De Queen Soccer Championship
De Queen Schools Athletic Director Richard Bell (left) and Head Soccer Coach Stephen Sloan (right) visited your #1 Country Studios earlier Friday morning, May 22nd, to talk about the De Queen Leopards playing the Nashville Scrappers tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm although weather delays and game completions may push that time back in Hot Springs Lakeside for the state championship in 4A. DE QUEEN – The De Queen Leopards are preparing for another shot at history Saturday afternoon as they battle the Nashville Scrappers in the Class 4A state soccer championship game at Lakeside High School in Hot Springs. The Leopards advanced to the title match after defeating Central Arkansas Christian, Clarksville and Green Forest during the state tournament. De Queen opened with a thrilling 4-3 victory over CAC after surrendering a 3-0 lead before scoring the game-winner late. The Leopards then shut out Clarksville 2-0 before knocking off host Green Forest 2-1 in the semifinals. Sloan and De Queen Athletic Director Richard Bell said they could not recall the two schools ever meeting previously in a state championship game in any sport. Bell called the matchup “huge for Southwest Arkansas” and praised Sloan’s success leading the Leopard program. Sloan is making his 10th appearance in the state finals and is seeking his program’s eighth state championship. The two teams split their regular-season meetings this year. De Queen and Nashville played to a 0-0 tie in March before the Leopards earned a 5-0 victory in April. Sloan noted the Scrappers have been scoring heavily throughout the postseason and said defense will again be key for De Queen. Bell also praised the longtime community support surrounding the program and encouraged fans to pack the stands in Hot Springs. De Queen will serve as the home team and sit on the home side of the stadium. Fans planning to attend are encouraged to purchase tickets online ahead of time through the GoFan app or the website. Admission will be digital only. The community is planning a sendoff for the team at around 11:45 a.m. Saturday along Collin Raye Drive as the Leopards depart for Hot Springs.
American Legion Poppy Giveaway
The American Legion and VFW will have poppy giveaway. Memorial Day is a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought in wars and lost their lives. You can pick up a poppy and wear it to commenorate. Poppies will be available today, May 22nd, and tomorrow, May 23rd, from 9 am-12 pm. They will be available at Walmart, Pruett's and Tractor Supply. You can make a donation to the Christmas bags for veterans in nursing homes in local area. American Legion is recruiting members if you would like to join. Meetings will be held 2nd Monday of month on 8th Street at American Legion Building. If you ever wore a uniform, you are eligible to join. Pictured is Rick Gregory.
Sevier County Hometown Hangouts
Amanda Hundley (left) and Tonya Wolcott (right) of the Sevier County Coalition visited your #1 Country Studios earlier Friday morning, May 22nd, to talk about the upcoming block parties over the summer called Hometown Hangouts. The events are free (no set up fees) and for everyone. There will be bounce houses, free meal (hot dog, popcorn, lemonade), door prizes and bike giveaways. The first one will be in Ben Lomond on June 9th from 6-8 pm. Sponsors will be announced more before each event.
Bunyard Broadcasting Presents Checks to DQTV and to Student Interns
Bunyard Broadcasting representatives Jay Bunyard, Jacob Bunyard, and Jennifer Higgins presented a $2,040 check to DQTV Instructor Tiffany Williamson on Wednesday, May 20th , for advertising revenues earned during the recent soccer season. In addition, $595 checks were presented to student interns Aidin Alspaw and Omar Navarrete from the Arkansas Broadcasters Association Internship Program for their work on the video production of the soccer broadcasts. The partnership combines the Spanish radio play-by-play on La Maxxima AM 1390/FM 104.5 called by Horatio Sotelo and Francisco Hernandez with the DQTV-produced video so that Leopards fans all over the world can watch select soccer games through You Tube and other online media outlets. In fact, numerous viewers in Mexico, who are friends and relatives of the De Queen athletes, text Horatio and Francisco during the broadcasts. In turn, the play-by-play guys give the viewers a shout-out during the game. Bunyard Broadcasting and DQTV thank our 2025-2026 school-year sponsors for making this award-winning public-private partnership possible. They include Southwest Arkansas Accounting Services, De Queen Abstract Company, Jorge Rivas Garage and Wrecker Service, De Queen Auto Group, Air-Evac Life Team, First State Insurance, Hochatown Rescue Center and Petting Zoo, Flooring Outfitters, San Juan’s Automotive, Simply Chiropractic, and Southern Home Furniture & Interiors.
Rotary Club Cookout
The De Queen Rotary Club held their annual cookout in lieu of their weekly meeting on Monday night, May 18th. The cookout was for five different little league baseball and softball teams sponsored by the De Queen Rotary Club. Meal consisted of hot dogs, chips, cookies, and drinks.
Tri Lakes Bass Festival
The Sevier County Chamber of Commerce will host the 36th Annual Judge Ray Memorial Big Bass Festival on Saturday, May 23rd. The event will be held at the Tri-Lakes in De Queen, Gillham, and Dierks. Registration for 5 am check in is $65. Registration w/ wristband is $75. Wristband for $50 hourly 1st place bonus. Hourly payout schedule is $100 for 1st, $150 for 1st with wristband, $80 for 2nd, $70 for 3rd, $60 for 4th, and $50 for 5th. $200 bonus for hourly overall Tri-Lakes winner. Overall Tri-Lakes payout is $2000 for 1st, $1000 for 2nd, $750 for 3rd, $500 for 4th, and $350 for 5th. Overall winner for each lake wins a chance at $10000. Registration is available online now and can be found directly at: https://www.sevierchamber.com/2026tri-lakes. Pictured are Rick Pruitt (left) and Danielle Lansdale (right) who came in your #1 Country Studios earlier Friday morning, May 15th, to talk about the event.
Horatio First Baptist Church Events
Horatio First Baptist Church will be hosting Light the City on Wednesday night, May 13th, at 5pm. The church will also host a Church Camp fundraiser after church on Sunday, May 17th, which includes a chicken dinner with all the fixings. Pictured left to right are Ellie Ray, Caselyn VanVoast, and Andrew Baca, who came in your #1 Country Studios earlier Tuesday morning, May 12th, to talk about the events.