SWAR misses worst of winter storm       2/19/25

DE QUEEN – Most schools are open across the listening area after the region missed the worst of the winter storm last night.

The only closure we’ve been informed of is the Dierks School District, which has closed its campuses for the day.

In addition, the Cossatot River School District has delayed opening its campuses to 10 a.m.

The winter storm system has passed but a cold weather advisory is now in effect for the listening area as wind chills as low as zero degrees are expected. That advisory is in effect through 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

Today’s high is just 31 degrees with a low of 11 tonight before the wind chill value is even factored in. 

Fair board hosts Sevier County Drawdown, winner Paul Lewis donates every cent back       2/19/25

DE QUEEN – The Sevier County Fair Association hosted its Fourth Annual Sevier County Drawdown this past weekend, and Fair Board President Richard Van Voast declared it the best one yet.

“I think it’s the best we’ve ever had. I mean every year we’re trying to do better, so we want next year to be better than this year,” said Van Voast. “I think all the food was served within 20 minutes, which is pretty good when you’re talking about 300 plates. So a big shout out to all the FFA kids who helped with that.”

Over 300 people attended the event, which featured steak dinners prepared by Walter DeShazo of Prime County Meat Market in Horatio, along with door prizes, firearm raffles, and a chance to win the Drawdown’s grand prize of $5,000. The annual fundraiser aims to provide more opportunities for local youth at the Sevier County Fairgrounds. Van Voast explained that the proceeds support various activities and upgrades throughout the year, including the recent Sevier County 4-H O’Rama held this past Monday. He credited dedicated sponsors like Jay and Mary Ellen Dooley, owners of De Queen Auto Group, for helping to drive ongoing improvements at the fairgrounds.

“We’ve got so many people in the community that step up and give their time and their money. It’s incredible. A big shout out to De Queen Auto Group. They’re always there to help us. Another, Mr. Jason Sanders and De Queen Schools for allowing us to use the high school cafeteria. That is the key to a lot of this, that facility.”

As the Drawdown narrowed down to the final participants, it quickly became apparent that Paul Lewis was the frontrunner. Of the last three attendees eligible for the $5,000 prize, Lewis was the only one with his safety entry still intact. Sure enough, he won the prize, but in a remarkable act of generosity, he immediately donated the entire amount back to the Sevier County Fair Association.

Van Voast praised Lewis’s gesture, noting that it reflected his character and unwavering support for the youth of Sevier County.

“He donated $5,000 cash that he could have put in his pocket. For Paul to do that, that says a lot about his character,” said Van Vaost. “He did specify he wants it to go towards the kids.

He didn’t say, build something in my honor. He said, I want this to go to the kids. I mean, he is amazing.”

The Sevier County Fair Association is already preparing for what they hope will be a bustling spring and summer at the fairgrounds, leading up to the 88th annual Sevier County Fair & Rodeo in September. For more information, visit the Sevier County Fair De Queen Arkansas Facebook page.

Nashville teenager charged with breaking into DQ business, stealing guns       2/19/25

DE QUEEN – A 17-year-old girl from Nashville has been charged with numerous counts of felony theft for allegedly stealing firearms from a De Queen business last year.

The teenager is facing 10 counts of theft of property (firearm) and a single count of commercial burglary, according to records filed in the Sevier County Circuit Court this month. Since she is a juvenile, her name has not been released and the arrest affidavit is currently sealed.

The youth is suspected of breaking into Twisted Tines Outfitters in De Queen on Oct. 12, 2024. The window to the building had been shattered, allowing the suspect to climb through. The suspect reportedly cut themselves while climbing through the broken window.

An arrest warrant was issued for the girl on Feb. 7 following an investigation into the incident by the De Queen Police Department and the Burearu of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

If tried as an adult, the girl could face up to 10 years in prison for the commercial burglary charge and up to six years for each count of theft of property (firearm).

De Queen junior girls win 7AAAA tournament       2/19/25

MAGNOLIA – The top seeded De Queen girls won the 7AAAA junior basketball tournament Feb. 13 at Magnolia.

It was not easy. The scoring slump that fell upon them in the semi-finals persisted in the title game. In the end De Queen outlasted Nashville 25-22.

The outside shooting was not there. Heavenly Pickings scored all five points from close range in the first quarter that ended with De Queen up 5-1.

Pickings and Lynnlea Bailey each hit a field goal in the second period that closed with the lead at 9-7.

The De Queen advantage had returned to four points by the start of the fourth, 15-11, with Pickings putting in another six points in the third.

The final quarter began with Nashville’s Scott hitting a field goal. Pickings scored off a pass from Taylor Wagner.

Scott sank a free throw with 4:38 left and another with 3:45 to go to cut De Queen’s lead to 17-15. Two seconds later Scott was back at the line and hit two to tie the game for the first time since the score was 0-0.

With 3:22 left, Pickings scored again to regain the lead. Nae Briggins made a pair of free throws at 2:17 to make it 21-17.

Ten seconds later Nashville’s Hagler hit a free throw.

Briggins eluded the press and put in a basket for a 23-18 lead with two minutes to go. A basket by Nashville’s Hill made it a three point game with 1:25 on the clock.

A highly controversial call went Nashville’s way when a tie ball was called after a defender brought Bailey to the floor as De Queen was attempting to run the final seconds off the clock. Nashville got the ball and Hagler scored to cut the lead to 23-22.

Pickings hit one of two at the line for De Queen then made a defensive rebound on the other end. She made another free throw for a three point lead with 12 seconds left.

Nashville was denied a final shot when Briggins forced a tie ball with a second remaining.

Pickings scored 19 of De Queen’s points. Briggins had four and Bailey two.

De Queen had 18 fouls and made nine of 17 at the line.

Nashville had 15 fouls and made eight of 20 free throws, six of 16 in the second half.

Hagler had 10 points and Scott six, all in the fourth quarter when she made four of six free throws.

Semifinal

It was a struggle, but De Queen got past Camden Fairview in the semi-final 25-19.

De Queen beat Fairview 39-25 on Jan 13 and 45-33 on Feb. 3. In the third meeting the ball would not go in the hoop. Quarter scores were 4-1, 6-4 and 14-10.

Heavenly Pickings scored 14 points for De Queen, six in the fourth quarter with a four of four performance at the foul line.

Nae Briggins had eight points, four in fourth when she hit two of two free throws.

Taylor Wagner had three points, two in the second and one in the fourth.

Walk Across Arkansas spring registration opens soon       2/19/25

DE QUEEN – For Arkansans looking to achieve their fitness goals or develop new healthy habits this spring, Walk Across Arkansas offers an eight-week, group-based exercise program that helps get people moving.

The free program is offered each spring and fall by the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Participants can sign up in teams of up to 30 people, and they log their total number of minutes spent being physically active each day.

This program is free and encourages friendly competition between groups of friends, family members, co-workers or church members. Anyone who wants to work together towards their physical activity goals would benefit from Walk Across Arkansas.

Registration for the spring 2025 session opens Feb. 24. Participants can register and log exercise minutes at walk.uada.edu/walk/. The competition starts March 10 and ends May 4.

During the fall 2024 Walk Across Arkansas session, 160 teams of 1,757 individuals from 39 counties reported more than 1.9 million minutes of physical activity. Past participants have reported that through Walk Across Arkansas, they had more energy, slept better, strengthened their relationships and lost weight or inches. They also reported lower stress levels and improved their blood pressure and blood panels.

Anyone can participate in Walk Across Arkansas. Division of Agriculture employees must use a personal email address, not their work email address, to register. Visit walk.uada.edu/walk/ to learn more and register or contact the Sevier county Extension Office by calling (870) 584-3013.

Hopefully, worst of winter storm system to pass by SWAR       2/18/25

DE QUEEN – There’s a good chance the listening area is going to avoid the worst of a winter storm expected to batter much of the state today.

Parts of northwest Arkansas are expected to receive up to 13 inches of snow over the next 24 hours. Down here in Southwest Arkansas and Southeast Oklahoma, the winter storm system is anticipated to largely pass us by.

There is a 90 percent chance of rain today and 70 percent chance of a wintry mix this evening across the listening area. A winter weather advisory is in effect from noon today through Wednesday morning.

As of Tuesday morning, the only weather-related closing we’ve been notified of is from the Cossatot River School District. The district closed all of its campuses today.

Some mixed precipitation is expected with total sleet and snow accumulations of up to half inch possible and ice accumulations of around a tenth of an inch. Isolated higher amounts of ice of up to two tenths of an inch are possible.

The National Weather Service said commuters should plan on slippery road conditions, particularly during the evening commute. Make sure to slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest highway conditions in Arkansas, visit www.idrivearkansas.com or check out the free app.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a State of Emergency on Monday to allow emergency response vehicles to bypass Arkansas State Police weigh stations in order to more quickly respond to disaster areas.

Today’s high is just 37 degrees with a low of 21 tonight. Temperatures will continue to stay quite chilly over the next few days, including a low of 12 Wednesday night, before things start to warm up this weekend. Next Monday is supposed to be sunny with a high of 69.

Two local economic development directors named to statewide initiative       2/18/25

CONWAY – Conductor and Startup Junkie, in partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), are excited to announce the selection of the first-ever cohort for 75Strong, a program designed to equip community leaders, chamber executives, and economic developers with the tools to foster entrepreneurship and innovation across Arkansas. The list includes two economic development officials from our listening area.

Participants hail from all regions of the state, from the Delta to the Ouachitas, the Ozarks to the River Valley. Their collective mission is to build stronger local ecosystems and champion small business growth through innovative strategies and hands-on collaboration.

The two local participants include:

–Vickie Williamson – Little River County Economic Development, Ashdown

–Veronica Ozura – Sevier County Economic Development, De Queen

Over the next two years, the cohort will participate in a comprehensive entrepreneurial development curriculum, designed to strengthen their ability to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in their communities. A key element of the program is the pursuit of the Entrepreneurial Development Professional (EDP) certification from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This credential will position participants as leaders in building entrepreneurial ecosystems and fostering small business success.

In addition to earning the EDP credential, participants will:

–Develop strategic plans for their communities or regions to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth.

–Recruit over 100 small businesses statewide to participate in a business-building curriculum focused on growth and job creation.

–Collaborate with fellow participants to create entrepreneurial coalitions and networks that sustain long-term development efforts.

“75Strong is a key part of our economic development strategy, helping equip economic developers and community leaders to provide assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Congratulations to the leaders who were selected to participate in the first 75Strong cohort. These leaders will play a major role in helping grow our small business and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Arkansas.”

The launch of this inaugural cohort marks a significant step in building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem across Arkansas. With its commitment to empowering local leaders and creating opportunities for small businesses, 75Strong is setting the stage for sustainable economic growth. As these participants embark on this journey, they carry the potential to leave a lasting impact, not only in their communities but across the state as a whole.

For more information about the 75Strong program, visit 75strongarkansas.com.

Kinetic joins in for Random Acts of Kindness Day       2/18/25

LOCKESBURG – Representatives from Kinetic, an Arkansas-headquartered residential internet service provider, hosted a “Kinetic Kindness” event with the Lockesburg community on Feb. 17 to celebrate National Random Acts of Kindness Day. Partnering with Zeb’s Lunch Box, Kinetic surprised community members with free ice cream to share the power of connection through kindness. 

“As a local broadband provider, we’re committed to keeping our communities connected not just through the internet, but also through moments that bring people together,” said Patrick Brimberry, president of Kinetic’s Midwest Region. “Recognizing Random Acts of Kindness Day through Kinetic Kindness is about more than just high-speed internet; it’s about fostering relationships, supporting local businesses and showing appreciation for the communities we serve.” 

Nearly 20 residents came out to partake in the Kinetic Kindness experience. The event is a part of a special milestone celebration for the Lockesburg community, as they reach official Gig-Ready Community status, meaning more than 75% of residents and businesses now have access to Kinetic’s Next Generation Gigabit Internet. Attendees were able to receive more information about how residents and businesses can take advantage of the new services and how Kinetic’s expanded high-speed fiber internet access will impact and enhance everyday connections for the community. 

Kinetic remains dedicated to empowering communities with cutting-edge broadband solutions while fostering kindness and connection. For more information on Kinetic’s services and Gig-Ready Communities, visit 

www.windstream.com/gig-ready.

State Auditor lauds bill to send automatic checks for unclaimed property       2/18/25

LITTLE ROCK – Auditor of State Dennis Milligan’s office is celebrating a bill the Legislature passed Thursday that will allow his office to automatically mail unclaimed property checks to Arkansans.

 Senate Bill 14, sponsored by Sen. Dave Wallace of Leachville and Rep. Jon Milligan of Lake City, aims to return Arkansans’ unclaimed money without them having to file a claim or submit documentation. The process, known as the “data match initiative,” is already adopted by 24 other states. It allows the auditor’s office to send checks to people with unclaimed funds between $50 and $5,000, so long as the owners’ information is validated through several identity-verification processes.

 “This is a government efficiency bill that will cut red tape and bureaucracy and will help my office get citizens their unclaimed money more effectively,” Milligan said. “This isn’t the state’s money; it belongs to the citizens.”

 The process will only apply to individual claims. Heirs making a claim for a deceased relative, businesses and nonprofit organizations, or people who are owed mineral rights, tangible items or securities will still need to file a claim through the traditional process via the website www.claimitar.gov, Milligan said.

Unclaimed property consists of financial accounts such as abandoned checking or savings accounts, utility deposits that were not returned, stock or mutual fund shares, life insurance proceeds, overpayments, etc. When owners abandon a financial account – through a move or a death, for instance – and the original company cannot locate the owner, the money or properties from that account are deemed abandoned and are remitted to the Auditor of State’s office. The office’s Unclaimed Property division then works to connect property to rightful owners through the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt program.

 The auditor’s office has more than $400 million that is owed to current and former Arkansans. Through the data match initiative, the office has identified nearly 360,000 properties valued at more than $83 million.

The office plans to process the 360,000 properties in small batches due to the high volume, Milligan said.

 “As eager as I am to reconnect citizens with their unclaimed property, implementing the data match program will take time. Once we begin each batch, we will notify the owners via postal mail that we intend to mail them a check. Following a 90-day waiting period to adjust for any returned mail or bad addresses, we will be able to tell people their check is in the mail.”

Checks will only be mailed to people who the office has identified through multiple identity matches, including a federal archive that detects whether someone has died and the postal service’s National Change of Address database, Milligan said.

“Once fully implemented, this data match initiative will allow us to return several million dollars back into Arkansans’ hands where it rightfully belongs,” Milligan said. “It’s just the right thing to do.”

Since taking office in January 2023, Milligan’s administration has returned more than $70 million to citizens through the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt. To see if you might have unclaimed property in the Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt, visit www.claimitar.gov.  

State Senate passes maternal healthcare bill, another impacting canvassing       2/18/25

In a statewide update, the Arkansas Senate approved legislation to improve maternal health care in Arkansas, especially in areas where existing medical services are lacking.

Also, a bill to provide a free breakfast every day to all students continued to breeze through the legislature and should soon be sent to the governor for her signature. It is part of her legislative agenda.

Senate Bill 213, known as the “Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act,” changes Medicaid regulations to make prenatal care much more accessible in areas of the state that have been designated as maternal care deserts, because of a lack of obstetricians.

It establishes presumptive eligibility for pregnant women who apply for Medicaid. This allows them to get immediate prenatal care, while they’re waiting for a full application to be processed.

Also, SB 213 authorizes Medicaid to reimburse doulas and community health workers, including for visits to the pregnant woman’s home if the visit is related to prenatal or postpartum care.

Medicaid coverage will include office visits, laboratory fees, tests ordered by a physician, blood work, remote monitoring, fetal nonstress tests and glucose monitoring to detect possible gestational diabetes. Self measurement blood pressure devices will be covered also.

The House passed an identical bill. Improving maternal health care is part of the governor’s legislative agenda.

The Senate also approved a package of bills intended to prevent deceptive practices when canvassers collect signatures from registered voters, in order to place an issue on the ballot.

SB 207 would require canvassers to inform people, before collecting their signatures, that petition fraud is a Class A misdemeanor. The disclosure could be verbal, or in a separate written document that would be shown to people before they sign.

SB 208 would require canvassers to view a photo ID of each person signing the petition. If canvassers are unable to verify someone’s identity, they may not collect a signature.

SB 209 directs the Secretary of State to not count signatures on a petition if a preponderance of evidence indicates that the canvasser has violated state laws or provisions in the state Constitution regarding canvassing, perjury, forgery or fraudulent practices in getting signatures.

SB 210 would require people to read the ballot title of a ballot issue before signing the petition. The ballot title is a summary of all the provisions in the proposed constitutional amendment or initiated act. The bill allows for the ballot title to be read to the person signing, in the presence of the canvasser.

SB 211 would require canvassers to submit a sworn statement that he or she has complied with all state laws governing the collection of signatures, and with the Constitution. Unless the canvasser submits the sworn statement, any signatures he or she turns in will not be counted by the Secretary of State.

SB 59 would provide a free breakfast to all public school students, regardless of their family income, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. It has been passed by the Senate and cleared a Senate committee.

De Queen’s Jay Bunyard elected as chairman of AEDC Board of Directors       2/13/25

DE QUEEN – Local businessman and community leader Jay Bunyard has been elected Chairman of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Board of Directors. A longtime advocate for economic growth and business development in the state, Bunyard brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having spent years at the forefront of media and telecommunications in Arkansas.

Bunyard, the President of Bunyard Media Group, oversees the operation of 14 radio stations across five Arkansas communities: Berryville, Camden, De Queen, Mena, and Nashville. In addition, he serves as President of Arklahoma Broadcast & Communication Towers, a company that leases towers to wireless carriers in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Last year, he purchased two long-running weekly Arkansas newspapers: The Mena Star and The De Queen Bee. The purchase also included The Ouachita Trading Post.

Bunyard resides in De Queen with his wife, Teresa.

His leadership in the broadcast industry has been widely recognized, including receiving the Silver Microphone Award for contributions to the field and serving as co-chairman of the Legislative Liaison Committee for the Arkansas Broadcasters Association. He currently serves on the ABA Board of Directors and has previously served as President of the Association.

In a recent interview, Bunyard outlined his vision for Arkansas’ economic future, emphasizing the AEDC’s role as a bridge between public and private partnerships. He highlighted key areas of focus, including attracting industries to the state, supporting small businesses, and providing tax incentives to encourage job growth.

“Our primary focus is economic growth—recruiting industries, creating good-paying jobs, and ensuring Arkansas remains competitive,” Bunyard said. He underscored the importance of investing in industrial sites and workforce training programs, key initiatives that align with Governor Sarah Sanders’ economic development agenda.

Bunyard also pointed to major economic developments across the state, including the lithium industry boom, the announcement of a Messer $70 million industrial gas facility in Berryville, and recent expansions in the defense sector at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden. He noted that while Arkansas is making strides in job creation, there is still work to be done in securing fair business incentives and improving infrastructure to attract investors.

One of the challenges Bunyard identified is the need for more “shovel-ready” industrial sites to attract businesses. He mentioned that the AEDC recently invested $10 million to improve industrial sites. Additionally, he hopes to secure another $25 million in legislative funding this year to further improve industrial development opportunities.

Another key focus is job retention. Citing the recent closure of Husqvarna in Nashville despite its profitability, Bunyard stressed the importance of providing incentives to businesses to modernize and remain competitive.

“It’s easier to keep the jobs we already have than to recruit new ones,” he said, suggesting that sales tax credits for businesses investing in equipment upgrades could help mitigate unexpected job losses.

He also acknowledged the growing concern over Arkansas’ energy infrastructure, emphasizing the need to incentivize investments in electric utilities. With some coal plants set to close by 2030, he noted that proactive planning is essential to meet the state’s future energy demands.

Bunyard’s role as Chairman of the AEDC will also involve significant travel, attending economic development meetings, groundbreakings, and working closely with state officials. One of his responsibilities includes selecting locations for AEDC quarterly meetings, and he has already arranged for Mena and Camden to host future meetings.

“It’s an honor to serve, and I’ll do my best to advocate for our communities and ensure Arkansas remains a great place to live and work,” he concluded.

With his extensive background in business, media, and economic development, Jay Bunyard is poised to lead the AEDC into a new chapter of growth and opportunity for Arkansas.

During a recent interview, AEDC Director Clint O’Neal said he’s excited to work with Bunyard in his new role.

“Well, Jay Bunyard, he’s not only a community hero at De Queen, but he’s been a lot of fun to get to know as a part of the AEDC Council,” said O’Neal. “I’m  so excited to serve alongside him in 2025 in his role as chairman.”

Former Blevins counselor, interim principal arrested on multiple felony counts       2/13/25

HEMPSTEAD COUNTY – A former Blevins School District high school counselor and interim principal was arrested Wednesday morning by the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office

Justin Mishler, 33, was arrested on multiple charges involving child sexual abuse material. The charges include promoting obscene materials, engaging children in sexually explicit conduct for use in visual or print medium, harassment, endangering the welfare of a minor in the 2^nd degree, producing and directing sexual performance by a child, tampering with physical evidence, possession, selling or distribution of obscene materials, unlawful computerized communications, and pandering or possessing visual or print medium depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child.

The investigation started when Mishler was serving as the high school counselor and interim high school principal in the Blevins School District following reports of inappropriate conduct involving minors.

Mishler resigned in November of 2024.

The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office along with the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation and found evidence to get an arrest warrant for Mishler on nine charges.

Mishler turned himself in to the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday morning about 10:28 a.m. He was accompanied by his attorney.

Mishler appeared before the Hempstead County Circuit Court judge, who set his bond at $100,000 dollars. Mishler posted bond and was released a little over an hour later about 11:45.

De Queen alumni to be honored by Henderson State University        2/13/25

ARKADELPHIA – Henderson State University will honor six outstanding alumni at the Alumni Association’s annual awards banquet April 4, including a graduate of De Queen High School.

Distinguished Alumni awards will be presented to Dan Garrison (‘85), Jim Harlow (‘73 graduate), Michelle Ortiz (‘96), and Dr. Johnnie Roebuck (‘74) . Claudine James (‘09) will receive the “H” Award, and the Young Alumni Award will be presented to Clay Sexton (‘09).

Sexton is a 2009 graduate of Henderson State University with a degree in political science and a minor in communications. He attended high school in De Queen.

After graduating from Henderson, Sexton worked for his uncle’s law firm, Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, while his wife, Leah Forrest Sexton (‘06, ‘14) worked on completing her master’s degree at Henderson. Upon her completion, Clay attended the Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he was a member of the Trial Team and the Overton Inns of Court.

After passing the Bar, Clay and Leah decided to make Arkadelphia their permanent home. Sexton worked for a small firm in Arkadelphia for the first several years of his legal career. In April 2020, he founded his own practice, the Sexton Firm. The firm started with just Sexton and one paralegal, and as of today, the firm has grown to four attorneys and a full office staff with locations in Arkadelphia and Texarkana. Sexton has maintained his connections with Henderson, as two of his attorneys are Henderson graduates.

Sexton is very involved in the Arkadelphia and Henderson communities. He and his family are proud Reddie Club members and are supporters of the Miss HSU organization. Sexton serves as president of the Clark County Bar Association, is an alumnus of Leadership Clark County, and is a member of the Downtown Arkadelphia Board.

The event will be held in the Garrison Center Grand Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at alumni.hsu.edu/alumniawards. For additional information, or to reserve a table, please contact the Alumni office at 870-230-5985 or alumni@hsu.edu.

Sevier County Medical Centers marks second year        2/13/25

DE QUEEN – At the Feb. 3 De Queen Rotary Club meeting at Micah 6:8, the club heard a promising progress report from Stacy Dowdy, the C.E.O. at Sevier County Medical Center which opened its doors on January 23, 2023. 

This past year, the local hospital served a total 5,627 patients in the E.R., 429 Inpatients, and 320 Observation patients. While the numbers were a slight decline in the E.R. and in the Observation areas compared to the year before, the number of Inpatients increased by a whopping 64%. Dowdy reported that Sevier County Medical Center had a total of 15,283 encounters in 2024, which is an increase of 85% utilization. 

The local facility saw a big 63% increase in the Outpatient Therapy Department due to the needs and demands of therapy services in our community. “We have outgrown our therapy area and are having to expand to other parts of the hospital. The Outpatient Procedure area will soon be utilized for pediatric therapy so that we can expand the area that we have to do adult outpatient therapy”, Dowdy said. 

“By expanding and bringing in another P.T.A. and P.T. P.R.N., we will be able to ensure that there is a minimal waiting period to get in for therapy”, Dowdy added. 

Another area that has helped the hospital financially is the implementation of the Swing Bed Program. It’s for individuals that need a little more care and therapy services to ensure they are strong enough to go home. Typically, Swing Bed patients stay an additional 7-14 days, and can stay up to 21 days.

Dowdy was excited to announce that the hospital employed its first provider, Dr. Jeffrey Hamby, on February 1st. “Dr. Hamby will help ensure that patients are receiving quality care and that we are capturing admits that meet medical necessity as opposed to transferring patients out to other facilities or even discharging patients home even if they meet medical necessity to be admitted”, Dowdy said.

“Dr. Hamby has been with us since our doors opened, and he wants to see the hospital be successful and to make a difference in our community”, Dowdy added.

The hospital C.E.O. shared with Rotarians several goals for 2025. They include: employing our own providers, growing the Therapy Department, and growing the Swing Bed program.

Dowdy also hopes to open the west wing for patients in 2025. The current census is five-to-seven patients per day. There are seven rooms on one wing and eight rooms on the other. Adding Dr. Hamby should mean opening that second wing. 

Another goal for the coming year is to achieve a Level Four trauma center designation meaning extra funds for the E.R. 

Finally, Dowdy will continue to hone and craft processes in the Revenue Department to ensure that the hospital is capturing all costs and reimbursements that are possible. 

Dowdy concluded by saying: “With the support of the community providers and its members, I believe that 2025 will be a year of growth for Sevier County Medical Center.”

The local hospital currently has 88 full-time employees. Once a 501C3 status is obtained, it will allow the hospital to apply for more grants. For more information on how you can help your local hospital, contact a member of the Sevier County Medical Center Foundation, which is actively raising funds to help purchase needed health-related equipment. 

Dowdy was introduced by Rotarian Veronica Ozura.

Guests at Monday’s meeting included local attorney Erin Hunter, Katie Hooker with the Weyerhaeuser Foundation, and Zaina Gates of Weyerhaeuser Timberlands. 

De Queen graduate playing for Lyon College       2/12/25

DE QUEEN –  Cole Binkley, a standout De Queen student-athlete who not only completed high school ahead of schedule, has secured a football scholarship with Lyon College in Arkansas. His story is one of hard work, perseverance, and a deep-rooted commitment to excellence, qualities instilled in him by his parents, Phillip and Susan Binkley.

Graduating early is no small feat, but Cole embraced the challenge with determination. Through a rigorous academic plan that started in ninth grade, he managed to accumulate two years’ worth of college credits before receiving his high school diploma. Balancing a demanding football schedule while excelling academically was a challenge, but Cole credits his father for pushing him to take extra courses during summer breaks and throughout the school year.

“My dad really pushed me to take every extra course and extra class during summer and during school,” Cole said. “That way, I could have a head start and get my degree earlier.”

That head start is already paying off as Cole transitions into college life with a strong foundation. His time at Lyon College has been an adjustment, particularly in terms of the larger team size and more intensive training environment, but he’s embracing the change with a positive attitude.

“It’s a lot bigger,” Cole said of his new football team. “I went from being around 40 or 50 guys every day to around 100. But everybody’s been really nice, and the transition’s been smooth.”

During his time at De Queen, Cole was a dedicated quarterback for the Leopards, a position he hopes to continue to play at Lyon College. However, though initially recruited with the possibility of playing multiple positions, his performance during early workouts convinced head coach Chris Douglas that quarterback was likely the right fit.

Cole’s success in football has been shaped significantly by his father, who also served as his coach. Growing up under an “old school” coaching mentality taught him the value of discipline and extra effort.

“He always pushed me to do better,” Cole reflected. “Whether we were in school, at practice, or at home, we were always working—always doing extra.”

While his focus right now is on football, Cole has a clear vision for his future beyond the field. He is majoring in health and education, with plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a high school football coach.

“I definitely want to go back to the high school level,” Cole said. “I don’t know if I could handle being away from home as much as college coaches have to be.”

Though his early graduation means he has already moved on to the next chapter of his life, he is still considering returning to walk in De Queen High School’s official graduation ceremony with his classmates in May—if his college schedule allows.

Cole’s achievements reflect the values of perseverance and dedication instilled in him by his parents. As he embarks on his college football career, he carries with him the work ethic and discipline that have already set him apart.

For De Queen, Cole Binkley’s journey is more than just a personal success story—it’s an inspiration for future students who aspire to excel both on the field and in the classroom.

“Even when nobody’s watching, I try to do my best,” he said.

And with that mentality, there’s no doubt Cole Binkley will continue to make De Queen proud.

Lady Leopards keep it up with win over Arkadelphia       2/12/25

ARKADELPHIA – The De Queen senior teams traveled to Arkadelphia Tuesday night and split a pair of contests. The Lady Leopards overcame several questionable calls by the officiating crew to escape with a 79 to 65 win, while the Badgers ended any postseason hopes for the Leopards with a dominant 74 to 46 victory. 

In the girls contest, the Lady Leopards raced to a 24 to 11 lead after the opening quarter. Then, the officials took over. The De Queen girls were saddled with foul trouble, as the Lyle twins sat out much of the second quarter, allowing Arkadelphia to cut the lead to 42 to 36 at the half.

The Lady Badgers rallied to tie the game at 51 in the third quarter. After Jessie Lyle was whistled for her fifth foul sending her to the bench, it looked grim for the De Queen girls. But like a championship team, the Lady Leopards responded. De Queen outscored Arkadelphia 28 to 14 the rest of the way to escape with the hard-fought 79 to 65 win to improve to 26 and 1 on the season. 

Shalyn Lyle led the way with 22 points and grabbed eight steals. Landri Liggin was clutch with 21 points, including five three-pointers. Emma Chambers finished with 14, including four three-pointers. Lynli Liggin contributed off the bench with nine points. Jessie Lyle added eight points in limited playing time. Ellie Morphew led the rebounding charts with nine to go along with five points. 

The De Queen girls were whistled for 20 fouls to only 12 for the home team. Besides Jessie Lyle fouling out, both Shaylin Lyle and Emma Chambers finished the game with four fouls each as the Lady Leopards survived and will move on.

The Leopards were no match in the boys contest as the Badgers led the entire way to post the 74 to 46 victory. Rowan Sanchez was the only Leopard in double figures with 11. Konnor Shelton scored nine. Cayden Lindley added eight. Sam Graham led the rebounding charts with nine to go along with seven points.

The De Queen teams take on Hope next Tuesday. 

Four-States Agricultural Expo is tomorrow       2/12/25

TEXARKANA – The Four States Agricultural Expo returns Feb. 13, bringing together growers and producers from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma area to learn about the latest research and resources available for commercial horticulture, livestock and forages, integrated pest management, home gardening, lawn, pond management, and more.

The expo is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Four States Fairgrounds, 3700 E. 50th Street in Texarkana. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. All growers and producers from the four-state region are invited. The expo is free, open to the public, and includes lunch. No registration is required. Lunch will be provided by Farm Credit of Western Arkansas and Texas Farm Bureau – Bowie County. Sponsors and donors include Cavender’s Texarkana and Simmons Bank-Jonathan Shumate.

The event is a joint project of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, with experts from both agencies presenting workshops throughout the day.

“We usually have around 350 people attend,” said Jennifer Caraway, Miller County extension agent. “Every year we offer a variety of agricultural sessions about livestock and forages, row crops, horticulture, commercial horticulture, timber and wildlife management, and pond management.”

Continuing education units — CEUs — are available for licensed pesticide applicators. Texas pesticide applicators pay $10 for up to five hours of CEU credits. Arkansas pesticide applicator training will be available at the expo. The cost is $65, with $20 paid to Miller County Cooperative Extension and $45 paid to Arkansas State Plant Board to obtain a five-year license.

Concurrent programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. and include the following topics and speakers: 

8:30 a.m.

• Managing Vegetation in Farm Ponds – Tyson Keese, pond management program specialist, Texas A&M.
• Vaccination Protocols for Beef Cattle – Meg Harrington, NAH Livestock Consulting.
• Production & Management of Blueberries – Tim Hartman, assistant professor, extension specialist, integrated pest management Texas A&M 

9:45 a.m.

• Alternative Forages for Livestock – Jonathan Kubesch, extension forage specialist, Division of Agriculture.
• The Fate of Dicamba and Rice Weed Control – Bob Scott, extension weed scientist, Division of Agriculture.
• Production and Management of Tomatoes – John Gavin, Bradley County extension agent, Division of Agriculture.
• Beekeeping 101 – Garrett Slater, assistant professor and apiculture extension entomologist, Texas A&M.

11 a.m.

• Managing Fish Populations in Farm Ponds – Tyson Keese, Texas A&M.
• Treating Common Diseases in Beef Cattle – Robert Bonner, DVM, Nashville Animal Hospital.
• Production and Management of Peaches – Tim Hartmann, Texas A&M.

Noon-1 p.m.: Lunch 

1 p.m.

• Safe Use of Pesticides Around the Farm – Bob Scott, extension weed scientist, Division of Agriculture.
• Grassy Weed Control in Pastures and Hay – Chad Cummings, Texas A&M county extension agent-agriculture and natural resources.
• Pests, Pathogens, Pesticides, and Poor Nutrition and Their Impact on Bee Hives – Garrett Slater, Texas A&M.

2:15 p.m.

• Broadleaf Weed Control in Pasture and Hay – Chad Cummings, Texas A&M.
• Arkansas Pesticide Applicator Training – Jennifer Caraway, Miller County agricultural extension agent, Division of Agriculture.
• Texas Auxin Training – Brian Triplett, county agent-agriculture and natural resources, Texas A&M.

For more information about the expo, contact the Miller County Extension office at 870-779-3609. To learn more about Division of Agriculture extension programs, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

De Queen man pleads guilty to capital murders in Madison County       2/11/25

 

HUNTSVILLE – In an unexpected turn, a De Queen man pleaded guilty during his jury trial in Madison County late last week to three counts of capital murder.

Hunter Chenoweth, 26, changed his plea to guilty on Friday during the second day of his scheduled jury trial in the Madison County Courthouse. Chenoweth was then sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Chenoweth admitted to killing three family members in Madison County in February, 2021: his 51-year-old mother, Tami Lynn Chenoweth; his stepfather, 59-year-old James Stanley McGehee; and his sister, 26-year-old Cheyenne Chenoweth.

During the trial, the jury heard from agents with the Arkansas State Police, a forensic pathologist and witnesses who found the murder weapon near Mayflower.

The jury also listened to a number of phone calls Chenoweth made from the Washington County Jail to his younger sister in which he attempted to influence her testimony.

Chenoweth’s lawyers requested a mistrial after they claimed prosecutors improperly introduced evidence. That request was denied by the judge.

The judge handed down three consecutive sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The case was delayed two weeks in January after Taylor lost her voice due to illness. Chenoweth previously had a trial set to begin in late November on the murder charges, but it was delayed after the gun believed to have been used was found and turned over to authorities.

According to a preliminary report from the prosecuting attorney’s office, Chenoweth admitted to the killings, stating that the incident began with an argument between him and his mother. He told police that he shot her after she pointed a weapon at him. Afterward, he got into a fight with his sister, Cheyenne, who was in another room, and proceeded to stab and shoot her, according to authorities.

Chenoweth then locked the front door and waited for McGehee to return home from work, the report states. Upon arriving, McGehee saw his wife’s body through a window and forced his way inside. Chenoweth claimed that McGehee was armed with a knife, prompting him to shoot his stepfather multiple times, according to the report. 

Chenoweth was free on bond at the time of the killings and had been ordered by a judge to have no contact with McGehee.

DPS organizes campaign to honor life of kindergarten student who passed away       2/11/25

DE QUEEN – The De Queen Primary School community is coming together to honor the memory of six-year-old Luxton Perez, a beloved kindergarten student whose recent passing has deeply affected students, teachers and families alike.

To celebrate his life and the kindness he embodied, the school has launched a fundraising initiative aimed at enhancing playground activities and physical education experiences for students.

De Queen Primary School Counselor Angela Lindly is leading the effort, which coincides with National Random Acts of Kindness Week. Lindly explained that while the school observes this special week each year, this time it holds an even deeper significance.

“As many know, we lost a kindergarten student a couple of weeks ago—Luxton Perez,” Lindly said. “We are dedicating this week to him because he was the perfect example of kindness. He always showed kindness to others.”

Luxton was known for his love of outdoor play and physical education, two aspects of school life that brought him immense joy. Inspired by his favorite activities, the fundraiser aims to support two major initiatives:

-A Playground Dedication: The school will dedicate its existing “Buddy Bench” to Luxton. The Buddy Bench is a designated seating area where children can sit if they feel lonely, signaling to other students that they would like a friend to play with. Luxton was known for his willingness to invite others to join in play, making the bench a fitting tribute to his caring nature. Lindly said Custom Bristow Metals in De Queen has agreed to craft a special plaque for the bench in Luxton’s honor.

-Playground and PE Enhancements: The school hopes to raise enough money to install a new play structure or another outdoor activity in Luxton’s honor. Additionally, funds will be allocated to purchasing a new game or equipment for PE classes, ensuring that students continue to experience the joy of movement—just as Luxton did.

“Our main goal for this week, after such a sad two weeks, is to put the focus on his life and how he lived it, rather than what happened to him,” Lindly shared. “Luxton lived his life spreading joy, and through this project, we hope to spread joy to our kids.”

The response from the local community has been overwhelming, said Lindly. Businesses and individuals alike have stepped up to contribute, with Bristow Custom Metals generously offering to create a plaque in Luxton’s honor.

For those looking to support the initiative, donations can be dropped off at the De Queen Primary School office or mailed to:

De Queen Primary School
235 Treating Plant Road
De Queen, AR 71832

Alternatively, donors can call the school at (870) 642-3100 or other ways to give.

Lindly emphasized that the fundraising effort is not just about improving the school’s facilities—it is about keeping Luxton’s spirit alive in the very places where he found joy.

“We’ve been in talks with the family, and they want to be part of this project to make sure it’s something Luxton would have loved,” she said. “We really hope to make this a big deal, not just for our kids, but for his family as well.”

Through this meaningful tribute, the De Queen Primary School community aims to turn grief into a celebration of kindness, play, and friendship—values that defined Luxton’s short but beautiful life.

Sevier County Sheriff’s Office releases January activity report       2/11/25

DE QUEEN – The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office has released its activity report for the month of January:

Deputies worked a total of 2,317 hours on duty throughout the month of January and clocked 26,102 miles.

Total fuel used was calculated at 1,835 gallons.

Deputies received a total of 137 calls and worked 13 motor vehicle accidents and 100 traffic stops. Of those stops, 13 resulted in a citation with 87 warnings.

Fourteen arrests were made in January. A total of 77 civil papers were served and deputies completed 1,834 building checks.

Investigators with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office worked one accidental shooting, one hostage incident, two shooting incidents, one rescue of a person from flood water, and executed one search warrnt.

In addition, the Horatio School Resource Office worked three incidents at the high school and four incidents at the elementary school.

March 17 a great day to give to Arkansas 4-H       2/11/25

Even for a program symbolized by a four-leaf clover, “It takes more than luck to succeed,” says John Thomas, managing director of the Arkansas 4-H Foundation.

To give luck a bit of a boost, the Arkansas 4-H program uses March 17 — a day filled with green and clovers — as an invitation to support its youth development mission through donations.

“People see our youth wearing their green 4-H clovers, they know good things follow. Our 4-H’ers have a tremendous track record of community service,” Thomas said. “Each year, we see St. Patrick’s Day as a way to remind people to help Arkansas 4-H.”

This will be the fifth annual giving day. Thomas said this year’s goal is $45,000.

“Since we started this giving day in 2021, it has become the day that more and more people rally around to support the Arkansas youth we serve through the 4-H program. We’ve raised over $100,000 since we started and it all goes directly to the youth we serve.”

Each year, Arkansas 4-H distributes more than $150,000 in college and activity scholarships to its members.

“Your donation goes to a good cause,” he said, “We hope you will  support us.”

Thomas said donations can be made online, or donors may text AR4H to 44321. He notes that when texting, donors will be asked to give a $44 default gift or donate a custom amount.

Arkansas 4-H members can attest to the personal growth opportunities the organization offers. There are more than 130,000 youth involved with 4-H in Arkansas.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

SCSO, DQPD investigate school threat incident and make arrest       2/07/25

DE QUEEN – On Feb. 5, Investigators with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office responded to the De Queen Junior High School in reference to a threat investigation where a student allegedly stated that he was going to bring a gun to school.

Investigators worked with officers of the De Queen Police Department to develop a suspect. The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office located the juvenile suspect, who was arrested for terroristic threatening.

The juvenile suspect was transported to a juvenile intake center. The sheriff’s office said there is no active threat in regards to this investigation.

Arkansas Senate passes free school meals legislation, ban on cellphones in schools       2/10/25

The Senate voted to provide all public school children with free lunches, regardless of their income, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

Also, the Senate passed legislation to restrict students’ cell phone use during the school day.

State budget officials estimate that it will cost $14.7 million a year to ensure that all students get one free breakfast every day. The governor has publicly announced her support of the measure, Senate Bill 59. It is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 25 senators.

When children go hungry their long-term health is negatively affected, and their grades suffer. Hunger affects a child’s academic performance and increases their chances of being punished for behavioral problems and missing classes, according to testimony before the Senate Education Committee.

National studies indicate that students who have eaten breakfast perform better on standardized tests. Students improve academically in general, and some studies show that they specifically do better in mathematics.

After passing SB 59 the Senate sent it to the House of Representatives, where it has sufficient co-sponsors to guarantee passage.

Currently, students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals depending on their family income. The legislature passed Act 656 in 2023 to prohibit schools from charging students a copayment.

SB 142, to restrict cell phone use by students, also passed overwhelmingly but with a few dissenters who said the measure should also apply to students in private schools. Supporters countered that most private schools already have policies that restrict cell phone use.

SB 142 requires all school districts to adopt a policy to restrict the use of cell phones “from bell to bell.” Its sponsor said the bill’s purposes include eliminating distractions in the classroom and improving the mental and emotional health of young people.

Some students have an individualized education program (IEP) because they have special needs. An IEP may include the use of electronic devices or cell phones. Students with an IEP would be exempt from the restrictions in SB 142.

The state already had been helping school districts with cell phone restrictions. Last year the state provided about $7 million to 180 school districts pay for magnetic pouches and other devices for storing cell phones during the day.

Expanded Child Care

The state Education Department has added 2,600 children to a program that helps families pay for child care, bringing the program to its greatest capacity of about 18,300 student.

According to the department, Arkansas gets about $100 million a year in federal grants to help low-income families pay for child care, thus better preparing them for kindergarten.

Last year the department expanded the program to make more families eligible. The Office of Early Childhood anticipates a waiting list, due to higher demand, beginning this month. However, teen parents and those on welfare, homeless families, children with special needs and foster children will be exempt from the waiting list.

Lady Leopards now 25-1 after win against Camden       2/10/25

CAMDEN – The De Queen senior teams traveled to Camden Fairview Friday night. The Lady Leopards improved to 25 and 1 on the year with an impressive 63 to 41 victory, while the Leopards fell to the Cardinals 80 to 47.

The De Queen girls started slowly, falling behind 6 to 3 early. Then, Jessie Lyle heated up with three three-pointers to spark a 21 to 0 run. The state-ranked Lady Leopards seized control, racing to a 39 to 17 halftime lead, while cruising to the 63 to 41 win.

Jessie Lyle led the way with 23 points, including six three-pointers. Jessie dished out four assists and was credited with seven steals. Emma Chambers scored 15 points and dished out five assists. Lynli Liggin led the rebounding charts with seven. The relentless De Queen full court pressure resulted in 20 steals on the night as the Lady Leopards improved to 6 and 1 in 7-4A Conference play. 

In the boys contest, the Leopards jumped out to a 15 to 10 lead early. But Camden Fairview went on a 16-point run to erase any thoughts of a possible upset as the Cardinals pulled away for the 80 to 47 win.

Rowan Sanchez, our McDonalds Player of the Night, was outstanding with 19 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Konnor Shelton added 10 points, including three three-pointers. Konnor also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. With the loss, the Leopards fell to 8 and 14 on the season. 

The De Queen teams travel to Arkadelphia Tuesday night. 

De Queen First Assembly to host 12th Wild Game Cookoff this month       2/10/25

DE QUEEN – Calling all hunters, De Queen First Assembly’s Ironmen Ministries will host its 12th annual Wild Game Cookoff this month.

The always-popular cooking contest will take place Feb. 22 in the hospitality hall at De Queen First Assembly. Entries are due by 4:30 p.m. prompt and judging will begin at 5 p.m.

All wild game entries will be accepted, ranging from deer and bear to raccoon and wild hog and everything in between. Fish dishes, however, will not be allowed. Also, the competition is only open to men as it is being organized as part of the church’s Ironmen Ministries.

Following judging, contestants and visitors will be invited to try the entries. Organizers say no one will leave hungry.

A number of outdoor prizes will be awarded to winners of the cookoff, including firearms and other items. A special guest speaker will also provide devotional and some entertainment during the evening.

Again, make sure to mark your calendars for the 12th annual Wildgame Cookoff hosted by DFA’s Ironmen Ministries on Feb. 22. Entries are due by 4:30 prompt. 

Back the Blue Spotlight: DQPD Officer Kris Hundley       2/06/25

DE QUEEN – For nearly a decade, Officer Kristopher Hundley has worn the badge of the De Queen Police Department, dedicating himself to the safety and well-being of his community. Now, in his second year as a school resource officer at De Queen Public Schools, Hundley finds himself in a unique position—one where he can influence young lives before they need his help in a different setting.

Having spent sixteen years in Sevier County, Hundley acknowledges the duality of his role.

“With the little ones, I get to play and interact,” he shares. “The older ones, they’re starting to figure out that my job isn’t always about play—it’s about stepping in when things cross legal lines.”

Despite the occasional need for discipline, he sees his position as an opportunity to be a positive influence on students, just as others once were for him. Hundley’s journey to law enforcement was shaped by his own childhood experiences.

“I wasn’t always the best kid growing up,” he admits. “But I had people who influenced me along the way. If I hadn’t had those people, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

That personal history drives him to reach students who might be on the edge, offering guidance and lessons from his own life.

“Maybe I can steer them back on the right path before it’s too late.”

Before becoming a police officer, Hundley served in the Army National Guard for eight years, including a deployment to Iraq. His military experience instilled in him a deep sense of discipline and responsibility, qualities that now shape his approach to law enforcement and mentorship.

One of the unexpected joys of his role as a school resource officer is the chance to work relatively regular hours—something that, as a father, he deeply appreciates.

“I have kids in school now, so I can be with them when they’re home. For a long time, I was missing birthdays, basketball games, softball games. Now, I have the opportunity to be there.”

He acknowledges the sacrifices that come with law enforcement careers, not just for officers but for their families.

 “It’s not just law enforcement—any career that has you working nights, weekends, and holidays comes with its challenges. But we all do what we can to support each other.”

Hundley has no plans of leaving the force, seeing law enforcement as his lifelong career. “I’m not going anywhere,” he says with certainty. Now holding the title of Patrolman First Class, Hunley’s happy with his career, surrounded by a strong support system of colleagues at both the school and the police department.

For now, Hundley is simply enjoying the moments—whether it’s keeping students safe, offering advice, or even dodging his own daughter in the elementary hallways when she sees him and begs to go home early.

“I have to kind of hide from my own kids out here sometimes,” he jokes.

In the end, Officer Kristopher Hundley is more than just a guardian of school safety—he’s a mentor, a role model, and a reminder to students that police officers are, above all, people who care about their community.

Back the Blue Spotlight: SCSO Jail Administrator Chris Wolcott       2/06/25

SEVIER COUNTY – Chris Wolcott, a dedicated public servant and lifelong resident of Sevier County, has spent nearly three decades in law enforcement, striving to make a meaningful difference in his community. From starting as a jailer in 1996 to earning national recognition for his rehabilitation efforts, Wolcott’s career has been defined by dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to service.

Wolcott began his journey in law enforcement in 1996, joining the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriff John Partain. Just a year later, he transitioned to the role of Deputy Sheriff, patrolling the streets and engaging directly with the community. His early years in law enforcement were marked by hard work and determination, leading to his graduation from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) in 1998 as part of Class 98B. That same year, the De Queen Rotary Club recognized his dedication by awarding him the Sevier County Deputy of the Year Award.

In 2016, Wolcott was promoted to Jail Administrator under Sheriff Benny Simmons, a role in which he introduced classification programs to enhance inmate care and rehabilitation. Seeing firsthand the challenges of substance abuse and recidivism, he took action.

In 2017, alongside Sheriff Robert Gentry, Wolcott co-founded the Sevier County Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at breaking the cycle of addiction and incarceration. The program gained national attention in 2020 when it was featured in the Discovery Plus docuseries The Program: Prison Detox.

Wolcott’s passion for service extends beyond law enforcement. Raised with strong values of faith, hard work, and giving back, he remains actively involved in numerous community initiatives. His efforts include:

• Rotary Club: Supporting service projects to improve the local community.
• 4-H Program: A 25-year commitment to youth development, with his own children participating.
• DeQueen Lake Trail Project: Organizing volunteer efforts to build and maintain community trails.
• Community Block Parties: Strengthening relationships between law enforcement and residents.
• Youth Outreach & Mentorship: Guiding young people in leadership, values, and life skills.

Throughout his career, Wolcott’s dedication has been widely recognized. His awards and honors include:

• Sevier County Deputy of the Year (1998)
• Outstanding Deputy of the Year (2017) – Recognized by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and the Arkansas House of Representatives.
• House Resolution 1037 – Honoring his contributions to the RSAT Program.
• Phoenix Award (2022) – Acknowledging his efforts in rehabilitation and second chances.
• Deputy of the Year (2024) – Awarded by American Legion Post 454.

For Chris Wolcott, law enforcement is not just a profession—it is a calling to serve, protect, and uplift those around him.

Teenager arrested after demanding plane at gunpoint at Texarkana airport       2/05/25

TEXARKANA – A 15-year-old boy who brandished a rifle at an airport in Texarkana Tuesday morning and demanded a plane was arrested thanks to the quick action of a local pilot.

According to the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department (TAPD), at approximately 7:35 a.m. on Feb. 4 the Texarkana 911 Dispatch received a call for a disturbance at Signature Aviation, 601 Airport Drive in the Texarkana Airport complex.

The caller stated that a male had entered the airport with both a rifle and handgun. The suspect reportedly walked into the business, came to the front counter and began demanding a plane while brandishing the firearms.

The witness fled and alerted others. The suspect then exited the business.

A pilot for a local private business retrieved his own firearm from his truck and began ordering the suspect on the ground. When confronted, the suspect complied and laid on the ground, at which time he was disarmed. TAPD officers arrived on the scene and took the suspect into custody.

The male, who was determined to be a juvenile, was arrested for Aggravated Assault, Attempted Aggravated Robbery, and First Degree Terroristic Threatening. The suspect has been transferred to an Arkansas juvenile detention center.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department said it applauds the heroic act by the local pilot. “The fact that this incident was resolved quickly and peacefully, despite the extreme danger presented, is highly commendable,” the department said in a press release.

Lady Leopards roar back at Coliseum against Nashville       2/05/25

DE QUEEN – With one of the biggest crowds in the history of the Coliseum looking on, a well-rested De Queen girls squad totally dominated their rivals from Nashville 56 to 36 Tuesday night in a much-anticipated rematch.

It was a tight first half as the Lady Leopards took a 26 to 24 lead at intermission. De Queen’s biggest lead of the first half was five points. The determined Lady Leopards took it to the Scrapperettes in the second half outscoring the Nashville girls 30 to 12 to pull away for the surprisingly easy 20 point win. The De Queen girls led by as many as 27 before Coach Bret Burgess mercifully emptied his bench in the final few minutes. The huge win in front of an overflow, standing room only crowd at the Coliseum avenged the Lady Leopards only loss of the season at Nashville in mid-January.

Jessie Lyle, our McDonalds Player of the Night, led the way with 19 points, including five three-pointers. Jessie grabbed five rebounds and dished out two assists. Twin sister Shalyn Lyle scored nine, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out five assists. Landri Liggin added eight points. Ellie Morphew led the rebounding charts with nine to go along with six points.

The difference in the game was shooting. The De Queen girls shot 46% from the floor, while their suffocating pressure held Nashville to only 26% shooting. The De Queen defense held Nashville’s Caroline Dean to only seven points after she lit up the Lady Leopards for 30 in the previous meeting.

No doubt these two teams will meet again, probably in Regionals, and possibly at State. The Nashville girls came in ranked second in Class 4A, with the Lady Leopards third, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. That will certainly change after Tuesday night’s decisive outcome. 

Nashville won the senior boys contest 75 to 60. Sam Graham posted a double-double for the Leopards with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Cayden Lindley was also in double figures with 12. Konnor Shelton added 11 as the Leopards fell to 8 and 13 on the season.

The De Queen teams travel to Camden Fairview Friday night. 

Former Pike County deputy accused of pawning department firearms       2/05/25

MURFREESBORO – Special Agents from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) arrested former Pike County Sheriff’s (PCSO) Deputy Brandon Vines, 40, of Glenwood, on Monday, Feb. 3 for allegedly pawning two department-issued firearms.

Investigators said Vines failed to return a Mossberg 590 shotgun, and a Colt M-16 rifle issued by the department after his termination on Dec. 30, 2024. ASP CID launched an investigation on Jan. 8, in response to a request from the PCSO.

CID agents obtained an arrest warrant on January 31, 2025 for Vines on charges of felony Theft of Property.

Vines surrendered to the Pike County Detention Center on Monday, February 3, 2025, where he made his first court appearance. He pleaded not guilty and was issued a $10,000 bond.

Both firearms have been recovered.

Trial begins again for De Queen man charged with capital murder       2/05/25

HUNTSVILLE – A jury trial is back underway for a De Queen man accused of killing three family members in Madison County in 2021.

Hunter Chenoweth, 26, has been charged with three counts of capital murder for the deaths of his 51-year-old mother, Tami Lynn Chenoweth; his stepfather, 59-year-old James Stanley McGhee; and his sister, 26-year-old Cheyenne Chenoweth.

The trial was scheduled to begin Jan. 21 but was delayed after Madison County Circuit Court Judge Joanna Taylor lost her voice and delayed the start of jury selection.

Chenoweth was arrested the evening of the murders after authorities across the state began searching for a vehicle witnessed at the crime scene.

Chenoweth pleaded not guilty to three capital murder charges in March 2021. His trial, initially set for April of last year, was postponed twice—first due to the discovery of the suspected murder weapon near Conway and later because a key witness experienced a medical emergency. The trial is now back underway, nearly four years after his plea.

Jury selection began on Monday, with approximately 50 potential jurors called in as attorneys worked to select 12 jurors and two alternates. Judge Joanna Taylor estimated the process could take several days.

During the proceedings, Judge Taylor informed jurors that the trial could last over two weeks. Prosecutor Denis Dean stated that around 30 witnesses are expected to testify.

If convicted, Chenoweth faces either life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

De Queen mayor issues 2025 “State of the City” address       2/05/25

By De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown

To the honorable members of the De Queen City Council, city employees, and my fellow citizens, it brings me great pleasure to report to you on the State of the City of De Queen, Arkansas.

2024 brought a big change in the administration department as City Clerk / Treasurer Donna Jones retired after two plus decades of serving the citizens of De Queen. Everyone was sad to see Donna go but wished her well at a beautiful party hosted by many friends and co-workers. Donna has been missed by many but her replacement, Heather Bruce, who served as Deputy City Clerk / Treasurer for the past 6 years filled her position and never missed a beat. Heather goes above and beyond for the employees of the city and for the citizens of De Queen alike. I look forward to working with Heather and know she will continue to do a fantastic job.

Water Department

In 2024 the city’s water department treated 932.3 million gallons of water and pumped 852.5 million gallons into the distribution system. Water department employees were responsible for installing 11 new meter connections, repairing 22 service lines, replacing 24 one-inch service lines totaling 775 feet, repairing 13 water mains, and replacing 140 feet of 12-inch water mains. The water treatment plant, located at 708 N. Bennett St., underwent a massive renovation replacing concrete floors and stabilizing the concrete wall so that the building will be in good working order for years to come. The one-million-gallon water tank on Magnolia Ave., located behind Burger King, was completely restored inside and out thanks to a one hundred percent funded grant received from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Water department employees work hard and strive to produce clean and safe drinking water for the city.

Street Department

Street department employees stayed busy this year installing numerous culverts that had collapsed due to age to help with drainage issues around the city. Employees with the street department were also responsible for repairing the sidewalk located at the corner of 3rd St. and De Queen Ave. New handrails were installed to ensure safety for all who use it. Two major streets in De Queen underwent major paving projects in 2024 that included 9th St. from Collin Raye Dr. to the S curves at Robinson Rd. and on 13th St. from Roller to Locke Ave. Approximately 500 loads of brush and limbs were hauled by city employees to help the citizens of De Queen keep their property clean. In 2025 the street department will continue to work on city streets and ditches and plan to pave 4th St. from Stilwell Ave. south to the city limits and will also pave Rockefeller from Coulter to the fairgrounds.

Parks Department

The De Queen Parks Department always has a busy year and last year was not different. 2024 brought the return of the ever-popular Mini Hoops basketball league. The season took place over the first five Saturdays in January. The league was made up of teams from De Queen, Foreman, Horatio, Nashville, and Mineral Springs. The annual Mini Hoops Tournament held in the middle of February brought in 42 teams to De Queen from surrounding towns reaching from Mena to Texarkana. The youth soccer program remained successful with 207 kids from De Queen registering. T-ball had 8 teams that included 6 from De Queen and 2 from Horatio and consisted of 58 players. The De Queen Sportsplex hosted 11 baseball and softball tournaments and new LED lighting was installed on field 3 that made a tremendous difference in the lighting of the field. 2 more fields are set for new lighting in 2025 which will complete the lighting renovation at the sportsplex. Parks employees always look forward to the month of May as it brings the ever-popular Arbor Day celebration. In 2024 we hosted all 5th grade classes from De Queen and Horatio. There were 13 short instructional classes provided by local businesses and the event was attended by 350 people. I was excited to get in on the action and volunteered to grill 400 hot dogs for the Arbor Day celebration. The day ended with students receiving a drawstring backpack embellished with the logo “Leave your footprint, Plant a tree.” The city’s Let Freedom Ring event in July went off without a hitch. There was plenty of food provided by local nonprofit vendors and live entertainment from the band, Two Story Radio, who traveled all the way from Northwest Arkansas. The skate park at the De Queen Sportsplex got a facelift in 2024 by adding some new equipment that enhanced the skating experience for skateboarders of all ages. The city’s splash pad at Herman Dierks Park stayed full daily and continues to be a hit 3 years after opening.

Wastewater Department

2024 was a good year for the wastewater department as the addition of a new sewer flusher was added to the fleet. This machine will be responsible for seeing that sewer lines across the city can be cleaned effectively. Wastewater employees worked hard in 2024 installing 6 new sewer taps and replacing 800 feet of 6-inch sewer mains, 400 feet of 10 inch, and 700 feet of 4 inch. There were 92 sewer mains that were cleaned in 2024 and the wastewater plant treated 832 million gallons of wastewater. The workers of the De Queen Wastewater Department continue to successfully treat water and stay within the allowable limits set forth by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

De Queen Fire Department

It was a busy 2024 for the members of the De Queen Fire Department. Firefighters responded to a total of 240 calls that included 21 structure fires, 19 brush/grass fires, and 28 wrecks, and numerous medical assists as well as downed power lines and natural gas leaks. 5 new volunteer firefighters were added to the department in 2024 which will ensure fire calls have an adequate number of trained personnel to get the job done effectively. Firefighters with the De Queen Fire Department continue to put in endless training hours and work hard to provide services for the safety of our city.

De Queen Police Department

In 2024 the De Queen Police Department officers responded to 6,889 calls for service which was up by 933 calls in 2023. Police calls included but were not limited to, 274 accidents, 1,540 citations issued, 2,995 warnings, 151 warrants served, 22 motorists assist, and 23 DWI’s which was down by 11 from the previous year. The De Queen Police Department continues to oversee and train 18 Auxiliary Officers at De Queen Public Schools. Officers of the department completed a combined 1,770 training hours that included, racial profiling, domestic violence, use of force, active shooter, Narcan, and firearms training. Officer Bill Huddleston continues to oversee the Community Service Program which has effectively helped keep the amount of trash on our roadsides to a minimum. I would like to thank Officer Huddleston for his hard work and dedication. In the coming year the De Queen Police Department will continue to make sure that our city is safe and can rest easy knowing that these officers are here for our protection.

It is an honor to serve as your mayor and to be entrusted with the affairs of the City of De Queen. I will continue to work hard for the citizens so that everyone is proud to call De Queen home. 

May God bless De Queen in 2025 and may he bless each one of you.

Ashdown drops two at Fouke       2/05/25

FOUKE – The Ashdown Pantherettes and Panthers went on the road Tuesday night to battle the Fouke Panthers in a 7-3A Conference matchup. 

The Fouke girls and boys are both in first place in the league standings, and on Tuesday night they played like it.  In girls action, Fouke came out on fire and led Ashdown by 19 points at the end of the first quarter.  In the second quarter, Ashdown settled in and outscored the home team by three points in the second quarter. To trail by 16 at intermission.

However, Ashdown could never overcome that first quarter deficit and lost to Fouke 65 to 33.  Lakenya Williams led Ashdown with 12 points while Mackenzie Gilliam pitched in with 8 points.  The loss drops Ashdown to 6 and 5 in the conference.

In Boys action, it was a nip and tuck game through the first half, but Fouke flexed its muscles in the second half on its way to a 67 to 34 victory to remain undefeated in 7-3A.  The leading scorers for Ashdown were Antonio McDuffie with 14 points while Bryson French pitched in with eight points.  The loss drops Ashdown to 4 and 7 in the conference.

Ashdown’s Girls and Boys resume conference play Friday night at Bismarck, and the games can be heard live on 102.1 the Good Path with the pregame show beginning at 5:45.  

ASP investigating fatal shooting in Murfreesboro       2/03/25

MURFREESBORO – On Friday, Jan. 13, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) requested the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to investigate a fatal shooting that occurred outside a home on Highway 27 North in Murfreesboro.

PCSO responded to a call from a woman who said her husband and a neighbor were arguing. When officers arrived, they found Mark Corsin, 64, suffering from a gunshot wound. The Pike County Coroner pronounced Corsin dead at the scene.

The deceased will be transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the manner and cause of death. The investigation is ongoing. 

Home a total loss after fire in Ben Lomond       2/03/25

BEN LOMOND – A fire resulted in the destruction of a Ben Lomond home over the weekend.

The fire occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday night at a home in the 400 block of Wilson Creek in Ben Lomond. The homeowner said she woke up to a loud “boom” and the smell of smoke. She opened her bedroom door to find a fire spreading inside the home.

She and her daughter were able to escape the house without any injuries.

Ben Lomond Fire Chief Ron Smith said the home’s heater was possibly the cause of the fire. Despite battling the blaze for four hours, the home was a total loss.

A total of 17 firefighters from the Ben Lomond and Lockesburg Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene along with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office.

Sevier County wildlife officer attains national boating certification       2/03/25

By Randy Zellers/AGFC

Cpl. Sydney Grant of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission successfully passed the Certified Recreational Boating Professional exam, the final step to achieve her CRBP certification. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is proud to recognize Grant as one of the latest professionals to attain this prestigious credential.

The CRBP certification, developed by NASBLA, is a voluntary credential designed for recreational boating professionals. It reflects knowledge, performance and career accomplishments across specific program domains.

Since graduating from the AGFC Enforcement Training Academy in 2016, Grant has served as a wildlife officer and game warden in Sevier County. She was appointed boating law administrator in October 2024, succeeding previous BLA Capt. Stephanie Weatherington, who retired.

Grant has undertaken several leadership responsibilities within AGFC, including her role as a member of the AGFC Honor Guard since 2017, where she has represented the agency twice at National Police Week in Washington, D.C. She also serves as an instructor at the AGFC Enforcement Academy, teaching courses on boating and hunting incident investigation, marine theft and boating law. Additionally, she has been a member of the AGFC disaster response team, boating task force, recruitment team and uniform committee.

Throughout her career, Grant has received numerous accolades, including the AGFC Warden’s Star Medal in 2018 for her heroic actions in rescuing capsized boaters on Millwood Lake. Her expertise in boating safety earned her recognition as the A4 District Boating Officer of the Year in both 2019 and 2021. Furthermore, she was awarded the Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award for Sevier County for three consecutive years, from 2018 to 2020. In 2021, she was also honored as the A4 District Waterfowl, Turkey and Wildlife Officer of the Year.

NASBLA is a national nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. The organization represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. NASBLA affects the lives of more than 85 million American boaters through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers.

Explore vacation opportunities at upcoming Travel Show in De Queen       1/31/25

DE QUEEN – Planning your next getaway? The KRM Vacation Travel Show, taking place on March 6 in De Queen, will offer a fantastic opportunity for local residents to explore a variety of travel options for both domestic and international trips—whether by land or sea.

Hosted at the De Queen Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, this exciting event will feature an array of travel industry experts, cruise representatives, and vacation planners ready to help you discover your dream vacation, no matter your destination or budget. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing beach escape, a thrilling international adventure, or an unforgettable cruise getaway, this Travel Show has something for everyone.

This exciting opportunity is being made possible through a partnership between Bunyard Broadcasting, Inc./Arklahoma Print & Digital Solutions and KRM Vacation Travel located out of Searcy.

Cruise Ship Adventures Await

One of the main highlights of the event will be the chance to learn about cruise vacations. Representatives from major cruise lines will be on hand to discuss everything from tropical getaways to exotic international cruises. You’ll have the opportunity to get firsthand information on the latest cruise packages, itinerary options, and special discounts, making it easier than ever to plan a perfect cruise vacation. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-timer, there’s no better time to discover the exciting world of cruises.

Explore Domestic and International Destinations

In addition to cruises, the Travel Show will also provide information on domestic and international vacation opportunities. Want to explore the wonders of the U.S. national parks? Dream of a European tour? Interested in an Asian or South American adventure? Local travel agents will be available to discuss the many possibilities for travel both within the United States and across the globe. Learn about the best times to travel, tips for securing the best deals, and special packages that can make your dream vacation a reality.

Connect with Travel Experts

This event is not just about gathering information—it’s a chance to make connections with travel professionals who can help you plan your trip every step of the way. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, get expert advice and even book your next vacation directly at the event. Whether you’re interested in group tours, business adventures, family-friendly vacations or luxury escapes, the travel experts will be there to guide you in choosing the best options for your needs.

Take Advantage of Exclusive Discounts and Giveaways

Attendees will also have the chance to take advantage of exclusive discounts and promotions available only at the Travel Show. There will be giveaways, travel prizes and other exciting offers that could make your next vacation even more affordable. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to score great deals for your next adventure.

A Great Day for All Ages

The KRM Travel Show is perfect for anyone who loves to travel or is planning a future vacation. Whether you’re an individual traveler, a family or a couple looking for the perfect escape, this event will provide something for everyone. Be sure to stop by and get the inspiration and information you need to turn your travel dreams into reality.

Details:

Date: March 6, 2025

Time: 5-7 p.m.

Location: De Queen Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 1305 West Collin Raye Drive, De Queen, AR 71832

Admission: Free to attend!

Mark your calendar, bring your travel aspirations, and get ready to explore the world at the KRM Vacation Travel Show on March 6 in De Queen. Your next great adventure is just around the corner!

Gov. Sanders introduces bill to ban cellphones in schools       1/31/25

On Thursday Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act, legislation that would ban smartphones and other personal electronic devices like smart watches from every single public school in Arkansas, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Senator Tyler Dees (District 35) and Representative Jon Eubanks (District 46) are sponsoring the bill in the legislature.

“We have seen a staggering rise in mental illness among young people over the past decade. The culprit is clear: unrestricted access to smartphones and social media,” said Governor Sanders. “After the overwhelming success of our phone-free schools pilot program, it’s clear that it’s time for Arkansas to ban smartphones, bell to bell, in every school in our state.”

“Arkansas kids deserve every advantage we as parents can give them, and helping them keep their heads in the game at school isn’t just good for their mental health. It will improve the quality of their education overall, making them more prepared for the challenges of life. Disconnecting students from doom-scrolling on big tech social media platforms during school is common sense and will help with their social and emotional health.”said Senator Tyler Dees.

“I think we can all agree cell phones are a serious distraction for students. This legislation will limit that distraction so that phones do not interfere with the learning process,” said Representative Jon Eubanks.

The Bell to Bell, No Cell Act prohibits personal electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, bell-to-bell. Each public school district will be required to publish its cell phone policy on its website, including policies and exemptions concerning cell phones on school property and at school-related functions. Districts are required to provide exemptions for health reasons, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), after-school extracurricular activities, and emergencies.

In her 2025 State of the State address, Governor Sanders identified mental health as one of her top priorities for the year. In addition to the phone-free schools program, the Governor plans to update Arkansas’ Social Media Safety Act so it is no longer held up in court and to give Arkansas parents the right to sue Big Tech companies under state law so they can hold bad actors accountable.

Governor Sanders launched the phone-free schools pilot program last summer. Participating districts received funding to purchase containers for students to store their devices and experience a phone-free education. She was inspired to launch this program after reading The Anxious Generation by author Jonathan Haidt, and also sent a copy of the book to every legislator in Arkansas and every governor in America.

Sanders and Haidt toured schools across the state in December to promote the phone-free schools program and see its implementation. Beyond school visits, they held a roundtable and speaking engagements, inviting legislators, parents, and educators to join the conversation. The Governor and Haidt also spoke on a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to promote phone-free schools.

Sevier County Library Snippets       1/31/25

By Johnye Fisher, Sevier County Head Librarian

In 2025 the De Queen Library will be hosting a Recipe Exchange for everyone. Each month will be different.  In February, bring your favorite Italian Recipe to exchange with others. Look for our board as you come in the door, put on your recipe and take one. This is a fun interactive way to enjoy new foods.

Come in and check out our Valentine’s Display of great books to read or even watch the corresponding movie!

A Story Time event will be held Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. in celebration of Valentine’s Day. We will be making paper flower bouquets for the residents of Bear Creek Nursing Center. Another Story Time event is scheduled for Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. 

Keep an eye on our facebook.com/seviercountylibrary page for upcoming news and information.

Don’t forget about the kids packets and packs to be checked out with activities and reading buddies.

We have a new service at De Queen Library, thanks to Angie and Dr. Walker for the blood pressure machine. 

Don’t forget to call us at (870) 584-4364 with any questions you may have.

Horatio Library

Catherine at Horatio Library said the Horatio Library will extend its puzzle exchange through February due to its popularity. You can bring in a puzzle (not missing any pieces, please) and exchange it with one of ours, that way you can have a new puzzle to challenge you. February is the month of love and a special section has been set aside so related books can be found easily. Don’t stay home and be bored. Come have fun at your Horatio Library with our Needlecrafters, domino players or the community puzzle.

Lockesburg Library

At the Lockesburg Library, get ready for a culinary journey to Japan as a part of our “Spice Exploration” series! In February, join us for activities that will tantalize your taste buds and ignite your culinary curiosity while you learn fascinating facts about Japan. Here’s what in store for you:

Children’s Taste-Testing: kids will delight in trying snacks that Japanese children enjoy

Spice Takeaway: Parents and adults will have the opportunity to take home unique Japanese spices to add an authentic touch to their meals.

Passport Fun: if your child missed getting their passport last month, be sure to grab one this time!

Come and explore with Mz. Wendy the taste, aromas, and culture of Japan with us. See you at the Lockesburg Library!

Gillham Library

Come by and see what new books we have at the Gillham Library: Jayne Ann Krentz “Shattering Dawn”, James Patterson “The Texas Murders”, Scott Turow “Presumed Guilty, and Bonita Clifton “Time of the Rose”.

The Gillham Library will be getting a new sign sometime this week, Bristow Metal Works has designed it for us. Come by and see it.  As always domino games played on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon so come on down and try your luck. Notary service available on Tuesdays and we have three computers for your use in addition free WIFI. Stop in and see Rhonda and Mr. Bob or call (870) 386-5665. 

De Queen man charged with murder for death of six-year-old       1/30/25

DE QUEEN – A De Queen man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of a six-year-old boy earlier this week.

According to the De Queen Police Department, 25-year-old Jesus Chavez-Arellano was arrested Wednesday afternoon and transported to the Sevier County Jail for first-degree murder.

The police department stated officers were dispatched to Walker Pediatric Care in De Queen on Monday, Jan. 27 in reference to an unresponsive six-year-old juvenile. The child was transported to the Sevier County Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

After further investigation, Arellano developed as a suspect in the child’s death. He was arrested and remains in custody at the Sevier County Jail.

Arellano has been identified as the victim’s step-father.

Agencies assisting the De Queen Police Department in the investigation include the Arkansas State Police and South-Central Drug Task Force.

DQPD Chief Scott Simmons stated that more information will be released as the investigation continues.

Charges against former coach spread to Sevier County       1/29/25

DE QUEEN – A former volunteer volleyball coach currently held in the Nevada County Jail on numerous felonies is now facing additional charges in Sevier County.

According to records in the Sevier County Circuit Court, 34-year-old Alejandro Mendoza of Texarkana has been charged in Sevier County for one count of internet stalking of a child and engaging a child in sexually explicit conduct. Both charges were filed earlier this month.

The arrest affidavit has been sealed in order to protect the identity of the victims, who were minors at the time of the alleged incidents.

Last October, Special Agents from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, with assistance from the Highway Patrol Division and U.S. Marshals Service Western District of Arkansas Fugitive Task Force, rearrested Mendoza after additional allegations surfaced.

Mendoza was originally arrested in September, 2024 for felony counts of Engaging Children in Sexually Explicit Conduct and Possessing of Matter Depicting Sexually Explicit Conduct Involving a Child. Investigators had found that Mendoza, a volunteer coach, had inappropriate contact with juveniles, including the exchange of explicit photos.

He was released from the Nevada County Jail on Sept. 13, 2024 after posting a $25,000 surety on a $250,000 bond.

In Nevada County, Mendoza now faces a charge of Rape and additional felony charges of Internet Stalking of a Child and six counts of Engaging Children in Sexually Explicit Conduct.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, evidence revealed that during the summer of 2024, Mendoza had been communicating with a 13-year-old girl he had first contacted when she was 12. The investigation revealed the two exchanged pictures and engaged in explicit sexual conduct.

Following his arrest, Mendoza was taken to the Nevada County Detention Center where Circuit Judge Duncan Culpepper set a bond of $2 million.

Further investigation alleges additional incidents occurred between Mendoza and a minor in Sevier County.

His bond in Sevier County has been set at $250,000. 

The investigation is ongoing, and out-of-state ICAC task forces have been contacted to assist in locating potential out-of-state victims.

Jaide Tatum crowned as 2025 Miss Henderson University       1/29/25

Sevier County Housing Authority awarded $2.3m HUD grant       1/29/25

DE QUEEN – Last month, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded an Emergency Grant from their 2023 Fiscal funding year in the amount of $2,287,113 to the Sevier County Housing Authority (SCHA), headquartered in De Queen. 

At the time of the grant submission , SCHA had already contributed over $436,883 in a year’s time towards repairs and has committed another $273,000 utilizing the Capital Fund Program to support the Emergency Grant authorized by HUD.

SCHA Executive Director Jamie Harberson- Smith local and federal officials vow “to continue to work hard to provide healthy and safe living environments for our residents. We will not give up until everything has been restored.”

“Special thanks goes to everyone who had a hand in making this funding a reality including, but not limited to: John Concannon, David Fleischman, Marianne Nazzaro, Anthony Landecker, Carter Berkleman, Randy Hoeschen, Edmond Allard, Melody Godwin, SCHA Board of Commissioners and Staff, and the wonderful residents who took time to write letters in support of this funding!”

SCHA serves low income families in the cities of De Queen, Horatio and Lockesburg. The total project is estimated to cost $11,000,000 to restore the entire facility’s foundation, electrical and plumbing concerns. Several phases of this larger project will be conducted. Much of the plumbing in need of repair was installed during the 1960’s and has reached its useful life expectancy and is breaching.

Sewer pipes made of cast iron have corroded allowing tree roots to penetrate causing blockages and leaks. The first phase of this project will begin in the worst areas. The Vandervoort Circle Complex in De Queen will undergo extensive plumbing restoration in the coming two years including new water and sewer line installation.

Also, the complex on Isabell in Horatio will have new wiring installed. Contractors are needed to get these repairs made ASAP.

Fundraiser this weekend for Dierks boy diagnosed with encephalomalacia       1/29/25

DIERKS – Family and friends will host a pasta fundraising benefit this Sunday, Feb. 2 to support Levi Hipp, a young boy of Dierks diagnosed with subtle encephalomalacia, a severe form of brain damage.

The fundraiser will take place starting at 12 noon at Holly Creek Missionary Baptist Church to help aid the family as they care for their child. His diagnosis requires travel to Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and Memphis.

In addition, an account for Levi has been set up at First State Bank in Dierks.

Rotarians hear update on De Queen Lake trail project       1/29/25

DE QUEEN – At the January 27th De Queen Rotary Club meeting at Micah 6:8, the club heard an update from Friends of De Queen Lake Trail Committee representative Lorena Branson. 

The trail project at Pine Ridge was launched in 2019 when Dr. Jason Lofton applied for a Trail Accelerator Grant to help fund an International Mountain Bike Association design for a 40-mile route. 

“Since then, volunteers have spent hundreds of hours building the trail for 4.6 miles as part of phase one in the Pine Ridge camping area at De Queen Lake”, Branson said.

In 2022, the newly-formed De Queen Lake Trail Committee entered into a Challenge Partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Afterward, the Committee partnered with the FRIENDS organization’s 501C-3 designation to apply for more grants to help meet local recreation and tourism goals. Grants have been received through Weyerhaeuser, Walmart, and an Enterprise Grant through De Queen Auto Group.

Sevier County assisted the Committee with applying for an 80/20 matching Trails for Life Grant through ARDOT for $200,000. Branson said that the Committee recently received verbal approval for NEPA clearance in the two required areas of cultural and environmental that are needed for the ARDOT funding. Once the NEPA approval is received in writing, it will immediately be forwarded to ARDOT. The Committee can then advertise for construction with a trail building company to retread and widen the trail to at least 36 inches, clear corridors, build three boardwalks across creeks, and install signposts and kiosks for maps. 

A grant through the Department of Heritage, Parks, and Tourism, also with the assistance of Sevier County, for $8,333 will be used to purchase three benches, three bike racks, and a bike repair station to be installed this spring at trailheads.

It is hoped that the 4.6-mile phase one of the trail project will officially open to the public this fall. 

Branson believes that future trail plans will have a positive impact on tourism for our area. There’s a figure eight area in phase one that will be ideal for children to practice their biking skills. Plans are to expand, connect, and develop more miles of trail near the Oak Grove campground. 

Lorena foresees the trails being used for guided nature hikes, fun trail runs, mountain bike races, and even a trail of Christmas holiday lights that can stand alone or be conducted in conjunction with other local festivals and events. “We want to collaborate with area schools, community organizations, churches, and businesses to establish a trail ambassador program that will encourage participation, support, and enthusiasm for the trail project”, Branson said. 

“We want to promote the natural beauty of our area and provide an opportunity for our community to stay physically active and help boost Southwest Arkansas as a vacation destination”, Lorena added. 

The next meeting of the trail committee will be February 18th at 5:30 at the Weyerhaeuser Timberlands office and it’s open to anyone interested in the trail project at De Queen Lake. 

Branson was introduced by Rotarian Jay Bunyard, who arranged the program.

Guests at Monday’s meeting included Sandra Jackson of the Trail Committee, Leah Hanson of Transitions Counseling Clinic, and Diana Campos of U of A Cossatot. 

The Club’s annual Boulevard of Flags program for six patriotic holidays in 2025 is now underway. Flags are $50 each for the entire year. Veterans, active military, and military families can purchase a flag for $40. For more information, contact Tammy Huddleston at (870)-584-2550. Deadline to order your flags is February 10th. All proceeds go to the many worthwhile projects sponsored by the De Queen Rotary Club.

Sevier Chamber announces new board members, upcoming banquet      1/27/25

DE QUEEN – The Board of Directors of the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce met January 22 in the newly-remodeled offices in downtown De Queen for orientation of new board members and to elect officers for 2025.

Newly elected board members include Katie Hooker of Weyerhaeuser Timberlands, Katy Hanney of Bailey Discount, Michael Collins of The River Company, and Latonya McElroy representing Edward Jones. 

Fernando Balderas, owner of Southwest Arkansas Accounting Services, was elected President of the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce for 2025. Balderas will take the reins from outgoing President Veronica Ozura at the February 27th annual membership banquet.

Jamie Smith, representing the Sevier County Housing Authority, was elected vice-president. Helga Buenrostro of Farmers Bank was elected Secretary. Anna Belcher of Southern Bancorp was elected Treasurer. 

Tables are selling fast for the February 27th membership banquet. To reserve a table for your business, call the Chamber office at 870-584-3225. The theme of this year’s banquet is “Playing to Win”. Silent Auction items are now being accepted, and nominations for the various awards may now be submitted by emailing the Chamber at dqchamber@gmail.com. 

The next Chamber ribbon-cutting is scheduled for January 31st at 12 Noon at Frog Level Range, located in the former Sevier County Farmers Coop building downtown.

Executive Director Suzanne Babb reported that Chamber membership had grown to 205 at the end of 2024. That’s an increase of 59 new members from the year before. Both are all-time records.

De Queen teams sweep Hope at Coliseum      1/27/25

DE QUEEN – The De Queen senior teams swept Hope Friday night at the Coliseum in conference action. The Lady Leopards rolled to a 65 to 17 victory, while the Leopards prevailed over the Bobcats 51 to 43.

The Lady Leopards raced to a 37 to 0 lead, invoking the Sportsmanship Rule, and allowing Coach Bret Burgess to empty his bench early enroute to the 65 to 17 victory. The De Queen girls had four players in double figures. Emma Chambers led the way with 15. Shalyn Lyle poured in 14. Landri Liggin and Linley Liggin added 12 each as the Lady Leopards improved to 3 and 1 in conference play and 22 and 1 overall.

The Leopards won their first conference game of the year with the 51 to 43 win. The De Queen boys had a big second quarter when they outscored Hope 21 to 9 to take a 27 to 15 lead at intermission. Sam Graham, our McDonalds Player of the Night, scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out two assists, and was credited with two steals. Cayden Lindley also scored 16, including three-three pointers. Lindley also grabbed seven boards. Luke Dawson had a nice all-around game with five rebounds and three assists as the De Queen boys improved to 8 and 11 on the season. 

The De Queen teams travel to Magnolia Tuesday night. 

Fatal accident claims life of Dierks man      1/27/25

HOWARD COUNTY – A single vehicle accident claimed the life of a Dierks man earlier week, according to the Arkansas State Police.

The accident occurred around 9:40 a.m. on Jan. 22 in rural Howard County. The accident report states 31-year-old Jason Cody Sherck was traveling north on Highway 278 in his 2002 Chevy Silverado when the vehicle left the roadway, collided with a tree and overturned in the adjacent ditch.

Sherck was the only occupant of the vehicle listed in the reported. Sherck was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigating state trooper reported road conditions as clear and dry at the time of the accident.

2024 a good year for Arkansas economy      1/27/25

2024 a good year for Arkansas economy

By Patrick Massey

By almost every way to look at it, 2024 was a very good year for Arkansas’ economy.

The state’s top individual tax rate was lowered to 3.9 percent – the lowest in a century. The corporate tax rate followed suit and fell to 4.3 percent. Personal income grew faster than the national average and was over $12 billion higher than estimated in the first quarter of 2024.

The state’s GDP grew significantly higher than the national average, even factoring in the volatile farm income component. Arkansas saw growth in nearly every sector, including remarkable growth in construction. The state experienced job creation from both new and existing companies.

Clint O’Neal serves as the executive director for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), the agency focused on creating economic opportunities in Arkansas and improving the quality of life for its residents. Overall, he’s incredibly proud of the economic growth in Arkansas last year.

“I thought the state of Arkansas had a great year in 2024,” he said. “Projects were announced all across our great state with entrepreneurs having success, existing companies expanding, companies from all around the world finding Arkansas to be a great place to do business.”

O’Neal said a number of factors are behind the economic uptick in 2024. One he singled out – developing Arkansas’ rural communities to make them more economically attractive. Those efforts by the AEDC and its partners saw businesses expand to nearly every corner of Arkansas.

“One trend that we find to be very encouraging is rural economic development,” he explained. “So we’ve had project announcements in Corning and Pocahontas and Walnut Ridge and Des Arc, Monticello, Warren, Crossett, Hope. You take a look at smaller communities all over the state,  you take a look at large communities, they’re all finding success because of common sense, public policy, keeping costs low, and the strong workforce and work ethic of Arkansans.

The AEDC serves a vital role in reinforcing Arkansas’ status as a business-friendly and economically attractive state. O’Neal highlighted one new program that is helping Arkansas reach that goal through developing industrial sites.

“You know, one program I’m real proud of in 2024 is rolling out the first of its kind Arkansas site development program. So the Arkansas General Assembly allocated $10 million for us.
This was under the leadership of Governor Sanders to roll out to make our industrial sites more attractive to prospects,” he said.

“So as we deploy this $10 million across sites in Arkansas, we’re going to be better positioned to win in economic development moving forward. You just imagine a prospect going to one site and the economic developer tells them, hey, have an imagination. When you come back in three months, these trees will be gone and I’ll extend water and sewer lines and you just have to trust me. And then they go down the road to a site where it’s clear. They don’t have to have an imagination. All the infrastructure is in place. You build it, they will come.”

O’Neal and other economically-minded officials in Arkansas are proud of the work done in 2024, and they’re hopeful to advance those gains in 2025. The state has already marked a significant achievement in the new year with the announcement by Messer of a brand-new, $70 million industrial gas plant in Berryville.

O’Neal believes the trends that made 2024 a great year will continue.

“You know, in Arkansas, we’re going to continue to be a great place to live and do business. Low cost, strong workforce, available infrastructure and land. We’ve been number one in affordability, according to U.S. News and World Report. Number one in workforce development for the South Central region, according to Site Selection Magazine. Number one for inbound movers, according to Atlas Van Lines. We’re going to keep winning. We’re going to keep winning in the areas of talent attraction, entrepreneurship development, existing business growth and business attraction.”

Find out more about the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the work it does across the state by visiting www.arkansasedc.com.

Ashdown PD makes arrest in child abuse case      1/23/25

ASHDOWN – The Ashdown Police Department has made significant arrests in a disturbing case of child abuse that occurred in our city. On January 22, 2025, Detectives arrested Breiana Pack, Jaquasha Thomas, and Shania Chipps in connection with the abuse of a 4-year-old juvenile victim.

Breiana Pack has been charged with Domestic Battery in the 1st Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor. Jaquasha Thomas and Shania Chipps have both been charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.

The investigation began after the Ashdown Police Department received a report of suspected child abuse from the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline. Officers responded promptly and conducted a thorough investigation which led to the identification and arrest of the suspects. The juvenile victim is currently receiving medical care and support services at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock Arkansas.

Chief of Police Boyd Kennemore stated, “The safety and well-being of our community’s children is our top priority. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that those who harm our most vulnerable citizens are held accountable for their actions.”

Chipps and Thomas are currently being held at the Little River County Detention Center awaiting a first appearance.

Pack is being held in Texarkana Texas and is awaiting extradition.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

Trial delayed in Chenoweth murder case      1/23/25

HUNTSVILLE – The jury trial for a De Queen man accused of killing three family members in Madison County has been delayed reportedly due to the judge losing her voice.

Reporting by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette states the jury trial – scheduled to begin this past Tuesday – was delayed Wednesday and Friday after Madison County Circuit Court Judge Joanna Taylor lost her voice and delayed the start of jury selection. The selection process was reportedly delayed again today.

The trial for 25-year-old Hunter Chenoweth is scheduled for Jan. 21-28 in the Madison County Circuit Court, according to online records. Chenoweth is facing three counts of capital murder after three of his family members were found deceased in a home in Madison County on Feb. 23 of 2021, according to the Arkansas State Police.

The victims included Chenoweth’s 51-year-old mother, Tami Lynn Chenoweth; his stepfather, 59-year-old James Stanley McGhee; and his sister, 26-year-old Cheyenne Chenoweth.

Chenoweth was arrested the evening of the murders after authorities across the state began searching for a vehicle witnessed at the crime scene. According to the Arkansas State Police, Chenoweth was arrested following a brief standoff with state troopers in which he reportedly brandished a rifle and threatened officers at the scene. State troopers were able to approach Chenoweth from behind and arrest him without further incident.

Chenoweth’s defense has attempted to prevent prosecutors from seeking the death penalty in his case. A motion filed on his behalf declared the death penalty as “cruel and unusual.”

However, the court ruled against the motion and therefore, if convicted, Chenoweth could be sentenced to death.

In an amended notice filed in the court, prosecutors stated their intent to seek the death penalty upon Chenoweth’s conviction due to aggravated circumstances within the case.

A further motion granted by the court has imposed a gag order on the case to prevent Chenoweth’s counsel, state prosecutors, law enforcement and other public officials from discussing the case publicly or with members of the media.

Sevier County Chamber announces new board members      1/23/25

DE QUEEN – The Board of Directors of the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce met January 22 in the newly-remodeled offices in downtown De Queen for orientation of new board members and to elect officers for 2025.

Newly elected board members include Katie Hooker of Weyerhaeuser Timberlands, Katy Hanney of Bailey Discount, Michael Collins of The River Company, and Latonya McElroy representing Edward Jones.

Fernando Balderas, owner of Southwest Arkansas Accounting Services, was elected President of the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce for 2025. Balderas will take the reins from outgoing President Veronica Ozura at the February 27th annual membership banquet.

Jamie Smith, representing the Sevier County Housing Authority, was elected vice-president. Helga Buenrostro of Farmers Bank was elected Secretary. Anna Belcher of Southern Bancorp was elected Treasurer. 

Tables are selling fast for the February 27th membership banquet. To reserve a table for your business, call the Chamber office at 870-584-3225. The theme of this year’s banquet is “Playing to Win”. Silent Auction items are now being accepted, and nominations for the various awards may now be submitted by emailing the Chamber at dqchamber@gmail.com. 

The next Chamber ribbon-cutting is scheduled for January 31st at 12 Noon at Frog Level Range, located in the former Sevier County Farmers Coop building downtown. 

Executive Director Suzanne Babb reported that Chamber membership had grown to 205 at the end of 2024. That’s an increase of 59 new members from the year before. Both are all-time records. 

River Run on Millwood Lake to close for repairs      1/23/25

MILLWOOD LAKE – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will temporarily close access to the River Run East Recreation Area on Millwood Lake from Feb. 3, 2024, until further notice for dam embankment repairs.

For safety reasons, access to the campground, boat launch ramp and embankment will not be allowed during the closure.

USACE officials regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the public’s cooperation until the work is complete.

For more information, contact the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office at 870-898-3343.

2024 a good year for Arkansas’ economy      1/23/25

By almost every way to look at it, 2024 was a very good year for Arkansas’ economy.

The state’s top individual tax rate was lowered to 3.9 percent – the lowest in a century. The corporate tax rate followed suit and fell to 4.3 percent. Personal income grew faster than the national average and was over $12 billion higher than estimated in the first quarter of 2024.

The state’s GDP grew significantly higher than the national average, even factoring in the volatile farm income component. Arkansas saw growth in nearly every sector, including remarkable growth in construction. The state experienced job creation from both new and existing companies.

Clint O’Neal serves as the executive director for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), the agency focused on creating economic opportunities in Arkansas and improving the quality of life for its residents. Overall, he’s incredibly proud of the economic growth in Arkansas last year.

“I thought the state of Arkansas had a great year in 2024,” he said. “Projects were announced all across our great state with entrepreneurs having success, existing companies expanding, companies from all around the world finding Arkansas to be a great place to do business.”

O’Neal said a number of factors are behind the economic uptick in 2024. One he singled out – developing Arkansas’ rural communities to make them more economically attractive. Those efforts by the AEDC and its partners saw businesses expand to nearly every corner of Arkansas.

“One trend that we find to be very encouraging is rural economic development,” he explained. “So we’ve had project announcements in Corning and Pocahontas and Walnut Ridge and Des Arc, Monticello, Warren, Crossett, Hope. You take a look at smaller communities all over the state,  you take a look at large communities, they’re all finding success because of common sense, public policy, keeping costs low, and the strong workforce and work ethic of Arkansans.

The AEDC serves a vital role in reinforcing Arkansas’ status as a business-friendly and economically attractive state. O’Neal highlighted one new program that is helping Arkansas reach that goal through developing industrial sites.

“You know, one program I’m real proud of in 2024 is rolling out the first of its kind Arkansas site development program. So the Arkansas General Assembly allocated $10 million for us.
This was under the leadership of Governor Sanders to roll out to make our industrial sites more attractive to prospects,” he said.

“So as we deploy this $10 million across sites in Arkansas, we’re going to be better positioned to win in economic development moving forward. You just imagine a prospect going to one site and the economic developer tells them, hey, have an imagination. When you come back in three months, these trees will be gone and I’ll extend water and sewer lines and you just have to trust me. And then they go down the road to a site where it’s clear. They don’t have to have an imagination. All the infrastructure is in place. You build it, they will come.”

O’Neal and other economically-minded officials in Arkansas are proud of the work done in 2024, and they’re hopeful to advance those gains in 2025. The state has already marked a significant achievement in the new year with the announcement by Messer of a brand-new, $70 million industrial gas plant in Berryville.

O’Neal believes the trends that made 2024 a great year will continue.

“You know, in Arkansas, we’re going to continue to be a great place to live and do business. Low cost, strong workforce, available infrastructure and land. We’ve been number one in affordability, according to U.S. News and World Report. Number one in workforce development for the South Central region, according to Site Selection Magazine. Number one for inbound movers, according to Atlas Van Lines. We’re going to keep winning. We’re going to keep winning in the areas of talent attraction, entrepreneurship development, existing business growth and business attraction.”

Find out more about the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the work it does across the state by visiting www.arkansasedc.com.

Recreation information can be found on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerockusace and on X at www.x.com/usacelittlerock.  

Sevier County resident among thousands in D.C. for Trump’s inauguration      1/22/25

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Donald J. Trump was sworn in for his second term as President of the United States following a historic election and one of the biggest comebacks in political history.

Manya Wood, a Sevier County resident and district court judge, along with her husband, Gene, were among the hundreds of thousands of people who visited Washington, D.C. this week to cheer on the returning president. She said the experience was one of a lifetime.

” It’s just surreal that we were able to do it, and at a historic election that we just saw in November. To be able to feel like maybe we’re a part of it, it’s just been amazing,” said Wood. “The best way I know how to describe it right now is it’s a lot of chaos. It’s fun chaos, though. It’s almost like Mardi Gras, but Washington, D.C. style. It’s so many people. It’s all been great.”

Monday’s inauguration ceremony was among the coldest in decades, forcing organizers to make a last minute decision and move the event indoors to the Capital One Arena rather than outdoors in the National Mall. Wood was not able to attend the ceremony, but the cold caused one unforeseen – and admittedly hilarious – incident.

We’ve all had a real good laugh about this. Where we’re from, it’s not uncommon to wear heated undergarments when you go hunting, and of course everybody’s got their snow gear on here because of the polar vortex,” she said. “I had on my heated hunting gear up underneath my regular clothing and that caused quite the disturbance at the National Archives.”

“I got pulled out of line, and we’ve all laughed about that. They said, probably not the best time of the year with the inauguration to wear batteries and wires strapped to your body to go hunting.  It just wasn’t something I thought about. We were all standing outside in line for over an hour, trying to stay warm any way we can. I just threw on my heated hunting gear and took off, and yeah, they ended up letting me in, but it was after a little bit of a fiasco.”

Despite not attending the ceremony, Wood and her husband had a special surprise when – very unexpectedly – they witnessed the President’s motorcade proceed down Pennsylvania Avenue.

“We were eating at Carmine’s, a famous Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C. We just kind of hung out there for a couple  of hours and the atmosphere was awesome. We then just hung out on a corner thinking this was one of the routes the president would go down,” she said.

“Sure enough, in about an hour, we were freezing to death, but we started seeing motorcades come up the road to Pennsylvania Avenue, and the crowd just went wild, so we were very close to where he made that turn We noticed the motorcycle police barricaded off there, and as they stood to salute, we were like, that’s him!”

“I don’t know President Trump personally, but he likes a little pomp and circumstance, and so since that was the most lined street in Washington, D.C., I just had a feeling he might want his people to see him, and so up the street he came, and it went wild.”

Wood said it was an amazing experience. It was her first time to the nation’s capital and she said they took the opportunity to see as much as they could.

“Neither one of us had ever been to Washington, D.C., so, of course, we’ve gotten to see all the monuments, the White House, the Capitol, the Vietnam Memorial,” she said. “I was able to see the important documents of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives. And, of course, I had to go see the U.S. Supreme Court. My husband’s been a great sport. He’s let me go all over the city and see all the things that I wanted to see, art galleries and stuff. We’ve just really had a blast.”

De Queen family seeking help after fire destroys historic home      1/22/25

DE QUEEN – The Jellos stand next to their home completely destroyed by a fire in downtown De Queen Tuesday morning. The family of 7 (four children not pictured) lost almost everything in the blaze.

The family is seeking help in the form of kids clothing (ages 3, 4, 13/14), as well as food, household items and other essentials. They are obviously also seeking a new home, for anyone with leads.

The family is currently staying with a relative located directly next to the house at 516 W. De Queen Avenue. Items can be dropped off there or at the Marshallese Church located next to the railroad tracks on Stilwell Avenue in De Queen. The family is also seeking assistance from the Salvation Army in De Queen. Donating items and money to the Salvation Army is a surefire way to help local folks in need following an incident such as a home fire.

Their home, located in residential downtown De Queen, was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and was previously owned by two US Congresspeople: Otis Theodore Wingo and his wife Effigene Locke Wingo, who served out his term after his death. She was then elected to Congress in her own right. The house was built in 1904.

Ruiakanu Jello (the mother/wife of the family) can be reached directly by calling (870) 279-7692.

Fire engulfs De Queen home, everyone escapes safely      1/21/25

DE QUEEN – Thanks to their courageous actions in spite of subfreezing temperatures, De Queen firefighters were able to stop and contain the fire at a home in downtown De Queen before it engulfed adjacent homes or the Santa Barbara Catholic Church. However, the home is a total loss.

The fire began around 11:30 a.m. today at a home located on De Queen Avenue. Everyone in the home was able to escape safely.

Because of high winds, the fire quickly threatened nearby structures, particularly the church located just feet away. Firefighters worked diligently to fight both the fire and spray water on the church to prevent it, too, from catching fire. The church did sustain some damage on its west side due to the extreme temperatures of the fire.

De Queen Fire Marshall Dennis Pruitt said the fire was started by a malfunctioning bathroom heater fan. He urged the public not to use bathroom heaters to heat a home as they are not designed for prolonged use.

“We see more home fires because of those than just about anything else,” he said. “They’re not meant to heat homes. Please don’t try because they are exceedingly dangerous.”

Pruitt praised his firefighters for their success in containing the blaze, and singled out SWEPCO crews for their quick response in disconnecting electricity to the home.

Father Ramses Mendieta watched the fire approach the church with both deep concern, but also hope for the best.

“I know the Lord is watching over us and that we have great men from our fire department out here doing his work,” he said.

Thanks to all our first responders, linemen and other crews who helped bring a safe end to this tragic incident!

 

Polar vortex brings second round of subfreezing temps in 2025      1/20/25

DE QUEEN – A Cold Weather Advisory has been in effect for much of the listening area thanks to another polar vortex swooping down from the Arctic that has seen temperatures fall well below the freezing point.

The Cold Weather Advisory went into effect at midnight Monday and remained in effect through Tuesday morning across the listening area. Today’s high is 33 degrees while tonight’s low is a bone-chilling 15 degrees. Another Cold Weather Advisory will likely be issued this evening.

These low wind chill values may lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure. Use caution while traveling outside and wear appropriate clothing. Keep pets indoors as much as possible.

Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside. Wrap and insulate outside faucets and water pipes. Homes prone to freezing pipes should allow inside faucets to drip overnight to prevent them from freezing and possibly bursting.

The mercury is not expected to really rise above the freezing point until Wednesday with a high of 44. The daily highs will continue to rise through the weekend, although nightly lows will stay well below the freezing point.

According to the National Weather Service, there is no chance for winter precipitation as part of this cold front.

Local accountant discusses tax changes, updates in 2025      1/21/25

DE QUEEN – At the January 20th De Queen Rotary Club meeting at Micah 6:8, the club heard a 2025 tax update from Fernando Balderas, owner of Southwest Arkansas Accounting Services in De Queen.

All eyes are on the new Donald Trump Administration. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was passed under the first Trump term. This Act is set to expire on December 31, 2025 with a sunset clause. Speculation is that the Trump team may extend this law which has proven helpful to the business community.

“All in all, however, there aren’t many changes in the tax code this year compared to last year”, Balderas said.

Balderas says that their firm receives several questions annually about gifting. The limit for tax saving purposes on gifting is $19,000 per recipient. 

Contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts are limited to $7,000 per year for persons under the age of 50, and $8,000 annually for those over 50. 

Like-Kind exchanges did include possibilities for vehicle and machinery purchases where the gains didn’t have to be shown. But that law now pertains primarily to certain exchanges of real property. 

Bonus depreciation percentages are declining on an annual basis. The tax code temporarily allowed 100% expensing for business property acquired and placed in service after September 17, 2017 and before January 1, 2023. That 100% allowance generally decreases by 20% per year in taxable years beginning after 2022 and expires January 1, 2027. Those percentages are 60% in 2024, 40% in 2025, 20% in 2026, and it goes away in 2027.

Balderas reminded Rotarians that the state of Arkansas cut its income tax rate three times last year for individuals and corporations. Those tax cuts are retroactive to January 1, 2024. The current Arkansas personal tax rate is 3.9%. The corporate income tax rate in Arkansas is 4.3%.

Fernando and his eight staff members at Southwest Arkansas Accounting Services filed over 1,600 tax returns last year for area businesses and individuals. 

Balderas was introduced by Rotary Club president Michael Collins. 

Guests at Monday’s meeting included Tonya Wolcott, Sevier County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Suzanne Babb, and Kent Tomlinson and Nancy Guisinger of the AEP SWEPCO Energy Efficiency Department. 

The Rotary Club has now launched its annual Boulevard of Flags program for six patriotic holidays in 2025 that include: Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriots Day, and Veterans Day. Rotarians set up the flags at your business or residence and then remove the flags and store them following the holiday.

Businesses and individuals will be asked to renew their participation, and new orders for flags are being accepted. Flags are $50 each for the entire year. Veterans, active military, and military families can purchase a flag for $40. For more information, contact Tammy Huddleston at (870)-584-2550. Deadline to order your flags is February 10th.

All proceeds go to the many worthwhile local projects sponsored by the De Queen Rotary Club.

Rotary Boulevard of Flags program back this year      1/21/25

DE QUEEN – The De Queen Rotary Club is renewing a program to promote pride in the U.S. flag while also raising money for local community projects.

The local Rotary Club is inviting businesses and homes in De Queen to participate in the annual Boulevard of Flags program. Through this program, local businesses and homes can show off their love for the red, white and blue by having American flags placed on their property by club members. The flags are removed and stored between designated holidays, which include Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. The next scheduled holiday is Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb. 17.

The annual cost is $50 per flag. A discounted rate of $40 per flag is available for veterans and active military personnel, or with the purchase of 10 or more flags.

Proceeds will be used to support the De Queen Rotary Club’s community projects. Registering businesses or homes are asked to indicate whether the flag will be placed on concrete or asphalt, or in the ground.

For more information, contact Tammy Huddleston at 584-2550. The deadline to register is Feb. 10. Checks can be made payable to De Queen Rotary Club and mailed to De Queen Rotary Club, P.O. Box 122, De Queen, AR 71832.

Lady Leopards earn big win against visiting Arkadelphia      1/21/25

DE QUEEN – The De Queen senior teams split a pair with Arkadelphia Friday night at the Coliseum with the Lady Leopards winning 76 to 54 while Arkadelphia won the boys game 53 to 41.

Playing like an angry team after dropping their first game of the year, the Lady Leopards raced to a 25 to 7 lead, led by as many as 28, and settled for a 76 to 54 win over a very good Arkadelphia girls squad.

Landri Liggin, our McDonalds Player of the Night, led the way with 18 points. Emma Chambers also poured in 18 points. Jessie Lyle scored 16. Shalyn Lyle added 14 points, eight rebounds, and dished out four assists. Ellie Morphew led the rebounding charts again with nine as the Lady Leopards improved to 2 and 1 in 7-4A Conference play and 21 and 1 overall.

The Lady Leopards outrebounded Arkadelphia 34 to 19 and De Queen’s full court pressure forced 27 Lady Badger turnovers.

In the boys contest, De Queen led 38 to 34 early in the fourth quarter. But Arkadelphia finished the game on a 19 to 3 run to knock off the Leopards 53 to 41 in a stunning turnaround.

Cayden  Lindley led De Queen with 17, including three three-pointers. Sam Graham had a double-double for the Leopards with 10 points and 12 rebounds. 23 turnovers hurt the De Queen effort as the Leopards fell to 0 and 3 in the league.

The De Queen senior teams return to action Friday night against Hope at the Coliseum.

January is School Board Appreciation Month – spotlight on De Queen School Board      1/21/25

DE QUEEN – January is National School Board Appreciation Month and officials with the De Queen School District took a moment last week to recognize the role and contributions of De Queen’s elected school board members.

During last week’s meeting of the De Queen School Board, Superintendent Jason Sanders expressed his gratitude to the board and its service both within and outside the school district. De Queen’s five school board members include Board President Dr. Kenneth Martin, Skip Bell, Sandy Huntsberger, Barry Reed and Tony Soto.

Members to the school board are elected to the position to oversee and provide community-level guidance to the operations of the school district. The position is unpaid.

The following are De Queen’s five school board members:

Sandy Huntsberger is a graduate of De Queen High School. After high school, Sandy attended and graduated with honors from Wadley School of Radiologic Technology, and the Dallas Institute of Ultrasonography. Her early working career was spent in the medical profession at St. Michael’s Hospital in Texarkana. She was elected as a Board Member and has dedicated the past 28 years of service in that capacity, as well as gaining recognition as a Master Board member through consistent involvement in Continuing Education for Board members and leadership growth. Huntsberger is the owner of Southern Home Furniture in De Queen.

Dr. Kenneth W. Martin up farming with the family operation that included fish, cotton, rice, and soybeans. He graduated from Dumas High School in 1989. He then attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello until being accepted into the Louisiana State University of Veterinary Medicine. In 1998, he and his wife, Jennifer, purchased De Queen Animal Hospital and became busy members of the De Queen community. They have four children, three of whom are DHS graduates, and one currently attending De Queen Public Schools. Dr. Martin and his family are members of De Queen First Baptist Church where he is a Sunday school teacher. The Martin family is also active in De Queen Athletics and the Leopard Booster club.

Felix “Skip” Bell was born and raised in Lockesburg, Arkansas. He graduated from Lockesburg High School in 1973. He attended Southern Arkansas University after high school, and then graduated from Texarkana Community College in 1980 with an associate’s degree in nursing. He is presently employed at Howard Memorial Hospital. He is active at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church in Lockesburg. Bell has been a member of the De Queen School board since 1995 and previously served on the new Sevier County Medical Center Board of Governors.

Tony Soto began serving his term on the De Queen Public School Board in 2021. Mr. Soto is a De Queen High School Alum who was an All-State Cross Country and Track athlete and graduated with the class of 1999. The following year, he furthered his education at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM. Soto continued his education at the University of Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University, and Henderson State University. On September 18th, 2000, Soto enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard and is still actively serving today. During his time in the guard, Soto has been on deployment to Iraq on two different occasions for Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Horn of Africa for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Barry Reed was appointed to the Board as the Zone 5 representative in November 2019 to serve the remainder of the term of a member who resigned and was elected to a full term in March 2020. He has lived in De Queen since 2005 and employed at UA Cossatot since 2006. Reed is currently the director of UACCC’s Ashdown and Lockesburg campuses. He has three sons, two of which are graduates of De Queen High School, and his youngest is currently attending De Queen Public Schools. Reed is an active member of the De Queen Church of Christ. Prior to moving to De Queen, Mr. Reed taught junior high and senior high Social Studies in the Russellville School District and was also a 1997 graduate of Russellville High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History Education from Arkansas Tech University (2001) and a master’s degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas (2019).

On-duty USPS worker arrested in De Queen for warrant, charged with drug possession      1/17/25

DE QUEEN – An on-duty United States Postal Service (USPS) employee was arrested in De Queen for an outstanding warrant as well as drugs found in her possession, according to the arrest affidavit.

On Jan. 7, an officer with the De Queen Police Department reportedly made contact with 54-year-old Rebecca Klitz of De Queen after receiving information about an arrest warrant. Klitz, who was allegedly operating a USPS mail truck at the time of the incident, was located on North Ninth Street in De Queen.

The responding officer allowed Klitz to grab her belongings from the truck before transporting her to the Sevier County Jail. The officer said Klitz then appeared to reach inside her purse and attempt to hide something within the vehicle.

During a search of the mail truck, an officer allegedly discovered a small container believed to contain methamphetamine. The weight of the substance totaled 1.0 grams.

According to the arrest affidavit, Klitz admitted during a later interview that the substance was methamphetamine.

Court records show Klitz was charged with possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, a Class D felony in Arkansas.

Horatio Superintendent Gayla Youngblood announces resignation      1/17/25

HORATIO – Horatio Superintendent Gayla Youngblood has announced her intention to retire following the end of the current school year.

Youngblood is currently serving in her second year as superintendent of the Horatio School District. She has worked within the district for a total of 16 years and has more than three decades of experience in education.

Youngblood issued the following letter of resignation Friday morning:

I wanted to share my decision to retire as superintendent of the Horatio School District at the conclusion of this school year. After 16 incredible years of service in this district and 31 years in the field of education, I feel this is the right time.

Serving this district has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and built a strong foundation for our students’ futures. I am so proud of all we have accomplished as a community. From the dedicated staff to the incredible students and families, Horatio School District will always hold a special place in my heart.

In the months ahead, I look forward to continuing our work together and ensuring a smooth transition. Thank you for the trust and support you have shown me throughout my time here. It has been a privilege to serve you in making Horatio a very special place where education thrives. I look forward to seeing Horatio’s continued success in the future.

With gratitude, 

Gayla Youngblood 

Horatio School District Superintendent 

Horatio FFA team earns Reserve Champion at National Livestock Judging Competition      1/17/25

DENVER, Colo. – Congratulations to the Horatio High School FFA Team earning the Reserve Livestock Judging Championship at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver, Colorado!

The team, along with Horatio FFA Advisor Nicki Litchford, earned the following team and individual awards:

Team Results

Reserve Champion Team

-2^nd high sheep team

-3^rd high swine team

-2^nd high cattle team

Individual Results

Layla Tallant

-4^th High Individual

-2^nd High Reasons

-2^nd High Swine

-3^rd High Sheep

Konnor Bailey

-8^th High Individual

-7^th High Reasons

-3^rd High Cattle

Jake Sawyer

-15^th High Individual

-7^th High Cattle

Girl Power Goes State competition in Gillham next month      1/17/25

GILLHAM – Next Month the De Queen-Mena Educational Cooperative will host a competition showcasing projects created by local students through the use of CNC cutting and CNC laser technology. What makes this event really unique is that every piece will have been made by a high school girl.

The projects will be featured at this year’s four annual Girl Power Goes State competition on Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Hosted by the De Queen-Mena Educational Cooperative, the event’s core goal is to generate interest in non-traditional careers for young women in the manufacturing and construction sectors.

Over 50 female students from nine area school districts attended last year’s competition in Gillham. So far, more than three dozen projects have been registered for this year’s event. Girl Power Goes State – originally known as Girl Power to the Max – is the brainchild of Stacey Southerland, a career and technical educational coordinator for the Gillham-based cooperative, and she said it’s been awesome to see this event grow over the past three years.

“It’s been amazing,” she said. “We went from just a handful of students our first year to almost 60 last year. More educational cooperatives are picking up the concept as well and its spreading across the state.”

Reflecting its new name, Girl Power Goes State has grown to be a statewide competition. This year, the effort is supported by a $520,000 Innovation Grant from the Division of Career & Technical education. Funds will be used to purchase CNC equipment for schools in the cooperative’s service area.

Local winners from this year’s event will advance to a state competition against nine other Arkansas educational cooperatives. It will take place Feb. 26 at the Saline County Career & Technical Center in Benton.

If the technology sounds sophisticated, that’s because it is. But Southerland says it’s vital young women know they are just as capable of finding a career in a field using these technologies as a young man would be.  

“We’re trying to encourage girls that there are high-wage, high-skill careers in demand that are going unfulfilled that they can be very well-prepared for,” said Southerland. “We’re talking to our local industries and they are in desperate need of skilled workers in the field of pipelaying, welding and CNC. These young women are just as capable of doing that and filling the needs of our industries.”

Career readiness is an ever-increasing goal in education. The idea, educators explain, is for a student – one who perhaps doesn’t plan on attending college – to graduate high school on Friday and be prepared to start a career on Monday. Given the growing need for workers with technical backgrounds, it’s critical students are introduced to these career options as early as possible.

Southerland said this important educational and highly competitive event relies on community support. Generous donations in 2024 earned the top winners in each division $200 and tuition waivers to local colleges. Local businesses and companies wanting to assist with a donation are invited to contact Southerland by calling (903) 280-1808 or email stacey.southerland@dmesc.org. A sponsorship form is also available here.

De Queen attorney named among 2024 Power Women by AMP magazine      1/16/25

DE QUEEN – A De Queen attorney and deputy prosecutor was recently recognized as one of the 2024 Power Women by Arkansas Money & Politics magazine.

Erin Hunter was among several dozen Arkansas women highlighted by the magazine for their contributions, leadership and trail-blazing spirit. Each honoree was nominated by readers of Arkansas Money & Politics.

A native of Newhope and graduate of Dierks High School, Hunter currently practices law from her private firm in De Queen. She also serves as the attorney for the City of De Queen and as a deputy prosecutor for Polk County under Debra Buschman. She previously served as chief deputy prosecutor and appointed lead prosecutor for the Ninth West Judicial District (Sevier, Little River, Howard and Pike Counties).

Being named a 2024 Power Woman by AMP came as a bit of a surprise for Hunter.

“When they contacted me, I really was honestly worried it was a scam,” she said, laughing. “But apparently they did an online poll and I received a lot of votes. It’s a nice honor.”

Hunter has practiced law since 2010 after earning her juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas. She said her passion for law and the judicial system developed very early in her life.

“You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I was in the second grade in Julie McRae’s class at Dierks Elementary. We learned about the presidents and most of them were attorneys. I knew at that point I wanted to be an attorney, a waitress or a majorette,” she laughed. “None of the other two worked out, so I’m a lawyer.”

Growing up in a small town and reading the local newspapers helped define Hunter’s interest in the legal system – particularly notorious crimes. She also watched the legal careers of attorneys who are now judges, such as Tom Cooper and Bryan Chesshir.

“I just got more intrigued watching their cases. Then I worked for Bryan Chesshir and, it’s kind of bizarre, but it was just the right place, right time, and it all worked out for me,” she said.

Hunter said she was particularly impressed with Chesshir’s style in the courtroom during his time as a prosecutor.

“I loved to watch him during jury trials. He was a fantastic trial attorney,” said Hunter. “I really enjoyed watching how he did things. It’s the attorneys who were honest and do a good job, like Bryan, that really impress you.”

Hunter eventually became the interim prosecutor for the Ninth West Judicial District after Chesshir was elected to the circuit judge position after the retirement of Charles Yeargan. She became the district’s chief deputy prosecutor after the election of Jana Bradford to the lead prosecutor position.

After nearly eight years as Sevier County’s deputy prosecutor, Hunter took a similar position for the 18th West Judicial District. The district covers Polk and Montgomery Counties under lead prosecutor Debra Buschman.

“I’ve known Debra for several years and she’s a very respected attorney,” said Hunter. We’ve worked together on a number of cases over the last several years because they crossed the Polk and Sevier County lines. I was very interested just for a change of scenery, change of pace and because Debra expressed to me she needed some help with jury trials. I think she had told me she had done 11 jury trials in 10 months, and the majority of those by herself.”

Hunter added it’s been a great opportunity to learn a new office and how a different district operates. She took over the position Nov. 1, 2024.

Hunter continues to serve as the attorney for the City of De Queen while operating her private practice in downtown De Queen in the building where attorney Randall Wright long operated his firm.

Over the years, Hunter has prosecuted many memorable cases. However, one has always stood out.

“The defining moment of my career so far is winning a big sexual assault trial against a prolific offender who had six victims he abused over many years. This was a “he said, she said” case without any physical evidence. The offender was sentenced to two life sentences plus 102 years in prison,” she explained. “That was a very difficult case to prosecute because these sexual offences had occurred years prior to the reports being made. Law enforcement did a great job on that case. It’s hard to bring justice to victims years later but we were able to do it.”

Being a woman in a field traditionally dominated by men has had its challenges.

“I’m not trying to sound like a true feminist, but it was tough coming up as a solo practitioner and not being a multi-generation attorney. Especially when I was  younger, I would face male attorneys – and I’m not talking about any of our local attorneys, but the ones from out of town – that would try to bully me and just thought, ‘well, she’s a young attorney and doesn’t know what she’s doing, and I’m going to tell her this is how it’s going to go.’

“You just kind of get overlooked and passed over sometimes. But I think that’s just the nature of the real world, a little behind the eight ball. You’ve got to work hard and overcome it, not use it as a threat.”

As a young attorney, Hunter still has a long career and many options ahead of her.

“I love being a prosecutor. I would love to be the elected prosecutor of our district and at some point in time, I would love to be a judge,” she said. “If the opportunity presented itself, I would be very interested in some type of federal prosecutor role. It’s a whole different system. The future’s open.”

In the meantime, she’s enjoying serving her community.

“I love this role because I do feel like I help people and help keep our community safe,” she said. “Everyone in the justice system has their own part to do and I like being on this side of things. It’s a civil service and I enjoy it because prosecutors are in a good position to help make some positive changes.”

Outside of her practice and role within the judicial system, Hunter said she enjoys her time with family. That includes her husband, Stephen Sprick, who serves as a coach and the athletic director for the Horatio School District, and their two children: Presley, 15, and Levi, 10.

“My daughter is telling me now that she wants to be a judge and I’ve had to explain to her, you have to be a lawyer for a long time before you get something like that,” said Hunter, laughing. “My little boy says he wants to be a farmer like his grandpa.”

Snow brings winter wonderland to much of listening area, ice elsewhere      1/13/25

SEVIER COUNTY – Winter Storm “Cora” passed through the region late last week, bringing a winter wonderland to Sevier County for the first time since February, 2021.

A combination of sleet, snow and freezing rain began falling across the region last Thursday morning. By the time the system exited on Friday, an average of seven inches of snow had fallen across most of Sevier County.

Some areas reported higher totals – eight inches west of De Queen and over nine inches near Gillham – while the southeastern corner of the county near Cowlingsville and Brownstown received almost none. Instead, the Cowlingsville area along with portions of Howard County and most of Little River County were hit by ice.

Ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs resulted in widespread power outages across Little River and Howard Counties, as well as portions of Sevier. Over a hundred customers in the Provo area were without power for around two days due to damaged power lines.

The worst affected areas included Howard, Little River and Miller Counties. At one point, SWEPCO was reporting nearly 36,000 customer outages. Almost all of those outages were restored by Sunday afternoon.

Slick road conditions also caused a number of accidents in the county, but fortunately none of them were fatal. Several barns, chicken houses and other structures also collapsed due to the weight of snow on their roofs.

While conditions on city, county and back roads were treacherous in spots for several days, the state highways remained largely in good shape. That’s likely due to the brine treatment applied by ARDOT crews in the days leading up to the storm.

For the most part, the winter weather created a lot of excitement, if not a fair share of concerns dating back to the devastating ice storm of 2000. Local grocery stores and gas stations were buzzing with customers on Wednesday and into Thursday morning hoping to stock up on essentials.

Once the snow hit, things really quieted down in Sevier County as most people stayed at home and off the roads. Local schools cancelled classes both Thursday and Friday, while many businesses closed early on Thursday and opened late on Friday.

Local kids and families were quick to take advantage of the winter wonderland. It seems as if every yard in Sevier County featured at least one snowman and/or snow fort. The pictures shared on social media appeared to show most folks enjoying themselves immensely – including one creative guy (let’s call him Richard V.) who attached an inflatable raft to his excavator and took willing victims on a wild, 360-degree ride through a snow-covered field.

Overall, the county seemed to enjoy the first significant snowfall it received in several years. Fortunately, the risk of black ice from the freeze-melt-refreeze cycle is beginning to diminish and should disappear altogether this week as temperatures continue to climb, at least Friday and Saturday.

There is a slight, 20-percent chance of snow showers Monday night. Lows will also begin to drop sharply Sunday night, which is expected to see 16 degrees that night. Monday’s low is 17 degrees. 

De Queen’s Beau McCastlain named 2025 Presidential Leadership Scholar      1/15/25

DE QUEEN – Beau McCastlain, 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year & Teacher/Communications Director at De Queen Public Schools, has been named one of 57 Scholars who will form the Presidential Leadership Scholars’ (PLS) 10th annual class.

For the past decade, PLS has brought together more than 500 diverse, established leaders to collaborate and make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

The class was selected after a rigorous application and review process. Scholars were chosen based on their leadership growth potential and the strength of their personal leadership projects aimed at addressing a critical challenge or need in a community, profession, or organization.

“I cannot begin to describe how honored and excited I am to be named a 2024 Presidential Leadership Scholar! The opportunity to learn leadership lessons from two former presidents and members of four administrations is the opportunity of a lifetime. What I am most excited about is being able to apply those lessons to make a positive difference right here in De Queen and Sevier County!”

During the six-month program, Mr. McCastlain will develop a project initiative focused on creating work-based learning opportunities for students. McCastlain’s project is focused on finding strategic solutions to ensure students from all communities have the chance to become career, college, and life-ready. He plans to build a coalition of statewide business leaders committed to partnering with rural school districts to redesign rural education and economic development.

These partnerships will bring local families, students, educators, and community members together to generate homegrown solutions that set up long-term success through homegrown talent pipelines.

Over the course of the program, Scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from former presidents, key former administration officials, business and civic leaders, and leading academics. They will study and put into practice varying approaches to leadership and exchange ideas to help strengthen their impact.

Scholars have consistently reported remarkable growth in skills, responsibilities, and opportunities for impact since the program began in 2015. For example, 96% of Scholars said their confidence in how they lead social change has improved as a result of PLS, and 97% of Scholars reported they are inspired to accomplish more since beginning the program.

The 2025 program will begin on Jan. 29.

De Queen City Council discusses Rural Physician Grant Program, contracts      1/15/25

DE QUEEN – The De Queen City Council held its first meeting of the New Year Tuesday night after the cancellation of last week’s meeting.

Mayor Jeff Brown, recovering from an illness, presided over the first meeting of 2025. He began by opening the floor to Veronica Ozura, Sevier County’s Economic Development Director. She provided a recap of 2024 from the FRIENDS economic development group (FRIENDS is short for “Funding Retention and Increasing Efforts for Notable economic Development in Sevier county”).

Her recap focused on the groups efforts to support broadband internet expansion in Sevier County, completion of the Community Navigator Grant, support for the Chamber of Commerce’s initiatives and preparation efforts for the 2024 Great American Total Solar Eclipse, the group’s partnership with the De Queen Lake Trail project, partnering with local schools to support workforce development projects, and a number of other projects, goals, initiatives and efforts. We’ll have more on this story in next week’s edition.

The first topic of new business was a presentation by Harmony Overturf, a second-year medical student at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Overturf, who is originally from Sevier County, is seeking a partnership with the City of De Queen through the Rural Physician Grant program.

The program is designed to help recruit physicians to rural areas by providing financial incentives. Through the grant, the physician agrees to practice primary care in the community for four years. In return, the community agrees to pay the physician an additional $10,000 per year and the State pays $10,000 per year for a total of $80,000 for four years.

Overturf said her goal upon completing medical school is to practice medicine in De Queen.

“I tell everyone how much I love De Queen and how much I want to come back here to practice medicine and serve my community,” she explained. “This program would be a great benefit to me given how much it costs to become a doctor. Either way, I want to come back to De Queen to be a doctor.”

Brown and the city council voiced their support for Overturf and the grant program, as there are only several primary care physicians practicing in De Queen. However, they said several legal questions need to be answered to ensure the program is handled properly.

“We need doctors in this town,” said Alderwoman Kathy Smith. “We don’t have enough to address the needs of our community, so I think this is a great idea especially because you sound so willing and dedicated to come back here. But there are a few questions we need to answer since we are talking about city funding, which after all is taxpayers’ money.”

The program hasn’t been implemented in De Queen in years. Brown said he hopes to have the legal requirements resolved in time for the council’s February meeting.

In other business, the council approved several contracts with entities operating within the city:
-$10,000 to David Boone Ministries for operation of the De Queen Senior Citizens Center. The council also waived rent and use fees for the city-owned building.
-$2,500 for the Sevier County Museum and its efforts to preserve and promote De Queen history.
-$2,500 to the Sevier County Humane Society to provide low-cost spay/neuter clinics to residents of the City of De Queen.
-$2,500 to Rockin’ AA Sanctuary for its efforts to foster and adopt dogs held by the De Queen City Pound, which is now a no-kill shelter.
-$17,500 for the city’s share of funding for the Sevier County Economic Development Director.

Finally, the city council approved moving funds from the 2024 budget to the current fiscal year for the completion of a new dog pound at the De Queen City Shop.

The climate-controlled facility will provide updated accomodations for animals held by the city until they are adopted or put into the Rockin’ AA Sanctuary foster program. The new building will also feature an office for the city’s animal control officer.

The city council is scheduled to meet again on Feb. 4 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in city hall.

Lady Leopards win conference opener against Camden-Fairview      1/15/25

DE QUEEN – The De Queen Lady Leopards remained undefeated on the season as they won their conference opener 64 to 56 over Camden Fairview Tuesday night at the Coliseum. The Cardinals took the boys contest 64 to 33.

The Lady Leopards improved to 20 and 0 on the season as they broke open a tight game with a huge second quarter. De Queen led 20 to 17 after the opening quarter, but outscored the Lady Cardinals 20 to 8 in the second quarter to take a 40 to 25 lead at intermission. The Lady Cardinals closed to within six points in the second half, but the Lady Leopards held off the visitors for the big 64 to 56 win to go to 1 and 0 in the stacked 7-4A Conference standings. 

The difference was three-point shooting as the Lady Leopards connected on 13 three pointers, compared to just three for Camden Fairview. The De Queen full court pressure also forced 19 turnovers. 

Jessie Lyle, our McDonalds Player of the Night, led the way with 20. Shalyn Lyle, battling foul trouble, scored 17. Emma Chambers  pitched in with 14. Landi Liggin added 10. The De Queen defense held the Lady Cardinals highly-regarded 6’4″ Division One recruit Miciah Fusilier to 23 points.

The boys contest was a game of runs. Camden Fairview raced to a 30 to 15 lead. The Leopards responded with a 14 to 0 run to cut the Cardinals lead to six points at 30 to 24. But Camden Fairview ended the game on a 34 to 9 run to pull away for the 64 to 33 victory. 

Sam Graham was the only Leopard in double figures with 16 points. 

The De Queen teams travel to Nashville Wednesday night for rescheduled action from last Friday night. Following a JV game at 6:30, Greg Revels has the play-by-play of the senior action. Airtime is approximately 6:45 on your #1 Country 92.1. 

Trial this month for De Queen man charged with capital murders      1/14/25

MADISON COUNTY – A De Queen man accused of killing three family members in Madison County is set to appear for a jury trial this month in which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

The trial for 25-year-old Hunter Chenoweth is scheduled for Jan. 21-28 in the Madison County Circuit Court, according to online records. Chenoweth is facing three counts of capital murder after three of his family members were found deceased in a home in Madison County on Feb. 23 of 2021, according to the Arkansas State Police.

The victims included Chenoweth’s 51-year-old mother, Tami Lynn Chenoweth; his stepfather, 59-year-old James Stanley McGhee; and his sister, 26-year-old Cheyenne Chenoweth.

Chenoweth was arrested the evening of the murders after authorities across the state began searching for a vehicle witnessed at the crime scene. According to the Arkansas State Police, Chenoweth was arrested following a brief standoff with state troopers in which he reportedly brandished a rifle and threatened officers at the scene. State troopers were able to approach Chenoweth from behind and arrest him without further incident.

Chenoweth’s defense has attempted to prevent prosecutors from seeking the death penalty in his case. A motion filed on his behalf declared the death penalty as “cruel and unusual.”

However, the court ruled against the motion and therefore, if convicted, Chenoweth could be sentenced to death.

In an amended notice filed in the court, prosecutors stated their intent to seek the death penalty upon Chenoweth’s conviction due to aggravated circumstances within the case.

A further motion granted by the court has imposed a gag order on the case to prevent Chenoweth’s counsel, state prosecutors, law enforcement and other public officials from discussing the case publicly or with members of the media.

Chenoweth is also named as a defendant in a Washington County case related to a felony domestic battery charge from February of 2020. According to online court records, that charge stems from an incident that same month in which Chenoweth is accused of stabbing his stepfather.

TAPD arrests man sought in rape case      1/14/25

TEXARKANA – The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department (TAPD) has arrested a man it said is wanted for rape and sexual indecency.

On Jan. 8, Detective Phillips from the Criminal Investigation Division at the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, obtained a probable cause affidavit for the arrest of Randy Henry, age 50. Henry is being charged with 2 counts of Rape and 1 count of Sexual Indecency of a Child.

On Jan. 13, at approximately 3:25 p.m., Henry surrendered himself to law enforcement and was arrested for the warrant.

This is still an ongoing investigation and if you have any other information about this incident, please contact Detective Phillips with the TAPD Criminal Investigation Division at 903-798-3154.

Rotarians here basketball update, award Cole Binkley Student of the Month2      1/14/25

DE QUEEN – At the January 13th De Queen Rotary Club meeting at Micah 6:8, the club heard a midseason report on the De Queen basketball programs from Lady Leopards Coach Bret Burgess and Leopards Coach Logan Lindley. 

Coach Burgess explains that he breaks the season down into four parts: non-conference play, conference play, regional tournament, and the state tournament. The Lady Leopards excelled in part one, going a perfect 20-0 against a beefed-up non-conference schedule. But Coach Burgess added that the team is now 0-0 as part two of the season begins this week with the De Queen girls facing the three other top teams in the stacked league: Camden Fairview on the 14th, at Nashville on the 15th, and Arkadelphia on the 17th. All four teams: Camden Fairview, Nashville, Arkadelphia, and De Queen have been ranked in the top ten statewide throughout the season. 

Coach Burgess says the girls have been working hard and he’s been pleasantly surprised with how the team has blended together. The unselfish girls have four starters: Shalyn Lyle, Emma Chambers, Landri Liggin, and Jessie Lyle averaging in double figures. The fifth starter, Ellie Morphew, leads the team in rebounding and in field goal shooting percentage. 

Burgess coached at De Queen for ten years. He took the junior high girls job at Nashville for a few years. Burgess described De Queen as a great community with a great school. He welcomed the opportunity to return as senior girls coach for the Lady Leopards in his first season back. 

Coach Lindley is in his fourth season as the Leopards coach, and it’s his fifth year at De Queen. One of the team’s goals was to improve upon last year’s win total. They accomplished that with their seventh win last week over a quality Waldron team.

Coach Lindly says he’s proud of his team and especially his three seniors: Alex Perez, Rowan Sanchez, and Sam Graham, who is averaging 12+ points and nine rebounds per game. 

There are six teams in the 7-4A Conference this year: Hope, Magnolia, Camden Fairview, Nashville, Arkadelphia, and De Queen. The top four finishers in the double round robin schedule, home and away format, will advance to the regional tournament. The site of the regional tournament will be announced on January 16th. De Queen is one of the schools who has submitted a bid to host regionals. 

Coach Lindley says his team is looking forward to fighting for a berth in regionals, and hopes to make noise once there. 

The De Queen coaches were introduced by Rotarian Greg Revels, who arranged the program.

Prior to the program, the Student of the Month Award was announced. Cole Binkley, already enrolled at Lyon College in Batesville for the spring semester, was named the winner. Coach Phillip Binkley accepted the award on his son’s behalf. 

Binkley had a 3.89 grade point average at De Queen. As quarterback for the Leopards, Cole was named all 5A-South Conference from 2022-2024. He was the 2023 De Queen Offensive Player of the Year, and led the team in touchdowns scored last season. Binkley placed third in the state in the power lifting competition. An active member of First Baptist Church, Cole also enjoyed coaching pee-wees in various sports. With 60 hours of college credit already under his belt, Cole, the son of Phillip and Susan Binkley, plans to play football at Lyon College and plans to pursue a career in teaching and coaching. 

Guests included Leah Hanson of Transitions Counseling Clinic and Nikki Sharp, resource officer at Horatio Schools. 

The Rotary Club will soon be re-launching its Boulevard of Flags program for patriotic holidays in 2025. Businesses and individuals will be asked to renew their participation, and new orders for flags will be accepted. All proceeds go to the many worthwhile local projects sponsored by the De Queen Club.

Thousands without power in Southwest Arkansas due to ice, fallen limbs     1/10/25

Numerous power outages have been reported across the region due to ice build up and fallen limbs/trees.

SWEPCO is reporting over 36,000 customer outages ranging from Lockesburg and Nashville to Ashdown, Foreman, Texarkana and New Boston. Southwest REA is also reporting some outages in Sevier and Little River Counties, but mostly in Miller County.

The list of outages as of 8 a.m. Friday morning:

SWEPCO

-14 east of DQ without power
-119 around Provo
-around 2400 in Ashdown without power
-around 1000 in Foreman
-Over 2300 in Nashville
-Over 18,000 in Texarkana
-2200 in New Boston

Southwest REA
-79 outages in Sevier
-336 in Little River
-87 in Hempstead
-1540 in Miller County

Choctaw Electric

-Several dozen customers without power in Southeast McCurtain County, along the border with Little River County in Arkansas.

Highway conditions are mixed, with ArDOT reporting ice patches on Hwy 41 between De Queen and Horatio, and on Hwy 71 between De Queen and Texarkana.

In Sevier County, the worst-affected areas are in the southeast corner around the communities of Cowlingsville and Brownstown, and the White Cliffs area. County roads in the area remain icy.

The Little River County Sheriff’s Office said the worst conditions in its county are around the Foreman, Winthrop and Wilton areas.

Back and side roads across the region likely remain dangerous.

Everyone is urged to stay home if possible and use extreme caution if they must travel.

Conditions will likely remain treacherous throughout the weekend as the snow cycles between thawing during the day and refreezing into ice at night. Tonight’s low is 15 degrees.

Local florist decorates float for Tournament of Roses Parade     1/10/25

PASADENA, Cali. – A local woman and business owner realized a longtime dream over Christmas when she helped prepare for one of the biggest celebrations in college football.

Jennifer Whisenhunt Jones is a local florist who operates her own shop in Winthrop. She recently returned from Pasadena, Cali., home of the Rose Bowl, where on New Years Day the Ohio Buckeyes outclassed the Oregon Duck 41-21. The game was attended by tens of thousands of fans, but attendance was dwarfed by the hundreds of thousands who lined up along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena to see the famous Tournament of Roses Parade.

Jones, with nearly four decades of experience in floral arrangements, was one of just a handful of florists from across the nation selected to decorate the floats featured in the parade. She and two other florists were provided a template for one of the 39 planned floats and tasked with decorating it top to bottom.

“My float had over 48,000 roses on it, just my float alone,” she said. “They were brought in by the truckload every day. I’ve never seen that many in my lifetime, as long as I’ve been in the business. There’s a lot of volunteer work that goes into this besides just us florists, and a lot that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t know about. It’s really interesting to see all that.”

Jones said decorating a Rose Bowl float has long been on her bucket list. As the name suggests, each float in the parade is decorated almost entirely in roses – an exciting opportunity for a florist.

“I’ve always dreamed of doing it and I’m so thankful I got the opportunity to do it,” she said. “It was so exciting, given I’ve been in this business for 38 years and owned my own shop for going on 11 years. It’s the only job I’ve ever had.”

Jones applied to be a florist for the Rose Bowl Parade during the summer. She was notified in September that she had been accepted. She left for California on Christmas day and began work the following day to prepare the float for the parade the morning of New Year’s Day.

“The weather was nice, a little cooler than I expected but that was great for the flowers,” she said. “At one point all 16 of the floats [our group completed] were in one big pavilion. You just can’t imagine how big these floats are, how beautiful they are, until you see them in person.”

Another high point of Jones’ experience was the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

“One thing I like about this industry is getting to make those long-lasting friendships through experiences like this. All this is really fun to do and seeing people making this happen together, it was really great.”

Jones already has her sights on another major dream for florists – decorating the White House.

“I’m definitely going to apply for that,” she said. “Also, this year I’m actually going to be an instructor at Arkansas National Florist in Little Rock and that’s very exciting.”

Jones said she’s thankful she had the opportunity to help decorate for this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade.

“It was so exciting for me and I can’t say enough how thankful I was for this chance,” she said. “It’s something not a lot of people in this industry get to do, so I was very excited and honored to be able to do it.”

Jennifer Whisenhunt Jones’ shop, called Jennifer’s Designs, is located at 303 Spring Street in Winthrop and she can be contacted at (903) 908-5173 or through Facebook.

Winter Storm nearing end, but danger of ice will persist for days     1/10/25

SEVIER COUNTY – The first winter weather of 2025 has about passed us by, leaving behind a wintry wonderland of snow. While the winter precipitation is over, the danger it poses isn’t.

Particularly, that’s because of the freeze-melt-refreeze cycle.

During the winter months, temperatures outside can fluctuate causing snow to melt and then refreeze. This process, (the freeze-melt-refreeze cycle) often results in a thin layer of ice on walkways and roadways — commonly referred to as “black ice.”

The presence of black ice creates unsafe walking conditions, since sidewalks and other walkways can be covered with clear ice that looks dark gray — like a wet sidewalk. This can be hazardous and is a huge threat to slip, trip and fall safety.

Similarly, black ice can result in hazardous driving conditions, since the ice is virtually transparent. Driving on black ice is particularly dangerous because the roadway can simply appear wet, so drivers may not recognize the slippery conditions until it’s too late.

Black ice typically forms at night or in the early morning when temperatures are at their lowest and the sun isn’t present to warm the roads. During the day, this hazard tends to form particularly on areas of the road not touched by sunlight, such as tree-lined streets, tunnels or less-traveled routes.

When you’re traveling, be sure to monitor the outside temperature to determine the potential for black ice and be especially mindful of bridges. Because bridges are surrounded by circulating open air, they cool faster than other roadways, causing black ice to form here first.

Common black ice areas include:

• Outside areas around buildings

• Around downspouts and parking lot drains

• In between vehicles in parking lots

Black Ice Safety Tips

To combat black ice, be vigilant about monitoring walking surfaces during periods of temperature fluctuations. Proper salting and surface treatment practices should be followed to help get rid of any ice areas that could cause injuries. If you encounter black ice while driving, remain calm. In general, it’s best to do as little as possible while allowing your car to pass over the ice. Do not hit the brakes and try to keep the steering wheel straight. If you feel the rear of your car sliding left or right, turn the steering wheel slightly in the same direction. Turning the wheel in the opposite direction could result in skidding or spinning out.

National Weather Service issues Winter Storm Warning for listening area     1/08/25

DE QUEEN – Just over a week into the new year, the region is bracing for a round of winter weather set to begin Thursday.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning early Wednesday morning for Sevier, Little River, Howard and Hempstead Counties, as well as McCurtain County in neighboring Oklahoma and portions of extreme Northeast Texas.

The warning goes into effect at 6 a.m. Thursday morning and will continue through noon on Friday. As of early Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service is predicting an 80 percent chance of snow on Thursday and 100 percent that evening. That will drop to a 60 percent chance of a snow/rain mixture Friday morning.

Between two and six inches of snow are expected, with higher amounts possible in some areas. The biggest fear is up to a half-inch of ice accumulation.

Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will  likely become slick and hazardous. The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes.

Sevier County OEM Coordinator Matt Webb said the best option for the public is to stay home and off the roads, if at all possible.

“That will help keep our first responders and wrecker crews from having to respond to an accident that could have been avoided,” he said. “There’s going to be times when people have to travel, but stay home if you can. Do your shopping before the storm hits. Our law enforcement, fire departments and wrecker crews are already going to be overwhelmed working accidents, so if people can stay home, that’ll help take that workload off them.”

Webb said people should take some time to prepare for the storm before it hits.

“I think people need to be prepared than get caught not prepared,” he said. “I was a kid in 2000 when that storm hit and I don’t know if anyone was prepared for that. I don’t think we’re going to get that kind of ice accumulation, but you can’t ever tell with these systems. There’s a lot of concern that the roads will freeze up after this system moves through, and that will make conditions dangerously slick.”

Webb noted that ArDOT crews were already out on Tuesday treating highways ahead of the system.

“They’ve done a real good job the last few years getting ahead of a system and treating the roads. I’m hoping and praying [the snow and ice] doesn’t accumulate as much as what the National Weather Service is thinking, but be prepared just in case.”

If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order. Keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.  Check out the latest road conditions in Arkansas by visiting www.iDriveArkansas.com or downloading the iDriveArkansas app.

Conditions could be particularly treacherous Friday night, when temperatures will drop to 15 degrees and likely freeze any snow that melted earlier in the day.

Fortunately, the incoming system is expected to be brief and conditions will return to normal – if still subfreezing at night – by the weekend. 

Warming Centers opened in Sevier County     1/08/25

SEVIER COUNTY – A number of Warming Centers have been organized in Sevier County to assist those in need during these subfreezing conditions and the possibility of winter weather later this week.

Those in need of a Warming Center are asked to call the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office at (870) 642-2125 to ensure availability and to organize a meet up at a particular location (these centers will be open only on an at-need basis).

Warming Centers in Sevier County include:
Avon
-Grace Baptist Church
Ben Lomond
-Ben Lomond Community Center
Central
-Central Community Building
De Queen
-First Baptist Church
-First Assembly of God Church
-Church of Christ
Gillham
-First Baptist Church
Horatio
-City Hall
-Retia Lynn Edmondson Center Community Building
-Assembly of God Church
Lockesburg
-First Baptist Church
-United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
Provo
-Provo Community Building

Replace of bridge on Red Bridge Road to begin next week     1/08/25

DE QUEEN – Construction is scheduled to begin next week to replace the eponymous bridge on Red Bridge Road.

Red Bridge Road from Highway 41/South Lakeside Drive to the intersection of Red Bridge Road and Gardner’s Chapel Road will be closed beginning Monday, Jan. 13 for replacement of the bridge. The project, estimated at just under $365,000, is expected to take three to four months.

Built in 1983, the bridge crosses Bear Creek just south of the De Queen city limits and sees on average almost 700 crossings each day (according to a 2018 data survey). Although the latest inspection graded the bridge as “Good,” Sevier County Judge Sandra Dunn said its time to replace the well-known crossing.

“It is. The bridge is weight-limited, so we have school buses, logging trucks and poultry trucks that are going over the bridge and exceeding the weight limit. It needs to be taken care of,” she said.

Detours for commuters who north on Red Bridge Road to Highway 41/South Lakeside Drive could include Beacon Hill Road to Highway 41 as well as Mt. Pleasant Drive to State Highway 329. Both intersections of Gardner’s Chapel Road will remain open.

Weather permitting, the bridge will open for use this spring.

The bridge, which was painted red, gave the road its name. For those wondering about the new bridge, Dunn said plans are to keep up tradition and paint it red as well.

Winter Storm Watch issued for listening area ahead of potential ice, heavy snow     1/07/25

DE QUEEN – Chances for wintry precipitation this week have grown enough that forecasters with the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch beginning Thursday morning and continuing through noon Friday.

The watch impacts all of Southwest Arkansas as well as portions of Southeast Oklahoma and Northeast Texas. According to the watch, heavy mixed precipitation is likely with snow accumulations of 2-6 inches and ice accumulations up to half an inch possible.

Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes.

Currently, there is a 70 percent chance of snow on Thursday and a 90 percent chance of heavy snow Thursday night. That will shift down to a 60 and then eventually 20 percent chance of a snow and rain combination on Friday. Thursday’s high is 34 with a low of 28, while Friday will see a high of 35 and a low of 17.

Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded. Remember, www.idrivearkansas.com (and the free iDriveArkansas App) provides real time highway travel conditions for the entire state and is a useful resource to check before traveling Arkansas highways. 

Temperatures are expected to begin warming up again this weekend and into the new week.

State Rep. DeAnn Vaught speaks at Rotary, previews Legislative Session     1/07/25

DE QUEEN – At the January 6 De Queen Rotary Club meeting at Micah 6:8, the club heard a preview of the upcoming Arkansas Legislative Session from State Representative DeAnn Vaught.

About to begin her sixth two-year term representing District 87, which includes all of Little River County and parts of Sevier and Howard Counties, Representative Vaught says that the Governor’s Office has not yet released an agenda for the session that begins on January 13. So, she doesn’t know entirely what to expect. 

Revenues are down for the state. Vaught attributed that reduction to three state income tax cuts passed by the General Assembly in 2024, rising inflation costs, and the fact that federal COVID-19 dollars have dried up. So, she doesn’t anticipate that any additional tax cuts will be passed this session. If revenues improve, Representative Vaught predicts that the legislature might consider another tax cut this fall. 

The last legislative session featured drastic changes to the K-12 education system. Vaught said there might be a few tweaks made in that area in the days ahead. However, she expects most of the attention to be addressed on higher education this time around. 

Mental health is another concern of Representative Vaught. The state needs more beds to serve mental health patients. Vaught said that prisoners, who can’t be released from mental hospitals because of crimes committed, should receive care inside the state prisons. In fact, she has requested that there be a section for prisoners with mental health issues included in the proposed 3,000 bed facility to be constructed in Franklin County.

Vaught said that the newly-elected Speaker of the House, Brian Evans of Cabot, won’t announce committee assignments until the first day of the legislative session on January 13. She believes that she’ll continue to serve on the Education & Public Health Committee as well as the Agriculture Committee. With her seniority in the House, Representative Vaught could possibly land a prominent role as chairperson of one of the committees.

Representative Vaught says that a number of bills have already been filed for the General Assembly to consider. A couple of the more interesting bills that have been filed include one that would legalize the purchase of raw milk at Farmers Markets, as well as a bill that would eliminate Daylight Saving Time in Arkansas. 

Representative Vaught was introduced by Rotarian Jay Bunyard, who arranged the program.

Guests at Monday’s meeting included Kaydee Cowling of De Queen, Leah Hanson, representing Transitions Counseling Clinic in De Queen, and Griffin Chandler, a student at UA-Fayetteville.

The Rotary Club will soon be re-launching its Boulevard of Flags program for patriotic holidays in 2025. Businesses and individuals will be asked to renew their participation, and new orders for flags will be accepted. All proceeds go to the many worthwhile local projects sponsored by the De Queen Club.

Subfreezing temps settle in across listening area, snow possible     1/06/25

DE QUEEN – Residents of the listening area are bracing for a wild shift in temperatures as a cold front entered the region Sunday night where it’s expected to settle for the rest of the week.

After a relatively balmy Sunday, the cold front along with some strong winds began entering the region last night. Residents woke up Monday morning to subfreezing temperatures.

A cold weather advisory is in effect through nine this morning as very cold wind chills will make it feel as cold as five degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Wind chill values can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.

This week’s high’s will rise just above the freezing point while lows are currently expected to be consistently around 20 degrees. There is currently a 30 percent chance of snow showers on Thursday, 70 percent that night and 50 percent Friday morning. Highs both Thursday and Friday are 36, and Saturday will rise to 44, so it’s not likely that snow will stick around for long, or at all.

We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on those chances and further weather related developments as the week progresses.

LRCO man, already on probation for battery, charged with injuring toddler    1/06/25

ASHDOWN – A Little River County man and a Texarkana woman have been arrested on charges of abuse and injury to a toddler.

29-year-old Bobby Kyle Gibson of Little River County was arrested on Christmas Day and charged with injury to a child. Gibson is currently being held in the Little River County Jail, however, Gibson has warrants with the Texarkana Texas Police Department on charges of injury to a child and child endangerment. A hold has been placed on Gibson by the Texarkana Police Department.

26-year-old Kelsey Allgor of Texarkana was also arrested and is being charged with injury to a child by the Texarkana Police Department. She was arrested in Dallas. Here child is being treated at a Dallas area children’s hospital.

According to the Texarkana Police Department, officers responded on Christmas Day to an injured child at a local apartment complex. According to the affidavit, it was determined that the child’s injuries were caused by Allgor’s boyfriend who was identified as Gibson. Investigators determined the injuries happened in Little River County. However, the investigation determined the alleged abuse dated to November and some of the abuse occurred in Texarkana, Texas.

Gibson was sentenced to three years probation in June of 2024 after pleading guilty to charges of terroristic threatening and domestic battery. A failure to comply warrant was issued on Monday, Jan. 6 alleging Gibson’s recent charges are in violation of the conditions of his probation.

 

 

ATV accident claims life of minor in Hempstead County    1/06/25

HEMPSTEAD COUNTY – Arkansas State Police have released a preliminary report regarding a fatal ATV crash that occurred on Dec. 30 near Spring Hill.

According to the report, a 2019 Polaris Ranger was traveling south on Hempstead County Road 5 when the vehicle left the roadway. The ATV then entered the ditch on the west side of the road, colliding with a culvert and overturning onto its driver’s side.

The incident tragically resulted in the death of one minor, while two others sustained injuries.

Emergency responders from the Spring Hill Volunteer Fire Department (SHVFD) were dispatched to the scene and began administering aid. Pafford EMS later arrived, and SHVFD established a landing zone at the Spring Hill High School football field for air transport.

The two injured individuals were flown to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock for treatment.

As per department policy, the names of the minor victims involved in motor vehicle accidents will not be released.

The incident remains under investigation.

Sevier County woman wins $200k on Arkansas scratch off    1/06/25

SEVIER COUNTY – One local lottery player wrapped 2024 with her biggest prize yet.

Judi D. of Sevier County won $200,000 playing Multiplier Mania, a $10 instant game. She claimed her prize at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) Claim Center on Dec. 31.

Judi purchased her winning ticket at B & B Store, 2467 US Highway 71 in Lockesburg. She had visited the convenience store earlier that day and bought two tickets for one of her favorite games: Multiplier Mania.

Although neither ticket held a prize, the Arkansan still held onto hopes for a big win. Judi purchased a third Multiplier Mania ticket and scratched it off in her car.

To her shock, the first square held the game’s $200,000 top prize. In disbelief, the Sevier County resident sent her daughter a photo of the ticket.

“I need you to tell me if we see the same thing,” Judi said.

Although she plays daily, the massive win surprised the Sevier County resident. She had been more than delighted with her previous biggest wins of $500 and $5,000.

“You always dream about it,” she told lottery officials. “You think, ‘What if this happens?’”

The lucky winner plans to make life more comfortable with her prize. She also intends to continue playing lottery games.

“My expectations are so high because now I know it can happen,” Judi said.

For more information about lottery games and how to play, visit MyArkansasLottery.com.

Lady Leopards continue win streak against Watson Chapel    1/06/25

PINE BLUFF – In what could be the first of multiple meetings against Watson Chapel, the De Queen girls stayed undefeated Friday with an impressive 72 to 63 road win. Watson Chapel is favored to win the 8-4A conference, so the Lady Leopards could see the Lady Wildcats again in the Regional Tournament and possibly the State Tournament. But Friday night in Pine Bluff belonged to De Queen in a hard fought contest.

De Queen led 34 to 30 at intermission. Emma Chambers hit a half court shot at the buzzer to give the Lady Leopards a 57 to 48 lead at the end of the third quarter. But Watson Chapel battled back to tie the game at 61. The De Queen girls finished the contest on an 11 to 2 run to seal the 72 to 63 win.

Both teams shot better than 50% from the floor. Although De Queen connected on three more three-pointers than Watson Chapel, the difference was at the free throw line where the Lady Leopards converted 13 of 17, while the Lady Wildcats hit only five of eight.

Shalyn Lyle, battling foul trouble, led De Queen with 17 points, including 15 in that decisive second half. Emma Chambers scored 16 and grabbed four steals. Landri Liggin also scored 16 with some big second half baskets to earn the McDonalds Player of the Night award. Jessie Lyle scored 10 and dished out five assists. Ellie Morphew led the rebounding charts with nine along with scoring six ponts. The Lady Leopards improved to 19 and 0 on the season.

In the boys contest, Watson Chapel opened the game on an 18 to 0 run and that was the difference as the Wildcats defeated the Leopards 52 to 32.

Sam Graham was the only Leopard in double figures with 10. Recording another double-double, Graham also grabbed 18 rebounds and was credited with four blocked shots. Alex Perez added eight points for De Queen.

The Leopards and Lady Leopards return home Tuesday night to host Waldron at the Coliseum. Airtime with Toney Stowers and Greg Revels will be at approximately 5:30 on your #1 Country 92.1.

“Polar vortex” threatens to drop temps to the lowest levels in years     12/31/24

SEVIER COUNTY – The listening area should brace for an unusual cold snap in the coming days, according to meteorologists who say an incoming polar vortex will plunge temperatures to the lowest levels in a decade.

A Fox Weather meteorologist predicted January has the potential to be the coldest on record since 2014. Temperatures are expected to begin dropping from the Rocky Mountains to the East Coast around Thursday, but the real plunge will set in with the new week.

The incoming polar vortex will bring wind chills across the Midwest dipping below zero, “exceptionally cold” temperatures down to 20 degrees below average in some places, and freezing conditions setting in as far south as the Gulf Coast and even into Florida.

Locally, based on predictions from the National Weather Service and Climate Prediction Center, temperatures in Sevier County are set to begin really dropping this Sunday with a low of 29 that night. Monday has a high of 43 and a lot of 19. Tuesday’s high is 41, the low is 22.

Next Thursday, Jan. 9, will see a low of 19 with a 60 percent chance of snow and flurries, according to AccuWeather. Friday will have a high of 34 and a low of 17. That is the only chance of winter precipitation, according to the website’s long range forecast.

Temperatures in Sevier County and the surrounding region will begin to warm back up the following week.

The cold is expected to persist throughout January, with relief coming once February rolls around.

Such plunges occur when the air currents that keep frigid air over the North Pole — the polar vortex — weaken, and the freezing arctic air slips south and pushes the vortex down with it.

That means arctic air is blasting over the US, while pressure changes and the motion of the polar vortex whip up high winds and create a perfect recipe for wintry weather.

Cold subsides when the vortex restabilizes and drives the arctic air back north.

January’s freeze-out comes after December started cold, but finished out unusually warm across most of the country.

That duality resulted in temperatures that were basically average for December, according to Fox Weather, but in stretches of the West, the warmth persisted throughout the month, bringing the average upward of 13 degrees above normal.

During the 2014 January polar vortex, more than 20 people across the country died from the cold as places like Arkansas — which rarely see serious cold — dealt with lows under 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cossatot River State Park hosting First Day Hike     12/31/24

WICKES – Arkansas State Parks provide an opportunity to commemorate the new year outdoors with First Day Hikes on Jan. 1, 2025, including locally at Cossatot River State park.

“Visiting a state park and participating in First Day Hikes is a special way to start off a new year in a healthy direction,” said Shea Lewis, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and director of Arkansas State Parks. “Our state parks offer year-round recreation and are an avenue for people to experience the outdoors and foster respect and stewardship for nature.”

This year there are more than 1,000 hikes available in state parks around the country.

As part of First Day Hikes in Arkansas, 46 ranger-led, guided hikes take place in 36 Arkansas State Park locations on Jan. 1. The hike start times, terrain difficulty and distances vary, but the aim is the same: to enjoy time outside with family and friends.

Cossatot River State Park will host its own First Day Hike on Jan. 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the beautiful and scenic Harris Creek Trail. Park staff will take hikers on the 3.5 mile Harris Creek Trail, where they’ll be able to experience a walk through the gorgeous hardwoods up to a bluff with a spectacular view of the Cossatot River as well as Harris and Baker Creeks. The trail is rated moderate to strenuous, but breaks will be taken as needed. Wear strudy shoes and weather appropriate clothing, and don’t forget to pack plenty of water.

A rundown of guided First Day Hikes at Arkansas State Parks can be found HERE. Self-guided hikes are also being encouraged as part of the event during “New Year Week,” Dec. 28-Jan. 5. Participants in First Day Hikes can also mark the occasion with a free “Hike Arkansas State Parks” sticker. You can receive one at the guided hike program you attend or, if going the self-guided route, by logging your hike into an entry form link HERE. More information, such as tips for planning your hike and details on how to share your First Day Hike photos, can be found via this link too.

Lady Leopards remain undefeated after dominating Holiday Hoops Tournament     12/30/24

BERRYVILLE – It may be a De Queen school record for the longest trip made to win a tournament. The Lady Leopards claimed the Berryville CS Bank Tournament Dec. 28 just south of the Missouri border.

In the Saturday final De Queen downed Mountain View 86-70.

The Yellow Jackets hit a half dozen threes in the first quarter. Erin Akins had three treys and 11 points in the period which ended with MVHS leading 22-20.  

Akins hit two more threes in the second quarter, but the rest of the Jackets could add only four points. Shalyn Lyle scored eight and Jessie Lyle five as De Queen added 18 points to lead at the half 38-32.

The Lady Leopards broke away in the third. Jessie Lyle had eight and Emma Chambers seven as part of a 25 point barrage that put DHS up 60-41 to begin the fourth.
De Queen added 26 more in the final period with Chambers supplying nine.

Shalyn Lyle scored 25 for the Lady Leopards. Chambers had 23. Jessie Lyle scored 16 and Lynli Liggin 10. Landri Liggin had seven and Ellie Morphew five.

De Queen committed a dozen fouls and sank 15 of 19 free throws.

Erin Akins led Mountain View with 29 points, including seven treys. Evvi Cooper had 15 points and Emma Akin 10.

The Yellow Jackets had 16 fouls and were perfect with 10 of 10 at the line.

DHS – Berryville
In the tournament semis the Lady Leopards topped the host team 64-29.
It was 19-6 after the first quarter. Emma Chambers scored seven points. Jessie and Shalyn Lyle had six each.

Jessie Lyle added seven points in the second and Landri Liggin five. De Queen led 37-14 at the half.

The gap grew to 56-24 by the end of the third.

Jessie Lyle scored 24 points, Shalyn Lyle 16, Landri Liggin 11, Chambers seven, Lynli Liggin four and Brielle Cooper two.

The Lady Leopards hit three of eight free throws and committed 11 fouls.
Paise Thurman had 11 points for Berryville. BHS had 10 fouls and made two of two at the foul line.

DHS – Green Forest
De Queen’s trip through the tourney began with a 68-26 win over Green Forest.
It was a mismatch from the tip-off. Emma Chambers scored 13 points in the initial period. Shallyn Lyle added eight as DHS took a 26-3 lead.

Landri Liggin put in a pair of threes and eight points total in the second period. Lyle addeed another seven. The half time tally was 44-12. It was 63-23 at the end of three.
Seven players scored for De Queen. Chambers had 22 points, Shalyn Lyle 18, Landri Liggin 18, Lynli Liggin four, Azulenny Ponce three, Jessie Lyle two and Kailynn Klitz one.

Chambers had four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jessie Lyle made five steals and five assists. Shalyn Lyle made six steals and five rebounds. Landri Liggin had five rebounds, three steals and three assists.

DHS had 14 fouls and converted 11 of 20 free throw attempts.

Green Forest had 14 fouls and made six of 11 at the foul line. Smally had eight points.

The excursion to Berryville was something new for De Queen coach Bret Burgess. “This was my first time in Berryville. It was a very well run tournament. Everything was top notch,” he said.

“We played a quality team in the finals. I think they can make a run in the AAA state tournament. They have quality guards and plenty of shooters. It was good for our kids to see that.

“Emma, Shalyn and Jessie carried us offensively. Landri Liggin had her best defensive game of the season. Ellie was very solid rebounding. Lynli Liggin gave us a huge boost coming off the bench.”

De Queen has one more lengthy road trip before getting into conference play. On Jan. 3 the Leopards will travel to Pine Bluff to take on Watson Chapel. Burgess is anticipating a battle. “They are the favorite to win their conference,” he noted.

It is possible De Queen and WCHS will play more than once this season. “They will be in our regional,” Burgress predicted.

De Queen is scheduled to play at home Jan. 7 when the Leopards host Waldron. Conference play will begin Jan. 10 with a trip to Nashville.

Youth Modern Gun Deer Hunt this weekend     12/30/24

DE QUEEN – The second of Arkansas’ two Special Youth Modern Gun Deer Hunts kicks off this weekend.

The special youth hunt will be open Jan. 4-5 in all Arkansas hunting zones. The first of the two special youth hunts was held in early November.

All youth hunters are reminded they must have a free customer ID number. Those numbers can be obtained by visiting agfc.com.

Only hunters six to 15-years-old may harvest deer during this weekends special youth modern gun deer hunt. Youths who have not completed hunter education must be under the direct supervision of an adult at least 21 years old. Mentors may not hunt any species during the hunt. All zone bag limits apply during the youth hunt and the use of dogs is prohibited.

Bowhunters may hunt during the youth hunt, but must wear hunter orage or chartreuse. Some WMAs and NWRs have permit-based youth seasons, or are otherwise closed to hunting during youth season, so make sure to check local regulations.

Arkansas’ deer season comes to an official close with the end of archery on Feb. 28.

LIHEAP winter assistance application period opens Jan. 6     12/30/24

DE QUEEN – The Central Arkansas Development Council’s 2025 LIHEAP assistance program will begin accepting applications Jan. 6, 2025.

The program assists with paying utilities and will also provide crisis assistance. LIHEAP, or Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, uses federal funds dispersed by CADC to lower the energy burden for households by helping with home energy bills—heating costs during the winter and cooling costs during the summer for those who qualify as funds remain available.

The office will only accept applications on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from the hours of 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The De Queen office is located at 821 Walter Leeper Drive in the De Queen Senior Citizens Center. Call (870) 982-9701.

Online applications will be available beginning Jan. 13, 2025 at www.cadc.com.

Documents needed are a driver’s license, social security cards for all members of the household, proof of income from the previous month, and utility bills.

Full program requirements and eligibility guidelines can be found at www.cadc.com.

Arkansas to rejoin Summer EBT Program     12/30/24

Arkansas will participate in a new federal food assistance program to help ensure children aren’t missing meals during the summer months.

Earlier this month, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Arkansas will join the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT) this upcoming summer. The program will provide qualifying families with $120 in food benefits per child.

“Making sure no Arkansan goes hungry, especially children, is a top concern for my administration. We are leveraging every resource at our disposal to fight this crisis, and Summer EBT promises to be an important new tool to give Arkansas children the food and nutrition they need. I am thankful to Senator Boozman for his leadership on this issue and to our many stakeholders like the Hunger Alliance. We will continue to engage with our partners in the public and private sector to reduce food insecurity across the state,” said Governor Sanders.

The additional benefits will be delivered via pre-loaded EBT cards, like those used in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Children who receive SNAP benefits are already qualified for the new program. In addition, Arkansas students who participate in their school’s free or reduced lunch program will also qualify for Summer EBT.

The program is funded entirely through federal resources.

Remember city ordinances, safety tips when lighting fireworks     12/30/24

DE QUEEN – Just in time for the New Year’s, the City of De Queen is reminding the public of the City’s rules surrounding fireworks and when they can be enjoyed.

For New Year’s, the use of fireworks in the city limits is prohibited except on Dec. 31 between 11 a.m. and midnight. The city, however, prohibits the lighting of any aerial firework attached to a stick, commonly referred to as a bottle rocket, or any other similar device.

In addition, city officials are reminding the public that it is illegal to deploy fireworks on private property without the property owner’s consent. Deploying fireworks on city-owned property is also illegal.

Illegal use of fireworks in De Queen is punishable by a fine up to $200 as well as possible community service.

Finally, the city prohibits the sale of fireworks within the city limits. Stands are beginning to open up on the edges of town as allowed under state law.

Sevier County has no specific regulations in regards to fireworks; however, county residents are reminded that a 2021 noise ordinance prohibits any “loud and disturbing noises” between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and between midnight and 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

This is also a good time to go over some fireworks safety reminders. According to the National Safety Council, thousands of people are injured each year due to fireworks, which also start an average of 18,500 fires each year.

Some safety tips to always keep in mind include:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks, and older children should use them only under close adult supervision

• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol

• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear

• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands

• Never light them indoors

• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material

• Never point or throw fireworks at another person

• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting

• Never ignite devices in a container

• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks

• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding

• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire

• And, just to be safe, never use illegal fireworks

De Queen High School earns two prestigious awards     12/24/24

DE QUEEN – De Queen High School is the recipient of two prestigious honors recognizing the school’s commitment to academic excellence and student success. 

The school has been awarded the 2024 College Success Award from GreatSchools and named among the 2025 Best Schools in America by Niche, the leading college and school search platform.

As part of Niche’s 2025 rankings, De Queen High School earned the distinction of being ranked seventh in Best School Districts in Arkansas. This prestigious ranking reflects the school’s exceptional performance, including academic excellence, extracurricular opportunities, and feedback from students, parents, and alumni.

The GreatSchools College Success Award celebrates public high schools that excel at preparing students for college enrollment and success. De Queen High School is one of 1,436 schools in 19 states to receive this recognition, highlighting its strong track record of graduating students who are ready for college-level coursework and persist to their second year of postsecondary education.

“We are so excited about both of these awards. Our school board, teachers, staff, and students work extremely hard!” said Audrey Chandler, Principal at De Queen High School. Chandler continued, “It takes a village, and we have an outstanding village!”

De Queen High School attributes its success to a combination of best practices, including:

● Providing access to rigorous academic offerings both within school and through extracurricular programs.

● Systematically identifying and supporting students at risk of adverse academic outcomes.

● Offering robust academic and college counseling to prepare students for future success.

“We applaud De Queen High School for prioritizing a high-quality public education that puts students on the path to bright futures,” said Jon Deane, CEO of GreatSchools. “It’s inspiring to see how an entire school community — students, teachers, and families — can work together in pursuit of a common goal: success for all.”

De Queen High School extends its gratitude to the staff, students, parents, and the broader community for their ongoing support, which makes these national recognitions possible.

Memorial Missionary hosts annual Christmas meal giveaway     12/24/24

DE QUEEN – Members of Memorial Missionary Baptist Church gathered this past Saturday to host their annual Christmas Meal Giveaway to give away and deliver hundreds of meals to people in the community.

Joanie Patterson helped lead the effort and said this year marked the church’s eighth annual event.

“We just want to give back to the community and we felt like this was a way we could help those in need right now,” said Patterson. “We’ve done it for eight years and love every minute of it.”

The church gave away meals on site in De Queen and also delivered to those around town and in Horatio. Over 300 pre-registered to receive meals but church members were preparing even more just in case.

“We took lists around town, but we also do a drive through so we expect to give away all 450 meals we prepared,” said  Patterson.

Preparations for the annual Christmas meal giveaway begins early the morning of the event.

“We start preparing about a month ahead and a lot of us get here around seven in the morning,” said Patterson. ” Our youth help too and that’s a great thing for them to see and help with as well.”

Patterson said help from outside the church is always welcome and everyone is invited to learn more about Memorial Missionary by attending the next service.

“Our services start at 9:45 a.m., Sunday School and church starts around 10:45 a.m., nightly services Wednesday night is 6:30 and Sunday night is six. We welcome anybody to come and share our services with us.”

 

Sevier County Medical Center receives national recognition     12/24/24

De Queen Elementary receives grant for outdoor science classroom     12/24/24

DE QUEEN – De Queen Elementary School has received a grant from the Arkansas Farm Bureau Foundation to build an outside science center for third through fifth grades.

The $5,000 grant is designed to help students learn about the environment and its stewardship, as well as aspects about agriculture, plants and wildlife.

“We have a really great spot for an outdoor learning environment already, but this is going to be something that’s specific for our science classes,” said Maralyn Faulkenberry, a math and science facilitator at De Queen Elementary School.

“When this grant was brought to my attention by Mrs. [Misty] Gentry, we knew that we wanted this to be purposeful and we like to attach everything to our mission statement. And part of our mission statement says that students will grow in math, literacy, and science,” she added.

The purpose of the new project is aimed at helping students learn about the environment and how to take care of an area, explore learning and make experiments. Students will be able to grow plants, observe wildlife, erosion, collect data and see the impact this has on bringing science to life.

“We think this is going to make a huge measurable and memorable impact on our students by getting them outside, doing hands-on science and hopefully encouraging them to pursue science-related fields as they get older,” Faulkenberry said.

The grant  will be used to purchase equipment and other items to furnish the interactive outdoor learning environment for De Queen elementary students. That will include raised flower beds and planters, a shaded growing area, a greenhouse, bird feeders, gardening tools and other related items.
De Queen Elementary School hopes to have the new outdoor science center ready for the 2025-26 school year.

First State Bank of De Queen hosts annual Customer Appreciation Day     12/24/24

Legacy Academy hosts annual day of service     12/24/24

By Ben Wright, Legacy Academy

LOCKESBURG – Legacy Academy recently held its annual Christmas Service Project on Friday, December 20, in the school’s auditorium, with a special focus on honoring the senior citizens and local community servants who make a difference in Lockesburg. The whole-school event recognized the dedicated efforts of first responders, firefighters, law enforcement officers, healthcare workers, and other essential service providers.

The celebration, which began at 1:00 PM, brought together these valued community members for an afternoon filled with acts of service and festive cheer. Guests were treated to a variety of complimentary services, including gift wrapping, car vacuuming, games, and delicious holiday treats. To mark the occasion, attendees were also gifted handmade wreaths and Christmas ornaments to take home as a token of appreciation.

This year’s Christmas Service Project exemplified Legacy Academy’s commitment to serving the Lockesburg community, and with many in attendance expressing heartfelt thanks, the event was a powerful reminder of the importance of community and service.

The success of the day underscores Legacy Academy’s dedication to honoring those who serve others while providing an opportunity for students to engage in hands-on expressions of gratitude. It was a day of celebration and connection that will be remembered by all who participated.

Local Conservation District, NRCS office spread Christmas cheer     12/24/24

Sevier Chamber hosts ribbon-cutting for Dina’s Kitchen     12/24/24

Great yields a bright spot in a turbulent year for agriculture     12/24/24

By Mary Hightower, UAEX

A season of weather that enabled both early planting and harvest ended in record or near-record yields for several crops in Arkansas. But it wound up being overshadowed by low commodity prices and tumult surrounding development of the next Farm Bill and aid to farmers.

Ag law and policy

Creation of a Farm Bill to replace the current 2018 legislation has been a source of frustration in agriculture. Hard-pressed by high input prices, extremely low commodity prices, drought and hurricanes, farmers urged lawmakers to update the Farm Bill’s reference prices. Failing that, they pressed Congress for ad hoc aid. The additional effort failed in early December.

Hunter Biram, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said “it is very likely that the 2018 Farm Bill will once again see another extension.”

The ag committees of both the U.S. House and Senate have been working on a new Farm Bill.

Arkansas Sen. Boozman had been serving as the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and will become its chair in January. Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who has chaired the committee since 2021, announced her retirement. Her term ends in January.

Farmers were also watching the Environmental Protection Agency, which had pledged to give the Endangered Species Act a bigger role as it reviewed and approved pesticides. A federal judge also vacated registrations on some dicamba products.

Near year’s end, a federal judge in Texas put a temporary hold on the Corporate Transparency Act, which was expected to affect some 230,000 farm operations. CTA required businesses to file information about beneficial owners by Dec. 31.

In December, a federal judge in Arkansas put a 14-day restraining order on an Arkansas law that restricted foreign ownership of farmland. Plaintiffs said the law was unconstitutional. Similar laws intended to increase national and food security were enacted or under consideration in 48 states.

Arkansas became the first state to take an enforcement action under its law in 2023, ordering ChemChina to divest its holdings in Craighead County.

Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center, called 2024 “a blockbuster year of court decisions and other legal developments.

“It’s hard to imagine how 2025 can top it, but I have a feeling it will,” he said.

Row crops
Arkansas growers were treated to a warm, dry spring enabling early planting. They also saw dry weather in late summer, providing the grounds for a speedy harvest. In between, the remnants of two hurricanes, Francine and Helene, caused damage to crops in spots.

Drought in the upper Mississippi River and Ohio River valleys dropped Mississippi River levels to near record-low levels at Memphis, Tennessee, by harvest time. The Coast Guard had to implement draft restrictions on barges at a time when they were to be filled with grain for export.

The river levels at Memphis rebounded slightly but sank to minus 6.59 feet by Dec. 12.

Arkansas soybean growers were expected to see a 55-bushel-per-acre average yield, a new record.

“Even though it’s a little better than last year, farmers are still hurting because commodity prices have declined, and the expenses are still higher,” said Jeremy Ross, professor and extension soybean agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Corn acres took a big drop in 2024 — 41 percent lower than the previous year. November’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, or NASS, report showed 485,000 acres of corn were harvested with an expected state average yield of 186 bushels per acre. It was one bushel per acre less than the record.

“Both wheat and sorghum have a similar problem in Arkansas,” said Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

“You don’t have local markets for it. You can haul that most of the time to the Mississippi River, and there’s some other inland places a little closer taking it. But there are only about 10 places buying wheat here. And grain sorghum is really the same way.”

Arkansas cotton growers harvested 640,000 acres. Although this was a 30,000-acre decrease from spring projections, it was still a substantial increase of 135,000 acres over 2023 harvest numbers.

Arkansas peanuts experienced an explosion in acreage this year, rising by 10,000 acres over 2023’s reported acreage to 44,000 acres. Zachary Treadway, extension peanut and cotton specialist, said it’s likely that the expansion in acreage does not represent new growers moving into the crop, but rather the same growers expanding their peanut efforts.

NASS expected rice to end the season at 7,600 pounds per acre, 30 pounds shy of the record set in 2021.

“There are still no surprises on the rice side,” said Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the Division of Agriculture. “Unfortunately, milling yields aren’t represented in production estimates but will have a profound impact on rice supplies and markets this year.”

“Profitability isn’t in the 2025 vocabulary,” Hardke said.

Cattle/forage
Cattle prices remained high in 2024, but high input prices and weather-related forage issues kept ranchers from seeing wide profit margins.

 “With still-high input costs, we’re seeing a big pool of heifers into the feed yards, and guys aren’t purchasing heifers to raise and put back into our national herd, so our national herd numbers are still going down,” said Maggie Justice, assistant professor and extension beef cattle specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

A wet spring and dry summer made hay cuttings somewhat tenuous.

“In general, I would say statewide we were at 80 percent of our production potential, but in our really drought-affected areas we lost maybe half or more of our production,” said Jonathan Kubesch, extension forage specialist for the Division of Agriculture. “We had a lot of armyworm pressure dry spell and we were offset on our hay cut schedule.” 

Poultry
The relentless march of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, kept the poultry and dairy industry on edge in 2024.

However, as of mid-December, Arkansas saw no commercial HPAI infections in 2024, said Jada Thompson, assistant professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

She attributed Arkansas’ decrease in HPAI detections to its climate and geographical location. The current HPAI strain, H5N1, travels through wildlife along the Mississippi Flyway but does not do as well in warmer environments like Arkansas, Thompson noted.

The decrease in commercial infections does not mean Arkansas is out of the woods, as Dustan Clark, extension poultry health veterinarian for the Division of Agriculture, explained.

In December, three positive HPAI detections were found in backyard flocks in Lafayette, Craighead and Pope Counties.

Specialty crops

This year’s warm spring brought the strawberries out earlier than usual, leaving growers scrambling to let customers know they didn’t have to wait until near Mother’s Day for berries.

Strawberry growers may be dealing with “Neo-P,” “an emerging disease that made headlines in 2019 and 2020 when it was first reported to severely impact strawberry production in Florida,” said Aaron Cato, extension horticulture integrated pest management specialist for the Division of Agriculture.”

The disease poses no problem to people. Cato said Neo-P could be managed with good cultural control.

Jackie Lee, director of the Fruit Research Station, named this year’s blackberry season “early bird” because of the warm temps in February.

“I have never seen such a synchronous bloom in blackberries, and just so much, and so early,” Lee said during the annual Blackberry Field Day in June at the Division of Agriculture’s Fruit Research Station in Clarksville.

Looking back at the station’s weather data, the average temperature for February was 63 degrees. It was about 10 degrees higher than the previous two years in February, a month that also brought temperatures 10 to 15 degrees below normal in 2021. The higher temperatures this year “got blackberries off to a good start,” Lee said, and a dry April allowed the station to increase its experimental variety crossings.

Forestry
In 2024, it was win one, lose one for the forestry industry. In August, AHF Products closed its Warren flooring plant, causing the loss of 130 jobs and an estimated decline of $36 million in the state’s gross domestic product, according to an analysis from the Arkansas Center for Forest Business. However, in December, Weyerhaeuser announced it was investing $500 million in the state-of-the-art TimberstrandÒ facility to produce laminated strand lumber in Drew County.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello, also in Drew County and the state’s only forestry school, broke ground on its Arkansas Forest Health Research Center in October. During the event, state Attorney General Tim Griffin announced UAM would receive $1 million from his office to support the center.

Keeping wildlife violation fines local through youth grants     12/20/24

SEVIER COUNTY  – Local school districts received over $12,000 in grants in 2024 through a state program funded by fines from wildlife violations.

In total, school districts and conservation agencies in Sevier County received $12,612 through the Arkansas Game and Fish Wildlife Conservation Education Grant Program. The grants included over $8,600 to the Cossatot Conservation District to purchase equipment for its youth shooting sports programs.

De Queen High School received a further $3,000 to purchase materials for its own youth shooting sports and Archery in the Schools (AIS) programs.

De Queen Primary School also received $1,000 to purchase butterfly kits for its students.

In Little River County, the Ashdown School District received $5,641.54 for its youth shooting sports program while Foreman High School received $3,500.

In Polk County, Cossatot River Elementary School received $1,258 to purchase items for its Archery in the School (AIS) programs. Cossatot River High School received a further $1,259 grant for its youth shooting sports program.

In total, the program provided more than $537,000 in conservation grants to Arkansas school districts in 2024. The funds are administered through a partnership between the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Rural Services Division and the AGFC.

The program has approximately $10,190 in available funding in Sevier County for 2025. Applications for grant proposals were submitted in October.

The grant program is entirely funded by fines collected from wildlife violation convictions. Fines from wildlife violations are not used for vehicles, salaries or other operations conducted by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. In fact, it never really leaves the county where it was collected. Instead, those dollars are given to the AEDC, which fulfills grant requests for conservation education in that county.

Any school or conservation district in Arkansas may apply for these grants, regardless of size or population.

The following activities meet the criteria for funding:

-Field trips to AGFC nature centers, hatcheries or wildlife management areas
-AGFC-sponsored archery and trap programs
-AGFC-sponsored educator workshops
-Schoolyard wildlife and butterfly habitats
-Outdoor classroom supplies
-Wildlife biology or recreation supplies
-Conservation education materials

More information on the program, visit www.agfc.com/conservationgrants.

Sevier County’s Jacob Seymour seeking statewide 4-H office     12/20/24

DE QUEEN – The Sevier County Extension Office would like to announce that Jacob Seymour of De Queen is running for an Arkansas 4-H State Officer position.

Sevier County 4-H’ers Jacob Seymour and Kyle Williamson made an impact at the 104th 4-H National Congress recently held in Atlanta, Georgia. The five-day national event is intended to help 4-H members expand their skills, engage with other members and to inspire them to make an impact in their communities.

National 4-H Congress is aimed at immersing high school 4-H members in leadership, civic engagement, global awareness, and inclusion. Participants engaged in educational workshops, heard from distinguished speakers, and networked with peers from across the country. Delegates also contributed to service-learning projects in Atlanta.

Both Seymour and Williamson had the opportunity to attend because of their devotion to 4-H and by winning Advance Record Book. Jake is the son of Debbie and Justin Seymour. He was named 2022 Arkansas Teen Star and is currently an Arkansas State Ambassador. Kyle Williamson is the son of Ronnie and Tiffany Williamson of De Queen. He was named a 2022 Arkansas Teen Star and currently serves as a 4-H Arkansas State Ambassador.

“Not only did they advocate for Arkansas 4-H, but they represented Sevier County with pride,” said Sevier County Extension Agent Rex Herring. “Both 4-H’ers have great leadership skills and their roles in our community will only help create a brighter future for us.”

Enjoy a First Day Hike at Cossatot River State Park     12/20/24

WICKES – Arkansas State Parks provide an opportunity to commemorate the new year outdoors with First Day Hikes on Jan. 1, 2025, including locally at Cossatot River State park.

“Visiting a state park and participating in First Day Hikes is a special way to start off a new year in a healthy direction,” said Shea Lewis, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and director of Arkansas State Parks. “Our state parks offer year-round recreation and are an avenue for people to experience the outdoors and foster respect and stewardship for nature.”

First Day Hikes have been a statewide event for Arkansas State Parks since 2014 and have become an annual tradition for many. Some return to the same park each year while others seek out a new park experience to try out for it. The project is part of a nationwide event for all of America’s State Parks and is coordinated by the National Association of State Park Directors.

“State parks offer an incredible variety of outdoor experiences, showcasing the unique natural and cultural features of each region,” said Lewis Ledford, President and CEO of the National Association of State Park Directors. “Whether you’re trekking through snowy trails in the Rockies or enjoying mild southern breezes, First Day Hikes are the perfect way to start the New Year outdoors and connect with the beauty of our public lands.”

This year there are more than 1,000 hikes available in state parks around the country.

As part of First Day Hikes in Arkansas, 46 ranger-led, guided hikes take place in 36 Arkansas State Park locations on Jan. 1. The hike start times, terrain difficulty and distances vary, but the aim is the same: to enjoy time outside with family and friends.

Cossatot River State Park will host its own First Day Hike on Jan. 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the beautiful and scenic Harris Creek Trail. Park staff will take hikers on the 3.5 mile Harris Creek Trail, where they’ll be able to experience a walk through the gorgeous hardwoods up to a bluff with a spectacular view of the Cossatot River as well as Harris and Baker Creeks. The trail is rated moderate to strenuous, but breaks will be taken as needed. Wear strudy shoes and weather appropriate clothing, and don’t forget to pack plenty of water.

“We are thrilled that the First Day Hikes event has grown into such a special tradition for so many people,” said Kelly Farrell, chief of interpretation and program services for the Division of Arkansas State Parks. “This year, we are excited to continue with this national event taking place in 50 state park systems. We hope you enjoy starting 2025 outdoors, kicking off the new year with a healthy, invigorating activity and fun memories. Whether you go a quarter mile or a dozen, you are part of the First Day Hikes movement and part of something huge and exciting.”

A rundown of guided First Day Hikes at Arkansas State Parks can be found HERE. Self-guided hikes are also being encouraged as part of the event during “New Year Week,” Dec. 28-Jan. 5. Participants in First Day Hikes can also mark the occasion with a free “Hike Arkansas State Parks” sticker. You can receive one at the guided hike program you attend or, if going the self-guided route, by logging your hike into an entry form link HERE. More information, such as tips for planning your hike and details on how to share your First Day Hike photos, can be found via this link too.

Gov. Sanders urges Congress to pass Kids Online Safety Act before 2025     12/20/24

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is calling on federal legislators to pass a bill circulating the U.S. Congress that would regulate how and when children can access social media.

The statistics on mental health issues among youth are staggering. Almost half of U.S. teens have experienced bullying or harassment online. Between 2010 and 2019, teen depression rates doubled, with teenage girls seeing the sharpest increase. In 2021, almost a third of girls said they seriously considered attempting suicide.

A New York Times article cited a study claiming children between the ages of 8 and 12 spend an average of over 5 hours per day on their screens, while teenagers log over 8 hours every day.

This week, Sanders addressed a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and said that she has seen firsthand the rise in mental illness among the younger generations.

“I am writing in support of the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a critical piece of legislation to ensure our kids’ safety online,” Sanders wrote. “I am the Governor of Arkansas, but I am also a mom to three, and I have seen firsthand the alarming rise in mental illness among my kids’ generation.”

The governor wrote that major tech companies know their algorithms are harming kids and it’s time for lawmakers to act.

“Big Tech companies know their algorithms are harming kids. They have been given chance after chance to fix the problem themselves; now, it is time for lawmakers to take action,” the governor wrote. “These companies are spending millions of dollars lobbying against legislation that installs commonsense safeguards on their platforms, and millions more suing states like Arkansas that take preventative steps to protect kids. It is time for a federal fix to this nationwide problem.”

According to a report from the Associated Press in July, Congress hasn’t passed a law to protect children on the internet in 26 years.

“The last time Congress passed a law to protect children on the internet was in 1998 — before Facebook, before the iPhone and long before today’s oldest teenagers were born,” the report said.

In the AP’s report, it said that if KOSA passed, it would require companies to take reasonable steps to prevent harm on online platforms that minors are likely to use.

“They would have to “prevent and mitigate” harms to children, including bullying and violence, the promotion of suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual exploitation and advertisements for illegal products such as narcotics, tobacco or alcohol,” the Associated Press said.

In her letter, the governor said that unrestricted social media use for kids is an “unmitigated disaster.”

“America experimented with unrestricted social media use for our kids and the results of that experiment are clear: it is an unmitigated disaster,” the governor wrote. “We need to reverse these alarming trends and protect kids online. I urge you to act quickly to pass KOSA before the end of the year and protect our children.”

She also highlighted the bestselling book, The Anxious Generation, by Dr. Jonathan Haidt which highlights the potentially destructive nature of social media usage at an early age.

“[Dr. Haidt] has been a clear voice on this issue. I sent a copy of his book to every legislator in Arkansas and every governor in the country, hoping to spur a nationwide movement to get our kids off screens. Arkansas was the first state in the country to enact age limits on social media – though Big Tech companies are suing us and have blocked our policies in court. Last summer, our state rolled out a statewide program to give schools resources to go phone-free. Last week, I hosted Dr. Haidt over two days, touring schools, and speaking to teachers, students, and parents, and hearing about how social media and smartphones are disrupting classrooms, fueling mental health problems, and interfering with childhood development.”

Winners of De Queen, Lockesburg Christmas Parades     12/20/24

SEVIER COUNTY – The Sevier County Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the 2024 Sevier County Christmas Parade, held Dec. 7 around the courthouse square in downtown De Queen.

Winners by category are as follows:

Business/Commercial:

1^st Place – Tortas Chomis Restaurant

2^nd Place – Southern Fringe Salon

3^rd Place – Southwest Arkansas Electric REA

Organizational:

1^st Place – Goin’ Showin’ 4-H Club

2^nd Place – Sevier County Medical Center

3^rd Place – DHS Cheerleaders

Religious:

1^st Place – St. Barbara Catholic Church

2^nd Place – New Zion Baptist Church

3^rd Place – Memorial Missionary Church

Recreational:

1^st Place – Grannis Trail Riders

2^nd Place – Lavonna Wright

3^rd Place – Low Locs Lowrider Car Club

The chamber of commerce expressed its gratitude to everyone who made this year’s Christmas parade a truly wonderful event, including De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown, Sevier County Judge Sandra Dunn, the De Queen Police Department and local fire departments, the chamber of commerce board of directors, volunteers and students.

—

The City of Lockesburg has announced the winners of its 2024 Christmas Parade, held this past Saturday, Dec. 7.

The winners by category are as follows:

Business:

1^st Place – Cake it Easy

2^nd Place – Sevier County CO-OP

Organization:

1^st Place – Goin Showin 4-H

2^nd Place – Sevier County Republican Party

3^rd Place – Legacy Academy

Religious:

1^st Place – Lighthouse Church

2^nd Place – Grace Country Church

3^rd Place – Try Jesus Foundation

Recreational:

1^st Place – Lavonna Wright

2^nd Place – Wayne Smith

3^rd Place – Grannis Trail Riders

Ashdown man sentenced to 40 years prison for CSAM     12/19/24

ASHDOWN – An Ashdown man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of possession of child sex abuse material.

According to court records, 26-year-old Bine Ray Whisenhunt pleaded guilty on Dec. 3 to four counts of possessing explicit matter depicting children. Each count carries a 10 year sentence for a total of 40 years. Six additional counts were suspended. Upon his release, Whisenhunt will be required to register as a Level IV sex offender.

According to the arrest affidavit, a federal search warrant was issued Jan. 24 through the Western District of Arkansas for Whisenhunt’s Ashdown residence. The warrant was issued following a cyber tip to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) alleging more than 200 images depicting child sexual abuse material were uploaded by a phone traced to Whisenhunt.

Whisenhunt was originally charged with 10 felony counts of distributing, possessing, or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child.

The investigation was conducted by the Ashdown Police Department and the FBI.

Whisenhunt was being held on a $250,000 bond in the Little River County Detention Center.

Court approves evaluation for De Queen charged with attempted murders     12/19/24

DE QUEEN – This month’s trial for a Sevier County man charged with five counts of attempted murder has been postponed to allow the state to determine if he is fit to proceed in the criminal case.

According to court records, 37-year-old Kenneth Lee Smith was scheduled to appear before a jury trial Dec. 16-19. Smith, who has pleaded not guilty, is charged with attempted capital murder, aggravated residential burglary, first-degree battery and four counts of attempted murder

In a court order dated Dec. 5, the state has granted a request by Smith’s attorney to undergo a mental examination by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist with the Arkansas Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. The examiner will will determine if Smith possesses a degree of intellectual or mental impairment that would impact his fitness to proceed in the criminal case.

If the court determines that Smith lacks fitness to proceed, the proceedings will be suspended. The court could then commit the defendant to the custody of the Department of Human Services for detention, care and treatment

If Smith is found to be fit, and if he is convicted, the range of offenses could see him serving up to 40 years or life imprisonment.

Smith remains in the Sevier County Jail on a $1 million cash-only bond.

Smith’s charges stem from an incident that began following a report of a domestic disturbance at the residence on Sweet Home Lane. Upon arrival, the responding Sevier County deputy was met with gunfire and his patrol unit was hit with multiple rounds. Smith then reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle, leading to the subsequent pursuit.

Smith allegedly fired as pursuing officers. A round struck Bradshaw, who continued his pursuit for some time before withdrawing to seek medical attention. Fortunately, he recovered quickly and fully.

Smith was later located in Little River County with the assistance of dog and horse teams, as well as drones and an Arkansas State Police helicopter. The manhunt lasted several hours before Smith was apprehended without further incident.

Annual Lace Lane Festival of Lights is this weekend near De Queen     12/19/24

DE QUEEN – Everyone is invited to come by and enjoy the annual Lace Lane Festival of Lights near De Queen this weekend.

The Festival of Lights will be held from 6-8 p.m. this Friday and again this Saturday. Lace Lane is located two miles north of De Queen on N. Ninth Street. The community is invited to come see the thousands of lights that make up Lace Lane as well as meet with Santa and take photos. There will be gifts for children who attend. Donations will be accepted to help send the De Queen High School Quiz Bowl Team to the National Competition in 2025.

Homeowners along Lace Lane put a tremendous amount of effort decorating in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It all started more than two decades ago when Thomas and Donna Sweeten began transforming their property into a dazzling array of Christmas lights and decorations. From a dragon in a pond to a full choir, a variety of nativity scenes and over 100 Santa figures, the scene is something everyone can enjoy.

Thomas has said in the past the decorations are his family’s way of sharing their enjoyment of Christmas for the whole community.

If you can’t make it to the Festival of Lights this weekend, no worries: the lights are up now and will be available for viewing through Christmas and the New Year.

Local Christmas week closings     12/19/24

DE QUEEN – Area banks, government offices and many businesses will be closed Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday.

That includes De Queen City Hall, which will be closed both Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 for Christmas. The trash schedule for the week of Dec. 23 will be as follows:

Monday and Tuesday will be picked up on Monday. Thursday and Friday will remain the same.

City Hall will also be closed Jan. 1 for New Years Day. The trash schedule for the week of Dec. 30 will remain the same as usual.

The Sevier County Courthouse and Landfill will be closing at noon on Monday, Dec. 23 and will remain closed until Thursday, Dec. 26. The closure will also include all area satellite waste stations on Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Sevier County Sheriff’s Office issues November activity report     12/19/24

DE QUEEN – The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office has released its activity report for the month of November:

Deputies worked a total of 1,764 hours on duty throughout the month of November and clocked 20,561 miles.

Total fuel used was calculated at 1,403 gallons.

Deputies received a total of 91 calls and worked 10 motor vehicle accidents and 120 traffic stops. Of those stops, 10 resulted in a citation with 110 warnings.

Eight arrests were made in November. A total of 102 civil papers were served and deputies completed 1,720 building checks.

Investigators with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office taught four classes, worked one unattended death, investigated one theft, one runaway incident, one sexual assault and one domestic situation.

In addition, the Horatio School Resource Office worked two incidents at the elementary school and two incidents at the high school.

Lady Leopards remain undefeated, top ranked in 4A after Antlers Classic, Poyen victories     12/19/24

ANTLERS, Okla. – The De Queen Lady Leopards steamrolled through the Antlers, Oklahoma Blue and Gold Classic unchallenged to improve to a perfect 13 and 0 on the season.

The De Queen girls claimed the title with a 77 to 45 victory over Tushka Saturday night. It was a ten-point game at the half, but the Lady Leopards outscored Tushka 44 to 18 in the second half to pull away.

Shaylin Lyle scored 34 points, was credited with five steals, and dished out four assists. Landri Liggin scored 12. Linli Liggin added 11. Ellie Morphew led the rebounding charts with 12. The Lady Leopards shot 50 percent from the floor and forced 25 Tushka turnovers with their full court pressure.

In Friday’s semifinals, the Lady Leopards rolled over Valliant 76 to 28. Shalyn Lyle led the way with 25 points. Shalyn connected on 11 of 15 shots from the floor, grabbed ten steals and six rebounds. Emma Chambers scored 13. Jessie Lyle also scored 13, including three-three-pointers. Landri Liggin had a solid game with 13 points, seven assists, and five steals. 

On the boys side of the bracket, the Leopards went 1 and 2 in the three-day tournament to finish in fourth place. In the consolation final on Saturday, Moyers defeated the Leopards 49 to 37. Sam Graham had a double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Luke Dawson added eight.

In Friday’s semifinals, Holdenville defeated the De Queen boys 65 to 53. Graham led the way with 15 points and seven rebounds. Rowan Sanchez scored 10 and grabbed six boards. Dawson was also in double figures with ten. Jake Martin grabbed seven rebounds on the night. The Leopards stand at 5 and 5 on the season after the Antlers tourney. 

Poyen at De Queen

The De Queen senior teams split with Poyen Monday night at the Coliseum as the Lady Leopards improved to 14 and 0 with a 71 to 40 victory, while the Poyen boys edged the Leopards 66 to 62.

Shalyn Lyle had another big night to keep the Lady Leopards perfect record intact with 32 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Jessie Lyle and Emma Chambers each scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. Ellie Morphew led the rebounding charts with eight. The De Queen full court press forced 26 turnovers on the night. 

The Leopards fell to 5 and 6 on the season after the tough 66 to 62 setback. Sam Graham had another double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Cayden Lindley scored 12 on four-three-pointers. Konnor Shelton also added 12.

The De Queen senior teams travel to Morrilton Friday. 

 

SCMC continues path towards conversion to non-profit critical access status     12/19/24

DE QUEEN – Officials with the Sevier County Medical Center hope the new hospital will fully transition to a 501(c)3 non-profit critical access hospital by the start of the new year.

On Monday, the Sevier County Quorum Court unanimously approved a request from the hospital’s Board of Governors to enter into a management serves agreement. The agreement allows the board of governors to continue to oversee the hospital, but under a format required as part of the effort to convert to a non-profit critical access facility.

Officials said the decision, which has been discussed for several months, is part of the hospital’s efforts to reduce costs, raise revenue and reach a position of financial sustainability.

The non-profit designation will allow the hospital to secure additional funding through grants. It will also allow the hospital to tailor a more flexible staffing plan and offer 401k retirement plans to full-time employees.

“In effect, it will put us on a more level playing field and on a more competitive basis with other critical access hospitals in Arkansas,” said Greg Revels, who serves as chair of the Sevier County Medical Center Board of Governors.

Revels said the hospital hopes to complete the transition by Jan. 1, 2025.

Other recent efforts this year to bolster the hospital’s financial situation included trimming staff levels, broad salary cuts, and focusing on the hospital’s most profitable services, such as its swing-bed program. These measures were taken after the new hospital announced in April that it was teetering towards financial collapse. The non-profit designation is one of the last measures the hospital sought to reverse its fiscal situation.

Since those steps were taken, the hospital has shown consistent break-even or even slightly positive monthly revenue reports. Outstanding debts continue to be paid off and officials are working with contractors to discuss efforts to meet the hospital’s construction-related debts.

In a statement, county officials stated the “Sevier County Medical Center is an accredited 15 bed, critical access hospital committed to providing medical care and treatment to the citizens of Sevier County and surrounding areas.  Sevier County Medical Center employs more than 80 medical professionals and staff and is fully operational.  The Sevier County Medical Center looks forward to providing the best available medical care to the citizens of Sevier County and surrounding areas.”

Spotlighting investigation leads to felony drug arrest of Lockesburg man     12/19/24

SEVIER COUNTY – A Lockesburg man was arrested on a felony drug possession offense during an incident over the weekend.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, on Dec. 7 a deputy from the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist an AGFC Wildlife Officer at a location on Old Dierks Highway. 

Upon arriving, the deputy was informed by the wildlife officer that he was patrolling the area when he observed an individual spotlighting a field that was populated with wildlife.

The wildlife officer identified the suspect as 44-year-old Adam Michael Hill of Lockesburg. The wildlife officer claimed to notice an odor of marijuana from Hill which led to a probable cause search of Hill’s vehicle. During the search, the officer allegedly located marijuana and a substance believed to be methamphetamine, along with a glass smoking pipe. Several firearms were also reportedly found in Hill’s vehicle.

Hill was then placed into custody and transported to the Sevier County Jail, where he was charged with a felony count of possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine. 

Sevier County Chamber welcomes Michael’s Mexican Grill as newest member     12/19/24

SCMC Foundation hosts first-ever Holiday Health Walk     12/19/24

Jackson Walker: One of Sevier County’s youngest entrepreneurs 12/06/24

At just 20-years-old, Jackson Walker is one of Sevier County’s youngest business owners. He operates a waste management company in Sevier and surrounding counties.

DE QUEEN – One of Sevier County’s youngest business owners said his decision to strike out on his own was inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of his parents.

Jackson Walker is the owner of JW’s Dumpster Service, a waste management company operating in Sevier and surrounding counties. A 2023 graduate of De Queen High School, the 20-year-old Walker knows a thing or two about hard work though he’s too young to even buy a beer.

Walker is the son of Dr. Randy and Angie Walker of Sevier County. His parents own Walker Family Clinic as well as AHW Enterprises, a property management company. Walker said his parents were an inspiration for his decision to start his own small business.

“Watching them was a big encouragement for me, seeing how they built up their own businesses and how hard work can pay off,” he explained. “I knew college wasn’t going to be for me so I needed to focus on something, a trade really.”

Walker started JW’s Dumpster Service in 2022 – before he even graduated high school – with a single trailer and three roll-off dumpsters. Now, he’s expanded to three trailers and 25 roll-offs as well as residential waste collection. He’s hired another full-time employee and employs another part-time.

As a Gen Z’er, Walker has heard plenty of comments from older folks about the declining work ethic of younger generations. Walker has his own thoughts on that.

“I’ve heard it a lot and there’s probably a little bit of truth to it overall, but not here at JW’s Dumpster Service,” he said, laughing. “We stay really busy these days.”

One of the points instilled by Walker’s parents was the importance of small businesses supporting one another. For a small business community to thrive and grow, it’s critical they do business with each other as they do the broader community.

“If we’re taking money out of the community, it’s always good to be putting money back into it. As a small business, I’m buying all my tires, all my fuel, buying my vehicles, buying everything local that I can. And employment, I’m resourcing employment locally,” he said.

That’s part of the reason Walker hopes to eventually expand into municipal waste management.

“A lot of towns go with these bigger companies for their waste management. They’re coming in from another town, they’re taking money out of the city or out of the county and it never returns,” he explained. “When you choose to use a local small business, that money recirculates through the city, through the county.”

Walker said he plans to keep growing his business as long as there is a need for his services. He now offers removal services for rental homes or storage units.

“We go in and clean it out,” he said. “If you had a loved one pass away, or you bought a new property, we can come in and get everything cleaned up for you. I don’t ever want to get satisfied with the services we offer. I want to keep going because it’s good to see where I’m at now compared to where I started.”

Along the way, and on a less serious note, Walker has had a few interesting finds when it comes to waste management.

“There’s been a time or two where I found a prosthetic leg, or a wig, in a dumpster and thought, there’s a body in there,” he said. “Another time there was an old cooler full of meat, it smelled horrible and I didn’t know what I was going to find inside that dumpster. You just never know what you’re picking up and sometimes it’ll really surprise you.”

On a more serious note, Walker shared a message to other young men and women who feel like college may not be for them.

“There’s a lot of potential for them, especially if they got some drive. A college education is certainly not a requirement for success. There’s a huge gap of jobs that aren’t being filled that don’t require going to college,” he said.

“I don’t think college is a bad thing, but it’s by no means necessary when we don’t have enough electricians, plumbers and other trades people. An electrician has to go about seven years to learn how to be one. Then he’s paid $150,000-200,000 a year to wire up houses. There’s a learning experience, but it was a paid learning experience.”

Walker said young folks looking to start their own business need to know how to take it on the chin and reinvest in their business at every opportunity.

“Yeah, it’s baloney and hot dogs for a long time, but it’ll be worth it when you see your business grow,” he said.

JW’s Dumpster Service is located at 1828 Highway 70 West. For more information, call Walker at (870) 784-2700.

Trophy Gar permit application period opens 12/06/24

AGFC Rivers Biologist Chelsea Gilliland working with a 187-lb. alligator gar from the Red River before releasing it back to the wild. AGFC photo.

Anglers interested in hooking into an epic-sized trophy fish can apply for a 2025 Alligator Gar Trophy tag from now until the end of 2024.
Many Arkansas anglers travel all the way to the Gulf of Mexico each year in search of trophy fish like tarpon and sailfish. Most don’t know they are passing up a similar opportunity right here in The Natural State.

While not truly a dinosaur, the alligator gar was alive during the Cretaceous Period , and individual gar take decades to reach 6 feet long. They are the second largest species of freshwater fish in North America, only topped by the white sturgeon. They frequently grow longer than 7 feet and weigh more than 200 pounds. The largest fish ever caught in Arkansas was an alligator gar in the Red River that weighed 241 pounds, more than 100 pounds heavier than the state’s next largest Arkansas catch, a 116-pound blue catfish that once held a world record.

Alligator gar can take years to reach the 36-inch mark, and females aren’t able to reproduce until they are 14 years old. Their slow maturity rate combined with habitat loss due to dams and channellization of the large rivers in their traditional range and a misconception as a trash fish or predator of other game species have hindered populations to the point where extra caution is required for harvest.

Anyone may fish for alligator gar on a catch-and-release basis with an Alligator Gar Permit (AGP), but a trophy tag (AGT) is required to keep an Alligator Gar longer than 36 inches.

Interested anglers can enter the free online drawing from Dec. 1-31 for one of 200 Alligator Gar Trophy tags for the 2025 season. Applications are available under the “Fishing License” section of the AGFC’s online license system at https://ar-web.s3licensing.com.

The drawing will occur Jan. 2, 2025. Applicants will be notified of the results by email.

Sevier County Quorum Court to meet Dec. 9           12/06/24

DE QUEEN – The Sevier County Quorum Court will meet in regular session on Monday, Dec. 9 beginning at 2 p.m. in the conference room of the Sevier County Courthouse.

The meeting will begin with reports from the Sevier County Medical Center, Sevier County Airport and Southwest EMS.

Under new business, the quorum court will decide on a proposed resolution expressing the county’s willingness to use federal assistance funding for the replace of Trent Creek Bridge on Graves Chapel Road.

The quorum court will also vote on a request from the Sevier County Medical Center Board of Governors to enter into a management services agreement for management of the county hospital. The request is one of the steps upon the hospital’s path to becoming a 501(c)3 nonprofit critical access hospital.

Other items on the agenda include an ordinance to establish the annual operating budget for 2025 and another appropriation to amend the 2024 operating budget.

The meeting is open to the public.

Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony tonight, many parades in listening area this weekend 12/06/24

DE QUEEN – Tis that most wonderful time of year, and to help spread the cheer ahead of Christmas communities across the area present their holiday parades and festivals this weekend.

De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown will host the annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting ceremony this evening. The event will be held 5-6:30 p.m. in the new pavilion in downtown De Queen and will include the lighting of the official City of De Queen Christmas Tree. The De Queen High School Jazz Band will perform Christmas music while First United Methodist Church of De Queen will offer free hot cocoa and cookies.

This Saturday, Dec. 7 will begin with the annual Christmas parade hosted by the City of Horatio at 1 p.m. through main street in Horatio. Float line up meet will be held at the Horatio Lions Football Field. There is no sign up required.

Horatio’s parade will be followed by the City of Lockesburg’s Christmas parade at 3 p.m. Sign up forms for Lockesburg’s parade can be picked up and returned to the Lockesburg City Hall by Friday, Dec. 6. Forms can also be obtained by emailing cityoflockesburg@windstream.net.

Area residents are invited to wrap up the day with the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Parade and Festival around the Sevier County Courthouse square in downtown De Queen. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with vendors, food, crafts and other activities around the square. The parade will begin at 6 p.m.

Santa will be appearing alongside the lighting of the Courthouse before the parade. Chamber officials say with everyone’s help this will be a Christmas parade to remember in our community. The 2024 De Queen Christmas Parade theme is a “Christmas Movies.”

Vendors can sign up by the end of business today by contacting the chamber at (870) 584-3225 or by stopping by the office in downtown De Queen.

Micah 6:8 will host a Christmas Market that day as well from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Mercy Meeting & Event Center on 302 W. De Queen Avenue in downtown De Queen. There will be homemade candies, breads, old fashioned suckers, buttercream boards, wooden crafts, cookies, wreaths, permanent jewelry, freeze-dried candies, pick and press shirts, scentsy, freshies, poinsettias, jewelry and $5 per kid mini painting classes. Kids 12 and under will also get a free hot cocoa and snack.

The Foreman Community Foundation Committee will host the Foreman Christmas Parade and festival on Dec. 7. Activities begin that morning with Breakfast with Santa from 9-11 a.m. in the Foreman Community Center. A Christmas Village will be set up at the Farmer’s Market from 4-7:30 p.m. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. with the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony set for 6:30 p.m.

In neighboring McCurtain County, the Town of Hochatown will present Christmas in Hochatown on Saturday, Dec. 7. The event will mark the first annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and a business outdoor decoration contest. Other activities include a magic show, visits by both Santa Claus and the Grinch, live music, a live nativity scene, vendors and more. Events begin at 4 p.m. and conclude with the tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m.

The Idabel Chamber will host its annual Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in Idabel. This year’s theme is “An ‘Old Glory’ Christmas.” Parade. Parade starts at Choctaw Village Shopping Center.

De Queen man accused of shooting son ordered to state hospital    12/04/24

DE QUEEN – A De Queen man accused of shooting his two sons – one fatally – during an altercation in 2022 has been ordered to reside the next 10 months in a state hospital.

According to court records, 67-year-old Armando Arce of De Queen underwent a mental health evaluation to determine if he is fit to proceed in the case. The evaluation was requested by Arce’s attorney and granted by the court last year. Court documents filed last month show the state has determined Arce is not fit to proceed in his criminal trial.

The court has ordered the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services, to take custody of Arce and place him in a state hospital for the next 10 months. Another hearing will be held August, 2025 to determine if Arce has regained his fitness to proceed in his criminal case, and if he presents a danger to himself or to the person or property of others.

Arce pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder stemming from an incident that occurred the evening of Nov. 8, 2022.

According to the De Queen Police Department, officers were dispatched that evening to 223 Bobby Lane on the north side of De Queen in reference to a double shooting. Upon arrival, officers found two men suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both men were transported for emergency medical treatment. Authorities stated one of the victims died en route to the hospital. The other was released following medical treatment.

Arce developed as a suspect in the case. A manhunt for Arce began that evening and he was apprehended near the residence less than 24 hours later.

Arce was identified as the father of both victims.

Arce remained in the Sevier County Jail in lieu of a $1,000,000 bond.

If Arce is determined fit to proceed, and upon a conviction, he could face up to 40 years or life in prison for the first-degree murder offense.

Cross Point Cowboy Church to present Live Nativity Dec. 13-14    12/04/24

CROSS POINT – Cross Point Cowboy Church will host its “From the Manger to the Cross” 2024 Live Nativity next weekend with a must-watch event just ahead of Christmas.

Scheduled for Dec. 13-14, the live nativity scene will feature live animals as well as a cast of over 100 fully-costumed participants. The event will be open to the public and completely free of charge. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available at the entrance. Performances will be held from 6-8 p.m. both evenings.

The Cross Point Cowboy Church congregation invites everyone to come and journey through the streets of Bethlehem from the birth of Christ to the Cross, an event the whole family can enjoy. The event will include sights and sounds from times past as visitors walk past portrayals from the streets of Bethlehem.

Golf cart rides will be available for those who have difficulty walking. The event will be held rain or shine under the church’s covered arena.

Cross Point Cowboy Church is located in between Lockesburg and Nashville on Highway 371.

HSWP hosting Christmas and Candlelight next weekend    12/04/24

WASHINGTON – Historic Washington State Park is gearing up to host its 38th annual Christmas and Candlelight historical celebration next weekend.

Park staff will line the streets with candles to provide a natural and historic Christmas look. Decorations, music and more will help set the mood for a historic Christmas experience. The homes of Historic Washington will be adorned with period decorations and thousands of luminaries will be lit during the evening hours.

The park will host its 38^th annual Christmas and Candlelight next Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14. Candlelight tours will be held from 1-8 p.m. both evenings. Music will be played in the Royston House, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, and the 1874 Courthouse starting at 5 p.m. Williams’ Tavern Restaurant will also be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a Christmas buffet. A horse-drawn surrey will be available for rides at a cost of $5 per person.

Luminary lighting and music programs will begin at 5 p.m. A Christmas Bazaar will be held in the historic gym from 3-8 p.m.

Cost to participate in the Christmas and Candlelight tours is $10 for adults and $6 for children six to 12-years-old. Children under six are free. Parking is $5 (cash only).

Volunteers are needed for a variety of activities in preparation for this year’s event, including wreath-making through Dec. 10. Help is also needed during the event, Dec. 13-14, with placing and lighting luminaries, serving the buffet line at Williams Tavern and other activities. For more information, call Melanie Miller at (870) 983-2660 or Rachel Coble at (870) 983-2640.

The event is sponsored by Historic Washington State Park, the Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation and the townspeople of Washington. Historic Washington State Park is located 19 miles from Nashville on Highway 278.

For more information, contact Historic Washington State Park by calling (870) 983-2684 or visit the park’s page at www.arkansasstateparks.com.