THE IZARD COUNTY CONSOLIDATED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS THE FIRST RURAL SCHOOL TO BE DESIGNATED AS AN ARKANSAS STEM MODEL SCHOOL BY THE ARKANSAS EDUCATION OF EDUCATION... ICC STEM COORDINATOR COURTNEY SELPH TELLS US HOW THE STEM PROGRAM CAME ABOUT AT ICC.. ICC, NETTELTON AND FORRST HEIGHTS ARE THE ONLY STEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE STATE... SELPH POINTS OUT THAT STEM STANDS FOR MATH, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING, BUT ITS MUSCH MORE THAN THAT,. THE ICC PRESCHOOL IS ONE OF ONLY TWO PRESCHOOLS IN THE STATE WHO ARE THE FIRST TO BE DESIGNATED AS AR STEM MODEL PRESCHOOLS IN THE STATE,, IZARD COUNTY IS ALSO THE FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE TO HAVE A PK THRU 4 AR STEM MODEL DESIGNATION.. .. ICC SUPERINTENDENT FRED WALKER HAS A HIGHER GOAL FOR THE PROGRAM. THE AMERICAN LEGION ROWDEN AND FLOYD POST 280 RECENTLY DONATED ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE ICC STEM PROGRAM. MICHELLE SNYDER WHO IS THE STEM INTEGRATION SPECIALIST WITH THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR THE ARKANASAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS THIS RECOGNITION PLUS THE ADDITON IN THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR OF AN SEVENTH THRU TWELFTH GRADE INTEGRATED SCIENCE PROGRAM AND ADDING A MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL PRE -ENGINEERING PRE -ENGINEERING PATHWAY WILL BETTER THE STUDENTS AT ICC FOR THE FUTURE.

THE BOIL WATER ORDER REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR CUSTOMERS OF THE EVENING SHADE WATER SYSTEM. THERE WAS A LOSS OF WATER PRESSURE ON THE SYSTEM SUNDAY, THE BOIL ORDER WENT INTO EFFECT LATE SUNDAY AND CONTINUES... THE WATER SYSTEM WAS SHUT DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS TUESDAY AS WORKERS WERE MAKING UPGRADES TO THE SYSTEM... THE BOIL ORDER WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

THE SPREADER CHAINS THAT WERE STOLEN FROM THE NINE MILE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT NEAR HARDY HAVE BEEN RETURNED. THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORTED A PAIR OF SPREADER CHAINS WERE STOLEN FROM THE NINE MILE RIDGE CONSTRUCTION SITE SOMETIME BETWEEN MAY 31ST AND JUNE 2ND.. ARDOT RESIDENT ENGINEER ADAM WATSON SAID THE THEFT OF THE CHAINS COULD SLOW DOWN WORK ON THE PROJECT, AS A CRANE USES THE SPREADER CHAINS TO MOVE HEAVY EQUIPMENT... WHEN ARDOT CREWS ARRIVED AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITE MONDAY MORNING, THE SPREADER CHAINS HAD BEEN RETURNED.... ARDOT OFFICIALS THANKED THE COMMUNITY FOR PUTTING FORTH AN EFFORT AND ASSISTANCE IN HELPING RECOVER THE SPREADER CHAINS... ARDOT HAS SAID IT WILL INCREASE SECURITY MEASURES ON THE JOB SITE TO ENSURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN...

A MAN ACCUSED OF BEATING ANOTHER MAN TO DEATH CLAIMS HE WAS AFRAID THE VICTIM WAS TRYING TO "SEDUCE' HIM… A JUDGE FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE MONDAY TO CHARGE MATTHEW EARL SPEAKMAN OF SULPHUR ROCK WITH ONE COUNT OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER, THEFT OF PROPERTY AND FELONY POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, THE 18 YEAR OLD SPEAKMAN IS ACCUSED OF BEATING 49 YEAR OLD JASON ANDERSON TO DEATH ON MAY 17TH.. AFTER RECEIVING A PHONE CALL FROM A "HYSTERICAL FEMALE", INDEPENDENCE COUNTY DEPUTIES DISCOVERED ANDERSON'S BODY IN A BATHRUB AT HIS HOME ON WEST WEIGHT STREET IN SULPHUR ROCK. UPON REMOVING THE BODY, DEPUTIES LOCATED A HAMMER, HAMMER HANDLE AND THREE LARGE ROCKS IN THE BATHTUB… INVESTIGATORS ALSO REPORTED FINDING " BLOODY SHOREPRINTS ON THE FLOOR OF THE LIVING AREA COMING FROM THE BATHROOM AREA… DURING THEIR INVESTIGATION, DETECTIVES LEARNED THAT ANDERSON " HAD AN ENCOUNTER' WITH SPEAKMAN EARLIER THAT MORNING.. ACCORDING TO THE AFFADVID, A DEPUTY LOCATED SPEAKMAN IN THE SULPHUR ROCK AREA AND NOTICED THAT HIS SHOES APPEARED TO HAVE THE PATTERN OF THE BLOODY SHOEPRINTS FOUND INSIDE THE RESIDENCE OF THE DECEASED.. DURING THE STOP, THE DEPUTY FOUND A METHAPHETAMINE SMOKING DEVICE WITH RESIDUE ON SPEAKMAN…..SPEAKMAN TOLD AUTHORITIES HE WAS DEFENDING HIMSELE, BUT ADMITTED ANDERSON STOPPED FIGHTING AGAINST HIM A COUPLE OF STRIKES WITH THE HAMMER...ON MONDAY, A JUDGE ISSUED A WARRANT FOR SPEAKMAN'S ARREST AND ORDERED HIM TO BE HELD ON A ONE MILLION DOLLAR BOND..

THE ARTS CENTER OF NORTH ARKANSAS IS CELEBRATING ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY WITH A HOST OF SPECIAL EVENTS.... THE THURSDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES AT THE GAZEBO WILL CONCLUDE TONIGHT WITH ONE OF THE AREA'S MOST POPULAR BANDS, THE OSAGE WATER BAND PERFORMING ON THE GAZEBO STAGE FROM 5:30 UNTIL 7.. THE CONCERT IS FREE, BRING YOUR FOLDING CHARS .. ANOTHER SPECIAL EVENT IS SATURDAY AS WEAR FROM ARTS CENTER SPOKESPERSON SANTOS VAN-OOS… SHOP THE SIDEWALK ON THE UPPER LEVEL OF THE TOWN CENTER IN CHEROKEE VILLAGE SATURDAY FROM 8 TIL NOON FOR SOME REAL BARGAINS.

TOMORROW, FRIDAY IS THE DEADLINE TO MAKE A RESERVATION FOR THE IZARD COUNTY SENIOR CENTERS TRIP TO MURRY'S PLAYHOUSE IN LITTLE ROCK WEDNESDAY. EVERYONE LOVES TO GOING TO MURRY'S FOR THE SHOW AND THE BUFFET ACCORDING TO THE CENTER'S DIRECTOR SUSAN WILLIAMS… MAKE YOUR RESERVATION BY CALLING 870-368-6011 BY FRIDAY. THE IZARD COUNTY SENIORS CENTER IS HOSTING A BILLARDS TOURNAMENT ON TUESDAY, JUNE 20TH.. ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ENTER IS WELCOME TO DO SO.. JUST CALL THE CENTER AT 870-368-6011.

VOTERS IN POCAHONTAS WILL BE GOING TO THE POLLS IN AUGUST TO VOTE ON A RESTRUCTURED SALES TAX. VOTERS APPROVED A HALF CENT SALES TAX SEVEN YEARS AGO TO BUILD THE CITY'S AQUATIC CENTER… WHILE THE CENTER IS ALMOST PAID FOR, NOW THE CITY WANTS TO CONTINUE TO SALES TAX TO FUND THE REPAIR OF CITY STREETS, DEVOTING THE TAX TO THE CITY STREET DEPARTMENT...POCAHONTAS RESIDENTS WHO VOTE YES TO THE RESTRUCTURING WILL NOT BE RAISING THE HALF-CENT SALES TAX BUT EXTEND HOW LONG THE EXISTING TAX IS COLLECTED.. THE MONEY WILL BE USED TO REPAIR CITY STREETS AND UPGRADE TRAFFIC LIGHTS THAT ARE CITY OWNED.

BLACK RIVER AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS CONDUCTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE 2023-24 COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FRIDAY MORNING FROM 10 UNTIL 11IN THE BASEMENT OF THE BRAD CENTRAL OFFICE AT 1403 HOSPITAL DRIVE IN POCAHONTAS. THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL ADDRESS THE USE OF C=S=B=G FUNDING IN THE COMMUNITY.. INTERESTED PERSONS CAN PARTICIPATE IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY... THE LINK IS AVAILABLE ON THE BRAD WEBSITE.

TWO WOMEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTON WITH THE TWO SEPERATE HOMICIDES THAT OCCURED IN FULTON COUNTY LAST WEEK.  SHERIFF JAKE SMITH SAYS 31 YEAR OLD STACIE HICKMAN WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER, FELONY WITH A FIREARM AND ABUSE OF A CORPSE...FULTON COUNTY 911 RECEIVED A CALL THURSDAY FROM A MAN WHO SAID A BODY WAS LYING AT HIS GATE NORTHWEST OF VIOLA ON BRIARWOOD ROAD... SHERIFF SMITH AND A DEPUTY RESPONDED AND LOCATED THE BODY OF 59 YEAR OLD DAVID SUTHERLAND WITH A WOUND TO HIS BACK AND HIS HEAD BEATEN..  THERE WAS BARBED WIRE AROUND HIS NECK AND AN ATTEMPT TO BURN HIS BODY HAD BEEN MADE.. A PARTIAL CAN OF LIGHTER FLUID WAS AMONG THE ITEMS CONFISCATED AT THE SCENE.. THE NEXT DAY, THE COMPLAINANT SAID HICKMAN HAD BORROWED HSI PICKUP LAST TUESDAY.. SHE ASKED SOUTHERLAND TO FOLLOW HER, AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME SHE SAW HIM.. THE TRUCK WAS RETURNED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND THE COMPLAINANT SAID A MAN RESIDING IN A SHOP BUILDING BEHIND THE HOME SAID HE HEARD THE TRUCK DRIVE IN, BUT DIDN'T HEAR ANYONE LEAVE... THE COMPLAIANT ALSO CLAIMED SOUTHERLAND LEFT IN ANOTHER VEHICLE HE OWNED AND AFTER IT APPEARED SOUTHERLAND HAD BEEN MURDERED, A THEFT REPORT WAS MADE  ON THE VEHICLE. A SALEM OFFICER SPOTTED THE VEHICLE FRIDAY NIGHT, OCCUPIED BY HICKMAN IN FRONT OF THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION BUILDING ON HIGHWAY 62-412 EAST OF SALEM... IT WAS AT THIS TIME, SHE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY... ON SATURDAY, HICKMAN WAS INTERVIEWED AND REPORTEDLY ADMITTED TO SHOOTING AND BURNING SOUTHERLAND'S BODY. SHE CLAIMED SOUTHERLAND WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET SOME LAND SHE WAS SUPPOSE TO RECEIVE.. HICKMAN TOLD OFFICERS SHE SHOT SOUTHERLAND WITH A RIFLE ONE TIME... BOND FOR HICKMAN HAS BEEN SET AT ONE MILLION DOLLARS.  IN AN UNRELATED CASE,  FULTON COUNTY DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO A RESIDENCE EAST OF GLENCOE ON STONEWOOD ROAD LAST WEDNESDAY WHERE THE BODY OF 27 YEAR OLD BRANDON CHRISCO FOUND.. SHERIFF SMITH SAYS 43 YEAR OLD TABITHA PEBLER WAS BOOKED ON SUSPICION OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER...PEBLER HAD CALLED FULTON COUNTY DISPATCH WEDNESDAY AND REPORTEDLY ADMITTED TO SHOOTING HER SON, LATER IDENTIFIED AS CHRISCO... WHEN INTERVIEWED BY INVESTIGATORS, PEBLER SAID SHE WAS MOWING A LAWN, GOT THE MOWER STUCK. SHE ASKED FOR CHRISCO'S ASSISTANCE AND HE WAS UPSET ABOUT HAVING TO GET THE MOWER UNSTUCK.  PEBLER CLAIMS SHE GOT THE MOWER STRUCK A SECOND TIME, CHRISCO CALLED HER A NAME AND SHOVED HER OFF THE MOWER... PEBLER SAID SHE WENT TO A VEHICLE, REMOVED A PISTOL FROM THE CONSOLE... SHE SAID CHRISCO WAS COMING TOWARD HER, SHE FIRED SEVERAL WARNING SHOTS.  PEBLER THEN MOVED TOWARD CHRISCO AND FIRED A SHOT AT HIM.. SHE CLAIMED SHE WAS JUST WANTING TO SCARE HIM, BUT A BULLET PASSED THRU  THE  UPPER LEFT SIDE OF HIS CHEST.. BOND FOR PEBLER IS SET AT $25,000....

THE FULTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THEFTS FROM THE HUMPHREY FORD BRIDGE PROJECT ON NINE MILE RIDGE NORTH OF HARDY... THIEVES WERE ABLE TO TAKE SPREADER CHAINS THAT NOW COULD CAUSE A SHUTDOWN IN THE PROJECT.. ARDOT RESIDENT ENGINEER ADAM WATSON SAID SPREADER CHAINS ARE COSTLY AND COULD CAUSE SLOWDOWNS IN COMPLETING THE WORK ON THE PROJECT.. WATSON SAYS THE CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN USING THE SPREADER CHAINS TO SET A STEEL BEAM IN PLACE ON THE NEW BRIDGE AND WITHOUT THESE CHAINS, IT MAKES IT A TASK THAT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPLETE, ADDING IT WAS FRUSTRATING THAT SOMEONE WOULD CHOOSE TO STEAL FROM THE SITE... ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE EQUIPMENT'S WHEREABOUTS IS ASKED TO CALL THE FULTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN SALEM AT 870-895-2601..

THE ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT DECLINED FRIDAY TO BLOCK A JUDGE'S ORDER PREVENTING THE STATE FROM ENFORCING GOVERNOR SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS EDUCATION OVERHAUL, BUT THEY SAID THEY WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO CONSIDER AN APPEAL OF THE JUDGE'S DECISION..

BOTH AREA STATE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SERVICES OFFICES ARE CLOSING... THE WORKFORCE CENTER OFFICES IN BATESVILLE ARE CLOSING AS PART OF A RESTRUCTURING PLAN THAT STATE OFFICIALS SAY WILL "INCREASE PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY AND REACH MORE ARKANSANS" ACCORDING TO THE AGENCY, THE RESTRUCTURING INCLUDES THE TRANSFER OF THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AS REQUIRED BY LAW FROM THIS YEARS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.. THIS WILL REPORTEDLY RESULT IN THE RELOCATION OF UNDERUTILIZED OFFICES.. WORKFORCE SERVICES WILL BE CONTINUE TO BE OFFERED THRU MOBILE CENTERS CAPABLE OF REACHING ALL RESIDENTS OF THE STATE….. NO TIMETABLE FOR THE CLOSURE WAS ANNOUNCED....

IT WAS BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR THE IZARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN MAY... SHERIFF CHARLY MELTON SAYS IZARD COUNTY DISPATCH RECEIVED 414 CALLS FOR SERVICE.. DEPUTIES COMPLETED 123 ACCIDENT REPORTS AND 22 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORTS. SEVEN NEW FELONY CASES WERE FILED WITH THE IZARD COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERKS OFFICE..DEPUTIES SERVED 51 CIVIL PAPERS, THE JAIL STAFF BOOKED A TOTAL OF 48 INMATES WITH A DAILY AVERAGE OF 42 INMATES HOUSED AT THE IZARD COUNTY DETENTION CENTER.

VIOLA RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING AT NOON TODAY AT CITY HALL.. ACCORDING TO MAYOR JACKIE ESTES, THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING IS TO IDENTIFY THE CITY'S OUTDOOR PARK AND RECREATION NEEDS AND PRIORITIES... THIS ACTION COMES AFTER THE CITY WAS INFORMED IT WAS ELIGIBLE FOR AN ARKANSAS PARKS AND TOURISM FUN PARK GRANT. MAYOR ESTES ADDRESSED THE ALDERMAN ABOUT THE GRANT AT LAST MONTHS COUNCIL MEETING... FOLLOWING THE IDENTIFICATION PROCESS, COUNTY OFFICIALS WILL SELECT THOSE PRIORITIES AND SUBMIT A FUN PARK GRANT APPLICATON TO THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM'S OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANTS PROGRAM.. FOR THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING AT NOON TOMORROW, YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS BY MAIL TO THE CITY OF VIOLA AT POST OFFICE BOX 406, VIOLA, ARKANSAS 72583.

A COMMUNITY MEETING TO HELP DECIDE THE FATE OF THE GEEP FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS HELD SUNDAY… IT WAS DECIDED TO NOT VOTE ON A INTERIM BOARD FOR THE DEPARTMENT WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANIZING THE PUBLIC MEETING... NOMINATIONS WERE TAKEN FOR POTENTIAL BOARD MEMBERS.. ANOTHER MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 9TH.. AT THAT MEETING, THERE WILL BE VOTE TO ELECT SEVEN PEOPLE TO THE BOARD.

THE INDEPENDENCE COUNTY FAIR GOT UNDERWAY IN BATESVILLE LAST NIGHT... MILLER'S SPECTACULAR SHOWS WILL OPEN ON THE CARNIVAL MIDWAY TONITE AT 6.. IT'S ARMBAND NIGHT EVERY NIGHT OF THE FAIR THRU SATURDAY... ARMBANDS ARE $27. … THERE'LL BE PAGEANTS AND CONTESTS.. COUNTRY ENTERTAINER MOE BAND WILL FORM FRIDAY NITE AT 8 AND T. GRAHAM BROWN SATURDAY NIGHT AT 8… A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS IS AVAILABLE ON THE INDEPENDENCE COUNTY FAIR FACEBOOK PAGE.

THE IZARD COUNTY QUORUM COURT MEETS TONITE AT 6 THE COURTHOUSE IN MELBOURNE.

A WEST PLAINS MAN WAS IS IN SERIOUS CONDTION AFTER A CRASH INVOLVING AN OREGON COUNTY DEPUTY FRIDAY… 43 YEAR OLD KYLE SALAMONE WAS BEING PURSUSED ON HIGHWAY 63, FIVE MILES NORTH OF THAYER AROUND 10:45 FRIDAY NIGHT AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 100 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CRASH OCCURED... THE DEPUTY STRUCK THE REAR OF SALAMONE'S CAR, CAUSING HIM TO TRAVEL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OVERTURN... SALAMONE IS A SUSPECT IN A HIT AND RUN CRASH IN FULTON COUNTY…...

FREE FISHING WEEKEND IN ARKANSAS BEGINS AT NOON FRIDAY AND CONTINUES THRU SUNDAY IN ARKANSAS... RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS CAN FISH WITHOUT A LICENSE OR TROUT PERMIT... GAME AND FISH WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ROGER TATE.. THE ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION HAS MADE A PUSH THE LAST FEW YEARS TO GET YOUNGSTER INTERESTED IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS... FREE FISHING WEEKEND IS A GOOD TIME TO LET THEM WET A HOOK, BUT ITS A GOOD TIME FOR ANYONE AT ANY AGE TO ENJOY FISHING IN THE NATRUAL STATE. WHILE RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS CAN FISH WITHOUT A LICENSE, TATE REMINDS YOU THAT REGULAR CATCH AND RELEASE LIMITS, DAILY LIMITS, SLOT LIMITS AND LENGTH LIMITS MUST BE OBSERVED... IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, VISIT AGFC DOT COM.. AGAN, FREE FISHING WEEKEND IN ARKANSAS BEGINS AT NOON FRIDAY, CONTINUES SATURDAY AND SUNDAY...

A FULTON COUNTY WOMAN IS FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES AFTER SHE ATTEMPTED TO STEAL A PATROL VEHICLE WHILE BEING ARRESTED ON A PUBLIC INTOXICATION CHARGE. ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT, THE FULTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RESPONDED TO A CALL OF AN INTOXICATED FEMALE AROUND THE SADDLER FALLS AREA, ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO FIGHT PEOPLE. UPON ARRIVAL, DEPUTIES BEGAN SPEAKING TO THE SUSPECT, IDENTIFIED AS 34-YEAR-OLD DESTINY WARD, WHO APPEARED TO BE HEAVILY INTOXICATED. WHILE AUTHORITIES WERE TRYING TO GET A FRIEND TO PICK WARD UP, SHE BECAME MORE IRATE WITH RESORT MANAGEMENT AND BEGAN YELLING AND CURSING AT THE STAFF AND DEPUTY. WARD WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND PUBLIC INTOXICATION. WHILE IN THE BACK OF THE PATROL CAR, WARD SLIPPED HER HANDS OUT OF THE RESTRAINTS BEHIND HER BACK AND SLID THE SLIDING GLASS PARTITION, WHERE SHE CRAWLED THROUGH AND KICKED THE DEPUTIES PATROL RIFLE FROM ITS MOUNT. THE RIFLE LANDED ON THE CENTER CONSOLE AND ACTIVATED THE PATROL VEHICLE'S SIREN. AFTER UNLOCKING THE DOOR, THE DEPUTY BEGAN GIVING WARD COMMANDS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE SHE WAS REACHING FOR THE GEAR SHIFT, ATTEMPTING TO STEAL AND FLEE IN THE PATROL VEHICLE. WARD WAS REMOVED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND BEGAN PHYSICALLY PULLING AND RESISTING THE DEPUTY. WARD IS FACING FELONY CHARGES OF 3RD DEGREE ESCAPE FROM CUSTODY LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEFT OF VEHICLE, AND MISDEMEANOR CHARGES OF PUBLIC INTOXICATION, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, AND RESISTING ARREST. SHE WAS BOOKED INTO THE FULTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER ON $20,000 BOND.

SEVERAL RESIDENTS AROUND NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS MAY HAVE OBSERVED A SHOOTING STAR FOLLOWED BY A LOUD BOOM TUESDAY NIGHT.. SEVERAL AREA SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REPORT RECIEVING CALLS ABOUT A LOUD BOOM SOUND... ACCORDING TO NASA, THE SPACE X CAPSULE CARRYING FOUR PASSENGERS AFTER A NINE DAY TRIP TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION WAS SEEN STREAKING ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES BEFORE THE CREW PARACHUTED INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO JUST OFF THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE.. THE TEAM HAD BEEN CONDUCTING MEDICAL RESEARCH, SUCH AS HOW LEVE LEVELS OF GRAVITY PRODUCE STEM CELLS AMD WHICH HAVE THE ABILITY TO CREATE VARIOUS OTHER TYPES OF CELLS..

THE FULTON COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION HAS MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH DR. BRIAN LUAARK TO WRITE HEALTH PAPERS AND BLEED HOGS FOR EXHIBITORS WHO WILL SHOWING AT THE FULTON COUNTY FAIR.. DR. LUAARK WILL BE AT THE FAIRGROUNDS IN SALEM FRIDAY MORNING AT 10... FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT CORY TYLER AT THE EXTENSION OFFICE IN SALEM AT 895-3301 OR WAYNE NEAL AT 870-371-3232...

THE MAMMOTH SPRING CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET TONTIE AT 6 AT CITY HALL. THE CAVE CITY SCHOOL BOARD MEETS IN REGULAR MONTHLY SESSION TONITEAT 6 IN THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY.

A RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRIES AND A PERFECT DAY FOR A CAR SHOW MADE THE SPRING RIVER CAR CLUB'S ANNUAL SHOW AT LOBERG PARK IN HARDY SATURDAY A REAL SUCCESS… DURING ONE OF HOMETOWN RADIO'S 'ON LOCATION' REMOTE BROADCAST, WE VISITED WITH SPRING RIVER CAR CLUB VICE PRESIDENT STEVEN LEWIS WHO TOLD US, THE CLUB IS ALWAYS READY TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS… THE SPRING RIVER CAR CLUB'S CAR SHOW IS HELD THE FIRST SATURDAY IN JUNE AT LOBERG PARK IN HARDY.

A HOXIE MAN SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES WHEN HIS MOTORCYCLE CRASH ON HIGHWAY 67 JUST SOUTH OF FREDERICKTOWN, MISSOURI… 45 YEAR OLD MICHEAL BONNER WAS AIR LIFTED TO MERCY HOSPITAL IN ST. LOUIS.. BONNER'S MOTORCYCLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, HE WAS THEN EJECTED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE..

IT'S FAIR TIME.. THE INDEPENDENCE COUNTY FAIR BEGINS TONIGHT IN BATESVILLE.. WEEKLONG ACTIVITIES.. MILLERS SPECTACULAR SHOWS WILL OPEN ON THE MIDWAY TUESDAY NIGHT... ITS ARMBAND NIGHT EVERY NIGHT, ARMBANDS SELL FOR $27... COUNTRY ARTIST MOE BANDY WILL PERFORM FRIDAY NIGHT AND T. GRAHAM BROWN SATURDAY NIGHT.. BOTH SHOWS BEGIN AT 8...

A MIDWAY MAN WAS ARRESTED FOLLOWING A DISTURBANCE AT BAXTER HEALTH SATURDAY NIGHT. THREE FELONY CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST 19-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER RICHARD JORSCH AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY SPIT ON A SECURITY OFFICER AND THREATENED TO KILL MULTIPLE PEOPLE. THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT IN THE CASE INDICATES MOUNTAIN HOME POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE HOSPITAL TO ASSIST WITH A MAN WHO HAD BECOME COMBATIVE WITH HOSPITAL STAFF AND SECURITY OFFICERS. THE SECURITY OFFICERS WERE TOLD BY THE CHARGE NURSE JORSCH NEEDED TO BE PLACED IN A RESTRAINT CHAIR AFTER HE BECAME AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS THE STAFF AND DESTROYED A PLEXIGLASS PANEL AT THE NURSES’ STATION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET JORSCH IN THE CHAIR, HE SPAT IN THE FACE OF ONE OF THE SECURITY STAFF AND STARTED SCREAMING HE WAS GOING TO KILL EVERYONE IN THE HOSPITAL. WHEN MOUNTAIN HOME OFFICERS ARRIVED, THE TOOK JORSCH INTO CUSTODY AND AS THEY WERE APPROACHING THE NURSES STATION, JORSCH AGAIN STARTED SCREAMING, SAYING WHEN HE GOT OUT OF JAIL, HE WAS GOING TO COME BACK AND KILL EVERYONE IN THE HOSPITAL. JORSCH IS CHARGED WITH BATTERY IN THE SECOND DEGREE ON A POLICE OFFICER, TERRORISTIC THREATENING AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF. HIS BOND IS SET AT $10,000.

A WORKING MEETING WILL BE HELD IN HORSESHOE BEND TONITE AT 6 AT CITY HALL THAT INCLUDES THE BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS, MRID AND CITY COUNCIL.  DISCUSSION IS EXPECTED TO CENTER AROUND A SOLUTION TO ENFORCE LAKE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND  TO DISCUSS THE AQUA PARK ON CROWN LAKE... THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO ATTEND.

WEATHERWISE, THE TOTAL RAINFALL FOR MAY WAS AVERAGE, BUT THE MONTH ENDED ON A DRY NOTE...THE HOMETOWN RADIO WEATHER STATIONS IN SALEM AND HIGHLAND HAVE NOT RECORDED MEASURABLE PRECONCEPTION THE PAST THIRTEEN DAYS. THAT’S NOT GOING TO  CHANGE  AS WE GET THE JUNE FORECAST FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTER SHAWN CLARK. THE CONTINUED DRY WEATHER IS BECOMING A CONCERN… THE SALEM WEATHER STATION MEASURED FOUR AND TWENTY ONE HUNDRETHS INCHES OF RAIN  IN MAY WHILE HIGHLAND HAD THREE AND SEVENTY EIGHT HUNDRETHS... THE HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR THE MONTH WAS 87 ON THE 16TH AND THE LOW WAS 45 ON THE MORNING OF MAY 4TH.... HOMETOWN RADIO IS YOUR OFFICIAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RECORDING STATION... HOMETOWN WEATHER INFORMATION IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON DEMAND AT MY HOMETOWN RADIO STATIONS DOT COM, CLICK ON THE WEATHER PAGE…

A MOUNTAIN HOME WAS INJURED IN A ONE VEHICLE CRASH EAST OF HENDERSON EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.… A PICKUP DRIVEN BY 35 YEAR OLD CHESTER SMITHSON WAS EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 62-412 WHEN SMITHSON LOST CONTROL IN A CURVE, VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A TREE... SMITHSON WAS TRANSPORTED TO BAXTER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT…

A GASSVILLE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN IZARD COUNTY AFTER A TRAFFIC STOP NEAR BROCKWELL… 30 YEAR OLD JOSHUA BRYANT IS CHARGED WITH VIOLATION OF A PROTECTION ORDER, FLEEING ON FOOT, RESISTING ARREST, DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND PUBLIC INTOXICATION... BRYANT IS NOW FREE AFTER POSTING BOND.

THE IZARD COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN SELECTED TO RECEIVE A $420,000 ARKANSAS 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS GRANT... THE THREE YEAR ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANT IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS... IZARD COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT FRED WALKER TELLS HOMETOWN NEWS THE LEARNING CENTER GRANT WILL PROVIDE ENRICHMENT DURING NON-SCHOOL HOURS IN THE AREAS OF READING, LITERACY, MATH AND SCIENCE.. SUPERINTENDENT WALKER CREDITS THREE STAFF MEMBERS FOR THEIR WORK TO SECURE THE GRANT. WALKER SAYS THESE GRANTS DON’T COME EASY.. IZARD COUNTY IS THE FIRST RURAL SCHOOL IN THE STATE TO RECEIVE SUCH A GRANT .. STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM WILL BE ABLE TO TRAIN FOR IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT... THE IZARD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS FINALIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH A LOCAL MANUFACTURE TO BEGIN A JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FOR  FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM... THE SCHOOL HAS A GOAL OF EXPANDING THE STEM INITIATIVE.. VISIT THE IZARD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT FACEBOOK PAGE OR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE STEM PROGRAM..

THE MAMMOTH SPRING COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WILL ACCEPT HISTORIC MEMORABILIA, ARTIFACTS OR ANTIQUES FROM THE MAMMOTH SPRING AREA FOR THE NEW MAMMOTH SPRING MUSEUM... TRENA SPEARS IS ENCOURAGING ANYONE WITH MEMORABILIA OR ARTIFACTS TO BRING THEM BY HER OFFICE THURSDAY BETWEEN 10 AND 4.. YOU CAN CALL TRENA AT 870-371-0848 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR BRING THOSE ITEMS BY HER OFFICE AT  236 MAIN STREET IN MAMMOTH SPRING THURSDAY BETWEEN 10 AND 4 OR GIVE HER A CALL AT 870-371-0848…

A MOUNTAIN VIEW MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER AUTHORITIES CONDUCTED A LENGTHY INVESTIGATION LEADING TO THE FINDINGS OF DRUGS, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS... INVESTIGATORS WITH THE 16TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DRUG TASK FORCE AND MOUNTAIN VIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT LAST WEEK STEMMING FROM AN INVESTIGATION INTO 40 YEAR OLD NATHAN C. WOODS.. ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT, WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVED AT WOODS RESIDENCE, THEY REPORTEDLY KNOCKED AND ANNOUNCED THEIR ARRIVAL WHERE THEY RECEIVED NO ENTRY.. AUTHORITIES THEN ENTERED THE RESIDENCE WHERE WOODS CAME OUT OF HIS ROOM AND COMPLIED WITH COMMANDS TO LAY ON THE FLOOR.. A SEARCH OF THE RESIDENCE WAS THEN CONDUCTED WHERE MULTIPLE FIREARMS, FIREARM MAGAZINES, AMMUNITION, LESS THAN TWO GRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE, MULTIPLE USED AND NEW BAGGIES AND A DIGITAL WEIGHING SCALE WERE LOCATED IN WOODS BEDROOM...  AUTHORITIES HAVE NOTED WOODS IN A CONVICTED FELON THEREFORE PROHIBITED FROM OWNING, POSSESSING OR USING A FIREARM… A LARGE QUANTITY OF FIREARMS WERE CONFISCATED IN THE HOME, OUTSIDE THE RESIDENCE, AUTHORITIES LOCATED THREE LIVE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES, COMMONLY REFEREED TO AS AN I-E-D, PLUS OTHER PARAPHERNALIA   ASSOCIATED WITH MAKING AN I-E-D... THE STATE BOMB SQUAD WAS CALLED IN TO SECURE THE I-E-D'S AND PARAPHERNALIA.. WOODS WAS THEN TRANSPORTED TO THE MOUNTAIN VIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE WOODS ADMITTED TO BUYING, SELLING AND TRADING GUNS TO COMPENSATE FOR WORK... WOODS TOLD INVESTIGATORS HE MADE THE I-E-D'S BEFORE HE WENT TO PRISON.. WOODS HAS BEEN RELEASED ON  A $250,000 BOND..

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO ASSESS REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN ARKANSAS TO AVOID A PENALTY... ASSESSOR BECKY HOLDER  REMINDS LAWRENCE COUNTIANS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OPTIONS TO ASSESS… IF YOUR IN LAWRENCE COUNTY AND HAVE A QUESTION, CONTACT THE ASSESSORS OFFICE AT 870-886-1135 OR CONTACT THE ASSESSORS OFFICE AT YOUR HOME COUNTY COURTHOUSE TODAY.... YOU MUST ASSESS TODAY TO AVOID A TEN PERCENT PENALTY..

THE HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AGAIN OFFERING A SUMMER MEAL PROGRAM THAT BEGINS MONDAY AND CONTINUES THRU JUNE 29TH.. A TO-GO LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE HIGHLAND FOOD TRUCK FOR ALL CHILDREN AGE 18 AND UNDER AT NO CHARGE.. THE FOOD TRUCK WILL BE SET UP FROM 11 TIL NOON ON MONDAY'S AT THE MONOGOLIAN GRILL PARKING LOT AT THE STOPLIGHT INTERSECTION IN HARDY.. TUESDAYS AT THE WILLIFORD LIBARY... WEDNESDAYS ON THE CITY HALL PARKING LOT IN CHEROKEE VILLAGE AND ON THURSDAYS AT THE RICHWOOD APARTMENTS AT J AND M ESTES IN ASH FLAT.

IZARD COUNTY JUSTICES APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL $135.000.00 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF HONEYSUCKLE BRIDGE IN WISEMAN DURING THE RECENT MEETING OF THE IZARD COUNTY QUORUM COURT.. THE ADDITIONAL MONEY WAS APPROPRIATED FROM THE ARPA REVENUE REPLACEMENT FUND.. EARLIER THIS YEAR JUSTICES HAD APPROVED $60,000.00 ON A CULVERT AND $19,000.00 ON GRAVEL. JUDGE ERIC SMITH TOLD JUSTICES HE UNDERESTIMATED THE BRIDGE AND THAT HEAVY RAINFALL HAD WASHED OUT GRAVEL AND ROCK AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY.. HE ADDED THE CULVERT WOULD BE REMOVED AND USED ON NEWBURG ROAD ON THE HIGHWAY END BY BANDMILL AND THREE HEADWALLS WILL BE ORDERED FOR THE 50 FOOT BRIDGE, ONE ON EACH END AND ONE IN THE MIDDLE. JUSTICES ALSO APPROVED $15,667 FROM ARPA FUNDS FOR FENCING AT THE IZARD COUNTY ANIMAL RESCUE SITE IN MELBOURNE AND THEN APPROPRIATED $19,800 FROM A ARKANSAS HISTORICAL GRANT FOR THE LADDER INSTALLED ON THE COURTHOUSE FOR ROOF ACCESS.. IN FINAL BUSINESS THE COURT AUTHORIZED JUDGE ERIC SMITH TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH MILLER NEWELL / WILLIAMS WAGE ARCHITECTS FOR THE DAY TREATMENT FACILITY AT THE EASY K RANCH WITH FUNDING TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.

SUE ELLEN DAVIDSON HAS BEEN SELCTED AS OZARKA COLLEGE'S EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER... IN ADDITON, OZARKA CELEBRATED DAVIDSON'S 17 YEARS OF SERVICE DURING HER RECENT RETIREMENT RECEPTION... IN 2006, DAVIDSON BEGAN SERVING AS DIRECTOR FOR THE ADVANCEMENT DEPARTMENT WAS LATER PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT, ADVOCATING FOR OZARKA STUDENTS THRU FUNDRAISING

THE PEARL INDUSTRY ON THE BLACK RIVER WAS THRIVING BACK IN THE LATE 1800'S AND EARLY 1900'S.. FRESHWATER PEARLS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE BLACK RIVER HAVE BEEN LARGE PART OF POWHATAN'S LOCAL HISTORY... PARK INTERPETERS FROM THE POWHATAN HISTORIC STATE PARK ARE PUTTING ON A PEARL STRINING WORKSHOP SATURDAY.. THEY'LL TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE FRESHWATER PEARLING INDUSTRY AND TEACH YOU HOW TO STRING A NECKALE OR MAKE A BRACLET OR EARRINGS.. PARK INTERPETER ZACHARY ELLEDGE.. THE PEARS TO BE USED IN THE WORKSHOP ARE NOT HARVESTED FROM THE BLACK RIVER.. THE REGISTRATION FEE FOR THE PEARL STRINGING WORKSHOP VARIES, $25 TO MAKE A NECKLACE, $15 FOR A BRACELET OR $10 FOR EARRINGS... SPACE IS LIMITED, SIGN UP TODAY BY CALLING THE POWHATAN HISTORIC STATE PARK AT 870-878-6765...

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO ASSESS REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN ARKANSAS TO AVOID A PENALTY... ASSESSOR BECKY HOLDER REMINDS LAWRENCE COUNTIANS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OPTIONS TO ASSESS… IF YOUR IN LAWRENCE COUNTY AND HAVE A QUESTION, CONTACT THE ASSESSORS OFFICE AT 870-886-1135 OR CONTACT THE ASSESSORS OFFICE AT YOUR HOME COUNTY COURTHOUSE TODAY.... YOU MUST ASSESS TODAY TO AVOID A TEN PERCENT PENALTY.

THE SLOAN HENDRIX SCHOOL STAFF WRAPPED UP THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH THEIR ANNUAL STAFF GET -TOGETHER AND AWARDS PRESENTATION. SUE DAIL WAS NAMED THE ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR, VALARIE MATHENY, THE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND DENNIS LESTER WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR..

MANY WHO TAKE OUT FROM RECREATION ACTIVITIES MONDAY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN THE MILITARY AND THOSE WHO PAID THE SUPREME SACRIFICE.… AT THE AMERICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL IN ASH FLAT, SHARP COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS STATED THEIR ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE... STATE REPRESENTATIVE TREY STEIMEL WAS THE GUEST SPEAKER… IN ADDITION TO THE MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE IN ASH FLAT, THERE WERE PROGRAMS HELD IN SALEM, HORSESHOE BEND, MELBOURNE AND WALNUT RIDGE.....

THE 118TH PORTIA PICNIC CONCLUDED SATURDAY… THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PICNIC WAS, AS ALWAYS, THE BABY SHOW THAT WAS HELD SATURDAY... WINNERS INCLUDED, OAKLEY  WRIGHT, THE PRETTIEST  BABY GIRL. ELI HACKWORTH WAS NAMED THE FINEST BABY BOY...

THE NEED FOR BLOOD DONATIONS IS CONSTANT… TWO LOCAL BLOOD DRIVES ARE SCHEDULED THIS WEEK… RED CROSS REGONIAL DIRECTOR JOE ZYDLIO TELLS US THE NEED FOR BLOOD NEVER GOES AWAY… A BLOOD DRIVE WILL BE HELD THIS AFTERNOON 1 UNTIL 5 AT THE HARDY CIVIC CENTER ON WEST MAIN STREET… ELIGIBLE DONORS WILL BE GIVEN A BEACH TOWELL FOR THEIR DONATION.... A BLOOD DRIVE WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY  FROM 10 UNTIL 2 AT THE IZARD COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER IN CALICO ROCK... TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PHONE THE RED CROSS AT 800-793-2767... THATS 800-793-2767..

A BATESVILLE MAN  MISSING SINCE SUNDAY IN A SLOUGH IN SOUTHERN SHARP COUNTY WAS FOUND SAFE MONDAY.. DANIEL KELLER CAME UP MISSING SUNDAY AFTERNOON.. HE AND SOME FREINDS HAD PUT INNTER TUBES INTO A BAYOU IN SHARP COUNTY.. FREINDS SAID DURING THE TRIP, KELLER SAID HE WAS FEELING BAD AND WAS GOING TO STOP, BUT WOULD EVENTALLY CATCH UP WITH THE GROUP.  HE WAS NOT SEEN AGAIN.. AFTER A SEARCH, THE FREINDS CALLED INDEPENDENCE COUNTY AUTHORITIES WHO BEGAN A SEARCH..  DEPUTIES WENT TO KELLER'S HOME, WHERE HIS MOTHER TOLD THEM HE HAD BEEN MISSING BEFORE, NOTING THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT BEFORE THE LEFT HOME SUNDAY... 

VOTERS IN BATESVILLE WILL BE GOING TO THE POLLS IN AUGUST... THE CITY COUNCIL HAS CALLED FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION REGARDING THE CITIES WATER SYSTEM. THE CITY NEEDS A NEW WATER PLANT, THE CURRENT FACILITY WILL BE SOON BE UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND.. BATESVILLE RESIDENTS WILL BE ASKED TO EXTEND THE CITY'S CURRENT SALES TAX TO FUND THE UPGRADE... IF THE VOTE FAILS, WATER BILLS WILL BE INCREASED..

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THE ARKANSAS ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP IS JULY FIRST... THE SCHOLARSHIPS, FUNDED BY THE ARKANSAS SCHOLARSHIP LOTTERY PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE ATTENDING UNIVERSITIES, TWO YEAR COLLEGES, BOTH  PUBLIC AND PRIVATE IN THE STATE.. THE LOTTERY  IS ON TRACK TO REACH A RECORD AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP PROCEEDS RAISED. FOR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SAMS.ADHE.EDU....

FULTON COUNTY JUDGE KEN CROW TELLS HOMETOWN NEWS SEVERAL PROJECTS REGARDING THE OCUNTY’S INFRASTRUCTURE ARE UNDERWAY, OTHERS ARE ON THE DRAWING BOARD. CROW EXPECTES THE REOOFING PROJECT AT THE COURTHOUSE IN SALEM TO BE COMPLETE BY MID JUNE. THE COUNTY JUST CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF THE NEW COURTROOM ANNEX BUILDING ON HIGHWAY 9 NORTH, ADJACENT TO THE FULTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER.

THE DEADLINE FOR ASSESSING REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN ARKANSAS IS TOMORROW. WEDNESDAY IS THE DEADLINE YOU MUST ASSESS PROPERTY BY THE DEADLINE TO AVOID PAYING A 10 PERCENT PENALTY. YOU SHOULD HAVE RECIEVD AN ASSESSMENT FORM IN THE MAIL. YOU CAN COMPLTE AND RETURN BY MAIL AS LONG AS IT’S POSTMARKED PRIOR TO WEDNESDAY OR BRING IT TO THE ASSESSORS OFFICE AT YOUR HOME COUNTY COURTHOUSE BY CLOSE OF BUISENESS TOMORROW.

THE OZARK ACRES SUBURBAN IMPROVEMENT DISRICT SPECAIL MEETING WILL BE TODAY AT 1 AT THE OZARK ACRES CLUBHOUSE AT 220 S. SUMMIT RIDGE DRIVE.

THE PILGRAMAGE CRHSITAIN CENTER, CEDAR SPRINGS CAMP NEAR RAVENDEN SPRINGS IS OFFERING A FREE DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 12 EVERY MONDAY, BEGINNING NEXT MONDAY, JUNE 5TH AND CONTINUING THRU JULY 10TH.. CAMP MONDAY ACTIVITES INCLUDE: FISHING, CRAFTS, SHORT BIBLE LESSONS, BOATING, MINI-GOLF, TRAIL HIKING, WATERSLIDES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS. MOST ACTIVITIES WILL BE OUTSIDE, BUT SOME WILL BE IN AN AIR CONDTIONED BUILDING... AREA CHURCES ARE WELCOME TO BRING CHILDREN, BUT PARENTS MUST REGISTER THEIR KIDS BY CALLING 870-869-1070 OR COME BY CEDAR SPRINGS CAMP AT 1002 LOWER GUNTHARP ROAD, ONE MILES NORTH OF HIGHWAY 90, NEAR RAVENDEN SPRINGS... PRE -REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT PILGRAMAGECC.ORG/EVENTS.

BAXTER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES HAVE ARRESTED 29 YEAR OLD BRAYDAN ANTHONY SISK OF RURAL MOUNTAIN HOME AFTER RESPONDING TO A CALL EARLY THURSDAY MORNING OF A HOME INTRUDER BEING HELD AT GUNPOINT BY THE HOMEOWNER. THE CALL WAS RECEIVED AT APPROXIMATELY 12:34 AM FROM A RESIDENCE IN THE 5000 BLOCK OF STATE HIGHWAY 5 SOUTH. WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED, THEY FOUND THE INTRUDER TO BE BRAYDAN SISK, A PERSON WELL KNOWN TO AUTHORITIES. THE HOMEOWNER STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN AWAKENED BY HIS DOGS BARKING OUTSIDE. WHEN HE GOT UP AND TURNED THE LIGHTS ON HE SAW THE INTRUDER STANDING INSIDE THE HOUSE. THE HOMEOWNER WAS ARMED AND HELD THE INTRUDER AT GUN POINT, ASKING HIM WHAT HE WAS DOING INSIDE THE HOUSE. WHILE WAITING FOR DEPUTIES TO ARRIVE, SISK ADMITTED TO THE HOME OWNER THAT HE HAD ALSO ENTERED INTO A CAMPER THAT WAS ON THE PROPERTY. DEPUTIES ARRIVED AND TOOK BRAYDAN SISK INTO CUSTODY AND TRANSPORTED HIM TO THE BAXTER COUNTY DETENTION CENTER. HE WAS BOOKED ON CHARGES OF: FELONY RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL TRESPASS PENALTY ENHANCEMENT AS A HABITUAL OFFENDER AND PAROLE VIOLATION POLICE RECORDS INDICATE THAT BRAYDAN SISK IS CURRENTLY ON PAROLE AND HAS AT LEAST FIVE PRIOR CONVICTIONS FOR FELONY CRIMES. SISK WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE CIRCUIT COURT TO ANSWER THE CURRENT CHARGES ON JUNE 12TH.

TWO WOMEN WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A TWO VEHICLE CRASH FRIDAY NIGHT IN SOUTHERN BAXTER COUNTY... 44 YEAR OLD KRISTY WHITE OF MOUNTIAN VIEW WAS TAKEN BY AIR AMBULANCE TO COX MEDICAL SOUTH IN SPRINGFIELD AND 36 YEAR OLD WHITNEY DOCKINS OF CALICO ROCK WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO BAXTER HEALTH IN MOUNTAIN HOME... BAXTER COUNTY AUTHORITIES REPORT DOCKINS WAS TRAVELING ON BAXTER COUNTY ROAD 73 WITH A 10 YEAR OLD CHILD AND AN INFANT WHEN A CAR DRIVEN BY WHITE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE, COLIDING WITH DOCKINS VEHICLE… BOTH OF THE CHILDREN AVOIDED INJURY.. A THAYER MAN WAS INJURED IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH FRIDAY MORNING IN KOSHKONONG... 76 YEAR OLD RICHARD COPPICK OF THAYER WAS INJURED WHEN HIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD-ON BY A CAR DRIVEN BY 60 YEAR OLD MARK HEALY OF MILLINGTON, TENNESSEE.. UPON IMPACT, THE VEHICLES STRUCK A VEHICLE PARKED IN A BUSINESS PARKING LOT ON HIGHWAY 63 IN KOSHKONONG.. COPPOCK WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE ACCIDENT SCENE TO OZARKS HEALTHCARE IN WEST PLAINS.

THE 35TH ANNUAL BIG BASS TOURNAMENT IS SUNDAY. ANGLERS CAN LAUNCH FROM ANY LOCATION ON BULL SHOALS LAKE, HOURLY WEIGH-INS WILL BE HELD AT OAKLAND MARINA... CASH PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN AWAY.. THE TOURNAMENT IS SPONSORED BY THE LAKE NORFORK BASS CLUB AND DISCOUNT AUTO AND WILL BEGIN AT 7 SUNDAY MORNING, CONTINUING UNTIL 4 SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THE OVERALL BIG BASS WINNER WILL RECIEVE A GRAND PRIZE OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS.. THE ENTRY FEE IS $40 PER ANGLER AND THERE IS AN OPTIONAL SMALLMOUTH POT FOR AN ADDITIONAL $5... CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO "LAKE NORFORK BASS CLUB". REGISTRATON FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT BOAT DOCKS ON NORFORK AND BULL SHOALS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PHONE 870-656-5721.

FRIENDS OF HARDY LIBRARY INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM THAT WILL BENEFIT "FOR EVERY DOG RESCUE".. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES THREE READING LEVELS: ADULT PLUS INFANT TODDLER; KIDS AGE 5 TO 7 AND PRE TEEN AGES 8 - 12.. THE PROGRAM "READ TO A FRIEND" CONTINUES THROUGH JULY 28 AT THE HARDY LIBRARY... SIMPLY LOG THE NUMBER OF BOOKS YOU READ TO A FRIEND AND FOR EVERY TEN BOOKS LOGGED A DONATION OF A LARGE CAN OF DOG FOOD WILL BE DONATED AND FOR EVERY 100 BOOKS LOGGED A 10 ½ POUND BAG OF DOG FOOD WILL BE GIVEN.. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE HARDY LIBRARY OR CALL 856-3934..

FIRST COMMUNITY BANK RECENTLY HOSTED THE 20TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITING THE ARKANSAS SHERIFF'S YOUTH RANCHES IN BATESVILLE... THIS YEARS TOURNAMENT PROCEEDS WERE $35,000... FIRST COMMUNITY BANK HAS RAISED MORE THAN $415, 747 FOR THE YOUTH RANCH THRU THE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENTS.

THE 4TH ANNUAL KEVIN KING MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT IS SATURDAY AT THE SOUTH GOLF COURSE IN CHEROKEE VILLAGE. .. THE TOURNAMENT BENEFITS THE KEVIN KING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND.. THE ENTRY DEADLINE FOR THE TOURNAMENT HAS PASSED, DONNA CRUISE WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE TOURNAMENT HAS INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DONATIN FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND. DONATINS MAY BE MAILED TO THE KEVIN KING MEMORIAL, POST OFFICE BOX 276, ASH FLAT, ARKANSAS 72513 OR PHONE DONNA CRUSE AT 810 -841-0323 THIS YEARS KEVIN KING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS INCLUDE: MATTHEW HARPER AND DANI JORDON OF HIGHLAND FOR SHARP COUNTY, FROM JACKSON COUNTY, HANNAH NICHOLSON OF TUCKERMAN AND MARY WINEMILLER OF NEWPORT. .. FROM LAWRENCE COUNTY, CHOLE PRATER OF HOXIE AND LILY LEWIS OF WALNUT RIDGE AND McKENZI MUSTREAD OF MAYNARD WAS THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIEPENT FROM RANDOLPH COUNTY.

THE CITY OF WALNUT RIDGE IS AGAIN HOSTING A YOUTH FISHING DERBY SATURDAY AT STEWART PARK… PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THE KIDS OUT SOME FISHING AND FUN... REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 8 WITH THE FINAL WEIGH-IN AT 11... THERE ARE FOUR AGE DIVISIONS, AGES 3 TO 6, 7 TO 9, 10 TO 13 AND 13 TO 15.. THERE IS A 3 FISH LIMIT... FIRST PLACE TROPHIES FOR EACH AGE GROUP.. SECOND AND THIRD PLACE PRIZES IN EACH AGE GROUP.. THERE WILL BE TROPHIES GIVEN FOR THE LARGEST FISH AND SMALLEST FISH CAUGHT, SPONSORED BY GREENWAY EQUIPMENT IN WALNUT RIDGE.

34 YEAR OLD WILLIAM MARSHALL LOWREY OF MOUNTAIN HOME HAS BEEN ARRESTED BY BAXTER COUNTY AUTHORITIES AND CHARGED WITH DISTRIBUTION AND POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, VIDEO VOYEURISM AND SECOND DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT... LOWRY IS BEING HELD IN THE BAXTER COUNTY DETENTION CENTER ON A $100,000 BOND...

OZARKS HEALTHCARE HAS BEEN AWARDED A GRANT FOR THREE MILLION DOLLARS TO BE USED FOR THE RENOVATION OF PROCEDURAL AREAS AT THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM'S MAIN CAMPUS IN WEST PLAINS AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FAMILY MEDICINE CLINIC IN MOUNTAIN VIEW, MISSOURI... THE VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND ADVOCACY AT OZARKS HEALTHCARE, JOSH REEVES SAYS THE RENOVATIONS AND AND CONSTRUCTION THAT WILL TAKE PLACE WILL HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON HEALTHCARE IN SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOURI...

MARK CASE WITH THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS­ MOUNTAIN HOME OFFICE HAS SOME REMINDERS FOR THOSE OF YOU HEADED FOR THE LAKE THIS WEEKEND.. IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST VENTURE  ON YOUR BOAT THIS SEASON, CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY ACCESSORIES NOW, DON'T WAIT TIL YOU GET IN THE WATER…

LAST WEEK, 80 VETERANS WITH ACCOMPANYING GUARDIANS, SEVEN WHICH INCLUDED VETERANS FROM ARKANSAS, PARTICIPATED IN THE FIRST HONOR FLIGHT OF THE OZARKS OF 2023. ARKANSANS WHO PARTICIPATED WERE FROM WILLIFORD, PEA RIDGE, ALPENA, CHEROKEE VILLAGE, BELLA VISTA AND HARRISON. THIS ONE-DAY TRIP INCLUDED VISITS TO THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL, KOREAN MEMORIAL, VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL, IWO JIMA MEMORIAL AND THE AIR FORCE MEMORIAL WALL. SEVERAL VETERANS LOCATED NAMES OF FRIENDS OR RELATIVES ON THE WALL WHO WERE KILLED DURING THE WARS AND MADE RUBBINGS OF THE NAMES TO BRING HOME. THE GROUP THEN VISITED THE ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY WHERE THE VETERANS HAD A FRONT ROW EXPERIENCE TO SEE THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, ALONG WITH TWO WREATH LAYING CEREMONIES AT THE TOMB. THE HONOR FLIGHT OF THE OZARKS IN A ONE-DAY TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AND IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFYING VETERANS OF WWII, KOREAN CONFLICT, VIETNAM ERA, AND DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM TO VISIT THE WWII, KOREAN CONFLICT, NAVY, AIR FORCE, VIETNAM AND IWO JIMA MEMORIALS, AND ARLINGTON CEMETERY. FLIGHT PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO ALL TERMINALLY ILL VETERANS OF ANY WAR ERA, FOLLOWED BY WWII, KOREAN, VIETNAM, AND DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM VETERANS. A GUARDIAN IS REQUIRED TO ACCOMPANY EACH VETERAN ON EVERY FLIGHT WHERE THEY PROVIDE ASSISTANCE NEEDED BY EACH VETERAN TO ENSURE A SAFE AND REWARDING EXPERIENCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT HONORFLIGHTOFTHEOZARKS.ORG.

HIGHLAND MAYOR KYLE CRAWFORD HAS A REPORT ON THIS MONTHS MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL… MAYOR CRAWFORD AND CITY RECORDER WILES WILL BE IN LITTLE ROCK FOR THE STATE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE  SUMMER  CONFERENCE…

THE MUCH ANTICIPATED MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IS HERE.… MANY OF YOU ARE HEADED FOR YOUR FAVORITE WATERWAY… THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS FORECASTING  OUR LAKES TO BE OVERLY BUSY..... THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS SAFETY SPECIALIST LAURIE DRIVER REMINDS YOU TO USE GOOD JUDGMENT IN YOUR BOAT... ITS THE FIRST STEP TO AVOID A TRAGEDY… IF YOU’RE DRIVING OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, A REMINDER THAT THE ''CLICK IT OR TICKET' CAMPAIGN IS BEING ENFORCED BY THE BOTH THE ARKANSAS STATE POLICE AND MISSOURI HIGHWAY PATROL. THIS NATIONAL SEAT BELT CAMPAIGN AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND INCREASE SEAT BELT USAGE DURING THE MEMORIAL HOLIDAY WEEKEND... THE CAMPAIGN IS EXTENDED THRU JUNE 4TH..

THE SPRING RIVER FARMERS MARKET WILL OPEN FOR THE SEASON SATURDAY AT THE OLD VILLAGE SERVICE CENTER ACROSS FROM THE TOWN CENTER IN CHEROKEE VILLAGE. THE FARMERS MARKET WILL OPEN SATURDAY FROM 9 UNTIL 11:30 ACROSS FROM TOWN CENTER IN CHEROKEE VILLAGE.

THE 118TH PORTIA PICNIC IS UNDERWAY AT THE PICNIC GROVE IN PORTIA… THE OLD FASHIONED BABY SHOW BEGINS AT NOON SATURDAY. THE CARNIVAL WILL OPEN ON THE MIDWAY TONIGHT AND SATURDAY. PLENTY OF CONCESSIONS, GAMES, CONTEST. HOMETOWN RADIO WILL PROVIDE ON LOCATION REMOVE BROADCAST COVERAGE TONIGHT.

THE CITY OF SWIFTON IS CELEBRATING ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEKEND... SONNY CAMPBELL AND VICKIE McGEE WILL ENTERTAIN TONTIE AT 6.. VENDORS AND FOOD TRUCKS WILL BE SET UP FROM 6 TIL 8… ON SATURDAY, THERE'S A PARADE AT 11, BRENDA WILSON AND FRIENDS PERFORMING AT 1:45, A BAKING CONTEST AT 2, VETERANS RECOGNITION AT 2:30 FOLLOWED BY A MEMORIAL CEREMONY AT 2:45, A BB SHOOT AT 3, A PET SHOW AT 4, THE KENNY CRIDER BAND AT 5 AND THE DIXON STREET BAND AT 7.. THERE'LL BE OTHER ACTIVITIES ALL DAY INCLUDING HORSE AND BUGGY RIDES, A KIDS TENT, BOUNCE HOUSES, THE BAT MOBILE, MEDICAL HELICOPTERS AND MEMORBILIA DISPLAYS..

THE 74TH ANNUAL FULTON COUNTY HOMECOMING FESTIVAL WEEKEND IS HERE... THE CITY OF SALEM IS READY TO WELCOME THE ONSLAUGHT OF FORMER RESIDENTS AND VISITORS AS WE HEAR FROM MAYOR DANIEL BUSCH.… HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES BEGIN WITH THE TRADITIONAL FISH FRY AT THE SALEM SENIOR CENTER ON CHURCH STREET AT 4:30… FULTON COUNTY SENIORS DIERCTOR JODI SPARKS … GET BY THE SENIOR CENTER TODAY AND PURCHASE A CHANCE TO WIN THE BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE, ACCESSORIES, CLEANING SUPPLIES AND A $100 GIFT CARD FOR LOCALLY GROWN BEEF FROM YORK CATTLE COMPANY.. THOSE TICKETS ARE JUST TEN DOLLARS EACH, PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE FULTON COUNTY MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM.... THERE'S MORE GOING ON TONITE IN SALEM... THERE'S A CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT ON THE SQUARE AT 6:30, THE FNBC STREET DANCE AT 7 FEATURING DEADWOOD GROOVE.... SATURDAY:S SCHEDULE INCLUDES THE REGISTRATION FOR THE BANK OF SALEM MARK THOMAS APPLE PIE 5K AT 7, THE RACE AT 8, THE BILL HILL MEMORIAL CAR SHOW AT 9 AT HILLS AUTO SALES, THE ELITE HEALTH SQUIRT RACE AT 10, THE TRI COUNTY MEDICAL SUPPLY TERRAPIN DOWNS AT 11, THE FIRST CHOICE HORSESHOE PITCHING TOURNAMENT AT 11, THE STOP THE CYCLE COSTUME CONTEST AT NOON, THE NO PLACE LIKE HOME KIDDIE PARADE AT 1 FOLLOWED BY THE MONTE McCOLLOUGH MEMORIAL PARADE AT 1.. THE BARKER FUNERAL HOME PIE EATING CONTEST AT 2:00, SALEM VFW BINGO AT 4:00; THE TRI COUNTY MEDICAL SUPPLY GOSPEL CONCERT WITH DOXOLOGY AT 6:00 AND THE SOUTHFORK RIVER THERAPY MOVIE ON THE LAWN AT 8:00..

THE FULTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN SALEM WILL BE CLOSING AT NOON TODAY AND REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH MEMORIAL DAY ON MONDAY... COURTHOUSES IN SHARP, IZARD AND LAWRENCE WILL BE OPEN FOR NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS TODAY BUT WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY...

THE 118TH PORTIA PICNIC OPENS TONIGHT AND CONTINUES THRU SATURDAY AT THE PICNIC GROVE IN PORTIA.… DISCOUNT ARMBANDS FOR THE CARNIVAL WILL BE SOLD AT PORTIA CITY HALL UNTIL FIVE OCLOCK TODAY..... YOUR LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE THEM FOR A DISCOUNT ACCORDING TO LACEY ROBINETT OF THE FRIENDS OF THE PORTIA PARK COMMITTEE.. FRIENDS OF THE PORTIA PARK ARE GIVING AWAY A SET OF ARMBANDS TODAY AND FRIDAY... VISIT PORTIA PICNIC ON FACEBOOK FOR THE DETAILS.... THE PORTIA PICNIC BABY SHOW IS SATURDAY AT 1  IN FRONT OF THE OLD SCHOOL BUILDING. REGISTRATION STARTS AT NOON AND CLOSES AT 12:45.. THIS IS NOT A FORMAL WEAR EVENT... HOMETOWN RADIO WILL PROVIDE "ON LOCATION' COVERAGE FROM THE PORTIA PICNIC ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

THE CITY OF IMBODEN IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR... THIS POSITION IS APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR AND THEN CONFIRMED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.  THE POSITION INCLUDES OPERATING AND MAINTAINING THE IMBODEN WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING LINES, METERS, FIRE HYDRANTS, VALVES,  LIFT PUMPS, MANHOLES, FORCE AND GRAVITY  FLOW WASTEWATER PIPES AND THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT... APPLICATIONS CAN BE PICKED UP FROM NICK BAGWELL AT CITY HALL AND CAN BE MAILED TO THE CITY OF IMBODEN, POST OFFICE BOX 7, IMBODEN, ARKANSAS 72434.

OREGON COUNTY, MISSOURI DEPUTIES HAVE ARRESTED JOSHUA GOLDEN OF VIOLA ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES… GOLDEN IS CHARGED WITH FAILURE TO APPEAR, REGARDING A WARRANT FOR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, SYNTHETIC CANNABINOID, A CLASS D FELONY, DRIVING ON A REVOKED OR SUSPENDED LICENSE, OPERATING A VEHICLE WITHOUT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, AND FAILURE TO WEAR A SAFETY BELT... GOLDEN IS NOW FREE AFTER POSTING BOND.

ALL ATTENTION MAY BE ON THE HOMECOMING CELEBRATION IN FULTON COUNTY THIS WEEKEND, SEVERAL PROJECTS REGARDING THE COUNTY'S INFRASTRUCTURE ARE UNDERWAY AND ON THE DRAWING BOARD... THIS IS COUNTY JUDGE KEN CROW… JUDGE CROWS EXPECTS THE ROOFING PROJECT AT THE  COURTHOUSE IN SALEM WILL BE COMPLETED BY MID-JUNE...

THE  CLICK IT OR TICKET PROGRAM IS BACK... ARKANSAS STATE POLICE AND MISSOURI HIGHWAY PATROL ARE BOTH STEPPING PATROLS FOR THE LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND..

THE SALEM CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET TONITE AT 6 AT CITY HALL FOR THEIR REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING.

52 YEAR OLD NICHOLAS FLORILLO OF CALICO ROCK HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY IZARD COUNTY AUTHORITIES FOR DOMESTIC BATTERY, THIRD DEGREE. FLORILLO'S ARREST  FOLLOWS AN INCIDENT AT A HOME IN CALICO ROCK... HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD IN THE IZARD COUNTY DETENTION CENTER....

WATERWAYS AROUND THE OZARKS WILL BE A BUSY PLACE THIS WEEKEND.... CORPS OF ENGINEERS SAFETY SPECIALIST LAURIE DRIVER REMINDS YOU TO GET PREPARED AT HOME  NOW, DON'T WAIT TIL YOU GET TO YOUR DESTINATION… DEVELOP A CHECK LIST AND MARK IT OFF BEFORE HEADING OUT FOR THE WEEKEND... CORPS OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTING ALL OF THE AREA WATERWAYS TO BE VERY BUSY  THROUGHT LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

A NEW SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER WILL SOON BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN BATESVILLE... INDEPENDENCE COUNTY IS FINALIZING A DEAL WITH A CONTRACTOR.. COUNTY JUDGE KEVIN JEFFERY SAYS THE COUNTY IS RENTING ITS CURRENT BUILDING AND NEEDS MORE SPACE... THE NEW CENTER WILL BE LARGER AND PROVIDE OTHER OPTIONS… AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS WILL BE USED TO FUND THE THREE MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT…

THE CHEROKEE VILLAGE A&P WILL MEET TODAY AT 3 AT CITY HALL IN CHEROKEE VILLAGE. THE MEETING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

JUST DAYS AFTER THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHUT DOWN THE OAKLAND SWIM BEACH ON BULL SHOALS LAKE DUE TO E-COLI CONCERNS, THE AREA HAS BEEN DEEMED SAFE FOR SWIMMERS... THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WERE FORCED TO CLOSE THE BEACH LAST FRIDAY… THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THE OAKLAND RECREATION AREA SAFE FOR SWIMMING.

THE 74TH ANNUAL FULTON COUNTY HOMECOMING FESTIVAL WILL BEGIN THE SALEM SENIOR CENTER FISH FRY AT 4:30… IN ADDITION TO THE FISH FRY, THE SALEM SENIOR CENTER IS GIVING AWAY A BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE, ALL OF THE ACCESSORIES PLUS $100 WORTH OF LOCAL, FARM RAISED BEEF... HERE'S FULTON COUNTY SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR JODI SPARKS WITH MORE DETAILS. GET BY THE SENIORS CENTER ON CHURCH STREET AND PURCHASE THOSE TICKETS FOR $10 EACH.. PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE MEALS ON WHEEL PROGRAM IN FULTON COUNTY..... THE FISH FRY BEGINS AT 4:30 AND IS THE OFFICIAL START OF THE HOMECOMING WEEKEND. FOLLOWING THE FISH FRY FRIDAY NIGHT, THERE'S A CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT ON THE SQUARE AT 6:30 AND THE FNBC STREET DANCE ON THE SQUARE BEGINS AT 7, DEADWOOD GROOVE WILL BE ENTERTAINING... EVERYBODY’S ENCOURAGED TO BRING YOUR FOLDING CHAIRS AND ENJOY... ACTIVITIES  SATURDAY BEGIN EARLY AND CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING... FOR AN EVENT SCHEDULE, VISIT THE SALEM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON FACEBOOK AND JOIN HOMETOWN RADIO AS WE BROADCAST FROM THE 74TH ANNUAL FULTON COUNTY HOMECOMING FESTIVAL SATURDAY.…

THE LAWRENCE COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE HAS PUT TOGETHER A SMALL RUMINANT PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR THURSDAY FROM 1 UNTIL 4 AT THE BLACK ROCK COMMUNITY CENTER... COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT BRYCLE BALDRIDGE IS ANSWERING MANY REQUESTS FROM LAWRENCE COUNTY FARMERS WHO HAVE SHOWN AN INTEREST IN ESTABLISHING A  SHEEP AND GOAT OPERATION.. STATE EXTENSION PROFESSOR SMALL RUMINANT SPECIALIST, DR. DAN WUADROS WILL CONDUCT THE PROGRAM. THE SHEEP AND GOAT MARKET IS GOOD AND PROVIDES A HOST OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE LOOKING TO GET INTO THIS ASPECT OF FARMING OR FOR EXISTING STOCK PRODUCERS TO EXPAND THE POTENTIAL OF THEIR PRESENT OPERATION… THE SMALL RUMINANT WORKSHOP IS FREE.. ITS THURSDAY 1 UNTIL 4 AT THE BLACK ROCK COMMUNITY CENTER... REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.. THOSE PLANNING ON ATTENDING ARE ENCOURAGED TO CALL THE EXTENSION OFFICE IN WALNUT RIDGE AT 870-886-3741..

THE DEADLINE FOR ASSESSING REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN ARKANSAS IS COMING NEXT WEEK... MAY 31ST IS THE ABSOLUTE DEADLINE.. YOU MUST ASSESS YOUR PROPERTY BY THIS DEADLINE TO AVOID PAYING A TEN PERCENT PENALTY… YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED AN ASSESSMENT FORM IN THE MAIL... YOU CAN COMPLETE AND RETURN IT BY MAIL, AS LONG AS ITS POSTMARKED PRIOR TO MAY 31ST OR BRING IT TO THE ASSESSORS OFFICE AT YOUR HOME COUNTY COURTHOUSE BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MAY 31ST.

THE POWHATAN HISTORIC STATE PARK IS HOSTING A TRIAL BY JURY SATURDAY NIGHT AT 6.. PARK INTERPRETER ZACHARY ELLEDGE SAYS YOU CAN PUT YOURSELF IN PLACE WHERE LAWRENCE COUNTY HISTORY TOOK PLACE… IF YOU'D LIKE TO PARTICIPATE, NO ACTING EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED. YOU COULD BECOME THE JUDGE, PART OF THE JURY, A LAWYER OR MAYBE EVEN THE ACCUSED AS A COURT CASE FROM POWHATAN HISTORY WILL BE ACTED OUT.. PARTICIPANTS IN THE PRODUCTION WILL NEED TO BE READY TO DIVE IN. FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, SPACE IS LIMITED, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.. THE FEE IS $25... CONTACT THE POWHATAN HISTORIC STATE PARK OFFICE BY CALLING 870-878-6765…

A MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER HE BROKE INTO A WOMAN’S RESIDENCE ARMED WITH A HAMMER. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED IN THE INCIDENT THAT LED TO THE ARREST OF 34-YEAR-OLD TERRY LEMMOND OF MOUNTAIN VIEW. THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT SAYS THE VICTIM TOLD POLICE LEMMOND BROKE INTO HER RESIDENCE THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR ARMED WITH A HAMMER. SHE SAYS LEMMOND WAS YELLING AND SCREAMING AT HER AND ASKED HER IF SHE NEEDED THE HAMMER TO PROTECT HERSELF FROM HIM. THE VICTIM SAYS LEMMOND THEN TOOK HER PHONE AND SMASHED IT WITH THE HAMMER. THE VICTIM WAS ABLE TO LOCK HERSELF IN A BATHROOM UNTIL LEMMOND LEFT THE RESIDENCE. ONCE HE DID, THE VICTIM RAN OUTSIDE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE WHEN LEMMOND BEGAN THROWING ROCKS AT HER VEHICLE, BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD. SHE SAYS LEMMOND WAS THREATENING TO KILL HER, AND OTHERS, AS SHE FLED THE AREA. POLICE LOCATED LEMMOND A SHORT TIME LATER AND HE ADMITTED TO THE CRIMES. LEMMOND IS FACING FELONY CHARGES OF BREAKING OR ENTERING AND TERRORISTIC THREATENING AND MISDEMEANOR CHARGES OF CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. HIS BOND IS SET AT $10,000.

 A MINOR EARTHQUAKE WAS RECORDED AROUND 11:25 SUNDAY NIGHT IN LAWRENCE COUNTY.. THE QUAKE WAS CENTERED TWO POINT FOUR MILES NORTHWEST OF BLACK ROCK… THE EARTHQUAKE HAD A DEPTH OF NINE KILOMETERS.. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE REPORTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE QUAKE…

51 YEAR OLD HOLLY POTTER OF CALICO ROCK HAS BEEN ARRESTED BY IZARD COUNTY AUTHORITIES AND IS  PENDING FORMAL DRUG CHARGES OUT THE IZARD COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.. SHERIFF CHARLEY MELTON SAYS AT THE TIME OF POTTER'S ARREST, SHE WAS OUT ON BOND OUT OF  THE IZARD COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES… THAT BOND HAS BEEN REVOKED.

THE IZARD COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL BOARD MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON MAY 17TH IN THE HIGH SCHOOL BOARD ROOM. SUPERINTENDENT FRED WALKER TOLD THE BOARD THAT HE HAD BEEN NOTIFIED RECENTLY THAT THE ICC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS THE FIRST RURAL SCHOOL TO BE DESIGNATED AS AN ARKANSAS STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATH) MODEL SCHOOL BY THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. WALKER NOTED THAT PRESENTLY THE ONLY ELEMENTARY ARKANSAS STEM MODEL SCHOOLS IN THE STATE ARE ICC, NETTLETON STEAM, AND FOREST HEIGHTS STEM ACADEMY. WALKER SAID HE WAS ALSO NOTIFIED THAT THE ICC PRESCHOOL IS ONE OF ONLY TWO PRESCHOOLS IN THE STATE WHO HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS A ARKANSAS STEM MODEL PRESCHOOL THIS YEAR AND THAT ICC IS THE FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE TO HAVE A PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FOURTH GRADE ARKANSAS STEM MODEL DESIGNATION. WALKER SAID, “WE ARE WORKING HARD TO BE THE FIRST PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE ARKANSAS STEM MODEL SCHOOL DISTRICT BY THE END OF THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR. A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR TEACHERS, STAFF, AND KIDS FOR WORKING SO DILIGENTLY TO ACHIEVE THESE PRESTIGIOUS DESIGNATIONS. THANK YOU TO FORMER NORTHCENTRAL CO-OP STEM SPECIALIST MONICA MOBLEY AND OTHER CO-OP STAFF FOR THEIR HELP WITH OUR STEM PROGRAM. THANKS TO ICC STEM COORDINATOR COURTNEY SELPH, ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL EVE HATMAN, ASST. PRINCIPAL SARAH BURNS AND PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR SAMANTHA JOHNSON FOR THEIR WORK WITH THIS PROGRAM.” WALKER ANNOUNCED THAT THE DISTRICT HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE ARKANSAS BETTER CHANCE PROGRAM FOR FUNDING OF 10 ADDITIONAL STUDENTS IN THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM. THIS INCREASES THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN THE PRESCHOOL TO 50 FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR AND INCREASES THE DISTRICT’S ANNUAL ABC FUNDING AMOUNT BY $50,700 TO A TOTAL OF $253,500. TO FURTHER THE DISTRICT’S STEM INITIATIVE FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR, THE BOARD AGREED TO REASSIGN THE FOLLOWING TEACHERS: AMY BOLES FROM ELEMENTARY TEACHER TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STEM AND COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHER; MOLLY KOELLING TO ADD ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE AND STEM LAB TO HER MEDIA SPECIALIST DUTIES; AND MANDY BREWER TO MOVE FROM SPECIAL EDUCATION TO ACCELERATED SCIENCE TEACHER. WALKER SAID, “THESE REASSIGNMENTS WILL BOLSTER OUR DISTRICT’S STEM INITIATIVE THROUGH GRADES PK-12, ALLOW US TO HAVE THE FIRST ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE PROGRAM IN THE STATE, OFFER ACCELERATED SCIENCE CLASSES, AND ADD A PRE-ENGINEERING PATHWAY FOR OUR STUDENTS IN ORDER TO HELP MEET OUR STUDENTS NEEDS FOR TODAY’S REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH-PAYING JOBS.” BOLES WILL TEACH 7TH AND 8TH GRADE PROJECT LEAD THE WAY PRE-ENGINEERING STEM COURSES IN DESIGN AND MODELING, MEDICAL DETECTIVES, AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS, AND FLIGHT AND SPACE. SHE WILL ALSO TEACH THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL PRE-ENGINEERING STEM COURSES, INCLUDING INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING AND DESIGN AND COMPUTER SCIENCE. KOELLING WILL BE THE FIRST ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE TEACHER IN THE STATE AND WILL TEACH OUR NEW ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE CLASSES THAT WILL FOCUS ON ANIMAL AND PLANT SCIENCES AND INCORPORATE THE USE OF OUR NEW GREENHOUSE. THE STEM LAB WILL INVOLVE WEEKLY ACTIVITIES IN ROBOTICS, CODING, AND ENGINEERING FOR OUR PK-4 STUDENTS. BREWER WILL TEACH ACCELERATED PHYSICAL SCIENCE, ACCELERATED BIOLOGY, ACCELERATED CHEMISTRY, PLUS AP SCIENCE COURSES AS NEEDED. THE ACCELERATED SCIENCE COURSES WILL BE IN COORDINATION WITH THE EXISTING HIGH SCHOOL BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES COURSES TAUGHT BY RACHEL FAULKNER. BOLES HAS A MASTER’S DEGREE IN INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN, A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN EDUCATION, AND AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND DRAFTING. KOELLING HAS A MASTER’S DEGREE IN LIBRARY SCIENCE AND A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN EDUCATION PLUS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN AGRICULTURE AND SHOWING LIVESTOCK. BREWER HAS 15 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN TEACHING PRE AP, AP CHEMISTRY, AND ACCELERATED SCIENCES IN THE BROOKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT BEFORE COMING TO ICC. BREWER HAS A MASTER’S DEGREE IN BIOLOGY EDUCATION AND A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN PLANT SCIENCE PLUS SEVERAL YEARS OF RESEARCH EXPERIENCE. WALKER SAID THE DISTRICT HAD RECEIVED THREE PROJECT LEAD THE WAY GRANTS THIS YEAR TOTALING $46,000 IN PRE-ENGINEERING, STEM, AND COMPUTER SCIENCE. THE BOARD ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATIONS OF ELEMENTARY TEACHERS ABBY ORF AND RENEA HOUGHTALING, EFFECTIVE AT THE END OF THE 22-23 SCHOOL YEAR. THE BOARD APPROVED THE EMPLOYMENT OF TAYLOR BATTERTON, KAILEY SIMMONS, AND COLTON HYPES AS ELEMENTARY TEACHERS, AND JAMIE RUETER AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER. THE BOARD ALSO APPROVED THE 23-24 LICENSED AND CLASSIFIED SALARY SCHEDULES AND AGREED TO EMPLOY ALL CLASSIFIED STAFF WHO WISHED TO RETURN FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR. WALKER TOLD THE BOARD THAT PRESCHOOL PARAPROFESSIONAL STACEY HARMON WAS RETIRING THIS YEAR AFTER 28 YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT. WALKER COMMENDED HARMON FOR HER LOYALTY AND YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE DISTRICT. THE BOARD APPROVED THE 23-24 SCHOOL CALENDAR THAT WILL FOLLOW THE STATE’S ALTERNATE CALENDAR FORMAT THAT ALLOWS THE DISTRICT TO COUNT HOURS INSTEAD OF DAYS. UNDER THE NEW CALENDAR, THE SCHOOL DAY WILL BE FROM 7:45 AM TO 3:15 PM AND WILL CONSIST OF 170 DAYS WHICH IS 8 DAYS LESS THAN THE TRADITIONAL CALENDAR FORMAT. SCHOOL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 14 AND END ON MAY 14 AND THERE ARE FIVE SNOW DAYS BUILT INTO THE CALENDAR. WALKER TOLD THE BOARD THAT THE DISTRICT HAD QUALIFIED FOR $113,000 IN STATE FUNDS FROM THE STATE HIGH PRIORITY RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROGRAM. HE SAID THE FUNDS WERE TO BE USED FOR ADDITIONAL LICENSED STAFF BONUSES FOR THE 22-23 SCHOOL YEAR. THE BOARD APPROVED SCHOOL CHOICE TRANSFERS INTO THE DISTRICT. MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL BILLY MCBRIDE ANNOUNCED THAT THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE A YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP FOR GRADES 1-6 ON JUNE 9 AND AN ELEMENTARY BASKETBALL CAMP ON JUNE 19-21 FOR GRADES 3-6. THE COST IS $40 PER CAMP. MCBRIDE SAID THERE WOULD ALSO BE A FREE BASKETBALL SUMMER SKILLS CAMP EACH WEDNESDAY EVENING FROM JUNE 7-JULY 26 IN THE HIGH SCHOOL GYM. MCBRIDE ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE DISTRICT WOULD HAVE ITS SPRING FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE AND A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RING CEREMONY ON MAY 19 AT COUGAR FIELD. MCBRIDE COMMENDED THE SOFTBALL TEAM FOR PLACING SECOND IN THE DISTRICT TOURNAMENT RECENTLY. ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SARAH BURNS TOLD THE BOARD THAT THE K-8 SUMMER ACADEMIC CAMPS WOULD BE HELD FROM JUNE 19-30 AND JULY 17-28 FROM 8-12 EACH DAY. BURNS SAID THE CAMPS WOULD BE FREE FOR ICC STUDENTS AND WOULD INCLUDE EXCITING, HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO STEM, LITERACY, FINE ARTS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND MUCH MORE. SHE SAID STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH EACH DAY OF CAMP AND TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED. ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL EVE HATMAN ANNOUNCED THAT THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE OFFERING A FREE K-8 BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAM FROM 6:45 AM - 7:45 AM AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STARTING AUGUST 14. SHE SAID THIS PROGRAM WILL BE ACADEMICALLY FOCUSED AND SIMILAR TO THE AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS THAT THE DISTRICT CURRENTLY OFFERS TO OUR STUDENTS.

A WOMAN WAS LUCKY TO ESCAPE INJURY WHEN HER VEHICLE WENT OFF HIGHWAY 25 BETWEEN BLACK ROCK AND POWHATAN, CRASHING INTO THE BLACK RIVER... LAWRENCE COUNTY SHERIFF TONY WALDRUPE SAYS THE UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS COMPLETELY SUBMERGED... THE LAWRENCE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, BLACK ROCK POLICE AND THE ARKANSAS STATE POLICE ALL RESPONDED TO THE SCENE.

THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS CLOSED TWO SWIM BEACHES, ONE ON LAKE NORFORK AND ONE ON BULL SHOALS... THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS DUE TO  HIGHER THAN ACCEPTABLE E.COLI LEVELS FOUNDS DURING ROUTINE TESTING CONDUCTED BY PROJECT OFFICE PERSONNEL... THE CRANFIELD BEACH ON LAKE NORFORK AND THE OAKLAND PARK BEACH ON BULL SHOALS WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED.. SWIMMING IS NOT RECOMMENDED IN THESE AREAS WITH HIGH BACTERIA LEVELS.. ONCE BACTERIA LEVELS ARE WITHIN ACCEPTABLE RANGE, THE SWIM BEACHES WILL REOPEN.. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF OTHER RECREATION AREAS, CONTACT THE MOUNTAIN HOME PROJECT OFFICE AT 870-425-2700.…

A MAN IS FACING CHARGES IN SHARP COUNTY AFTER ALLEGEDLY STRIKING A CHILD WITH HIS VEHICLE WHILE INTOXICATED. ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, ON MAY 12, DEPUTY BOBBY GLENN WAS DISPATCHED TO A RESIDENCE IN RURAL SHARP COUNTY FOR A REPORT OF A MAN WHO WAS INTOXICATED AND TRYING TO LEAVE A RESIDENCE IN A VEHICLE. WHILE IN ROUTE, GLENN WAS NOTIFIED THE MAN, LATER IDENTIFIED AS 29-YEAR-OLD QUINT WILLIAM WICKETT, HAD STRUCK A CHILD WITH THIS VEHICLE.  AFTER STRIKING A TREE AND THEN THE CHILD, WICKETT REPORTEDLY EXITED HIS VEHICLE, WHEN WITNESSES TRIED TO PREVENT HIM FROM LEAVING. WITNESSES STATED WICKETT ATTEMPTED TO FIGHT PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. WHEN GLENN ARRIVED ON SCENE, HE NOTED MULTIPLE PEOPLE STANDING OUT NEAR THE ROADWAY AND WICKETT SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF A SMALL WHITE CAR WITH A BLOODIED MOUTH SMELLING STRONGLY OF INTOXICANTS. WICKETT WAS RESTRAINED AFTER HE HAD ATTEMPTED TO MOVE ABOUT THE SCENE STUMBLING IN THE PROCESS. WHEN DEPUTY TYE BAXTER ARRIVED ON SCENE, WICKETT WAS PLACED IN THE REAR OF GLENN’S PATROL UNIT. BAXTER ENTERED WICKETT’S VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE HIS DRIVER’S LICENSE AND SPOTTED AN OPEN CONTAINER OF ALCOHOL WHICH WAS PLACED IN EVIDENCE. WICKETT’S IDENTIFICATION WAS FROM FLORIDA AND AFTER RUNNING HIS INFORMATION THROUGH THE SYSTEM, IT WAS DISCOVERED WICKETT DID NOT POSSESS A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE. ACCORDING TO THE PROPERTY OWNER AND FATHER OF THE CHILD WHO HAD BEEN HIT BY WICKETT, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER WICKETT CAME TO THE PROPERTY AND WAS TOLD TO LEAVE. IN THE PROCESS OF LEAVING, HE BACKED INTO A TREE, STOPPED AND THEN PULLED FORWARD STRIKING THE CHILD. AFTER CALLING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND AN AMBULANCE, THE CHILD WAS TRANSPORTED TO AN AREA HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF HER INJURIES. SHE WAS ABLE LATER TO RETURN HOME TO HER FAMILY TO RECOVER. WICKETT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE SHARP COUNTY JAIL WHERE HE BECAME UNCOOPERATIVE WITH OFFICER REQUESTS REFUSING TO SIGN PAPERWORK AND UNDERGO A SOBRIETY TEST. WICKETT THEN STATED HE WANTED TO PRESS CHARGES FOR ASSAULT AS IT WAS DETERMINED HIS BLOODIED LIP CAME AS A RESULT OF AN ALTERCATION AFTER STRIKING THE CHILD WITH THE VEHICLE HE WAS DRIVING. AS A RESULT, WICKETT HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, BATTERY IN THE THIRD DEGREE, DRIVING OR BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED, REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO CHEMICAL TEST, POSSESSION OF AN OPEN CONTAINER OF ALCOHOL IN A MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIRED.

A WEST PLAINS WOMAN WAS KILLED IN A ONE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN THE CITY LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THIRTY-YEAR-OLD CHARLOTTE WILSON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD ON THE SCENE BY THE HOWELL COUNTY CORONER. ACCORDING TO THE WEST PLAINS POLICE DEPARTMENT, WILSON WAS A PASSENGER IN A VEHICLE TRAVELING ON MISSOURI ROUTE BB. THE UNIDENTIFIED DRIVER, A 20-YEAR-OLD MALE, REPORTEDLY FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A CURVE, AND THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A TREE, TWO TELEPHONE BOXES AND ANOTHER TREE BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A PRIVATE DRIVE. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO AN UNDISCLOSED HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MINOR INJURIES. HIS VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY DAMAGE. THE WEST PLAINS POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS ASSISTED ON THE SCENE BY THE MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL, THE HOWELL RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SOUTH HOWELL COUNTY AMBULANCE.

A WOMAN IS FACING CHARGES IN FULTON COUNTY AFTER SHE ALLEGEDLY URINATED IN HER UNDERWEAR, THEN THREW THEM AT A JAILER. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED SATURDAY EVENING AFTER 58-YEAR-OLD MISTI ALICE HICKS OF WALNUT RIDGE WAS TAKEN TO THE JAIL FOLLOWING A TRAFFIC STOP. ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT, A JAILER HAD TAKEN AN UNRULY HICKS TO THE SHOWER ROOM TO BE SEARCHED. WHILE UNDRESSING, HICKS CONTINUED TO CRY AND HOLLER ABOUT BEING IN JAIL. WHILE REMOVING HER UNDERWEAR, HICKS TOLD THE JAILER SHE WAS URINATING IN THEM. SHE THEN FINISHED TAKING THEM OFF AND THREW THEM AT THE JAILER. THE AFFIDAVIT DOES NOT INDICATE IF THE JAILER WAS HIT BY THE UNDERGARMENT. HICKS PICKED UP A FELONY CHARGE OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY EMPLOYEE. SHE HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO THE JAIL ON CHARGES OF DWI DRUGS, REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO A CHEMICAL TEST AND TWO CHARGES POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. HICKS IS FREE AFTER POSTING A $10,000 BOND. THE BATESVILLE CITY COUNCIL IS MEETING TONIGHT..  THE AGENDA INCLUDES RESTRUCTURING THE CITY SALES TAX TO COMMIT MORE MONEY FOR TWO PROJECTS. THE SALES TAX MONEY WOULD GO TOWARD A NEW WATER TREATMENT FACILITY AND UPGRADES AT RIVERSIDE PARK ON THE WHITE RIVER....

THE IZARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS NOTIFYING THE PUBLIC THAT A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER, JOHN RUFUS PAYNE HAS MOVED TO 1312 MOBILE LANE IN HORSESHOE BEND.. PAYNE HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF AN OFFENSE THAT REQUIRES REGISTRATION WITH THE ARKANSAS CRIME INFORMATION CENTER.. HIS PREVIOUS CRIMINAL HISTORY PLACES PAYNE IN A CLASSIFICATION LEVEL THAT REFLECTS THE POTENTIAL TO RE-OFFEND... PAYNE ADVISED THE IZARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF HIS CHANGE OF ADDRESS.. HE IS NOT WANTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THIS TIME.…

THE ANNUAL CLOVER BEND SCHOOL REUNION WILL BE HELD THIS WEEKEND AT THE CLOVER BEND SCHOOL HOSTED BY THE CLOVER BEND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.. THE EVENT KICKS OFF WITH THE BEANS AND CORNBREAD DINNER FRIDAY NIGHT FOLLOWED BY THE FROG LIGHT MEMORIAL SILENT AUCTION WITH PROCEEDS GOING TOWARDS MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF THE SCHOOL AND THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.. ON SATURDAY ACTIVITIES KICK OFF WITH AT THE ALICE FRENCH BELL TOWER FOR THE SINGING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM FOLLOWED BY THE INDUCTION OF THE CLOVER BEND CLASS OF 1973 INTO THE 50 YEAR CLUB..THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE COOKING AND SERVING SMOKED PORK STEAKS WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS FOR LUNCH FOLLOWED BY A TIME OF VISITING AND REMINISCING..THE REUNION IS HELD ANNUALLY TO SHOWCASE THE SUCCESS OF THE OLD CLOVER BEND SCHOOL AND IS RUN SOLELY ON DONATIONS...ANYONE WISHING TO DONATE TO THE UPKEEP OF THE CLOVER BEND SCHOOL AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN MAIL DONATIONS TO THE CLOVER BEND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, PO BOX 672, WALNUT RIDGE, 72476.

THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING FOR THE 74TH ANNUAL FULTON COUNTY HOMECOMING FESTIVAL IN SALEM... THE SALEM SENIOR CENTER WILL AGAIN KICKOFF ACTIVITIES WITH A FISH FRY AT 4 FRIDAY... YOU CAN DINE OR CARRY OUT.. THERE'S A CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT AT 6:30 ON THE SQUARE, DEADWOOD GROOVE WILL PERFORM AT THE FNBC STREET DANCE ON THE SQUARE AT 7.… ALL DAY ACTIVITIES SATURDAY, INCLUDING THE TRI COUNTY MEDICAL SUPPLY TERRAPIN DOWNS... TRI COUNTY MEDICAL SUPPLY MANAGER CHARLES OWENS HAS THE DETAILS.. WE COULDN'T RESIST ASKING CHARLES ABOUT ANY INSIDER INFORMATION ON RECRUITING A TURTLE FOR THE RACE… TRI COUNTY MEDICAL SUPPLY WILL ALSO SPONSOR GOSPEL MUSIC ON THE SQUARE SATURDAY NIGHT AT 6, THIS YEAR FEATURING ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SINGING GROUPS IN THE AREA… FOLLOWING THE GOSPEL SINGING SATURDAY NITE, SOUTHFORK RIVER THERAPY AND LIVING CENTER IS HOSTING A MOVIE ON THE LOT NEXT TO THE SALEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AT 8.... VISIT THE SALEM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOMECOMING… WE’LL SEE YOU SALEM SATURDAY,   HOMETOWN RADIO WILL BE BROADCASTING "ON LOCATION" FROM THE FULTON COUNTY HOMECOMING FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND.

A NORFORK MAN CHARGED WITH BEATING A MALE VICTIM WITH A HANDGUN AND HOLDING THE WEAPON TO THE VICTIM’S HEAD APPEARED DURING A SESSION OF BAXTER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT MONDAY. FORTY-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN ROBERT FOSTER PLED NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES OF FIRST-DEGREE BATTERY, THEFT OF PROPERTY, TERRORISTIC THREATENING AND BREAKING OR ENTERING. HE IS FREE ON $10,000 BOND. ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT, THE INCIDENT LEADING TO THE ARREST HAPPENED IN EARLY JANUARY WHEN THE VICTIM AND A FRIEND WERE PARKED AT THE MOUNTAIN HOME WALMART. THE VICTIM ALLEGED HE HAD BEEN HARASSED BY FOSTER AND HIS WIFE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SPELLED OUT IN ELECTRONIC COURT RECORDS. ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT, THE VICTIM WAS WALKING TOWARD WALMART WHEN FOSTER AND HIS WIFE REPORTEDLY ATTACKED HIM. ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT, THE VICTIM RAN BACK TO HIS VEHICLE AND LEFT THE PARKING LOT. HE TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT A SHORT TIME LATER HE NOTICED THE FOSTERS WERE CHASING HIM. IN HOPES OF ENDING THE CHASE, THE VICTIM SAID HE DROVE TO AN ACQUAINTANCE’S HOME ALONG STEPHANIE DRIVE IN GASSVILLE. HE TOLD A GASSVILLE POLICE OFFICER HE DID NOT BELIEVE FOSTER WOULD FOLLOW HIM TO THE HOME. BUT FOSTER AND HIS WIFE DID PULL INTO THE RESIDENCE. THE VICTIM SAID BEFORE HE COULD EXIT HIS TRUCK, FOSTER “YANKED THE DOOR OPEN” AND BEGAN TO BEAT HIM ABOUT THE HEAD AND FACE WITH A HANDGUN. AS THE BEATING CONTINUED, THE VICTIM SAID HE WAS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE OPEN DOOR WHEN FOSTER POINTED THE GUN AT HIM AND HELD THE GUN BARREL TO HIS HEAD. HE SAID HE BELIEVED HE WAS ABOUT TO BE SHOT IN THE HEAD. WHILE FOSTER WAS ENGAGED IN THE ALLEGED BEATING, HIS WIFE IS REPORTED TO HAVE GONE INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VICTIM’S VEHICLE AND TOOK A DASH CAMERA MOUNTED ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE VICTIM SAID HE PURCHASED THE CAMERA TO RECORD ACTS OF HARASSMENT BY FOSTER AND HIS WIFE. ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT, THE HARASSMENT HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. THE RESIDENT AT THE HOME ALONG STEPHANIE SAID THE COMMOTION WOKE HIM UP, HE WENT OUTSIDE AND STOPPED THE BEATING, ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT. A DOORBELL CAMERA AT THE RESIDENCE WAS REPORTED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH REPORTS FROM THE VICTIM AND THE RESIDENT OF THE HOME. THE RESIDENT OF THE HOME DROVE THE VICTIM TO BAXTER HEALTH WHERE IT TOOK SEVERAL STITCHES TO CLOSE HEAD WOUNDS, “CONSISTENT” WITH HAVING BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES WITH A HARD BLUNT OBJECT. FOSTER IS ALSO APPEALING A GUILTY VERDICT RENDERED IN DISTRICT COURT ON A CHARGE OF 3RD DEGREE BATTERY. THE CHARGE STEMMED FROM AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED IN EARLY APRIL 2020. FOSTER WAS ACCUSED OF ATTACKING HIS FATHER-IN-LAW WHO HAD COME TO THE FOSTER HOME ALONG MILLCREEK LANE IN NORFORK TO PICK UP HIS DAUGHTER AND TWO TEENAGE GRANDCHILDREN. FOSTER WAS FOUND GUILTY AFTER A BENCH TRIAL IN DISTRICT COURT ON FEBRUARY 4, 2021. HE WAS GIVEN 30 DAYS JAIL TIME, WITH 23 DAYS SUSPENDED AND ONE DAY CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED. HE WAS ORDERED TO SPEND SIX MORE DAYS IN JAIL WITH THE TIME TO BE SPENT ON WEEKENDS. FOSTER WAS ALSO ORDERED TO PAY VICTIM RESTITUTION OF $1000.

THE FULTON COUNTY HOSPITAL BOARD WILL HOLD ITS REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING AT 5:30 THIS AFTERNOON IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE HOSPITAL IN SALEM. THE WALNUT RIDGE CITY COUNCIL MEETS TONITE AT 6 FOR THEIR REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING AT THE POLICE COMPLEX.

"THERE'S NOT PLACE LIKE HOME"  IS  THE  THEME  FOR THE 74TH ANNUAL FULTON COUNTY HOMECOMING FESTIVAL IN SALEM THAT  BEGINS FRIDAY WITH A FISH FRY AT 4 AT THE SALEM SENIORS CENTER ON CHURCH STREET.. YOU CAN DINE OR CARRY-OUT... THERE'S A CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT ON THE SQUARE AT 6:30.. DEADWOOD GROOVE WILL ENTERTAIN AT THE FNBC STREET DANCE ON THE SQUARE AT 7.… AS ALWAYS, A FULL DAY OF ACTIVITIES SATURDAY ... REGISTRATION FOR THE BANK OF SALEM MARK THOMAS APPLE PIE 5 K BEGINS AT 7... WE GET MORE ON THE RACE FROM LESLIE SCRIBNER.. REGISTRATION FOR THE RACE AT 7, THE RACE WILL START AT 8… THE ELITE THERAPY SQUIRT RACE NOW HELD IN MEMORY OF TRACY LAMB WILL FOLLOW THE 5K.. GET THE KIDS SIGNED UP SATURDAY MORNING AT 9:15, THE SIGN UP FEE IS $15 PER CONTESTANT.. THE SQUIRT RACE BEGINS AT 10.... THE BILL HILL MEMORIAL CAR SHOW AT HILLS AUTO SALES OPENS AT 9… REGISTRATION FOR THE TRI-COUNTY MEDICAL SUPPLY TERRAPIN DOWNS BEGINS AT 10 ON THE SQUARE, THE RACE AT 11.... THE STOP THE CYCLE SPAY-NEUTER GROUP IS SPONSORING THE PET COSTUME CONTEST AT NOON.. NO COST TO ENTER, PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED BASED ON CROWD PARTICIPATION... THE KIDDIE PARADE ROLLS BEFORE THE MONTE McCOLLOUGH MEMORIAL PARADE AT 1.. LINEUP FOR THE PARADE IS AT PREACHER ROE PARK. FOLLOWING THE PARADE, SEVERAL CLASS AND FAMILY REUNIONS ARE SCHEDULED AROUND SALEM.... THE SALEM VFW BINGO IS HOSTING BINGO ON THE SQUARE AT 4... THE TRI COUNTY MEDICAL SUPPLY GOSPEL SINGING AT 6 WILL FEATURE DOXOLOGY AND SOME OTHER PERFORMERS... SOUTHFORK RIVER THERAPY AND LIVING CENTER WILL HOST A MOVIE ON THE LOT NEXT TO THE SALEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AT 8.... HOMETOWN RADIO WILL PROVIDE "ON LOCATION REMOTE BROADCAST COVERAGE FROM THE FULTON COUNTY HOMECOMING FESTIVAL IN SALEM THIS WEEKEND.

THE HIGHLAND SCHOOL  BOARD ACTED  ON A LENGTHY AGENDA  AT THEIR REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING LAST WEEK... THIS IS HIGHLAND SUPERINTENDENT JEREMY LEWIS.. THE BOARD APPROVED THE CLASSIFIED SALARY SCHEDULE AND THE SCHOOL AUDIT… SEVERAL PERSONNEL MATTERS WERE APPROVED… HIGHLAND SUPERINTENDENT JEREMY LEWIS REPORTING ON THIS MONTHS MEETING OF THE HIGHLAND SCHOOL BOARD.

THE CAVE CITY SCHOOL BOARD WILL MEET TONIGHT AT 6 IN THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY. BOARD MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO ACT ONA PERSONELL MATTER.

THE OZARK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS ALERTING RESIDENTS TO A RISE IN PHONE AND INTERNET SCAMS IN THE AREA. ACCORDING TO A RELEASE FROM SHERIFF CASS MARTIN, SCAMMERS ARE USING INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED TECHNIQUES TO TRICK UNSUSPECTING INDIVIDUALS INTO DIVULGING PERSONAL INFORMATION OR PARTING WITH MONEY. THE MOST COMMON SCAM IS SAID TO INVOLVE A PHONE CALL FROM SOMEONE PURPORTING TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A GOVERNMENT AGENCY, SUCH AS THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) OR SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA). THE SCAMMERS ARE SAID TO THREATEN LEGAL ACTION IF AN INDIVIDUAL DOES NOT PAY A CERTAIN FINE OR PROVIDE PERSONAL INFORMATION, SUCH AS A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. ANOTHER SCAM INVOLVES EMAILS CLAIMING THE RECIPIENT HAS WON A SWEEPSTAKE OR LOTTERY BUT MUST PAY A FEE TO CLAIM THE PRIZE, OR A “TECH-SUPPORT” SCAM IN WHICH THE CALLER IMPERSONATES A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A ‘WELL-KNOWN’ TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AND OFFERS TO FIX A NONEXISTENT COMPUTER PROBLEM REMOTELY, FOR A FEE. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS REMINDING THE PUBLIC TO BE CAUTIOUS WHEN RECEIVING UNSOLICITED PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WILL NOT DEMAND PAYMENT OVER THE PHONE OR THREATEN LEGAL ACTION IN THIS MANNER. MARTIN STATES THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE SCAMS INCLUDING: DO NOT DIVULGE PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE OR INTERNET UNLESS THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE HAS BEEN VERIFIED TO BE TRUSTWORTHY; NEVER MAKE PAYMENTS OR WIRE TRANSFERS BEFORE VERIFYING THE SITUATION WITH AN OFFICIAL ORGANIZATION; BE CAUTIOUS WITH EMAILS AND ATTACHMENTS, DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS WITHOUT ENSURING THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE EMAIL; BE SKEPTICAL OF UNSOLICITED CALLS OR EMAILS PROMISING LARGE SUMS OF MONEY OR THREATENING LEGAL CONSEQUENCES; DO NOT OFFER ANY INFORMATION TO POSSIBLE FAKE PROFILES ON SOCIAL MEDIA. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, CONTACT THE OZARK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AT (417)679-4633. IF THERE IS SUSPICION OF A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER BEING COMPROMISED, CONTACT THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AT 1-800-772-1213.

A MISSOURI MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY ARGUING WITH HIS WIFE, DRINKING A HALF PINT OF WHISKEY, DRIVING 90 MINUTES TO IZARD COUNTY, THEN LEADING A DEPUTY ON A HIGH SPEED PURSUIT BEFORE CRASHING INTO A RAILROAD BRIDGE. MULTIPLE CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST 32-YEAR-OLD BEAU SANDERS BURTON OF CABOOL FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT, A DEPUTY WAS PARKED IN CALICO ROCK JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT WHEN A VEHICLE WENT BY EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT. THE DEPUTY INITIATED A TRAFFIC STOP AND NOTICED AN OPEN BOTTLE OF ALCOHOL IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE DRIVER ASKED “WHERE AM I AT? WHAT TOWN IS THIS IN?” THE DEPUTY TOLD HIM CALICO ROCK. WHILE TRYING TO GET HIS WALLET OUT TO GET HIS DRIVER’S LICENSE, BURTON SAID “CALICO ROCK WHAT?” A DOG IN THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO THE FRONT SEAT BLOCKING THE DEPUTIES VIEW OF BURTON, AND AS THE DEPUTY MOVED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR TO THE DRIVER’S SIDE, BURTON TOOK OFF. SPEEDS REACHED 90 MILES-PER-HOUR AS BURTON CONTINUED ON STATE HIGHWAY 56 NEAR THE STATE HIGHWAY 5 INTERSECTION. THE PURSUIT CONTINUED THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD, THEN BACK TO HIGHWAY 5 TOWARDS THE WHITE RIVER WHERE BURTON CRASHED INTO A RAILROAD BRIDGE. BURTON FLED THE SCENE ON FOOT WITH THE DEPUTY CONTINUING THE CHASE. AT ONE POINT, THE DEPUTY HEARD WATER SPLASHING AND DISCOVERED BURTON HAD FALLEN INTO THE CREEK THAT RUNS FROM RAND PARK TO THE WHITE RIVER. BURTON SWAM TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CREEK AND THE DEPUTY LOST SIGHT OF HIM. DEPUTIES LOCATED BURTON LATER THAT AFTERNOON HIDING IN A SHED BEHIND LEMLEY’S MOTEL. BURTON TOLD DEPUTIES HE AND HIS WIFE WERE DRINKING AT THEIR HOME IN CABOOL AND STARTED ARGUING, SO HE LEFT TO GO TO A FRIEND’S HOUSE IN SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA. HE TOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT HE DRANK AT LEAST HALF A PINT OF WHISKEY BEFORE LEAVING AND MAKING THE DRIVE TO CALICO ROCK, WHICH IS JUST OVER A 90 MINUTES. BURTON IS FACING FELONY CHARGES OF FLEEING AND BREAKING OR ENTERING. MISDEMEANOR CHARGES INCLUDE SPEEDING, DRIVING WITH AN EXPIRED REGISTRATION, POSSESSION OF AN OPEN ALCOHOLIC CONTAINER, NO PROOF OF INSURANCE, DRIVING WHILE LICENSE IS SUSPENDED, LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT AND FLEEING ON FOOT. HE ALSO FACES NUMEROUS TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND A CHARGE OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS DUE TO THE FACT HIS DOG WAS IN THE CAR DURING THE INCIDENT. BURTON IS BEING HELD IN THE IZARD COUNTY JAIL ON BONDS TOTALING $20,000.

THE IMBODEN AREA CHARTER SCHOOL WILL HOLD GRADUATION AND AN AWARDS CEREMONY TONIGHT AT 6.

THE  PIONEER DAYS FESTIVAL IS TODAY  IN NORFORK... ACTIVITIES WILL BE GOING ON 9 TIL 3 BOTH DAYS.. VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE 1820's LIVING HISTORY TOURS, HISTORICAL DEMONSTRATIONS, A 38-FOOT REPLICA OF A 1820's KEEL BOAT, VENDORS, FOOD, DUCK RACES AND A  PARADE.

A TEENAGER HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AS   THE  INDEPENDENCE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATES THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A 49 YEAR OLD SULPHUR ROCK MAN… SHERIFF SHAWN STEPHENS SAYS DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO A RESIDENCE IN SULPHUR ROCK WEDNESDAY AFTER RECEIVING A CALL THAT A PERSON WAS DECEASED... A MALE SUBJECT, JASON ANDERSON WAS FOUND DEAD INSIDE THE HOME... INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED THE DEATH WAS SUSPICIOUS AND A SUBJECT WAS DEVELOPED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.. A SUSPECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 18 YEAR OLD MATTHEW SPARKMAN WHO HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.. FORMAL CHARGES ARE PENDING THRU THE 16TH DISTRICT PROSECUTORS OFFICE.

THE PILOT WHO DIED IN THE PLANE CRASH MAY 12TH BETWEEN HARDY AND MAMMOTH SPRING HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED UP ON THE RELEASE OF A REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD.. THE PLANE WAS PILOTED BY 67 YEAR OLD DOUG GILL OF ASH FLAT WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A ROCK WALL NORTH OF GUT CREEK... THE REPORT INDICATES GILL WAS FLYING INTO SHARP COUNTY FOR A COURT APPEARANCE.. THE REPORT ALSO SAYS GILL MAY HAVE HAD SUICIDAL TENDENCIES.. WITNESSES SAW THE PLANE CIRCLE OVER THE ROCK WALL AND THEN NOSE-DIVE INTO THE WALL.. THE REPORT SAYS FLIGHT CONTROL WERE EXAMINED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WERE NO PRE-IMPACT ABNORMALITIES AND THAT THE FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS CONFIRMED....

LAWRENCE COUNTY AUTHORITIES HAVE ARRESTED A MAN AFTER CONDUCTING A PAROLE/PROBATION COMPLIANCE CHECK AT A RESIDENCE  ON MATTHEWS DRIVE IN BLACK ROCK.. BARRETT LAYNE MATTHEWS IS CHARGED WITH FOUR FELONY COUNTS AND A MISDEMEANOR CHARGE AFTER AUTHORITIES FOUND HIM IN THE POSSESSION OF METH, MARIJUANA, PILLS, PARAPHERNALIA AND URINE NOT BELONGING TO HIM THAT WERE USED TO FALSIFYING DRUG SCREENING RESULTS.. MATTHEWS ALSO HAD HIS PAROLE REVOKED, HE WAS CURRENTLY ON TEN YEARS PAROLE FROM PREVIOUS CHARGES AND HAD ONLY BEEN SERVING HIS PAROLE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2022.. MATTHEWS HAS PREVIOUS CHARGES OF BURGLARY, DWI,  POSSESSION OF METH, MANUFACTURING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND NUMEROUS PAROLE/PROBATION VIOLATIONS...

START YOUR WEEKEND BY JOINING MEMBERS OF THE HORSESHOE BEND BOATING AND FISHING CLUB AT THEIR COOKOUT THIS AFTERNOON AT 5:30 AT 4-WAY PARK IN THE BEND...CLUB SPOKESMAN URIAH MEAD IS PROMISING SOME GOOD FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP.. THIS AFTERNOON'S PICNIC BEGINS AT 5:30 AT 4-WAY PARK, LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 289 AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE MOBILE ESTATES IN HORSESHOE BEND.

MAYOR JACKIE ESTES REPORTS ON THIS WEEKS MEETING OF THE VIOLA CITY COUNCIL. ALDERMAN AUTHORIZED MAYOR ESTES TO APPLY FOR A GRANT THRU ARKANSAS PARKS AND TOURISM… MAYOR ESTES SAYS THE COUNCIL ACTED ON A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES… MAYOR JACKIE ESTES REPORTING ON THIS WEEKS MEETING OF THE VIOLA CITY COUNCIL.

THERE'S GOOD NEWS REGARDING UNEMPLOYMENT IN NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS... WHILE EMPLOYERS CONTINUE THEIR STRUGGLE FINDING WORKERS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT IN ARKANSAS DECREASED TO THREE PERCENT IN MARCH, DOWN FROM THREE POINT TWO PERCENT IN FEBRUARY… COUNTY BY COUNTY, FULTON COUNTY CONTINUES TO HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE STATE.. ONLY TWO POINT EIGHT PERCENT OF THE WORKFORCE IN FULTON COUNTY WAS WITHOUT A JOB IN MARCH… IZARD COUNTY'S UNEMPLOYMENT STOOD AT THREE POINT EIGHT PERCENT,  SHARP COUNTY AT THREE POINT FOUR PERCENT, LAWRENCE COUNTY, FOUR POINT SIX PERCENT, RANDOLPH COUNTY'S UNEMPLOYMENT WAS FOUR POINT TWO PERCENT, INDEPENDENCE COUNTY THREE POINT ONE , STONE COUNTY AT THREE POINT FOUR PERCENT AND BAXTER COUNTY'S  UNEMPLOYMENT WAS TWO POINT NINE PERCENT...

CLOVER BEND SCHOOL ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE OLD CLOVER BEND SCHOOL ARE INVITED TO A SPECIAL EVENT SATURDAY... MICHEAL HAWK, CLOVER BEND CLASS OF 1971 HAS THE DETAILS.. THE BAND IS ''NIGHTWIND'''  HAWK TELL US THE GOAL FOR THE CLOVER BEND FUN DAY IS HAVE THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED WITH THE EFFORT TO KEEP THE CLOVER BEND SCHOOL HISTORICAL SITE IN GOOD CONDITION.. THE ANNUAL CLOVER BEND SCHOOL MEMORIAL  WEEKEND REUNION IS SET FOR NEXT WEEKEND, MAY 26TH AND 27TH.

28 YEAR OLD BILLIE JO COSSEY OF THAYER HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN SHARP COUNTY ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES... COSSEY IS ACCUSED OF FAILURE TO APPEAR, FELONY ON POSSESSION OF METH AND COCAINE WITH THE PURPOSE TO DELIVER, TAMPERING WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, TIMES TWO, RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, REVOCATION AND PAROLE-PROBATION REVOCATION... COSSEY IS BEING HELD IN THE SHARP COUNTY DETENTION CENTER.…

A FULTON COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY FIRING SHOTS AT HIS DAD WHO WAS HIDING FROM HIM IN SOME BUSHES. THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON INCIDENT HAS LED TO MULTIPLE CHARGES AGAINST 18-YEAR-OLD BRENT THOMASDALE VERNON OF RURAL SALEM. ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT FROM THE FULTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, THE VICTIM TOLD DEPUTIES HIS SON HAD RETURNED HOME DRUNK AND WENT “CRAZY”. VERNON IS ACCUSED OF KICKING IN THE FRONT DOOR BEFORE MAKING SEVERAL THREATS TO KILL HIS DAD. VERNON WENT TO HIS BEDROOM AND THE VICTIM GRABBED A SHOTGUN AND RAN OUTSIDE. VERNON THEN WENT OUTSIDE AND RAN BEHIND A NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE. A WITNESS TOLD DEPUTIES VERNON FIRED A SHOT NEAR HER HOUSE AND SAID HE WOULD KILL HER AND HER CHILDREN WHO WERE ALSO PRESENT. IT’S ALLEGED VERNON THEN FIRED TWO SHOTS IN THE DIRECTION OF HIS FATHER WHO WAS HIDING IN SOME BUSHES. THE VICTIM WAS STILL IN THE BUSHES WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVED. VERNON IS CHARGED WITH TWO FELONY COUNTS OF TERRORISTIC THREATENING AND ONE FELONY COUNT OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBER, TWO MISDEMEANOR COUNTS OF ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A MINOR AND ONE MISDEMEANOR COUNT OF POSSESSION OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR BY A MINOR. HIS BOND IS SET AT $25,000.

A SHERIDAN MAN HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN SHARP COUNTY AFTER POLICE SAY HE THREATENED EMPLOYEES AND CAUSED DAMAGE AT TWO BUSINESSES MONDAY AFTERNOON... CHRISTOPHER KEITH IS FACING CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, RECKLESS DRIVING, FLEEING AND DWI... TWO SUBJECTS STAYING WITH KEITH AT THE  DAYS INN AT HARDY TOLD POLICE THEY RAN FOR THEIR SAFETY AFTER KEITH SUDDENLY BECAME IRATE.. KEITH SEARCHED FOR THE TWO AROUND THE HOTEL AND ENTERED THE HOTEL LOBBY WITH A KNIFE, WHERE HE THEN THREATENED HOTEL EMPLOYEES WITH THE KNIFE... AFTER LEAVING THE DAY INN, KEITH DROVE HIS VEHICLE TO THE NEARBY SPRING RIVER LODGE WHERE HE HELD TWO EMPLOYEES AT KNIFE-POINT.. KEITH THEN EXITED THE LODGE, RAN HIS TRUCK INTO THE BUILDING... HE THEN LED POLICE ON A CHASE ON HIGHWAY 63 EAST OF HARDY BEFORE WRECKING THE VEHICLE ON BOWMAN HILL AT OZARK ACRES.. KEITH THEN HELD A KNIFE TO HIS THROAT, TELLING LAWMEN " GOD BE WITH ME"...  SHARP COUNTY SHERIFF SHANE RUSSELL CONVINCED  KEITH TO DROP THE KNIFE AND WAS LATER TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.. POLICE SAYS THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND THE PUBLIC WAS NEVER IN DANGER UNLESS YOU HAPPENED TO BE IN THE LOBBY OF THE SPRING RIVER LODGE OR DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY 63 DURING THE HIGH SPEED CHASE..

AUTHORITIES IN CHEROKEE VILLAGE HAVE RELEASED MORE DETAILS REGARDING THE BODY FOUND IN LAKE CHEROKEE VICLAGE IN CHEROKEE VILLAGE TUESDAY. ACCORDING TO CHEROKEE VILLAGE POLICE CHEIF MONTE LANE, THE BODY OF 35 YEAR OLD DEREK HUGHES WAS DISCOVERED AROUND NOON TUESDAY IN LAKE CHEROKEE.. HUGHES HAD BEEN REPORTED MISSING LATE SATURDAY NIGHT WHERE WITNESSES TOLD POLICE, HUGHES HAD LEFT THE COPPER FEATHER BAR AND GRILL INTOXICATED.. CHEIF LANE SAYS IT IS UNCLEAR IF HUGHES HAD LEFT ON FOOT OR IN A VEHICLE.. HUGHES PHONE HAD BEEN PINGED BUT THE LAST LOCATION NOTED AS THE COOPER FEATHER THE NIGHT BE WAS REPORTED MISSING. THE CHEROKEE VILLAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS AS WITNESSES COME FORWARD TO DETERMINE MORE DETAILS. THE SHARP COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND SHARP COUNTY CORONER'S OFFICE ARE ASSISTING IN THE INVESTIGATION.

 

YOU FISHERMAN ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO GET SIGNED UP FOR THE SPRING RIVER SHRINE CLUB'S CROWN LAKE BASS CLASSIC.. HOOK, SHRINE AND SINKER IS SATURDAY. FISHERMAN WILL LAUNCH AT 6:30, WEIGH IN IS AT 2.. THERE'S A ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR FIRST PRIZE, FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR SECOND PRIZE, TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS THIRD PRIZE... THE ENTRY FEE IS $100 PER BOAT, LIMIT TWO FISHERMAN PER BOAT.. SHRINER DOUG DRIESEL TELL US HOW THE SPRING RIVER SHRINERS USE THE PROCEEDS FROM HOOK SHRINE AND SINKER .. HELP THESE LOCAL KIDS, GET SIGNED UP FOR HOOK SHRINE AND SINKER, THE SPRING RIVER SHRINE CLUB'S CROWN LAKE BASSIC CLASSIC THIS SATURDAY.. TO GET MORE INFORMATION OR TO SIGN UP FOR THE TOURNAMENT, CALL THIS NUMBER.. 870-257-5967.. 870-257-FIFTY NINE- SIXTY SEVEN..

 

THE IZARD COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL BOARD MET IN REGULAR SESSION RECENTLY. SUPERINTENDENT FRED WALKER GAVE A CONSTRUCTION UPDATE TO THE BOARD. HE SAID THAT CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW PRESCHOOL BUILDING AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS CONTINUING AND THE BUILDING SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN JULY. WALKER SAID THE 4,700 SQ.FT. PRESCHOOL BUILDING IS BEING PAID FOR BY USING FEDERAL ESSER ARP FUNDS. THE BOARD APPROVED A SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION RESOLUTION TO NOT HAVE AN EARLY OR REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION SINCE THERE ARE NO CONTESTED SCHOOL BOARD POSITIONS OR A MILLAGE ELECTION. MIKE MCCANDLIS (4 YR. TERM), DEBBIE MOODY (4 YR. TERM), AND RHONDA MOSS (1 YR. UNEXPIRED TERM) ARE ALL UNOPPOSED FOR RE-ELECTION TO THE BOARD. THE DISTRICT'S MILLAGE RATE HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS AND IS THE LOWEST RATE IN THE COUNTY AT 36 MILLS. THE BOARD ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATIONS OF ART TEACHER GINGER MILLER AND ELEMENTARY TEACHER KATIE ARTHUR AND AGREED TO REASSIGN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH AND INTERVENTION TEACHER JEANA MOORE TO K-12 ART TEACHER AND AGRI TEACHER ISAAC BLANKENSHIP TO AG. MECHANICS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TEACHER FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR. THE BOARD APPROVED THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE FOLLOWING TEACHERS FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR: CHAD ARHART AS MATH TEACHER/ASST. JR./SR. BASEBALL COACH AND ASST. JR./SR. BOYS BASKETBALL COACH, KALI JO LOGAN AS ELEMENTARY TEACHER, AND OLIVIA STROUD AS AGRICULTURE TEACHER FOR ANIMAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP CLASSES AND ALSO MANAGER OF OUR LIVESTOCK PROGRAM AND OUR NEW EQUESTRIAN ARENA. THE BOARD AGREED TO RE-EMPLOY ALL LICENSED STAFF WHO WISHED TO RETURN FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR. SUPERINTENDENT WALKER ANNOUNCED THAT FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES TEACHER CHRISTIE HANEY HAD DECIDED TO RETIRE THIS YEAR AFTER 40 YEARS WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. WALKER PRAISED HANEY FOR HER DEDICATED AND LOYAL SERVICE TO THE DISTRICT AND WISHED HER WELL IN RETIREMENT. THE BOARD APPROVED SCHOOL CHOICE TRANSFERS INTO THE DISTRICT. SUPERINTENDENT WALKER ANNOUNCED THAT THE DISTRICT WOULD BE DELIVERING FREE MEALS TO ALL OF OUR PK-12° GRADE STUDENTS THIS SUMMER FOR THE 4° STRAIGHT YEAR, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE ENROLLING FOR NEXT YEAR. HE SAID ALL STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE 5 BREAKFASTS AND 5 LUNCHES DELIVERED TO THEIR HOMES ON A WEEKLY BASIS BEGINNING MAY 25 AND CONTINUING THROUGH AUGUST 11. WALKER NOTED THAT THE DISTRICT PROVIDES ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF TREE MEALS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND TREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS EACH VEAR. MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL BILLY MCBRIDE ANNOUNCED THAT FREE SUMMER ACT CLASS DATES WILL BE MAY 24-JUNE 9 THIS SUMMER. MEBRIDE COMMENDED THE SCHOOL FISHING TEAM MEMBERS FOR DOING WELL IN THE STATE FISHING TOURNAMENT: TRISTIN WOOD AND NOAH STEVENSON - 15 OVERALL; LANE MOHLKE AND HAYDEN SHAVER - 17; AND JUSTIN BREWER AND DAVID WILLIAMS - 21*. JARED JOHNSON IS THE COACH OF THE FISHING TEAM. MCBRIDE ALSO COMMENDED SOPHOMORE WYATT BUCHANAN FOR WINNING THE MID-SOUTH SPORTS AND EDUCATION GROUP/BENJAMIN ANDERSON LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR HIS OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AS QUARTERBACK THIS SEASON FOR THE ICC STATE CHAMPION FOOTBALL TEAM. MCBRIDE TOLD THE BOARD THAT THE FOOTBALL TEAM WAS RECOGNIZED AT THE STATE CAPITOL RECENTLY WITH A RESOLUTION SPONSORED BY STATE REP. STEVEN WALKER AND PASSED BY THE ARKANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MCBRIDE SAID THAT JUDE EVERETT AND DANIEL HALEY ALSO SERVED AS PAGES AT THE STATE CAPITOL THAT DAY. ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL DAVID HARMON COMMENDED THE TRANSITIONS CLASS FOR PLACING SECOND OUT OF 13 TEAMS AT THE MYERS-DAVIS CAREER COMPETITION AT BATESVILLE SOUTHSIDE. HARMON SAID THE TEAM MEMBERS WERE HAILEY MAY, NOAH OLIVER, CHLOE COLES, SKYLA HILL, STORMY LANKFORD, AND CODY COPES. HE SAID MAY WAS RECOGNIZED AS AN OUTSTANDING STUDENT AT THE COMPETITION. LESA BARNETT IS THE TRANSITIONS CLASS TEACHER. HARMON ALSO SAID THE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RING FUNDRAISER RAISED OVER $18,000 AND HE TOLD THE BOARD THAT HE WISHED TO THANK THE BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR DONATIONS OF MONEY AND AUCTION ITEMS FOR THE EVENT. HARMON ALSO COMMENDED THE ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM FOR BEING AWARDED THE HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT THE STATE CAPITOL BY THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR OUTSTANDING ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE ARTS ASPIRE TEST SCORES. SARAH BUMS IS ALE DIRECTOR. ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SARAH BURNS TOLD THE BOARD THAT THE 5 AND 6° GRADE CHOIR PERFORMED WELL AT THE HORSESHOE BEND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH RECENTLY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CHOIR DIRECTOR CHELSEA PHILLIPS, AND THAT THE FBLA BIGS AND LILS BALL WAS A BIG SUCCESS COORDINATED BY MANDA JACKSON FBLA SPONSOR. BURNS COMMENDED SEVENTH GRADER KAYLA BREWER FOR PLACING SECOND IN THE JR. GIRLS BREAKAWAY AT THE CENTRAL ARKANSAS LITTLE BRITCHES RODEO IN SEARCY AND NOTED THAT BREWER HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE NATIONAL LITTLE BRITCHES RODEO FINALS IN GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA, IN JULY. ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL EVE HATMAN ANNOUNCED THE MIDDLE SCHOOL HAD BEEN AWARDED A $14,000 PROJECT LEAD THE WAY GRANT BY THE WALTON FOUNDATION. THE GRANT IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE STUDENT INTEREST AND ENGAGEMENT IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) BY PROVIDING OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH HIGH QUALITY STEM CURRICULUM THAT SUPPORTS HANDS-ON, REAL-WORLD LEARNING, HATMAN, BURNS, AND ICC STEM COORDINATOR COURTNEY SELPH ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WRITING THE GRANT.