• THE WOMAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A FORMER ARKANSAS STATE SENATOR AT HER HOME IN POCAHONTAS WILL SPEND THE NEXT 54 YEARS IN PRISON AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO HER MURDER. IT IS THE LATEST, AND FINAL TWIST, IN A MURDER INVESTIGATION THAT GARNERED NATIONAL ATTENTION. REBECCA “BECKY” O’DONNELL PREVIOUSLY PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO CAPITAL MURDER IN THE DEATH OF LINDA COLLINS. DURING A COURT HEARING AT THE RANDOLPH COUNTY COURTHOUSE THURSDAY MORNING, O’DONNELL CHANGED HER PLEA TO GUILTY OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND ABUSE OF A CORPSE. SHE ALSO PLEADED “NO CONTEST” TO TWO COUNTS OF SOLICITATION TO COMMIT CAPITAL MURDER IN THE JACKSON COUNTY CASE. THE PLEA WILL BE TREATED AS A GUILTY PLEA. O’DONNELL REMAINED STOIC AS JUDGE JOHN FOGLEMAN REVIEWED THE PLEA DEAL. SHE ANSWERED HIS QUESTIONS CALMLY WITH NO DISPLAY OF EMOTION. NEITHER COLLINS’ NOR O’DONNELL’S FAMILY MEMBERS SHOWED ANY EMOTION AS SHE ENTERED HER PLEA. ON THURSDAY, AUG. 6, 2020, REBECCA O’DONNELL ACCEPTED A PLEA DEAL FROM THE STATE. WITH HER GUILTY PLEA, IT BRINGS THE MURDER INVESTIGATION OF LINDA COLLINS TO A CLOSE 1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS AND 2 DAYS AFTER COLLINS’ WAS FOUND DEAD.

• 5 DEATHS ARE CONFIRMED AFTER  AN OUTBREAK OF COVID 19 AT THE RANDOLPH COUNTY NURSING CENTER IN POCAHONTAS.  THERE'S  59 POSITIVE CASES AMONG RESIDENTS, 10 HAVE RECOVERED AND 1 WAS DISCHARGED TO A HOSPICE HOUSE.  4 RESIDENTS ARE HOSPITALIZED.  THERE ARE 25 STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE, 11 HAVE RECOVERED.  NURSING CENTER STAFF RETESTED ONE WING OF THE NURSING HOME AFTER RESIDENTS WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY TESTED NEGATIVE BEGAN TO SHOW SYMPTOMS.

• GOVERNOR ASA HUTCHINSON ANNOUNCED DURING WEDNESDAY’S DAILY COVID 19 BRIEFING THAT DR JOSE ROMERO HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN NAMED THE NEW SECRETARY OF HEALTH FOR THE STATE OF ARKANSAS….GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON WAS JOINED BY DR JOSE ROMERO, SECRETARY OF EDUCATION JOHNNY KEY AND ARKANSAS SURGEON GENERA DR GREG BLEDSOE.. GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON REPORTED AS OF WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THERE WERE 912 NEW COVID 19 CASES IN THE STATE BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES TO 46,293… HOSPITALIZATIONS WERE DOWN 10 TO 516, COVID 19 PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS WAS 106, THE DEATH TOLL INCREASED BY 18 TO 508. THERE ARE 6,987 ACTIVE COVID 19 CASES, 38,848 RECOVERIES AND 5,077 TESTS WERE ADMINISTERED SINCE TUESDAY AFTERNOON.. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION JOHNNY KEY UPDATED GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOL REOPENINGS STATING THAT IT IS EXPECTED THAT ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL OFFER ONSITE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES EACH DAY OF THE FIVE DAY SCHOOL WEEK AND ANNOUNCED A NEW “READY FOR SCHOOL” CALL CENTER TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS WITH QUESTIONS TO CALL AT 833-353-6050. KEY ADDED THE CALL CENTER WILL BE OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY BETWEEN 9 AND 4… GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON ASKED SECRETARY KEY TO RETURN FOR THE FRIDAY COVID 19 BRIEFING TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO TEACHER’S QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR AND COPING WITH COVID 19.. GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON ALSO PRESENTED THE PROJECTED VERSUS ACTUAL NUMBER OF COVID 19 INFECTIONS IN ARKANSAS WITH UAMS PROJECTING THERE WOULD BE CUMULATIVE HOSPITALIZATIONS OF 3,686 AND 543 DEATHS BY AUGUST 15.. ARKANSAS SURGEON GENERAL DR GREG BLEDSOE REPORTED ON THE RECENT MEETINGS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ADVISORY BOARD STATING THE IMPORTANCE OF FALL FOOTBALL, VOLLEY BALL AND BAND FOLLOWING COVID 19 GUIDELINES..

• COVID COUNTY BY COUNTY NUMBERS AS OF WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON BREAKS DOWN AS FOLLOWS: CRAIGHEAD COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS CONTINUES TO SEE AN INCREASE IN CASES UP 22 SINCE TUESDAY TO A TOTAL OF 1,156 CASES, 163 ACTIVE, 981 RECOVERIES, 12 DEATHS, 16,140 NEGATIVE TESTS WITH A POSITIVITY RATE OF 11.9%. INDEPENDENCE COUNTY ALSO SAW AN INCREASE OF 15 CONFIRMED CASES TO A TOTAL OF 413, 223 ACTIVE, 189 RECOVERIES, ONE DEATH, 4,433 NEGATIVE TESTS AND A POSITIVITY RATE OF 27.7%.. LAWRENCE COUNTY WAS UP ONE TO 186 CASES, 21 ACTIVE, 155 RECOVERIES, 10 DEATHS, 2,202 NEGATIVE TESTS AND A POSITIVITY RATE AT 15.6%… RANDOLPH COUNTY INCREASED BY THREE TO 178, 27 ACTIVE, 148 RECOVERIES, DEATHS INCREASED BY FIVE TO A TOTAL OF EIGHT, 2,695 NEGATIVE TESTS AND A POSITIVITY RATE OF 14.8%.. STONE COUNTY SAW IN INCREASE OF 4 TO 59 CONFIRMED CASES, 18 ACTIVE, 40 RECOVERIES, ONE DEATH, 1,657 NEGATIVE TESTS AND POSITIVITY RATE AT 7.6%... BAXTER INCREASED BY TWO TO A TOTAL OF 64 CONFIRMED CASES, 14 ACTIVE, 50 RECOVERIES, 3,239 NEGATIVE TESTS AND A POSITIVITY RATE OF 4.4%..SHARP, FULTON AND IZARD COUNTY CONFIRMED CASES REMAINED THE SAME SINCE TUESDAY AFTERNOON... SHARP COUNTY HAS 106 CONFIRMED CASES, 18 ACTIVE, 83 RECOVERIES, FIVE DEATHS, 1,571 NEGATIVE TESTS AND POSITIVITY RATE OF 13.9%.. IZARD COUNTY HAS 45 CASES, 12 ACTIVE, 32 RECOVERIES, ONE DEATH, 1,344 NEGATIVE CASES AND A POSITIVITY RATE AT 10.4%..FULTON HAS 29 CASES, 4 ACTIVE, 25 RECOVERIES, 1,247 NEGATIVE CASES AND A POSITIVITY RATE OF 4.1%…

• IN MISSOURI THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED CASES INCREASED BY 1,204 TO A TOTAL OF 54,854 CASES...THE DEATH TOLL INCREASED BY 14 TO A TOTAL OF 1,330… TANEY COUNTY, THE HOME OF THE VACATION DESTINATION OF BRANSON, SAW AN INCREASE OF 24 CONFIRMED CASES BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 480 AND THREE DEATHS...HOWELL COUNTY CONFIRMED CASES INCREASE BY TWO TO 142 AND TWO DEATHS...DOUGLAS COUNTY INCREASED BY 2 TO 83 AND TWO DEATHS, TEXAS COUNTY INCREASED BY FIVE TO 43...SHANNON AND OREGON COUNTIES DID NOT SEE AN INCREASE SINCE TUESDAY AFTERNOON WITH OREGON COUNTY AT 14 CONFIRMED CASES AND SHANNON AT 43 CASES AND ONE DEATH..

• THE FILING PERIOD ENDED WEDNESDAY AT NOON FOR CITY COUNCILMEN, RECORDERS, TREASURERS AND SCHOOL BOARDS… TWO RACES DEVELOPED IN LAWRENCE COUNTY FOR THE HOXIE CITY COUNCIL ONE FOR WARD ONE POSITION ONE BETWEEN DARRELL PICKNEY AND ISAAC ANGLIN AND ALSO FOR WARD TWO POSITION TWO BETWEEN INCUMBENT KERRIE HANCOCK AND CHALLENGER JOYCE ROBERTS.. IN FULTON COUNTY THERE IS ONE RACE FOR THE MAMMOTH SPRING RECORDER TREASURE POSITION BETWEEN INCUMBENT JUNE GRANT AND WILMA ROGERS… THERE WERE NO CONTESTED RACES IN IZARD COUNTY WITH ONLY ONE PERSON FILING FOR A POSITION WHO WAS NOT AN INCUMBENT AND THAT BEING KATHI PURNELL FOR THE HORSESHOE BEND CITY COUNCIL FOR WARD ONE POSITION TWO… SHARP COUNTY FILINGS WERE NOT AVAILABLE...

• UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD ISN’T GOING AWAY AND MANY, INCLUDING STATE REPRESENTATIVE FRAN CAVENAUGH ARE FALLING PREY TO THESE SCAMMERS…ACCORDING TO THE ARKANSAS DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES, ABOUT 20,000 UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FLAGGED FOR REVIEW OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS..IF YOU BELIEVE YOU’RE A VICTIM, CONTACT YOUR NEAREST DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT...HEAR DIRECTLY FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE FRAN CAVENAUGH DURING THURSDAY’S HOMETOWN NEWS AS SHE POINTS HER FINGER AT STATE OFFICIALS FOR THE ONGOING PROBLEM..

• THE CIVIL WAR IN THE OZARKS WILL BE THE THEME OF THURSDAY NIGHTS PROGRAM DURING THE HARDY HISTORY ASSOCIATION MEETING..IZARD COUNTY NATIVE, DR. BROOKS BLEVINS, PROFESSOR OF OZARKS STUDIES AT MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY IN SPRINGFIELD   AND THE AUTHOR OF SEVEN BOOKS ON OZARK HISTORY WILL BE THE GUEST SPEAKER...THIS WILL BE THE HARDY HISTORY ASSOCIATION’S SECOND MEETING AFTER TAKING A BREAK DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT IT’S DR. BLEVINS FIRST VENTURE OUT IN PUBLIC SINCE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. MEMBERS AND NON MEMBERS OF THE HARDY HISTORY ASSOCIATION ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE MEETING THURSDAY EVENING AT THE HARDY CIVIC CENTER BEGINNING AT 6:30.. SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE OBSERVED AND MASKS ARE REQUIRED..

• WILLIAMS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY WILL HOLD ITS 2020 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 IN THE SOUTHERLAND MABEE CENTER.. THE CEREMONY WAS POSTPONED FROM ITS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED DATE IN MAY DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.  APPROXIMATELY 80 GRADUATES ARE RECEIVING DIPLOMAS FROM WBU THIS YEAR. ATTENDANCE AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE RESTRICTED DUE TO COVID-19.  TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING, ONLY GRADUATES AND A LIMITED NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND, ALONG WITH WBU FACULTY AND STAFF.  HOWEVER, A FREE, LIVE BROADCAST OF THE CEREMONY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE OVER THE INTERNET AT STRETCH INTERNET.COM/WBUEAGLES.

• 24 YEAR OLD JOHN BATTLES OF SIDNEY WAS ARRESTED FOR VIOLATION OF CONDITIONS OF BOND. BATTLES WAS CURRENTLY OUT ON BOND FOR FELONY DRUG CHARGES. HE IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN THE IZARD COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT AUGUST 18.  38 YEAR OLD MICHAEL LISCOMB OF MELBOURNE, WAS ARRESTED ON A WARRANT FOR DOMESTIC BATTERY 3RD DEGREE AND TERRORISTIC THREATENING. AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT, LISCOMB WAS OUT ON BOND FOR FELONY DRUG CHARGES. AS A RESULT OF THE NEW CHARGES, LISCOMB'S BOND WAS REVOKED. HE IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN THE IZARD COUNTY DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 20. 36 YEAR OLD PAUL BEAVER OF HORSESHOE BEND, WAS ARRESTED FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION. BEAVER IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN THE IZARD COUNTY DISTRICT COURT. 53 YEAR OLD TERESA LAWRENCE OF  NORFORK, WAS ARRESTED ON A WARRANT FOR PROBATION VIOLATIONS. LAWRENCE IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN THE IZARD COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT ON AUGUST 18.

• A MAN SENTENCED ON FIVE FELONY COUNTS OF RAPE IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR HAS NOW BEEN SENTENCED ON ADDITIONAL CHARGES OF RAPE AND INCEST. 37 YEAR OLD ANDREW JEFFERSON HUTTIG PLEADED GUILTY OT FIVE FELONY COUNTS OF RAPE, THREE COUNTS OF SECOND DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT, TWO COUNTS OF INCEST AND THREE COUNTS OF SEXUAL INDECENCY WITH A CHILD. HE HAS BEEN ORDERED TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER AFTER THIS RELEASE. HE WAS SENTENCED TO 240 MONTHS IN A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY WITH 120 DAYS SUSPENDED…

• OREGON COUNTY AUTHORITIES HAVE ARRESTED AN ALTON WOMAN ON FELONY RAPE CHARGES. 23 YEAR OLD LAUREN FOWLER IS JAIOLED ON AN OREGON COUNTY WARRANT FOR FELONY SECOND DEGREE STATUTORY RAPE AND FOURTH DEGREE CHILD MOLESTATION OF A CHILD LESS THAN 17 YEARS OF AGE. FOWLER IS BEING HELD IN THE THAYER JAIL. BOND WAS SET AT FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS...

• A JUVENILE SUSPECT FACES AGGRAVATED ROBBERY, 1ST-DEGREE BATTERY, AND 2ND-DEGREE MISDEMEANOR CHARGES AFTER A WEEKEND SHOOTING IN BATESVILLE. IN A MEDIA RELEASE, POLICE WENT TO THE HAWG’S EXXON ON HIGHWAY 167 NORTH SATURDAY NIGHT  REGARDING A POSSIBLE SHOOTING. WITNESSES TOLD POLICE TWO MALES GOT INTO A FIGHT BEFORE SHOTS WERE FIRED. ONE OF THE MALES REPORTEDLY GOT INTO A YELLOW CHEVY COBALT AND LEFT, WHILE ANOTHER LEFT THE SCENE IN A BLACK KIA SOUL. OFFICERS FOUND SEVERAL PUDDLES OF BLOOD, SHELL CASINGS, AND AN AMOUNT OF “SUSPECTED MARIJUANA SPREAD ACROSS THE PAVEMENT.” POLICE RECEIVED ANOTHER 9-1-1 CALL SHORTLY AFTER AND WERE TOLD OF THE YELLOW COBALT HEADING SOUTH WITH ITS FLASHERS ON. THE CALLER STATED THE YELLOW CAR APPEARED TO BE COVERED IN BLOOD AND REPORTEDLY SAW THE OCCUPANTS TOSS A HANDGUN OUT OF THE CAR. AN OFFICER RESPONDING TO THAT LOCATION DID RETRIEVE A HANDGUN FROM THE SCENE. OFFICERS THEN RECEIVED A CALL FROM WHITE RIVER MEDICAL CENTER AND LEARNED OF A VICTIM THERE WITH MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO THEIR RIGHT ARM. THE VICTIM MET POLICE AND TOLD THEM THEY PLANNED A MEETING WITH SOMEONE AT THE GAS STATION TO SELL MARIJUANA. ACCORDING TO THE VICTIM, ONCE THE BLACK SUV ARRIVED, THE SUSPECT STEPPED OUT WITH A PISTOL AND DEMANDED THE VICTIM’S DRUGS AND MONEY. AN ALTERCATION BEGAN AND ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE VICTIM MAY HAVE ALSO PULLED OUT A HANDGUN. ACCORDING TO THE RELEASE, THE SUSPECT FIRED SHOTS, AND THE VICTIM MAY HAVE REPORTEDLY FIRED SHOTS IN THE ALTERCATION. POLICE LEARNED THE VICTIM WAS TEXTING A NUMBER THAT BELONGED TO A 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM MT. PLEASANT  AND LEARNED THE BLACK KIA SOUL HAD BEEN REGISTERED TO THE WOMAN. POLICE LATER LEARNED THE WOMAN’S BOYFRIEND, A 18-YEAR-OLD IDENTIFIED AS  TAREN THARP OF CAVE CITY SUFFERED MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO HIS RIGHT ARM. THARP WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE DRIVER OF THE COBALT.

• ENTERGY CUSTOMERS IN HARDY NEAR RIVERBEND PARK WILL SEE IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR ELECTRIC SERVICE SOON. MATT FARIES, ENTERGY ARKANSAS’ CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER FOR NORTHEAST ARKANSAS, SAYS, “THE LOAD REQUIREMENT FOR THE 265 CUSTOMERS IN RIVERBEND PARK AREA HAS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN RECENT YEARS.” TO COMBAT THIS NEED, ENTERGY WILL BE INVESTING APPROXIMATELY $511,000 TO MAKE THESE UPGRADES. UPGRADES INCLUDE THE INSTALLATIONS OF DOZENS OF UTILITY POLES, REPLACING WIRE SIZE, UPGRADING LINES FROM SINGLE AND DOUBLE POWER TO THREE-PHASE POWER. WORK STARTED ON THE PROJECT IN EARLY JULY AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE BY LATE AUGUST. FARIES ALSO SAYS, “BETWEEN 2019 AND 2021, ENTERGY ARKANSAS PLANS ON INVESTING TWO BILLION DOLLARS INTO IMPROVING THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT GENERATES AND DELIVERS POWER TO CUSTOMERS."

• TUESDAY WAS PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IN MISSOURI WHERE THE MEDICAID EXPANSION WAS APPROVED WITH 51% OF THE VOTE.  STATE AUDITOR NICOLE GALLOWAY WON THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR WHERE SHE'LL FACE REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT GOVERNOR, MIKE PARSON IN NOVEMBER.  CASS MARTIN WAS ELECTED SHERIFF IN OZARK COUNTY, HE'LL REPLACE SHERIFF DARREN REED WHO IS RETIRING.  THERE'S A RUNOFF TO DECIDE THE SENATE DISTRICT 33 RACE.  CARLA ESINGER AND ROBERT ROSS TIED WITH 37% OF THE VOTE, VAN KELLLY FINSIHED WITH 26%.  RON COPELAND WON THE DISTRICT 143 RACE.

• THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INVESTIGATORS ADVISES THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF UNSOLICITED PACKAGES CONTAINING SEEDS BEING MAILED FROM CHINA...REBECCA DAVIS WITH THE USDA SAYS MANY PACKAGES ARE COMING TO ARKANSAS...DAVIS ADVISES SHOULD YOU RECEIVED AN UNSOLICITED PACKAGE CONTAINING SEEDS PLEASE CONTACT THE PLANT INDUSTRIES DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN LITTLE ROCK AT 501-225-1598...HEAR MORE FROM DAVIS DURING WEDNESDAY’S HOMETOWN NEWS ON HOMETOWN RADIO...

• A CALICO ROCK MAN FACING DRUG AND WEAPONS CHARGES APPEARED IN BAXTER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT THURSDAY. TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD JAMIE LEE SOUTHARD WAS INFORMED OF THE NEW CHARGES BEING FILED AGAINST HIM AND OF HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS DURING A RECENT HEARING. IN ADDITION TO THE DRUG AND WEAPONS CHARGES, SOUTHARD FACES COUNTS OF VIOLATING THE CONDITIONS OF HIS PROBATION HANDED DOWN IN PREVIOUS CASES. SOUTHARD’S RECORD SHOWS REVOCATION PETITIONS HAVE BEEN FILED IN TWO CASES, ONE IN 2016 AND THE OTHER IN 2018. HIS LATEST ARREST CAME JULY 26 WHEN BAXTER COUNTY DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO AN ADDRESS ALONG JORDAN ROAD. THEY WERE CALLED TO ASSIST AN AGENT FROM A BAIL BOND COMPANY IN LOOKING FOR 44-YEAR-OLD CHAD MERRIMAN. MERRIMAN IS WANTED ON A FAILURE TO APPEAR WARRANT ISSUED IN MID-JANUARY BY THE IZARD COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT IN AN ACTIVE DRUG CASE. WHILE AT THE RESIDENCE, THE BAIL BOND AGENT TOLD THE DEPUTIES THAT A RED VEHICLE HAD BEEN THERE ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE THEY ARRIVED. WHILE THE AGENT AND DEPUTIES TRIED TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE PERSON BEING SOUGHT, THE RED VEHICLE DROVE BY. THE DEPUTIES FOLLOWED IT IN THEIR PATROL CAR, UNTIL IT CAME TO A CLOSED PRIVACY GATE AND STOPPED. DEPUTIES MADE CONTACT WITH THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. SOUTHARD WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE DRIVER. ACCORDING TO THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT, THE DEPUTIES REPORTED SMELLING THE “STRONG ODOR OF BURNED MARIJUANA” COMING FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SOUTHARD WAS FOUND TO HAVE MARIJUANA AND A SMOKING PIPE ON HIS PERSON. METHAMPHETAMINE WAS ALSO FOUND. WHILE HE WAS BEING TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, SOUTHARD TOLD THE DEPUTIES HE WAS CARRYING A PISTOL. A FULLY LOADED .22-CALIBER HANDGUN WAS SEIZED ALONG WITH A SET OF BRASS KNUCKLES. ON THE WAY TO THE BAXTER COUNTY JAIL, SOUTHARD TOLD A DEPUTY HE HAD MORE METHAMPHETAMINE HIDDEN IN HIS SOCK. FOUR SMALL PLASTIC BAGS WERE FOUND, ONE OF WHICH STILL CONTAINED A WHITE RESIDUE. BECAUSE HE HAD DRUGS AND PARAPHERNALIA WITH HIM, SOUTHARD WAS CHARGED WITH SIMULTANEOUS POSSESSION OF GUNS AND DRUGS, A CLASS Y FELONY. HE WAS ALSO CHARGED WITH BEING A FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM. SOUTHARD IS AN INMATE IN THE COUNTY JAIL WITH BOND SET AT $25,000.

• SCAMMERS CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS TO CHEAT INNOCENT PEOPLE OUT OF THIER MONEY..THAT’S THE WAY ARKANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL LESLIE RUTLEDGE LAID IT OUT ON KSAR MONDAY MORNING..SHE REPORTED HER OFFICE HAS BEEN BOMBARDED WITH COMPLAINTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD AND WARNS ANYONE WHO RECEIVES A CALL ASKING FOR YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IS MORE THAN LIKELY A FRAUD LOOKING TO SCAM YOU..HEAR FROM RUTLEDGE DURING TUESDAY’S HOMETOWN NEWS ON HOMETOWN RADIO...

• THE ARKANSAS ACCESS POINT PROJECT WILL MAKE THE WORLDWIDE WEB AVAILABLE TO THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WHO DON’T HAVE THIS SERVICE AT THEIR HOME..GOVERNOR ASA HUTCHINSON ANNOUNCED HIS BROADBAND INITIATIVE LAST WEEK..THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS INSTRUCTED ALL SCHOOLS TO BE PREPARED FOR IN-SCHOOL AND VIRTUAL TEACHING AND THE BROADBAND EXPANSION WILL LESSEN THE BURDEN FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS..THE EXPANSION OF BROADBAND WILL HELP BRIDGE THAT DIVIDE AND GIVE THOSE STUDENTS A COMFORTABLE, WHOLESOME ENVIRONMENT TO LEARN..HEAR FROM GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON REGARDING THE EXPANSION OF THE BROADBAND INITIATIVE DURING TUESDAY’S HOMETOWN NEWS…

• THE HOXIE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL AGAIN BE PROVIDING FREE MEALS TO ALL STUDENTS THROUGH THE COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION PROGRAM WHICH IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE USDA’S SPECIAL ASSISTANCE CERTIFICATION AND REIMBURSEMENT PROVISION...SCHOOL SUPPLIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR ALL STUDENTS AT THE HOXIE SCHOOL...WHILE ALL SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO BE PREPARED FOR IN SCHOOL AND VIRTUAL LEARNING, HOXIE SCHOOL IS A STEP AHEAD AS THEY IMPLEMENTED THEIR ONLINE SCHOOL SCHOOL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR...HOXIE WILL HOST A VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE FOR PARENTS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL WITH THE DAY AND TIME TO BE DETERMINED WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK...HEAR FROM HOXIE SUPERINTENDENT KELLI GILLIAM DURING TUESDAY’S HOMETOWN NEWS..

• THE ARKANSAS STATE POLICE  ISSUED A SILVER ALERT FOR A HARDY MAN LAST  FRIDAY. HE HAS BEEN  MISSING SINCE  WEDNESDAY. . ACCORDING TO A SILVER ALERT, THE HARDY POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE LOOKING FOR TIMOTHY RAY HARRIS, 62. HARRIS IS A WHITE MALE, 5′8″ AND WEIGHS 250 POUNDS. HE HAS LONG, BROWN HAIR, WITH BLUE EYES AND A FAIR COMPLEXION. HE WAS LAST SEEN IN THE 1100 BLOCK OF RIVER ROAD IN HARDY, WEARING A BLUE BUTTON-UP SHIRT AND RED SHORTS. AUTHORITIES BELIEVE HE MAY BE TRAVELING IN A 2004 WHITE CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH A LICENSE PLATE OF 132XWC. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON HARRIS’ WHEREABOUTS CAN CALL HARDY POLICE AT 870-994-2211 OR THEIR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY,

• A FORMER BANKER FROM CAVE CITY, CARRIE C. PORTER HAS BEEN INCLUDED ON A LIST OF ORDERS OF ADMINISTRATIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS RELEASED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION..  ONLINE DOCUMENTS INDICATED FDIC ACTION PERMANTENTLY BARS PORTER FROM THE BANKING INDUSTRY.  THE 49  YEAR OLD PORTER IS BEING HELD IN A FEDERAL RE-ENTRY FACILITY IN TEXAS, AFTER PLEADING GUITLY LAST YEAR TO EMBEZZLING $285,000 FROM HER EMPLOYER, FIRST COMMUNITY BANK OF BATESVILLE OVER A 12 YEAR PERIOD.  SHE WAS SENTENCED IN NOVEMBER TO 18 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON AND ORDERED TO PAY RESTITUTION.  THE FDIC ANNOUCED FRIDAY IT HAD ENTERED AN ORDER PROHIBITING PORTER FROM WORKING FOR OR SERVING ON THE BOARD OF ANY FDIC-INSTITUION.  ALTHOUGH PORTER HAD PLEADED GUITLY TO EMBEZZLEMENT IN FEDERAL COURT, SHE NEITHER ADMITTED OR DENIED THE FDIC'S FINDINGS, WHICH WERE INCLUDED IN THE ORDER DATED JUNE 23.

• THE OUTDOOR WATER PARK AT BATESVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THE BATESVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ANNOUNCED THE WATER PARK IS CLOSED DUE TO COVID 19. THE INDOOR FACILITIES AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER REMAIN OPEN, WITH PREVENTATIVE MEASURES AND SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES.

• THE ARKANSAS  EDUCATION ASSOCIATION RELEASED A POLL OF TEACHERS TWO WEEKS AGO THAT INDICATED 40% DID NOT WANT TO RETURN TO IN SCHOOL CLASSES. 80% OF THE TEACHERS IN MISSOURI EXPRESSED THEIR RESERVATIONS ABOUT RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM FOR THE START OF THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

• DURING THE CHEROKEE VILLAGE SUBURBAN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT MEETING HELD RECENTLY COMMISSIONER JOE WAGGONER ADVISED THE IS0 RATING WENT FROM FIVE TO FOUR WHICH IS GOOD NEWS REGARDING INSURANCE RATES.. IN REGARD TO THE NEW ISO RATING, CHEROKEE VILLAGE MAYOR RUSS STOKES STATED IT IS UP TO EACH INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT TO CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY TO DISCUSS THE CHANGE IN THE RATING TO SEE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR A DECREASE IN THEIR INSURANCE RATES.. A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TREATMENT BY ENTERGY’S CONTRACTOR TO TRIM THE RIGHT OF WAYS WAS DISCUSSED WHICH WAS REGARDING AN AREA OF THE CANAL BETWEEN LAKE THUNDERBIRD AND LAKE SEQUOYA.. THE ISSUE WAS A HIGH LINE WIRE THAT CROSSES THE CANAL AND THE POSSIBILITY OF TREES FALLING INTO THE CANAL… SID MANAGER DAVE WEBB REPORTED A MEETING WAS HELD WITH JOHN EVERETTE OF ENTERGY AND ENTERGY WILL BRING IN REPELLERS TO TRIM THE TREES IN SUCH A MANNER TO REMOVE ANY HAZARD BUT MAINTAIN THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF THE SIDES OF THE CANAL.. THE IRRIGATION WELL AT ONAGA WAS DISCUSSED WHICH APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN HIT BY LIGHTENING AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF JUST OVER $25,000.00.. A CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY… COMMISSIONER WAGGONER AND MANAGER DAVE WEBB REPORTED WORK WAS BEING DONE TOWARD HOSTING THE 4-A STATE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS GOLF TOURNAMENT SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER IF SCHOOLS ARE IN SESSION AND IF THERE IS SPORTS.. CONCERNS WERE RAISED BY RESIDENTS REGARDING WAKE BOATS CAUSING POSSIBLE DAMAGE OF BARRIER WALLS AND DOCKS WHICH WILL BE INVESTIGATED..… IN THE FINANCIAL REPORT, EXPENDITURES OF $1,173,124.00 WAS REPORTED WHICH IS 43% OF THE PROJECTED BUDGET… $940,735.00 HAVE BEEN COLLECTED IN CURRENT ASSESSED BENEFITS AND PAYMENTS TO THE CITY TO DATE WAS $373,060.00…

• HIGHLAND MAYOR RUSSELL TRUITT ADVISE ALDERMEN DURING THE RECENT MEETING THAT THE SHARP COUNTY AIRPORT HAD FINALLY GOTTEN THEIR NEW LIGHTING SYSTEM CERTIFIED BY THE FAA AND BECAUSE OF THE CARES ACT THE AIRPORT RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL $20,000.00 TO MAKE MORE IMPROVEMENTS.. THE COUNCIL THEN DISCUSSED THE PROPOSED NEW FIRE ORDINANCE AND FOLLOWING A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION A MOTION WAS MADE TO READ THE ORDINANCE WHICH DEFINES LIMITING CONDITIONS FOR OPEN BURNING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.. ONCE THE READING WAS COMPLETE THE COUNCIL OPTED TO HAVE CERTAIN CHANGES MADE TO THE ORDINANCE AND TO REVISIT IT DURING THE AUGUST MEETING.. FIRE CHIEF CAL DIENST ADVISED THE COUNCIL HE HAD SUCCESSFULLY TAGGED EACH FIRE HYDRANT ACCORDING TO FLOW AND ALSO BROUGHT TO THE COUNCIL’S ATTENTION THAT THERE WERE NO HYDRANTS ON FM 101 ROAD AND DOWN THROUGH RIVER ROAD… DIENST ADVISED THE COST OF HYDRANTS AVERAGED BETWEEN $4000 AND $5000 AND HE WOULD BE PURSING ECONOMIC AND RURAL GRANT FUNDING TO HELP WITH THE COST OF PLACING APPROXIMATELY 24 HYDRANTS THROUGHOUT THE HIGHLAND FIRE DISTRICT INCLUDING A HYDRANT ON FM 101 ROAD…

• THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FARM SERVICE AGENCY REMINDS FARMERS AND RANCHERS THAT THEY HAVE UNTIL MONDAY (AUG 3) TO NOMINATE ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES TO SERVE ON LOCAL FSA COUNTY COMMITTEE’S… AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS WHO PARTICIPATE OR COOPERATE IN AN FSA PROGRAM MAY BE NOMINATED FOR CANDIDACY FOR THE COUNTY COMMITTEE..INDIVIDUALS MAY NOMINATE THEMSELVES OR OTHERS AS A CANDIDATE.. MEMBERS SERVE A THREE YEAR TERM. A COMPLETE LIST OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, MORE INFORMATION AND NOMINATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT FSA DOT USDA DOT GOV BACKSLASH ELECTIONS… ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE LOCAL FSA COUNTY OFFICE BY MONDAY (AUG 3)…

• OZARKA COLLEGE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT JAMES SPURLOCK HAS BEEN APPOINTED ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF CAMPUS OPERATIONS.. SPURLOCK HAS SERVED AS THE MAMMOTH SPRING CAMPUS DIRECTOR THE PAST 8 YEARS.. HE HAS BEEN WITH OZARKA COLLEGE FOR 20 YEARS AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN ALL LEVELS OF THE COLLEGE OPERATION.

• BEGINNING AUGUST 1ST THE IZARD COUNTY ANIMAL RESCUE EFFORT WILL HAVE LIMITED FUNDS AVAILABLE TO HAVE DOGS AND CATS OF IZARD COUNTY RESIDENTS SPAYED OR NEUTERED, REGARDLESS OF INCOME.. THE FUNDS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASES AS LONG AS FUNDS LAST AND WILL BE LIMITED TO TWO ANIMALS PER HOUSEHOLD AND WILL INCLUDE A RABIES VACCINATION… PET OWNERS MUST CALL 368-5000 TO BE PUT ON LIST THEN A VOLUNTEER WILL CONTACT YOU TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT..

• FULTON COUNTY HOSPITAL IN SALEM HAS REVISED THEIR VISITATION POLICY FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PATIENTS, VISITORS, EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITY DUE TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC...EFFECTIVE THURSDAY JULY 30TH: • VISITING HOURS 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. DAILY • ALL VISITORS WILL BE SCREENED UPON ARRIVAL AND ASKED TO PERFORM HAND HYGIENE  • ALL VISITORS WILL WEAR A MASK TO ENSURE THE NOSE AND MOUTH ARE COVERED • ANY VISITOR WHO IS SICK WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE HOSPITAL, THIS IS WITHOUT EXCEPTION • ONLY ONE VISITOR PER PATIENT PER DAY • VISITORS MUST REMAIN AT THE PATIENT’S BEDSIDE THROUGHOUT THE VISIT UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY A STAFF MEMBER • ANY PATIENT ON AIRBORNE ISOLATION WILL NOT BE ALLOWED A VISITOR • NO VISITORS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 • IF A VISITOR DOES NOT PASS THE SCREENING PROCESS OR DOES NOT FOLLOW HOSPITAL PROTOCOLS, THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO VISIT • EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PATIENTS WILL BE ALLOWED ONE VISITOR FOR THE DURATION OF THEIR ER VISIT, BUT THEY MUST REMAIN AT THE BEDSIDE UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY A STAFF MEMBER • CONGREGATING IN AREAS SUCH AS WAITING ROOMS AND CAFETERIA WILL NOT BE PERMITTED. FULTON COUNTY HOSPITAL APPRECIATES EVERYONE’S COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING DURING THIS TIME.

• SLOAN HENDRIX SUPERINTENDENT CLIFFORD ROREX WAS A GUEST ON HOMETOWN RADIO’S LAWRENCE COUNTY TOWN MEETING THIS WEEK… WORKING ADN PLANNING FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR AND ADJUSTING WITH THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE, BUT ROREX PRAISED TH SCHOOL STAFF, PARENTS AND PATRONS FOR THEIR WORK, PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING IN PREPARING FOR A NON TRADITIONAL SCHOOL YEAR… ROREX ECHOED OTHER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS IN MAKING SAFETY, PRIORITY NUMBER ONE FOR THE STUDENTS AND STAFF..ROREX WAS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT SLOAN HENDRIX SCHOOL WILL BE PROVIDING SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR ALL STUDENTS, KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADES INCLUDING CHROMEBOOKS FOR ALL STUDENTS...HEAR FROM SUPERINTENDENT CLIFFORD ROREX DURING FRIDAY’S HOMETOWN NEWS..

• THE IZARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN GETTING REPORTS OF CALLS FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE LOCAL PHONE NUMBERS..THEY AR THEN ASKED TO VERIFY THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER DUE THE NUMBER BEING USED IN SOME SORT OF FRAUD...SHERIFF JACK YANCEY SAYS THIS IS A SCAMMER TRYING TO GET YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION..SHERIFF YANCEY SAYS DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION, JUST HANG UP! THESE SCAMMERS ARE ‘SPOOFING” LOCAL PHONE NUMBERS TO GET YOU TO ANSWER THE PHONE. IN REALITY, THEY ARE IN ANOTHER STATE OR EVEN COUNTRY...IF YOU RECEIVE ONE OF THESE CALLS, CONTACT YOUR COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS CONTACTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE VIA THEIR WEBSITE AT ARKANSAS AG DOT GOV TO FILE A REPORT…

• DURING THE HORSESHOE BEND CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOLLOWING REGULAR MONTHLY COMMITTEE REPORTS, MAYOR CRAIG HUCKABY ENTERTAINED A MOTION TO PLACE AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF TAX LEVIED ON THE ASSESSMENTS OF BENEFITS OF THE HORSESHOE BEND MUNICIPAL RECREATION IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ON ITS SECOND READING. THE MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ALDERMAN VOTING NO… MAYOR HUCKABY THEN READ AN ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ALLOWED TO ATTEND PUBLIC GATHERINGS INCLUDING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS WHICH WILL BE LIMITED TO FIRST COME, FIRST ALLOWED TO ENTER FOLLOWING A HEALTH SCREENING UNTIL THE ALLOTTED NUMBER OF SEATS HAVE BEEN FILLED..HE ADDED THAT MASKS ARE REQUIRED, ATTENDEES MUST SUBMIT TO A TEMPERATURE READING, HANDS SANITIZED AND ADHERING TO SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES..

• THE LAWRENCE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED SEVERAL PERSONNEL CHANGESAT THEIR RECENT MONTHLY MEETING… BOARD MEMBERS VOTED TO HIRE AMANDA MOSKOP AS AN ELEMENTARY TEACHER; HIRE LACEY RAGSDALE AS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AIDE AND RACHEL MCQUAY AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, CONTINGENT ON HER FULFILLING THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS…THE BOARD ACCEPTED RESIGNATIONS FROM READING TEACHER JENNIFER BIGGERS AND ELEMENTARY TEACHER CHRISSY CAIN… THE BOARD ALSO APPROVED A COVID 19 WAIVER SUBMITTED TO THE ARKANSAS DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION AND APPROVED PURCHASES THROUGH THE CARE ACT… BOARD MEMBERS ALSO AUTHORIZED SUPERINTENDENT TERRY BELCHER TO IMPROVISE THE SCHOOL CALENDAR AS NEEDED DURING THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR...IN OTHER BUSINESS THE BOARD HEARD AN UPDATE REGARDING PROGRESS ON SUMMER PROJECTS, APPROVED CHANGES TO THE STUDENT HANDBOOK, APPROVED ONE STUDENT TRANSFER AND SELECTED CLAY SLOAN TO SERVE AS LEGISLATIVE LIAISON FOR THE LAWRENCE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD…

• GRANTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN BAXTER, MARION, FULTON AND IZARD COUNTIES THROUGH THE TWIN LAKES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. THE PARENT ORGANIZATION OF THE TWIN LAKES FUTURE FUND IS ACCEPTING ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR GIVING TREE GRANTS THROUGH AUG. 15. GRANTS NORMALLY RANGE FROM $1,000 TO $2,000. REQUESTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE THE FOUR-COUNTY AREA ARE NOT BEING CONSIDERED, EVEN THOUGH SERVICES MAY BE PROVIDED IN THAT AREA. ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL, GOVERNMENT AGENCY, HOSPITAL OR 501(C)(3) PUBLIC CHARITY IN BAXTER, MARION, FULTON OR IZARD COUNTY IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. GRANTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS. APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE TWIN LAKES FUTURE FUND GRANT COMMITTEE. TO VIEW GIVING TREE GRANT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS, GO ONLINE TO ARCF.ORG/GIVINGTREE.

• ARKANSAS COUNTS IS JUST WHAT THE NAME IMPLIES...THE ORGANIZATION IS SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO GET EVERY ARKANSAN COUNTED BEFORE THE 2020 CENSUS ENDS. ARKANSAS RANKS 41ST IN STATE’S CENSUS REPORTING..ON AVERAGE, 40% OF THE STATE’S POPULATION HAS NOT COMPLETED A CENSUS FORM. IZARD COUNTY IS AMONG TWENTY COUNTIES WITH LOWEST RESPONSE RATE..THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 CENSUS WILL HELP COMMUNITIES PLAN FOR THE FUTURE AND SHAPE HOW HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AROUND ARKANSAS..EACH PERSON COUNTED REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY THIRTY FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS IN REVENUE PER PERSON.. THE CENSUS CAN BE COMPLETED ON LINE AT 2020 CENSUS DOT GOV AND ONLY TAKES A COUPLE OF MINUTES..YOU CAN ALSO CALL THIS TOLL FREE NUMBER TO COMPLETE THE CENSUS...1-844-330-2020.. HEAR FROM THE CHAIR OF ARKANSAS COUNTS REGARDING THIS GIANT UNDERTAKING TO GET EVERY ARKANSAN COUNTED DURING THURSDAY’S HOMETOWN NEWS…

• THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FARM SERVICE AGENCY REMINDS FARMERS AND RANCHERS THAT THEY HAVE UNTIL MONDAY (AUG 3) TO NOMINATE ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES TO SERVE ON LOCAL FSA COUNTY COMMITTEE’S. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS WHO PARTICIPATE OR COOPERATE IN AN FSA PROGRAM MAY BE NOMINATED FOR CANDIDACY FOR THE COUNTY COMMITTEE. INDIVIDUALS MAY NOMINATE THEMSELVES OR OTHERS AS A CANDIDATE.. MEMBERS SERVE A THREE YEAR TERM. A COMPLETE LIST OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, MORE INFORMATION AND NOMINATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT FSA DOT USDA DOT GOV BACKSLASH ELECTIONS… ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE LOCAL FSA COUNTY

• THE WALNUT RIDGE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH STREET OVERLAY WORK AND AGREED TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS...MONEY WILL BE ALLOCATED AT A LATER DATE WITH UP TO $20,000.00 SLATED FOR THE RESURFACING… MAYOR SNAPP HAD ADVISED THE COUNCIL THAT IN SPITE OF THE COVID PANDEMIC THE CITY SALES TAX REVENUES ARE HOLDING STEADY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SHOPPING AT HOME… THE COUNCIL CONTINUED TO LOOK AT OPTIONS TO GO SOLAR TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY FOR ALL CITY-OWNED BUILDINGS AS WELL AS FACILITIES AT THE WALNUT RIDGE AIRPORT AND CITY WATER WORKS FACILITIES… SNAPP ADVISED IF ENTERGY IS APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF SOLAR EXPANSION THE CITY WOULD LIKE TO GO THAT ROUTE AS THERE WOULD BE NO UP FRONT COSTS AND SERVICES COULD START AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER..IN OTHER BUSINESS THE COUNCIL APPROVED AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE COST FOR NON RESIDENTIAL SANITATION COLLECTION WHICH WILL GO FROM $12 PER UNIT PER MONTH FOR THE FIRST CART AND $9 FOR ADDITIONAL CARTS TO A FLAT FEE OF $15 PER CART, PER MONTH TO BE EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 1...ALDERMEN DISCUSSED THE ONGOING CONCERNS ABOUT LAWN AND TREE DEBRIS PICKUP AND VOTED TO HAVE THE STREET AND SANITATION COMMITTEE LOOK AT THE ISSUES AND BRING A RECOMMENDATION TO THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING.. MAYOR SNAPP REPORTED THAT PLANS FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT ARE BEING ADJUSTED TO BRING THE PROJECT IN LINE WITH THE ORIGINAL BUDGET.. IN FINAL BUSINESS THE COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION TO CLOSE CORBET STREET; UPDATED THE PAINTING PROJECT FOR THE CITIES WATER TOWER WHICH IS PROJECTED TO START IN LATE AUGUST; AND WAS ADVISED THE LAST PAYMENT ON THE BUILDING THAT HOUSES THE JUMP STARTMINISTRIES ANIMAL SHELTER HAD BEEN MADE…

• A RULING ON A PETITION SEEKING THE DISMISSAL OF A NO CONTACT ORDER KEEPING A MAN AWAY FROM THE WOMAN CHARGED WITH SHOOTING HIM IN THE FACE SHOULD BE HANDED DOWN SOON. THE STATE SEES 32-YEAR-OLD STEPHEN DAMIAN LOOSEY AS 36-YEAR-OLD MIKA SEAY’S VICTIM, AND LOOSEY SAYS HE SEES HIMSELF AS A VICTIM OF THE ORDER KEEPING THE COUPLE APART. JUDGE GORDON WEBB HEARD ARGUMENTS BY BOTH SIDES DURING A SESSION OF BAXTER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT THURSDAY. THE JUDGE SAID HE HAD FOUND LITTLE CASE LAW DEALING WITH ISSUES AS LAID OUT IN LOOSEY’S PETITION AND WANTS TO TAKE TIME TO LOOK AT THE CASE MORE THOROUGHLY. IN THE PETITION, LOOSEY CLAIMED HE WAS SHOT ACCIDENTALLY WHILE HE, HIS EX-WIFE AND OTHER PEOPLE SAT IN A VEHICLE DURING THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. HE FURTHER ALLEGES HE NEVER TOLD INVESTIGATORS HIS EX-WIFE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SHOOTING HIM. LOOSEY APPEARED IN COURT THURSDAY WITH HIS ATTORNEY, BEN BURNETT. BURNETT TOLD JUDGE WEBB HIS CLIENT “HAS TRIED REPEATEDLY” TO HAVE THE NO CONTACT ORDER LIFTED, BUT HIS REQUESTS HAD “FALLEN ON DEAF EARS.” LOOSEY DOES NOT SEE HIMSELF A VICTIM OF THE SHOOTING, BUT “IS A VICTIM OF A NO CONTACT ORDER THAT KEEPS TWO ADULTS FROM INTERACTING AND IS DISRUPTING THEIR LIVES,” HIS LAWYER TOLD THE COURT. “SEAY AND LOOSEY HAVE LIVED TOGETHER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, HAVE A CHILD IN COMMON AND ARE NOW ENGAGED,” BURNETT SAID. “THESE ARE TWO ADULTS WHO SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE THEIR LIVES THE WAY THEY WANT TO LIVE THEM.” AT THE END OF HIS PRESENTATION, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY DAVID ETHREDGE TOLD JUDGE WEBB THE STATE STRONGLY OPPOSED LIFTING THE NO CONTACT ORDER. HE TOLD THE COURT SEAY IS CHARGED WITH PULLING A PISTOL AND SHOOTING LOOSEY IN THE FACE. AFTER THE SHOOTING, SEAY, A CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTITIONER WITH A LICENSE IN FORCE UNTIL JULY 31, 2021 “FAILED TO RENDER ANY AID. THE VICTIM WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON HIS OWN AND SHE WENT TO BED,” THE PROSECUTOR SAID. ETHREDGE SAID THE STATE WAS, AT TIMES, PUT IN THE POSITION OF PROTECTING PEOPLE AGAINST THEMSELVES, AND HE PUT LOOSEY IN THAT CATEGORY. “WE ARE GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT MR. LOOSEY GOING BACK INTO THAT SITUATION,” ETHREDGE TOLD THE COURT. IN HIS PETITION, LOOSEY LISTS HELP WITH MEDICAL ISSUES STEMMING FROM THE SHOOTING AS ONE MAJOR REASON FOR WANTING THE NO CONTACT ORDER LIFTED. HE SAID SEAY WAS IN A POSITION TO ASSIST HIM DURING THIS PERIOD GIVEN HER MEDICAL BACKGROUND. LOOSEY ALSO SAID THE COUPLE HAD A SON TOGETHER, AND HE WANTED TO BE AROUND THE CHILD NOW IN SEAY’S CARE. THE PETITION FOR DISMISSAL OF THE NO CONTACT ORDER ALLEGES LOOSEY WAS NEVER IN FEAR OF SEAY AND DID NOT BELIEVED SHE WOULD “THREATEN HARM” TO HIM. ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, SEAY AND LOOSEY, THOUGH CURRENTLY DIVORCED, LIVE TOGETHER. COURT RECORDS INDICATE THE RELATIONSHIP HAS HAD ITS UPS AND DOWNS. IN MID-DECEMBER LAST YEAR, IT WAS SEAY WHO FILED A PETITION FOR AN ORDER OF PROTECTION TO KEEP LOOSEY AWAY FROM HER. IN THE SHOOTING CASE, INVESTIGATORS REPORTED A WITNESS DESCRIBED THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO LOOSEY BEING WOUNDED. THE WITNESS SAID LOOSEY TURNED TO APPARENTLY SAY SOMETHING TO SEAY, WHO WAS SETTING IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN SHE ALLEGEDLY PULLED A SMALL PISTOL FROM HER WAISTBAND AND SHOT HIM IN THE FACE. LOOSEY WAS FIRST TREATED AT BAXTER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AND THEN FLOWN TO A HOSPITAL IN SPRINGFIELD. HE IS REPORTED TO HAVE TOLD INVESTIGATORS HE HAD SHOT HIMSELF BY ACCIDENT. SEAY IS FREE ON A $100,000 BOND. SHE IS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND FIRST-DEGREE DOMESTIC BATTERY. SHE HAS ENTERED A NOT GUILTY PLEA TO THE CHARGES AGAINST HER. THE CURRENT SCHEDULE IN SEAY’S CASE SHOWS HER REAPPEARING IN BAXTER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT NOV. 12.

• CONGRESSMAN RICK CRAWFORD VOTED NO TO THE GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS ACT EARLIER THIS MONTH...CRAWFORD CALLED TEH LEGISLATION A LAND CRAB ATTEMPT. THE LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE AUTHORIZED THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND FOR $900 MILLION...CRAWFORD EXPLAINED WHY HE CHOSE TO VOTE NO BECAUSE IT WOULD BE AN OVERREACH FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES… CONGRESSMAN CRAWFORD WAS IN THE MINORITY.. THE GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS ACT PASSED THE HOUSE AND HAS BEEN SENT TO PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR FINAL APPROVAL...HEAR FROM CRAWFORD DURING HOMETOWN NEWS ON WEDNESDAY…

• IN PERSON COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES AT MISSOURI STATE WEST PLAINS HAS BEEN CANCELED, INTERIM CHANCELLOR DENNIS LANCASTER SAYS DESPITE ALL OF THE PLANNING, THE DECISION TO NOT HOLD THE COMMENCEMENT WAS TOUGH, BUT THE SAFETY OF ALL INVOLVED MUST BE TOP PRIORITY..THE CEREMONIES WERE SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 8..THE GROWING RATE OF COVID 19 CASES IN MISSOURI AND ARKANSAS FORCED UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS TO RE-EVALUATE THEIR PLANS..

• THE CALICO ROCK SCHOOL IS CONDUCTING A BACK TO SCHOOL SURVEY OF PARENTS.  THE SURVEY IS AVAILABLE ON THE CALICO ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITE.  PHONE THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 297-8339 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

• LYON COLLEGE BECOMES THE FIRST COLLEGE IN ARKANSAS TO ANNOUCE THEY WILL GO TO AN ONLINE-ONLY INSTRUCTION FOR THE FALL SEMESTER.  PRESIDENT W. JOSEPH KING ANNOUCED THAT LYON WILL CONTINUE REMOTE LEARNING FOR THE FALL 2020 SEMESTER FRIDAY. KING SAID THE MADE THE ANNOUCEMENT WITH A HEAVY HEART, BUT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DETERMINED REMOTE INSTRUCTION FOR THE FALL WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF LYON COLLEGE.  STUDENTS WILL REMAIN AT HOME THIS UPCOMING SEMESTER TO PARTICIPATE IN REMOTE INSTRUCTION.  THE COLLEGE WILL OFFER ON-CAMPUS ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND STUDENTS WITH A COMPELLING NEED.  ALL ATHLETIC COMPETITION HAS ALSO BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL DECEMBER 31,  2020.  SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING AT THE SPRING 2021 SEMESTER FOR ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITES FOR FALL AND WINTER ATHLETES.

• FIRST COMMUNITY BANK HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE TOP BANK AMONG FOUR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ON ARKANSAS' BEST BANKS BY FORBES IN ITS 2020 BEST-IN-THE-STATE BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS LIST. THE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD IS PRESENTED BY FORBES, THE WORLD'S LARGEST STATISTIC AND INDUSTRY RANKING PROVIDER. FIRST COMMUNITY BANK IS BASED IN BATESVILLE WITH TWO LOCATIONS IN SHARP COUNTY, CHEROKEE VILLAGE AND CAVE CITY..

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• NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE IS PARTICIPATING IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES HELP FOR QUALIFYING MEMBERS WITH THEIR ENERGY COSTS DURING THE SUMMER AND WINTER.. THE PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES WHICH INCLUDE OZARK OPPORTUNITIES AND NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN THE NAEC SERVICE AREA… THE AMOUNT OF HELP AVAILABLE VARIES BASED ON A MEMBER’S INCOME, NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE HOUSEHOLD AND OTHER FACTORS.. FOR NAEC MEMBERS IN THE OZARK OPPORTUNITIES AREA OF BAXTER AND MARION COUNTIES THE PHONE NUMBER TO CALL IS 870-425-5118… FOR NAEC MEMBERS IN THE NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AREA OF FULTON, IZARD, SHARP AND STONE COUNTIES CALL 870-793-5765… NAEC ALWAYS TRIES TO WORK WITH MEMBERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS AND MEMBERS NEEDING AN EXTENSION ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND AN EMAIL TO INFO AT NAECI DOT COM OR CALL 895-3221…

• WHITE RIVER HEALTH SYSTEM ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF DR GILBER-ROY KAMOGA, INTERNAL MEDICINE, AS THE NEW INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM DIRECTOR.. AS AN INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM DIRECTOR, DR KAMOGA WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INSTRUCTIONS AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY CONDUCTED WITHIN THE PROGRAM...HE WILL OVERSEE RECRUITMENT, EVALUATION, PROMOTION, AND SUPERVISION OF THE RESIDENTS..      

• THE HOTEL RHEA WILL SOON BE UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF STUDENTS AT WILLIAMS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY...THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY’S NEW STUDENT WORK INITIATIVE KNOWN AS WILLIAMS WORKS, STUDENTS WILL MANAGE AND OPERATE THE HISTORIC HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN WALNUT RIDGE… WBU RECENTLY SIGNED A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH SNAPP FAMILY, LLC WHICH HAS OPERATED THE HOTEL THEA SINCE BUYING THE THOROUGHLY RENOVATING THE FACILITY IN 2013…

• THE IZARD COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL PROVIDE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR ALL STUDENTS IN GRADES K – 12 THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR...THIS IS POSSIBLE THROUGH DONATIONS FROM VARIOUS GROUPS AND SCHOOL FUNDS...THE ONLY REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS IS THE K – 4 GRADE STUDENTS WILL NEED A BACKPACK…

• MAMMOTH SPRING IS GOING ALL OUT TO RECRUIT A DOLLAR GENERAL STORE TO THE TOWN. WITH OVER A MILLION VEHICLES ANNUALL PASSING THROUGH MAMMOTH SPRING, THE CITY HAS POTENTIAL THAT MOST TOWNS OF ITS SIZE CANNOT OFFER.. MEANWHILE, SPEARS SAYS CITY LEADERS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC ON BRINGING DOLLAR GENERAL TO THE BIG SPRING. DOLLAR GENERAL HAS MOVED INTO SEVERAL SMALL COMMUNITIES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, INCLUDING: BLACK ROCK, IMBODEN, EVENING SHADE, HIGHLAND, ASH FLAT, SALEM, VIOLA, MELBOURNE, AND JUST LAST MONTH, OPENED A NEW STORE IN OXFORD…

• OFFICIALS AT MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY-WEST PLAINS SAY THE CAMPUS WILL BE FULLY OPENED BY AUGUST 13. THE CAMPUS WAS CLOSED IN MID-MARCH DUE TO COVID 19, BUT ALL AREAS OF THE CAMPUS WILL BE OPEN AUGUST 13TH AND READY TO WELCOME ON CAMPUS STUDENTS WHO WILL BE MOVING INTO RESIDENCE HALLS. CLASSES BEGIN AUGUST 17TH WHETHER IN PERSON OR ONLINE. INTERIM CHANCELLOR DANNIS LANCASTER SAYS THERE WILL BE DIFFERENCES IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM, BUT THE UNIVERSITY’S COMMITMENT TO A QUALITY EDUCATION WILL REMAIN THE SAME. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WP .MISSOURI STATE .EDU / CORONAVIRUS.

• THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMMISSION HAS ANNOUCED THE ADDITION OF FOUR NEW DISPENSERIES AROUND THE STATE. ONE IS THE ARKANSAS GREEN CROSS CANNIBAS DISPENSERY, LOCATED IN ZONE 2 WHICH WILL SERVE FULTON, SHARP, IZARD, BAXTER, MARION, STONE, SEARCY, VAN BUREN, CLEBURNE AND NEWTON COUNTIES.

• ARKANSAS STATE PARKS HAVE A NEW WAY FOR GUESTS TO DOCUMENT THEIR EXPERIENCES AT ALL 52 STATE PARKS. VISITORS CAN PICK UP THEIR FRE PASSPORT AT ANY ARKANSAS STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER AND BEGIN RECORDING THEIR TRAVELS.  EACH STATE PARK OFFERS A DIVERSE EXPERIENCE.  WHETHER YOUR A HISTORY BUFF, WILDLIFE WATCHER, YOUR INTO ADVENTURE SPORTS OR ALL OF THE ABOVE. THE STATE PARKS PASSPORTS CAN BE STAMPED AT A VISITOR CENTER OR YOU CAN MAKE A RUBBIN OF THE STAMP IN PARKS WHERE THERE IS NOT A VISITORS CENTER