• ARKANSAS REPORTED 559 NEW COVID 19 CASES WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, ACTIVE CASES WERE UP BY 16, DEATHS UP BY 19, HOSPITALIZATIONS DOWN BY 14 AND COVID PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS DOWN BY 2.. SINCE TUESDAY 1,891 ARKANSAS RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED OR 54.4% OF THE STATE’S POPULATION AGE 12 AND OVER.. COUNTY BY COUNTY ACTIVE CASES REPORTED SHARP UP 2, FULTON DOWN 2, IZARD UNCHANGED, LAWRENCE UP 6, RANDOLPH DOWN 5, BAXTER UP 5, STONE UP 3 AND INDEPENDENCE DOWN 1..

• THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTED WEDNESDAY THERE WERE 852 NEW COVID 19 CASES IN THE STATE, 19 ADDITIONAL DEATHS, HOSPITALIZATIONS WERE DOWN BY 24 AND THE NUMBER OF COVID PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS DOWN BY 4. IN THE PAST 24 HOURS 5,116 MORE MISSOURI RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED OR 49.2% OF THE STATE’S POPULATION. IN COUNTY BY COUNTY CASES OREGON UP 1, HOWELL UP 8, OZARK UNCHANGED, TANEY UP 6, DOUGLAS UP 1, TEXAS COUNTY UP 5 AND SHANNON UP 2..

• A SALEM MAN SUSTAINED INJURIES IN A ONE VEHICLE CRASH ON HIGHWAY 69 NORTH OF BATESVILLE EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.... A PICKUP DRIVEN BY 45 YEAR OLD DON CARTWRIGHT WAS SOUTHBOUND WHEN HE FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A CURVE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO TRAVEL OFF THE ROADWAY, STRIKE A ROCK  WALL AND OVERTURN... CARTWRIGHT WAS TRANSPORTED TO WHITE RIVER MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT... THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED JUST BEFORE 5 O'CLOCK  TUESDAY  MORNING…

• A CALICO ROCK MAN HAD PLED GUILTY TO CHARGES STEMMING FROM THE THEFT OF NARCOTICS FROM A MEDICATION CART IN THE BAXTER COUNTY JAIL.  31 YEAR OLD TIMOTHY CLARK APPEARED IN BAXTER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT EARLIER THIS WEEK AND WAS SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS PROBATION.. CLARK IS  REPORTED TO HAVE TAKEN 26 DOSAGE UNITS OF SUBOXONE FROM THE MEDICATION CART ON APRIL THIRD.. SUBOXONE IS USED N THE TREATMENT OF OPIOID DEPENDENCE AND COMES IN STRIPS THAT MELT WHEN  PLACED UNDER THE TONGUE OR BETWEEN THE GUMS AND CHEEK. WHEN THE DRUG WAS FOUND MISSING, SECURITY CAMERA TAPES WERE REVIEWED WHERE CLARK WAS SEEN EXITING A JAIL POD AND GOING DIRECTLY TO THE MEDICATION CART, ACCOMPLISHING THE THEFT AND THEN RETURNING TO HIS CELL. THE SURVEILLANCE VIDEO ALSO SHOWS THAT WHEN A JAILER LEFT THE POD HOUSING AREA, A NUMBER OF INMATES GATHERED AROUND CLARK TO SHARE THE STOLEN DRUG.

• ATTORNEY GENERAL LESLIE RUTLEDGE HAS ANNOUNCED THE ARKANSAS RURAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE WILL ALLOCATE ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO BENEFIT THE ARKANSAS STATE POLICE FOR THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS CENTER AND OFFICER DRIVING COURSE... THE ATTORNEY GENERAL LABELS THE ALLOCATION AS AN INVESTMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH SHE SAYS IS MORE CRUCIAL NOW THAN EVER.… RUTLEDGE SAYS THE FUNDS WILL BE DISBURSED FROM THE CONSUMER EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT FUND.. OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS INVESTED OVER 19 MILLION DOLLARS TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ARKANSAS..…

•  MAMMOTH SPRING IS READY FOR ONE ACTION PACKED WEEKEND.... HOMECOMING AT THE MAMMOTH SPRING SCHOOL FRIDAY, ALL DAY ACTIVITIES SATURDAY AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SPOOKTACULAR SATURDAY NIGHT... CHAMBER PRESIDENTS TRENA SPEARS WILL HAVE A COMPLETE RUNDOWN OF ACTIVITIES DURING THURSDAY’S HOMETOWN NEWS...THE MAMMOTH SPRING-VIOLA BASKETBALL GAMES FRIDAY NIGHT WILL BE BROADCAST ON NEWS TALK SPORTS KSAR 92.3.. GET SOME REST FRIDAY NIGHT, THERE';S A FULL DAY OF ACTIVITY SET FOR SATURDAY.. THE SPOOKTACULAR HAS BEEN EXPANDED  FROM 4 UNTIL 8 SATURDAY. GAMES, CANDY, MUSIC, FOOD, T SHIRTS, VENDORS, A BOUNCE HOUSE,COSTUME CONTEST, A CAR SMASH AND AN OUTDOOR MOVIE AT 7:30 ON THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT....VISIT THE MAMMOTH SPRING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION...

•  THE HORSESHOE BEND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRUNK OR TREAT IS SATURDAY NIGHT AT 6 ON THE CHAMBER PARKING LOT… CHAMBER PRESIDENT JEANETTE HILLIKER ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO DECORATE A TRUNK, BRING SOME CANDY AND TREAT THE KIDS.… THE HORSESHOE BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE  SERVING COMPLIMENTARY HOT DOGS... TRUNKS SHOULD ARRIVE BY 5:30, THE TRUNK OR TREAT BEGINS AT 6 AT THE HORSESHOE  BEND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PARKING LOT ON THIRD STREET.

• THE CHEROKEE VILLAGE ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE MEETS THURSDAY AFTERNOON (OCT. 28) AT 3 AT CITY HALL. THE SALEM CITY COUNCIL MEETS THURSDAY AT 7 AT CITY HALL…

•  WORK IS ONGOING ON IMPROVEMENTS AT STEWART PARK IN WALNUT RIDGE… MAYOR CHARLES SNAPP SAYS THE UPGRADES INCLUDE WORK ON THE CITY POOL… CONCRETE DECKING AROUND THE POOL HAS BEEN REMOVED TO PREPARE FOR NEW CONCRETE, FENCING AND SHADE AWNINGS, AS WELL AS SPIRAL WATER SLIDES THAT WILL DROP INTO THE DEEP END OF THE POOL… OTHER IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE REPLACING THE SMALL PAVILION NEAR THE PLAYGROUND AREA AND ADDING A NEW SIGN AT TO THE PARK IN WALNUT RIDGE… A NEW KIDDIE PLAYGROUND HAS BEEN INSTALLED, AS WELL AS NEW SIDEWALKS IN THE PLAYGROUND AREA.. MAYOR SNAPP SAYS PLANS CALL FOR ADDING HANDICAP PARKING PADS IN SEVERAL AREAS AND REPLACING THREE DUGOUTS ON THE BALLFIELDS THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE MAY 4TH WIND STORM.

• A STRAWBERRY MAN HAS BEEN JAILED IN IZARD COUNTY.. 20 YEAR OLD RICHARD G. KIMBLE WAS ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSSESSION OF AN OPEN CONTAINER OF ALCOHOL AND ALLOWING A MINOR TO HANDLE AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE… KIMBLE WAS BOOKED INTO THE IZARD COUNTY DETENTION CENTER.. HE IS NOW FREE AFTER POSTING A BOND OF $1,810…

•  IF YOU WERE WITH US TUESDAY, YOU HEARD STATE EDUCATION SECRETARY DR. JOHNNY KEY SAY COVID-19 CASES WERE TRENDING DOWNWARD AROUND THE STATE LAST WEEK.. THAT WAS TRUE LOCALLY AS WELL..… THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RELEASED ITS WEEKLY REPORT ON ACTIVE CASES IN SCHOOLS YESTERDAY... HIGHLAND REPORTED 12 CASES AND IZARD COUNTY 5... SCHOOLS WITH LESS THAN 5 CASES DO NOT MAKE THE LIST.. COMPARED TO LAST WEEKS REPORT, THE LOCAL ACTIVE CASE COUNT IN SCHOOLS IS DOWN 70 PERCENT… IZARD COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT FRED WALKER BELIEVES GOVERNOR ASA HUTCHINSON'S PILOT PROGRAM, DESIGNED TO KEEP KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM IS WORKING....THE IZARD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BEGIN OFFERING AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR PRE-SCHOOL THRU 8TH GRADE STUDENTS MONDAY ON THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPUS IN VIOLET HILL. THE PROGRAM TAKE PLACE AFTER SCHOOL UNTIL 5PM MONDAY THRU FRIDAY.. STUDENTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A HEALTHY SNACK AND EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT SUPPORT ACADEMIC, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT.  THE PROGRAM IS BEING OFFERED AT NO COST AND TRANSPIRATION WILL BE PROVIDED.. ICC PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE VIOLET HILL OFFICE AT 870-322-7229 FOR MORE INFORMATION…

•  THE SALEM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS TEAMING UP WITH THE CITY OF SALEM FOR A TRUNK OR TREAT CELEBRATION SUNDAY ON THE SALEM SQUARE... LESLIE SCRIBNER WITH THE SALEM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS ENCOURAGING SALEM RESIDENTS TO DECORATE YOUR TRUNK , BRING SOME CANDY AND JOIN THE FUN ON THE SALEM SQUARE… SET UP SHOULD BE COMPETE BY 4 SUNDAY, THE TRUNK OR TREAT WILL OPEN AT 4:30 ON THE SALEM SQUARE.. VISIT THE SALEM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FACEBOOK PAGE OR INSTAGRAM FOR ALL THE DETAILS...… THE SALEM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING IS TODAY AT NOON AT THE HICKINBOTHAM-MILLER BUILDING AT THE FAIRGROUNDS IN SALEM.

• THE WILLIAMS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY THEATER PROGRAM BEGINS ITS 2021-22 SEASON WITH LAURA EASON'S ADAPTATION OF JULES VERNE'S '''AROUND THE WORLD'' IN 80 DAYS THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS AT 7 IN THE STARTUP CHAPEL ON THE WBU CAMPUS IN WALNUT RIDGE.. JUNIOR JOE HUTCHINSON OF EVENING SHADE HAS THE LEAD ROLE OF PHILEAS FOGG. THE PLOT TELLS THE STORY OF FOGG, A FANTASTIC WEALTHY, MAJESTICALLY MYSTERIOUS AND DEDICATED MAN OF SCIENTIFIC REASON, WHO HAS DEDUCED THAT A MERE 80 DAYS IS ENOUGH TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE GLOBE, STAKING HIS ENTIRE FORTUNE ON IT... THIS ADAPTATION OF OF ''AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS'' FEATURES A CAST OF EIGHT ACTORS PERFORMING OVER 125 ROLES… ADMISSION FOR THE PRODUCTION IS $3 FOR STUDENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS AND $5 FOR GENERAL ADMISSIONS…

• WHETHER ITS PREPARING CHILI OR EATING IT,  YOUR INVITED TO COME TO FAITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN HORSESHOE BEND FOR THE CHILI-COOK OFF FRIDAY NIGHT. YOU CAN PREPARE YOUR CHILI AT HOME, BRING IT TO THE CHURCH BY 5:30... PAT GILL IS A  MEMBER AT FAITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH...  IF YOUR PREPARING CHILI, GET IT TO THE CHURCH BY 5:30, SERVING BEGINS AT 6 FOR JUST $7 AN ALL YOU CAN EAT BOWL OF CHILI AND A DRINK.... PROCEEDS WILL TO  THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MISSION AND JOURNEY INTO HOPE THAT IS SUPPORTEDBY FAITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN HORSESHOE BEND...

• STATE SENATOR MISSY IRVIN OF MOUNTAIN VIEW HAS ANNOUNCED SHE WILL RUN FOR RE-ELECTION FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE SENATE… SENATOR IRVIN REPRESENTS DISTRICT 18 WHICH INCLUDES PORTIONS OF FULTON, BAXTER, FAULKNER, MARION, VAN  BUREN AND WHITE COUNTIES AND ALL OF STONE, SEARCY AND CLEBURNE COUNTIES... IRVIN SERVES AS CHAIR OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND IS  A MEMBER OF THE SENATE INSURANCE AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, JOINT RETIREMENT, SOCIAL SECURITY AND SENATE RULES, RESOLUTIONS AND MEMORIALS COMMITTEE… SHE IS SERVING AS THE CO-VICE CHAIR FOR THE  ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND IS A  MEMBER OF THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE…

• THE CAVE CITY SCHOOL BOARD ACTED ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES AT THEIR REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING. PERSONNEL BEING ONE OF THOSE ACCORDING TO SUPERINTENDENT STEVE GREEN… CAVE CITY LIKE MOST SCHOOLS HAS BEEN CHALLENGED TO FIND NURSES… SUPERINTENDENT GREEN BELIEVES A NEW PLAN APPROVED BY THE BOARD WILL HELP EASE THAT SITUATION.. SEVERAL STUDENTS AND SPORTS TEAMS WERE RECOGNIZED BY THE BOARD.. CAVE CITY SUPERINTENDENT STEVE GREEN WITH A REPORT ON THIS MONTHS MEETING OF THE CAVE CITY SCHOOL BOARD…

     .

• HARDY POLICE CHEIF SCOTT ROSE REPORTS A MAN WHO HAD BEEN REPORTED MISSING TWO DAYS AGO HAS FOUND DEAD.  THE BODY WAS DISCOVERED IN THE WOODS CLOSE TO THE MAN'S HOME ON GRIFFIN ROAD IN HARDY..  CHEIF ROSE SAYS THE CAUSE OF DEATH IS BELIEVED TO BE A SELF-INFLICTED GUN SHOT WOUND.  THE SHARP COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION.

• IN HIS STATE OF THE SCHOOLS REPORT THIS WEEK, EDUCATION SECRETARY DR. JOHNNY KEY OF MOUNTAIN HOME SAYS LAST WEEK WENT SMOOTH FOR SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE AS COVID-19 CASES CONTINUED A DOWNWARD TREND…

• A HORSESHOE BEND MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON A NUMBER OF CHARGES FOLLOWING AN ASSAULT ON A FAMILY MEMBER. 24 YEAR OLD AARON SEFERS IS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER, TWO COUNTS OF TERRORISTIC THREATENING FIRST DEGREE, ALL ARE CLASS D FELONIES.. SEFERS IS ALSO CHARGED WITH INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS, A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR AND ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A MINOR, ALSO A MISDEMEANOR…

• MEDICAL MARIJUANA SALES IN ARKANSAS HAVE SURPASSED 60,000 POUNDS.. SINCE THE FIRST DISPENSARY OPENED IN MAY 2019, PATIENTS IN ARKANSAS HAVE SPENT $428 MILLION TO OBTAIN 63,815 POUNDS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACCORDING TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMMISSION.. THERE ARE 37 DISPENSARIES IN OPERATION ACROSS THE STATE.. THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTS 78,425 ACTIVE PATIENT CARDS... SINCE SPRING RIVER DISPENSARY OPENED IN HARDY JANUARY 7TH, THE COMPANY HAS SOLD 579.2 POUNDS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA WITH 75.7 POUNDS SOLD IN SEPTEMBER... SINCE PLANT FAMILY THERAPEUTICS IN MOUNTAIN HOME OPENED IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, THE COMPANY HAS SOLD 3,638 POUNDS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA WITH 209.7 POUNDS SOLD IN SEPTEMBER…

• EARLY VOTING FOR NEXT TUESDAYS SCHOOL ELECTION IN MAMMOTH SPRING BEGINS TODAY.. VOTERS IN THE MAMMOTH SPRING SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN VOTE EARLY AT THE CLERK'S OFFICE AT THE COURTHOUSE IN SALEM FROM 7;30AM TIL 7PM TODAY THRU FRIDAY AND NEXT MONDAY.. TWO SEATS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE SCHOOL MILLAGE ARE ON THE BALLOT… THE POLLING PLACE NEXT TUESDAY, THE OLD PARTS BUILDING ON MAIN STREET IN MAMMOTH SPRING WILL BE OPEN 7:30 TIL 7:30 ON ELECTION DAY NEXT TUESDAY…

•  BAXTER REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN MOUNTAIN HOME HAS ACQUIRED MEDICAL CLINIC IN HARRISON... EFFECTIVE MONDAY, WASHINGTON REGIONAL CROSSROADS MEDICAL CLINIC WILL BECOME BAXTER REGIONAL CROSSROADS MEDICAL CLINIC… THE CLINIC WILL REMAIN IN THE SAME LOCATION AT 1420 HIGHWAY 62-65 IN HARRISON…

•  THE HIGHLAND STUDENT COUNCIL AND REBELS AGAINST DRUGS ARE SPONSORING THE ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT AT CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TUESDAY (OCT 26)..... IT'S A BIG CELEBRATION FOR CHILDREN, THRU THE SIXTH GRADE ACCORDING TO HIGHLAND STUDENT COUNCIL SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE MIKA MCBRIDE… TRUNK OR TREAT VISITORS SHOULD COME THRU THE MAIN ENTRANCE AT CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY BETWEEN 5 AND 7 TONIGHT.... MEMBERS OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL AND RADD WILL GUIDE YOU THRU THE TRUNK OR TREAT LINE THAT PROMISES TO BE LOADED WITH CANDY AND TREATS FOR THE KIDS… THE TRUNK OR TREAT IS FOR CHILDREN THRU THE SIXTH GRADE..…

• ARKANSAS LAND COMMISSIONER TOMMY LAND WILL CONDUCT SEVERAL COUNTY TAX DELINQUENT AUCTIONS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS… TWO AUCTIONS ARE SCHEDULED WEDNESDAY. THE LAWRENCE COUNTY AUCTION BEGINS AT 10 AT THE LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM IN WALNUT RIDGE.. THE REGISTRATION OF BIDDERS WILL BEGIN AT 9:30… THE RANDOLPH COUNTY AUCTION IS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AT 1 AT THE RANDOLPH COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDING.. REGISTRATION OF BIDDERS WILL BEGIN AT 12:30… THE SHARP COUNTY AUCTION IS THURSDAY MORNING AT TEN AT THE COURTHOUSE IN ASH FLAT.. REGISTRATION OF BIDDERS WILL BEGIN AT 9... THE FULTON COUNTY AUCTION IS NOVEMBER 17TH AT 10 AT THE FAIRGROUNDS IN SALEM AND THE IZARD COUNTY AUCTION IS THE NEXT DAY ON NOVEMBER 18TH AT 10 AT THE JOHN E. MILLER BUILDING ON THE OZARKA CAMPUS IN MELBOURNE.... COMMISSIONER LAND EXPLAINS THE PROCESS OF SELLING THE PROPERTY ON TUESDAY’S HOMETOWN RADIO NEWS… OWNERS HAVE TEN BUSINESS DAYS TO REDEEM THEIR PROPERTIES.. THOSE NOT REDEEMED HAD LIMITED WARRANTY DEEDS ISSUED AND HAVE BEEN SENT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CIRCUIT CLERK'S OFFICE TO BE RECORDED.. COUNTIES WILL FORWARD THE FILED DEEDS TO THE BUYERS.. LAND SAYS ITS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT BUYERS MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE PROPERTIES UNTIL AFTER THE 90-DAY LITIGATION PERIOD ENDS..

• THE PERFORMING ARTS SERIES AT ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY IN MOUNTAIN HOME WILL HOST THE TERRE WARE BOOK AUTHOR LECTURE SERIES BEGINNING TUESDAY NIGHT (OCT. 26)..  THE SENIOR EDITOR FOR THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE, REX NELSON WILL BE THE SPECIAL GUEST.. NELSON IS CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE AN EXPERT IN HISTORY, CULTURE AND POLITICS IN ARKANSAS AND HAS WRITTEN THREE BOOKS AND HAS A BLOG REXNELSONSOUTHERNFRIED.COM. HE SERVED AS THE WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE… NELSON'S PRESENTATION BEGINS AT 6 IN THE VADA SHEID COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER ON THE ASU-MOUNTAIN HOME CAMPUS.

        .

• A PAROLEE WIT HTHE ARKANSAS STATE PAROLE BOARD HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES BY MAMMOTH SPRING POLICE WHO STOPPED A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY 44 YEAR OLD CHESTER ARNOLD OF POCOHONTAS AFTER OFFICER JAMIE TURNBOUGH OBSERVED ARNOLD'S VEHICLE CROSSING THE CENTERLINE. APPROACHING THE VEHICLE THE OFFICER NOTICED ARNOLD WAS NERVOUS AND APPEARED TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE... DRUING A SEARCH OF THE ARNOLD'S VEHICHLE, TWO CONTACT LENSE CASES CONTAINING A SMALL QUANITTY OF A CRYSTALLINE SUBSTANCE THAT LATER TESTED POSITIVE FOR METHAMPHETAMINE.. ARNOLD IS NOW CHARGED WITH FELONY POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE... HE WAS TAKEN TO THE FULTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER.. BOND WAS SET AT $2,000...

• AN IZARD COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER ARREST AND HCARGED WITH MULTIPLE FELONIES AFTER THREATENING TO KILL HIS GIRLFRIEND AND A THREE MONTH OLD CHILD BY "CUTTING THEM INTO PIECES SLOWLY"...ACCORDING TO AN AFFIDAVIT FOR WARRANT OF ARREST OF 20 YEAR OLD AARON JAMES SEFERS, DEPUTITES WITH THE IZARD COUNYT SHERIFF'S DEPARMENT WERE WERE DISPATCHED TO AN ADDESS ON NIGHTINGALE CIRCLE IN HORSESHOE BEND.. WHEN THEY ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, THEY SPOKE WIT HA FEMALE VICTIM WHO SAID SEFERS WAS INSIDE THE RESIDENCE WITH THEIR THREE MONTH OLD SON.. SHE SAID SEFERS HAD BECOME IRATE EARLIER IN THE MORNING AND A VERBAL AND PHYSICAL ALTERCATION TOOK PLACE.. THE VICTIM SAID SEFERS HAD STRANGLED HER AND MADE THREATS TO KILL HER AND THE THREE MONTH OLD CHILD.. SEFERS HAD THREATENED TO CUT THE WOMAN AND CHILD UP INTO "TINY PIECES" AND THE VICTIM WARNED OFFICERS THERE WERE SEVERAL AXES AND SWORDS INSIDE THE HOME... AFTER A BRIEF NEGOTIATION PERIOD, SEFERS COMPLIED WITH COMMANDS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SURRENDERED HIMSELF INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT.. THE CHILD WAS UNHARMED.. SEFERS IS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF FELONY TERRORISTIC THREATENING IN THE FIRST DEGREE, FELONY AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBER, MISDEMEANOR ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A MINOR AND INTERFERENCE WIT HEMERGENCY COMMUNICATION.. SEFERS HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THE IZARD COUNTY DETENTION CENTER AFTER POSTING BOND.
• THE COUPLE APPREHENDED THURSDAY IN SEARCY COUNTY HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER.. 49 YEA ROLD JASON STOCKSTILL AND 38 YEAR OLD HEATHER SCALLION WERE CAPTURED THURSDAY AFTERNOON AFTER ALLUDING AUTHORITIES FOR A WEEK. THEY WERE BEING SOUGHT IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 59 YEAR OLD TIM BLACKBURN OF RURAL BOONE COUNTY THAT OCCURED OCTOBER 14TH AT BLACKBURN'S RESIDENCE.  BLACKBURN'S PICKUP WAS STOLEN FROM THE SCENE AND LATER LOCATED AT ST. JOE IN SEARCY COUNTY.  STOCKSTILL AND SCALLION FLED ON FOOT AND WERE FOR A WEEK BEFORE THEY WERE CAPTURED IN THE SAME AREA LAST THURSDAY.  SEARCY COUNTY SHERIFF KENNY CASSELL AND DRUG TASK FORCE AGENTS, HEATH JONES AND MACY BROWN APPREHDED THE COUPLE.  THEY WERE TAKEN TO THE SEARCH COUNTY DETENTION CENTER FOR PROCESSING AND LATER TRANSPORTED TO BOONE COUNTY.  STOCKSTILL IS ALSO FACING CHARGES OF SECOND-DEGREE DOMESTIC BATTERY WITH PHYSCIAL INJURY, FIRST DEGREE KIDNAPPING AND FALSE IMPRISONMENT WITH RISK OF INJURY.  HE IS ALSO BEING CHARGED AS AN HABITUAL OFFENDER.

• ARKANSAS REPORTED SUNDAY THERE WERE ONLY 246 NEW COVID 19 CASES SINCE SATURDAY WITH ACTIVE CASES DOWN BY 210, DEATHS UP BY 14, HOSPITALIZATIONS UP BY 5 AND COVID PATIENTS ON VENTILARTORS DOWN BY 4.. AN ADDITIONAL 848 ARKANSAS RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED IN THE PAST 24 HOURS OR 54.2% OF THE STATE.. IN COUNTY BY COUNTY ACTIVE CASES SHARP WAS DOWN 8, FULTON, IZARD AND STONE UP 1, LAWRENCE AND BAXTER DOWN 2, RANDOLPH DOWN 1 AND  INDEPENDENCE DOWN 7..

• MISSOURI REPORTED 520 NEW COVID CASES AS OF SUNDAY AFTERNOON, 2 ADDITIONAL DEATHS, HOSPITLAIZTIONS DOWN BY 47 AND COVID PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS DOWN BY 5.. MISSOURI RESIDENTS FULLY VACCINATED WAS UP BY 2,249 OR 49% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION. IN COUNTY BY COUNTY CASES TANEY UP 4, DOULGAS AND TEXAS COUNTIES UP 1, HOWELL UP 2 AND NO CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES IN OREGON, OZARK OR SHANNON.  MISSOURI HEALTH OFFICALS HAVE UPDATED THE STATE'S GUIDANANCE ON COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS FOR RESIDENTS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY RECIEVED A MODERNA OR JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE.  FOLLOWING FEDERAL GUIDANCE  FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES SAYS MISSOURIANS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A BOOSTER SHOT IF THEY ARE AT LEAST SIX MONTHS REMOVED FROM EITHER THE PFIZER OR THE MODERNA VACCINE AND FALL IN ONE OF THESE GROUPS: AGE 65 AND OLDER, AGE 18 AND OVER WHO LIVE IN LONG-TERM SETTINGS OR WHO HAVE UNDERLYING  MEDICAL CONDTIONS AND OR WHO WORK OR LIVE IN HIGH-RISK SETTINGS. FOR THOSE WHO GOT THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON COVID-19 VACCINE, BOOSTER SHOTS ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 AND WERE VACCINATED TWO OR THREE MONTHS AGO.  

• TWO MAMMOTH SPRING RESIDENTS WERE INJURED IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH FRIDAY NIGHT IN HOWELL COUNTY.. A CAR DRIVEN BY A 17 YEAR OLD JUVENILE FROM WEST PLAINS COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER VEHICLES ON HIGHWAY 160 WEST OF WEST PLAINS.  THE VEHICLES WERE DRIVEN BY 39 YEAR OLD CASEY CARTER AND 18 YEAR OLD DYLAN WEYH  BOTH OF MAMMOTH SPRING... WEYH  WAS TRANSPORTED TO OZARKS MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH..

• THE HARDY ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE MEETS MONDAY AT 6PM AT THE HARDY CIVIC CENTER ON WEST MAIN STREET.

• BRINGING BROADBAND TO SOUTHERN MISSOURI IS THE TOPIC OF A MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY NIGHT AT 5:30 AT ECHO BLUFF STATE PARK AT EMINENCE... STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS WILL HOST THE MEETING WITH A PLAN ON BRINGING BROADBAND SERVICE TO OREGON AND SHANNON COUNTIES.

• A COLORFUL LONGEAR SUNFISH WILL BE FEATURED ON NEXT YEAR'S ARKANSAS CONSERVATION LICENSE PLATE.. THAT ANNOUCEMENT CAME THURSDAY FROM THE ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION... THE PLATE WILL SHOWCASE THE COLOR AS ONE OF ARKANSAS' MOST CHARIMATIC AND OFTEN OVERLOOK SPECIES OF GAMEFISH... THE COMMISSION CHOSE THE LONGEAR SUNFISH BECAUSE OF ITS BRIGHT BLUE AND ORANGE MARKINGS THAT RIVAL THE COLORS OF MANY FISH FOUND IN CORAL REEFS AND SALTWATER AND IT'S PROMINENCE AS MANY ARKANSAS' YOUTH'S FIRST CATCH.  THE CONSERVATION LICENSE PLATE PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2000 HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN $18 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION EFFORTS IN ARKANSAS SINCE ITS INCEPTION...

• AN 86 YEAR OLD BATESVILLE MAN WAS KILLED AFTER BEING STRUCK BY  A PICKUP TRUCK AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 167 AND COLLEGE STREET.. LEWIS PRICE WAS CROSSING THE HIGHWAY WHEN A SOUTHBOUND PICKUP STRUCK HIM... PRICE WAS TRANSPORTED TO WHITE RIVER MEDICAL CENTER AND LATER TRANSFERRED TO UAMS WHERE HE DIED.

• MISSOURI'S FIRST BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASON IS UNDERWAY AND THE FIRST BEAR TAKEN WERE IN HOWELL COUNTY… A 250 POUND FEMALE WAS TAKEN ON PRIVATE LAND AND A SECOND BEAR TAKEN ON PUBLIC LAND, BOTH IN THE SAME AREA, WEST OF WEST PLAINS… THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION DID NOT RELEASE THE NAMES OF THE HUNTERS… THE BLACK BEAR SEASON IN MISSOURI WILL CONTINUE THRU OCTOBER 27TH.. THE STATE HAS AN ESTIMATED BLACK BEAR POPULATION OF 800, MOSTLY SOUTH OF THE MISSOURI RIVER… HUNTERS RECEIVED PERMITS IN A LOTTERY, AND THE STATE SET A QUOTA OF 40 BEARS… ONCE QUOTAS ARE MET, THE SEASON CLOSES…

• MONDAY IS THE DEADLINE FOR LAWRENCE COUNTY STOCKMEN TO SIGN UP FOR THE FALL BRUCELLOSIS VACCINATION DRIVE… COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT IS BRYCE BALDRIDGE. A PROGRAM ON PINKEYE AND BVD WILL BE HELD THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE OLD BLACK ROCK SCHOOL CAFETERIA.… SIGN UP FOR THE BRUCELLOSIS VACCINATIONS IS MONDAY, PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUESTED FOR THE PINKEYE-BVD PROGRAM ON THURSDAY.. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THE PROGRAM, BUT A MEAL WILL BE SERVED AND A COUNT FOR THE MEAL PREPARATION IS NEEDED... PHONE THE EXTENSION OFFICE IN WALNUT RIDGE MONDAY AT 886-3741.…  

• AN IZARD COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER ARREST AND CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE FELONIES AFTER THREATENING TO KILL HIS GIRLFRIEND AND A THREE MONTH OLD CHILD BY " CUTTING THEM UP INTO PIECES SLOWLY"… ACCORDING TO AN AFFIDAVIT FOR WARRANT OF ARREST OF 24 YEAR OLD  AARON JAMES SEFERS, DEPUTIES WITH THE IZARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WERE DISPATCHED TO AN ADDRESS ON NIGHINGALE CIRCLE IN HORSESHOE BEND.. WHEN THEY ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, THEY SPOKE WITH A FEMALE VICTIM WHO SAID SEFERS WAS INSIDE THE RESIDENCE WITH THEIR 3 MONTH OLD SON... SHE SAID STAFERS HAD BECOME IRATE EARLIER IN THE MORNING AND A VERBAL AND PHYSICAL ALTERCATION TOOK PLACE.. THE VICTIM SAID SEFERS HAD STRANGLED HER AND  MADE THREATS TO KILL HER AND THE THREE MONTH OLD CHILD.. SEFERS HAD THREATENED TO CUT THE WOMAN AND CHILD UP INTO ''TINY PIECES'' AND THE VICTIM WARNED OFFICERS THERE WERE SEVERAL AXES AND SWORDS INSIDE THE HOME... AFTER A BRIEF NEGOTIATION PERIOD, SEFERS COMPLIED WITH COMMANDS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SURRENDERED HIMSELF INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT.. THE CHILD WAS UNHARMED... SEFERS IS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF FELONY  TERRORISTIC THREATENING IN THE FIRST DEGREE, FELONY AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBER, MISDEMEANOR ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A MINOR AND INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION.. SEFERS HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THE IZARD COUNTY DETENTION CENTER AFTER POSTING BOND… 

• HUNTERS ARE REMINDED TO HAVE YOUR DEER TESTED FOR CWD.… GAME AND FISH COMMISSION PUBLICIST TREY REID REMINDS HUNTERS, THE GAME AND FISH IS AGAIN A VARIETY OF FREE OPTIONS TO HAVE HARVESTED DEER TESTED FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE DURING THE DEER HUNTING SEASON.. WILDLIFE HEALTH BIOLOGIST A.J. RIGGS SAYS THE COMMISSION COLLECTED 7,824 CWD SAMPLES LAST YEAR AND 95 PERCENT OF THOSE SAMPLES WERE VOLUNTARILY SUBMITTED FROM HUNTER HARVESTED DEER.... THE MOST POPULAR METHOD FOR HUNTERS TO HAVE THEIR DEER TESTED IS THROUGH THE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION'S SYSTEM OF DROP OFF CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.. FREEZERS ARE AVAILABLE AROUND THE STATE TO DROP OFF SAMPLES OF HARVESTED DEER FOR TESTING... SAMPLES ARE ANALYZED BY THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY COMMISSION LABORATORY…

• FORMER MOUNTAIN HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR JANET WOOD WAS INDUCTED INTO THE MOUNTAIN HOME EDUCATION FOUNDATION HALL OF HONOR THIS WEEK.. THE RETIRED EDUCATOR WHO IS A NATIVE OF MELBOURNE, CAME TO THE MOUNTAIN HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT IN 1981 AND RETIRED IN 2019… HE FIRST JOB WAS GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH... SHE WON A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1986, WAS THE SCHOOL'S ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FROM 2004 TO 2015 AND LATER SERVED AS KINDERGARTEN PRINCIPAL.... WOOD IS A MEMBER OF THE ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS HALL OF FAME AND THE ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL COACHES ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME…

•  YOU CAN DONATE BLOOD AND WIN KANSAS CITY CHIEFS TICKETS DURING A RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE WEDNESDAY FROM NOON TIL SIX AT THE OZARKS MEDICAL PARKWAY CENTER.. THE DRIVE WILL BE HELD IN THE WILLARD HUNTER CLASSROOM AT 1211 SOUTH PORTER WAGONER BLVD. IN WEST PLAINS.… SUCCESSFUL DONORS WILL RECEIVE A CHIEF'S KINGDOM T-SHIRT AND BE ENTERED TO WIN A PAIR OF PREMIUM TICKETS TO THE CHIEFS GAME WITH DENVER ON DECEMBER FIFTH AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM.… APPOINTMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED, BUT NOT NECESSARY…

• OZARKA COLLEGE HAS AWARDED THE DIESTCHE-MARTIN HONORARY SCHOLARSHIP TO KENDALL VEST OF SIDNEY... THE TOTAL AWARD OF THE SCHOLARSHIP IS $500 AND WILL BE AWARDED IN TWO INCREMENTS… THE DIETSCHE-MARTIN HONORARY SCHOLARSHIP IS AN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDED IN RECOGNITION OF OZARKA COLLEGE SCIENCE INSTRUCTORS, BRUCE DIETSCHE AND MELISSA MARTIN. THE SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED ANNUALLY TO AN OZARKA COLLEGE STUDENT STUDYING SCIENCE-RELATED COURSES…

• CALLERS IN ARKANSAS 501 AND MISSOURI'S 417 AREA CODES WILL BE REQUIRED TO DIAL THE FULL 10 DIGITS OF PHONE NUMBER'S BEGINNING MONDAY. THE CHANGE IS PART OF A DIRECTIVE FOR THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE.. THE CHANGE WAS APPROVED BY THE FCC IN 2020 AND REQUIRES SERVICE PROVIDERS TO MAKE ALL CHANGES NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT USERS CAN CALL 988 IF THEY NEED HELP BY JULY 16TH, 2022... THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE LOCAL 870 AREA CODE.…

•  THE HIGHLAND STUDENT COUNCIL AND REBELS AGAINST DRUGS ARE SPONSORING THE ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT AT CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TUESDAY… IT'S A BIG CELEBRATION ACCORDING TO HIGHLAND STUDENT COUNCIL SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE MIKA McBRIDE… TRUNK OR TREAT VISITORS SHOULD COME THRU THE MAIN ENTRANCE AT CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY BETWEEN 5 AND 7 TUESDAY.... MEMBERS OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL AND RADD WILL GUIDE YOU THRU THE TRUNK OR TREAT LINE THAT PROMISES TO BE LOADED WITH CANDY AND TREATS FOR THE KIDS... THE TRUNK OR TREAT IS FOR CHILDREN THRU THE SIXTH GRADE..…

       .

• THE TWO MURDER SUSPECTS WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE RUN FOR A WEEK HAVE BEEN APPREHENDED IN SEARCY COUNTY.  SEARCY COUNTY AUTHORITIES AND AGENTS WITH THE DRUG TASK FORCE CAUGHT 49 YEAR OLD LEE STOCKSTILL AND 38 YEAR OLD DAWN SCALLION ON CIRCLE H ROAD IN SEARCYH COUNTY THURSDAY.  BOTH ARE WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 59 YEAR OLD TIM BLACKBURN OF BOONE COUNTY.  THE TWO WERE TAKEN TO THE SEARCY COUNTY DETENTION CENTER FOR PROCESSING.  THE SEARCY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT EXTENDED THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ASSISTED IN THE SEARCH.

• HARDY POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE THEFT OF A PICKUP FROM THE PARKING LOT OF BILL'S CASHSAVER IN HARDY.. POLICE CHIEF SCOTT ROSE SAYS MICHEAL WILKERSON AND RICHARD ALEXANDER ARE BEING SOUGHT IN CONNECTION WITH THE THEFT… A SURVEILLANCE VIDEO CONFIRMED THE IDENTITY OF THE TWO MEN… CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINST WILKERSON... CHIEF ROSE SUGGESTS RESIDENTS NOT APPROACH THE MEN, CALL 911 OR YOUR NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY…

• THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS IMPLEMENTED NEW GUIDELINES TO SCHOOLS REGARDING THE QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS OF STUDENTS WHO MAY HAVE COVID-19 EXPOSURE... GOVERNOR ASA HUTCHINSON ANNOUNCED THE PROTOCOL CHANGES WOULD REDEFINE "" CLOSE CONTACT"" IN A SCHOOL SETTING, REDUCING IT FROM WITHIN SIX FEET FROM A COVID-19 POSITIVE INDIVIDUAL TO THREE FEET FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES.. THE GOVERNOR ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE TEST TO STAY PROTOCOLS ARE NOT LIMITED TO SCHOOL DAYS BUT ALSO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES... ACTIVE CASES OF COVID-19 IN AREA SCHOOLS IS SHOWING A DOWNWARD TREND THIS WEEK.. ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, POCAHONTAS HAS 18 CASES, BATESVILLE 16,  IZARD COUNTY AND MOUNTAIN VIEW EACH HAD 11 CASES, MELBOURNE 10,  CAVE CITY  9, HILLCREST 7 , HIGHLAND AND HOXIE EACH REPORTED 5 CASES. IF YOUR SCHOOL WAS NOT MENTIONED, THATS BECAUSE THEY HAVE LESS THAN 5 CASES…

• FIRST, IT WAS NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS NOT GETTING THEIR BILLS ON TIME, NOW WATER CUSTOMERS N HOXIE ARE GETTING THEIR MONTHLY BILLS SO LATE, THE BILL IS PAST DUE BEFORE THE POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERS IT... HOXIE MAYOR DENNIS COGGINS IS TAKING UPON HIMSELF TO START DELIVERING THE BILLS HIMSELF.… MAYOR COGGINS CONTACTED CONGRESSMAN RICK CRAWFORD AND HE SAYS THE HOXIE POST OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO FIX THE PROBLEM… HOXIE MAIL TAKES A RIDE BEFORE IT’S DELIVERED.. ALL MAIL IN THE HOXIE POST OFFICE GOES TO WALNUT RIDGE, THEN TO JONESBORO, THEN TO MEMPHIS FOR SORTING, BEFORE IT COMES BACK TO JONESBORO, TO WALNUT RIDGE AND BACK TO HOXIE FOR DELIVERY... MAYOR COGGINS STATED A BILL DATED 2017 JUST RECENTLY MADE ITS WAY BACK TO THE HOXIE WATER DEPARTMENT…

• LAWRENCE COUNTY STOCKMEN ARE REMINDED THE FALL BRUCELLOSIS VACCINATION DAY IS WEDNESDAY... COUNTY AGENT BRYCE BALDRIDGE REMINDS YOU MONDAY (OCT 25) IS THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP… LAWRENCE COUNTY STOCKMEN CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A PROGRAM ON PINKEYE/BVD NEXT THURSDAY... STATE EXTENSION VETERINARIAN DR. HEIDI WARD WILL PRESENT THE PROGRAM THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6 AT THE OLD BLACK ROCK SCHOOL CAFETERIA.. THE PROGRAM IS FREE AND A MEAL WILL BE SERVED... PRE-REGISTRATION IS NEEDED TO PREPARE FOR THE MEAL... CALL THE EXTENSION OFFICE TO SIGN UP FOR THE BRUCELLOSIS VACCINATION AND OR THE PINKEYE/BVD PROGRAM BY CALLING 870-886-3741…

• THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S FORESTRY DIVISION HAS SELECTED TWELVE PLAYGROUNDS AT SEVERAL SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SHADE TREES ON PLAYGROUNDS PROGRAM… THE SHADE TREES ON PLAYGROUNDS PROGRAM WAS ORGANIZED TO LOWER ADULT SKIN CANCER RISK BY REDUCING CHILDHOOD EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT WHERE CHILDREN PLAY, LIKE SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS.. WINNING SCHOOLS RECEIVE UP TO FIVE SHADE TREES, MULCH, WATERING SUPPLIES AND PLANTING GUIDELINES AFTER PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAM TRAINING... THE HIGHLAND PRE-SCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN PLAYGROUND IS ONE OF PLAYGROUNDS SELECTED FOR THE PROGRAM. SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT STOP APPLICATIONS ANNUALLY..…

•  KIDS AND THOSE YOUNG AT HEART WILL ENJOY A TRIP TO THE ARKANSAS SHERIFF'S YOUTH RANCH 4TH ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH .... YOUTH RANCH DIRECTOR IS MATT CLEVELAND… THE PUMPKIN PATCH IS OPEN SATURDAYS 10 TIL 5 AND SUNDAYS 1 TIL 4. ADMISSION IS $10 PER VISITOR AT THE GATE AND INCLUDES A PUMPKIN AND ACCESS TO ALL ACTIVITIES.. CHILDREN TWO AND UNDER ARE FREE… GROUPS ARE ASKED TO MAKE A RESERVATION AND WEEKDAY RATES FOR GROUPS OF 20 OR MORE ARE AVAILABLE.. EMAIL matt@youthranches.com OR PHONE 501-940-3440 FOR MORE INFORMATION.…

      .

• THERE WILL NOT BE A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE THIS  WEEK. GOVERNOR ASA HUTCHINSON BACKING OFF HIS PLANS TO CALL THE LEGISLATURE BACK TO THE CAPITAL NEXT WEEK TO TAKE UP INCOME TAX CUTS AS HE CONTINUES NEGOTIATING WITH LAWMAKERS ON HOW MUCH TO REDUCE.. THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE INCOME TAX PROPOSAL THAT HAS BEEN STUDIED WOULD COST THE STATE $321 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR ONCE FULLY IMPLEMENTED IN 2023.. THE GOVERNOR DID NOT SAY WHEN HE PLANNED TO CONVENE THE LEGISLATURE, THOUGH HE SAYS HE HOPES TO DO SO BEFORE THANKSGIVING… THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL CALLS FOR REDUCING THE STATE'S TOP INCOME TAX RATE FROM  5.9% TO 5.3% BY 2023.. IT ALSO CALLS FOR INCREASING A TAX CREDIT FOR THOSE MAKING LESS THAN $22,900 AND FOR COMBINING THE LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME TAX TABLES.... SOME HAVE PRESSED THE GOVERNOR TO GO FURTHER WITH HIS TAX CUT PLANS.…

• CALLERS IN ARKANSAS 501 AND MISSOURI'S 417 AREA CODES WILL BE REQUIRED TO DIAL THE FULL 10 DIGITS OF PHONE NUMBER'S BEGINNING MONDAY. THE CHANGE IS PART OF A DIRECTIVE FOR THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE.. THE CHANGE WAS APPROVED BY THE FCC IN 2020 AND REQUIRES SERVICE PROVIDERS TO MAKE ALL CHANGES NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT USERS CAN CALL 988 IF THEY NEED HELP BY JULY 16TH, 2022... THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE LOCAL 870 AREA CODE.…

• THE SALEM MASONIC LODGE COATS FOR KIDS COLLECTION DRIVE CONTINUES.. FRANK KISH TELLS US NEW OR SLIGHTLY WORN COATS ARE NEEDED.. THE DROP IS EASY.… BRING YOUR COAT DONATION BY THE COURTHOUSE IN SALEM OR CONTACT FRANK KISH AT 870-750-1249.. MONETARY DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED AND CAN BE MAILED TO THE SALEM MASONIC LODGE #418 AT POST OFFICE BOX  905 SALEM, ARK. 72576…

• A VETERAN EMPLOYEE OF FIRST  COMMUNITY BANK, DWIGHT FORD HAS BEEN NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER OF FIRST COMMUNITY BANK.  FORD JOINED FIRST COMMUNITY BANK IN 2007 AND HAS MORE THAN 26 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY...FIRST COMMUNITY BANK IS BASED IN BATESVILLE WITH LOCAL BANKS IN CHEROKEE VILLAGE AND CAVE CITY.…

•  THE IZARD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN SELECTED AS ONE OF 44 RECIPIENTS STATEWIDE FOR A $150,003 GRANT FROM THE ARKANSAS DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION AND THE ARKANSAS OUT OF SCHOOL INITIATIVE THRU ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY.. THE FUNDING FOR THE GRANT COMES FROM THE FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION RELIEF MONEY.. SUPERINTENDENT FRED WALKER TOLD THE BOARD, THE GRANT WILL ALLOW THE DISTRICT TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT ADDITIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AT ICC.. THE DISTRICT ALSO PLEDGED ITS SUPPORT FOR THIS NEW INITIATIVE BY PROVIDING $75,000 IN DISTRICT FUNDS IN ADDITION TO THE GRANT FUNDS.. WALKER TOLD THE BOARD THE DISTRICT WILL BEGIN AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR PRE-SCHOOL THRU 8TH GRADE STUDENTS AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT VIOLET HILL ON NOVEMBER FIRST… THE PROGRAM WILL BE HELD AFTER SCHOOL UNTIL 5 OCLOCK MONDAY THRU FRIDAY. STUDENTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A HEALTHY SNACK AND EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT SUPPORT ACADEMIC, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT... WALKER ADDED THE PROGRAM WILL BE AT NO COST TO THE STUDENTS AND TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED... DURING THIS MONTHS BOARD MEETING, WALKER SAID THE DISTRICT'S FREE AND REDUCED MEAL PERCENTAGE FOR OCTOBER FIRST REPORT WAS 81% AND THE DISTRICT WAS UP 31 STUDENTS CURRENTLY FROM LAST YEAR'S REPORT.  THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID THE DISTRICT'S FREE AND REDUCED PERCENTAGE WOULD QUALIFY THE DISTRICT FOR A STATE FUNDED RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TEACHER BONUS IN THE 22-23 SCHOOL.. YEAR.… CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW COUGAR STADIUM, TRACK AND FIELD COMPLEX IS STILL ON TARGET AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE SPRING…

•  A FALL LECTURE SERIES HIGHLIGHTING THE HERITAGE OF SHARP COUNTY AND THE SPRING RIVER AREA BEGINS MONDAY NIGHT, HOSTED BY THE SPRING RIVER INNOVATION HUB IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CITY OF CHEROKEE VILLAGE.. THE OZARKS HISTORIAN, DR. BROOKS BLEVINS WILL SPEAK ON THE HISTORY OF THE OZARKS AND LOCAL PIONEER CULTURE.. THE IZARD COUNTY NATIVE IS THE NOEL BOYD PROFESSOR OF OZARKS STUDIES AT MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY IN SPRINGFIELD AND IS THE AUTHOR AND EDITOR OF NINE BOOKS ON THE HISTORY OF THE OZARKS... AUTHORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT OZARKS HISTORY, BUT DR. BLEVINS BRINGS A UNIQUE PROSPECTIVE, HAVING LIVED HIS ENTIRE LIFE IN THIS AREA.. THERE WILL BE A BOOK SIGNING WITH DR. BLEVINS AT 5:30 BEFORE HIS LECTURE.. VOLUMES 1 AND 2 OF A HISTORY OF THE OZARKS SERIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AND SIGNING AT THE EVENT MONDAY EVENING.. THE FALL LECTURE SERIES INITIATIVE IS PART OF A NATIONAL ENDOWMENT OF THE ARTS GRANT AWARD OF $100,000 TO CONSTRUCT THE FIRST PHASE OF A COMMUNITY MASTER PLAN TO SUPPORT THE ARTS, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OF CHEROKEE VILLAGE…

       .

• GOVERNOR ASA HUTCHINSON ANNOUCED CHANGES TO QUARENTINE PROTOCOLS FOR SCHOOLS TUESDAY. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS CHANGED THE DEFINITION OF A CLOSE CONTACT IN A SCHOOL SETTING FROM 6 FEET FOR 15 MINUTES TO 3 FEET FOR 15 MINUTES.  TEST TO STAY PROTOCOLS ARE NOW IN PLACE FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES INSTEAD OF ONLY APPLYING TO THE SCHOOL DAY.  STATE HEALTH SECRETARY DR. JOSE ROMERO SAYS THE CHANGES APPLY TO KINDERGARTEN THRU 12TH GRADE SCHOOLS AND NOT DAYCARES AND UPPER EDUCATION.  IF THERE IS AN INCREASE IN CASES, THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL CHANGE THE GUIDANCE BACK TO 6 FEET.           

• AN ARREST HAS BEEN MADE IN MELBOURNE IN CONNECTION WITH A DOMESTIC INCIDENT INVOLVING A BASEBALL BAT.... ACCORDING TO IZARD COUNTY CHIEF DEPUTY CHARLIE MELTON, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS NOTIFIED AROUND 4:30 SUNDAY REGARDING AN INCIDENT AT 212 ALLEN STREET... A FEMALE CALLER SAID THERE WAS A MAN AT HER HOME THAT HAD BEEN HIT IN THE HEAD WITH A BASEBALL BAT... WHEN OFFICERS ARRIVED, THEY FOUND THE  25 YEAR OLD VICTIM LYING ON THE FLOOR WITH OBVIOUS WOUNDS TO THE HEAD AND OTHER  PARTS OF HIS BODY... THE VICTIM TOLD OFFICERS HE WAS ASLEEP AND AWAKEN BY A MAN STRIKING HIM ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD WITH A BASEBALL BAT....  HE TOLD DEPUTIES THE MAN KEPT HITTING HIM WHILE A FEMALE STARTED TAKING ITEMS FROM THE HOUSE… THE VICTIM WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE SCENE TO A LITTLE ROCK HOSPITAL… THREE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND ARE AWAITING FORMAL CHARGES…

• A THAYER MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON A FELONY WARRANT FROM KANSAS… THE MISSOURI HIGHWAY PATROL APPREHENDED 38 YEAR OLD DAVID KERWIN IN CONNECTION WITH CHARGES OF DOMESTIC BATTERY AND FAILURE TO APPEAR IN JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS.. KERWIN WAS BOOKED INTO THE TEXAS COUNTY JAIL AT HOUSTON AND PLACED ON BOND…

• A SALESVILLE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY STEALING ELECTRICITY OVER A SEVEN MONTH PERIOD... 28 YEAR OLD AVERY ROBERT LEE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH DAMAGING WIRES AND OTHER FIXTURES OF TELEPHONE, CABLE AND ELECTRIC POWER COMPANIES, A CLASS D FELONY... BAXTER COUNTY SHERIFF JOHN MONTGOMERY SAYS AN EMPLOYEE OF NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE WENT TO LEE'S RESIDENCE ON JORDON ROAD IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR AND DISCOVERED THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE WERE STEALING ELECTRICITY...  THE METER BASE HAD BEEN JUMPERED USING ELECTRICAL WIRE WRAPPED IN DUCT TAPE.. LEE WAS REPORTEDLY AT THE RESIDENCE WHEN THE WORKER WAS THERE… THE SERVICE HAD BEEN CUT OFF TO THE HOUSE SEVEN MONTHS BEFORE IN SEPTEMBER, 2019... IT'S ESTIMATED THE POWER STOLEN HAD A VALUE OF $1,452.00, PLUS A TAMPERING CHARGE OF $125, WHICH BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT TO $1,577…