,II Meth Cocaine <2G
Van Bow Cang – 33 ofGFPDCourt Commitment
Hatty Rhong – 34 ofCCSOCourt Commitment
James Ryan Harp – 42 ofCCSOCourt Commitment
Gary David Grose – 44 ofESPDFailure to Appear
Zachery Sean Smith – 28 ofCCSOFailure to Appear
Guy DeMott Holmes – 60 ofESPDCriminal Trespass
Brandon Dean Patty – 40 ofCCSOFailure to Appear
Benjamin James Meier – 40 ofCCSOFailure to Appear x2, Hold for Other Agency
Jesse Aaron Cooper – 40 ofCCSOCourt Commitment
James David Finney – 44 ofCCSOCourt Commitment
Banyar Aung – 37 of Green ForestCCSOCourt Commitment
Malissa Janelle Payne – 54 of Eureka Springs ESPDDWI #1, Leaving Scene of Accident Involving Property Damage, Continuously Driving in Left Lane, Reckless Driving
Dylan Lee Lauer – 20 of HuntsvilleCCSOReckless Driving
Timothy Lee Houston – 28 of SpringdaleCCSOPublic Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct
For more information visit the Carroll County Sheriff's Department website - Click Here
News for Monday, October 5th, 2026
Registration deadline today to vote in November General Election
Today is the deadline for Arkansans to register to vote in next month’s General Election.
Voters who are not already registered have through today, Monday, Oct. 5, to submit a voter registration application ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
More than 1.8 million Arkansans are registered to vote. This year’s ballot includes municipal, state and federal races.
Arkansas does not offer online voter registration, so residents must complete and submit a paper application. Forms are available through county clerk offices, revenue and DMV offices, public libraries and several other government agencies. Applications can also be printed through the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website.
To register, a person must be a U.S. citizen, an Arkansas resident and at least 18 years old by Election Day. Certain restrictions apply to people with felony convictions whose sentences have not been discharged or pardoned.
Those who have already registered are encouraged to confirm their status through the state’s VoterView system. The website also allows voters to view sample ballots and find polling locations.
Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19, and continues through Nov. 2.
Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone in line by 7:30 that evening will be allowed to vote.
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Green Forest wins $5,000 in T-Mobile contest, continues push for $1 million prize
GREEN FOREST – Green Forest Public Schools has already scored a $5,000 win in a nationwide contest aimed at supporting high school football programs in small communities, but the Tigers are hoping their run is just getting started.
Green Forest announced it has won one of the $5,000 prizes offered through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition. Everyone is encouraged to continue sharing its campaign on social media as it competes for the larger prizes, including a $1 million football field upgrade.
Friday Night 5G Lights is open to high schools in communities with populations of 150,000 or less. This year's competition features more than $8 million in prizes for participating schools.
Green Forest's $5,000 award comes through the contest's "$5K Fridays" sweepstakes. Participating schools have been able to earn entries through social media engagement, with Green Forest asking supporters to share its posts, tag Green Forest Public Schools and T-Mobile and include the hashtags #FN5GL and #Entry.
School officials stress that simply typing the names of the school and T-Mobile into a post is not enough for the social-media entry. Supporters should select the official accounts so the tags become active links.
The stakes increase considerably in the next stage of the competition.
T-Mobile is scheduled to announce 40 division finalists on Thursday, Oct. 8, with 10 schools selected from each of four regions. Each finalist will receive $25,000 and a T-Mobile Home Game Celebration. Public voting among those finalists will run Oct. 8-25.
Four division champions will then be announced Oct. 29. Each will receive $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym and a $5,000 student leadership award. Another round of voting will determine the national champion, which is scheduled to be announced Nov. 12. The winning school will receive $1 million toward a major home-field upgrade. T-Mobile
Arkansas has a good reason to know just how far a small school can advance in the competition.
Dierks High School in won the national Friday Night 5G Lights championship in 2025 after the Southwest Arkansas community mounted a massive campaign on behalf of the Outlaws. Dierks, a community of fewer than 1,000 residents, collected nearly two million votes and beat more than 2,100 participating schools nationwide.
The victory earned Dierks a $1 million upgrade to its home football facilities, along with a renovated weight room and other prizes. T-Mobile said the campaign grew well beyond Dierks itself, with neighboring communities and even rival schools joining the effort to support the Outlaws.
More than 2,000 schools entered the contest last year. A total of 450 schools received $5,000 prizes, while 25 finalists earned $25,000 each before Dierks ultimately claimed the grand prize.
Green Forest is hoping to follow a similar path this fall.
The district is thanking the community for helping secure its first $5,000 prize while encouraging supporters to keep sharing and promoting the Tigers' campaign as the contest moves toward its finalist stage.
The next major announcement comes this Thursday when Green Forest will learn whether it has advanced into the field of 40 division finalists.
---
Berryville High School to host Red Cross blood drive Oct. 28
BERRYVILLE – Berryville High School students and community members are being asked to help save lives later this month through a blood drive hosted by the BHS Student Council.
The Student Council is partnering with the American Red Cross for the blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Berryville High School Performing Arts Center, located at 602 W. College Avenue.
Students must be at least 16 years old to donate. Those who are 16 will need a signed parental consent form, and all student donors are required to bring a valid photo ID.
The blood drive is also open to members of the community. Community donors who sign up are asked to first check in at the Berryville High School main office before proceeding to the Performing Arts Center.
The drive will run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.
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State Capitol Week in Review
By Sen. Bryan King
The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee has been a fixture of Arkansas government since 1953, when the General Assembly created it to strengthen financial oversight across state and local agencies. Over the decades, it has become one of the Legislature’s most important accountability tools, offering lawmakers a clear view into how public money is spent and whether agencies are following the law. Its work supports the General Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to monitor government operations and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
At the center of the Committee’s mission is Arkansas Legislative Audit, the division responsible for producing more than a thousand financial audits, performance reviews, compliance checks, and special reports each year. These reports cover everything from state agencies and school districts to counties, cities, and other public entities. When auditors uncover unauthorized spending, missing funds, or unaccounted‑for property, the Committee refers those findings to the appropriate prosecuting attorney, ensuring that potential wrongdoing receives further scrutiny.
The Committee meets monthly, typically on the second Friday and the preceding Thursday, to review the latest audits prepared by Legislative Audit and private certified public accountants. These meetings give lawmakers a chance to question auditors, examine financial practices, and determine whether additional action is needed. The Committee’s independence from the executive branch is a defining feature, allowing it to evaluate government operations without political pressure from the agencies it oversees.
Membership on the Committee includes 36 regular legislators, consisting of 16 senators and 20 representatives, along with up to eight ex‑officio members. These ex‑officio positions include some of the Legislature’s top leaders, such as the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as well as past Committee co‑chairmen and leaders of the Legislative Council. Their involvement underscores the importance of the Committee’s work and the weight its findings carry within the Capitol.
To manage the volume and variety of reports, members are assigned to several standing subcommittees. These groups focus on specific areas of government, including state agencies, educational institutions, counties and municipalities, Medicaid, and the Executive Committee. Each subcommittee reviews audits within its jurisdiction, helping ensure that complex financial issues receive attention from lawmakers familiar with the subject matter.
Together, the Committee and Legislative Audit form a system of oversight that aims to keep Arkansas government transparent, accountable, and responsible in its use of public funds. Their work continues month after month, quietly shaping the integrity of state and local operations and giving citizens confidence that their tax dollars are being watched closely.
Recently, the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee and its subcommittees reviewed key investigative reports, focusing on financial accountability in Arkansas communities and institutions.
Auditors presented findings on the City of Mineral Springs, highlighting areas needing stronger oversight. Members also reviewed and discussed investigative reports regarding the Conway and Prescott School Districts.
These reports help ensure transparency and responsible stewardship of tax dollars across our cities and schools.
You can get more details and watch these meetings on demand at https://arkleg.state.ar.us.
Today is the deadline for Arkansans to register to vote in next month’s General Election.
Voters who are not already registered have through today, Monday, Oct. 5, to submit a voter registration application ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
More than 1.8 million Arkansans are registered to vote. This year’s ballot includes municipal, state and federal races.
Arkansas does not offer online voter registration, so residents must complete and submit a paper application. Forms are available through county clerk offices, revenue and DMV offices, public libraries and several other government agencies. Applications can also be printed through the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website.
To register, a person must be a U.S. citizen, an Arkansas resident and at least 18 years old by Election Day. Certain restrictions apply to people with felony convictions whose sentences have not been discharged or pardoned.
Those who have already registered are encouraged to confirm their status through the state’s VoterView system. The website also allows voters to view sample ballots and find polling locations.
Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19, and continues through Nov. 2.
Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone in line by 7:30 that evening will be allowed to vote.
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Green Forest wins $5,000 in T-Mobile contest, continues push for $1 million prize
GREEN FOREST – Green Forest Public Schools has already scored a $5,000 win in a nationwide contest aimed at supporting high school football programs in small communities, but the Tigers are hoping their run is just getting started.
Green Forest announced it has won one of the $5,000 prizes offered through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition. Everyone is encouraged to continue sharing its campaign on social media as it competes for the larger prizes, including a $1 million football field upgrade.
Friday Night 5G Lights is open to high schools in communities with populations of 150,000 or less. This year's competition features more than $8 million in prizes for participating schools.
Green Forest's $5,000 award comes through the contest's "$5K Fridays" sweepstakes. Participating schools have been able to earn entries through social media engagement, with Green Forest asking supporters to share its posts, tag Green Forest Public Schools and T-Mobile and include the hashtags #FN5GL and #Entry.
School officials stress that simply typing the names of the school and T-Mobile into a post is not enough for the social-media entry. Supporters should select the official accounts so the tags become active links.
The stakes increase considerably in the next stage of the competition.
T-Mobile is scheduled to announce 40 division finalists on Thursday, Oct. 8, with 10 schools selected from each of four regions. Each finalist will receive $25,000 and a T-Mobile Home Game Celebration. Public voting among those finalists will run Oct. 8-25.
Four division champions will then be announced Oct. 29. Each will receive $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym and a $5,000 student leadership award. Another round of voting will determine the national champion, which is scheduled to be announced Nov. 12. The winning school will receive $1 million toward a major home-field upgrade. T-Mobile
Arkansas has a good reason to know just how far a small school can advance in the competition.
Dierks High School in won the national Friday Night 5G Lights championship in 2025 after the Southwest Arkansas community mounted a massive campaign on behalf of the Outlaws. Dierks, a community of fewer than 1,000 residents, collected nearly two million votes and beat more than 2,100 participating schools nationwide.
The victory earned Dierks a $1 million upgrade to its home football facilities, along with a renovated weight room and other prizes. T-Mobile said the campaign grew well beyond Dierks itself, with neighboring communities and even rival schools joining the effort to support the Outlaws.
More than 2,000 schools entered the contest last year. A total of 450 schools received $5,000 prizes, while 25 finalists earned $25,000 each before Dierks ultimately claimed the grand prize.
Green Forest is hoping to follow a similar path this fall.
The district is thanking the community for helping secure its first $5,000 prize while encouraging supporters to keep sharing and promoting the Tigers' campaign as the contest moves toward its finalist stage.
The next major announcement comes this Thursday when Green Forest will learn whether it has advanced into the field of 40 division finalists.
---
Berryville High School to host Red Cross blood drive Oct. 28
BERRYVILLE – Berryville High School students and community members are being asked to help save lives later this month through a blood drive hosted by the BHS Student Council.
The Student Council is partnering with the American Red Cross for the blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Berryville High School Performing Arts Center, located at 602 W. College Avenue.
Students must be at least 16 years old to donate. Those who are 16 will need a signed parental consent form, and all student donors are required to bring a valid photo ID.
The blood drive is also open to members of the community. Community donors who sign up are asked to first check in at the Berryville High School main office before proceeding to the Performing Arts Center.
The drive will run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.
---
State Capitol Week in Review
By Sen. Bryan King
The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee has been a fixture of Arkansas government since 1953, when the General Assembly created it to strengthen financial oversight across state and local agencies. Over the decades, it has become one of the Legislature’s most important accountability tools, offering lawmakers a clear view into how public money is spent and whether agencies are following the law. Its work supports the General Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to monitor government operations and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
At the center of the Committee’s mission is Arkansas Legislative Audit, the division responsible for producing more than a thousand financial audits, performance reviews, compliance checks, and special reports each year. These reports cover everything from state agencies and school districts to counties, cities, and other public entities. When auditors uncover unauthorized spending, missing funds, or unaccounted‑for property, the Committee refers those findings to the appropriate prosecuting attorney, ensuring that potential wrongdoing receives further scrutiny.
The Committee meets monthly, typically on the second Friday and the preceding Thursday, to review the latest audits prepared by Legislative Audit and private certified public accountants. These meetings give lawmakers a chance to question auditors, examine financial practices, and determine whether additional action is needed. The Committee’s independence from the executive branch is a defining feature, allowing it to evaluate government operations without political pressure from the agencies it oversees.
Membership on the Committee includes 36 regular legislators, consisting of 16 senators and 20 representatives, along with up to eight ex‑officio members. These ex‑officio positions include some of the Legislature’s top leaders, such as the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as well as past Committee co‑chairmen and leaders of the Legislative Council. Their involvement underscores the importance of the Committee’s work and the weight its findings carry within the Capitol.
To manage the volume and variety of reports, members are assigned to several standing subcommittees. These groups focus on specific areas of government, including state agencies, educational institutions, counties and municipalities, Medicaid, and the Executive Committee. Each subcommittee reviews audits within its jurisdiction, helping ensure that complex financial issues receive attention from lawmakers familiar with the subject matter.
Together, the Committee and Legislative Audit form a system of oversight that aims to keep Arkansas government transparent, accountable, and responsible in its use of public funds. Their work continues month after month, quietly shaping the integrity of state and local operations and giving citizens confidence that their tax dollars are being watched closely.
Recently, the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee and its subcommittees reviewed key investigative reports, focusing on financial accountability in Arkansas communities and institutions.
Auditors presented findings on the City of Mineral Springs, highlighting areas needing stronger oversight. Members also reviewed and discussed investigative reports regarding the Conway and Prescott School Districts.
These reports help ensure transparency and responsible stewardship of tax dollars across our cities and schools.
You can get more details and watch these meetings on demand at https://arkleg.state.ar.us.
News for Monday, October 5th, 2026
Registration deadline today to vote in November General Election
Today is the deadline for Arkansans to register to vote in next month’s General Election.
Voters who are not already registered have through today, Monday, Oct. 5, to submit a voter registration application ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
More than 1.8 million Arkansans are registered to vote. This year’s ballot includes municipal, state and federal races.
Arkansas does not offer online voter registration, so residents must complete and submit a paper application. Forms are available through county clerk offices, revenue and DMV offices, public libraries and several other government agencies. Applications can also be printed through the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website.
To register, a person must be a U.S. citizen, an Arkansas resident and at least 18 years old by Election Day. Certain restrictions apply to people with felony convictions whose sentences have not been discharged or pardoned.
Those who have already registered are encouraged to confirm their status through the state’s VoterView system. The website also allows voters to view sample ballots and find polling locations.
Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19, and continues through Nov. 2.
Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone in line by 7:30 that evening will be allowed to vote.
---
Green Forest wins $5,000 in T-Mobile contest, continues push for $1 million prize
GREEN FOREST – Green Forest Public Schools has already scored a $5,000 win in a nationwide contest aimed at supporting high school football programs in small communities, but the Tigers are hoping their run is just getting started.
Green Forest announced it has won one of the $5,000 prizes offered through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition. Everyone is encouraged to continue sharing its campaign on social media as it competes for the larger prizes, including a $1 million football field upgrade.
Friday Night 5G Lights is open to high schools in communities with populations of 150,000 or less. This year's competition features more than $8 million in prizes for participating schools.
Green Forest's $5,000 award comes through the contest's "$5K Fridays" sweepstakes. Participating schools have been able to earn entries through social media engagement, with Green Forest asking supporters to share its posts, tag Green Forest Public Schools and T-Mobile and include the hashtags #FN5GL and #Entry.
School officials stress that simply typing the names of the school and T-Mobile into a post is not enough for the social-media entry. Supporters should select the official accounts so the tags become active links.
The stakes increase considerably in the next stage of the competition.
T-Mobile is scheduled to announce 40 division finalists on Thursday, Oct. 8, with 10 schools selected from each of four regions. Each finalist will receive $25,000 and a T-Mobile Home Game Celebration. Public voting among those finalists will run Oct. 8-25.
Four division champions will then be announced Oct. 29. Each will receive $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym and a $5,000 student leadership award. Another round of voting will determine the national champion, which is scheduled to be announced Nov. 12. The winning school will receive $1 million toward a major home-field upgrade. T-Mobile
Arkansas has a good reason to know just how far a small school can advance in the competition.
Dierks High School in won the national Friday Night 5G Lights championship in 2025 after the Southwest Arkansas community mounted a massive campaign on behalf of the Outlaws. Dierks, a community of fewer than 1,000 residents, collected nearly two million votes and beat more than 2,100 participating schools nationwide.
The victory earned Dierks a $1 million upgrade to its home football facilities, along with a renovated weight room and other prizes. T-Mobile said the campaign grew well beyond Dierks itself, with neighboring communities and even rival schools joining the effort to support the Outlaws.
More than 2,000 schools entered the contest last year. A total of 450 schools received $5,000 prizes, while 25 finalists earned $25,000 each before Dierks ultimately claimed the grand prize.
Green Forest is hoping to follow a similar path this fall.
The district is thanking the community for helping secure its first $5,000 prize while encouraging supporters to keep sharing and promoting the Tigers' campaign as the contest moves toward its finalist stage.
The next major announcement comes this Thursday when Green Forest will learn whether it has advanced into the field of 40 division finalists.
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Berryville High School to host Red Cross blood drive Oct. 28
BERRYVILLE – Berryville High School students and community members are being asked to help save lives later this month through a blood drive hosted by the BHS Student Council.
The Student Council is partnering with the American Red Cross for the blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Berryville High School Performing Arts Center, located at 602 W. College Avenue.
Students must be at least 16 years old to donate. Those who are 16 will need a signed parental consent form, and all student donors are required to bring a valid photo ID.
The blood drive is also open to members of the community. Community donors who sign up are asked to first check in at the Berryville High School main office before proceeding to the Performing Arts Center.
The drive will run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.
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State Capitol Week in Review
By Sen. Bryan King
The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee has been a fixture of Arkansas government since 1953, when the General Assembly created it to strengthen financial oversight across state and local agencies. Over the decades, it has become one of the Legislature’s most important accountability tools, offering lawmakers a clear view into how public money is spent and whether agencies are following the law. Its work supports the General Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to monitor government operations and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
At the center of the Committee’s mission is Arkansas Legislative Audit, the division responsible for producing more than a thousand financial audits, performance reviews, compliance checks, and special reports each year. These reports cover everything from state agencies and school districts to counties, cities, and other public entities. When auditors uncover unauthorized spending, missing funds, or unaccounted‑for property, the Committee refers those findings to the appropriate prosecuting attorney, ensuring that potential wrongdoing receives further scrutiny.
The Committee meets monthly, typically on the second Friday and the preceding Thursday, to review the latest audits prepared by Legislative Audit and private certified public accountants. These meetings give lawmakers a chance to question auditors, examine financial practices, and determine whether additional action is needed. The Committee’s independence from the executive branch is a defining feature, allowing it to evaluate government operations without political pressure from the agencies it oversees.
Membership on the Committee includes 36 regular legislators, consisting of 16 senators and 20 representatives, along with up to eight ex‑officio members. These ex‑officio positions include some of the Legislature’s top leaders, such as the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as well as past Committee co‑chairmen and leaders of the Legislative Council. Their involvement underscores the importance of the Committee’s work and the weight its findings carry within the Capitol.
To manage the volume and variety of reports, members are assigned to several standing subcommittees. These groups focus on specific areas of government, including state agencies, educational institutions, counties and municipalities, Medicaid, and the Executive Committee. Each subcommittee reviews audits within its jurisdiction, helping ensure that complex financial issues receive attention from lawmakers familiar with the subject matter.
Together, the Committee and Legislative Audit form a system of oversight that aims to keep Arkansas government transparent, accountable, and responsible in its use of public funds. Their work continues month after month, quietly shaping the integrity of state and local operations and giving citizens confidence that their tax dollars are being watched closely.
Recently, the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee and its subcommittees reviewed key investigative reports, focusing on financial accountability in Arkansas communities and institutions.
Auditors presented findings on the City of Mineral Springs, highlighting areas needing stronger oversight. Members also reviewed and discussed investigative reports regarding the Conway and Prescott School Districts.
These reports help ensure transparency and responsible stewardship of tax dollars across our cities and schools.
You can get more details and watch these meetings on demand at https://arkleg.state.ar.us.
Today is the deadline for Arkansans to register to vote in next month’s General Election.
Voters who are not already registered have through today, Monday, Oct. 5, to submit a voter registration application ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
More than 1.8 million Arkansans are registered to vote. This year’s ballot includes municipal, state and federal races.
Arkansas does not offer online voter registration, so residents must complete and submit a paper application. Forms are available through county clerk offices, revenue and DMV offices, public libraries and several other government agencies. Applications can also be printed through the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website.
To register, a person must be a U.S. citizen, an Arkansas resident and at least 18 years old by Election Day. Certain restrictions apply to people with felony convictions whose sentences have not been discharged or pardoned.
Those who have already registered are encouraged to confirm their status through the state’s VoterView system. The website also allows voters to view sample ballots and find polling locations.
Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19, and continues through Nov. 2.
Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone in line by 7:30 that evening will be allowed to vote.
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Green Forest wins $5,000 in T-Mobile contest, continues push for $1 million prize
GREEN FOREST – Green Forest Public Schools has already scored a $5,000 win in a nationwide contest aimed at supporting high school football programs in small communities, but the Tigers are hoping their run is just getting started.
Green Forest announced it has won one of the $5,000 prizes offered through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition. Everyone is encouraged to continue sharing its campaign on social media as it competes for the larger prizes, including a $1 million football field upgrade.
Friday Night 5G Lights is open to high schools in communities with populations of 150,000 or less. This year's competition features more than $8 million in prizes for participating schools.
Green Forest's $5,000 award comes through the contest's "$5K Fridays" sweepstakes. Participating schools have been able to earn entries through social media engagement, with Green Forest asking supporters to share its posts, tag Green Forest Public Schools and T-Mobile and include the hashtags #FN5GL and #Entry.
School officials stress that simply typing the names of the school and T-Mobile into a post is not enough for the social-media entry. Supporters should select the official accounts so the tags become active links.
The stakes increase considerably in the next stage of the competition.
T-Mobile is scheduled to announce 40 division finalists on Thursday, Oct. 8, with 10 schools selected from each of four regions. Each finalist will receive $25,000 and a T-Mobile Home Game Celebration. Public voting among those finalists will run Oct. 8-25.
Four division champions will then be announced Oct. 29. Each will receive $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym and a $5,000 student leadership award. Another round of voting will determine the national champion, which is scheduled to be announced Nov. 12. The winning school will receive $1 million toward a major home-field upgrade. T-Mobile
Arkansas has a good reason to know just how far a small school can advance in the competition.
Dierks High School in won the national Friday Night 5G Lights championship in 2025 after the Southwest Arkansas community mounted a massive campaign on behalf of the Outlaws. Dierks, a community of fewer than 1,000 residents, collected nearly two million votes and beat more than 2,100 participating schools nationwide.
The victory earned Dierks a $1 million upgrade to its home football facilities, along with a renovated weight room and other prizes. T-Mobile said the campaign grew well beyond Dierks itself, with neighboring communities and even rival schools joining the effort to support the Outlaws.
More than 2,000 schools entered the contest last year. A total of 450 schools received $5,000 prizes, while 25 finalists earned $25,000 each before Dierks ultimately claimed the grand prize.
Green Forest is hoping to follow a similar path this fall.
The district is thanking the community for helping secure its first $5,000 prize while encouraging supporters to keep sharing and promoting the Tigers' campaign as the contest moves toward its finalist stage.
The next major announcement comes this Thursday when Green Forest will learn whether it has advanced into the field of 40 division finalists.
---
Berryville High School to host Red Cross blood drive Oct. 28
BERRYVILLE – Berryville High School students and community members are being asked to help save lives later this month through a blood drive hosted by the BHS Student Council.
The Student Council is partnering with the American Red Cross for the blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Berryville High School Performing Arts Center, located at 602 W. College Avenue.
Students must be at least 16 years old to donate. Those who are 16 will need a signed parental consent form, and all student donors are required to bring a valid photo ID.
The blood drive is also open to members of the community. Community donors who sign up are asked to first check in at the Berryville High School main office before proceeding to the Performing Arts Center.
The drive will run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.
---
State Capitol Week in Review
By Sen. Bryan King
The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee has been a fixture of Arkansas government since 1953, when the General Assembly created it to strengthen financial oversight across state and local agencies. Over the decades, it has become one of the Legislature’s most important accountability tools, offering lawmakers a clear view into how public money is spent and whether agencies are following the law. Its work supports the General Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to monitor government operations and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
At the center of the Committee’s mission is Arkansas Legislative Audit, the division responsible for producing more than a thousand financial audits, performance reviews, compliance checks, and special reports each year. These reports cover everything from state agencies and school districts to counties, cities, and other public entities. When auditors uncover unauthorized spending, missing funds, or unaccounted‑for property, the Committee refers those findings to the appropriate prosecuting attorney, ensuring that potential wrongdoing receives further scrutiny.
The Committee meets monthly, typically on the second Friday and the preceding Thursday, to review the latest audits prepared by Legislative Audit and private certified public accountants. These meetings give lawmakers a chance to question auditors, examine financial practices, and determine whether additional action is needed. The Committee’s independence from the executive branch is a defining feature, allowing it to evaluate government operations without political pressure from the agencies it oversees.
Membership on the Committee includes 36 regular legislators, consisting of 16 senators and 20 representatives, along with up to eight ex‑officio members. These ex‑officio positions include some of the Legislature’s top leaders, such as the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as well as past Committee co‑chairmen and leaders of the Legislative Council. Their involvement underscores the importance of the Committee’s work and the weight its findings carry within the Capitol.
To manage the volume and variety of reports, members are assigned to several standing subcommittees. These groups focus on specific areas of government, including state agencies, educational institutions, counties and municipalities, Medicaid, and the Executive Committee. Each subcommittee reviews audits within its jurisdiction, helping ensure that complex financial issues receive attention from lawmakers familiar with the subject matter.
Together, the Committee and Legislative Audit form a system of oversight that aims to keep Arkansas government transparent, accountable, and responsible in its use of public funds. Their work continues month after month, quietly shaping the integrity of state and local operations and giving citizens confidence that their tax dollars are being watched closely.
Recently, the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee and its subcommittees reviewed key investigative reports, focusing on financial accountability in Arkansas communities and institutions.
Auditors presented findings on the City of Mineral Springs, highlighting areas needing stronger oversight. Members also reviewed and discussed investigative reports regarding the Conway and Prescott School Districts.
These reports help ensure transparency and responsible stewardship of tax dollars across our cities and schools.
You can get more details and watch these meetings on demand at https://arkleg.state.ar.us.