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N E W S

News on KTHS Airs Weekdays 7am, Noon, & 5pm & Weekends 7am & Noon News on KESA Airs Weekdays 8am, Noon & 5pm & Weekends 8am & Noon

Click Here for a Link to the Current Weather Conditions at the Carroll County Airport
Arrest Reports: 05/20
Lea Bradley of Green Forest- Failure to Appear Sade Danie of Fayetteville- Failure to Appear Vincent Humphrey of Holiday Island-Driving while Intoxicated Nathan Herby of Shriley- Public Intoxication, Obtructing Gov Operations Joshua Eblanc of Harrison-Driving on Susp. D/L due to DWI, Operation Veh without Lic Plate.
News for Tuesday, May 20,2025
Multiple tornadoes reported across NWAR
A powerful storm system swept through Arkansas Monday night, unleashing multiple tornadoes across the northwest corner of the state. Communities in northwestern Arkansas, including Greenland and Fayetteville, were reportedly particularly hard-hit, with significant structural damage reported.
The same storm system spawned a tornado that struck the Huntsville area in Madison County.
In southwestern Washington County, at least three tornadoes were confirmed, while another struck south Fayetteville and Greenland. Video footage captured a rain-wrapped tornado near Pocola, Oklahoma, just after 7:30 p.m., moving northeast toward Fort Chaffee and Greenwood.
No tornadoes were reported in Carroll County, but the southern end of the county near Highway 412 experienced numerous downed trees and power lines.
The severe weather extended beyond Arkansas, affecting neighboring states. In Oklahoma, multiple tornadoes were reported, causing damage to homes and infrastructure . The National Weather Service had issued a moderate risk warning (Level 4 of 5) for areas including central and eastern Oklahoma, southeast Kansas, southwest Missouri, and northwest Arkansas, anticipating strong to potentially violent tornadoes and large hail .
As of this morning, no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported in Arkansas, though assessments are ongoing. Emergency crews are actively surveying the damage and assisting affected residents. Power outages have been widespread, with thousands of customers left without electricity across Arkansas and neighboring states .
This outbreak is part of a larger severe weather pattern that has impacted the central United States over the past several days. Communities from Texas to Kentucky are grappling with the aftermath of deadly tornadoes and preparing for additional storms forecasted in the coming days.
According to the National Weather Service, there is a slight chance for thunderstorms Wednesday night near the Kansas border, and on Thursday down near the Red River. Severe weather is not expected.
Meteorologists say an "unsettled weather pattern" is expected to set up by Friday and persist into the holiday weekend. Multiple rounds of storms are expected to impact portions of far northeast Oklahoma into northwest Arkansas during this time frame. The system is expected to support some severe weather potential, and heavy rainfall which could lead to flooding is also possible if storms end up training over the same areas.
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Suspect fatally shot after altercation in Alma
ALMA - On Friday, May 16, 2025, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Arkansas State Police (ASP) received a report of a reckless driver near the 7-mile marker eastbound on Interstate 40 near Van Buren. Troopers suspected this vehicle was connected to an earlier domestic disturbance and aggravated robbery in Fort Smith.
The suspect stopped at the Hilltop Travel Center in Alma and entered the store. ASP Troopers and Crawford County Deputies responded to the scene. An altercation occurred between the suspect and law enforcement, during which the suspect produced a handgun and fled.
Officers pursued the suspect, repeatedly commanding him to drop his weapon. The suspect faced the officers while still armed, and refused to comply. ASP Troopers fired their weapons, fatally striking the suspect.
No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.
The body will be transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the manner and cause of death.
ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the shooting and will submit a case file to the Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney, who will determine whether lethal force was consistent with Arkansas law.
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Berryville Library announces Color Our World Contest
BERRYVILLE - To kick off this year's 'Color Our World' Summer Reading Program, the Berryville Public Library is holding a coloring contest.
Coloring sheets are available to pick up at the library from May 12 to June 1. Entries are due by June 2. There are categories for all ages, so everyone is welcome to participate.
The public will then vote on their favorite entries in each category from June 4 to June 18. All winners will be announced on June 23.
For more information or to pick up a coloring contest sheet, stop by the Berryville Public Library at 104 Spring St. or call (870) 423-2323.
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Berryville’s 39th Annual Ice Cream Social returns June 13–14
BERRYVILLE - Organizers are gearing up to host the 39th Annual Ice Cream Social in downtown Berryville Friday and Saturday, June 13–14. Hosted by the Greater Berryville Area Chamber of Commerce, this beloved summer tradition brings together families, friends, and visitors for a weekend of classic Americana fun on the historic town square .
Attendees can look forward to a variety of activities, including:
-Live music performances throughout the event
-Arts and crafts booths featuring local artisans
-Food vendors offering a range of delicious treats
-Children's games and bouncy houses for family-friendly entertainment
-And, of course, plenty of ice cream to enjoy
A highlight of the weekend is the Ice Cream Social 5K, scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at 9 a.m. This timed race, benefiting Grandma's House - Children's Advocacy Center, invites runners and walkers of all ages to participate. Those who register by midnight on June 1 will receive a free event t-shirt and a scoop of ice cream. Medals will be awarded to top finishers in various age categories .
For more information about the Ice Cream Social, including vendor opportunities and event schedules, visit the Berryville Chamber of Commerce website. To register for the 5K, go to Find a Race.
Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate community spirit and the joys of summer in Berryville! For more information, visit berryvillechamber.com
Arrest Reports: 05/19
The Arrest Report will be Posted soon.
News for Monday, May 19,2025
Severe storms and flooding threatenregion on Monday and into Tuesday
CARROLL COUNTY - The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch and warned of significant severe weather risks across Northwest Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma beginning Monday afternoon and continuing into early Tuesday.
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain, with localized higher amounts possible. The Flood Watch goes into effect at 1 p.m. CDT today and remains in place through Tuesday morning for the following Arkansas counties: Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Franklin, Madison, and Washington. In Oklahoma, the counties of Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, and Ottawa are also included in the watch area.
According to the NWS, excessive rainfall may result in flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Residents are urged to monitor forecasts closely and be ready to take action if conditions worsen.
Adding to the danger is the threat of widespread severe thunderstorms, which are expected to begin impacting the region by midday Monday. The storms are forecast to bring:
-An elevated tornado risk
-Significant severe thunderstorm potential
-Very large hail
-Damaging winds
-Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding
Meteorologists caution that the storm system is highly unstable and may produce supercells capable of all severe hazards, with the most intense activity expected from early afternoon through late evening.
Several communities have already received between 2 and 5 inches of rain over the past two days, compounding the flash flood threat. The final round of storms is expected to move through late tonight as a cold front pushes across the area from northwest to southeast.
Emergency managers and spotter networks have been placed on alert, and response teams are being advised to prepare for weather-related incidents.
Looking ahead, conditions should calm briefly on Tuesday, although high winds remain a possibility. Additional thunderstorm chances return Thursday through the weekend, with further heavy rain and flooding potential.
For updates, residents should stay tuned to local media and check weather.gov/tulsa for the latest forecasts and safety information.
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Carroll County Master Gardeners announceCome Grow with Carroll County Project
BERRYVILLE - Carroll County Master Gardeners are excited to announce their newest sanctioned project, called Come Grow with Carroll County. This initiative is in partnership with the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank in Berryville.
The project's intent is not only to provide fresh vegetables to the food bank but also to offer information and education on how to grow and maintain raised garden beds, aimed at educating the community on growing their own vegetables. The Master Gardeners received a County 76 grant and donations from Loaves and Fishes, Yardsmith Ralph Smith, Hanby Lumber, Ginger Oaks, Walmart, and Traveling Plants.
Carroll County Extension Agent Monty Rexwinkle, along with Master Gardeners Randy Hooten and Cynthia Osborne, constructed, filled, and relocated the beds. The Master Gardeners who planted the beds include Brenda Champlin, Kathryn Harvey, Stacey Nuckolls, Monty Rexwinkle, and Cynthia Osborne. The Master Gardeners will maintain the beds on an ongoing basis.
The Come Grow with Carroll County project marks the fourth Master Gardener sanctioned project in the County. Other projects include courtyards at both the Berryville and Green Forest Library, along with maintaining a bed at Little Lake Eureka in Eureka Springs.
For more information about becoming a Master Gardener, contact the Carroll County Extension office at (870) 423-2958 or visit the website at ccmastergardener.com.
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Carroll County Quorum Court to discuss solar moratorium, budget amendments at May 20 Meeting
BERRYVILLE - The Carroll County Quorum Court is set to convene Tuesday, May 20, at 5 p.m. at the Eastern District Courthouse in Berryville for its regular monthly session. A full agenda includes continued discussion of a proposed moratorium on commercial wind and solar developments, multiple budget amendments, and appointments to local boards.
The meeting will begin with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the approval of minutes from the court’s April 15 session. Committee reports and public comment will follow, with each member of the public allotted three minutes to speak.
One of the key items under Old Business is the third reading of an ordinance that would impose a temporary moratorium on the construction of commercial wind and solar energy facilities intended for electricity marketing. This ordinance has been under review for several months and remains a point of interest for both energy stakeholders and residents concerned about the county’s land use and environmental impacts.
Under Miscellaneous Business, Ray Warren is scheduled to speak on behalf of the Kings River Watershed Partnership, with Justice of the Peace Harrie Farrow serving as sponsor for the agenda item.
The New Business portion of the meeting includes a series of resolutions and appropriation ordinances:
A resolution reappointing Melissa Casey to the Mercy Hospital Board of Directors
A resolution approving the appointment of Leslie Scroggins to the Carroll County Board of Equalization
Four separate appropriation ordinances amending the county’s 2025 budget (Ordinance 2024-38), covering:
-A transfer of funds for the sheriff’s lease vehicle budget
-Automation fund updates for the County Treasurer and County Clerk
-Acknowledgment and appropriation of donations received for Juvenile Probation
-Appropriation of state grant funds reimbursed for election security enhancements
Justice of the Peace Hunter Rivett is also expected to share comments regarding a recent Arkansas Association of Counties/Quorum Court meeting held in April.
The meeting is open to the public.
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State Capitol Week in Review
By Senator Bryan B. King
Officials who recruit industry to Arkansas are saying that the 2025 legislature may turn out to be the most significant of the past 25 years.
The legislature approved a package of laws designed to boost energy production, simplify regulations and create well paid jobs.
Act 373, also known as the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act, will allow electric utilities to finance new construction projects that enable them to meet increased demands for power.
The Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Commerce called Act 373 “landmark legislation.” Data centers and computer facilities that use artificial intelligence require large amounts of reliable energy. Economic development officials in Conway and Little Rock have been working to attract investments in new data centers.
Act 548 expands an existing tax incentive program for data centers to include large facilities that may be located at more than one site. It also updates the kind of equipment and services that qualify for tax exemptions.
Act 576 is the Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act. It allows cities, counties or a group of local governments to create a regional organization for economic development.
The local economic development authorities can build, create and acquire industrial parks, research facilities, job training programs and transportation infrastructure. They can issue bonds and they can contract with cities and counties to receive revenue from bonds issued by the local government entity. They can negotiate agreements with businesses to accept payments in lieu of property taxes.
The legislature voted to place on next year’s general election ballot a proposed constitutional amendment that would further expand the authority of local economic development agencies.
Act 882 updates a current incentive program to encourage businesses already in Arkansas to modernize and automate. The incentives are tax credits. Act 881 creates tax credits for companies that locate their corporate headquarters in Arkansas.
Act 719 changes the formula by which the state collects corporate income taxes on services, bringing us in line with 34 other states. According to the Department of Finance and Administration, Arkansas tax law required multi-state corporations to rely on an “outdated method” of calculating the proportion of income they derived from the states in which they operate. The change is expected to encourage companies to locate in Arkansas.
Act 1012 creates a package of incentives to promote the growth of the lithium industry in south Arkansas. Traditional tax incentives promote the extraction of minerals, which in the past would be shipped to other states for processing and adding value.
Also, Act 1012 creates incentives to promote industries that refine lithium and use it in manufacturing and processing into batteries and other products. Those industries will create well paid jobs in the processing of lithium, in addition to the jobs that are created in its extraction.
Act 740 lowers the contribution rate for unemployment insurance paid by businesses. It also increases funding for skilled workforce training by repealing the cap of $2.5 million that used to limit how much would be deposited annually into a training fund.
Arrest Reports: 05/16
Jordan Boshier of Huntsville- Hold for Other Agency Mabini George of Berryville- Drug Para, Failure to Appear-Misd, Hold for Other Agency, Possession, Possession of a Controlled Sub, Possession of Firearms by Certain Person, Simultaneous Possession of Drug & F/A Miranda Malotte of Berryville-Domestic Battering in the Third Degree, Resisting Arrest. BJ Mottelang of Green Forest- Driving on Susp. D/L Due to DWI. Justin Ramirez of Green Forest- Failure to Appear-Misd. Jennifer Argent of Hoiliday Island- Failure to Appear-Misd. Merritt Taylor of Fayetteville- Failure to Appear-Misd.
News for Friday, May 16,2025
Severe storms possible this morning/afternoon,early next week across the region
BERRYVILLE - The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for much of the listening area, warning of an elevated risk of severe thunderstorms today, with additional rounds of storms expected through early next week.
According to forecasters, thunderstorms are expected to begin by mid to late morning as a warm front moves northward over the region. Atmospheric conditions will support the development of severe storms capable of producing large hail, which remains the primary concern. However, forecasters caution that all severe weather hazards, including damaging winds and possibly tornadoes, will be possible.
A second wave of storms is expected to develop later this afternoon along a cold front, primarily impacting far southeast Oklahoma and west-central Arkansas, before pushing out of the region by evening.
Spotter activation is likely today, and emergency managers are advised to remain alert and prepared to respond to fast-developing weather threats.
Looking ahead, the weather pattern will remain active with several rounds of thunderstorms possible from Saturday through Tuesday. While Saturday carries a limited threat, the most significant severe weather potential is forecast for Sunday evening through Tuesday, including the possibility of damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall.
The outlook currently calls for no hazardous weather on Wednesday or Thursday, offering some relief after several days of potentially turbulent conditions.
Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware, keep NOAA weather radios or alert-enabled mobile devices nearby, and monitor local forecasts for updates throughout the weekend.
For real-time weather alerts and preparedness information, visit www.weather.gov/tulsa.
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2025 Arkansas County Farm Families announced
The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has announced its 2025 County Farm Families of the Year.
Since 1947, the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has helped to recognize outstanding farm families throughout the state. The objectives of the Farm Family of the Year program are:
-To give recognition and encouragement to farm families who are doing an outstanding job on their farm and in their community;
-To recognize the importance of agriculture in the community and state; and
-To disseminate information on improved farm practices and management.
Selection criteria for the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year includes efficiency of production, conservation of energy and resources, leadership in agricultural and community affairs, home and farm improvement, and home and farm management. Farm Family of the Year participation is open to all counties and is voluntary. Each year participation varies, which is why there's not always a recipient for each county.
The area County Farm Families of the Year are:
Benton – The Harris family, GravetteBoone – Michael Watkins family, HarrisonCarroll – John Asbury family, Oak GroveMadison – Elmer and Mackenzie Robertson, HuntsvilleWashington – Randy, Dawna and Mack Spears, Fayetteville
The families will be visited by a set of judges to determine eight District Farm Families of the Year, which will be announced June 9. The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year will be announced in December at the Farm Family of the Year luncheon, who then represent Arkansas at the Southeastern Expo Farmer of the Year event in Georgia. Arkansas has had three Southeast Farmer of the Year winners, Brian and Nan Kirksey of Clark County in 2008, Wildy Family Farms of Mississippi County in 2016 and the Cobb, Lyerly and Owen Family/Partnership of Craighead County in 2023.
Sponsors of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program are Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. Additionally, support for the program is provided by the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas Department of Career Education, Arkansas Press Association, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development.
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Holiday Island Memorial Day event is May 26
HOLIDAY ISLAND - Holiday Island will present a Memorial Day Community Picnic on May 26 from 12-2 p.m. at the Barn, located at 120 Shields Drive.
Cost is $15 per person while children 3-12 get in for $5. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets are available from any Holiday Island Rotarian as well as at CS Bank, the Holiday Island Chamber of Commerce office, or at the door.
The event will include a meal consisting of a pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, baked beans, chips, cookie and a drink. Music will be presented by The Lost Bridge Trio.
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Carroll County Extension hosting Fair Judging School
BERRYVILLE - The Carroll County Extension Office will host a Fair Judge School on June 27.
The class will begin at 9 a.m. in the Carroll Electric Community Room. The class will help attendees learn how to judge entries in a variety of fair categories, including household arts, food preparation, food preservation, photography, crafts and horticulture/floriculture.
Those interested in attending must pre-register by June 20. Cost is $30 and includes the book, class fee and lunch.
For more details and to RSVP, call the Carroll County Extension Office at (870) 423-2958.
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Arkansas becomes part of ‘Dixie Alley’ as more frequent tornadic activity shifts east and south
By Kenneth Heard/Arkansas Advocate
In the 30 days after several damaging twisters hit Arkansas on March 14, the state saw nearly four times as many tornado warnings as Texas did.
The National Weather Service issued 144 warnings in Arkansas, compared to 39 in Texas from March 14 to April 14. Mississippi also recorded 144 warnings over the same period and Tennessee saw 125 warnings. Alabama noted 57 warnings.
It’s an indication that the classic “Tornado Alley” region — the area from central Texas through Oklahoma and Kansas, so named because of the number of tornadoes there — is shifting eastward.
The shift is attributed to climate change, the warming of the Gulf of Mexico’s waters and a dip in the cold jet stream pattern.
Arkansas, scientists say, is nearly in the bull’s eye of a new tornado-prone area that’s referred to as “Dixie Alley.” The region, which has seen a vast increase in tornadoes over the past several years, also encompasses Mississippi, Alabama and western Tennessee.
Weather Service survey teams have already confirmed 35 tornadoes have touched down in Arkansas through April. The state averages 42 twisters per year.
The storms have also been larger. Arkansas was hit with two EF-4 twisters on March 14 — one in Jackson County and one in Izard County
The last time a tornado of that strength hit the state was on April 27, 2014, when a tornado cut a 41-mile path of destruction through western Pulaski County, Mayflower and Vilonia in Faulkner County, and on into White County. Sixteen people died in that storm.
Victor Gensini, a professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, conducted research about the shift, authoring a paper in 2018 that noted the change. Since then, he’s continued to monitor the trend and says the trend is ongoing.
“It’s still more prevalent in the southeast,” he said. “And we’re seeing more evidence of that each year.”
‘Drying up’Gensini tracked tornado reports from 1979 to 2018 for his initial study, but also noted atmospheric conditions in the areas at the time that were favorable for the formation of tornadoes.
Gensini blames a combination of weather phenomenon for the increase in Arkansas’ tornadoes. A drought in the southwest is taking away needed moisture for the formation of twisters in the traditional Tornado Alley region.
More than 67% of Arizona is experiencing “extreme” and “exceptional” drought conditions — the two highest levels of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor is based at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and records weather conditions and patterns weekly.
Three months ago, only 17% of Arizona was under the same two drought conditions. A year ago, the state was considered free from extreme and exceptional drought.
New Mexico, Texas and Utah have also seen increases in drought in their respective states. Thirty percent of Texas is in “extreme” and “exceptional” drought, an increase from 14% three months ago.
“The most intense levels of drought now cover a broad area from southeastern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern Utah through much of Arizona, New Mexico and the Texas Big Bend, said Richard Tinker, a meteorologist with the Climate Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, and the author of the latest drought report.
“The southern Great Plains are drying up,” Gensini added.
Faster rate of changeThe dry atmospheric conditions in the southwest create a dome of high pressure over the western U.S., sapping energy from the atmosphere and forcing potential tornado-producing systems to move further east. The jet stream, a strong current of frigid Arctic air, is also dipping further south into the Mississippi delta region because of the Southwestern drought.
Water temperature in the Gulf has also increased on average by one or two degrees, creating the moist, humid air needed for tornadoes.
“One or two degrees may not seem much. But think of the difference between 32 degrees and 33 degrees,” Gensini said, referring to the temperature when water freezes. “It’s early in the season, and the waters are warmer. That warm, humid air is heading into Arkansas where the air has been unstable already. It makes things more potent.
“We’re seeing weather pattern changes over the last 70 to 80 years that didn’t happen in 100,000 to 120,000 years before,” he said. “There is such a rapid rate of change, and it’s not lessening.”
Of the 144 warnings issued in Arkansas between March 14 and April 14, not all produced tornadoes, said Dennis Cavanaugh, the National Weather Service warning coordinator in North Little Rock.
In fact, the Weather Service strives to keep its “false alarm” rate of tornado warnings to less than 80%. Warnings are issued when Doppler weather radar picks up rotation in clouds, signature “inflow notches” that indicate the building of cyclonic air patterns, hail cores and other indicators.
The Weather Service also must balance the need to warn people while also not unnecessarily alarming them. Issue too many warnings that don’t produce tornadoes, and the public may become complacent and not heed future warnings as seriously. John Robinson, a former Meteorologist in Charge at the North Little Rock station, used to say that more people were injured in tornadoes while gawking at clouds for confirmation of those tornadoes rather than seeking shelter when warnings were issued.
On the other side, if the Weather Service curtails its warnings and an unwarned tornado does form, results could be devastating.
“Radar can’t see tornadoes,” Cavanaugh said. “It can see circulation aloft when it’s likely a tornado is forming. If we wait to see the debris cloud from a tornado that’s on the ground to issue a warning, it’s much too late.”
More hailCavanaugh said continued advances in technology should help the Weather Service lower its rate of false alarms. But the service will always rely on trained storm spotters who can see the lowering of wall clouds — a first step in the formation of tornadoes — and any circulation of clouds overhead.
“That’s really not applicable to this year,” he said of the fear that the scores of warnings issued may eventually be ignored. “I don’t think the average Arkansan thought he or she was not warned unnecessarily.”
During a round of storms one April evening, Ryan Vaughn, the meteorologist for KAIT8 in Jonesboro, was broadcasting live storm coverage. At one point, most of northeast Arkansas was placed under a myriad of tornado warnings.
Vaughn took a deep sigh on air.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but if you’re anywhere in northeast Arkansas, take cover now,” he told viewers.
Tornadoes are formed by opposing winds at various levels. Strong winds in opposite directions cause a shear and a horizontal column of air circulating overhead. Warm, humid air feeds the twister and eventually the column of air begins tilting vertically and lowering to become a destructive tornado.
And if the increase in tornadoes in Arkansas and the Delta is not enough, Gensini said the ingredients for twister formation should also cause larger hail storms.
Hail is formed inside supercell thunderstorms. The rising air inside a building storm lofts raindrops into freezing air. It causes hail, which falls to the ground. Many times, a frozen raindrop falls in the size of a pea or gravel. But with more convection inside the stronger storms, that pea-sized bit of hail is lofted over and over again inside the system, growing larger as more water freezes on it.
That’s what causes the golf ball- and baseball-sized hail and are indicative of stronger storms and tornadoes.
Gensini is about to embark on a 40-day field study this summer of hail storms.
“Tornadoes get all the attention on the news because of the visual destruction,” he said. “You see a path of destruction with shattered homes. But hail is much worse overall. It damages roofs, cars and agriculture in a much larger area.
“I think the south and southeast will see a lot more problems in the years coming,” he said.
News for Friday, May 16, 2025
Severe storms possible this morning/afternoon,early next week across the region
BERRYVILLE - The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for much of the listening area, warning of an elevated risk of severe thunderstorms today, with additional rounds of storms expected through early next week.
According to forecasters, thunderstorms are expected to begin by mid to late morning as a warm front moves northward over the region. Atmospheric conditions will support the development of severe storms capable of producing large hail, which remains the primary concern. However, forecasters caution that all severe weather hazards, including damaging winds and possibly tornadoes, will be possible.
A second wave of storms is expected to develop later this afternoon along a cold front, primarily impacting far southeast Oklahoma and west-central Arkansas, before pushing out of the region by evening.
Spotter activation is likely today, and emergency managers are advised to remain alert and prepared to respond to fast-developing weather threats.
Looking ahead, the weather pattern will remain active with several rounds of thunderstorms possible from Saturday through Tuesday. While Saturday carries a limited threat, the most significant severe weather potential is forecast for Sunday evening through Tuesday, including the possibility of damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall.
The outlook currently calls for no hazardous weather on Wednesday or Thursday, offering some relief after several days of potentially turbulent conditions.
Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware, keep NOAA weather radios or alert-enabled mobile devices nearby, and monitor local forecasts for updates throughout the weekend.
For real-time weather alerts and preparedness information, visit www.weather.gov/tulsa.
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2025 Arkansas County Farm Families announced
The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has announced its 2025 County Farm Families of the Year.
Since 1947, the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has helped to recognize outstanding farm families throughout the state. The objectives of the Farm Family of the Year program are:
-To give recognition and encouragement to farm families who are doing an outstanding job on their farm and in their community;
-To recognize the importance of agriculture in the community and state; and
-To disseminate information on improved farm practices and management.
Selection criteria for the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year includes efficiency of production, conservation of energy and resources, leadership in agricultural and community affairs, home and farm improvement, and home and farm management. Farm Family of the Year participation is open to all counties and is voluntary. Each year participation varies, which is why there's not always a recipient for each county.
The area County Farm Families of the Year are:
Benton – The Harris family, GravetteBoone – Michael Watkins family, HarrisonCarroll – John Asbury family, Oak GroveMadison – Elmer and Mackenzie Robertson, HuntsvilleWashington – Randy, Dawna and Mack Spears, Fayetteville
The families will be visited by a set of judges to determine eight District Farm Families of the Year, which will be announced June 9. The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year will be announced in December at the Farm Family of the Year luncheon, who then represent Arkansas at the Southeastern Expo Farmer of the Year event in Georgia. Arkansas has had three Southeast Farmer of the Year winners, Brian and Nan Kirksey of Clark County in 2008, Wildy Family Farms of Mississippi County in 2016 and the Cobb, Lyerly and Owen Family/Partnership of Craighead County in 2023.
Sponsors of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program are Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. Additionally, support for the program is provided by the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas Department of Career Education, Arkansas Press Association, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development.
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Holiday Island Memorial Day event is May 26
HOLIDAY ISLAND - Holiday Island will present a Memorial Day Community Picnic on May 26 from 12-2 p.m. at the Barn, located at 120 Shields Drive.
Cost is $15 per person while children 3-12 get in for $5. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets are available from any Holiday Island Rotarian as well as at CS Bank, the Holiday Island Chamber of Commerce office, or at the door.
The event will include a meal consisting of a pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, baked beans, chips, cookie and a drink. Music will be presented by The Lost Bridge Trio.
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Carroll County Extension hosting Fair Judging School
BERRYVILLE - The Carroll County Extension Office will host a Fair Judge School on June 27.
The class will begin at 9 a.m. in the Carroll Electric Community Room. The class will help attendees learn how to judge entries in a variety of fair categories, including household arts, food preparation, food preservation, photography, crafts and horticulture/floriculture.
Those interested in attending must pre-register by June 20. Cost is $30 and includes the book, class fee and lunch.
For more details and to RSVP, call the Carroll County Extension Office at (870) 423-2958.
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Arkansas becomes part of ‘Dixie Alley’ as more frequent tornadic activity shifts east and south
By Kenneth Heard/Arkansas Advocate
In the 30 days after several damaging twisters hit Arkansas on March 14, the state saw nearly four times as many tornado warnings as Texas did.
The National Weather Service issued 144 warnings in Arkansas, compared to 39 in Texas from March 14 to April 14. Mississippi also recorded 144 warnings over the same period and Tennessee saw 125 warnings. Alabama noted 57 warnings.
It’s an indication that the classic “Tornado Alley” region — the area from central Texas through Oklahoma and Kansas, so named because of the number of tornadoes there — is shifting eastward.
The shift is attributed to climate change, the warming of the Gulf of Mexico’s waters and a dip in the cold jet stream pattern.
Arkansas, scientists say, is nearly in the bull’s eye of a new tornado-prone area that’s referred to as “Dixie Alley.” The region, which has seen a vast increase in tornadoes over the past several years, also encompasses Mississippi, Alabama and western Tennessee.
Weather Service survey teams have already confirmed 35 tornadoes have touched down in Arkansas through April. The state averages 42 twisters per year.
The storms have also been larger. Arkansas was hit with two EF-4 twisters on March 14 — one in Jackson County and one in Izard County
The last time a tornado of that strength hit the state was on April 27, 2014, when a tornado cut a 41-mile path of destruction through western Pulaski County, Mayflower and Vilonia in Faulkner County, and on into White County. Sixteen people died in that storm.
Victor Gensini, a professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, conducted research about the shift, authoring a paper in 2018 that noted the change. Since then, he’s continued to monitor the trend and says the trend is ongoing.
“It’s still more prevalent in the southeast,” he said. “And we’re seeing more evidence of that each year.”
‘Drying up’Gensini tracked tornado reports from 1979 to 2018 for his initial study, but also noted atmospheric conditions in the areas at the time that were favorable for the formation of tornadoes.
Gensini blames a combination of weather phenomenon for the increase in Arkansas’ tornadoes. A drought in the southwest is taking away needed moisture for the formation of twisters in the traditional Tornado Alley region.
More than 67% of Arizona is experiencing “extreme” and “exceptional” drought conditions — the two highest levels of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor is based at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and records weather conditions and patterns weekly.
Three months ago, only 17% of Arizona was under the same two drought conditions. A year ago, the state was considered free from extreme and exceptional drought.
New Mexico, Texas and Utah have also seen increases in drought in their respective states. Thirty percent of Texas is in “extreme” and “exceptional” drought, an increase from 14% three months ago.
“The most intense levels of drought now cover a broad area from southeastern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern Utah through much of Arizona, New Mexico and the Texas Big Bend, said Richard Tinker, a meteorologist with the Climate Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, and the author of the latest drought report.
“The southern Great Plains are drying up,” Gensini added.
Faster rate of changeThe dry atmospheric conditions in the southwest create a dome of high pressure over the western U.S., sapping energy from the atmosphere and forcing potential tornado-producing systems to move further east. The jet stream, a strong current of frigid Arctic air, is also dipping further south into the Mississippi delta region because of the Southwestern drought.
Water temperature in the Gulf has also increased on average by one or two degrees, creating the moist, humid air needed for tornadoes.
“One or two degrees may not seem much. But think of the difference between 32 degrees and 33 degrees,” Gensini said, referring to the temperature when water freezes. “It’s early in the season, and the waters are warmer. That warm, humid air is heading into Arkansas where the air has been unstable already. It makes things more potent.
“We’re seeing weather pattern changes over the last 70 to 80 years that didn’t happen in 100,000 to 120,000 years before,” he said. “There is such a rapid rate of change, and it’s not lessening.”
Of the 144 warnings issued in Arkansas between March 14 and April 14, not all produced tornadoes, said Dennis Cavanaugh, the National Weather Service warning coordinator in North Little Rock.
In fact, the Weather Service strives to keep its “false alarm” rate of tornado warnings to less than 80%. Warnings are issued when Doppler weather radar picks up rotation in clouds, signature “inflow notches” that indicate the building of cyclonic air patterns, hail cores and other indicators.
The Weather Service also must balance the need to warn people while also not unnecessarily alarming them. Issue too many warnings that don’t produce tornadoes, and the public may become complacent and not heed future warnings as seriously. John Robinson, a former Meteorologist in Charge at the North Little Rock station, used to say that more people were injured in tornadoes while gawking at clouds for confirmation of those tornadoes rather than seeking shelter when warnings were issued.
On the other side, if the Weather Service curtails its warnings and an unwarned tornado does form, results could be devastating.
“Radar can’t see tornadoes,” Cavanaugh said. “It can see circulation aloft when it’s likely a tornado is forming. If we wait to see the debris cloud from a tornado that’s on the ground to issue a warning, it’s much too late.”
More hailCavanaugh said continued advances in technology should help the Weather Service lower its rate of false alarms. But the service will always rely on trained storm spotters who can see the lowering of wall clouds — a first step in the formation of tornadoes — and any circulation of clouds overhead.
“That’s really not applicable to this year,” he said of the fear that the scores of warnings issued may eventually be ignored. “I don’t think the average Arkansan thought he or she was not warned unnecessarily.”
During a round of storms one April evening, Ryan Vaughn, the meteorologist for KAIT8 in Jonesboro, was broadcasting live storm coverage. At one point, most of northeast Arkansas was placed under a myriad of tornado warnings.
Vaughn took a deep sigh on air.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but if you’re anywhere in northeast Arkansas, take cover now,” he told viewers.
Tornadoes are formed by opposing winds at various levels. Strong winds in opposite directions cause a shear and a horizontal column of air circulating overhead. Warm, humid air feeds the twister and eventually the column of air begins tilting vertically and lowering to become a destructive tornado.
And if the increase in tornadoes in Arkansas and the Delta is not enough, Gensini said the ingredients for twister formation should also cause larger hail storms.
Hail is formed inside supercell thunderstorms. The rising air inside a building storm lofts raindrops into freezing air. It causes hail, which falls to the ground. Many times, a frozen raindrop falls in the size of a pea or gravel. But with more convection inside the stronger storms, that pea-sized bit of hail is lofted over and over again inside the system, growing larger as more water freezes on it.
That’s what causes the golf ball- and baseball-sized hail and are indicative of stronger storms and tornadoes.
Gensini is about to embark on a 40-day field study this summer of hail storms.
“Tornadoes get all the attention on the news because of the visual destruction,” he said. “You see a path of destruction with shattered homes. But hail is much worse overall. It damages roofs, cars and agriculture in a much larger area.
“I think the south and southeast will see a lot more problems in the years coming,” he said.
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Arrest Reports: 05/15
Kevin Bortan of Holiday Island- Failure to Appear Miranda Lingle of Houston- Hold for Other Agency, Speeding Johnny Martinez-Ballestos of Berryville- Court Commitment.
News for Thursday, May 15,2025
7th annual HI Big Bass Tournament is Saturday,public invited to Friday night brisket dinner and band
HOLIDAY ISLAND – The Holiday Island Chamber of Commerce will present its yearly bass tournament this weekend.
The chamber will host the 7th annual Big Bass Tournament this Saturday, May 17 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eagle Rock Marina in Eagle Rock, Mo. An anglers’ Meet & Greet and brisket dinner will be held beginning at 4:30 p.m. this Friday, May 16, at The Barn on Holiday Island. At the dinner, registered anglers will receive a free brisket dinner, t-shirt, fish towel and key chain.
Cost for the public is $20 for adults and $10 for kids aged 3-12 (kids under two are free). Dinner will include smoked brisket, baked potato, baked beans, corn on the cob and bread. Tickets are available at Ms. Kitty's Thrift Shop, the Holiday Island Chamber of Commerce and the Holiday Island branch of CS Bank.
Dinner will be served from 5-6:30 p.m. and live music by The Bad Jacksons is from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Kenny Ray Jackson won Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2025 Eureka Springs Music Awards and The Bad Jacksons Duo won Artist of the Year.
Also, BYOB.
For more details on tomorrow night's dinner, call (479) 244-9594.
The Saturday tournament’s first-place prize is $3,000. Second place will win $1,500 while third place will receive $1,000. Additional hourly prizes will be offered as well.
Check out the Holiday Island Chamber of Commerce website at hichamber.com/big-bass-tournament to register and for additional details. For questions, email info@hichamber.com or call (479) 244-9594.
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Arkansas battles feral hog invasion:A timeline of eradication efforts
Feral hogs have been a growing menace in Arkansas for decades, wreaking havoc on crops, livestock and the environment. A concerted effort, over a decade in the making, is showing signs of progress.
Feral hogs, descendants of animals brought by early explorers and later supplemented by Eurasian wild boars for sport hunting, have been present in North America since the 1500s. By 1999, some people recognized the growing problem, but scattered populations, complex issues and a lack of coordinated effort stalled significant action.
These invasive pests, estimated at over 6 million nationwide, cause $30 million to $41 million in damages annually in Arkansas alone. They are not just agricultural nuisances, but vectors for human and animal disease and destroyers of native habitats.
The Arkansas State Legislature established the Feral Hog Eradication Task Force in 2017. This unfunded task force, which consisted of 20 federal, state and nongovernment agencies, was charged with developing an eradication plan. The initial year was spent gathering information, studying successful strategies from other states and crafting a plan. Early efforts by individual agencies were fragmented. Workshops on "do-it-yourself"; trapping, boots-on-the-ground; removal services and trap-loan programs were scattered across the state, often in areas with the most severe infestations or local interest. These efforts, while helpful, lacked a unified, statewide approach.

The task force identified a critical gap: dedicated personnel for removal efforts. Successful trapping requires specialized knowledge and technology, which can be a barrier for small landowners who can't justify the expense. The USDA Feral Swine Control Project, created in the 2018 Farm Bill, offered funds to combat this deficiency.
The task force leveraged these funds to hire full-time trappers through county conservation districts and the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services.
In 2019 the USDA Farm Bill awarded $3.4 million to fund pilot projects. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture, in partnership with USDA APHIS Wildlife Services and conservation districts, took the lead in training feral hog technicians. These technicians learned to use advanced trapping technologies and equipment, working alongside APHIS personnel. Thanks to local knowledge and landowner connections, this collaboration opened doors to previously inaccessible areas.
By 2024, the efforts were showing results. The Feral Swine Control Project, operating in 12 counties across four project areas (North Central Ozarks, West Arkansas River Valley, Southeast and Southwest), assisted on 483 properties covering about 500,000 acres. More than 13,000 feral hogs had been removed, with nearly 4,500 removed using conservation district resources. Landowners reported more than $2.5 million in damages caused by feral hogs on these properties. Future damages can be avoided with increased efforts by the agencies involved, and, more importantly, by landowners willing to address this growing issue.
One landowner who has benefited from this project is James Mitchell. James lives in Yell County and has noticed a drastic reduction in the number of feral hogs around his property. James attributes the reduction of feral hogs to the implementation of whole sounder trapping strategies on his property and, just as importantly, on his neighbor's property.
One major accomplishment of the task force was designating USDA APHIS Wildlife Services as the initial point of contact for the statewide removal of feral hogs on private property. Today, landowners can call (501) 835-2318 for assistance. Beyond the pilot projects, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services significantly increased its presence in Arkansas, growing from seven field personnel in 2018 to more than 22 technicians and biologists in 2024. Special projects like those in the Buffalo River Watershed and the Northeast Arkansas Elimination Project have further targeted feral hog populations.
Aerial operations conducted by USDA APHIS and permitted operators have also played a role. While flights are limited to certain times of the year, they have reduced hog numbers in some areas, especially when combined with trapping programs.
Participation in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Conservation Incentive Program (CIP), funded by the Arkansas General Assembly in 2023, is a more recent accomplishment of the task force. One of the most popular practices in the 2024 CIP pilot year was a cost share with private landowners for feral hog traps. The agency dedicated $1.2 million to this practice, accounting for about 37 percent of the total CIP funds. The feral hog trapping practice was set up on a first-come, first-served basis for applicants, and Arkansans were incredibly interested in it, with more than 400 applications. By the end of the program, 224 applicants had been awarded funding, resulting in hundreds of landowners purchasing approved trap systems.
Before receiving funding, applicants were required to demonstrate they had recently experienced feral hog damage on their property and undergo online training on trapping best practices. Once applicants purchased their selected trap system, they had to submit their first trap event on a mobile application to receive their full reimbursement. Through the efforts of Arkansas landowners, the practice reported the removal of 6,693 feral hogs, impacting 52 counties and helping protect more than 900,000 acres across the state. These numbers are a baseline, as the traps are still in the landowners’ hands and are being used. The task force expects the actual removal numbers through the program’s efforts to be much higher.
The approach of full-time trappers working across the state and providing landowners with the right tools, such as reliable trap systems, provides a framework for eradicating feral hogs from large areas of the state. Landowners in heavily trapped areas have reported reduced feral swine and associated damages. The task force will continue to explore other management strategies and additional tools, such as toxic baits and research into a boar sterilant at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.
As efforts continue, the Arkansas Feral Hog Eradication Task Force remains committed to its mission. With a united front and a growing toolbox, Arkansas is making strides in the fight against this destructive invasive species.
To track feral hog removal efforts, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture maintains a feral hog dashboard. Users of the dashboard can see the number of hogs removed by county and by year. The dashboard, a list of task force partners, and additional information can be found on the task force page on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture website (https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-services/feral-hog). Additional information can also be found on the feral hog page on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website (https://www.agfc.com/hunting/more-game/feral-hogs), or the University of Arkansas’s website on feral hog removal (https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/wildlife/feral-hogs.asp).
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June 12 Farmers for Tomorrow benefit toprovide ‘seed money’ for local small farms
FAYETTEVILLE - A June 12 fundraiser featuring food by Atlas restaurant chef and owner Elliot Hunt, beverages by Sommelier Aleks Berry, and live music by Buddy Shute & the Motivators, will provide seed money and other financial support for local small farms.
The event is presented by the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food, or CAFF, whose mission is to increase the number of thriving farms and farmers in Arkansas. All proceeds directly benefit the Farmers for Tomorrow grant program which helps new local farms launched by CAFF program graduates.
These funds help purchase seeds, tools, structures, and equipment, helping folks like Lucy Bautista fulfill their dream of farming. Bautista is a CAFF graduate who launched Blooming Hope Mushroom Farm with her husband, Rodrigo.
“The Farmers for Tomorrow Grant provided the essential tools and supplies we needed to cultivate our dream as mushroom farmers,” Lucy Bautista said. “Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to CAFF and all of the sponsors of this grant for believing in our potential, empowering our beginnings, and providing the tangible support that continues to nourish our growth.”
The benefit will be held at the CAFF Farm, 1005 Meade Ave., in Fayetteville. Tickets are $75 each, with discounts for groups of six or more.
In addition to the food, beverages and live music, there will be a silent auction and tour of the farm.
“This fundraiser is a great way for our community to pay it forward to the future of farming in the Ozarks,” said CAFF Director Heather Friedrich. “Supporting local efforts is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference close to home.”
CAFF is a program of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
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News Release
May 12, 2025BERRYVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has been requested by the Carroll County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) to investigate a shooting incident at Mercy Hospital in Berryville that occurred on Saturday, May 10, 2025. William Kevin Rose, 25, of Little Rock, had been arrested by the Eureka Springs Police Department (ESPD) in a separate incident for aggravated assault and resisting arrest. After his arrest, Rose was transported to Mercy Hospital for medical treatment.While under medical care at the hospital, Rose managed to obtain a service weapon from a Carroll County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputy. He fired two rounds inside the hospital. No one was injured during the incident. Medical staff subdued and disarmed Rose before he escaped custody and fled into a nearby wooded area.A coordinated search involving the Berryville Police Department and CCSO deputies resulted in Rose being located and taken back into custody. Rose was transported to the Carroll County Detention Center.Charges against him include Aggravated Assault on an Employee of a Correctional Facility, Theft, Resisting Arrest, Fleeing, Battery, Making Terroristic Threats, and Breaking or Entering.
Arrest Reports: 05/14
News for Wednesday, May 14,2025
The News will be Posted Soon.
Arrest Reports: 05/13
Tyler Blout of Eureka Springs-Failure to Appear Lindle Candles of Green Forest- Failure to Appear Dennis Collins of Carr Lane- Contempt of Court, Failure to Appear-Misd X2. Tom Kabua of Berryville-Carless & Prohibited Driving, Driving while Intoxicated, No Seat Belt, Speeding. Miranda Richard of Springdale- Failure to Appear-Fel, Possession X2, Possession of Drug Para/Felony X2 Mary Snips of Eureka Springs- Driving on Susp. D/L Due to DWI, No Tail Light, No Veh/Reg Lic Plates- 1st Offense.
News for Tuesday, May 13,2025
Suspect charged with numerous feloniesafter firing deputy's gun in Berryville Hospital
BERRYVILLE - The Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has been requested by the Carroll County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) to investigate a shooting incident at Mercy Hospital in Berryville that occurred on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
William Kevin Rose, 25, of Little Rock, had been arrested by the Eureka Springs Police Department (ESPD) in a separate incident for aggravated assault and resisting arrest. After his arrest, Rose was transported to Mercy Hospital for medical treatment.
While under medical care at the hospital, Rose managed to obtain a service weapon from a Carroll County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputy. He fired two rounds inside the hospital. No one was injured during the incident. Medical staff subdued and disarmed Rose before he escaped custody and fled into a nearby wooded area.
A coordinated search involving the Berryville Police Department and CCSO deputies resulted in Rose being located and taken back into custody. Rose was transported to the Carroll County Detention Center.
Charges against him include Aggravated Assault on an Employee of a Correctional Facility, Theft, Resisting Arrest, Fleeing, Battery, Making Terroristic Threats, and Breaking or Entering.
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Local, state police to join Click-It-Or-Ticket campaign
BERRYVILLE - Local and state police agencies are urging drivers to buckle up ahead of a national Click It or Ticket seat belt safety campaign. The national high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs May 19 to June 1, 2025.
Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike. It’s not just a safe thing to do — it’s the law. During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers. Buckling up is the simplest thing a driver can do to limit injury or save a life during a crash. We see the results of not wearing a seat belt all the time. So often, it could have been prevented.”
The national seat belt daytime use rate in 2023 was 91.9%, which is good — but it can be better. The other 8.1% still need to be reminded that seat belts save lives. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.
One of the focuses of the Click It or Ticket seat belt high-visibility campaign is nighttime enforcement. NHTSA data shows a higher number of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities happen at night. Also, seat belt use differs among females and males. Of the males killed in crashes in 2023, more than half (53%) were unrestrained. For females killed in crashes, 41% were not buckled up.
If the enforcement effort alerts people to the dangers of unrestrained driving, we’ll consider our mission to be a success. We are asking friends and family to remind each other to buckle up when they drive, and to consider changing their habits if they don’t. Help us spread this lifesaving message before one more friend or family member is killed as a result of this senseless inaction. Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to remember to buckle up.
For more information on the Click It or Ticket seat belt high-visibility enforcement campaign, please visit NHTSA.gov/ClickIt.
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Arkansas residents reminded ofMay 31 tax assessment deadline
As the end of May approaches, Arkansas residents are reminded to assess their personal and business property to avoid penalties. This year, the standard deadline of May 31 falls on a Saturday, prompting adjustments in some counties.
In Baxter County, the assessment deadline is set for Friday, May 30. Baxter County Assessor Jayme Nicholson emphasizes the importance of assessing all property requiring a license, such as vehicles and boats. Failure to assess by this date will result in a 10% penalty, as mandated by the state of Arkansas .
Pulaski County has extended the deadline to Monday, June 2, due to the May 31 weekend. Residents are encouraged to assess their property online to avoid the 10% late assessment penalty .
State law requires all individual and business personal property to be assessed between January 1 and May 31 each year. Assessments filed after this period are subject to a 10% late fee .
Residents can assess their property through various methods, including online portals, phone calls, or in-person visits to their local assessor's office. Many counties offer online assessment options to facilitate the process.
Additionally, property owners should be aware of the October 15 deadline to pay property taxes and file for the Homestead Credit Application .
For more information or assistance, residents should contact their local county assessor's office.
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Family Game Night at the Berryville Library Submitted by Berryville Library
For Release Week of May 12, 2025—Looking for something the entire family can do together? Family Game Night is back at the Berryville Library this Saturday, May 17, from 5-7 p.m., and it will be more fun than ever! The evening will be filled with fun, games, and FREE PIZZA! This event is great for individuals and families of all ages. There will be a wide assortment of tabletop games to choose from, featuring boards, dice, or cards. There will be roll-and-move games, roll-and-write games, push-your-luck games, along with a few dungeon-crawlers, area control, or even some dexterity games. This is the perfect way to try out a new game or just to have fun with your family and perhaps make some new friends. For a complete listing of all the activities being held at the library, visit the website at www.berryvillelibrary.org. The library also has active Facebook and Instagram pages.
For more information on Family Game Night or any of the other programs, stop by the library at 104 Spring Street or call (870) 423-2323. See you there!
Arrest Reports: 05/12
Alex Negrete-Hold for Other Agency David Hager- Possession of a Controlled Sub, Contempt of Court, Public Intoxication, Failure to Appear-Misd. Brian Snow- Failure to Appear-Misd, Disordly Conduct, Assault on FAM/HH Member Third Degree, Hold for Other Agency Jason Dubose-Hold for Other Agency. Kristin Howard-Court Commitment. Jeffery Kelly- Hold for Other Agency.
News for Monday, May 12, 2025
Early voting continues today forBerryville sales tax extension
BERRYVILLE - Early voting continues today for residents of the City of Berryville who are deciding whether to extend the city’s existing half-percent sales and use tax through 2045 to fund a series of major infrastructure projects totaling more than $10 million.
The extension, proposed under Ordinance No. 1146, would not raise taxes but would allow the city to issue bonds now for critical needs in streets, water, sewer, parks, police and fire services.
“It’s not a tax increase,” said Berryville Mayor Tim McKinney. “It’s just extending our existing tax so we can issue bonds to do work now that we need to do.”
The ballot includes seven separate bond measures, each tied to the 0.5 percent local sales tax originally approved back in 2015. If approved, the bonds would fund:
-$4.6 million for street improvements
-$3.2 million in refunding bonds to refinance existing debt
-$1.1 million for sewer system upgrades
-$825,000 for water infrastructure
-$600,000 for parks and recreational facilities
$350,000 for police department equipment
$125,000 for fire department needs
Mayor McKinney said addressing street repairs is a top priority, given the rising costs of materials and labor.
“The streets, they’re a real challenge for cities. Most of the money will go toward street projects, but there’s also some for parks, the fire department, and the police department, and the water and sewer,” he said.
With inflation continuing to drive up construction costs, McKinney believes now is the most fiscally responsible time to act.
“It’s actually cheaper to issue the bonds and pay a little interest and get the work done now instead of waiting five to ten years,” he said. “A new street just over a half a mile cost almost a million dollars. When I was elected mayor 30 years ago, that kind of money would have resurfaced the whole town.”
He added that the city is poised for growth and needs infrastructure to match. “We’ve got new businesses and new resale stores coming into town. We think we’re going to have a lot of growth in the next few years, and to keep up with that, we’re going to need some money to do some work now instead of waiting until our streets fall completely apart.”
That growth includes recent announcements like the new Messer's $70 million industrial gas complex and the potential arrival of another major investor.
“We’re talking with another company now in our business park that’s looking to make a very substantial investment,” McKinney said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to make an announcement in the next two to three weeks.”
The mayor expressed gratitude to the public for past support and encouraged voters to consider the long-term benefits of the bond proposal.
“Hopefully they’ll give this a good look,” he said, “and we’ll be able to do a lot of stuff in the next few years with it—with $10 million.”
Early voting continues through 5 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church of Berryville. Election day is May 13 and voting will take place at the Freeman Heights Baptist Church located at 522 W. Freeman Avenue in Berryville.
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CS Bank pledges $50,000 Donation to Eureka Springs School of the Arts
Charlie Cross, CEO, CS Bank, recently announced the local bank’s $50,000.00 pledge to the Eureka Springs School of the Arts (ESSA) in their growth and beautification project. Over the next two years, CS Bank will make two $25,000.00 donations. This two-phase, multi-million-dollar plan for growth consists of purchasing another 15 acres of property, enabling future growth and advancement to the existing campus’ property.
Cross stated, “Our bank is pleased to provide this monetary donation to support the worthwhile endeavors at ESSA. As is widely known, the arts are sewn into the fabric of our community here in Eureka Springs, and the work that ESSA continues to do is invaluable to enhancing our area’s reputation in this regard. Thus, the efforts to grow and improve the ESSA campus experience is something our company is proud to help facilitate, as that work is impactful to the quality of life of our city, its residents and visitors.”
When ESSA began 27 years ago in 1998. They were a school without walls, with passionate local artists offering up their studios to support workshops. A few years later, ESSA moved into a small campus with one building and an acre of land. Today, ESSA has grown into a 55-acre campus with seven teaching studios located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
ESSA Executive Director, Kelly McDonough stated, “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of those who have donated to the capital campaign so far, and we are planning several engaging and exciting fundraising events for this spring and summer to finish strong. CS Bank has been a stalwart supporter of ESSA and so many community initiatives in Eureka Springs, so it is fitting that they kick off this final phase of the campaign with their generous gift. We can’t wait to celebrate this expansion milestone with our community!”
Receiving the ceremonial check on behalf of ESSA, were faculty members and their governing board of directors.
CS Bank, a $610 million-dollar financial institution, continues to serve as the only local community bank in Eureka Springs and has been growing and expanding rapidly during the past several years.
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Tweens & Teens all-screens game night
Submitted by Berryville Library
Calling all tween and teen gamers! Meet at theBerryville Library this Friday, May 16, from 6-8 p.m. for All-Screens Game Night. You will have two hours of free reign in the library to play any game that can be played on a screen! Guitar Hero will be on the Playstation, a Wii station will be set up, and all 10library computers will be available without limits on volume or laughter. This is an evening of fun teens and tweens won’t want to miss! There's no cost to attend, and reservations are not required. Bring yourself and your friends! Everyone is welcome. Tween and Teen All-Screens Game Night is held monthly on the third Friday during the school year. For more information on the many programs offered at the Berryville Library, check out www.berryvillelibrary.org, call (870) 423-2323, or visit us at 104 Spring Street. The library also has active Facebook and Instagram pages.
Arrest Reports: 05/09
Richardo Licon- Theft Stephanie Hayes- Failure to Appear-Misd Clansy Latdrik- Failure to Appear-Misd X2, Hold for Other Agency
News for Friday, May 9, 2025
Berryville voters to decide on proposedextension of 2015 half-percent sales tax
BERRYVILLE - Voters in Berryville are now deciding whether to extend the city’s existing half-percent sales and use tax through 2045 to fund a series of major infrastructure projects totaling more than $10 million.
The extension, proposed under Ordinance No. 1146, would not raise taxes but would allow the city to issue bonds now for critical needs in streets, water, sewer, parks, police and fire services.
“It’s not a tax increase,” said Berryville Mayor Tim McKinney. “It’s just extending our existing tax so we can issue bonds to do work now that we need to do.”
The ballot includes seven separate bond measures, each tied to the 0.5 percent local sales tax originally approved back in 2015. If approved, the bonds would fund:
-$4.6 million for street improvements
-$3.2 million in refunding bonds to refinance existing debt
-$1.1 million for sewer system upgrades
-$825,000 for water infrastructure
-$600,000 for parks and recreational facilities
$350,000 for police department equipment
$125,000 for fire department needs
Mayor McKinney said addressing street repairs is a top priority, given the rising costs of materials and labor.
“The streets, they’re a real challenge for cities. Most of the money will go toward street projects, but there’s also some for parks, the fire department, and the police department, and the water and sewer,” he said.
With inflation continuing to drive up construction costs, McKinney believes now is the most fiscally responsible time to act.
“It’s actually cheaper to issue the bonds and pay a little interest and get the work done now instead of waiting five to ten years,” he said. “A new street just over a half a mile cost almost a million dollars. When I was elected mayor 30 years ago, that kind of money would have resurfaced the whole town.”
He added that the city is poised for growth and needs infrastructure to match. “We’ve got new businesses and new resale stores coming into town. We think we’re going to have a lot of growth in the next few years, and to keep up with that, we’re going to need some money to do some work now instead of waiting until our streets fall completely apart.”
That growth includes recent announcements like the new Messer's $70 million industrial gas complex and the potential arrival of another major investor.
“We’re talking with another company now in our business park that’s looking to make a very substantial investment,” McKinney said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to make an announcement in the next two to three weeks.”
The mayor expressed gratitude to the public for past support and encouraged voters to consider the long-term benefits of the bond proposal.
“Hopefully they’ll give this a good look,” he said, “and we’ll be able to do a lot of stuff in the next few years with it—with $10 million.”
Early voting continues through the end of business on Monday at the First United Methodist Church of Berryville. Election day is May 13 and voting will take place at the Freeman Heights Baptist Church located at 522 W. Freeman Avenue in Berryville.
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State Capitol Week in Review
By Senator Bryan B. King
The legislature officially adjourned the 2025 regular session on May 5, and is not scheduled to convene again until the 2026 fiscal session.
The legislature will consider spending bills during next year’s fiscal session, which begins at noon on the second Wednesday in April. The legislature changed the starting date of fiscal sessions in Act 405 of 2025, which also changed the date of the primary elections to the first Tuesday in March.
Arkansas has been alternating the dates of primary elections, depending on whether or not it is a presidential election year. Primaries have been held in May, except when there is an election for president, when Arkansas primaries have been held in March.
Holding primaries in March gives Arkansas voters more influence in determining who will be the presidential nominee of the major political parties. If Arkansans voted in May the results would rarely matter because usually by May each party’s candidate has sewn up the nomination.
Act 405 standardizes election dates as well as the dates for candidates to file for office. The filing period will be for a week beginning in early November.
Also this year the legislature enacted laws on social and cultural issues. Act 573 of 2025 requires all public schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The poster must be at least 16 by 20 inches so that it is visible for everyone in the room.
The intent of Act 955 of 2025 is to preserve order and dignity in women’s restrooms and facilities where women have traditionally enjoyed privacy and safety. If a person encounters someone of the opposite sex in a public bathroom, for example in a school, college or courthouse, that person can file a lawsuit seeking damages from the governmental entity.
Act 116 prohibits preferential treatment by state agencies, local governments, higher education and public schools districts, except if the policies benefit veterans.
Act 938 repeals racial and gender quotas from laws that create boards and commissions. For example, previous law required a member of the Financial Education Commission to be someone who is in a racial minority. That requirement has been repealed. The membership of the Commission on Closing the Achievement Gap no longer will no longer have to represent the racial and ethnic diversity of Arkansas.
Act 747 prohibits cities and counties from having policies that promote diversity, inclusion or equity. Local governments cannot have a policy that promotes hiring and promotion based on ethnic or racial background, sex or national origin.
Act 979 of 2025 expands the ability of people to sue a physician for medical malpractice after procedures that changed their gender when they were minors. Act 274 of 2023 allows medical malpractice lawsuits for injuries received during gender transition procedures. It defines surgical practices that would make a physician liable.
Act 979 of 2025 adds gender affirming interventions for minor children to the acts for which a physician would be liable for medical malpractice. The definition of a gender affirming intervention includes cross-sex hormone therapy and the use of puberty blockers.
Act 711 requires Arkansas drivers’ licenses to identify the holders’ gender as male or female, and prohibits the issuance of a license that designates the gender with an X, or a license not designate a gender.
Arrest Reports: 05/08
Michelle Carrico- Failure to Appear-misd, Bond Surrender. Jarrod Frantz- Failure to Appear Johnny Martinez-Ballesteros-Court Commitment.
News for Thursday, May 8, 2025
Saint Joe woman killed in Boone County accident
BOONE COUNTY - An accident in Boone County Monday afternoon claimed the life of a Saint Joe woman, according to the Arkansas State Police.
The incident report states that, on May 5 around 3 p.m., 53-year-old Gianella Edelen was traveling westbound on Highway 62 in her 1996 Toyota Tacoma when the vehicle crossed the center line and struck a 2014 Dodge Ram head-on in the opposite lane. The Ram then traveled off the northside of the roadway and came to rest in an embankment.
Edelen's vehicle came to a final rest between the east and westbound lanes of Highway 62. She was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident. The driver of the Ram was not injured
The investigating state trooper reported road conditions as clear and dry at the time of the accident.
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Blood drive today in Berryville;win two Naturals game tickets
Baseball fans who step up to the plate to help local patients by giving blood in May or June will score Northwest Arkansas Naturals game tickets. The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the sole supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at all northwest Arkansas hospitals, is asking everyone to team up to help support blood needs in their community by donating during the Bleed Blue promotion at the upcoming blood drive in Berryville on Thursday, May 8.
Successful donors will receive a three-quarter sleeve Northwest Arkansas Naturals baseball T-shirt and TWO FREE TICKETS to an upcoming Naturals game, while supplies last.
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks donors provide all the blood for patients at Mercy Hospital Berryville, as well as dozens of healthcare facilities across the Ozarks. Berryville area residents will have the opportunity to donate at the following location:
Berryville Community Blood DriveSouthern Heights Baptist Church – Fellowship Hall279 HWY 221 S, BerryvilleThursday, May 8 – 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“We are honored to continue our partnership with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks to help save lives in northwest Arkansas. The Bleed Blue Blood Drive is a powerful way for the community to come together and make a lasting impact for local patients in need,” said Northwest Arkansas Naturals Justin Cole, Vice President and General Manager.
On behalf of local hospital patients, Community Blood Center of the Ozarks thanks blood donors from across the region for giving life to your community.
To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged. Donors can schedule an appointment at https://www.cbco.org/baseball/ or by calling 417-227-5006.
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First Community Emergency Response Teamtraining event scheduled in Berryville May 12
BERRYVILLE - How prepared are you for a disaster - major fire, tornado, flooding? Learn how to be a competent volunteer that is usually the first step in the chain of events that happens after a disaster.
The Carroll County Citizen Corps Council that oversees the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Neighborhood Watch programs will be conducting a CERT class in Berryville.
CERT educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that impact their local area and train them in basic disaster response skills. This is a five week class with a disaster drill at the end. Topics covered are: Team Organization, Fire Safety, Light Search and Rescue, Disaster Medical Operations and Disaster Psychology. CERT operates under the Office of Emergency Management and is being presented to the public at no cost to them.
The training class will be held at the Berryville Fire Departments on the following Mondays from 6-9 p.m.:-May 12, 19, 26-June 2, 9
A disaster drill will be held Saturday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Some things the CERT team has assisted with have been Search and Rescue for missingpeople, setting up a rehab area for several large fires involving multiple fire departments, assisting with traffic control at some large events, and first aid at several events.
For more information or questions, or to sign up for the class, contact Suellyn Fry at 870-545-3317. Leavea message on her answering machine if she does not answer.
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Apply for a chance to hunt an Arkansas Elk
CARROLL COUNTY - Hunters interested in pursuing Arkansas’s largest big game animal can apply for a limited hunting permit draw from now through 11:59 p.m. June 1. Applications will be available at the AGFC’s licensing site (www.agfc.com/license) under the “Special Hunt Applications” tab.
Eighteen permits will be available for public draw through online applications this season. Six of those permits will be either-sex tags and 12 will be antlerless-only tags. All elk permits will be drawn at the Buffalo River Elk Festival in Jasper, scheduled for June 27-28. Winners will be notified via email and phone once the draw is concluded. Three on-site permits will be drawn at the festival. Only people who attend the festival in person will be eligible for the on-site permit drawing.
Only Arkansas residents may apply for an Arkansas public land elk hunting permit. Applicants must have a valid Resident Sportsman’s Hunting License or must be a holder of a Lifetime Sportsman’s Permit. Applicants must be 6 years or older as of the beginning of the hunt (Oct. 4) to participate. Anyone with 18 or more AGFC wildlife violation points is ineligible for the permit.
Hunters with access to private land in elk country will follow the same regulations as last year, using a quota system instead of drawn permits. Anyone may purchase a Private Land Elk Permit (labeled PLE in the AGFC licensing system) for $5 in addition to a valid Resident Sportsman’s Hunting License or Nonresident All Game Hunting License.
The private land quota is 18 total, six either sex and 12 antlerless. Hunters must call each evening to determine if the quota has been met before the next day’s hunt. The season ends early if the quota is filled.
Arkansas’s 2025 elk hunting season will be as follows:
Core Elk Management Zone public land hunts (by drawn permit only)Youth Hunts: Oct. 4-5, 2025, and Oct. 25-26, 2025Regular Elk Hunts (youth eligible): Oct. 6-10, 2025, and Oct. 27-31, 2025
Core Elk Management Zone private land hunt (by Private Land Elk Permit)Youth Hunts (antlerless elk only): Oct. 4-5, 2025, and Oct. 25-26, 2025Regular Elk Hunts (youth eligible): Oct. 6-10, 2025, and Oct. 27-31, 2025
Additionally, hunters may take any elk they see outside of the Core Elk Management Zone (Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton and Searcy counties) while legally deer hunting with archery, muzzleloaders or modern guns of at least .24 caliber.
Visit www.agfc.com/elk for more information on elk and elk hunting in Arkansas.
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AGFC launches outdoor educationstudent club and competition
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is forging a new path to further bring nature into the classroom and increase opportunities for Arkansas students to build outdoor skills and conservation knowledge.
AGFC is launching “Generation Conservation,” a science-based student outdoor recreation and conservation club, that will culminate in a two-day state summit for students and educators at the Hot Springs Convention Center and Bank OZK Arena, Nov. 5-6. Multiple contests, challenges and experiences will test and expand students’ outdoor skills and conservation knowledge as they compete for bragging rights and scholarships.
Students can sign up to demonstrate skill in more than a dozen events, including wildlife ID, creative applications of technology for conservation in STEM, plant ID, a quiz bowl on conservation knowledge, a team debate, archery challenges, app development for online maps, a game warden-inspired cadet fitness challenge, and more. The summit will be an immersive experience that will engage attendees in the world of outdoor recreation: from fishing to rock climbing, including “meet and greets” with conservation professionals and celebrities, outdoor recreation booths and hands-on learning opportunities.
AGFC Education Chief Mary Beth Hatch said. “Whether or not students have an existing love for outdoor recreation, we want to ensure that Arkansas students know that The Natural State has every resource available to offer them outdoor education opportunities, no matter what their ZIP code is. We want conservation science to be a part of their current classroom instruction, knowing that focusing on conservation of the habitats, species and resources in their own communities will change Arkansas’s education landscape.”
Hatch says the competition will be a launching pad for schools to engage with many other initiatives like STEM, school clubs and career and technical student organizations.
“Schools building these teams may be empowered to keep the program going beyond our yearly competition,” Hatch said. “They’ve entered these projects; they’ve entered these competitions, and this will be a foothold for what they’ll be working on for the rest of the school year in other science and STEM programs they already incorporate in their classrooms and schools.”
Giving the students an opportunity to learn about and engage with the state’s natural resources has been proven to benefit both physical and mental health. Incorporating outdoor education into lesson plans brings those tremendous health benefits into the school and opens up exciting new career path opportunities for students in the fields of conservation, agriculture and outdoor recreation.
Outdoor exposure won’t only be for students; Hatch envisions a portion of the event to be used as a gathering point for educators to learn how to incorporate outdoors-oriented content in their classrooms.
“We’ll have programming available for teachers and administrators during the competitions that will help them engage with many of our ready-made conservation-based curricula to use in their classrooms,” Hatch said. “They will be able to bring even more outdoor programming back to their schools and even gain some professional development credit hours while attending with their students.
“Giving our students the opportunity to engage with relatable conservation and experience outdoor recreation will truly create the next generation of outdoor recreation users, conservationists and natural resource professionals needed to keep The Natural State a national leader in conservation education,” Hatch said.
In support, former AGFC Commissioner Bobby Martin of Rogers, is leading an initiative to ensure schools have the necessary funding to introduce students to this program. Through the launching and initial seeding of the Bobby L. Martin Generation Conservation Endowment Fund, he and his family are working alongside the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation to raise funds for scholarship awards, teacher stipends, STEM equipment and travel grants. Martin, who fostered many advancements in AGFC outdoor education during his term, brings his well-regarded business career and reputation together with his passion and leadership in and for conservation education. We are excited to have this kind of support and partnerships to help ensure the long-term success of this program for Arkansas’s future generations, said Hatch.
The endowment, competition details and registration information will all be covered in a series of informational webinars hosted on the AGFC’s website in May and June. Visit www.agfc.com/conservationsummit to learn more and register for one of these informative sessions.
Arrest Reports: 05/07
Wilfer Anien - Contemp of Court Michelle L Carrico - Failure to Appear - Misd, Bond Surrender Clansy Latdrik - Failure to Appear - Misd x2, Hold for Other Agency John J Ledkins - Bond Surrender, Hold for Other Agency, Failure to Appear - Misd x 3 Justin F Wilson - Contempt of Court
News for Wednesday, May 7, 2025
2025 Arkansas County Farm Families announced
The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has announced its 2025 County Farm Families of the Year.
Since 1947, the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has helped to recognize outstanding farm families throughout the state. The objectives of the Farm Family of the Year program are:
-To give recognition and encouragement to farm families who are doing an outstanding job on their farm and in their community;
-To recognize the importance of agriculture in the community and state; and
-To disseminate information on improved farm practices and management.
Selection criteria for the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year includes efficiency of production, conservation of energy and resources, leadership in agricultural and community affairs, home and farm improvement, and home and farm management. Farm Family of the Year participation is open to all counties and is voluntary. Each year participation varies, which is why there's not always a recipient for each county.
The area County Farm Families of the Year are:
Benton – The Harris family, GravetteBoone – Michael Watkins family, HarrisonCarroll – John Asbury family, Oak GroveMadison – Elmer and Mackenzie Robertson, HuntsvilleWashington – Randy, Dawna and Mack Spears, Fayetteville
The families will be visited by a set of judges to determine eight District Farm Families of the Year, which will be announced June 9. The Arkansas Farm Family of the Year will be announced in December at the Farm Family of the Year luncheon, who then represent Arkansas at the Southeastern Expo Farmer of the Year event in Georgia. Arkansas has had three Southeast Farmer of the Year winners, Brian and Nan Kirksey of Clark County in 2008, Wildy Family Farms of Mississippi County in 2016 and the Cobb, Lyerly and Owen Family/Partnership of Craighead County in 2023.
Sponsors of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program are Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. Additionally, support for the program is provided by the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas Department of Career Education, Arkansas Press Association, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development.
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Holiday Island Memorial Day event is May 26
HOLIDAY ISLAND - Holiday Island will present a Memorial Day Community Picnic on May 26 from 12-2 p.m. at the Barn, located at 120 Shields Drive.
Cost is $15 per person while children 3-12 get in for $5. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets are available from any Holiday Island Rotarian as well as at CS Bank, the Holiday Island Chamber of Commerce office, or at the door.
The event will include a meal consisting of a pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, baked beans, chips, cookie and a drink. Music will be presented by The Lost Bridge Trio.
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Eureka Springs HS Theatre to presentFootloose Youth Edition May 9,10 & 12
EUREKA SPRINGS - The Eureka Springs High School Theatre Club will present "Footloose: Youth Edition" this weekend and the entire community is invited to come by and enjoy this student-led production.
Performances will take place May 9, 10 and 12 at 7 p.m. in the Eureka Springs High School Auditorium. A matinee performance will be held May 10 at 3 p.m.
Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $2.50 for students. Tickets at the door are $15 for adults and $5 for students. Advance tickets can be purchased using the QR code found on flyers around the community. Tickets will be good for each night of the production run.
This performance is adapted for stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. Show sponsors include the Bank of 1889 and CS Bank.

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